Nice! I actually play this game more than any other card game out there. I drew at the end of my turn on my first game in a Magic tournament about a month or two ago because of Sentinels! Fortunately, I knew my opponent from school, and he let slide the fact that I totally messed up the phases.
I really like the "Draw at the end" mechanic. It makes this game feel distinct, and the fact that it was thought out as a conscious decision (though unsurprising) is very, very cool.
Are you saying that you wouldn't reccomend this game to people solely because of the drawing mechanic, or because it's enough to make people not want to play again? I can't speak for everyone, but I had trouble with end of turn drawing because of Magic. I remembered not to draw at the start of my turn, but I kept forgetting to draw at the end. That being said, I had so much fun playing Sentinels at the shop, as did everyone else, that we immediatly played again, and by the second game it wasn't a problem. I think the design and feel of the game is more than enough to pull people over a little awkwardness.
Would I want other games to change it? No, half of the fun of Magic is that anticipation of your next turn, hoping to draw exactly what you need and reacting based on that. You are inherntly familiar with your deck, so you have multipul stratigies forming in your head based on what your opponet does for the potential draws you have. SotM fun doesn't come from that anticipation, but for finding your place in a heroic team and solving the problem in front of you. Like an evolving puzzle with explosions.
Same here, I used to forget to draw at end of turn because I was used to drawing at the start, never had a problem with accidently drawing at start though, already had my plays in mind. If anything it's forgetting to draw at the end that is probably more common than accidently drawing at the start, seen it happen to others while playing as well. The tokens are also a good reminder for when you don't draw cards, I just place one on top of my deck to remind me, when I only place it in front of me I sometimes forget and draw.
honestly, its been so many years since i played a CCG that you drew at the begining (That being magic) i didnt even double take with Sentinels. Every card game, CCG and otherwise, that we've played has been end of turn draw... Except Nutz. But thats a funny fun times game :p
Why don't you just flip the rulebook and make sure to follow the turn actions posted there?
I always leave the rulebook visible to all players, so we have no problems in the turn scheme...
My group had to do that when we first started playing. Before long, you get a rhythm and stop needing it.
Yeah, that's something we do with the demos, and it usually helps a lot. Magic players sometimes have the reflex to go to the deck. I know I did for a while, but I've definitely gotten over that. 