Few players in TotP or Matchmaking issues?

Rhasget

A while ago it felt like I recognized alot of names on my opponents in Trial of the Planes. I play almost every day and have been for aome time.

Last week I noted all opponents names and compared to this week. And the outcome was clear.
Every day I faced six decks from players I met the week before and only 2-4 (some days I lost a few matches) were not the same.

Are there so few who play TotP that this is happening or are you clumped in some kind of unseen bracket?

I mostly play when the event has passed halftime also so there should be time for many players in most timezones to have joined in.

span_argoman

Are you in Platinum? If you aren't, I think most players outside of Platinum don't play TotP.

Rhasget

Yes, I'm in platinum.
Last green TotP I actually played the same deck three times.

rafalele

I have also notice something like this you, in the last red TotP fought the first node against the same Koth deck. Also platinum. 

Hesturk

Now that you mention it, I have observed the very same thing. I think on blue event I face the exact same deck 3 times in a row.

FindingHeart8

Yeah there has been a pattern in which players you face, not a lot of diversity.

I'm not going to lie, I get really excited when I face off against a player who I recognize from the threads

ElfNeedsFood

I think I’m seeing this too. 

FindingHeart8

@ElfNeedsFood

Have you faced any of my decks yet Elf?  I've faced yours several times.

ElfNeedsFood

If you meet my Elspeth today, the deck’s name is “Second Stun”

Rhasget

Yes, I recognize alot of names from here in TotP also.

babar3355

I think a lot of players stopped playing TOTP post booster crafting / holiday rewards.  I for one don't think it is worth 30 crystals for a HOU booster and 20 jewels any longer.  Jewels got a big nerf with crafting.

Anyway, with a smaller pool, players will see less variation in opponents... assuming my thesis is correct.  (I know at least 10 people in my coalition stopped playing TOTP in recent weeks)

ElfNeedsFood

The bonus rewards did make going back to the old system tough. 

julianus

babar3355 said:

I think a lot of players stopped playing TOTP post booster crafting / holiday rewards.  I for one don't think it is worth 30 crystals for a HOU booster and 20 jewels any longer.  Jewels got a big nerf with crafting.

Anyway, with a smaller pool, players will see less variation in opponents... assuming my thesis is correct.  (I know at least 10 people in my coalition stopped playing TOTP in recent weeks)

This is a very good point - after loading up on jewels over the holidays and seeing nothing in the last month worth spending them upon, I've also stopped participating in ToTP.

That's anecdotal, of course, but I've seen lots of people online saying they've been skipping the last few packs, either because there was little worth getting, or they didn't want to spend on likely duplicates, which means there's a good chance they're not playing the event either. 

wereotter

I’ve only played it once when they gave it to us for free to try out. Have to say the rewards didn’t offset, for me, the aggravation that was playing perfectly tuned legacy decks that beat me more times than not.

Im certain I’m not alone in that thinking (nothing against those who enjoy it) that it’s just not a fun event to play. Add to that the lull of things to spend the rewards on, and the addition of booster crafting, and it makes sense that only a few die-hard fans of the event are still playing it.

ElfNeedsFood

@wereotter During the holiday bonuses it was +45 crystals per run. Now it’s back to -30. 

ElfNeedsFood

It’s still the best place to test your decks. 

FindingHeart8

I still play TotP a couple times a week, mostly because the tinykitty pack has netted me a new rare almost every time I've played over the course of the last 2 weeks.  I'm sure it's just random luck, but gambler's fallacy right?

**waits for Volrak out from behind the corner and begin a lecture on the probability of opening packs based on his database**

ManiiNames

I still play regularly, saving up pinks for Ixalan.

babar3355

wereotter said:

I’ve only played it once when they gave it to us for free to try out. Have to say the rewards didn’t offset, for me, the aggravation that was playing perfectly tuned legacy decks that beat me more times than not.

Im certain I’m not alone in that thinking (nothing against those who enjoy it) that it’s just not a fun event to play. Add to that the lull of things to spend the rewards on, and the addition of booster crafting, and it makes sense that only a few die-hard fans of the event are still playing it.

I actually find TotP to be the most fun event.  You can use your entire collection and the only objective is to actually win.  No casting Eldrazi, taking less than X damage, killing X creatures, etc.  Just build a highly effective deck and battle other well constructed decks.  Even TG decks are usually less well constructed, as its usually just some version of an agro red deck.

That being said... I used to make sure I played it every day as the 20 jewels + a booster was worth the 30 crystals.  Now I don't think this is the case.

Gilesclone

The value of ToTP depends largely on the state of your collection.  If you have most of the mythics it’s not so great anymore.  But for players like me who have almost all the rares and are missing most of the mythics, it’s the best deal around.  But only for platinum.

ManiiNames

I am still playing it to accumulate pink for when Ixalan comes out.