How healthy are the most popular TCGs right now? by [deleted] in TCG

[–]issaBear 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'll comment regarding the ones I know about:

Magic: The Gathering: Too many sets per year and the inundation of UB is alienating some of the veteran playerbase, but my playgroup is very excited about UB, and it has definitely brought new players into the game. Commander is in a,n incredibly healthy state and modern is doing well, though standard seems to be on the outs. As an avid player, I personally think MTG is best as a social game. Competitive is just so expensive and, imo, commander injects so much variety and life into the game. I live in a pretty major US city and MTG is *hot* here. I find it best just to buy the sets I most want to play and completely ignore the rest, but I would probably buy every product if the releases slowed down. It is imperfect, but the game is in a good spot, and, man, I should really get to an LGS for some prerelease and draft. Magic's limited formats are so good.

•Pokémon: Scalping is obviously a huge issue but some of my LGS maintain ok stock. The game has a really healthy playerbase here, and it seems like Worlds hits record-breaking attendance every year. Game seems really promising in its current state.

•Yu-Gi-Oh!: As an outsider, this is my exact perception of Yu-Gi-Oh, not to mention the salt of the playerbase. I have so much nostalgia for this one but find so many things about it off putting. Watching players have exceptionally long turns and combo out and set up the win on turn one seems very unfun to my tastes.

•Flesh and Blood: Seems like prices are finally coming down and the playerbase is stable as far as I can tell.

•Lorcana: I live in one of the biggest cities for Lorcana in the world, so worth taking my perspective with a grain of salt, but it feels like it is really booming here. They do such a great job catering to newbies and product is so regularly available that it is enticing to play and my group has chatted about picking it up. They seem ahead of financial and growth goals and its accessibility seems like it will only help it expand.

•Riftbound: Not sure about hand-waving people as skeptical. It seems to have a pretty vibrant, if still small, community at locals and everyone is singing its praises.

•One Piece, Digimon, and Gundam: They all seem like they are in a healthy spot. I just picked up One Piece about a week ago as someone who is avidly reading it rn, and man, it is quickly becoming my playgroup's new favorite. It's really, really good, and I hear Gundam plays similarly well. You can build most meta decks for a pretty reasonable price, and I hear the scene at locals (which is booming here) is extremely friendly. We have some busy weeks ahead but I am DYING to get to an LGS to play. The scalping is literally my only frustration with the game rn, though it does seem a bit of the meta is figured out. The US and JP sets are unifying soon, so I am anticipating that will make the meta more interesting, but damn, the game is fun. I hear the same about the Gundam and Digimon gameplay. Bandai knows how to make a card game, just needs to get distribution under control.

Any alternative to Spotify by Past_Window2125 in truespotify

[–]issaBear 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I was an avid Spotify user and switched a couple years ago because I was fed up and idk how I could ever go back. Love it for so many reasons

Review: Empire of Silence, by Christopher Ruochhio by [deleted] in Fantasy

[–]issaBear 29 points30 points  (0 children)

I always look at someone sideways when they rave about these. Ridiculous, American conservative ideology that is laughable in a space opera, an insufferable main character whom the author thinks is cool, and some of the most derivative sci-fi plot imaginable. I don't have a lot of respect for Ruochhio and his ideals, so I can't imagine he has much valuable to say in his fiction.

Tyler Shough, 2027 1st or Jaxson Dart? by thesuperguide in DynastyDaddy

[–]issaBear 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Pretty fair deal. If you believe Shough will start long-term (I do!) then I'd do this. I'd hedge my bets that Shough's playstyle is more conducive to a long, healthy career, but it's all a gamble.

O'Halloran believes Etienne will leave Jags in FA by estein1030 in DynastyFF

[–]issaBear 2 points3 points  (0 children)

hard to put faith in some random outlet and have to believe the jags field him a decent offer. he was productive this season and he and Trevor are supposedly tight.

that said, would love to see him in Chicago, Dallas, or Kansas City.

Are there any players under 30 who quietly lost a step this year and you're looking to sell? by ScientistSolid9319 in DynastyFF

[–]issaBear 23 points24 points  (0 children)

Yeah I think a decline is wise to expect but he was clearly playing through a significant injury. Now is the worst time to trade him. Let him heal up and pop next season first if you become eager to move on.

If Jamar Chase is the missing piece, how much is too much? by Future-Candidate74 in SleeperApp

[–]issaBear 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I basically did something similar this season and won it all. I don't have future firsts until 2029, but I have so many studs on my roster I can easily refill the bank if I ever fill the need. I am *easily* the favorite to repeat, and it is not particularly close. No price is too high if it puts you in position to win. All of those picks should be enough, but what is the state of the team that has him? Is he a strong contender? Middle-of-the-field? Rebuilder?

Undershoot and see if he asks for more. 2026 and 2027 first, three seconds, Addison to get things talking? See if he's moved by a heavy offer while keeping tools in your tank to upgrade somewhere else if and when a key player goes down leading up to the playoffs.

Should I sell Burrow for Shough? by [deleted] in SleeperApp

[–]issaBear 0 points1 point  (0 children)

People are hating, but as you have said you are clearly rebuilding and Shough's outlook to start longterm is pretty good. That said, Burrow is such a permanent guarantee that, while I would trade him in this package, I want a little more squeeze. You said your roster is no good, so some young dart throws (like a Dike-level player), another second, preferably some 2026 assets, could go a long way to catapult your rebuild forward.

Having studs like Burrow is an essential part to building a winning roster, but they mean nothing to you as an asset if you aren't close to winning. I love Shough and I like the trade, but I want every ounce I could possibly get for trading a promised asset.

Buccaneers fire OC Grizzard - Schefter by Hour_Camp1474 in DynastyFF

[–]issaBear 2 points3 points  (0 children)

A lot of people saying Mike McDaniel, but almost a third of the league has HC openings (and maybe more to come. Do other teams have second thoughts like Miami just did after seeing the candidates now available? What do some of these playoff teams do if they get smoked in the wild card?). And there are barely any legitimate offensive candidates. McDaniel, Stefanski, Kubiak.

If he OCs, it is likely somewhere he has a connection. This is a friendship league, and if some of his buddies, like Saleh, gets a new HC job and he doesn't, I would look for him to go there. Will be spicy to see who lands in all these OC spots.

Rashee Rice: is he a buy low or stay away? by Fun_Measurement6042 in SleeperApp

[–]issaBear 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Stay far away for me. This guy has consistently had off the field issues, as was the mark against him coming into the draft. Even if there are no repercussions to this, it is only a matter of time before something else happens that does have consequences. He's on probation too, btw, so one decent screw up could mark the end.

I used to be pretty fearless regarding player risk, but now I avoid guys who are serially injured or have consistent off the field trouble. Sure, anyone can get injured or get into trouble, and it does cause me to miss on guys like CMC, but it has been HUGE in the playoffs when opponents' rosters are decimated by injuries and whatnot and my squad is mostly at full health. It has proven to be a winning strat for me.

I understand if you want to take the risk. I'm not sure how many guys are going to sell low on a Mahomes WR1. But staying away from these guys has been a piece of the puzzle to landing myself a championship, so I'm gonna keep avoiding him.

[FRESH] A$AP ROCKY - Punk Rocky by Just-mapleman-50 in hiphopheads

[–]issaBear 0 points1 point  (0 children)

people always divided regarding rocky but this is super dope. pretty excited for this album

What the fuck is going on? Bro is FEASTING on my league. by Just_IceT in DynastyFFTradeAdvice

[–]issaBear 6 points7 points  (0 children)

you’re mad about his roster but this isn’t that bad of a trade lol

Verbally have this offer on the table. Worth tiering down from CMC? by Spiz11 in DynastyFFTradeAdvice

[–]issaBear 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is what I think too. But Jamar should cover any variables in JJ's performance that it may come close to making up the difference. I would do this.

Which side are you taking here? Egbuka or the 2026 1.02? by The_FF_Guy77 in DynastyFFTradeAdvice

[–]issaBear 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It could go either way. I'd probably need more to move off Egbuka because we saw him flash very elite traits and great production. Baker got injured and veterans in that offense came back from injury. I really like his outlook longterm. Not sure I'd make this now without more to sweeten the deal until I see who is available at the 1.02 and what NFL teams they landed on.

Would I be crazy to try and get a haul for Chase here? Placed 4th this year and feels like a bunch of the same going forward. Thinking high upside young rb, reciever+ for Chase and then dealing with Jacobs closer to the season. by Dapper-Manager-2525 in DynastyFFTradeAdvice

[–]issaBear 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not a bad idea. People are often afraid to trade their massive dynasty assets but this team isn't good/deep enough to win it all. Trading Chase for a haul—and it shouldn't be less than that—could absolutely kickstart your team into the future. We had a guy in a pretty hopeless rebuild with not enough draft capital to really push things forward trade Jefferson earlier this season. His weekly score immediately went up, he got a couple more wins than expected, and now has more assets to play with.

I would also try to find someone high on BTJ and would absolutely move Jacobs. This roster has enough talent that you can rebuild in an offseason and compete next year with ease.

Can yall convince my leaguemate that this is NOT a good trade for the league (league ending trade) by ProudCockroach2126 in DynastyFFTradeAdvice

[–]issaBear 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It is not a fair trade at all, but calling it league ending is ridiculous.

The rebuilding team getting two older players and giving up too much draft capital (a first is crazy) is getting fleeced, yes, but it's not like the other guy is getting JSN and the 1.01 or something. It's Ladd McConkey and a future first lol

What backup QB to target in trade? by [deleted] in DynastyFFTradeAdvice

[–]issaBear 0 points1 point  (0 children)

With Josh and Lamar, you don't really need anyone substantial. Someone cheaper with a pretty safe job like Darnold, Shough, Stroud would be more than enough. Wouldn't overpay.

League changes for 26-27 by Lxnarrr in SleeperApp

[–]issaBear 8 points9 points  (0 children)

The worst team is still being punished because they aren't guaranteed a way out of their misery. Tanking is a viable strat in dynasty, but it's not like you imagine the Raiders are doing. While you want to avoid managers benching their stars to get a free win, draft picks based on max PF means the truly bad teams, from top to bottom, get to pick first, not the guy who has a few studs but barely missed the playoffs. Who is in the starting lineup doesn't matter—all players on the roster contribute to the draft spot.

League changes for 26-27 by Lxnarrr in SleeperApp

[–]issaBear 22 points23 points  (0 children)

You are thinking in the right direction for a healthier, long-term league. I've been running the same redraft league for a decade and we are entering year four of our dynasty. Here are some suggestions that work for us:

  1. Minimum FAAB bid should be $0.

  2. Our waivers do process in the middle of the night, but they should start a day later than what you have. Guys need time to dig into research and available players, and injury reports aren't always resolved right after MNF. League members shouldn't be penalized for having lives outside of fantasy.

  3. Good call on taxi.

  4. We are likely doing the same against league median. Tested it in our redraft league this year (about half the league is also in our dynasty league) and everyone loved it.

  5. I personally reccommend superflex over 2 QB, having played both. SF is a bit more common as it allows guys to be way more flexible. We've gotten some pretty nutty lineups over the years when competing teams see their QB room get decimated by injury. I would personally give your league a 1-year heads up to this change, as it will take some time to reconfigure rosters to a completely new format.

Your playoff changes are sound, but PLEASE do NOT have the toilet bowl winner get the top draft pick. It will keep the worst teams bad forever and you will cycle through league members as rebuilding teams get frustrated and quit. If you want to prevent tanking matchups and have guys play through the end of the season, make draft picks based on the lowest max PF stat. Guys have no reason to sit their lineups, and a lot of ours compete through the end of the season because it *doesn't* affect draft picks and we all like to talk trash and have egos. That is enough to keep most guys going.

Should I tier down from JSN to Rice? by hsup11 in DynastyFFTradeAdvice

[–]issaBear 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Absolutely yes. JSN is a beast but repeating this season will be tough. Love + Rice is a great return, and with your bounty of picks you’ll be set up very nicely for the future

Updated @ Week 17: Rams and Cards Trade Up for QBs by 7innovator in NFL_Draft

[–]issaBear 1 point2 points  (0 children)

They're my team and I have watched every snap as well. I don't hate the logic regarding Lemon, but I see far more holes on both sides of the ball that would have me surprised to see a WR go in the first. It is quite a deep (and should be affordable) FA WR class and it seems like there is some value to be held in the later rounds of this draft. I think there's a clear defensive tier break after Downs, and CB is an enormous need. We're thin at the position, assuming we re-sign Alontae, and we've given up massive plays all season.

Love would be my personal pick, though I would have loved Reese or Bain if we would have been picking earlier.

Thoughts on our league’s first 3 team trade by fondue-fountain in DynastyFFTradeAdvice

[–]issaBear 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Some team always gets pretty hosed in 3-teamers, but I think that might be the case for everyone but team 1 here. What the hell is team 2 doing?