I am going to do a quick self evaluation based upon the traits mentioned in Sirlin’s article.
- Familiarity with Tournaments & Deep Knowledge of the Game
This trait I definitely have. When I started playing this game, I grinded QM like a fiend. I played 1500+ matches with Setsuki. That set a solid foundation for my knowledge of the game. Then, I founded the IYL, so my familiarity with tournaments is extremely high. Check.
- Love of the Game
Sometimes, I think f@#k this game. Then, I come back to the realization that I have NEVER played a better card game. I have a love/hate relationship with this game. There is more love than hate. Check.
- Mental Toughness
I am a grinder. I have seen a few people lose match 1 in a double elim tournament and drop every time. That is not me. I have the longest loser’s bracket run in Summer Smash history. I never quit fighting. If I have a single pixel, I am still trying to figure out a way to win. Check.
- Mental Attitude Toward Winning, Losing, Improving
When I first started, I used to watch match replays of all my upcoming opponents. I would look for any way to gain an edge. Recently, I watched @Legion defeat @Fivec in the YOC tournament. After the match, he joyfully declared that his upset of Fivec was due to his pre-game analysis. Personally, I have slipped into lazy habits. Fail.
- Technical Skill
N/A
- Adaptability (Versus Planning)
I am quick to adapt and force my opponent to adapt. I have a knack for either blowing players out or losing close matches. Very rarely do I get destroyed. With that said, I do seem to have a weakness against top players of not playing my game. I will second guess myself a bit too much. I am not able to adapt to those situations as well as I would like. Check Minus.
- Knowledge/Ability in Other Games of the Genre
I came to this game from poker. In my small town, I was fairly well known as a high level player. I was never the sucker at the table. It was very similar to my situation here. I was a solid player but was not able to reach the top level. Check.
- Yomi
I think I am slightly below average at this aspect of the game. It seems like I have lost more crucial combats than I probably should. This has culminated in more game 5 losses over my career than I would like. Fail.
- Appraisal
This is basically valuation. I have a pretty good knack for getting the best value out of my play. Sometimes, I make minor errors, but that is a negative that I attribute towards the positive attitude towards improving category. If I cared a little bit more, I would tighten that up. Check.
There you have it. I have done a quick analysis of myself. If I want to get better, I need to improve my attitude and effort. That will lead to better play. I have no idea how to improve my Yomi skill, so I will leave that one alone. Finally, I need to be more confident against the elite players.