I have seen this asked on another forum and thought it was a good question. A lot of people never go to a FNM so.... What stops you going?
That particular thread / forum seems to get no replies, this is what I said..
"I have not attended any event as yet, I only know one other person who plays casually (I got him started - Before that we had only played DotP on steam)I really would like to go to an event but I just think I would be out of place, not sure why. Having to know the ins and outs of the game scares me a little and also a bit confused about standard legals and what cards I could use. As far as I know a lot of my cards would not be standard legal as of early next month.
I am lucky in the fact there is a meeting place for magic players literally down the road from me. I have actually contacted the owner and he invited me to pop down and also take my trade in game code for DotP booster!
Maybe I will purchase a Return to Ravnica event deck and give it a go soon!
I think most magic players have reservations about going to an event. I bet there are a lot of new players because of DotP that would never have imagined playing Magic before playing virtually. I'll be honest I had never even heard of magic before!
I love the game though, I try to explain to people who play other generic (boring) card games like poker how much fun magic is!! They just give me strange looks
Anyway... I feel like it's time to take that next step soon and actually go to a FNM."
I have seen this asked on another forum and thought it was a good question. A lot of people never go to a FNM so.... What stops you going?That particular thread / forum seems to get no replies, this is what I said.."I have not attended any event as y
For a long time, I didn't go because I didn't even know that existed. Furthermore, I didn't want to enter tournaments because I was a major case of having bad decks. I started around the age of 13. The only time I had gone to a FNM was to be beaten horribly by Affinity with my pile of junk that may or may not have included Summoning Station (but it makes token every turn!).
Then when I started playing again, my wife was in it too and she didn't like Constructed. Since we both liked drafts, we only drafted for a long time.
Finally, I started reading in the Standard Forums and my head got going. Then I had the will to go to FNMs and Game Days and try to win some games.
That's the story. Note that there are no big store in our city, so most events are about 8-12 people only. Prerelease sometimes go up to 25ish people, but that's about it.
For a long time, I didn't go because I didn't even know that existed. Furthermore, I didn't want to enter tournaments because I was a major case of having bad decks. I started around the age of 13. The only time I had gone to a FNM was to be beaten h
Certain environments put me off. Usually it's when cheating is so rampant that players assume it's not only a legitimate play, but how you play legitimately. Those kinds of memes tend to put me off.
Certain environments put me off. Usually it's when cheating is so rampant that players assume it's not only a legitimate play, but how you play legitimately. Those kinds of memes tend to put me off.
I recommend going to FNM and seeing how it goes. If you don't feel welcome, find a new store. FNM is the most casual of tournaments and it's supposed to be fun with a focus on introducing new players into the game at a level that isn't ultradeadlyserious. Players will be happy to answer your rules questions and the prizes on the line are usually fairly small so the individual matches tend to feel less serious.
I recommend going to FNM and seeing how it goes. If you don't feel welcome, find a new store. FNM is the most casual of tournaments and it's supposed to be fun with a focus on introducing new players into the game at a level that isn't ultradeadlyser
My local store has around 15-25 people weekly who go there. It's in a converted pub believe it or not!!
I will go soon, magic is getting to be more and more a part of my life so it is inevitable!! I just wondered what other people thought.
My local store has around 15-25 people weekly who go there. It's in a converted pub believe it or not!! I will go soon, magic is getting to be more and more a part of my life so it is inevitable!! I just wondered what other people thought.
For me, it's fear of being publicly humiliated. I've returned to the game fairly recently after an extended hiatus; I'm having to relearn the intricacies of the Stack, priority exchanges, etc. My only casual play partner since my return has been my wife, who I routinely dominate easily enough that I feel I honestly cannot learn anything from playing her (except from my own mistakes in the process). I want to play other people, and I love deck building, but I'm scared that I'll show up to FNM and find myself having to routinely mulligan down to five cards, or ending up in some situation where I've made an embarrassing error. While I'm completely confident that several of the decks I've built could stomp all over Event Decks (which, I hear, are fairly common at FNM), my local shop routinely pulls in 50+ people for those events. I'll probably end up eliminated in round one by some guy who netdecked a Pro Tour strategy, while the two guys sitting next to me cracked their RtR Event Decks fifteen minutes ago.
I don't want to go just to get my ass kicked before I can even have fun, and I certainly don't want to end up in arguments with other players over technicalities that require judges' involvement. And what if I do have to call the TO over to settle a dispute and he sides against me even though I know I've seen Gatherer text or rules questions here that indicate that he is wrong?
I guess in a nutshell I'm sufficiently afraid of everything that could go wrong to the point of excluding the possibility of things actually going well for me. So day after day I keep playing the same opponent, who only wins when I draw fifteen consecutive land (or none at all), all the while buying new cards to add to a collection that barely gets any use.
:/ I suck at life.
For me, it's fear of being publicly humiliated. I've returned to the game fairly recently after an extended hiatus; I'm having to relearn the intricacies of the Stack, priority exchanges, etc. My only casual play partner since my return has been my w
Usually either big, burly guys who smell like smoke with sweaty hands or, if it's a smaller event, clueless females who don't know anything about the game and just come there because it has lots of boys.
Plenty of normal people, but I'm not bothered with those, so no complaint about them.
EDIT: Oh, and the idea that you should shake hands after a game. Ugh. So... Ew.
The other people there...Usually either big, burly guys who smell like smoke with sweaty hands or, if it's a smaller event, clueless females who don't know anything about the game and just come there because it has lots of boys.Plenty of normal peopl
Publicly humiliated? That's rather drastic. FNM is there mainly for newer players and for fun. While there may be some serious players there, they aren't there to publicly humiliate anyone. Hardly anyone will point and laugh at subpar decks because those decks show up at FNM more often than not. People that know they have the best decks aren't there to put anyone to shame.
I don't want to go just to get my ass kicked before I can even have fun
At first, you will be losing, but it's a learning experience. And the Standard format really isn't fast enough for you to lose before you have any fun. Event decks put you on pretty good footing for FNM; they are pretty good against budget versions of Top 8 decks and they steamroll most homebrews.
I would suggest go and keep in mind that you are there to have fun with the game. After all, that's the whole point of playing in the first place. After a while, you'll see that all the bad things that you think can go wrong aren't nearly as bad as they seem.
Publicly humiliated? That's rather drastic. FNM is there mainly for newer players and for fun. While there may be some serious players there, they aren't there to publicly humiliate anyone. Hardly anyone will point and laugh at subpar decks because t
For me it's quite simple. I find them too competitive. I'm an avid deckbuilder myself, so I construct decks that have great synergy, power and/or mana curve, etc etc etc... BUT I do not spend like 300 bucks for each of my decks, having all the "legacy staples", all the lands and stuff. Heck, even their casual decks have "Force of Will" in them. It's actually quite disappointing to me to find out that the local FNM near me is like that....by going in these forums and reading some comments on gatherer, I was expecting FNM to have at least some casual people in it...."sigh" - So yeah, I tend to stay away from those for the said reason. I'm a kitchen-table player through and through, and I'm sure there are a ton of those around my area, I guess they just don't go to FNM either (perhaps for the same reasons I don't, or perhaps they don't know much of it's existence (I only came to know it because of a friend, and that's after 5 years of playing the game so.....)) - EDIT : Oh and I also have a personal story of my recent FNM experience (which tends to favor my "not going there again" thinking). It's that when we came there at the beginning, people were very welcoming, that's great. My friend happens to know another guy there, he introduced the whole FNM environment to us. The only thing that bothered me is, only because we aren't "regulars" there, they keep treating us like noobs. As in, they keep blabbing about "experience" and stuff. My friend didn't mind much, I didn't bother about it that much either, but it's just that these guys believe so highly of themselves, while it's partially true, it's also true that their "skill" is associated by the fact that their decks cost like 300 bucks. But no no no, all they see is us being "new" and they being "veterans" (which, for the record, my friend and I have been playing for around 10 years already).
For me it's quite simple. I find them too competitive.I'm an avid deckbuilder myself, so I construct decks that have great synergy, power and/or mana curve, etc etc etc...BUTI do not spend like 300 bucks for each of my decks, having all the "legacy s
I don't want to go just to get my ass kicked before I can even have fun
At first, you will be losing, but it's a learning experience. And the Standard format really isn't fast enough for you to lose before you have any fun. Event decks put you on pretty good footing for FNM; they are pretty good against budget versions of Top 8 decks and they steamroll most homebrews.
I would suggest go and keep in mind that you are there to have fun with the game. After all, that's the whole point of playing in the first place. After a while, you'll see that all the bad things that you think can go wrong aren't nearly as bad as they seem.
Have to agree with most of what is written here (unless you're against RB Zombies, then you can easily lose in the first 5-6 turns, but I digress).
I started playing Standard at FNMs during the dominance of Caw-Blade. I only had a little money at the time because I was just graduating college and still searching for a job, so I would routinely bring $40-$80 decks to battle against Sir Jace and his winged cronies wielding Sword of Feast and Famine .
I lost. A lot. But I met a lot of cool people who share the same passion for the game that I posess. I started getting integrated with the culture. We discuss strategies, deck ideas, changes in the format, and even a slew of non-magic-related topics. Sometimes you just have to throw yourself out there and hope for the best.
The store I play at is in the middle of a big city and hugely competitive. You won't find any Event Decks or too much wacky brewing, it's mostly tried and tested decks that are proving themselves in the format. But I made new friends and slowly acquired more and more cards and am at the point where I generally top-4 twice a month on average.
Get out there, don't worry about losing. Most people are just out there to have fun and I doubt you'll ever be openly ridiculed about losing or choosing a weird deck. Most people are more helpful than you might believe.
At first, you will be losing, but it's a learning experience. And the Standard format really isn't fast enough for you to lose before you have any fun. Event decks put you on pretty good footing for FNM; they are pretty good against budget versions o
I played for a while before going to my first tournament, but that was because I didnt know there was a group in my area (the Event Locator hadnt worked the first time I tried it, and I only found out about my local group by chance, some months later). I wish I had found the group sooner, because once I started going I really enjoyed it, I made some great friends, I learnt a lot and I started getting much more from the hobby.
~ Tim
I played for a while before going to my first tournament, but that was because I didnt know there was a group in my area (the Event Locator hadnt worked the first time I tried it, and I only found out about my local group by chance, some months later
To losing a lot : Remember that the Swiss system means that if you lose four first match, you'll play against another player who lost his first match, and then against a player who lost two, and so on. You might be paired against PT-player on the first match, but all the casual players that have small decks will be paired against each other in later one, especially if you have multiple matches at your store (mine only has three).
To losing a lot : Remember that the Swiss system means that if you lose four first match, you'll play against another player who lost his first match, and then against a player who lost two, and so on. You might be paired against PT-player on the fir
Because it's friday night. Because people play standard. Because I dislike standard. Because I prefer to play with friends with a beer and good home cooked food. Because I might meet Dilleux. Because I'd rather do about 1000 other things first and I've postponned 900 of them, there's not enough fridays and saturdays.
They are in order, from lowest priority reason to the highest priority
Because it's friday night. Because people play standard. Because I dislike standard. Because I prefer to play with friends with a beer and good home cooked food. Because I might meet Dilleux. Because I'd rather do about 1000 other things first and I'
I just don't really see the point personally. Well, I mean I see the point, but it's so not my thing. The way I see it, I can spend money building a boring as [Debutantes avert your eyes] deck, take to ye old game store at a specific time, pay an entrance fee, and play a few games against people I don't know who could potentially be the Seto Kaiba of Magic, or I could spend a fraction of that to play off the top, or planechase, or homebrew draft or swap draft, or cube draft (Or hell, just casual but with decks that are fun) with some of my friends whenever I want.
I just don't really see the point personally. Well, I mean I see the point, but it's so not my thing. The way I see it, I can spend money building a boring as [Debutantes avert your eyes] deck, take to ye old game store at a specific time, pay an ent
Because it's friday night. Because people play standard. Because I dislike standard. Because I prefer to play with friends with a beer and good home cooked food. Because I might meet Dilleux. Because I'd rather do about 1000 other things first and I've postponned 900 of them, there's not enough fridays and saturdays.
They are in order, from lowest priority reason to the highest priority
I just don't really see the point personally. Well, I mean I see the point, but it's so not my thing. The way I see it, I can spend money building a boring as [Debutantes avert your eyes] deck, take to ye old game store at a specific time, pay an entrance fee, and play a few games against people I don't know who could potentially be the Seto Kaiba of Magic, or I could spend a fraction of that to play off the top, or planechase, or homebrew draft or swap draft, or cube draft (Or hell, just casual but with decks that are fun) with some of my friends whenever I want.
God I just noticed it was you with the avatar, and it's only because of the [debutante avert your eyes].
You actually made me laugh out loud :-DGod I just noticed it was you with the avatar, and it's only because of the [debutante avert your eyes].
What puts me off - work. My closest LGS is an hour away from work, and a half hour from home. Fortunately there's Sunday events for prelease/release/game day etc.
What puts me off - work. My closest LGS is an hour away from work, and a half hour from home. Fortunately there's Sunday events for prelease/release/game day etc.
I haven't played sanctioned events since Eventide because I dislike the part where I hand people money and they keep it. Money is tight and, while I don't dislike any particular Standard, maintaining something competitive is pricey, not to mention transportation. I would rather build something more fun to play, perhaps with cards made cheaper by the rotation I don't otherwise care about.
I haven't played sanctioned events since Eventide because I dislike the part where I hand people money and they keep it. Money is tight and, while I don't dislike any particular Standard, maintaining something competitive is pricey, not to mention tr
In short: because events suck the fun and joy out of magic for me.
In long: The enviroment here in Denmark has always been extremely competitive, to the point where even if you play casually with a sub-par deck, you are often derided for it, and anything that isn't safe or optimal is scoffed at. This problem was just exacerbated (im saying was, since i havent done any events since the competitiveness made the quit magic the 2nd time around the release of odyssey) at events and tournaments, where if you didn't play THAT deck, you might as well not bother showing up, since all you would face would be a chain of losses. I found that it binds you too much and takes away what i enjoy about magic; namely the ability to create your own deck, even the occasionally silly one, and simply relax and have fun. The entire social and relaxed aspect gets obliterated when everyone is playing only to win. Even nowadays, when i have begun to actually build some competent decks, I still would not dream of going to an event because it would force me to change my, say, UW deck into what is "best" instead and thus lose the feeling that I was playing my own deck and my own style.
Hell, event casual formats such as legacy suffer from this around here, although I hope that is just scandinavian competitism rather than the norm in magic.
In short: because events suck the fun and joy out of magic for me.In long: The enviroment here in Denmark has always been extremely competitive, to the point where even if you play casually with a sub-par deck, you are often derided for it, and anyth
At this point I just don't want to make the investment to build a standard deck. I think if I were to start going to magic events I'd be mostly into drafts.
At this point I just don't want to make the investment to build a standard deck. I think if I were to start going to magic events I'd be mostly into drafts.
The nearest store I'll go to doesn't really run any MTG events that aren't FNM, prerelease, or cube draft. The FNMs are always Standard or Draft. I'd like to play some Vintage, or Legacy, or something else. Heck, I'd even go to casual events, although I'd prefer tournaments. Since I don't have to make sure I keep up on events at the store to find ones that I actually want to attend, I'd rather it not eat up my Friday Night. Plus, I've found a lot of the folks there to be fairly unfriendly. I've been playing since 1994 or so, and my age may be putting them off. I think I'm older even than the store owner. The next nearest shop that I could go to is a forty-five minute drive away, and I -really- couldn't be bothered doing that, especially since my brother-in-law plays MTG and lives two miles from my house.
The nearest store I'll go to doesn't really run any MTG events that aren't FNM, prerelease, or cube draft. The FNMs are always Standard or Draft. I'd like to play some Vintage, or Legacy, or something else. Heck, I'd even go to casual events, alth
For me, it's fear of being publicly humiliated. I've returned to the game fairly recently after an extended hiatus; I'm having to relearn the intricacies of the Stack, priority exchanges, etc.
[...]I'm scared that I'll show up to FNM and find myself having to routinely mulligan down to five cards[...]
It'll never happen. Mulliganning to five is rare enough that it'll maybe happen once, if that, over the entire course of the event. And even if it does happen, it's not going to be embarrassing for you, because your opponent is going to be completely sympathetic. I've had several opponents apologize for the bad beats when they win off of my mull to five, and I've done it myself when it's happened to my opponents.
While I'm completely confident that several of the decks I've built could stomp all over Event Decks (which, I hear, are fairly common at FNM), my local shop routinely pulls in 50+ people for those events. I'll probably end up eliminated in round one [...]
Pretty much impossible--nobody gets eliminated in round 1, because normal Magic events aren't run as elimination events. They use swiss pairings, where if you lose in the first round you play the second round against someone who also lost. And if you lose that too you again go up against someone who did the same, again and again for however many rounds the event is. (Probably 4-6.)
I don't want to go just to get my ass kicked before I can even have fun, and I certainly don't want to end up in arguments with other players over technicalities that require judges' involvement. And what if I do have to call the TO over to settle a dispute and he sides against me even though I know I've seen Gatherer text or rules questions here that indicate that he is wrong?
Then you politely say "I'd like to appeal that ruling, please" and explain your reasons. If the judge is worth their salt, they'll take you seriously and double-check the ruling. But in all likelihood, that won't happen. It's far, far more likely that someone will accidentally flip over some extra cards from their deck or someone will forget to write down a change in life total or something like that, and it's even more likely that the judge will simply get the ruling correct in the first place.
And even in the incredibly unlikely scenario that the judge rules against you, you ask for an appeal, and he refuses, what's the worst that's going to happen? Absolutely nothing. You'll just keep playing the game, maybe with some incorrect rules, but whatever. And after the event you can look up the relevant rules and show them to the judge, and it doesn't happen again.
Basically, there's a lot less to worry about than you think there is, even at a larger FNM like the ones at your local store. You have absolutely nothing to lose, and everything to gain.
Here, [thread=973044]try this[/thread]. :)It'll never happen. Mulliganning to five is rare enough that it'll maybe happen once, if that, over the entire course of the event. And even if it does happen, it's not going to be embarrassing for you, becau
For me, it's fear of being publicly humiliated. I've returned to the game fairly recently after an extended hiatus; I'm having to relearn the intricacies of the Stack, priority exchanges, etc. My only casual play partner since my return has been my wife, who I routinely dominate easily enough that I feel I honestly cannot learn anything from playing her (except from my own mistakes in the process). I want to play other people, and I love deck building, but I'm scared that I'll show up to FNM and find myself having to routinely mulligan down to five cards, or ending up in some situation where I've made an embarrassing error. While I'm completely confident that several of the decks I've built could stomp all over Event Decks (which, I hear, are fairly common at FNM), my local shop routinely pulls in 50+ people for those events. I'll probably end up eliminated in round one by some guy who netdecked a Pro Tour strategy, while the two guys sitting next to me cracked their RtR Event Decks fifteen minutes ago.
I don't want to go just to get my ass kicked before I can even have fun, and I certainly don't want to end up in arguments with other players over technicalities that require judges' involvement. And what if I do have to call the TO over to settle a dispute and he sides against me even though I know I've seen Gatherer text or rules questions here that indicate that he is wrong?
I guess in a nutshell I'm sufficiently afraid of everything that could go wrong to the point of excluding the possibility of things actually going well for me. So day after day I keep playing the same opponent, who only wins when I draw fifteen consecutive land (or none at all), all the while buying new cards to add to a collection that barely gets any use.
:/ I suck at life.
From what I've known, most FNMs aren't single elimination but rather swiss, so you can't get knocked out after 1 round. Secondly, at least at my FNMs they're usually willing to help people who are new. And there should never be wrong rulings given out, I've never seen it unless it was a convoluted situation, but there shouldn't be biases.
I'd recomend just going and trying it out.
From what I've known, most FNMs aren't single elimination but rather swiss, so you can't get knocked out after 1 round. Secondly, at least at my FNMs they're usually willing to help people who are new. And there should never be wrong rulings given ou
To me it sounds like a lot of people who don't like FNMs just have the misfortune of having a bad atmosphere at their local store. There's two stores near me, one of which is that sort of Ultra-Competitive $200+ decks only type thing, and the other is the one I go to.
The one I go to has an incredibly laid back atmosphere, and although we do have a handful of players who are usually running tier 1 decks, none of them are arrogant about it and so we all have a good time. Frequently odd homebrews will win the night, with my friend once winning with Chandra's Vengeance . New players are welcomed and given as much (or as little) help as they'd like, and frequently given advice (And cards) on how to do better.
Of course, this can be seen as us condescending veterans talking down to the new guy, but we do try to avoid that as much as possible. It helps that most of the people are between 15 and 25 and most new players are in that same range and are happy to have fellow players who are willing to help them get good at the game.
As for the 'you must run $300 deck' mindset: You really don't. In Standard the difference between an expensive deck and a cheap deck is fairly easy to bridge with skill. Since FNM is mainly Standard, that means that if you're good at the game you should be able to do fairly well for yourself even without the expensive cards. Pretty much the only deck type that just destroys cheap decks is mid range , but discard still works fairly effectively.
Of course, if your opponent has a top tier deck AND he's almost as good as your (Or, worse, better) you're still doomed. But you'd be surprised how many people with expensive decks don't know how to run them properly.
Admittedly, my love for FNM and Standard as a format has come primarily from my truly awesome FLGS, and I think if I was stuck going to the other one I wouldn't play standard at all.
To me it sounds like a lot of people who don't like FNMs just have the misfortune of having a bad atmosphere at their local store. There's two stores near me, one of which is that sort of Ultra-Competitive $200+ decks only type thing, and the other i
Reading this thread, I realised something else that puts me off about small, local events. Namely, the casual players. Now, I don't have a problem with casual as such, each to their own and all that... But I really don't wanna play against them. Going into a match, knowing that I'm most likely gonna win and stomp all over the other player is not fun. I see myself as a Spike/Timmy type of player. I play for the thrill of the challenge, not to win, and I really wish they'd just divide the events so we had casual players in one place and the competitive-minded ones elsewhere. Somehow. There's no fun to games that are decided before they even begin.
Reading this thread, I realised something else that puts me off about small, local events. Namely, the casual players. Now, I don't have a problem with casual as such, each to their own and all that... But I really don't wanna play against them. Goin
FNM is the most casual of tournaments and it's supposed to be fun with a focus on introducing new players into the game at a level that isn't ultradeadlyserious.
At my FLGS, FNMs award 1 pack/match win, which means that unless you lose every single match for the night you leave with something. The Prereleases have a more traditional payout with a large number of packs divided between the top 12 or so (out of 40, usually) so you have to win at least 3 out of 4 to be in prizes, which makes it less casual at my store.
At my FLGS, FNMs award 1 pack/match win, which means that unless you lose every single match for the night you leave with something. The Prereleases have a more traditional payout with a large number of packs divided between the top 12 or so (out of
I live in Singapore, where my closest source for Magic cards is a really small Comics Connection, where there are no events held. That's 2.8 kilometers away. I'd have to travel about 6 or 7 kilometers to get to the nearest event site.
Oh, and I don't have a car. Traveling by Taxi would cost me $10-15 for just one trip there. I could take the MRT (something like an above-ground subway) but it'd take an hour to get there.
I live in Singapore, where my closest source for Magic cards is a really small Comics Connection, where there are no events held. That's 2.8 kilometers away. I'd have to travel about 6 or 7 kilometers to get to the nearest event site.Oh, and I don't
To losing a lot : Remember that the Swiss system means that if you lose four first match, you'll play against another player who lost his first match, and then against a player who lost two, and so on. You might be paired against PT-player on the first match, but all the casual players that have small decks will be paired against each other in later one, especially if you have multiple matches at your store (mine only has three).
My LGS uses the Elo system, though, so facing someone easier means it's harder to catch up.
My LGS uses the Elo system, though, so facing someone easier means it's harder to catch up.
I have seen this asked on another forum and thought it was a good question. A lot of people never go to a FNM so.... What stops you going?
That particular thread / forum seems to get no replies, this is what I said..
"I have not attended any event as yet, I only know one other person who plays casually (I got him started - Before that we had only played DotP on steam)I really would like to go to an event but I just think I would be out of place, not sure why. Having to know the ins and outs of the game scares me a little and also a bit confused about standard legals and what cards I could use. As far as I know a lot of my cards would not be standard legal as of early next month.
I am lucky in the fact there is a meeting place for magic players literally down the road from me. I have actually contacted the owner and he invited me to pop down and also take my trade in game code for DotP booster!
Maybe I will purchase a Return to Ravnica event deck and give it a go soon!
I think most magic players have reservations about going to an event. I bet there are a lot of new players because of DotP that would never have imagined playing Magic before playing virtually. I'll be honest I had never even heard of magic before!
I love the game though, I try to explain to people who play other generic (boring) card games like poker how much fun magic is!! They just give me strange looks
Anyway... I feel like it's time to take that next step soon and actually go to a FNM."
Some stores have a great vibe, some don't. Really the only way to know for sure if you will like it is to give it a shot and see how you feel about it. There are always a few jerks, but typically the good people outnumber them and you may even make some new friends to play more casual magic with! MTGO is fun, but there is just something about being around people that makes it more interesting and fun (for me anyway). I hope you have a great time if you do go. Let us know how it went when you do
Some stores have a great vibe, some don't. Really the only way to know for sure if you will like it is to give it a shot and see how you feel about it. There are always a few jerks, but typically the good people outnumber them and you may even make
#1: I can't afford Standard anymore. I'm older, and I have financial responsibilities in my life that dictate that I don't have the money I used to to spend on this game, which sounds crazy because I make 5 times what I used to make now. Life is expensive, and MTG just can't be as high on the budget list as it used to be. Yes, you can win without the money cards, but not a lot. You'll win some games in early rounds, but making the top 4 is usually reserved for those playing the money game.
#2: I don't like leaving 90% of my card collection at home. Yes, there is a challenge to building a good deck with a MUCH smaller card pool, and I enjoy it from time to time, but usually it's just frustrating to know I can't use a certain card to solve a problem. As much as deckbuilding with a smaller card pool is a challenge, sitting down to build with a new deck concept and trimming down to 60 cards with that larger card pool is just as challenging, more so to me.
#3 (the big turn-off): Standard is no fun. It's been turned into a sport. When I sit down to play the GAME, I have mainly two priorities. First, FOREMOST, is that everyone at that game table has fun. Second, and no less a goal mind you, is to WIN. The event setting is usually the opposite. 9 times out of 10, that person sitting across the table from you doesn't care whether you have fun or not, they just want to win, move on to the next round and closer to the prize and bragging rights.
Maybe it's the stores I play at, but I've seen this in 5 different stores in a 60 mile radius of where I live. There is another thing that I've noticed at these stores on game night: There is always one table in the back where a group is playing a big "casual" free-for-all. And invariably, there is more hooting ang hollering, and FUN going on at that table more than any other table involved in the event.
Hate me if you will, but "real" MTG to me will always be those games played at a friends' house, kicked back with a nice frosty beverage, playing with a bunch of mates who know how to have fun, and friends that hope, and even actively work towards making sur, that everyone has a good time playing the GAME. Event MTG is what you do to pass the eve when the gang can't get together for some odd reason, and is never as satisfying an experience.
#1: I can't afford Standard anymore. I'm older, and I have financial responsibilities in my life that dictate that I don't have the money I used to to spend on this game, which sounds crazy because I make 5 times what I used to make now. Life is expe
This is an interesting topic. I was literally going to make the same one myself. I have literally only just gotten in to Magic. I bought duels of the planes walkers on PC and have really enjoyed playing it so far. However as you guys can imagine stepping in to the world of Magic the Gathering at this stage seems like a massively daunting process. But I would like to prepare myself to make this step as I think it would be a great opporunity to play Magic but actually meet some like minded people. But it's the making of decks that might make people think about their game whilst playing me and how I would go about doing so that really fracture my mind. Does anybody have any advice in to taking my first steps. In duels of the planeswalkers I love the Black/White deck. I think it's my kind of play style and would ultimately look forward to building a deck very similar to that. But the question is can I use cards from any series of magic? Or does it have to be the latest decks? Is the deck builder tool kit worth getting if I have a rough idea what I would like to achieve deckwise? Also how much of my money am I going to have to invest in making a deck like this? These are a few of my concerns that would stop me making the massive leap in to this amazing world. If anybody is able to give me any help and advice I would be most grateful. If you do please keep things very simple
Cheers Kura
Hey guys, First time poster go easy on me :PThis is an interesting topic. I was literally going to make the same one myself. I have literally only just gotten in to Magic. I bought duels of the planes walkers on PC and have really enjoyed playing it
Just a side comment : Reading through this topic has me relieved. There are actually lots of casual players out there! A lot of the posters even, which means that people who actually "care" about the game are casual (or semi-casual), and not those jerky dudes at my local store...
Just a side comment : Reading through this topic has me relieved. There are actually lots of casual players out there! A lot of the posters even, which means that people who actually "care" about the game are casual (or semi-casual), and not those je
Just a side comment : Reading through this topic has me relieved. There are actually lots of casual players out there! A lot of the posters even, which means that people who actually "care" about the game are casual (or semi-casual), and not those jerky dudes at my local store...
There are more than six million players. You will find all kinds.
There are more than six million players. You will find all kinds.
FNM - I haven't attended regularly since Mirrodin was legal (I did, on a whim, compete in one FNM during M10 with a pre-con. Did awful.)
Prereleases - After doing abysmally one after another for a few years now, I've all but given them up on them in the foreseeable future.
Local store Draft - Hadn't attended one in a year or two, showed up recently and went 3-0. Due to the high volume of complaining/profanity from "competitive players", it may well have been my last of those too.
FNM - I haven't attended regularly since Mirrodin was legal (I did, on a whim, compete in one FNM during M10 with a pre-con. Did awful.)Prereleases - After doing abysmally one after another for a few years now, I've all but given them up on them in t
#3 (the big turn-off): Standard is no fun. It's been turned into a sport. When I sit down to play the GAME, I have mainly two priorities. First, FOREMOST, is that everyone at that game table has fun. Second, and no less a goal mind you, is to WIN. The event setting is usually the opposite. 9 times out of 10, that person sitting across the table from you doesn't care whether you have fun or not, they just want to win, move on to the next round and closer to the prize and bragging rights.
Maybe it's the stores I play at, but I've seen this in 5 different stores in a 60 mile radius of where I live. There is another thing that I've noticed at these stores on game night: There is always one table in the back where a group is playing a big "casual" free-for-all. And invariably, there is more hooting ang hollering, and FUN going on at that table more than any other table involved in the event.
Hate me if you will, but "real" MTG to me will always be those games played at a friends' house, kicked back with a nice frosty beverage, playing with a bunch of mates who know how to have fun, and friends that hope, and even actively work towards making sur, that everyone has a good time playing the GAME. Event MTG is what you do to pass the eve when the gang can't get together for some odd reason, and is never as satisfying an experience.
Looks like you hae a crappy player base at your store. Whenever I go to mine, I'm making jokes all the way and I'm having a great deal of fun. There is always a difference between tapping a creature with the tip of your Dismember without saying a word and saying "I Dismember your Snapcaster so bad it shouldn't be reanimatable", if you catch my drift.
The players do the fun, not the format.
Looks like you hae a crappy player base at your store. Whenever I go to mine, I'm making jokes all the way and I'm having a great deal of fun. There is always a difference between tapping a creature with the tip of your Dismember
There are a couple of things for me, mainly. First, there are those guys that are the "Win-at-all-costs" players. No matter what happens, they ALWAYS have to go for that extra dig when they win, and it seems that they do it in the manner of "I'm going to find and exploit any loop hole in the rules that I can!"
Then there are the guys that are the major rules attorneys and flat out refuse to help you understand what you're doing wrong, or how to correctly make your play. Those guys are the ones that totally knit-pick all the little flaws your deck has, such as one sleeve out of sixty having a bent corner.
It just irritates.
There are a couple of things for me, mainly. First, there are those guys that are the "Win-at-all-costs" players. No matter what happens, they ALWAYS have to go for that extra dig when they win, and it seems that they do it in the manner of "I'm go
Mainly, I'm busy on Fridays and don't know what other time you can play. FNM seems to be the most popular, are there other popular venues besides that?
Mainly, I'm busy on Fridays and don't know what other time you can play. FNM seems to be the most popular, are there other popular venues besides that?
Mainly, I'm busy on Fridays and don't know what other time you can play. FNM seems to be the most popular, are there other popular venues besides that?
Sure, but FNM is the most universal one. Most stores run at least one other event, but what the event is, when it is, and how popular it is varies from store to store. I can tell you that my FLGS runs a popular Sunday noon draft and holds Wednesday casual Commander nights, but it wouldn't do much to help you.
Sure, but FNM is the most universal one. Most stores run at least one other event, but what the event is, when it is, and how popular it is varies from store to store. I can tell you that my FLGS runs a popular Sunday noon draft and holds Wednesday c
To whoever was amazed that there wasnt only players at a store that played. I'm pretty sure that a LARGE majority player casual. Like I've wrote earlier, my friends and I prefer to have a home cooked meal for 6-12 people that show up every week or so, have a bunch of beer for an evening than going to a fastfood joint, then play with strangers that might or might not be there to have fun. On all those 12 people, there's only 1 that goes to FNM and only 4 that goes to public prerelease tournaments.
Age and status probably got something to do with it. People with kids, closing or in their 30s dont tend to have the same thrill of going to a FNM than younger people.
To whoever was amazed that there wasnt only players at a store that played. I'm pretty sure that a LARGE majority player casual. Like I've wrote earlier, my friends and I prefer to have a home cooked meal for 6-12 people that show up every week or so
For me its money. I don't see paying 15$ for 3 packs to draft. I have never ranked high enough to get prizes so to me its kind of a waste. I suppose entering constructed would be cheaper to pay for the events themselves but having to build a new deck all the time would defeat the purpose of that. I wish that there were more laid back events.
I'm more of a fan of casual. I get more enjoyment out of building whavever I want, chilling with my friends in a laid back setting and having a good time.
For me its money. I don't see paying 15$ for 3 packs to draft. I have never ranked high enough to get prizes so to me its kind of a waste. I suppose entering constructed would be cheaper to pay for the events themselves but having to build a new deck
To whoever was amazed that there wasnt only players at a store that played. I'm pretty sure that a LARGE majority player casual. Like I've wrote earlier, my friends and I prefer to have a home cooked meal for 6-12 people that show up every week or so, have a bunch of beer for an evening than going to a fastfood joint, then play with strangers that might or might not be there to have fun. On all those 12 people, there's only 1 that goes to FNM and only 4 that goes to public prerelease tournaments.
Age and status probably got something to do with it. People with kids, closing or in their 30s dont tend to have the same thrill of going to a FNM than younger people.
That would be me Hmm, you're very fortunate to have that many people do that kind of thing then. Actually, my brothers' friends do pretty much the same thing. We can say that they're my friends also, but not so much since I'm younger than them. Magic unites us, but it's not just the same. The way I see it, I need to introduce some friends to magic, in order for me to have as much of a blast as you do. - PS : Sorry for talking about me for a bit. I've already stated my stand on the FNM events before (and it's pretty much what a lot of people here don't like also)
That would be me :)Hmm, you're very fortunate to have that many people do that kind of thing then.Actually, my brothers' friends do pretty much the same thing. We can say that they're my friends also, but not so much since I'm younger than them. Magi
The first thing I did to get into the local scene was go watch a few tournaments. I think I went the first 2 weeks and never played, I just watched other people. It gave me a chance to meet the owner and some of the players. After tha I built a mediocre deck and jumped in. The only things I would be prepared for are, losing lots of games because you don't ahve a very good deck yet, dealing with socially awkward people. If you can get past those which you will if you keep going, you will be fine.
The first thing I did to get into the local scene was go watch a few tournaments. I think I went the first 2 weeks and never played, I just watched other people. It gave me a chance to meet the owner and some of the players. After tha I built a medio
Currently money. As far as this topic goes, my brother would be purer than I am.
I play standard the most, but obviously not for much fun, but it seems to be the best way for me to get new cards than I can mostly enjoy elsewhere.
I don't "enjoy" standard but I enjoy the rewards that come from doing good in it. So I usually use my winnings to get newer cards for other formats (namely legacy/EDH).
Now in EDH/Legacy, I have tons of fun due to the vast amount of versatility they offer.
I should probably...... draft or something seeing as I play standard only to get new cards.
Currently money. As far as this topic goes, my brother would be purer than I am.I play standard the most, but obviously not for much fun, but it seems to be the best way for me to get new cards than I can mostly enjoy elsewhere.I don't "enjoy" standa
I stopped buying magic cards and attending any kind of events for these reasons in no particular order
- the cost of standard decks (partially the rise in the cost of standard decks when baneslayer angel and jace, the mind sculptor were $50+ and were out in force even at FNM) - there are always one or two regulars who just aren't decent people - the drive (40 minutes to the nearest shop from my house) - the time (when I "quit" buying magic cards also coincided with a time where I literally didn't have the 4-6 hours to spend on Fridays, or any other day)
I stopped buying magic cards and attending any kind of events for these reasons in no particular order- the cost of standard decks (partially the rise in the cost of standard decks when baneslayer angel and jac
The one thing that puts me off is when the Store owner plays and wins his own sanctioned tournament. This has happened to me 3 times now and I'm sick of it. I'm playing for 5-0, then I play the store/shop owner and he beats me, he gets first place. I get 4th to 8th. It's totally BS and should be considered Illegal. My siggy pretty much sums it up.
Other than that, if I didn't have the ability to get the cards to play standard, I wouldn't play it. I'd stick with casual, but that doesn't mean anything. Still fun, either way.
=)
The one thing that puts me off is when the Store owner plays and wins his own sanctioned tournament. This has happened to me 3 times now and I'm sick of it. I'm playing for 5-0, then I play the store/shop owner and he beats me, he gets first place. I
The cost, the hyper competitiveness, and the types of people both of the first two tend to attract.
Yeah, there tends to be a few douche-bags here and there. I hate when people win against you and they're all YEAH! WOOO HOOO! YOU SUCK! I WIN! Makes me want to punch them in the face. I don't, but only because I don't want to be DQ'd and or perma-banned for life.
Yeah, there tends to be a few douche-bags here and there. I hate when people win against you and they're all YEAH! WOOO HOOO! YOU SUCK! I WIN! Makes me want to punch them in the face. I don't, but only because I don't want to be DQ'd and or perma-ba
Yeah, there tends to be a few douche-bags here and there. I hate when people win against you and they're all YEAH! WOOO HOOO! YOU SUCK! I WIN! Makes me want to punch them in the face. I don't, but only because I don't want to be DQ'd and or perma-banned for life.
Not to mention charged with assault and battery. But yeah, they're douches. That means they're toxic, unnecessary, and should be allowed nowhere near women.
Not to mention charged with assault and battery. But yeah, they're douches. That means they're toxic, unnecessary, and should be allowed nowhere near women.
I dont mind if I have to spend x$ on a deck but you really want me to pay to play against others?
I dont give a crap about the prizes I just want to play in a proper enviroment cause I cant stand playing a 1v1 deck in a 4 player plus game like my friends always want to play as.
Also my town is 30 miles from the nearest shop and I dont want to pay to play.
Guess I should just play pauper on mtgo, atleast then I could get some tix to keep playing against others and not have them bug out when they lose.
The cost of entry to play.I dont mind if I have to spend x$ on a deck but you really want me to pay to play against others?I dont give a crap about the prizes I just want to play in a proper enviroment cause I cant stand playing a 1v1 deck in a 4 pla
The cost, the hyper competitiveness, and the types of people both of the first two tend to attract.
Yeah, there tends to be a few douche-bags here and there. I hate when people win against you and they're all YEAH! WOOO HOOO! YOU SUCK! I WIN! Makes me want to punch them in the face. I don't, but only because I don't want to be DQ'd and or perma-banned for life.
I dunno about you, but the types of people that I dislike are an all-around bringdown win or lose. Hell, at the Mirrodin Besieged prerelease 2HG, I had more fun losing a game against a friendly team that engaged in banter and such than winning against a pair of FOX ONLY FINAL DESTINATION NO ITEMS types (Which granted, the fact that we beat them with the casualest of jank rares , and the only reason we won was because of their own douchebaggery is still one of the greatest moments of my life, but everything leading up to that moment was like pulling teeth at the DMV).
Or another game at a casual pseudo draft. Basically, the gaming club had a bunch of extra cards they wanted to get rid of to clear storage space, so they had everyone make a deck with the available cards. I naturally went monored aggro. My second opponent plays a Steel Wall turn one and proceeds to be a whiny little female canine about his draws for the rest of the game whilst never blocking my Emberwilde Augur s. Hell, at one point, he played an Arcbound Worker which I promptly killed on the grounds of having more than 0 power. Since I'm a generally nice person, I reminded him that he could put the +1/+1 counter on his wall, to which he mopily responded "What's the point?" in a tone more commonly heard at funerals than while playing childrens' card games. Because it's not like a 1/5 would do anything to deter the pair of 3/1s I'd been beating face with all game (Which granted I could probably have shocked if he'd blocked or something, but still, make a goddamned effort).
On the other hand, one of my early tourney experiences involves my jank Dimir mill deck (It ran Szadek) getting a well deserved ass-handing at a legacy tournament, but as I recall, everyone I played was pretty nice, and even though two of my games involved losing to T1 Rit Hippy and facing down Jittes and FoWs, I had a good time (Hell, the first guy actually gave me like three dark rituals after the match. Plus something about Undermining a Force of Will was pretty sweet).
Yeah, there tends to be a few douche-bags here and there. I hate when people win against you and they're all YEAH! WOOO HOOO! YOU SUCK! I WIN! Makes me want to punch them in the face. I don't, but only because I don't want to be DQ'd and or perma-ba
My biggest dislikes of FNM: lack of innovative decks where i play, alot of people will look up winning decks and build that exact deck, so usually will end up playing the exact same deck in two matches. My second is sore losers, alot of people will drop out if they lose a few matches.
My biggest dislikes of FNM: lack of innovative decks where i play, alot of people will look up winning decks and build that exact deck, so usually will end up playing the exact same deck in two matches. My second is sore losers, alot of people will d
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