Discussing a Possible Drafted Format

[Zaphysic]

Hi everyone,

 

I recently sent a feedback message to the Dev Team in which I described the advantages of adding a Drafted Format to the Tournament mode in the future. Please find below what I worte in my feedback and do leave your thoughts on this topic!

 

Upon further consideration and after discussing it with some friends (also involved in high-level Magic or other card games) I believe a successful Drafted format could be the key to the broad popularity of Pokemon TCG among card game lovers. I understand there are many difficulties and challenges that come with this idea but I would like to present a list of facts about the advantages of a Drafted format in Pokemon TCG (most of these are rather obvious but, by no means, less important to the point):

 

0. I will not give a precise idea of what a Drafted format should be in precise terms but I will assume that it resembles the experience of other card games in which a small group of players is given a randomised or partially randomised material from which they need to build a deck (needless to say that any required basic energies will be supplied) in a limit​ed time and battle each other thereafter.

 

 

 

1. Deck-Building-Skills Intensive. Many Pokemon TCG players, as in other card games, constantly complain about "net-decking", i.e. the very upleasant experience that players with enough resources just copy the best decks and the meta gets progressively stagnant. Drafted formats are the best solution to cope with this trend of constructed play, that will always be present to some degree. Players will keep their interest on constructed play because they get to play their favourite pokemon and the most powerful strategies while they can experience the creativity and thrill of building decks with limited resources and playing against other players in similar conditions.
   
2. Consistently Selling New Material. The final form of a Drafted format needs careful consideration and mindful design but one thing is for sure: it will require opening some kind of packs where the material will be found. This is the perfect way to introduce a persistent and secure motivation for players to purchase new material other than simply enlarging one's collection. It is likely that the final design will require a special type of packs or sealed decks but if the online game requires players to purchase these (at a reasonable price) prior to participating in a Drafted event it will help to the long term stability of the game.
   
3. Flavourful feel of "Catching Wild Pokemon". While the usual 1 vs 1 constructed play emulates trainer battles, for those seeking to emulate the other fundamental aspect of the pokemon world, that of catching wild pokemon, a Drafted format provides the natural environment. Although not immensely relevant for the game itself, this only further supports the convenience of having such a format.
   
4. Additional Source of Ranked Play. Having a second competitive format allows for players to participate in a different kind of ranked games. This will not only complement the usual 1 vs 1 game but also provide a format that is skill-intensive and in which having a big collection is not so important. This is of course a very appealing feature for most players but even more so for newcomers and begginers, that will feel compelled to purchase Draftable packs that allow them to play Drafted formats and that will also enlarge their collections.
   

[Mod_Alder]

Very interesting ideas, I think that a draft style game play would definitely add a new way to play the game. I will forward these ideas to the dev team.

[CharizardM]

I can see a problem... Either there will have to be different competitions if you are using either gems or tokens, or there will have to be some way to allow those that are buying packs with tokens to open more packs since token packs usually only have five cards per pack...

[Zaphysic]

Of course the material used for the drafted format will probably need to be specifically designed for that end. I am thinking of a booster draft kind of thing so maybe a special type of pack (one containing, for instance, enough basic pokemon and enough colorless pokemon to make multiple colour strategies possible) needs to be introduced in the shop. Then a condition for players to participate in a booster draft daily event will be to own the necessary packs (that could be purchased in the shop or gained as prize of other tournaments).

 

I have never attended a real-life Pokemon TCG event but I have heard that in some of them there are booster drafts. Anyone familiar with this kind of experience? Any information will be most welcome. Also keep suggesting new ideas for a drafted format in Pokemon TCG!

[CharizardM]

I remember being at a event where they gave each person about six or seven packs and they had to make a forty card deck using them and the energy cards that were provided at the event...

[kdoll154]

I remember being at a event where they gave each person about six or seven packs and they had to make a forty card deck using them and the energy cards that were provided at the event...

I have been to such events once. Prerelease's!

[takkupanda]

This could very well be implemented in the tournaments section once it is up. In this case the players will be given virtual packs which they can construct virtual decks from, but they wouldn't be able to keep the virtual cards. Then they participate in the tournament using a deck made out of only the random cards pulled from the finite number of boosters and any number of energy cards. At the end of the tournament, they get the tournament prizes, but don't get to keep the cards. (Sorry about the possibly redundant argument.)

[Zaphysic]

This could very well be implemented in the tournaments section once it is up. In this case the players will be given virtual packs which they can construct virtual decks from, but they wouldn't be able to keep the virtual cards. Then they participate in the tournament using a deck made out of only the random cards pulled from the finite number of boosters and any number of energy cards. At the end of the tournament, they get the tournament prizes, but don't get to keep the cards. (Sorry about the possibly redundant argument.)

 

That's also an option but I think it will be better if participants get to keep the decks they draft (prior paying an entry fee or providing the boosters themselves) and some further prizes if they do well. The drafted format will need to be as attractive as possible for both new and old players.

[Zaphysic]

I have been to such events once. Prerelease's!

 

@CharizardM and @Kdoll154: I was aware this in prereleases... do you think it will be a good thing to have in PTCGO?

[CharizardM]

I think it is a good idea.