Author: Cecil Miller

More to Chicago than Wind

This time I got to correspond with an In Real Life (IRL) CC that hails from the great state of Illinois. The Brothers Dimm is that group. They have resided in the Chicago area and play at their Local Game Store, Fair Game Store, where they get between 16-20 people per store tournament. That is an outstanding number, one they are proud of because, “People come for blood, too. Seasoned, formidable players. Absolutely stellar store and community.”

This started, as the name suggests, with two brothers that liked gaming. Levi stated, “As brothers and pretty hardcore gamers, we spend a lot of time not only playing games, but talking theory and design as well. Since Awakenings, we followed The Hyperloops, Tiny Grimes, Noobrainer, and even Back to Dials (during our X-Wing days).” Through their listening and reading they found that there was beginning to be some major negative feelings coming out towards the game. “There was a lot of talk about what FFG ‘should’ and ‘should not’ be doing – a sort of negativity, and potentially damaging to the future of the game. We thought the game needed more positive voices to build a bigger community. So we thought, hell, let’s get our toes wet. Why not? Our first video went up in November 2017.’

An opinion that needs to be shared

There are some really great things about this group. The joy that they have shown in the times we have corresponded, how eager they were to participate with this article, and the answers that they gave to the questions. I hope that the readers will see that passion come across in the article. This is a group you can go t and send others to so they can get a feel of what the game is.

“Destiny is built on craft, and competition. It can be dense, especially to newcomers, and we think it’s important to unpack the game for anyone willing to listen. Additionally, CCGs (Collectable Card Games) can really come and go with a quickness if they aren’t fostered and nurtured by a serious and inquisitive community. Star Wars: Destiny is special. That’s a thing that needs to be said out loud, over and over.”

This group isn’t new to the game, either. The opinions that they have gathered has been since the beginning. “We bought the starters and the next day bought two boxes. Then the infamous drought. We played each other exclusively during this time before we gathered the nerve to go and face others when Spirit of Rebellion dropped.”

Complex with a dash of Basic

For those that read my articles, you know that I like to focus on the new players. The reason is, without people coming into the game we will lose the growth potential. Any company that no longer sees growth opportunity may, and usually does, abandon the game. So I like to feel out what the CCs would give as advice to this perspective group of players.

“That its a game that looks complex, but that it’s design is fairly basic. It’s made in a way that asks to be leaned into, unabashedly. Ask questions, ask for help. Don’t spend all your money. Sure there are a crapload of sets, but within them, very few cards are actually competitively viable. Start with borrowing decks (maybe start with blue) and jump in with a friend. You wont look back. Big advice – buy a starter or two. Go find players at your FLGS. Many players would love to help you out.”

Their site has something for everyone. They do not stick to the Meta decks only. They recently grew their team and are looking to become even more formidable than they were. They are very warm and accepting of anyone looking to learn the game. Take a look at their YouTube site, listed above, and watch the great content they put out. They have also started a podcast as well. “The Loth Wolf pack. It is run by Wags, and heavily features our 4 new members. Who, well, are way smarter than we are. We are working on getting this up on iTunes but for now they are hosted on Soundcloud.”

“if you aren’t going to let me play…”

As always, I asked The Brothers Dimm what deck they would least like to sit down across from. The answer they gave had everything to do with interaction. “That’s a great question. Ultimately, Destiny is a highly interactive game. That’s it’s promise. You do a thing, I respond. But! There are certain decks that are pretty solitary. This isn’t new – SoR introduced some pretty egregious builds. But the game was a toddler then, really just trying to understand itself. EaW did some balancing… some. Rotation was really exciting. And now I’d say that Destiny is in it’s adolescence. Like, okay – you have a drivers license but I definitely don’t trust you with my kid. And with that, we are having some severely non-interactive decks rear their heads in the current meta. That’s where we think the game is most vulnerable. If I can’t answer your plan? If I have to sit back and take it? If my event suite is completely obsolete, or if you can choke me out Royce Gracie-style without much resistance – well… that’s not great.”

With that explanation, I wanted to find out their thoughts on the current state of the game. “In some ways it’s the best it’s ever been. Droids and Ewoks notwithstanding. But there will always be ‘degenerate’ builds. That’s how the game gets better, by identifying deficits. Testers have it hard. It’s not like they get one card at a time. They get them all. Many sets at a time, probably. It’s hard to see the cracks. It’s on us, as players, to underline them. It takes a village.”

Who’s in your Top 5?

What are the best cards in the game right now? Well The Brothers Dimm Team gives us their insight with The top 5.

For Ryan:

1. Tobias Beckett (AG36)
2. Niman Mastery (SH122)
3. LS-1 Handheld Cannon (AG132)
4. Entourage (CV152)
5. Luke Skywalker (WF56)

Top 5 META defining:

1. C-3P0 (SH77)
2. R2-D2 (SH56)
3. Ewok Warrior (SH95)
4. Rey (SH57)/Kylo (SH2)
5. Darth Vader (AG1)

Jim’s Top 5 favorite cards:

1. Qui-Gon Jinn (AG58)
2. Dagger of Mortis (WF117)
3. Pacify (WF61)
4. Maul (SH3)
5. Niman Mastery

Meta Cards:

1. R2-D2/C-3P0
2. Doctor Aphra (LG20)
3. Armored Reinforcements (AG129)
4. Entourage
5. Wat Tambor (CV22)

Bob’s favorite 5 is:

1. Doctor Aphra
2. Entourage
3. Mr. Bones (SH106)
4. R2-D2
5. I Perform Violence (SH142) (I had to put it on there to keep the hype alive:))

Meta Cards:

1. Entourage
2. Niman Mastery
3. Admiral (SH136)
4. Desperate Measures (SH43)
5. Wat Tambor

For Chris, his favorite list is:

1. Snoke (WF4)
2. Built to Last (WF115)
3. Triple Laser Turret (AG133)
4. Counterintelligence (SH25)
5. Easy Pickings (LG117)

Meta cards are:

1. Hidden Motive (RV5)
2. Forsaken (CV9)
3. Fateful Companions (SH111)
4. Wat Tambor
5. Theed Royal Palace (AG159)

Casey’s top 5:

1. Watto(CV038)
2. Qui-Gon Jinn(AG058)
3. Darth Vader(AG001)
4. Delve(LG092)
5. Padme(CV075)

Worlds and Beyond

I asked what the group thought of Worlds being invite-only next year. I wanted to get an idea how people felt about the change. “One thing an expensive CCG can’t do is become even more exclusive. Worlds is the top tier event and shouldn’t be closed to anyone that is willing to attend. I understand the motivations but why cut out any of your base? Just hurts the game in the end, I’m afraid.”

I wanted to know if there were any characters from the Star Wars lore that they would like to see come into the game. I was surprised by some of the answers. Names that don’t usually come to mind when you think about this Movie Franchise. “Kirak Infila or Soontir Fel (Levi). Bodhi Rook – show some love for the defector pilot (Ryan). Porkins or Ki-Adi_Mundi (“But what about the droid attack on the Wookies) (Bob). Padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi (Jim).” Porkins is the one that caught me off-guard. He is a myth, a legend that had seconds on screen.

Some Final Thoughts

Whether it is the great opening sequence (you should watch 1 video just for that, done by Casey), or the commentary that they do with Chris and Casey, you need to check this group out. They put out 3 videos a week, so there are lots of chances to learn from them. Go and give them support, see what they are talking about on their podcasts. Watch the videos and listen to their insights when it comes to the commentary. THIS IS A GREAT GROUP OF PEOPLE. The Chance Cube Universe, I would never steer you wrong. If you take a few moments, you will get a lot out of it.

Until Next Time, May you always need what you Roll and Roll what you need.