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Yawgatog wrote:

I believe the universe has not a shortage of time, but an excess of entropy.

Actually, the Universe has an entropy deficit, which is why total entropy only increases. If there were an excess of entropy, then the probablility of our existence would be so small that it would effectively require an infinite timeline (which may exist) for one moment of "existence" to occur. The math says that it is highly probable that we didn't exist a moment ago, and that we won't exist a moment from now. That is an unsatisfying conclusion and is one of the main reasons that most physicists believe in the Big Bang Theory, in which the Universe started out in a highly ordered state and is constantly becoming more disordered as time "flows" forward. In fact, the "flow" of time (also called the arrow of time) can be attributed to entropy. Things only happen in one "direction" in time, which is the direction leading to higher total entropy. That's the reason why you never see an egg "unbreak."


About the article, Building on a Budget could also be interpreted to mean "building a collection on a budget." In that sense, this article was perfect for the column. Getting the maximum amount of enjoyment from your packs as you build your collection is a great budget topic.

I read the first page of this thread, and felt ashamed by some of the criticism.
Yes the author could have maybe styled it in a more layman's terms so as not to offend the serious player. Maybe he could have a separate area to keep the "fun stuff" in rather than leave himself open to ridicule at the BoaB section and it's followers. Yet, in all fairness, maybe those of intellect could have tried to offer more constructive criticism rather than ridicule him. Sure you could write better within the given deadlines, and always with new ideas, but without suggestion none of us could truly improve to the standards soem seem to set.


Why do I stand by the author?
Well for one I believe his intentions where honorable. He needed to write an article, probably based loosely on some guidelines, but never meant to insult, or ruin the BoaB thread and certainly without thought to create malice.

Me?.......I LOVED the idea! Something to do that with the booster that lasts longer than the 2 seconds ripping it open.
I have collected physical cards on and off for many years. I found myself returning to the MtGo, and then to actually playing real cards. I dug out my collection after 3-4 years, joined a FNM venue, and played for 5 weeks now.
I even built a Boab Kithkin deck. I won boosters. Excited like a child in a sweet/candy shop, I enjoyed the thrill of opening them.
5 weeks later, I still feel the disappointment at not finding a card I personally value. A card is only good if your collecting, intending on playing it, or trading for something more to your tastes.

Wednesday night I put pressure upon the serious casual players to humour me by playing a round of "pack wars". It generated some social discussion about simular game concepts, none of which I had heard off. Using land upside down, or better still the ability to play any spell(card) from the hand upside down as mana.
I'm a new player that hates the fact once a booster is open, within 2 seconds the fun is gone. A new player does not know how to build decks, or even have the card pool to meet standard events. Maybe they have bought a theme deck and become board of it. Maybe they are trying to spend their pocket money one one booster a week, until they can build a fun deck...who knows.....The point remains personnaly for me...."How can I get more value from 15 cards that will most likely never see daylight again".
Here it was, late at night, and eventually one of the players said OK, I'll play it with you.
We played, and due to a spate of laughter from over excited new player (me), and chuckles from a very experienced senior player (my unlucky 'volunteer') the rest of the room came to see what all the fuss was.
I could not stop myself enjoying the game. Didnt matter to me if it was one sided, win, lose. Did not matter If i could play the cards or not. What was fun was I was enjoying having a "*/*" creature gets +1/+1 for every blue permanent in play..a big 2/2. I loved waiting to see how crap my rare would be. I loved the fact I had red cards and still unable to draw a mountain. I loved the fact I knew on turn four I would destroy his land, and then becoming gobsmacked when he did it to me FIRST! Even though no card gelled, and you could not plan ahead..just to plan with cards in hand, It was still amazing to see novel ways at dealing with problems on the board. Even when my opponent kept tapping his mono black creature every turn, forcing me to discard my red spells..it was still fun, and yes I was still laughing like a great big kid!
It was just fun, and although this Pack war is mainly aimed at "new" inexperienced players, with little or no real deck building benefit, I did notice the smiles on all those around. Even my opponent who had humoured me in the beginning was grinning from ear to ear. I shall save any boosters I win on FNM for pack wars. I look forward to two days of magic.

Summing up.....
So what if the article was in the wrong thread, or slightly worded in manner that soem did not appreciate. Its intentions were there to give players, more value from there boosters. It gives the magic community (physical card realm) the chance to experience someone else's fun at discovering "magic" at its basic level. To maybe remind all players that we were all once "basic" players, soem for fun, others for the competitive side.
Sometimes a new player that has read MtgO articles has come here from the physical card world. They come here to improve there game, learn from others, and ask questions. Most of all I found this article a worthwhile addition to improve my enjoyment. Maybe its not a "real" BoaB, but it certainly is a PoaB (play on a Budget). In England a booster is £2.50. Someone who cannot afford every card, and who can only dream of finding something decent, may find this a good way to gain an extra 10 Min's fun from that pocket money. Some may find it a waste of time. Magic will always look to make money...that is business. I will always look at ways to get the most enjoyment from my money. In this case the two go well together, and when I mature in the game sense, I am sure I or others will adapt this "pack war" idea and others like it to suit our more demanding BoaB themes.

Sorry and thank you, no offence intended.

P.s. Due to the online community, I find myself in a web of magic. I find my skills are improving, all be it slowly, they are improving, and given time and experience I shall hopefully be able to compete with my fellow players at a reasonable level. I once got bored with magic, so anything that can help motivate enjoyment has to be good doesn't it? Hope fully one day when "I know it all in the world of magic" and have to baby sit some new player, who can not offer any serious threat/competition, I will remember how I was treated. I hope to be able to sit down and take heart from their fun. Smile when they laugh, or when they finally without help manage to make a "good play"....or even a fun one.

Thorsfew.