Communication

Hello everyone, and welcome back to SO IMBA!,

Where we learn how to be a better card fighter.

Anyhow, today I had a nice full day of Vanguard playing in the afternoon at two shops, and hanging out with friends during the night.

My deck and play style hasn't really changed, though. A lot of Garmall flying around causing trouble for the opponent, so no post about deck here.
Blizzard Formation For the Win!

Fun times with Fangs of Light.


Win rate today aside, there's a story I'd like to share with you all.

Today, at the card store, there were three deaf-mutes playing Vanguard.

A deaf-mute is someone who cannot speak or cannot hear, or perhaps both. They are grouped together because they can communicate with each other unlike how we do: With writing and sign language.

Now, in any community, deaf-mutes, or people with any disability at all are looked down upon.
You might want to say that people are altruistic, and willing to help, and are good deep down, but this is not true.
It is a horrible world out there, and fear of the unknown drowns this hope of helping others

Just looking at them communicating in sign language would make many people keep their distance, and in a country as afraid of anything but what is familiar like Japan, it only gets worse.

So, as you can imagine, most people were unwilling to play with them.
They were so used to the idea, they didn't lay out their first Vanguard, or take a "Looking for Opponent" card.

Since there were three of them, only two of them were fighting at a time, and the other was left without an opponent.

In any other place, someone would go up for a fight, wouldn't they?
But, against people who cannot speak or hear, its a different story, isnt it?

After a couple minutes, someone went up to them and wrote "would you like to have a card fight?" On a small piece of paper.
Everyone watching was shocked.

He just pulled out his deck, set the first vanguard, and so did the deaf-mute.

He fought all three of them a few times each, all the while smiling, even though he could not speak a word to them or them back.

After fighting them, he got up, thanked them with a hand shake, and went back to going around the store.


I asked him later, why he wanted to fight against those people.(eloquently translated thanks to yours truly)

"Why did you want to fight against me?"

"Because I wanted to fight against someone strong."

"Then its exactly the same. If you want to fight against someone just fight them.
During a fight, nothing matters except the cards, not the clothes the opponent is wearing, not the television over there, and least of all what language they are speaking.
Some people speak with their mouth using sounds, like you and me, but some people like them speak with their hands and bodies.
If I could not speak French and you spoke only french, we would still be able to play Vanguard together. Playing against them is the same. They only speak a different language than you and me.
(Superior ride! Spirit Exceed!)
To us, Vanguard is just a game we play. But it can also be a way of communication between people who don't speak the same language, between people from different countries, or between us and people who cannot speak, and it becomes a language of sorts, a way to talk to other people."


This actually did get me thinking...
Less Vanguard, but more card games and other game hobbies in general.
They let you form a connection that bypasses language... and even speech!

Card games have become less of a hobby, but instead also a communication method.
When you sit and talk about cards and their effect on the deck or game,
or even sit and play against someone.
It creates a connection between people, and breaks the ice immediately.


So, next time, fight someone you've never fought before. Fight someone you haven't seen before. Fight someone you know you cannot talk with!
Vanguard is a game anyone can play, and anyone can enjoy. And like any game, it will allow you to make friends and meet people you would not have otherwise.