>>538060215
Handtraps in general are on the level of typical floodgates, old and new. They serve as a simple and effective way for weaker decks to make even. Im not saying its the best way to fix the powercreep, im saying its what we got and it works... sometimes. Granted, im not saying "We should have stuck with GOAT format gameplay FOREVER" but what i will say is that things got out of control over time and handtraps are pretty much the flex tape for it. "Problem with a specific mechanic, well we better print this one card that counters it"

>Removing side decking
Im not entirely against it but matches would be even more difficult to shift in your favor without one, since what keeps you away from making a comeback is this one handtrap or one staple that you cant run on your main because it will mess with your deck's flow and/or might be useless in another matchup.

>Damage cap
At this point we might as well consider summoning sickness similar to Battle City and call it a day, sounds like a better solution too but no way we see it happening.

>Coin flip
Thats surely an issue too. Trap decks are begging to play 1st, OTK decks begging to go 2nd and then regular decks either go 1st or lose and go 1st in game 2. Would be real difficult to "police" who goes first or not, coin flip is the best of both worlds and yeah i fucking hate how dice became the norm and you can get own by rolling fucking singles.