Subject: A Few Rants and Comments- Yami Kun

This is my first writing to Pojo's, so I hope you all get a chance to read it.

My main rant that I have is about everyone saying and some, demanding, you 
have an ORIGINAL deck.  I can guarantee you that the idea you may have for 
your deck isnt exactly original.  If you look at the basic deck types, Im 
sure your deck falls into one of those catagories.  Sure, you can build a 
deck that has a completely different premise than the main deck types, but 
does it actually work well, if at all?  The reason these now "unoriginal" 
deck types are being used so often is because they work, and they work 
well.  Sure, you can say you have a Fiend and Spellcaster beatdown deck, 
but you have a Jinzo and Gearfried the Iron Knight in there.  That doesnt 
change the fact that at it's core it is still a Fiend/Spellcaster beatdown 
deck.  In my experience the main reasons people harp on these "unoriginal" 
decks is because:  A.)  They felt they were the ones using that deck type 
first, and should still be able to use it, but all these newbies 
shouldnt.  (yes, it's an inferiority complex).  They feel that everyone 
else should use a deck that isnt like their own.  B.) They dont want to 
deal with the effort involved in creating an "original" deck to combat all 
the "unoriginal" decks.  (laziness)  C.)  They know how well these deck 
types work, and want others to stay away and use their imagination.  Now I 
run three different deck types, I run an Exodia deck, a Destiny Board deck, 
and a Fiend/Spellcaster beatdown deck.  Is my F/S beatdown deck full of 
F&S's??
No, but that doesnt make it an original deck.  I'll tell you what makes an 
original deck.  An original deck is made up of your own personal 
preferences, strategies, thoughts, ideas, and heart.  I know that can sound 
corny, but deal with it.  The deck you build is original, because you made 
it, and unless you completely copied it from someone else (unless you're 
playing a Char. themed deck) it is unique.

Now for my comment.  We have all read the tips about manners, politeness, 
etc.  I try my best to follow proper etiquette, and Im positive most all 
you other duelists out there do too.  We are respectable people.  We give 
respect, and receive it during our matches.  If you see a kid get beat by 
some smug, uptight duelist, sit down and have a talk with the kid, be nice 
to him, give him some tips.  The guy he played may have ruined his good 
happy-go-lucky mood, but your respect and help probably just fixed it for 
him.  Try to impose the etiquette onto those who lack it.  If you're up 
against one of those Kaiba-ish duelists and you lose (or win), be as polite 
as you would to any other duelist.  Dont give him the cold shoulder just 
because he did the same to the others he played.  Believe it or not, it has 
an effect on them.

My last comment is about newbies and my opinion on our role as more 
advanced duelists.  As duelists with more experience than the newer people 
to the game we play multiple roles when dueling the newbies.  We are not 
only the opponent, but we are also a teacher, and a role model.  If you 
know the kid you're up against is new to the game, give him/her a 
break.  Dont go all out as if you were up against the champ from last weeks 
tourney, go into the match ready to encourage your opponent.  Be polite 
always, they may see you dueling someone and see that you are always that 
polite.  That image sticks in their head.  After your duel is over, give 
them tips on what they can do to build up their deck, compliment them on 
some of the moves they made (even if they werent that great).  If you just 
stomp a kid who is new to the game and gloat, they may never play again, 
and we dont want that, we want as many duelists around as possible!!  If 
you have the chance see if you can find an opponent for them to play that 
is willing to let you help the newer player, it's a great confidence 
booster for the newbie, and it makes you look better in everyone elses 
eyes.  Treat the newbies like you wanted to be treated when you were a newbie.

Ok.. I lied, I have one last thing to say.  This kinda ties in to what I 
said above, but I felt it deserved it's own paragraph. >.<  I know a lot of 
us take our card binders to tourneys for trading afterward.  Some of the 
people there just have their cards in their pockets, unprotected, and 
they're in bad shape.  Dont single them out as a "Im not going to trade 
with them" person.  Give them a boost.  If you have an extra pack of card 
sleeves, trade or give them to the kid.  If you have a binder you dont use 
anymore because you got a bigger one, trade or give it to them.  If you're 
in the middle of trading with someone and they're going through your cards 
and find a secret rare, or ultra rare that they really want, and as you go 
through their deck you see that the only card you're interested in is their 
Barrel Dragon, ask if they want to trade.  If they say yes, good trade, you 
got a card you wanted, so did they.  If they say no (this is the part that 
may get some people to comment for good and bad reasons) ask yourself, "Do 
I use that card often?  Do I plan on using that card in the future?"  If 
you cant find a good enough reason to keep the card, just give it to the kid. 
Good karma comes back to you.  One weekend I gave a kid my Ring of 
Destruction and Barrel Behind the Door because he really wanted them, but 
didnt want to trade his best card (which happened to be a Barrel Dragon). 
The next weekend, he told all his friends about me and they all wanted to 
trade me.  I made off like a bandit.  I got an Exodia set, 2 Barrel 
Dragons, another ROD, COTH, SORL, and many other cards.  See good karma 
really does come back.

In closing I just want to say what we all say and think, "Have fun and 
enjoy yourselves, it's only a game."  Always be polite toward the people 
you duel, I mean come on.. God forbid you actually make a friend XD

All hatemail, lovemail, comments, and constructive criticism can be 
directed to my inbox at:  ryuujinzer0@hotmail.com (and yes, the 0 is a 
number in my addy).

Take care everyone
Yami-Kun