A new feature in 2012, achievements were originally conceived as a way of giving out prize
packs to a greater proportion of participants in the grand melee league. In previous years packs have been distributed to winners, plus those in the top 8 or so at the end of the year (generally the winners again). Achievements are a way of spreading the packs out to more players.

So far in 2012 twenty-three packs have been distributed to people for gaining achievements. These packs have been distributed in addition to the winners’ packs and are given out on a different basis. Get the achievement, get your pack. Fairly simple as far as it goes.

Achievements will definitely be making a return in 2013, and as before getting an achievement will immediately earn you a prize pack from the achievement pool. As in 2012 I want achievement to be primarily about playing rather than about winning.

I have locked in one achievement for next year, and I’d like to hear ideas from you the players for the remaining achievements. I’m happy to replace every achievement from 2012 if we can find some more suitable ones, and also to keep things changing from year to year.

Here is the 2013 list so far:
1. Contender (play in five rounds in the 2013 melee, this will be awarded after your
fifth round). This achievement also grants eligibility for the 2013 finals.
2. (proposed) Rate of Fire: Remove two or more opponents from the game in a
single turn.
3. (proposed) Super Friends: Control 4 or more planeswalkers (with different
planeswalker types) at the same time.
4. ???
5. ???

As a reminder here are the 2012 achievements:
Stayer: Play in six or more rounds in the 2012 league (awarded when you play for the
sixth time)
Dark Horse: Gain one or more points three months in a row
Almost Immortal: Reach 100 or more life in a melee, without winning that melee
Big Hands: Draw 10 or more cards in a single turn
Legion: Attack with 20 or more creatures in a single turn
Permanent Trophy: Win a melee three months in a row

If you have any thoughts or suggestions, use the comments thread below, or our Facebook page, or just talk to me at the November or December club meetings (but not in the middle of a melee!).

The final list of achievements will be posted before the 2013 Grand Melee League starts on 20th January.