Ivan Vespa

Hey. I haven't been online for a minute... This past couple of months I have been hyper focusing on a project 7+ years in the making. I am writing a Manga series. A few months ago, I finally finished the worldbuilding process (plot outline, "magic system", character concepts, narrative blueprint) and have begun writing the scripts for the chapters. I'm aiming for approximately 40 page monthly chapters. As of now, Chapter 2 is finished, I am currently over half-way done with Chapter 3. The reason I'm sharing this is because the time has come for me to begin searching for artists who can bring my concept to life. The first thing I need to do is hire an environmental concept artist (preferrably one that specializes in comics) for a comission. Ideally someone who excels at city and urban environment design. Long-term, I’m searching for the right artist to fully partner with on this series. This isn’t a “fun side project.” It’s something I’ve devoted years of work to and I plan to match my words with a proper presentation. If you could share this post, I'd really appreciate it. My DMs are open! #Manga #MangaArtist #ComicArtistForHire #ConceptArt #MangaArt #OriginalManga

Thing is, @PokemonTCGP is an amazing game that is significantly more complex than most people give it credit for. There is one card that is extremely problematic for the future of the game though, Misty. This is not a salty rant, nor me requesting the game drops coin flips as a mechanic. I'm not asking for Pocket to be something it isn't meant to be, this game is appealing towards casuals and I'm not asking for that to change. Misty affects an entire typing within the game, lots of water types are balanced around it, and it's going to affect future water cards being designed as well. The problem with the card is that it's an all or nothing design that affects the most powerful type of acceleration possible within the game: Energy. Moltres is a pokemon card that has to be in the active slot and will provide your opponent 2 points upon KO. There are strategies that can capitalize on Moltres decks, such as Arbok decks, all in all it is a ramp tool that can be interacted with, and countered. Misty offers no interaction nor counterplay. This is because it is a trainer card, aka a "spell". The developers are fully aware of the extreme power behind the ability to accelerate energy via a Trainer card, which is why they restricted Brock to a Stage 2 evolution and a basic pokemon that is very clearly balanced around it. Misty is "balanced" behind coin flip RNG, and the issue with this is that it is not only extremely volatile as a result, but it's a PERMANENT effect. Compare this to attacks balanced by RNG like let's say, Seaking. Hitting for 80 damage for 1 energy on a pokemon that has 1 retreat cost is ABSURD, but the coin flip variance affects one attack, and therefore is ultimately balanced by the fact that it's impact will be limited to that one attack. If you want more, you'll have to go for it again. With Misty, if the coin flip goes your way, you've managed to apply an effect that will LAST THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE GAME (or at least until the pokemon is brought down). This makes it so the outcome of that one coin flip is SIGNIFICANTLY more impactful. The result ends up being a card that, if you flip heads, will singlehandedly determine the outcome of most games it's played in. Due to the fact that there are ZERO restrictions for it to be played. This is an open letter to the devs, please, for the sake of the future of this game, seriously consider re-designing Misty. I've heard some interesting suggestions, like not allowing it to interact with Basic pokemon (this would be a great start, as it would prevent the interaction with Articuno EX, which is by far the most problematic). Pokemon Pocket is a casual game first and foremost, but that doesn't mean it lacks huge potential to be a very engaging and rewarding competitive game. All the tournaments running around really showcase how a strong portion of the community want this. I'm not asking for official tournaments, zero coin flips or anything like that. I'm asking for a proper balance regarding card design, that allows for an overall rewarding battling experience. Chaos is GOOD, chaos is FUN. Too much chaos strips the Player VS Player experience from meaning. If you agree with this message, share it around, or spread the word yourselves! Let's let the devs know that the vast majority of the playerbase share this sentiment.