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>**Unforced error**
*noun*
a mistake in play that is attributed to one's own failure rather than to the skill or effort of one's opponent.

The last couple seasons I have managed to scrape into Champion 2, but this season, I am struggling to make it into C3 as essentially...

>I am playing like shit!


![image.png](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/tarazkp/23xV8rXgik4SmJnPPbMcVSAqh5MwhQoisY8RyqA2qRtQJLYeABecasVdW8jdMxoBr8w7B.png)


I don't know what it is this season, but I am making so many *unforced errors* and the only thing in the equation is me - sure, I am being outplayed too, but the thing that stands out is my own sheer incompetence at choosing the right team - I am having streams of 8-10 losses in a row and even as I am choosing the lineup, I am looking at it and asking myself...

> WTF am I doing?

I *think* that this is mostly due to the treatment I had last week, as it takes a lot of my energy and thinking power for about a week after, with a constant headache between - but damn, it is having a large effect.

A couple days ago, I decided that instead of minimizing games this season, I would experiment a little and play a lot - since I have a couple extra hours in the evening to play and - I am home for the weekend too, which seems rare. So - Here I am pounding away at games - losing far more than I am winning, but having *annoyed and frustrated* fun along the way.  

I am not sure I am learning anything other than how much I suck this season, but I have noticed that there are some slight changes in gameplay, where people are better able to counter my "usual suspect" win setups. And, since the name is withheld until the team is submitted, I don't think that they are picking "me" in particular - which makes for an interesting change in the dynamics. 

In the past, it was possible to guess what lineup someone was going to play, but now there is more the "put your best team forward" and hope for the best approach - which plays well into the hands of people like @abh12345 who I have lost to several times already this morning. This is the *most annoying* part of it!

But, while I understand why this change was made, I also think it is not necessarily a good thing, as it is kind of like in sport, not being able to see the opposing team ever play before - always going in blind. At the top levels where there are only a few players, this makes a *massive difference* as you never know if you are going to play an old-timer with a complete early edition set, or someone like me - who's set is patchy. It makes a difference. 

I really should just get my ass back into Champions3 and call it a season so that I am not completely screwed for the next season, but you know, I probably won't do that and at this rate, I will be starting from Bronze3 instead. I have been playing whilst writing too, which isn't  conducive to great decisions, but we are heading out for a coffee as a family in a few minutes, so that should at least break my "stare bear" style of play today. 

Like when I write, I like to observe my behavior under various conditions and this season has definitely shown how difficult it can be during this week after treatment. I feel it in my work too,  but there is nothing that can really be done about it, so it is essentially "stiff upper lip" it until it passes. There are far more important things than a Splinterlands season, but it is good to get the perspective on how affected my thinking is.'

Right - the sun is shining and the world away from the screen awaits. Maybe with a break, I will come back with a fresh mind and motivation and hopefully with a little luck, I will be able to cut down on my unforced errors!

Taraz
[ Gen1: Hive ]



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