A Perspective on Netdecking

I think, for starters, it depends on how you define netdecking. Some may say netdecking is when someone copies a deck exactly as it is posted (on Top 32 listings, etc.), and uses it without changing it. I describe netdecking as using the same general strategy and that you could say a huge percentage of players netdeck. After all, if a deck works, why screw with it? Some people just aren't hugely talented at deck building.

Next, your intention factors in. Some use netdecking as a learning tool, how to better adapt the deck to their own play style, etc. Sadly, however, some also think they can just jump into the game by buying the cards listed in a YCS winning deck (or another successful deck) and achieve greatness. In respect to the above, I think netdecking is ultimately something that CAN be used for good, but may often be used for evil as well. However, that being said, I don't know if I can really say whether or not netdecking itself is an inherent good, since in this case, it's rather subjective.

Whether you love netdecking or hate it is also ultimately up to your philosophy. Do you play all-out with the intent to win, or do you play for the enjoyment of the game? Those on the latter end of the spectrum may find netdecking more annoying, while those on the all-out side may find it to be an essential tool. Competitive players typically find more value in going by the book (or in this case, what is working out for others) and culling personal techs to a minimum, since those personal choices may not always win you games, whilst Casual players may find their enjoyment coming from playing a lot of those personal card choices. I don't think anyone is right or wrong in that respect, it's just how they think the game should be played.

An ideal tournament will get a healthy percentage of both kinds of players, casual and competitive. Local tournaments will probably have higher percentages of casual players, whereas Regional tournaments and the like will probably end up with higher percentages of super-competitive players due to the associated status of these bigger tournaments (the ratio of those competitive players to casual players growing ever less proportional, based on the prestige of the tournament, if you play in the West). It's unfortunate to end up with a whole bunch of those ultra-competitive players who enjoy tearing at each others' throats every time they lose because of all that money they spent on a tourney-winning deck, but such is the nature of such a competition-centric game, and the human beings behind it in general.

i think netdecking is pretty common in regionals but well it isnt cheap to netdeck and thats why i think people dont netdeck in locals. In locals people would normally use a deck that costs less than 100$. Those people just want to play for fun and they probably wouldnt want to spend alot of money for it.
i would probably netdeck if i had the money.
people can build antimetas too

Agree :S how u can use netdecking for learning :S i usually only look at the deck and build my own :S

You shouldn't think so. Have you ever use a Light Beat? Gravekeepers or Scrap? If yes, then can you say that you have your own build? Using metas is also a kind of netdecking and netdecking teachs you how to use metas.

BERKAY wrote:You shouldn't think so. Have you ever use a Light Beat? Gravekeepers or Scrap? If yes, then can you say that you have your own build? Using metas is also a kind of netdecking and netdecking teachs you how to use metas.

some people teched their meta deck , combine scrap or GK with another thing or their signature card , like we can see from some duelist here

If you only look at the deck, and copy it card for card. That is "copy" netdecking. But if you research the strategies that the deck uses, look for alternatives, and write up your own deck list (even if it, in the end, is still the same decklist) is "learn" netdecking.

I also believe that if you proxy decks card for card for the purpose of testing out how your deck holds its own against it, then you are still "learn" netdecking. A lot of people will build a rough draft of a sideboard and change as they do this type of testing, because it reveals what the deck really needs to be any kind of competitor in today's meta.

For me netdecking isn't really an issue because no deck is invincible, but what I dislike is when people copy entire decks for the purpose of bragging after winning.

I absolutely agree there. The reason I use Six Samurai is not because it is popular. I like anime and Japanese culture, so when Six Samurai got more support I built a deck for it. I also really like the play style. Favorite anime: Claymore, Bleach, Rurouni Kenshin (all sword-user-based anime)

i use Light Beat and Gkz since ages , but i always add my own touch ..

Netdecking is when you don't have a "touch" yet , and have no idea about the other possible combos so you just use decks as it is without trying to modify it ..

Here is an article written by a pro who also writes a lot of articles for Konami's strategy website.

Netdecking: Why It's Not Evil, And Actually Completely Necessary