You’re Not Bad, You’re Just New
Redefining Progress in UniVersus
by Andrew Holder
You sit down for your fourth round of the night. You're 0-3. Your deck looked solid on paper, you practiced your lines, and you even remembered to bring snacks and a bottle of water. Yet every match feels like you're fighting uphill while your opponent is somehow always three turns ahead.
And in that moment, it's easy to think:
"Maybe I'm just bad at this game."
But here's the truth:
You're not bad. You're just new.
And that's not something to be ashamed of; it's something to be proud of. Because it means you've already taken the hardest step: you showed up.
Skill Takes Time in Universus and in Life
Universus is not an easy game. It's deceptively fast. At a glance, it appears to be play an attack and pass the check.
But underneath the surface, you're making decisions about sequencing, timing, block zones, progressive difficulty, matchup theory, and risk management, all in real time. You're not just playing cards. You're managing pressure. You're building windows. You're learning to fight.
You wouldn't walk into a boxing gym, get punched a few times, and say, "Welp, guess I'm not cut out for this."
So don't say that about UniVersus either.
The best players didn't get there by magic. They got there by getting beaten a lot and learning from every single bruise. They know the sting of missing a lethal line. They've stared at hands that just don't work. They've lost to things they thought they had covered.
And they got better. So will you.
Results Lie, Reps Tell the Truth
We're taught to judge success by wins and losses. But when you're new, wins are a lagging indicator of growth.
You might be improving for three straight weeks and still go 1-4 in your next local. That doesn't mean you got worse. It means the skills are building beneath the surface: cleaner timing, sharper recognition, better use of momentum, and a deeper understanding of card priority and interactions.
If you focus only on your record, you're only seeing the scoreboard, not the progress behind it.
Don't ask, "Did I win?"
Ask:
Did I block better this time?
Did I remember to pace my turn instead of rushing to throw attacks?
Did I catch something I would've missed last week?
That's real growth. And the players who chase that kind of progress, instead of just results, are the ones who build long-term skills.
You're Playing Against People With Years of Reps
It's easy to forget this: that player across the table might have hundreds of games under their belt. They've tested the matchup you're still learning. They've played with and against your deck dozens of times. They've already made the mistakes you're making, and they've learned from them.
You're not being outclassed. You're just at an earlier chapter in the same story.
Think of it this way: when you're new, you're viewing the board in two dimensions. Experienced players are seeing it in four. But they didn't start with that vision. They earned it.
You will, too.
Every match you play—every single one—is a sneak preview of your future self. One day, you'll be the player who spots the line faster, sets the trap better, and closes the game with calm precision.
Your Value Is Not Your Win Rate
Let's be honest: going winless never feels good.
But it doesn't mean you're not learning. It doesn't mean you're not contributing. It doesn't mean you're wasting anyone's time.
Say this out loud, seriously:
"I am allowed to be new. I am allowed to learn."
You belong at the table even if you don't win a match. You are a valuable part of your local scene just by showing up, asking questions, and caring about the game. You are not "dead weight" in a carpool. You're not ruining the event. You're not a burden.
In fact, you're doing what many people forget how to do: you're putting yourself in a position to grow. That takes courage.
Some Practical Advice for the Climb
Growth is easier when you have direction. Here are five small things that go a long way:
Stick with one deck. Learn its ins and outs. Resist the urge to switch characters every week. Familiarity breeds confidence—and clarity.
Ask better players for feedback after matches. Don't just say "GG" and walk away. Ask them what they saw. Most players want to help you grow; you just have to open the door.
Mentally (or literally) review your games. What went well? What didn't? Where did you freeze up? What play felt strong? This is where real improvement lives.
Play with intent. Give each game a mini-goal: "Today, I want to manage my momentum better." "I want to test this sideboard." Intentional play speeds up development.
Celebrate non-win progress. Did you block two attacks in a row correctly? Did you use your once-per-turn ability at the right time? That's growth. Honor it.
You don't need to master everything at once. Just aim for one clean step forward each time you play.
Growth Comes in Stages, So Let It
There's a hidden truth about competitive games that nobody tells you at first:
You'll plateau.
Sometimes for a week. Sometimes longer. You'll feel like you're doing everything right, yet still not achieving the desired results.
That's normal. You're not stuck. You're building depth.
Improvement often feels invisible until, one day, it clicks. A matchup makes sense. A line appears. A win happens. Then another.
What felt like slow progress suddenly appeared to be a breakthrough.
But that moment only comes if you keep showing up.
Final Thought: You Belong Here
There will be days when the game frustrates you. Days when your checks betray you. Days when you feel outmatched or invisible or like you're just not improving fast enough.
But never confuse frustration with failure. Never confuse inexperience with inadequacy. You're learning a game that takes time. And you're doing it in real time, in public, with people watching. That takes guts.
So, the next time you shuffle up, take a breath. Look across the table. Smile. You've already won something more important than a match:
You're here.
You care.
You're growing.
You're not bad. You're just new.
And every great player you admire?
They were right here once, too.
