Phase 3 - Community Vote

[918273645]

Many people see aether for only Fractal and Dim Shield. How would youi prove to them that Aether is better than they think?

[Dragoon1140]

Many people see aether for only Fractal and Dim Shield. How would youi prove to them that Aether is better than they think?

As I've said before, Twin Universe is my favorite card in the game.  Thus, I would be more than happy to duel them using a TU deck of some sort, most likely TU + Charger.  As for Fractal, I just can't get into it.  I prefer the rush-factor that TU offers, since Fractal should never be used purely for speed.  Dimensional Shield, on the other hand, is a nice surprise occasionally, but it should not be used in a predictable manner.

Anyway, yes, I would use an Aether deck that lacks Fractal and Dimensional Shield against the people that think it cannot be done, which is preposterous.

[Higurashi]

Many people see aether for only Fractal and Dim Shield. How would youi prove to them that Aether is better than they think?

Oh, so many options. All elements shine when combined with other ones. I could do Twin Titans, Deja Vu buff deck with PU, Lightning+PU, Chaos Power+Ball Lightning, or just a classic Immortal+Lightning deck. Not to mention Mindgate decks are always hilarious, and Adrenarecluses too. Basically though, Aether has key cards that can be used by many elements. I could show them how Aether is a key element in so many decks.

In the end, people think mainly of Fractal because it's indeed the most overpowered card in the game, and one of the most used. They think of Dim Shield because it's the most powerful tool of Monoaether. Of this there is no doubt, but it can still kick ass without it. Take away a key card from any element and it's worse off. There's no real reason to go mono if you can improve by mixing though, and that's something all elements do.

[MyNameIsJoey]

If someone tells you aether sucks because it cant rush, what is your answer?

[Higurashi]

If someone tells you aether sucks because it cant rush, what is your answer?

I'll Fractal Ball Lightnings, TU Recluses and Thunderbolt his ass.
Nah, but seriously, Aether is the worst at rushing as a mono, yes. Does it need to rush? No. Rushing isn't necessary to be a good element. The funny thing about Aether is that it can turn your rush against you completely with TU+Lightning. It can also rush quite well when you mix in other elements, such as Adrenaline for Recluses or Chaos Power for Ball Lightnings. This is also how most elements rush the best.

In the end though, I would rather try to show them how rushing the best is not the most important thing in this game. I would sooner open their eyes to the possibilities in the cards and the massive card advantage Aether offers.

[pikachufan2164]

First, I'll tell you what I'm looking for in a candidate.  In a word, I'm looking for maturity.  Not age, necessarily, but a sense of responsibility to the community.  This can obviously manifest itself in many ways, but some that come to mind are leading your element in War (why you would be good at it, not giving away your plan of attack), spreading the gospel of your element (think xdude's signature of "Dare you to think Light sucks?  Challenge me.  NOW!", or even simply helping people with deck building/development.

I do wish you all the very best of luck and I look forward to getting to know each of you better via this process.

I do hope this is sufficient -- I'll be adding my answers to questions asked in the thread to my campaign post.
http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,20041.msg271524#msg271524

What does the Element Aether symbolize? (Be precise, concise and complete)
What types of cards does Aether need in game to finish covering the Element Aether?

I see Aether as a representation of duality; an element that is capable of attacking and defending -- at the same time. Aether has so many different utility cards in its possession. Mindgate can be used to take advantage of a deck that's manipulated with Eternity, or used to prevent decking out by grabbing an opposing Malignant Cell (as used in the strategy of zse's Lone Stalker deck). Quintessence is normally used to create a nigh-invulnerable creature, but I'm sure that the community knows of its hidden use as a soft Fractal counter, as demonstrated by Dogg in his infamous match against jmdt in War 2.

There's never any way to "complete" Aether, but I would like to see a small attacker with a nifty effect that doesn't die like an unbuffed Spark (Dimensional Striker (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,18641.0.html) fills in the void, as well as introducing an interesting mechanic). Aether is capable of fitting in a wide variety of weird and wonderful effects, so there's a lot of opportunity for the element to expand.

Many people see aether for only Fractal and Dim Shield. How would you prove to them that Aether is better than they think?

I would first point them to TU, the third part of the Etherial Big Three. It works especially well if there are mutants and/or buffed creatures on the field, since mutants will always get better base stats when twinned, and you get those scary Deja TU rush decks that launch four big and buff Deja Vus (Twinned once, and then split) by turn 3-4.

Lightning is one of the most cost-efficient pieces of direct creature control out there. It's the perfect counter to unprotected Chargers, Crimson/Ruby Dragons; and anything that's immensely powerful, but has 5 or fewer HP. It's an absolute bargain at 2|1 .

Aether makes for an amazing support element, with cards like Twin Universe, Quintessence, Fractal, and Mindgate. All it really needs to do is borrow another element's creature base, as its own creatures are one of Aether's few weaknesses.

If someone tells you aether sucks because it cant rush, what is your answer?

Why hello there, Fractix!

In all seriousness, Aether doesn't need to rush -- it already has the means of slowing the game down to its own pace with powerful tempo-changing cards like Phase Shield and Silence, which allow an Aether-based deck to stall for long enough to execute its main strategy. There is a reason why the Mono-Aether AI3 is a pain in the butt for standard AI3 rush decks to deal with.

[Kuroaitou]

Disclaimer: Not answering this question will probably result in me not giving a vote to you, regardless of your standing.

(Nonetheless, you're all really good candidates, so this will be tough. >_< I decided to do a more personality-based question to see how I would like best as an Aether master (still remembering Icybraker's massive ego as his notable trait ))

Q: If there was one Aether-like power/creature/object you could have in real life (based on an Aether card obviously), what would it be and why? (i.e. – If I had several Precognition vials, I could probably see into the future, etc.)

[Higurashi]

Hah, that's easy. I'd like a Turquoise Nymph as friend. Who the hell wouldn't?

All the other cards are super-neat (except perhaps Ball Lightning... that'd just wreck your house), but they're also too powerful for this world. Making a perfect copy of something is so abusable, and Mindgate... yeah, the temptation of power is too great. Phase Shield on the other hand could be cool in case I need to escape death, but it'd probably make me too reckless in the end.

Having an Immortal to talk to would be infinitely cool too, but he/she would outlive me, and that sucks for both of us. Same goes for a pet Dragon. Lightning or Quint... don't even get me started on Fractal. Hm, maybe I could use it for artistic purposes. Go to a valley or something and Fractal flowers all over the place..

But nah, I don't want no godlike powers. No, I'd like a Turquoise Nymph. She could grant both of us immortality if she felt like it, but I just know she'd be awesome to spend time with. I mean... they practically gather around me anyway (I have 3).

Silence would just be mean, but Electrocutor would be a totally sweet weapon to add to my collection. But nothing would beat having my very own Nymph.

[pikachufan2164]

Q: If there was one Aether-like power/creature/object you could have in real life (based on an Aether card obviously), what would it be and why? (i.e. – If I had several Precognition vials, I could probably see into the future, etc.)

I would love to control the power of Lightning.

Just imagine it: I can command my Pikachu plushie to use Thunderbolt, and a bolt of lightning will actually be released (from me, but it wouldn't be too difficult to make it look as if the plushie was using the attack) >:D

[icecoldbro]

Q: If there was one Aether-like power/creature/object you could have in real life (based on an Aether card obviously), what would it be and why? (i.e. – If I had several Precognition vials, I could probably see into the future, etc.)

What would i pick?
As the guy with the choice i pick fractal, why i can multiply the person i love, i can increase the good people in this world i can continue living, thru the memories i will leave.
Immortality is not my thing i don't want to live forever, i don't want to live for even a substantial time, i want to live thru what Im supposed to live thru, and then die in hands of whoever cares enough to stand by me.
I want to make a difference, i want to make a change, no matter how small, how insignificant.

If someone tells you aether sucks because it cant rush, what is your answer?

My answer is it can not only rush but it has balance as it can stall
Rushing is in my eyes, un-calculated, simple and too head forward.
Stalling is an art that needs mastering, when, how, for how long, why, and then calculating odds on that deciding is the main factor.
Rushing can be obtained with fractal, can be controlled by parallel universe, but it can be utterly destroyed, unless you know the art of balance.
That's why i say Aether can not only stall, but it can rush if used by the right person, who has the right amount of experience.

Many people see aether for only Fractal and Dim Shield. How would you prove to them that Aether is better than they think?

I would prove it thru my favorite way, a duel, i do not need such cards take me on with whatever deck u wish i will show you why a true Ethereal doesn't need the liking's of such.
If Your perspective is too small to understand that, i have no need to talk to anyone who doesn't.

What does the Element Aether symbolize? (Be precise, concise and complete)
What types of cards does Aether need in game to finish covering the Element Aether?

Aether simbolizes at least to me The power and respect earned from breaking thru boundaries, using the impossibly higher amount of skill needed to play it, against the opponent, to play mind games on the opponent, TO CRUSH WHOEVER STANDS BEFORE IT TO THE GROUND, AS THEY WATCH POWERLESS HOW I OVER RUN THEM, TO SHOW HOW AND WHY I WILL NOT TOLERATE ANY INSULT TO THIS ELEMENT.
Aether needs nothing to finish covering itself, it is almost perfect in every way for those who know how to use it, any addition would just be to increase its power above any imaginable rating.

[Dragoon1140]

Q: If there was one Aether-like power/creature/object you could have in real life (based on an Aether card obviously), what would it be and why? (i.e. – If I had several Precognition vials, I could probably see into the future, etc.)

Of all of the Aether cards, I would be positively delighted to call my home an Aether Tower.  Who doesn't want to live in another dimension?  I can see the grand parties now:  jumping from various pockets in time to attain the best-ly aged grape juice.  Besides that, it's a huge tower!  It's like living among kings. 

[OldTrees]

It is one thing to know thyself.  It is another to know thy enemy.

What is Time?