Discussion: Set Deck List for WBO Events

Currently, all WBO formats allow players to modify their Beys in between matches. Example:
  • In a WBO Deck format event, Player A uses Wizard Rod 9-60 Ball, Phoenix Wing 5-60 Point, and Shark Edge 3-60 Low Flat in a match against Player B
  • Player A then uses Unicorn Sting 9-60 Orb, Phoenix Wing 5-60 Hexa, and Shark Edge 7-60 Flat in their match against Player C
This allows players great freedom to experiment in an environment based on what is and isn't working for them on a given day, against a group of different Players than they might normally get either by themselves or with a group of friends. Areas with less active scenes benefit from this the most, whether because events happen far away from players in the area or they only have organizers with limited time and resources to hold events.

However, with the recent explosion of X's popularity, I believe there is opportunity for event organizers to implement Set Decks/Pre-submitted Decks for events in areas where events are held often (e.g. multiple times a month). Not only would this be useful for gathering Winning Combos from players (some players can have won with way more combos than they tell organizers as it currently stands), it would also help prevent bad faith players who try to scout for combos during tournaments that use Match Types that benefit from combo secrecy (1on1, 3on3, and 5G). I do understand that this could potentially stifle player combo creativity, which is why I believe that this type of format would also benefit from a "side deck" similar to what TCGs have, as well as keeping this optional for regions where this does not make sense or where people don't enjoy it.

This is not a direct proposal for such a clause in WBO's Match Types or Rule Books, but rather something for event organizers to play around with in their local communities in low stakes events as a way to get feedback from players. My draft for how this rule would work is as follows:


Set Deck List:
Player's are required to submit the combos they will use before a Stage as follows:
  • For Match Type:
    • 1on1 - Players are required to submit 1 Bey combo, with up to 2 extra (Total of 3)
    • P3C1 and 3on3 - Players are required to submit 3 Bey combos, with up to 2 extra (Total of 5)
    • Deck - Players are required to submit 1 to 3 Bey combos, with up to 2 extra (Total of 5)
    • 5G - Players are required to submit 5 Bey combos, with up to 3 extra (Total of 8)
  • Any combinations used in a Match Type must still follow Part Restrictions defined in the Format Guidelines.
  • For Best of 3, players can switch between their combos between sets that follow the Match Type restriction set out above
  • Players are not allowed to use any combinations not submitted for usage during the Stage.
While I believe this still needs testing during events, as well as more work to read and function better, I believe this is a good starting point for both myself and others to start testing out this clause for events. I myself will try to test this out come late November/early December. Please let me know if this sounds interesting to you, ways you would improve/change this clause, and if you get the chance to try it out what you and your players thought of it :djyeah:
Would the sideboard combos also not repeat any parts in your deck still?
(Oct. 24, 2024  9:04 PM)catblader109 Wrote: Would the sideboard combos also not repeat any parts in your deck still?

Good question. I think as long as the max total for a Match Type still follows repeat part rules, I currently would allow repeats in a sideboard. If we consider the parts of a blade like cards in a deck in a TCG, and not the actual Beys as the cards, then this makes sense. If we consider the Beys as the cards in a TCG deck, then not allowing repeat parts makes more sense. I am leaning more towards the former rather than the latter.

Example for Deck with Sideboard:
  • Wizard Rod 3-60 B
  • Phoenix Wing 5-60 P
  • Shark Edge 9-60 F
  • Whale Wave 9-60 F
  • Unicorn Sting 3-60 Orb
In this example, WW, US, and Orb are the Sideboard parts, but you can only use them in the combos submitted. Therefore, WW and Shark cannot be in the same deck in a match, nor WR and US
Definitely something worth testing out! I think those who have not played TCGs competitively might find it a bit uncomfortable at first but this could add a fun element of strategy. Honestly, limiting oneself instead of worrying about if one should be updating combos the whole time might be a relief.
Question for those who are interested:
Should spin direction for dual spin beys be set for combos, or should we let them be per-match like they currently are?
(Nov. 12, 2024  12:43 AM)gregandcin Wrote: Question for those who are interested:
Should spin direction for dual spin beys be set for combos, or should we let them be per-match like they currently are?

Per match.

Locking dual spin into one direction completely removes the strategic advantage of a dual spin bey.
(Nov. 12, 2024  1:50 PM)fabelavalon Wrote:
(Nov. 12, 2024  12:43 AM)gregandcin Wrote: Question for those who are interested:
Should spin direction for dual spin beys be set for combos, or should we let them be per-match like they currently are?

Per match.

Locking dual spin into one direction completely removes the strategic advantage of a dual spin bey.

That is what I was leaning towards. If someone can provide a strong argument as to why it should be locked, I could hear them out
I was thinking it would be better if the side deck consisted of up to 2 ratchets and 2 bits (no matter which format) instead of whole beys as this enables more crativity in terms of strategy.

e.g.
Main Deck:
PheonixWing 3-60 F
DranBuster 1-60 E
HellsHammer 3-80 H

Side Deck:
3-70
9-60
GF
RA
(Nov. 12, 2024  4:35 PM)Nightmare2109 Wrote: I was thinking it would be better if the side deck consisted of up to 2 ratchets and 2 bits (no matter which format) instead of whole beys as this enables more crativity in terms of strategy.

e.g.
Main Deck:
PheonixWing 3-60 F
DranBuster 1-60 E
HellsHammer 3-80 H

Side Deck:
3-70
9-60
GF
RA

This is interesting, however part of my reasoning behind extra beys was to simplify the process of reporting winning combos. I am willing to test this out though
(Nov. 12, 2024  4:52 PM)gregandcin Wrote:
(Nov. 12, 2024  4:35 PM)Nightmare2109 Wrote: I was thinking it would be better if the side deck consisted of up to 2 ratchets and 2 bits (no matter which format) instead of whole beys as this enables more crativity in terms of strategy.

e.g.
Main Deck:
PheonixWing 3-60 F
DranBuster 1-60 E
HellsHammer 3-80 H

Side Deck:
3-70
9-60
GF
RA

This is interesting, however part of my reasoning behind extra beys was to simplify the process of reporting winning combos. I am willing to test this out though

Ok, thanks for clarifying.
I plan on implementing "Set Decks" for Top Cut/Final Stage matches. Doing it throughout the whole event feels like it would create too much downtime for my liking.

The idea of a side deck is also cool. I want to toy with the idea of bringing 5, opponent bans 2, remaining 3 is your deck.
(Oct. 24, 2024  8:37 PM)gregandcin Wrote: Currently, all WBO formats allow players to modify their Beys in between matches. Example:
  • In a WBO Deck format event, Player A uses Wizard Rod 9-60 Ball, Phoenix Wing 5-60 Point, and Shark Edge 3-60 Low Flat in a match against Player B
  • Player A then uses Unicorn Sting 9-60 Orb, Phoenix Wing 5-60 Hexa, and Shark Edge 7-60 Flat in their match against Player C
This allows players great freedom to experiment in an environment based on what is and isn't working for them on a given day, against a group of different Players than they might normally get either by themselves or with a group of friends. Areas with less active scenes benefit from this the most, whether because events happen far away from players in the area or they only have organizers with limited time and resources to hold events.

However, with the recent explosion of X's popularity, I believe there is opportunity for event organizers to implement Set Decks/Pre-submitted Decks for events in areas where events are held often (e.g. multiple times a month). Not only would this be useful for gathering Winning Combos from players (some players can have won with way more combos than they tell organizers as it currently stands), it would also help prevent bad faith players who try to scout for combos during tournaments that use Match Types that benefit from combo secrecy (1on1, 3on3, and 5G). I do understand that this could potentially stifle player combo creativity, which is why I believe that this type of format would also benefit from a "side deck" similar to what TCGs have, as well as keeping this optional for regions where this does not make sense or where people don't enjoy it.

This is not a direct proposal for such a clause in WBO's Match Types or Rule Books, but rather something for event organizers to play around with in their local communities in low stakes events as a way to get feedback from players. My draft for how this rule would work is as follows:


Set Deck List:
Player's are required to submit the combos they will use before a Stage as follows:
  • For Match Type:
    • 1on1 - Players are required to submit 1 Bey combo, with up to 2 extra (Total of 3)
    • P3C1 and 3on3 - Players are required to submit 3 Bey combos, with up to 2 extra (Total of 5)
    • Deck - Players are required to submit 1 to 3 Bey combos, with up to 2 extra (Total of 5)
    • 5G - Players are required to submit 5 Bey combos, with up to 3 extra (Total of 8)
  • Any combinations used in a Match Type must still follow Part Restrictions defined in the Format Guidelines.
  • Players are not allowed to use any combinations not submitted for usage during the Stage.
While I believe this still needs testing during events, as well as more work to read and function better, I believe this is a good starting point for both myself and others to start testing out this clause for events. I myself will try to test this out come late November/early December. Please let me know if this sounds interesting to you, ways you would improve/change this clause, and if you get the chance to try it out what you and your players thought of it DJ - Yeah!

I honestly love this idea and I've been considering something like it myself. I really appreciate you coming up with something so well defined early on. Can't wait to see how it holds up to play testing. I'd love to implement something like this in our own little corner.

(Nov. 12, 2024  4:52 PM)gregandcin Wrote:
(Nov. 12, 2024  4:35 PM)Nightmare2109 Wrote: I was thinking it would be better if the side deck consisted of up to 2 ratchets and 2 bits (no matter which format) instead of whole beys as this enables more crativity in terms of strategy.

e.g.
Main Deck:
PheonixWing 3-60 F
DranBuster 1-60 E
HellsHammer 3-80 H

Side Deck:
3-70
9-60
GF
RA

This is interesting, however part of my reasoning behind extra beys was to simplify the process of reporting winning combos. I am willing to test this out though

Definitely seems like something to consider testing out to me too. I really like the idea of hole combos more personally. But that's without any testing behind it. So I guess that means we have some fun ahead of us, don't we
With the recent inclusion of the Best of 3 format,  I think this would require a little bit of tweaking.

Assumption would be that players could use any valid combo for the Bo3 match type allowed by the actual match type, so players can effectively sideboard between match 1 and 2 or 2 and 3. So the modification would be (in bold)


Set Deck List:
Player's are required to submit the combos they will use before a Stage as follows:
  • For Match Type:
    • 1on1 - Players are required to submit 1 Bey combo, with up to 2 extra (Total of 3)
    • P3C1 and 3on3 - Players are required to submit 3 Bey combos, with up to 2 extra (Total of 5)
    • Deck - Players are required to submit 1 to 3 Bey combos, with up to 2 extra (Total of 5)
    • 5G - Players are required to submit 5 Bey combos, with up to 3 extra (Total of 8)
  • Any combinations used in a Match Type must still follow Part Restrictions defined in the Format Guidelines.
  • For Best of 3, players can switch between their combos between sets that follow the Match Type restriction set out above
  • Players are not allowed to use any combinations not submitted for usage during the Stage.
Interesting question I got on Discord about how this might work.

I think right now, it would be best to have judges check the X-amount of combos that a player brings up for a match (3 for Deck or 3on3, for example), against what they submitted for the stage. Something like a notecard or Challonge question might be used for this. This way, it does not change how the current formats work. Otherwise, I think this just turns into another "Pick X Choose Y" format.

Thoughts?

(Nov. 12, 2024  5:09 PM)Nightmare2109 Wrote:
(Nov. 12, 2024  4:52 PM)gregandcin Wrote: This is interesting, however part of my reasoning behind extra beys was to simplify the process of reporting winning combos. I am willing to test this out though

Ok, thanks for clarifying.

So I was thinking about this more, and came to the current conclusion that this would be a major pain to write the rules for depending on the generation. Like even if it was one Bey's worth of parts, or a subset of parts, I don't even know how that would look for each generation
While the WBO is not BBAX, vice versa, I do think it is worth taking look at their new ruleset, specifically their Sideboard rules.
Some things to keep in mind: these rules are meant for 3on3 in a Best of 3 format, and they only play X:

Quote:Sideboard Creation
  • Sideboard building
    • Create a Sideboard of 3 parts, 1 Blade, 1 Ratchet, and 1 Bit. These cannot be repeating parts of your Deck.
  • Once your Sideboard has been created, Bladers will register them for the event.
  • These parts cannot be changed once registered.
  • Bladers will receive a Blader pass with their registered Sideboard that will be presented to the Judge for each Match.

Sideboarding (Stage 1)
With the Sideboard, you can change any number of parts from one of your Main Deck Beyblades with
any number of parts from your Sideboard per Set. Only 1 Main Deck Beyblade can be modified with
your Sideboard during each Sideboarding Session. Any Parts Sideboarded become your new
Sideboard if the Match goes to Set 3.
Set 1: Main Deck only.
Set 2: Opportunity to Sideboard before the Set begins.
Set 3: 2 Options
  • Option 1: Opportunity to Sideboard before the Set begins
  • Option 2: Reset to Main Deck, opportunity to Sideboard before Battle.
End of Match: Reset to Main Deck.
Stage 1 is our First Stage, and the rules are the same for Stage 2 (our Final Stage)

These are similar to what I have proposed here, and while I think it gives similar restrictions as I have set out, I do not believe that the sideboard limitations of 1 Blade/Ratchet/Bit in X solve the issue of combo reporting or deck diversity that Set Deck provides in the current ruling.

Would love to know other's thoughts on these rules.