Time and time again, we as players find ourselves in a period where we are just tired of the same old stuff.  We either have been playing with the same deck for too long or seeing the same cards being played within the playgroup for too long.  You feel like you're stuck in a dark cell that is the-same-ol-stuff-again and need to break free from the shackles of that stale-meta.  That's when you know that you need some refreshments.  What sort of refreshments am I talking about?  Read on my Unifighters.

I am going to share with this community ideas and practices I've thought of and used to refresh and/or enhance my UFS gaming experience cause we can't just wait for new releases to try something different.

1. Build a new deck.  Many of you have done this.  Some of us build more than one deck at a time, but still grow bored of it.  Here are some suggestions. 

- Build with symbols you don't usually build with. 

- Build using a character you've never used before.

- Build using themes.. commonly used in "fun" decks.

- Build around combos.. one trick ponies won't win you many games but it's hella fun to pull off.  Build around making the trick work better and more efficient and then expand.

2. Play in a different format.  Have you heard of formats such as 6x10 or Highlander?  These are formats which restricts the number of cards you can have or the number of copies of any card.  Formats such as these will push your deckbuilding capabilities and challenge you.  That alone is fun and to play against another deck will be more exciting.  For example, one format I plan to use at the 2009 Gulf Coast Championship is call "Path of the Drunken Master".  Basically, you play while taking shots so your alcohol tolerance is tested while keeping your composure to play and win that title.

3. Play at another location.  I don't mean just moving your regular events to another venue or playing at a different friend's house.  I'm talking about going out of town to another venue and play.  For example, my group will be attending this coming G-Con event in Dallas, TX in November to meet up with some friends and play in the UFS tournament there.  Look around to see what events are being held around you and keep your calendar clear.  Got free time in Feb-Mar of 2009?  The largest Regional event in 2008 is coming back.  Meet and play against palyers from as far as the East and West Coast.  The GCC's date isn't set yet but it's guaranteed to happen sometimes in that period so standby for more news on the date and events.

4. Take a break.  Yes, seriously... sometimes looking at cards all day or all week will cause exhaustion.  Your body demands fresh air, fresh experiences and fresh images.  Take a walk, go out and chill with friends (not to play cards), play video games, play sports, read a book, or whatever to free yourself from the dungeon that is your card-playing addiction.  I'm not saying that you should stop playing for a whole month.  Sometimes one week off will freshen you up and allow you to relax to the point of being able to think clearly.  You may come up with new strategies on your time off, but most likely you'll come back recharged and refreshed.  Some players enjoy time off so much that us scouts need to tie them up and drag them back to play.

Hope all you Unifighters take it easy and keep UFS exciting and interesting.  If you're not a scout, then get your scout to do something about it.  If not.. well, who's stopping you from doing your own thing outside of the sanctioned event?

Play on players!