ICER

OK. Before you start in and say "It's just another MTG rip-off" (Which it is of course) let me just say that this CCG is really a cut above the rest of them. Aside from having a cartoon and a comic with a movie in the works. This game has a huge fan base. It's quick and simple to learn. but not to simple to lose your interest. And it even made the jump to a board version (Dungeon DiceMonsters) as well as the console game system. and to top in off. It even has a one on one online version.

At first I thought that this was just another CCG for kids, Like Pokemon. But it isn't. Even at it's height of popularity. Hardly any actually played pokemon, the just collected the cards. But nearly everybody that collects this game, plays (Or Duel, as the players call it)

And unlike Magic the Gathering. It’s allot more simple to learn. And the rules keep the decks from getting out of hand. Which was one reason many people stop playing MtG.

But even this game has a cancer eating away at it. and oddly enough, It's the very fans that made it what it is. The kids. a shocking amount of them are nothing but power players. With "Win at any cost (as their parents credit cards will attest too)." They will build their decks with nothing but power cards. and try to over power the other guy. Or the teen and adult players who will use a "Discard" theme. that will drain you down to your last card. Winning the game by default.

I am a duelist. A I think someone needs to say that being a power player, or using a discard deck to win. Isn't worth playing against. Duel monster is supposed to be just that. Monsters dueling against each other. Using magic and traps to help. And when played that way. It's a very fun game. However. Played the other way. Although you will win allot. You’re not really playing. You’re just winning. Winning without any real sense of victory. Just a string of shallow wins. That will get you no respect from other players.

All of my kids are duelist as well (Which is how I got started) And sadly one of they. is just such a player. His deck is a discard one. but my other child. has a deck designed around a warrior theme.

Today. First child won a tournament. While the second placed 26(out of 64). and made to the semi finals. and I was more proud of the second then the first, because he dueled his heart out. used his deck very wisely. got out of tough spots by playing the right card at the right time. not playing his best monster early on. but saved it for when the other person played theirs. Used his wits and strategy to win. While the other just sat there and played his cards.

And I told the first one that (although I was happy for him) I was more proud of the second.

I think that it's more important to earn a win. then by winning by default. It's a good lesson to teach our children in this day and age where respect and honor are in short supply.

Why am I telling you this? Because I think everyone should know. that life lessons can be taught anywhere. And you should not just dismiss something that could not only teach your child something. But you could learn from as well.

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What's the difference between congress and a penitentiary?
One is filled with tax evaders, blackmailers and threats to society.
The other is for housing prisoners.
~~David Letterman