why can't we just start with 5 ups instead of having that later rule which overwrites it in case of 30-32 decks?
That rule sounds pretty pointless.
30-32 sized decks have the advantage of getting combo pieces faster than any bigger deck, and thus, being more consistent. You could play the entire tournament with 30 card decks and give up upgrades if your deck benefits more from it. This rule stays.
Decks with 33+ cards have default upgrades to avoid 30-card decks being the
always-the-best game 1 choice. So, default upgrades also stay.
- Does growing work in the match or through the entire tourney? I mean does it reset between matches?
Growing continues between opponents.
+9 ups are not cumulative? That's the most upgrade you can play - except when you grew 6 times, and then you can use 20.
If you are confused about upgrades, just refer to the following set of rules:
In every new deck, players can use 9*N upgrades, rounded down. N = [(size of new deck) - (size of previous deck)] / 3. |
If you do the math, it will be clearer how the upgrades work.
(Winning 2-1 will be better than 2-0? - Player reaches 6x growing sooner.)
You give up size advantage to get to a future goal faster, so it is neither better nor worse.