Restored Faith in Clixers

[Random]

Ya know, sometimes clixers can be pretty good people....

At a tournament this weekend in Kansas City, Mo There were all of these expeirenced players and one kid, about 12 who had never played before. Of course he got trounced, but as we were doing the trouncing, we were explaining what how and what we were doing. After the kid made his moves, his opponents would regularly tell him what they would have done instead. As the rounds went on he got better and better.

After the tounament several players stuck around to give the kid some tips and ideas, and encouraged him to come every weekend.
I don't know, it just seemed to me that everyone was really nice, wich is not the norm for the human race.

stuff like this happen where you all play?

[Meepo]

Originally posted by Random

I don't know, it just seemed to me that everyone was really nice, wich is not the norm for the human race

Every now and then people can surprise you, if you let them.

[krzysztof]

Originally posted by Random

I don't know, it just seemed to me that everyone was really nice, wich is not the norm for the human race.


I disagree with that statement. It's the old 'human nature' question that comes up so often in discussiona about socialism. I think that people generally posesses positive traits and value helping each other out. It's the system that we are brought up in that teaches us to be greedy and competitive. If a system existed that was based on mutaul aid and cooperation, then being nice to each other would be the norm. I think that generally, we are products of our environment.

[Badges2]

That is a really nice story. But, here's a little friendly advice. Don't ever tell little kids about "droleriF". Once they learn that he is the best, most useful, most powerful, almighty, game-winning god of doom, then you will constantly face him in every match. (I really don't mind going against him, but when he is on every team, it gets very annoying. I have to field the same to people on every team as well, so I can deal with him easily). I think it was really sweet of you all to educate him; I just hope that it doesn't come back to bite you in the buttocks.

[Melkoloran]

Every now and then people can surprise you, if you let them.

Unfortunately, usually for the worse.

[Meepo]

Ahh Melkoloran, I would never suspect you to be a pessimist!

[Random]

that's what I am saying Melk. usually it's everyone out for themselves, specially at competitive tourney's.

[Melkoloran]

Actually, I'm a cynical optimist. Hope for the best, expect the worst.

[Funky Jett]

We had a tournament this weekend with 12 people, 4 of which were younger players (8 - 16?) and new to our venue. We were playing under new house rules and playing a scenario (modified Winner Takes All), which none of them were prepared for. The regulars helped them build their teams, so we got started almost an hour later than normal. And no one complained.

One of the new guys took second and another took the Fellowship Award.

[cyberdragon]

I have played 2 tourneys fo far and brought my 7-year with me to play. I don't think I'd go otherwise as I do this for him mostly.

I do warn him to behave before and during the event and he does good.

The players have been really nice with him. Patient and friendly. Some guys also gave him pointers when they played him and actually had him really feel like he was part of the gang.

Even if it's competitive, people are there to have fun and it shows.

Cool stuff.

[cyberdragon]

I am not 6'4" and built like a tank. So I don't think people feel 'obligated' to be nice. :D

[Aron]

Originally posted by Melkoloran


Unfortunately, usually for the worse.

Cynical Optimists Unite! ... eh, not going to happen - but oh well..

[Random]

hey, I AM 6'4" and bulit like a tank, but believe me, all that gets ya are the dorks who think they are tuff trying to call ya out.

Nice story about your kid though.

[TheFallenOne]

Originally posted by Random
that's what I am saying Melk. usually it's everyone out for themselves, specially at competitive tourney's.

i dont really think that coaching a twelve year old makes him a threat. so its not like they were really hurting there chances

[TheFallenOne]

Originally posted by Random
hey, I AM 6'4" and bulit like a tank, but believe me, all that gets ya are the dorks who think they are tuff trying to call ya out.

Nice story about your kid though.

does that mean that you have treads? built like a tank? haha whatever!

[DS-00-0, FSD]

Originally posted by Random
Ya know, sometimes clixers can be pretty good people....

At a tournament this weekend in Kansas City, Mo There were all of these expeirenced players and one kid, about 12 who had never played before. Of course he got trounced, but as we were doing the trouncing, we were explaining what how and what we were doing. After the kid made his moves, his opponents would regularly tell him what they would have done instead. As the rounds went on he got better and better.

After the tounament several players stuck around to give the kid some tips and ideas, and encouraged him to come every weekend.
I don't know, it just seemed to me that everyone was really nice, wich is not the norm for the human race.

stuff like this happen where you all play?

*********Joking response coming up, be aware :D *********

Actually, if you think about it, they were doing it for themselves. The first person (Player A) who faced him (New Player) let him make all the mistakes, but then pointed out how to rectify those mistakes so New Player could be better in the next round, there-by making it harder for other people to catch Player A in the standings.

Player B, who next faced New Player, did the same so that he could sabotage the next person who played New Player.

See it's a viscious cycle where everyone is trying to mess over the next guy!!!;) ;)

[Clikzilla]

TheFallenOne said:

"i dont really think that coaching a twelve year old makes him a threat. so its not like they were really hurting there chances"


No doubt correct.

But, what they were doing falls into the category of "good sportsmanship"...taking the time to help someone learn about how to play the game better, and being friendly in general.

That young man is going to be more likely to come back and play again, knowing that the group is friendly and willing to help him learn how to be a better player. Even if he did lose, he was still made welcome and folks took time to interact with him.

When I was 12, that counted for a lot. Heck, I'm 34 now, and it still counts.

[RavenProject]

Here's my observation on the subject...

When I know I'm facing a newbie, I don't hold back my own game at all. I don't see the point in candy-coating it if they've decided to play at the tournament level; teach them what it's really like. (Yes, I was taught to swim by being thrown in.)

What I will do, however, is explain. A lot. I'll tell them what I'm doing, why I'm doing it. I'll tell them how their team could counter my actions, or how they could make the most efficient strike possible. When the match is over, I'll help them understand what works about their team, and what figures would work better with their strategy.

Now, here's the kicker:

Without fail, every time I've done that, the newbie scores better against me than anyone else I play that day.

Now I know full well that it's because I have a much better understanding of my team and how to beat it, and passed that on to the newbie. But I'll tell you, it does wonders for the newbie's confidence to hear that he outdid two or more other players. :)

-J

[cyberdragon]

And ultimately, the more people who play the game, the more successull it will be and the more clix we'll get. :)

[Random]

Hey Raven,

That is exactly what I did to the kid. I made my moves and explained them, but I had no mercy on him. Just let him kknow, AFTER his moves, what he should have done. it's the same way I taught my daughter and girlfriend how to play chess.

[cyberdragon]

It's also how I taught my son to beat me. :D

[Noman]

...One of the kids who plays in our "Network" is a special needs lad, who is 12, with Dyspraxia.

This means he is quite physicaly clumsy, things get knocked over a lot, and subtlety is a veritable mi...a completely impenetrabal ch..is as easy for him as a di...oh, heck, he can't understand you if your subtle - be blatant or he keeps talking...

(and his figures are generaly broken and reglued...)

People are very understanding with him...and I have yet to find an adult clix player who was anything other than helpful to the young man.

However, this is tempered by the fact that those whove played him once know that the gawky body and weird speach patterns hide a mind like a cross between a calculator and a steel trap. He always knows the odds, has memorized all his clix dials, and can tell you what the chance of any particular action working is.

He tends to go for "Horde" teams when at all possible, and then use psi control characters to get yours fighting each other...

He passed a very tough academic test to get into the best school in these parts, and will unquestionably get a better degree (Mathematics, obviously) than I did.

...and he is a gamer to the core.

12 year olds.

Be afraid. Be very afraid...

LoL

All the Best

Noman

[cyberdragon]

Previously posted by Noman

However, this is tempered by the fact that those whove played him once know that the gawky body and weird speach patterns hide a mind like a cross between a calculator and a steel trap. He always knows the odds, has memorized all his clix dials, and can tell you what the chance of any particular action working is.


I thought that was a pretty funny way of putting it. :D

A typical Marvel super-hero. Has an incredible talent coupled with some kind of limitation.

This reminds me of the movie "A beautiful mind".

[the itsy bit]

Originally posted by Random

I don't know, it just seemed to me that everyone was really nice, wich is not the norm for the human race.

stuff like this happen where you all play?


yep !
It's called good sportsmanship, helping new players helps yourself in the end because when there are more players there will be versatility.

In our Game/comic store there is also a common box where new players can take figs they like for free (we trow doubles in there and figs we don't like).
this allows new players to build 200/300 teams without having to buy half a case of boosters !

[Silverlynx35]

We seem to always have new players join every couple of weeks. Part of the fun is explaining the game to them. I have taken first several times (true, we have a smaller turn-out) so I tend to tell them exactly how I would play a certain action, even if it means my guy getting clobbered. I'd prefer to have the kid show up with enthusiam the next week rather than get turned off by cut-throat play.
What's funny is that at my venue, people don't seem to notice FumundaLord as a problem. He gets randomly played but not railed against. Therefore, I simply leave him in my box and enjoy the game.
Fellowship.....Its more than just a prize to be won, its a worthy attribute to attain. (God that sounded like an Army commercial).

Just a thought
SL35

[TheFallenOne]

Originally posted by Noman
...One of the kids who plays in our "Network" is a special needs lad, who is 12, with Dyspraxia.

This means he is quite physicaly clumsy, things get knocked over a lot, and subtlety is a veritable mi...a completely impenetrabal ch..is as easy for him as a di...oh, heck, he can't understand you if your subtle - be blatant or he keeps talking...

(and his figures are generaly broken and reglued...)

People are very understanding with him...and I have yet to find an adult clix player who was anything other than helpful to the young man.

However, this is tempered by the fact that those whove played him once know that the gawky body and weird speach patterns hide a mind like a cross between a calculator and a steel trap. He always knows the odds, has memorized all his clix dials, and can tell you what the chance of any particular action working is.

He tends to go for "Horde" teams when at all possible, and then use psi control characters to get yours fighting each other...

He passed a very tough academic test to get into the best school in these parts, and will unquestionably get a better degree (Mathematics, obviously) than I did.

...and he is a gamer to the core.

12 year olds.

Be afraid. Be very afraid...

LoL

All the Best

Noman

I take it that you must be the president of his fan club.

[Random]

that's Harsh, fallenone. what up wit dat?

[Keleko]

If you were REALLY being a good sport, you'd tell him what he should have done and let him do it right then. I did this at the last tournament to a couple of players, though they weren't newbies, either. For example, one player taxied in Hawk and charged a figure. I told him that he should put Hawk in a different square to start and pick up an object during the charge so he'd do more damage. I ended up winning that game anyway, though.

Another game I had a player that was contemplating trying to break away from Sandman. She'd already made the 6 twice. She rolled it "just to see" but wasn't planning to move. I knew she would make it somehow (just the way my luck went that tournament), and of course she rolled a 6. I let her take the breakaway move. I was losing that game anyway.

I didn't go so far as allowing post-attack perplex on damage, though. Gotta draw the line somewhere. If you forget to use a power after the dice are rolled, I'm not gonna let you correct that mistake. Once the dice are rolled, the decision is made.

[Melkoloran]

If you were REALLY being a good sport, you'd tell him what he should have done and let him do it right then.

I don't really agree with that. Being a good sport is letting them know what they could have done better. Letting them change their moves to your suggestions is playing against yourself with your opponent just moving the pieces.

[fridayweb]

Originally posted by DS-00-0, FSD
Player B, who next faced New Player, did the same so that he could sabotage the next person who played New Player.

Hehehe, since I'm Player B and I'd already been trounced by the two-Firelord team at that point, I can pretty well say that is NOT what I was doing ;)

My friend wound up being Player C anyhow. Let me tell you, as inexperienced as the kid was a Veteran Ultron + Veteran AIM Medic is a pretty good handicap. "Player C" told me after the tourney that he had to play a little harder than he would've liked, just to take down Ultron. I hope that kid comes back, he's got potential. Playing a tourney when you're just starting out is about fun, which is something some others were lacking.

[Random]

Yep, like I said and Friday knows, the kid got steadily better, and I believe with a bit more thought into his team, and with his new understanding, he should be fine and a real challenge in a couple more tounaments.

hey Friday, wich one were you anyway? I can't remember who he played second. I'm the one with the X-Men baseball hat. Came in second at the end. I also got trounced by the 2 Firelord, Two doombot team.

[RavenProject]

Originally posted by Melkoloran
Being a good sport is letting them know what they could have done better. Letting them change their moves to your suggestions is playing against yourself with your opponent just moving the pieces.

I see your point, and in a way it depends on the situation.

Think of it this way... we're the "Veteran Clixers."

If I'm playing an "Experienced Clixer," then I'll offer constructive comments after the fact. He knows the game, just needs to understand a little better.

But if I'm facing a "Rookie Clixer," then I have no problem steering them for a while so they can spot moves they would have missed otherwise.

The difference is that E Clixer knows the moves, he just may not have the jist of applying them. R Clixer may not know the moves in the first place.

Moment from last night to share...

I was facing an opponent last night and had honestly devastated his force -- he was down to his E Hydra Agent and R Scarlet Witch. The guy was ready to throw in the towel, but I told him to keep at it. "You've still got Probability Control," I reminded him, "And Critical Hits *do* happen."

Sure enough, he took the shot on Ant-Man with the Agent. Rolled an eleven; missed. Re-rolled, Critical Hit.

The whole playing group stopped and cheered the kid for spitting in the face of defeat. Made him feel better even if he did get wiped out.

-J

[Noman]

Hello TheFallenOne.

Qoute from TheFallenOne

"I take it that you must be the president of his fan club."

Head of Andy's fan club ? No. He drives me to distraction, sometimes.

Good friend of his Dad (a fellow HCRealmer) ? Yes.

I've watched him grow up, and develop despite his Dyspraxia, seen him cope with his (non-special-needs) brothers, seen him battle for his Grammer School place despite hardly being able to write, and watched him be unreservedly kind and open to people who are unpleasent to him.

I teach Special Needs children, and only special needs children, all day, every day.
Every now and again, one of them, in some small way, strikes back for all the people at "the wrong end of the curve." Andy does that through his Maths and his Gaming.

I am perfectly happy to chear him on...and if I draw him in a tournament, I will do my level best to beat him. (I have, twice.)

Andy is the only HeroClix player to beat "Shadow" in open tournament play - although he only did it once...but that's once more than me.

pm me if you are ever in England, and i'll set up a game.

All the Best

Noman

[Keleko]

Originally posted by RavenProject


I see your point, and in a way it depends on the situation.

Think of it this way... we're the "Veteran Clixers."

If I'm playing an "Experienced Clixer," then I'll offer constructive comments after the fact. He knows the game, just needs to understand a little better.


I did my suggestion on Hawk's charge as soon as I saw he missed grabbing the object. I pointed out that he should have done it, and I allowed him to do it because he hadn't rolled the attack yet. I also remind people of powers that their characters have that they forget to use. Leadership, Perplex and Outwit are often forgotten by a lot of players. I'll let them roll leadership after they've made their first move, for example. Of course I do expect them to return the favor. If they don't, then they get no more.

[Random]

see? I knew there were other people ot there that cared.