As Steps and Phases End (part 2)
Upkeep Steps
Each time I draft one of my cubes, I look for what went right, what could be better, and what did not work according to expectation. While the data I get is limited, through iteration after iteration I can steadily bracket the performance of my cubes toward the ideal (even if that ideal is ultimately unachievable). To this end, I try to take feedback with an open mind and critical eye.
I chose the categories intentionally and deliberately: I want to know what went right, the things that I'm doing right that I should repeat or continue to achieve a desired effect. I want to know what could be better, as opposed to what isn't good enough; a focus on improvement and momentum over failure and inertia. And I want to know what isn't meeting expectations; there are too many reasons why something isn't [doing the thing], and because it didn't work how I wanted and planned for it to doesn't mean it didn't do anything, and indeed it may have had positive effect elsewhere that bears consideration.
Giving and receiving feedback are each a skill unto themselves. They require an open mind, self-reflection, empathy, respect, and a mutual desire for improvement. What feedback isn't is an invitation to criticism, an excuse to disparage or drag someone down. Proper feedback should be __ things: first, it should be respectful. No one wants to listen to someone they feel doesn't respect them, let alone take what they say seriously. Second, it should address specific subjects, and not personal qualities. A person's tendency to arrive early/late is something to provide feedback for, but "a bad attitude" or "neat hair" are not. And third, feedback should include a suggested course of action to improvement. It's generally unhelpful to say "hey I noticed [subject], and that's all I have to say about it," and having an idea for improvement indicates you are on their side.
A Learned Learner
With all the iterations of a couple different cubes the past couple of weeks, I've noticed one consistent "bullet point", let's call it: while decks have largely been functional and games have been to the level of "being a game of Magic" that I've aimed for, I've felt, and heard comments on, a notable tension between acquiring playables and acquiring fixing. This most likely has two root causes: first and foremost, there simply aren't enough lands in a given draft to provide the critical mass; and second, the "tension" between playables and fixing (defined as the competition between cards for a given "pick") is high, there are only so many slots that aren't already being taken by unplayables and high-value cards.
The solution to the first choke-point is easy: if the ratio of lands is too low, add more lands. However, the second-order effect of this is a more complicated question: do I simply add more lands, throwing off other ratios? Or do I cut other cards in favor of lands, maintaining the important ratio of land:nonland? The answer to that lay in looking at the overall goals: I wanted fixing to be plentiful, and the nonlands had already been careful selections. So the answer seemed to be "add more cards."
So now the question was how to get those extra lands into player's hands. I also wanted this solution to ease the tension between lands and playables. The immediate answer seemed to be "put more lands in each draft." The only way to put more lands in a draft without also removing playables is to put more cards in a pack. Conveniently enough, this new pack math meant I needed to adjust cube size, which meant I had a number for how many lands to add to the cube. Magic *is* Math, the Cardgame.
End-Writer
I've had a lot of fun drafting these past few weeks. Seeing the interesting ways I hadn't imagined for cards to come together, the unforeseen overpowered degeneracy, and getting constantly reminded I'm quite mid at Magic has been the most connected I've been to the community in months. The inclusivity of the Magic, and most especially the Tiny, community has been a major factor in the strides I've made in therapy and my journey of personal growth. I extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has helped me on this path, and I look forward to the times ahead.
Stay safe, be well, and be good to each other so we can all have fun and play together!
- Gray | Judge Dad