Today, we’ll be debunking some myths regarding Mythics!
Myth #1: Free Mythics
For some reason, some players are happy with the new reward system: the removal of Mythics from Top 10 coalitions and Top 5 in individual events, stating that those top players will finally stop getting those “free Mythics”.
First off, there’s nothing free about those Mythics. Did you think that you only need to enter one of those top 10 coalitions and collect your 1–2 Mythics each week doing nothing? It’s a team effort, if you’re slacking off, you’ll be penalizing your team, and you might fall off the top 10. It’s a constant effort at doing your best at this game.
Also, how does one become part of a top? With a lot of dedication, time, effort and skills. Yes, many players put a lot of efforts but aren’t in a top coalition. Did they put as much time and effort as said players, though? They might get there eventually, but maybe the time invested in the game is still lacking. (And, if you really are putting as much effort as the top players, then be reassured that someone will notice you soon enough.) For instance, do you always pursue every secondary objective, do you play past progression reward, do you play in every event to get as many prizes as possible, even Quick Battles, do you discuss about decks all day long with your friends in the coalition? In every domain, there will be those who excel at their art, and they should be rewarded.
Let’s take the example of two well-known players and posters: Shteev and Ohboy.
I don’t always agree with them, but one thing for sure, they are among the best players in this game. Shteev doesn’t have the biggest collection on the team, but he sure knows how to make the best use of out of it. His patience and tactical play are top-notch, he’s also really passionate about the game.
Ohboy, while I don’t know him personally, is always at the top of Quick Battle events, he’s a QB grinder, putting countless hours playing the game. He’s no doubt experienced, and having faced numerous decks, you bet that he must have seen many card interactions. He doesn’t seem to be in a top coalition, but that’s his choice, and he’s still getting the Mythic reward from the Quick Battle events.
They got there because of their dedication, and were rewarded Mythics as a result, not because they started with Mythics. They could start playing from scratch and I’m sure in time they would still get there.
You may not wish or be able to be as committed, and it’s totally fine, be please don’t expect to get the same rewards, or be happy that their rewards got cut off.
Do we say that doctors get “free money”, or athletes “free medals”? Of course not! If I decide to start playing tennis today, it would be really unreasonable of me to think that I could defeat Raphael Nadal, or ask that his equipment be removed and his prize money lowered since it gives him too much of an advantage for me to catch up with him.
Myth #2: The Mythic reward removal helps non-top players to catch up
That’s also false and in fact, it actually penalizes those same non-top players. People mentioned it before, there’s a diminishing return regarding your Mythic’s count especially considering the abysmal drop rates.
The drop rate system was already keeping those with a larger collection in check. More cards = more chances of dupes. Fewer cards = more chances of a new card. Every new Mythic for a player with a larger collection (like a top player) is not worth the same as for a normal player.
The top player might get more Mythics, but it won’t be as useful for him as for the newer player.
Let’s say that you want to be competitive with Koth: you only need big, preferably hasty, creatures. Basically any Eldrazi will do. From there, you can slowly update your creatures as you get cooler ones. The creatures are interchangeable: Ulrich, Geier Reach Bandit, Angel Castigator, Decimator of Provinces, etc. It’s only a matter of preference about killing your opponent with Emrakul or with Desolation Twins. I may be pursuing a Skysovereign rather than a Hellkite Tyrant, but they are basically the same. While for you, any or those Mythics would represent a significant improvement.
There’s also the matter of Archetypes. Let’s take Kiora for instance: you can go Ramp, Drowner, Baral, Prized Amalgam, etc. For instance, my Drowner Kiora is already really solid, but I’d like to get a Ulvenward Hydra to try a Ramp strategy for a change of pace. That Hydra might be not compatible with my Drowner deck and vice versa. I’m also limited by the 10 maximum card slots.
You, as a newer player, only need the cards from one of those archetypes, or another completely different one, to compete on an equal footing. Later, you can set yourself other goals like me, but your deck will already be functional.
By removing the Mythic rewards, it either didn’t affect you in the slightest (if you were always playing casually), or it fact it will prevent you from ever catch up.
The change you should be happy about is if D3H decides to give everyone more chances at getting Mythics not less chances.
Also, why did you want to catch up exactly? Surely, to be among the best, and get the most chances at pulling Mythics and building your collection? With their changes, there’s really less incentive for you (or the top players) to try to compete for the top spot as you get a really underwhelming reward.
No one wins with getting less Mythics.
It’s less fun for you and it’s less fun for the top players. (I just want to collect cards and build and try new decks. I would actually be happy with getting a new Depala even though chances are that I’ll never play with her).
The saddest part is that as of now, if I decided to take a sabbatical from this game, when I’ll come back, chances are that you still won’t have caught up with me because of their drop rates and Mythic removal.
We have nukes, the Power that be decided that no one is allowed to get any new nukes. You don’t have nukes. And ways to get new nukes are much harder. Guess who’ll be making the rules? Good luck competing against us.
TLDR: Myth #1: Free Mythics. They aren’t, you have to work hard to get them, and deserve them.
Myth #2: The Mythics removal helps newer players. False, more Mythics would in fact be more beneficial to the newer players than to the established ones. It actually hurts the newer players more while insulting the experienced ones for their dedication.
