Tournament handicap - please advise

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timurlain
Posts: 5
Joined: Fri Oct 18, 2019 3:55 am

Hello,

I would like to organize a tournament in MECCG for novice players. Sealed deck format.

I am wondering if there is a good way to handicap players who have played the game recently for example 5 times, have the cards, know the rules to a certain degree, vs. players who are complete novices.

Sealed deck format, 2 starters, 6 boosters in the first round. METW cards only. 1 or 2 deck game.

Eg. -2 MP to final handicap? Does anyone have any experience with the distribution of game results in such formats?

Please advise.
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CDavis7M
Posts: 2816
Joined: Fri Jul 20, 2018 3:10 am
Location: California

Hi timurlain. As your post is from November, did you already organize your tournament? How did it go?

If you haven't done it already, I think sealed deck is not the best way to go for beginners. Deck building requires some skill and thinking. While the "fixed" section in the starter decks can make for a decent deck from the get-go, there are many cards that may be missing in a sealed format, or things that would get overlooked.

Instead, I would try randomize the Challenge Decks and have those played against each other. They come with strategy guides and a rulesbook and so are good for beginners. Each of the decks is definitely good and usable, and capable of bouncing back after defeat. The veterans in my playgroup have a lot of fun playing the challenge decks against each other. They find it to be a good way to "warm up."

As for handicaps, especially with beginners and a sealed deck, there is just too much variability to properly assign a true handicap. But with a Challenge Deck and lucky dice and card draw, even a beginner can beat a veteran. So I think that it is just too hard to properly determine an MP based handicap.

Perhaps the best way to "handicap" a veteran (in my mind) would be to ask them to teach the beginners how to play and think about the game as they go, and to allow for minor take-backs. For example, the veteran can explain company organization, strategy in the order of playing hazards, strategy in the order of M/H phases, when to risk an untapped roll VS when to go for it, when to go heal at a haven and when not to, etc. Or, if a Ranger tapped instead of another character against the strike, you could explain how River works and allow the beginner to tap a different character and untap their Ranger. Or help them spread corruption points across different characters. Explain how/when to tap in support. Basically, just bring the beginners partially up to the strategy level of others that have played the game before. This would provide a great experience for new players and keep them coming back.
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