Why DON'T you NOT Homebrew?

RayZorback · 06-13-2008, 11:43 AM

With all this discussion on Netdecks vs Homebrew, I just wanted to bring to light the ridiculousness of this conversation.
Everyone Netdecks & Everyone Homebrews. Why does it matter?

Every Homebrewer has a deck that looks remarkably like a deck that was listed online with just 2 or 3 changes so they can rationalize the "homebrew" version.

Every NetDecker has a deck that they custom built and want to take to FNM, but they are a little nervous that they will totally bomb and finish last.

NetDecking breeds Homebrewing. A new player starts with the cards they have. They are forced to homebrew and they get beat A LOT. Then they get online to try and find the best combonations of these cards. They find a deck and realize, "If I buy 1 of these and 4 of these, I can have a pretty nice deck". So, they buy a few cards. Now they have a "NetDeck" with a few Money Mods. As they get better and better, they start to change some things out. Alter cards to work better with the local metagame. And before you know it, they have a "homebrew" that was once a NetDeck.

The same can be said for the pragmatic Homebrewers. They put together a nice homebrew. They do some play testing against NetDecks and realize that they can beat almost everything but Lark & Elves (which can't beat Lark either - what does?). So, the time comes for FNM or a PTQ and they bring a Lark deck and the homebrew. Why? Because if a majority of the field is about to throw down Elves, the Homebrewer doesn't want to lose all night, so he windmills his Lark Netdeck to make some money and have a good time.

In my opinion, the more cards that are available, the more creative homebrews you get (that then turn into net decks). That is why Extended players have crazy sweet homebrews but at your local standard FNM, you will only see a few homebrews in the mix (and they hardly ever win).

There is nothing WRONG with NetDecking. It is smart for new players to do as they learn the game.
There is nothing WRONG with Homebrewing. It is a lot of fun!
Both are part of the game.

Who really cares why we do/don't netdeck/homebrew? Can we please get off of our high horse and be more accepting of ALL TYPES of magic game play? "Can't we all just get along."

I think the Pilot matters just as much (if not more) than the deck. A good pilot can take a bad deck a long way (Quick & Toast

). A bad pilot can't win with even the best deck. How do you get better? Drive EVERYTHING! Netdecks and Homebrews! Deck building is just 1 part of the game.

It can take up to six months to build a nice house, but that same house can be lived in for a hundred years (baring any bans a restrictions from Wizards of the Coast!

).

Playing the game is just as important as building the deck & building decks provides more insight into playing the game.

StormyWaters · 06-13-2008, 12:39 PM

I agree 100%. To be good at this game, you need to understand, appreciate, and develop skills at BOTH netdecking and homebrewing. Why? Because netdecking teaches you the basic concepts of metagaming, and because homebrewing helps to improve your skills at identifying card synergies and interactions. Any good magic player wants to understand how to "play the right deck for the right tournament," and also how to play it well with good card choices..... and both netdecking AND homebrewing are important skill builders for that.

Vulcain666 · 06-13-2008, 12:48 PM

Yes I also would have to agree with all this.

Quote:

I think the Pilot matters just as much (if not more) than the deck. A good pilot can take a bad deck a long way (Quick & Toast

).

That one just made me piss my pants

Panimu · 06-13-2008, 12:53 PM

Sounds like an answer looking for a question.

RayZorback · 06-13-2008, 01:24 PM

Thanks for reading such a long post. I really appreciate that.

Vecc · 06-13-2008, 01:55 PM

I was stricken by a strong urge to create the "Why DON'T we all STFU?

" thread, but Zorback's post was actually pretty nice. 8)

Fully agreed!

Tom Servo · 06-13-2008, 02:42 PM

Thank God for a bit of sanity. It has been a long time comming

PowerSquirrel · 06-14-2008, 08:29 AM

Just posting to show my support here.

Seriously, I couldn't agree more.

LAZZOR · 06-14-2008, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PowerSquirrel

Just posting to show my support here.

Seriously, I couldn't agree more.

What he said.

Slivortal · 06-14-2008, 09:27 AM

I homebrew because netdecking is expensive, as netdecking raises the market prices for cards.

PowerSquirrel · 06-14-2008, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slivortal

I homebrew because netdecking is expensive, as netdecking raises the market prices for cards.

I think you may have missed the point of this topic.

HINT: Actually read the first post.

Bitsy · 06-14-2008, 04:28 PM

When I think of the term homebrew I think of an "original" deck you make based on an idea you had. I know alot of people who do the OP's version of homebrewing. A friend of mine made an extremely successful variant of ManaRamp and called it ManaSlam. It took the gist of the deck and reworked it to work in our meta.

One thing I've noticed is that netdeckers tend to antagonize homebrewer's ideas without thinking about them. When Shadowmoor was released I said that Dramatic Entrance was one of the best cards in the set and everyone was like "It costs 5 mana! It sucks." but the next week I walked in on a discussion of how great Dramatic Entrance was. >.<

tugbucket · 06-14-2008, 04:44 PM

Kinda pains me to be agreeing with a Hogs fan but, at least your not a Vol. I think it would have class to make a quadruple negative from your title though

You're right though. There are very few totally homebrew decks. Just about everything has been done. You're not the first to think 'card x' would work great against 'deck y'. back in Rav block (probably my last FNM) I ran BW discard. Sure it was around but it wasn't a teir 1 by any means. I took 4th out of some 20 people. Really that's a big accomplishment for me. Constructed Type 2 is not usually my bag. I have more of a 'find a mechanic that works' ad then add cards that beat the popular decks. I get laughed at a good bit for some of my card choices but then when you take out the prominent T8 player with your sub par card choice it all works out.

I am a good 50/50 net/home deck builder. It's just a fact that things work. If your a 'netdecker' and swap out a few cards, that doesn't make you a homebrewer and visa versa.

There's no shame or glory in being one verses the other. one random 'rouge' deck has a good showing and then balm! it's netdecked (*cough* Zur).

Back when Arena league was around, I played a Pandemonium/Aluren deck. A tad bit homebrew I guess. It went well, then I switched to standard Aluren. Yep flog me now. Last Extended I played Wake with Sphere of Law. It won me a game or two. Is that homebrew? nah. Netdeck? nah. Screw the grey area.

Anywho, good write up, well said and well written. kudos.

Xctu · 06-14-2008, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vecc

I was stricken by a strong urge to create the "Why DON'T we all STFU?

" thread, but Zorback's post was actually pretty nice. 8)

Fully agreed!

[2],

40 cal · 06-14-2008, 07:45 PM

i agree. i hate when people dont netdeck because they want to show how cool they are.

SORRY FOR WANTING TO WIN A TOURNAMENT

06-13-2008, 11:43 AM	#1
RayZorback Experienced Mage Join Date: May 2008 Location: Northwest Arkansas Posts: 131 Blog Entries: 2	Why DON'T you NOT Homebrew? With all this discussion on Netdecks vs Homebrew, I just wanted to bring to light the ridiculousness of this conversation. Everyone Netdecks & Everyone Homebrews. Why does it matter? Every Homebrewer has a deck that looks remarkably like a deck that was listed online with just 2 or 3 changes so they can rationalize the "homebrew" version. Every NetDecker has a deck that they custom built and want to take to FNM, but they are a little nervous that they will totally bomb and finish last. NetDecking breeds Homebrewing. A new player starts with the cards they have. They are forced to homebrew and they get beat A LOT. Then they get online to try and find the best combonations of these cards. They find a deck and realize, "If I buy 1 of these and 4 of these, I can have a pretty nice deck". So, they buy a few cards. Now they have a "NetDeck" with a few Money Mods. As they get better and better, they start to change some things out. Alter cards to work better with the local metagame. And before you know it, they have a "homebrew" that was once a NetDeck. The same can be said for the pragmatic Homebrewers. They put together a nice homebrew. They do some play testing against NetDecks and realize that they can beat almost everything but Lark & Elves (which can't beat Lark either - what does?). So, the time comes for FNM or a PTQ and they bring a Lark deck and the homebrew. Why? Because if a majority of the field is about to throw down Elves, the Homebrewer doesn't want to lose all night, so he windmills his Lark Netdeck to make some money and have a good time. In my opinion, the more cards that are available, the more creative homebrews you get (that then turn into net decks). That is why Extended players have crazy sweet homebrews but at your local standard FNM, you will only see a few homebrews in the mix (and they hardly ever win). There is nothing WRONG with NetDecking. It is smart for new players to do as they learn the game. There is nothing WRONG with Homebrewing. It is a lot of fun! Both are part of the game. Who really cares why we do/don't netdeck/homebrew? Can we please get off of our high horse and be more accepting of ALL TYPES of magic game play? "Can't we all just get along." I think the Pilot matters just as much (if not more) than the deck. A good pilot can take a bad deck a long way (Quick & Toast). A bad pilot can't win with even the best deck. How do you get better? Drive EVERYTHING! Netdecks and Homebrews! Deck building is just 1 part of the game. It can take up to six months to build a nice house, but that same house can be lived in for a hundred years (baring any bans a restrictions from Wizards of the Coast!). Playing the game is just as important as building the deck & building decks provides more insight into playing the game. __________________ Bye for now, Ray Zorback

06-13-2008, 12:39 PM	#2
StormyWaters Just Getting Started Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Athens, GA Posts: 28	six of one... I agree 100%. To be good at this game, you need to understand, appreciate, and develop skills at BOTH netdecking and homebrewing. Why? Because netdecking teaches you the basic concepts of metagaming, and because homebrewing helps to improve your skills at identifying card synergies and interactions. Any good magic player wants to understand how to "play the right deck for the right tournament," and also how to play it well with good card choices..... and both netdecking AND homebrewing are important skill builders for that.

06-13-2008, 01:24 PM	#5
RayZorback Experienced Mage Join Date: May 2008 Location: Northwest Arkansas Posts: 131 Blog Entries: 2	Thanks for reading such a long post. I really appreciate that. __________________ Bye for now, Ray Zorback

06-14-2008, 04:28 PM	#12
Bitsy Guttersnipe(r) Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Buffalo,NY Posts: 2,939 Blog Entries: 12	When I think of the term homebrew I think of an "original" deck you make based on an idea you had. I know alot of people who do the OP's version of homebrewing. A friend of mine made an extremely successful variant of ManaRamp and called it ManaSlam. It took the gist of the deck and reworked it to work in our meta. One thing I've noticed is that netdeckers tend to antagonize homebrewer's ideas without thinking about them. When Shadowmoor was released I said that Dramatic Entrance was one of the best cards in the set and everyone was like "It costs 5 mana! It sucks." but the next week I walked in on a discussion of how great Dramatic Entrance was. >.< __________________ Fantasy Card Sleeves: $4 Deck Box: $3 Tournament Entry Fee: $5 Getting that super sexy top deck everytime: Priceless There are something money can't buy. For everything else there's Magic: The Gathering. Your tomb is where your heart is, I should have told her. Thanks to spiderboy4 of High~Light Studios!

06-14-2008, 04:44 PM	#13
tugbucket Ascended Mage Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 213	Kinda pains me to be agreeing with a Hogs fan but, at least your not a Vol. I think it would have class to make a quadruple negative from your title though You're right though. There are very few totally homebrew decks. Just about everything has been done. You're not the first to think 'card x' would work great against 'deck y'. back in Rav block (probably my last FNM) I ran BW discard. Sure it was around but it wasn't a teir 1 by any means. I took 4th out of some 20 people. Really that's a big accomplishment for me. Constructed Type 2 is not usually my bag. I have more of a 'find a mechanic that works' ad then add cards that beat the popular decks. I get laughed at a good bit for some of my card choices but then when you take out the prominent T8 player with your sub par card choice it all works out. I am a good 50/50 net/home deck builder. It's just a fact that things work. If your a 'netdecker' and swap out a few cards, that doesn't make you a homebrewer and visa versa. There's no shame or glory in being one verses the other. one random 'rouge' deck has a good showing and then balm! it's netdecked (cough Zur). Back when Arena league was around, I played a Pandemonium/Aluren deck. A tad bit homebrew I guess. It went well, then I switched to standard Aluren. Yep flog me now. Last Extended I played Wake with Sphere of Law. It won me a game or two. Is that homebrew? nah. Netdeck? nah. Screw the grey area. Anywho, good write up, well said and well written. kudos. __________________ You buy flowers for your mom, sick friends, dead people and your woman. You make a mix tape for your metal head friends in high school and girls whos pants you want to get into. If you've already been in her pants, it might as well be flowers. The gifts you give a friend with benefits you have to wash off.


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06-13-2008, 12:53 PM	#4
Panimu Ascended Mage Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 170	Sounds like an answer looking for a question.

06-13-2008, 01:55 PM	#6
Vecc Experienced Mage Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Hmmm.. nachos Posts: 67	I was stricken by a strong urge to create the "Why DON'T we all STFU? " thread, but Zorback's post was actually pretty nice. 8) Fully agreed!

06-13-2008, 02:42 PM	#7
Tom Servo Ascended Mage Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 157	Thank God for a bit of sanity. It has been a long time comming

06-14-2008, 08:29 AM	#8
PowerSquirrel Experienced Mage Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 132	Just posting to show my support here. Seriously, I couldn't agree more.

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