My thoughts:
I had a conversation with a friend about "bad players" in multiplayer. A few of his concerns I think are pretty legitamate and would make the basis for a good article on multiplayer deckbuilding and etiquite.
Here are the highlights
- Every deck should have enough spot removal (4+)
- (including ways to handle artifacts, enchantments, etc.)
- essentially everyone drops huge threats in multiplayer. bargaining power goes to the person able to take care of the scariest threat on the board
- Every deck should run more than one board-wipe
- For when your opponents overwhelm you
- For when the game needs a reset because everyone has too many blockers/potential attackers
- Cards that lock down the game tend to suck the fun out of the game, while strong finishers are respected. I'll give 2 examples:
- Glare of Subdual in a Token heavy Selesnya: Tapping your opponents creatures is great for slowing their attack and oppening them for you, but locking the game down for 6-7 turns is bad for the game as a whole. It's fine when you can drop it and finish the game (or you think you can) in 2-3 turns, but otherwise it tends to slow things down.
- Savra & Jarad with Bloodghast(s): This combo takes off and ends the game. Folks who are upset about the loss quickly get over it since a new game is starting- very different than folks upset about a loss that is 6-7 turns in the making but feels inevitable.
- Never concede someone is going to win and continue the game. Games with a clear victor are better ended so a new game can begin. I've played with new players who have said "Oh he's going to win anyway, I'll come in second if I kill you" And hey, maybe that is fun for some people- but the majority of players I've gamed with are baffled by the concept of second place. If you concede the game is over before it ends, just end the game.
- Always put pressure on the top threat. If there is a sizable number of strong creatures under one player and 3 medicore ones under another- unless you know some crazy combo is coming- take out some from the guy with the army. Try to rationalize your choices of using removal or burn on any player. If they're in last place, and you're not in first- you're just pissing off a potential ally.
