Constructed League

[Thomas David Baker]

Edit: If you want to participate in the first Demonic Tutor Constructed League please email your deck list by this Friday 14th August 2009 to [e-mail] ... all are welcome!


It turns out I suck at constructed (even more than limited). I probably need to actually play some competitive constructive more than once a year to get better.

So how about this? You know those pickup games of Standard that we play in between rounds or before 7pm or whenever. Let's instead turn them into a mildly competitive league with a little something at stake.

You would commit to a deck in a blind process, then play one match against everyone else in the league that you bump into for 6 weeks. Then at the end of that six weeks you score a small amount or zero perhaps for everyone you didn't manage to play and a final league table is established. You submit results to me and I'd keep a running league table either on this site or elsewhere on t'internet.

(There is also the possibility that we might get this sanctioned in some way but I don't know much about that.)

What do you think?

[Kieran Symington]

Improving at standard has to be a good idea. Maybe instead of randomizing decks you could do some kind of auction - that way people might get the decks they want but they would have to increase their "something at stake" (which they would then win back - plus more - by beating everyone).

[Thomas David Baker]

I intended for the deck choice to be up to the player but secret from all other players until everyone has chosen.

[Kieran Symington]

That makes sense - I thought when you said "blind" you meant "random".

[stevie_b]

i really like this idea tom - also agree that playing more standard with something at stake makes more sense

one of the best testing i did was with gary (surprising huh!) - 10 matches, 5 pre board 5 post - made u think about the key cards in the match and the key holes u need to fill after board while also trying to minimise mana issue matches.

would be an idea to start soon as standard will be unrecogniseable when zendikar arrives and also there are still some ptqs and the stnd see the world tourneys before the rotation

[Thomas David Baker]

OK, we shall begin on Friday.

If you want to participate in the first Demonic Tutor Constructed League please email your deck list by this Friday 14th August 2009 to [e-mail] ... all are welcome!

I've put mine in a sealed envelope.

The rules are as follows:

- Decklists must be registered with [e-mail] by Friday 14th August 2009. All normal rules apply about deck sizes, etc.
- Matches are untimed.
- You may play any other player in the league at any time.
- You may only play any given player in the league once.
- Match results must be reported to [e-mail]
- Matches up to and including Friday 11th September count for points. The league will then end and a winner will be declared.
- Matches may be played on MTGO or MWS if both participants agree.
- Any number of proxies are allowed. They must be full-size versions of the cards not simply names or altered basic lands. They can be color or black and white. (If you don't have access to a printer and need some proxies let me know.)
- 3 points will be awarded for a win.
- In the event of a tie on points the player who has played more matches will appear higher in the standings, to encourage maximum participation.
- Entry fee is a single booster pack, or 2 pounds. Prizes will be given out as follows:
- 1st place: Half of all booster entry fees, rounded up.
- 2nd place: Two thirds of the remaining boosters, rounded down.
- 3rd place: All remaining boosters.

Example prizes:

With 4 entrants -
1st ... 2 boosters
2nd ... 1 booster
3rd ... 1 booster

With 10 entrants -
1st ... 5 boosters
2nd ... 3 boosters
3rd ... 2 boosters

With 23 entrants -
1st ... 12 boosters
2nd ... 7 boosters
3rd ... 4 boosters

[Ben Titmarsh]

I'm in, i'll get a deck together.

[Dan Barrett]

Count me in.

We could definitely be a dominating force if we tested more standard, i'm sure we can get an all-London National team next year if we work at it!

[James Mills]

I'm in if mike will lend me that Elves deck again.

[Gary Lynch]

James, didnt you see it can be all printed proxies.

Steve, does that mean I help you to be the 18th best player in the country :)

[James Mills]

I hate playing with proxies!

Gary Lynch said:

James, didnt you see it can be all printed proxies.

Steve, does that mean I help you to be the 18th best player in the country :)

[stevie_b]

i should probably clarify - testing 10 matches with gary against probably my deck's worst match up was far more useful than destroying millsy 6-0 with kithkin, 8-2 with jund, 2-0 with combo elves etc. Also are we gonna make the league matches best of 3 or 5 - how many pre/post board

[James Mills]

8-2!?

It was actually 3-3 fool

it's two out of three games and when I used your deck at the LCQ I destroyed Kithkin every time. It's a nightmare match-up

Ok Steve shall we play our match on Friday?

stevie_b said:

i should probably clarify - testing 10 matches with gary against probably my deck's worst match up was far more useful than destroying millsy 6-0 with kithkin, 8-2 with jund, 2-0 with combo elves etc. Also are we gonna make the league matches best of 3 or 5 - how many pre/post board