Background: This document, originally called the "Rant-and-FAQ," was born in the original beta days of MTGO. Some time thereafter, its creator, Glorious, disappeared. It has been passed down through the able hands of thedodo, fastcart, vitalogy1994, Xtofyr, Myril, and Lrgetrout, and has now ended up in my hands. I have taken the original title "Rant-and-FAQ" off of this document, as having the word rant in the title has resulted in many off topic posts to the thread. I have, however, kept all mentions of the phrase "Rant-and-FAQ" as a part of the body of this document, out of respect of all of the work that has been done by previous maintainers of this document. Currently, this account is being maintained by bubba0077.
The best way to get this updated is simply to reply to this thread. Every so often, I will go through and integrate the suggestions into the FAQ. To easily find the topic you are interested in, use the 'find' feature of your browser. With either Internet Explorer or Firefox, you can do this by pressing CTRL+F or via the menubar by Edit => Find in this Page. This thread is NOT for *requesting* technical or other help. If your question is not answered here, please start a NEW thread in either the Tech Help Forum, the New Player Forum or MO General, as appropriate. Replies in this thread should only be about FAQ maintenance (corrections, additions, etc). Let’s get started!
Question Index
Section 1: Is MTGO right for me? -- The MTGO market paradigm and getting an account.
1.2 How much does it cost to play MTGO? Is there a monthly subscription fee? *Updated* Answer:Show
The only required fee for MTGO is the $9.99 it costs to get an account, which also provides you with a new account package. There are no recurring fees on a mothly or any other basis. The new account package includes the following items:
300+ Magic 2010™ Cards (including five deck lists using these cards)
Otherwise, the costs for MTGO mirror the costs of paper, with products being sold at the MSRP of their paper counterpart ($3.99 per booster). Magic Online also has Event Tickets, which cost $1 and are used for entry fees to events and as a defacto currency online.
As a further note, your paper cards will not entitle you to any cards on MTGO. Paper and MTGO are two separate platforms, and thus (with the exception of redemption - see Q 1.11) the cards on the two separate platforms are separate.
Magic Online includes a store built into the client. Just click on the "Store" tab along the bottom of your Magic Online screen. Once you're done selecting items and adding them to your cart, click checkout and complete the process. All product will cost the MSRP of their paper counterpart ($3.99 for boosters and $1.00 for Event Tickets [all US dollars]). The game itself can be downloaded for free. Once you complete checkout, your order goes to processing. Processing can take anywhere from 30 seconds to 24 hours, so be patient. It does usually get processed within five minutes, however, so don’t let that “to 24 hours” scare you off, it is more of a failsafe to keep techsupport from getting bombarded by impatient users. If you're logged on to the game when processing completes, you'll get a pop-up box announcing your new goodies. If you're not logged on, the products will show up in your collection next time you log on. If you haven't gotten your products after 24 hours, don't complain about it in the Support room -- they can't help you. Instead, contact the store via wizards.custhelp.com with your account name and the order number included.
Just like in paper, individual cards are not sold directly by Wizards of the Coast. There are many dealers online with accounts that sell individual cards (usually for event tickets).
1.4 Is there any way to get the cards I own in paper online? Answer:Show
No. With the exception of redemption (see Q 1.11), which converts digital cards to paper cards, there is no direct link between digital and paper cards. The two Magic worlds are parallel and separate.
1.5 Why am I charged taxes for digital items? Answer:Show
Wizards of the Coast is required by several states in the US to collect sales taxes on Magic Online purchases from users in those states because they have a "nexus" there. (In overly simplified terms, a nexus is a presence somewhere in that state.) Also, a decision by the people that decide taxation matters in the European Union requires Wizards to collect VAT for users in its member countries. In both cases, Wizards keeps none of the taxes collected; they simply pass the collected tax on to the appropriate state/country. If you have a complaint about taxes being collected, complain to your appropriate state/country's government. Wizards does not set the law of collecting taxes on purchases from the Magic Online store, it merely follows the law it has been instructed to follow (which includes charging the highest tax rate in a state, if it is required to collect taxes from that state). The following tax rate information is for reference purposes only. It was gathered from outside sources, and may become incorrect over time.
US tax rates as of 25 Jan 2009:
California: 7.25%
Illinois: 6.25%
New York: 4.00%
Ohio: 5.50%
Texas: 6.25%
Washington: 6.50%
Wisconsin = 5.00%
EU VAT rates as of 25 Jan 2009:
Austria: 20.0%
Bulgaria 20.0%
Belgium: 21.0%
Cyprus: 15.0%
Czech Rep.: 19.0%
Denmark: 25.0%
Estonia: 18.0%
Finland: 22.0%
France: 19.6%
Germany: 19.0%
Greece: 19.0%
Hungary: 20.0%
Iceland: 24.5%
Ireland: 21.5%
Italy: 20.0%
Latvia: 18.0%
Lithuania: 18.0%
Luxembourg: 15.0%
Malta: 18.0%
Netherlands:19.0%
Poland: 22.0%
Portugal: 20.0%
Romania: 19.0%
Slovakia: 19.0%
Spain: 16.0%
Sweden: 25.0%
Switzerland 7.0%
U.K.: 15.0%
1.6 Can I win prizes playing Magic Online? *Updated* Answer:Show
Prizes are available to anyone eligible playing in tournaments. Each event has a link which will bring up a webpage with the entry fee, tournament structure and prizes available for the event. Consult the Terms of Service to verify your prize eligibility.
1.7 Is there any way to buy Magic Online cards without a credit card? Answer:Show
Wizards now offers Paypal as an alternate payment method. However, some users have reported an inability to use Paypal if they have an "unverified" Paypal account (meaning they haven't either linked a bank account or credit card to their Paypal account). You are unable to pay via "ECheck" (as Wizards doesn't get the money right away with an ECheck), and you are also unable to use a coupon combined with a Paypal payment. If you live in the US and don't have a credit card or debit card, and are unable to use Paypal, check with your bank to see if they offer a Visa/Mastercard "gift card" or "prepaid credit card." The way this works is, you put money on a card, and then are allowed to spend it. It's a lot like a debit card, only it's not linked to a bank account, and you can only spend what you put on it. There are also fees attached to this card, which may vary depending on where you get it. Visa/Mastercard/American Express Prepaid/Gift Credit Cards may also be found in retailers like Wal-Mart, Target, malls, or your local supermarket. (Your mileage may vary.) (Store branded gift cards, for example, Wal-Mart gift cards for use at Wal-Mart will not work in the online store. The Card must have a Visa/Mastercard/American Express logo on it for this purpose.) To use a prepaid credit card in the store, you need to set a billing address on it. To set a billing address on your prepaid card, contact the company that issued the card. (Security measures in the store require a billing address on the card, to match the billing address in the store connected to your account.)
1.8 I have an activation code and CD from the 8th Edition or 9th Edition Core Game (paper), how do I use it to get a Magic Online account? *NEW* Answer:Show
Because the core game activations have not been produced in many years, there is no longer an automated method to use them for a new account. However, you CAN still get a new account with them by following the instructions provided here.
1.9 What sets are available for purchase in the online store? *Updated* Answer:Show
WotC policy is to sell product in the store only while it is still in the Standard constructed format. This means sets are available until two years after the set's BLOCK first went on sale and Core sets are available until replaced by the next Core set (two years). For instance, this means Shards of Alara™, Conflux™, and Alara Reborn™ will no longer be available come October 2011 (2 years after Shards of Alara™ went on sale). WotC has also begun releasing sets from before MTGO's creation (pre-Invasion™) gradually beginning with Mirage™ going forward. These sets are now only available for purchase in the store during their release or during the release of successive sets in the block. For instance, Tempest™ and Stronghold™ were removed from the store when Stronghold™ release events ended, but both are available in the store again during the Exodus™ release. However, in between releases there are draft queues available that require only tickets (no boosters) for the set, as well as 'nix-tix' drafts that require the boosters (won from the other queue or purchased during the release) but no tickets. In addition to both of these groups, WotC releases limited-edition sets called "Master's Edition™" that contain cards from sets before Mirage™. The fourth of these sets, Master's Edition IV™ will be released Dec 2010.
1.10 Why can't we buy booster boxes? Why are there no bulk discounts? Why must we buy at MSRP? Answer:Show
There are two primary reasons: First, the digital market is extremely fluid. Since cash can be readily converted into tickets, the defacto currency online, it is easy for users to buy from other users (dealers) who will buy in bulk at the lower price. Thus, any move towards bulk pricing will lower the price across the majority of the MO population, without necessarily stimulating higher consumption. Second, bulk pricing exists in paper because WotC has to sell product to individual stores at wholesale (far below MSRP price), because the store provides essential infrastructure for supplying the end-user. This allows individual businesses, on their own, to reduce their profit margin by selling below MSRP, especially to customers who up their consumption by buying in bulk. Online, WotC is responsible for the entire infrastructure right into the end-user's possession (and beyond). WotC has no need to see product wholesale to entities providing infrastructure. Additionally, while the production of paper represents a one-time cost to provide the customer with product, production online requires the continued support for the lifetime of the product. WotC has, on occasion, offered bulk pricing on boosters, at the end of the set's availability. It is unclear if they plan to do this again in the future, with other Masters Edition sets or any other product.
1.11 How Does Redemption Work? *Updated* Answer:Show
Redemption allows you to exchange a full set (one of each card, either foil or non-foil) of digital cards for the same set of paper cards. The digital cards are removed from your MTGO account and then the paper cards are shipped to you within a few weeks. Redemption is only available for normal expansions also available in paper (pre-Invasion, Masters Edition, and special "duel" or "from the vault" sets are not eligible). Redemption is no longer available for any set within a block once the first set in the block has been available approximately 38 months (some redemption dates have been extended due to redemption being missing for an extended period when v3 launched). Current redemption cutoffs are as follows:
Lorwyn Block: 06 Dec, 2010
Shards Block: 05 Dec, 2011
Zendikar Block¹: 05 Nov, 2012
10th Edition: 06 Aug, 2010
Magic 2010: 07 Nov, 2011
Sets released in paper before Invasion never be able to be redeemed. Each redemption request is charged a flat shipping cost, no matter how many sets are redeemed, plus a per-set handling charge. Those charges are as follows: Domestic (U.S.) Requests: $ 2.99 + $5.00 per set (+ tax) International Requests: $29.99 + $5.00 per set (+ import duties/taxes²) To initiate a redemption request, go to the MTGO store in the client and add the appropriate redemption request item [including standard (non-foil) vs. premium (foil)]. Once you have added all of your desired requests to your cart, check out as normal. This will add the appropriate redemption request objects to your collection. Your redeemed cards have not been removed yet. Be sure not to trade them away. During the next scheduled downtime (generally Weds. mornings Pacific Time), WotC will attempt to remove all of the redeemed sets from your collection. If this is successful, your redemption will then be processed and shipped within a few weeks. If the removal fails (because you do not have a full set), a second attempt will be made the following downtime. You should receive an e-mail after each attempt to inform you if redemption was successful. After two unsuccessful tries, your redemption will be cancelled and any fees refunded.
¹: Only the full-art land available in boosters is required for redemption. Standard-frame land available in Introduction Packs is not redeemable.
²: For international redemption, Wizards is required to declare a value of the sets they ship. They declare a value of $50 USD for each set. This may cause you to need to pay duties/taxes, which are your responsibility. Complaints about this need to be directed to your local government, as Wizards is just following the law by doing this.
1.12 Is there a digital reprint policy for MTGO? Answer:Show
Justin Ziran, Former MTGO Brand Manager:
Once Wizards of the Coast declares that an online card set is off sale, we will never sell the product again. We will, however, make a very small amount of the product available for use in limited tournaments and as prizes as we deem appropriate. The amount of an out-of-print set that we release in a year will be less than 1% of the initial online print run of that product. Print run is defined as the product purchased in at the Magic Online store as well as product awarded as prizes between the onsale date and offsale date of the product in question.
Individual cards are still subject to the paper reprint policy and may be reprinted in future sets.
1.13 Will there be Macintosh and/or Linux support? *Updated* Answer:Show
The current client will not be available for any non-Windows operating system. However, the next-generation client is being prototyped in Microsoft® Silverlight, which should work on any operating system. Should Silverlight be chosen as the production platform for the new client, it should operate under almost any operating system.
In the meantime, many have run MTGO successively on Linux/Mac under emulation or dual-boot (e.g. with Parallels or Bootcamp). If you want examples on how people have done this, please see this thread.
Before you even purchase an account, Wizards allows to to try it out using the "free Trial Server." Download the game the same way as if you were to pay for it, and when you get to the login screen, click the line that says "Click here for a free trial!". On the Free Trial Server, you are limited to the Magic 2010™ preconstructed decks. You also don't get to choose your own name (you are assigned a "GuestAccountXXX").
Listed below are the official system requirements for Magic Online. However, user experience has shown that the RAM requirement should be doubled (512 MB minimum, 1+ GB recommended) and video cards near the minimum (especially integrated video cards) may have problems.
Minimum Requirements
OS: Windows 2000
CPU: PIII 700 MHz
RAM: 256 MB
Video Card: DX9 Compatible, 8 MB video ram (software rendering) 1024x768 resolution
Internet Connection
Recommended Requirements
OS: Windows XP or newer
CPU: P4 1GHz or faster
RAM: 512 MB or more
Video Card: DX9 Compatible, 128 MB video ram 1024x768 resolution or more
Broadband Internet Connection
2.2 Where can I (or a friend) download the installer? Answer:Show
This link be the best link for most users. It is a download manager that will use both http and torrent technology to download the full installer at the best possible speed. Those who prefer to use their own torrent client can use the torrent here. If you are unable to use torrent protocols because of network restrictions, use this link to download the installer directly. tempesteye has posted a step-by-step guide with picture on PureMTGO here.
Magic Online uses DirectX and the .NET framework from Microsoft. Chances are you already have both installed on your computer if you have Windows Update turned on. However, if you encounter troubles when you try to run Magic Online, you can download them manually from Microsoft at the following locations: DirectX (for WinXP and earlier, this will install DirectX 9.0c, for Win Vista, DirectX 10 will be installed) .NET Framework
2.4 Installing and Running with Windows Vista or Windows 7 Answer:Show
MO3 is much more compatible with Windows Vista than its predecessor, but you may still encounter permissions issues during installation and updates. It is suggested you install to a directory outside of C:/Program Files/ and always run MO3 as administrator (right-click and choose "Run as Admin"; being logged in as administrator will NOT automatically run the program as administrator).
If you administer your own firewall, you will need to make sure the following ports are open to play MTGO: 7730 7770 8001-8099 9001-9005 AOL users: You may need to disable your parental controls to play the game.
2.6 I got an error during installation, what should I do? Answer:Show
First, make sure you have DirectX and .NET correctly installed (see Q 2.3). Then check for updated drivers for your video card. Since each card is different, there is no central website. The best thing is to go to the manufacturer's website and look for a link to "drivers" or "support", then find the one appropriate for your model. If you don't know your make/model, do the following:
On the start menu, select "Run"
Type "dxdiag" into the box and hit enter
The "Display" tab will list your video chip's name and other specifications
If you try all these and exceed the minimum system requirements but still cannot complete the installation, post a thread on the Tech Forum stating your problem along with OS, Video Card (Video RAM, Make/Model, Driver version), RAM, and the steps you have taken so far to solve the problem.
2.7 When I try to start Magic Online, my screen goes blank or is garbled, what should I do? Answer:Show
This problem is typically the result of having hardware rendering turned on when your video card does not support it. Find the prefs.mtg file in %AppData\Wizards of the Coast\Magic Online\ and open it in notepad. Change 0 to 2 . If it already says 2, change it to 0 (0: no software rendering, 2: software rendering on).
2.8 I get an error when pressing the Update button or my version will not update correctly, what should I do? *Updated* Answer:Show
First, try the "Repair" button. If that doesn't work, delete the files 'NewFilelist.txt' and 'Filelist.txt' from your Magic Online folder and try again. If the program still will not update, please create a thread in the Tech Forum.
Generally updates are done weekly on Wednesdays. Length can vary greatly depending on whether there is a client update involved or if it is just server maintenance. Any announcement of planned downtime of this nature can be found in the Magic Online Group Blog. If there is a client update, your software will update automatically as long as you use the shortcut that was created on your desktop during installation, which should point to 'renamer.exe'.
2.10 I just registered my account and have not received my activation e-mail, or I have received the e-mail but I cannot log in the game server. What's wrong? *Updated* Answer:Show
If you have not received your activation e-mail or if you are having problems activating your account, please contact customer service by using the "E-mail us" tab at www.wizards.com/customerservice.
2.11 How can I copy Magic Online from one computer to another? Answer:Show
Unfortunately, the best way to do this is to reinstall it on the other computer (as copying the file won’t get the registry entries) and then use the “Netdeck” option in the deck editor to transfer your deck to the server. Your saved decks are the only other thing that isn’t stored serverside. You can save your decks by saving the appropriate *.dek files located in the %AppData\Wizards of the Coast\Magic Online\3.0\Decks folder on your computer.
2.12 How much bandwidth does MTGO consume? Answer:Show
(These numbers were calculated for v 2.5) Assuming that you log in MTGO and regularly play games after games. In download: About 1 MB per hour. In upload: About 0.05 MB per hour. If you let a busy chat window open (like the Marketplace), double the bandwidth consumed in download. -------------------------- Just as additional info, I calculated this with a software that can individually log the bandwidth consumed by each of my software on my computer. I logged about 7.5 hours of play (no, not consecutive hours) where I was playing regularly games after games. The pause between games was no longer than maybe 5 minutes; usually shorter.
You can play a spell or ability only when you have priority. At the beginning of most phases and steps, the active player (the person who's turn it is) gets priority. When you have priority, you may play a spell or ability or pass. If you pass, your opponent gets priority. Also, after a spell or ability resolves, the active player gets priority. When that player passes, the opponent gets priority. When all players pass in succession, the top object on the stack resolves or, if the stack is empty, the step ends. In the Magic Online game, you automatically yield priority when you play a spell or ability. If you want to keep priority after you play a spell or ability, hold down the CTRL key while you play it. Also, if no spells/abilities are on the stack, Magic Online will automatically pass priority for you in a step if you do not have a stop set. To learn how to change the default steps/phases Magic Online will wait for you (set stops), see Q 4.10. It's easy to tell whether you have priority in the Magic Online game. If you don't, you can't play spells or abilities.
Magic Online tournaments are available in several different places, all located under Menu => Play => Tournaments in the client (the Menu button is located in the lower left of the client). Inside these rooms, there are general three types of event structure: Single-elimination queues, Swiss queues, and Scheduled Swiss events. Each is described further in the subsections below. In addition to the information provided here, you can now find details on any event by clicking on the event description in-game.
Description: These events pit players in a randomly-seeded, single-elimination tournament. The event begins when the required number of players have joined the queue. Once a player loses, they are eliminated from the event. Prizes are awarded based on how many rounds are won. Drafts have two different types of single-elimination payouts (plus one swiss type), which are labeled in the queue name.
Description: These events have players compete in a swiss tournament with a set number of rounds (three for eight players, four for sixteen). The event begins when the requisite number of players have joined the queue (usually eight). Players are randomly paired in the first round. In subsequent rounds, players are paired against other players with the same number of wins (if a player drops, it is possible for someone to play against someone with a different number of wins or receive a bye). All players can play all rounds if they wish. At the end of the event, prizes are awarded based on the number of wins.
Description: These events have players compete in a swiss tournament with a fixed number of rounds and start at a specified time. Players are randomly paired in the first round. In subsequent rounds, players are paired against other players with a similar record. After the specified number of rounds, prizes are awarded based on how many matches each player has won.
Description: These events have players compete in a swiss tournament with a number of rounds dependent on the number of entrants. They start at a specified time (as long as a minimum number of players is reached) and are larger than the other event types. Players are randomly paired in the first round. In subsequent rounds, players are paired against other players with a similar record. After the specified number of rounds, the top eight players are then paired off in a single-elimination playoff, with 1st vs. 8th, 2nd vs. 7th, etc. In limited events, the playoff generally begins with a draft; in constructed events, play continues with the registered decks. At the end of the event, prizes are awarded based on the final place. Events in the Premiere Events room may also have entry restricted to accounts that have qualified via previous events. The details of these qualifying and main events are generally posted in the Magic Online Group Blog.
3.3 What does banned mean? What does restricted mean? Where can I find the banned & restricted list for each format? Answer:Show
Banned cards are cards that are not allowed to be played in a format. Restricted cards are cards that you are limited to having *one* copy in your deck. Banned and Restricted lists are updated quaterly by the DCI (the organization that governs all Magic tournaments). Announcements are made quarterly in March, June, September and December on the 20th day of the month and are effective on the 1st of the following month (for online, the closest Wednesday to the 1st). You can find the current B&R cards using the "stats" button => format tab in the Deck Editor portion of MTGO. You can also find the B&R lists (which include online formats) at www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=judge/reso... and the most recent B&R announcement (with all *changes* to the lists) can be found in the "Announcements" section in the upper-right of the DCI homepage at www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dci/welcom.... Additionally, there is now a B&R announcement for online-only formats on the 20th of every month without a regular announcement, though not every online-only format will be reviewed every month. These will be listed in the Magic Online Group Blog.
"Limited" refers to any format where you bring the cards you use to play still sealed in their original packs and build your deck at the event, rather than building your deck ahead of time. Because of the significant cost this entails, limited events rarely occur outside of prize-awarding events (there are often casual drafts when a set is released before release events begin for those who can't wait to play with the new cards). The exact type of product you need to bring to the event vary by the event type (described below). In some events, such as sealed and leagues, you will simply build a deck with what you open; in others, such as drafts, you interact with other players to choose the cards with which you will build a deck. In all limited events, you may only use product opened at the event to build your deck (except Basic Lands, which are provided). Decks must be a minimum of 40 cards, and you can use as many copies as you receive in the event in your deck.
Description: In a sealed event, you must use some amount of unopened product as part of the entry fee. This is typically six boosters equally split between all released sets in the block (except release events for the third set of a block, which typically do not include boosters of the second set). DO NOT open your entry packs - the system will do so for you when it is time. When the event begins, the system will open the product you used to enter and you build your deck from the cards opened, plus any number of Basic Lands. Your deck must contain a minimum of 40 cards. In MTGO, if you need to add Basic Land not included in the packs you opened, click the "Add Lands" button located at the bottom of the deckbuilder screen. Most sealed events take place in either the Daily Events room or the Sealed Swiss Queues room. Events in both locations are conducted with Swiss pairings, meaning you will play several rounds and be matched up with an opponent of similar record each time. Details on these formats are available under Q 3.2.
Description: Draft is a type of limited event where you have some control over the cards for your card pool. By far the most common type of draft is an 8-player draft, which is described below. If you are entering a draft, you will need to provide the appropriate (unopened) boosters as part of the entry fee. If you are drafting as part of the playoff for a sealed event, the boosters are provided. Which three boosters you need depends on what format draft you want to enter. DO NOT open your entry packs - the system will do so for you when it is time. The draft begins with the players sitting around a table. Each player opens ONE booster and looks at the 15 cards in there. He chooses and keeps ONE of these cards and passes the other 14 to his left while receiving the 14 cards from the player to his right. He picks one of the 14 cards, passes the 13 remaining cards, and so on, until there are no more cards. (For events that have different boosters in them, the boosters are opened in chronological order. So for a Ravnica/Guildpact/Dissension draft, the boosters are opened in that order.) Then, every player opens his second booster and proceeds in the same way, except that everyone passes to the right. The third booster goes again in the same direction as the first (left). You end up with 45 cards. After drafting the cards, you have to build a deck with the 45 cards you drafted and unlimited basic lands. Details of the tournament formats available can be found above in Q 3.2.
Leagues will not be operational until 2011. This section will be updated once the specifications of the new leagues are announced.
3.5 What is constructed? What constructed events are allowed online? Answer:Show
MTGO currently supports the following formats that have DCI-regulated paper counterparts: standard, extended, block constructed. MTGO also supports the following unique formats: Classic, Pauper, Prismatic, Tribal, Singleton, 100-Card Singleton, Freeform, Vanguard, Momir Basic, Core Set Constructed, Theme Deck formats and Duel Deck format. Unless otherwise noted, all constructed formats have a minimum deck size of 60 cards, sideboards must consist of exactly 0 or 15 cards and, other than basic lands, there may be no more than four of any card.
Standard consists of the most recent core set and the last two expert-level blocks (currently Magic 2010™, Shards of Alara™ Block and Zendikar™ Block). When a new large expert level expansion is released (every autumn), the ENTIRE block from two year prior rotates out, as well as the Core set for the previous year (the latter is a new change that accompanies the change to a new Core set every summer, see Q 3.8). Any pre-Invasion sets released online will never be legal in standard.
Extended consists of all of the Core and Expert sets released [in paper] in the past seven years and rotates each Fall when the new large Expert expansion is released (same time as Standard). Additional sets released only for the online environment (whether they be full pre-Invasion™ sets or limited-edition Masters Edition™ sets) will not be included in Extended. Fall 2010: Mirrodin™, Darksteel™, Fifth Dawn™ and 8th Edition rotate out of Extended Fall 2011: Champions of Kamigawa™, Betrayers of Kamigawa™ and Saviors of Kamigawa™ rotate out of Extended Fall 2012: Ravnica™, Guildpact™, Dissension™ and 9th Edition rotate out of Extended Fall 2013: Coldsnap™, Time Spiral™, Planar Chaos™ and Future Sight™ rotate out of Extended Fall 2014: Lorwyn™, Morningtide™, Shadowmoor™, Eventide™ and 10th Edition rotate out of Extended Any pre-Invasion sets released online will never be legal in extended.
[set] block constructed means only cards from [set]'s block are allowed. When each large expert-level expansion is released, a new block constructed format is born.
Classic is a format that has no banned cards (there are some restricted cards) and still enforces the normal constructed deckbuilding rules. All online cards (including promo cards and pre-Invasion sets) are legal. It is generally viewed as the online equivalent of Vintage in paper. An online equivalent of the paper Legacy format is also planned, but will not be released until the format will be sufficiently different than Classic.
Pauper is a format where legality is based on a card's rarity. Only cards that have been printed as a common online [black expansion symbol] are legal in Pauper, all other cards are banned. As with any format, any version of a legal card may be used if some version is legal.
Prismatic is the online analogue of the '5-color' format in paper. It has a 250-card minimum deck requirement, of which you must have at least 20 cards of each color. If you are a 5-color player, please note there are several differences in the online version, the most notable of which are the lack of ante (not allowed in MTGO) and a different B&R list then that maintained by the 5-color committee. Other than the banned list, all cards on Magic Online (including promo cards and pre-Invasion sets) are legal in this format.
Tribal is a format that emphasizes creature combat. It requires that a minimum of 1/3 of your deck (20 for a 60 card deck) be of a single creature type. Tribal has two different formats:
Classic Tribal: All cards on MTGO (including promo and pre-Invasion cards) are legal in this format. This is a casual only format - no events will be run on the system with this format.
Standard Tribal: You are limited to the current Standard card pool. (see 3.5a for more information on "Standard".)
Singleton is the online equivalent of a format commonly called 'highlander' in paper. In this format, every card is restricted (you are only allowed one in your deck). All cards on Magic Online (including promo cards and pre-Invasion sets) are legal in this format. 100-Card Singleton has largely replaced Singleton. As such, Singleton is no longer supported by WotC with updates to the B&R list.
100-Card Singleton is a format originally designed specifically for the implementation of the Commander format online (see Q 3.5e), but now supported as an independent stand-alone format. It follows the rules for Singleton, but requires exactly 100 cards and has its own banned list.
Kaleidoscope is a format that emphasizes multicolored cards. Kaleidoscope uses the extended card pool (see Q 3.5b), and all non-lands that are not multiple colors are banned.
Freeform is a casual-only format where you can play anything you want. The ONLY restriction is a 40-card minimum deck. The intention is two-fold: (a) allow people reuse/test their limited decks against each other casually and (b) allow people to play against friends using whatever rules they want. In addition to all cards available online (including promo cards and pre-Invasion sets), you may also use as many Vanguard cards as you wish.
Vanguard is a special format where additional rules are added to play based on what vanguard card you include in your deck. Vanguard follows whatever normal rules as the format it is associated with (i.e. Standard Vanguard follows standard deckbuilding rules), BUT with an additional mandatory vanguard card (making a minimum of 61 cards). You are only allowed to have one vanguard card in your deck. This vanguard card must have the same name as a regular card which is legal in the format OR be one of the five basic avatars. When you play a vanguard game, the avatar associated with the vanguard card will temporarily override whichever avatar you have selected to represent you in game. Vanguard cards have three parts: (a) an added ability/abilities that apply to you during the game, (b) a starting/maximum hand size adjustment, (c) a starting life adjustment. For instance, the basic avatar Erhnnam Djinn has the following abilities:
Ernham Djinn - Avatar Hand -1 Life +3 Whenever you play a creature spell, put a 1/1 Saproling token into play.
So, when you begin a vanguard game with Erhnnam Djinn, you start with one less card than usual (6), three more life than usual (23) and the specified ability as if it were on a permanent. Some vanguard cards have activated abilities; to use these click on the picture of your avatar. Vanguard hand/life stat alterations are handled by the DCI via the banned & restricted list (see Q 3.3 for more on the B&R list).
Momir Basic is a format based on using the Momir Vig Avatar and a deck consisting of nothing else but 60 Basic, non-snow, land. More information on this format can be found at www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=mtgcom/dai....
Core Set Constructed is very similar to a block constructed format - it allows only cards that are in a Core Set (at this time, either 7th, 8th, 9th, or 10th Editions) to be played.
3.5o What is the [set] Theme Deck format? Answer:Show
This is a format where the only legal decks are those of the [set]'s theme decks. The format is intended for new players who only have a theme deck.
This is a format where the only legal decks are those included in one of the "Duel Decks" sets (Elves vs. Goblins, Jace vs. Chandra). The format is another intended for new players who have limited collections.
3.6 What is multiplayer? What multiplayer formats are available online? Answer:Show
Multiplayer is the term given to Magic™ games with more than two players. MTGO does NOT implement multiplayer using the multiplayer rules found in the Comprehensive Rules. There have been discussions of updating the multiplayer rules to comply with those now listed in the Comprehensive Rules (which did not exist when MTGO was first released), but no timetable has been established for implementation. All multiplayer formats can be played using any of the constructed formats listed in Q 3.5, unless noted.
Free-For-All is a multiplayer format where each player plays for themselves. The last player not eliminated wins. There are two types of FFA: attack left and attack any. In attack left, you can only attack the player to your left. In attack any, you can attack any opponent you wish.
Two-Headed Giant is a team format pitting two teams of two players against one another. Each team shares a life total that starts at 30 in timed games and 40 in untimed games (60 for 3HG). Unlike in the Comprehensive Rules version, teammates have separate (though consecutive) turns and attacks are made against one opponent 'head'. Players can only attack the opponent in front of them until that opponent is eliminated. 2HG can also be played as a sealed match with either separate or shared (between teammates) deckbuilding, though this is rarely done outside of beta because of the cost.
Emperor is a game that pits two teams of three players against each other. Each team consists of an Emperor and two Lieutenant, who sit on either side of the Emperor. The goal is to eliminate the opposing team's Emperor. Players can only attack other players adjacent to them, so the game begins with the two Emperors unable to attack or be attacked by the other team. The game plays very differently depending on the spell range used; the default is 1/1/1 (range of one for all spells/effects), but this is widely considered to be degenerate. Another popular choice is 2/2/All.
2v2 team consists of two teams of two players playing against each other in the same game. Players may only attack the opponent in front of them until that opponent is eliminated.
Commander is a multiplayer format adapted from Elder Dragon Highlander in paper. The format is a Free-For-All multiplayer game that uses the 100 card singleton rules, along with the following special rules:
Each player begins with 40 life
Before each game, each player removes their "Commander" from their deck and places it in the Removed from Game zone
Each card in your deck must share ALL of its colors with your Commander, but do not have to share all of the Commander's colors
If your Commander would be moved to the graveyard from anywhere, you may instead remove it from the game
You can play your commander from the RFG zone with an additional cost of for each time it has been played this way this game
If a player has been dealt 21 or more points of damage by the same Commander card, he loses the game as a state-based effect.
NB: Since the additional win condition tracks the damage dealt by the card, it ignores zone changes (all of the damage it has dealt counts no matter how many times it has left play in between), damage dealt by copies of the card does not count, and damage dealt by the same card counts even if it is the copy of another card.
A sideboard is kind of like a backup to your deck. In a match (best of three games), you can swap cards to and from your sideboard for games two and three. You cannot use your sideboard before game 1. For constructed decks (see Q 3.5): Your sideboard must be exactly zero or fifteen cards, and you must swap cards in and out of your deck one-for-one. So, if you want to bring in three cards from your sideboard, you have to take out three cards from your deck. In other words, your sideboard always stays at 15 cards. Your deck always has the same number of cards in it at the start of each game. For limited decks (see Q 3.4): Your sideboard is all the cards you got in the tournament that are not in your deck. You can swap as many cards as you like after each game; it's not one-for-one. You can also add lands at that time. Your deck size can vary between games, so long as it's at least 40 cards at all times.
3.8 When were sets released? How does the set rotation work?*Updated* Answer:Show
Rotation is the term given to the regular changing of standard and extended as sets are added and removed from the formats. When a set is removed from a format, it is said to "rotate out". Conversely, when a set is released and added to the format, it is said to "rotate in". This process keeps the formats fresh (by changing the cards you can use) and roughly the same size. WotC recently changed the core set distribution pattern. Core sets will now be released every summer (instead of every other summer). The names have also been changed so that instead of being numbered in sequence from the original set, they will be named after the year they rotate OUT of standard. So the core set released in Summer 2009 is named Magic 2010™, the set released in Summer 2010 will be named Magic 2011™, etc. Standard always consists of the most recent two blocks (currently Shards of Alara™ and Zendikar™) and one or two core sets. Core sets will rotate out with the block that precedes it. For instance, when "Lights" is released in Fall 2010, both Shards of Alara™ block and Magic 2010™ will rotate out of standard. This means there is a brief period each summer when two core sets are legal in standard (between the new core set release and the release of the subsequent block in Sept). (See also Q 3.5a) Extended includes all blocks and Core sets released in the past seven years (in paper). This is currently all blocks from Mirrodin™ forward and all Core sets 9th Edition and higher. (See also Q 3.5b)
As a side note, any pre-Invasion™ sets, including Ice Age™ and Alliances™ cards released in the Coldsnap™ preconstructed decks, the limited-edition Masters Edition™ sets, and promotional cards released online will never be a part of Extended or Standard unless they are also part of a set that includes a card with the same name. Here are the release dates for normally released sets:
Ratings are calculated in an identical way to DCI ratings, which uses the Elo system first devised for Chess. First, you calculate the Win Probability, as follows: Win Probability = 1/(10^((Opponent's Rating - Player's Rating)/400) + 1) Then you use the win probability to calculate your new rating: Player's New Rating = Player's Old Rating + (K-Value * (Scoring Points - Player's Win Probability)) Scoring points are as follows: Win: 1 point Draw: 0.5 points Loss: 0 points A few things to note: The amount you gain (or lose) is equal to what your opponent loses (or gains). The K-value is the maximum number of points you can gain or lose per match, and it depends on the tournament. The default value for events on MTGO is as follows:
Premiere Events: 32k
Daily Events: 24k
Queued Events: 16k
Only sanctioned events (those held in the Tournament rooms) count for your ratings; leagues and casual play don't affect it. You can still gain or lose points, even if you draw with the opponent. While ratings are calculated in an identical manner to paper DCI ratings, the two are independent. Your play online will in no way impact your paper DCI rating.
Premium cards come from paper Magic originally, and are also called foil cards. Foil cards are distributed in packs like normal cards: you always have a (very small) chance that one of the cards in your booster is foil instead of a regular version (Currently, about 1 in every 56 cards will be foil, so on average, you should get one foil in every 3-4 boosters you open). Foil versions of cards are functionally identical but generally considered "prettier" because they are nice and shiny. Because of that, some people find them more desirable than the regular versions. Foil versions of cards are also quite rare compared to the regular version, which is also a factor: some people just want the exclusivity. If you want to redeem a foil set of cards (See Q 1.11 for redemption information), you must collect all the cards in the set in foil versions. Wizards will then send you a foil set instead of a regular set.
3.11 What are Theme Decks? What are Intro Packs? What cards are included in a specific theme deck/intro pack? *Updated* Answer:Show
Theme Decks are packages including pre-made, ready-to-play decks intended for beginning players. They include sixty cards from the associated block, focusing on a specific theme related to the set (Core-set theme decks only include 40 cards). Intro Packs were introduced with Shards of Alara™ to replace theme decks as a more accurate introduction to Magic. The included pre-constructed deck has been reduced from 60 to 41 cards. Instead, a booster pack is included. Pre-Invasion™ sets released online will continue to use theme decks. There are two ways to find the contents of a Theme Deck or Intro Pack. The first is to open your deck editor and hit "load". You should see a "themedecks" directory. Go into that directory and you will see a bunch of sets (all sets on MTGO). Click the set the theme deck is in, and then load the theme deck. Second, you can find the theme decks for sets currently in the store at the following links:
To change your password, select Menu -> Settings -> Personal Settings and click the "Change Password" button.
4.3 How do I use my $9.99 coupon that I received when I bought my account? Answer:Show
In the email you received, you should have received a code, a long 16 digit number. That is the code you will want to put in the "CD, Certificate, or Coupon code" Box in the payment section of checkout at the store. At checkout, you will be propmted to select a payment method that lets you use a coupon. You enter the coupon number on the following screen. (Note: You are unable to combine a Paypal payment with use of a coupon.)
Tickets, oftentimes abbreviated as tix, were originally designed as the “entry fee” for online tournaments. Rather than handing the tournament organizer $5 to enter like you would in real life, Magic Online includes Event Tickets as part (or all) of the entry price. The tickets are purchasable from the store for $1 each. Due to the ticket’s $1 value in the store, they have become the defacto currency of Magic Online and thus most people trade cards for tickets rather than other cards. However, due to inefficiencies in converting tickets back into cash and other market factors, the actual market value of tickets may deviate from the store price.
4.5 What do the funny symbols next to some people's names mean? Answer:Show
Current Symbols: WotC logo - This person works for Wizards of the Coast. Blue eye - This person is an ORC (Moderator). Trophy - This person is either a tournament organizer or one of the senior bug testers. This person is not necessarily a Wizards employee. Blue face with X mouth - This person has been muted by an ORC for unacceptable behavior. Zzz- This person is away. Smiley face - This person is on your buddy list. Frowny face - This person is on your blocked (ignore) list. Purple shield - This person is a clanmate.
4.6 What's an ORC (formerly Adept)? And what's this warning thing they keep harping on about? Answer:Show
ORC stands for Online Response Crew. ORCs are the Customer Service representatives to MTGO and these boards. In game, they act as moderators for Magic Online. It's their job to make sure MTGO is a fun and safe place for everyone. ORCs can't play or trade while on duty, so don't bug them with trade requests or challenges. The primary duty of ORCs is to enforce the Wizards Code of Conduct. If you misbehave, an ORC will issue you a warning. Just like in real-life Magic tournaments, a warning is a heads-up that you did something wrong. If you keep doing it, an ORC can mute you (you can't chat at all) or kick you from the game for up to 24 h. In excessive cases, punishment can be escalated immediately, skipping some steps. All conduct actions are reported to Customer Service, who can issue additional punishments, including extended bannings or even permanent removal. On the other hand, ORCs are really nice and helpful guys and gals to those who have honest questions or problems. If you ever have a problem or need help figuring something out, just ask one of the ORCs. ORCs can usually be found in the Support room (click the "Chat with Support" button on the Home scene), and they also wander around the other rooms.
4.7 How do I make a deck/How do I obtain cards? Answer:Show
It depends on the type of game you want to play: For limited games, you'll first either need to obtain packs through the store (see Q 1.3 for more details on this), or trade other players in game for them. DO NOT open the packs - leave them alone and go join a tournament or league. The system will open the packs when the tournament or league starts. If you want to build a constructed deck, you can either buy packs in the store and open them, or get tickets (either by buying them in the store or by buying packs and selling them to players in game for tickets) and trade other players for cards in the Trading Post. If you bought packs to open, right-click on the pack you want to open and follow the prompts. When you're done opening, look at the top of your screen for the Deck Editor tab and click on it. Your collection appears at the top, your deck and sideboard at the bottom. Drag cards from the top half to put them in the deck or sideboard. You can also right-click on cards for more options.
4.8 How do I get priority? (Setting stops) Answer:Show
You tell the program when you want priority by setting a stop. The stop tells the Magic Online game to ask if you want to play a spell or ability. Without any stops set, the game won't pause unless something happens for you to respond to. You set stops in game by clicking the "Menu" button, then selecting "Settings", then "Game Play". Your Set Stops settings are crucial to Magic Online game play. You should set additional stops if you think you'll want to play a spell or ability during a step or phase that doesn't have a default stop. The more stops you set, though, the more often you'll have to click OK during a game. You can change your stops during a game by right-clicking in the play area and choosing Game Settings. You can also set and remove stops by right-clicking on a phase or step icon on the Duel screen. More information and a good explanation of this can be found in the "Traffic Sign Series", archived as follows: (This series was made for MO v1, so the mechanics of setting the stops may be different. However, the principles of which stops to set remains the same).
Also, a few words about the F-keys. 99% of the general population will want to press <F8> at the start of the game. Unless you're highly competitive, the benefits of the time gained by not having to yield priority far outweigh the "bluffing" aspect the client provides. You'll need to be careful about using <F6>. Though you can use <F3> at any time, you'll probably want to use <F4> instead (which will allow you to respond to something your opponent does) unless you're certain you can't do anything more that turn, as you might miss the opportunity to press <F3> before you wanted to respond. See Q 4.10 for more information on the F-keys.
4.9 What collectible avatars are available in MTGO? When were they released? Answer:Show
Two-Headed Giant of Foriys: For signing online to MO on the 10th anniversary of MTG.
Phage the Untouchable: Playing in the Legions online release tournament.
Karona False God: Playing in the Scourge online release tournament.
Royal Assassin: Playing in an 8th Edition paper release tournament.
Elvish Champion: Playing in an 8th Edition online release tournament.
Akroma Angel of Wrath: Participating in the "Virtual Party" OLS and 88888 tournaments. October 25th and 26th, 2003. Also given out to all users, one per user, after the Virtual Party didn't go so well (due to many crashes).
Bosh: Playing in a Mirrodin online release league.
Platinum Angel: Going 5-0 in a Mirrodin online release league.
Viridian Zealot: Playing in a Darksteel online release league.
Arcbound Overseer: Going 5-0 in a Darksteel online release league.
Flametongue Kavu: Logging in on Magic Online’s Second Anniversary
Raksha, Golden Cub: Playing in either a 5th Dawn Release League or a 5th Dawn Release Event
Etched Oracle: Going 5-0 in a 5th Dawn Release League or being in the top-4 in a 5th Dawn Release Event
Seshiro, the Anointed: Playing in either a Champions of Kamigawa release event or release league
Eight-and-a-Half Tails: Going 5-0 in a Champions of Kamigawa release league or doing very well in a Champions of Kamigawa Release Event ("very well" for the rest of this section typically means being in the top 5% or so)
Fallen Angel: Doing very well on the Thanksgiving and Christmas 2004 events
Higure, the Still Wind: Playing in either a Betrayers of Kamigawa release event or release league
Ink-Eyes, Servant of Oni: Going 5-0 in a Betrayers of Kamigawa release league or doing very well in a Champions of Kamigawa Release Event
Birds of Paradise: Playing in an Vanguard release event
Oni of Wild Places: Playing in either a Saviors of Kamigawa release event or release league
Sakashima the Impostor: Going 5-0 in a Saviors of Kamigawa release league or doing very well in a Saviors of Kamigawa Release Event
Hell's Caretaker: Playing in either a Ninth Edition release event or release league
Maro: Going 5-0 in a Ninth Edition release league or doing very well in a Ninth Edition Release Event
Loxodon Hierarch: Playing in either a Ravnica release event or release league
Sisters of Stone Death: Going 5-0 in a Ravnica release league or doing very well in a Ravnica Release Event
Stalking Tiger: Playing in either a Mirage release event or release league
Frenetic Efreet: Going 5-0 in a Mirage release league or doing very well in a Mirage Release Event
Teysa, Orzhov Scion: Playing in either a Guildpact release event or release league
Rumbling Slum: Going 5-0 in a Guildpact release league or doing very well in a Guildpact Release Event
Nekrataal: Playing in either a Visions release event or release league
Chronatog: Going 5-0 in a Visions release league or doing very well in a Visions Release Event
Momir Vig: Playing in either a Dissension release event or release league
Lyzolda: Going 5-0 in a Dissension release league or doing very well in a Dissension Release Event
Diamond Faerie: Playing in either a Coldsnap release event or release league
Haakon, Stromgald Scourge: Going 5-0 in a Coldsnap release league or doing very well in a Coldsnap Release Event
Stuffy Doll: Playing in either a Time Spiral release event or release league
Jaya Ballard, Task Mage: Going 5-0 in a Time Spiral release league or doing very well in a Time Spiral Release Event
Braids, Conjurer Adept: Playing in either a Planar Chaos release event or release league
Mirri the Cursed: Going 5-0 in a Planar Chaos release league or doing very well in a Planar Chaos Release Event
Jhoira of the Ghitu: Playing in either a Future Sight release event or release league
Heartwood Storyteller: Going 5-0 in a Future Sight release league or doing very well in a Future Sight Release Event
Arcanis, the Omnipotent: Playing in either a Tenth Edition release event or release league
Squee, Goblin Nabob: Going 5-0 in a Tenth Edition release league or doing very well in a Tenth Edition Release Event
Ashling the Pilgrim: Playing in either a Lorwyn release event or release league
Mirror Entity: Going 5-0 in a Lorwyn release league or doing very well in a Lorwyn Release Event
Dakkon Blackblade: Playing in either a Masters Edition release event or release league
Stonehewer Giant: Playing in either a Morningtide release event or release league
Maralen of the Mornsong: Going 5-0 in a Morningtide release league or 4-1 or better in a Morningtide Release Event
Murderous Redcap: Playing in a Shadowmoor release event
Reaper King: Placing in the top eight of a "Top 8" Shadowmoor release event, going 4-1 or better in a no-top 8 Shadowmoor release event, or winning a Shadowmoor release draft
Figure of Destiny: Playing in an Eventide release sealed event or winning an Eventide release draft
Ashling, the Extinguisher: Placing in the top eight of a "Top 8" Eventide release event, going 4-1 or better in a no-top 8 Eventide release event
Necropotence: Playing in a Masters Edition II release sealed event
Orcish Squatters: Placing in the top eight of a "Top 8" Masters Edition II release event, going 4-1 or better in a no-top 8 Masters Edition II release event, or winning an Masters Edition II release draft
Mayael the Anima: Playing in an Shards of Alara release sealed event or winning an Shards of Alara release draft
Kresh the Bloodbraided: Placing in the top eight of a "Top 8" Shards of Alara release event, going 4-1 or better in a no-top 8 Shards of Alara release event
Eladamri, Lord of Leaves: Playing in an Tempest release sealed event or winning an Tempest release draft
Tradewind Rider: Placing in the top eight of a "Top 8" Tempest release event, going 4-1 or better in a no-top 8 Tempest release event
Malfegor: Winning an 8-man Conflux release event or participating in any larger Conflux release event
Maelstrom Angel: Placing in the top eight of a "Top 8" Conflux release event or going 3-1 or better in a 16-man Conflux release event
Dauntless Escort: Winning an 8-man Alara Reborn release event or participating in any larger Alara Reborn release event
Enigma Sphinx: Placing in the top eight of a "Top 8" Conflux Alara Reborn event or going 3-1 or better in a 16-man Alara Reborn release event
4.10 What other commands can I use during a game to make play easier online? (And how can I keep priority after playing a spell or ability?) Answer:Show
Middle click OR left click + right click OR <CTRL> + <SHIFT> while cursor over card => Zoom on card
</> => Hide/show transparent chat box
<f2> => OK (same as clicking [OK] button)
<f3> => Removes all auto-yields and cancel previous pressed F4/F6/F8. (Can again be used when you do not have priority, or right click on the play area and select "Remove auto-yields", which is identically functional to F3.)
<f4> => Pass priority until something is on the stack (Yield until EOT as long as nothing happens). (Can again be used when you do not have priority.)
<f5> => Lets you briefly look at face-down cards you control.
<f6> => Pass priority for rest of turn no matter what happens (Yield until EOT no matter what happens [you still have to make decisions when required]). (Can again be used when you do not have priority.)
<f7> => Automatically place all untargeted triggers on the stack for the rest of the game if they all have the same text. Removing auto-yields by right-clicking or pressing <f3> will toggles back off.
<f8> => Turn off "bluffing" (Pass priority unless I can do something). This lasts UNTIL END OF GAME unless cancelled by <f3>. Good for multiplayer. For instance, you will normally get priority as long as you have a card in hand even if you're tapped out, because you might have a spell such as one of the Shoals from BoK. After activating <f8>, you would no longer receive priority in this situation (unless you actually *have* a shoal).
<f9> OR <alt>+ <y> => Yes (same as clicking [YES] button)
<f10> OR <alt>+ <n> => No (same as clicking [NO] button)
<alt>+<u> OR <ctrl>+ <z> => Undo, if possible.
<ctrl>+[announce spell/ability] => Announce the spell or ability without automatically passing priority afterwards.
<ctrl>+<q>, <*> => Make special character associated with <*>. There are many different symbols; for a complete list, see Q 5.8
4.11 What order are the extra boosters in leagues added? Answer:Show
The optional boosters are all added in the order that product was listed when the league began. If you joined a league that required a Onslaught Tournament Pack, and two Legions boosters, then the additional boosters will be Onslaught, then Legions, then Legions. If, instead, you joined a league that required a Mirrodin tournament pack, a Darksteel booster, and a Fifth Dawn booster, then the boosters would be added Mirrodin, Darksteel, and then Fifth Dawn, in that order.
4.12 How do I add or swap lands in drafts or sealed deck games? Answer:Show
Click on the "Add Lands" button in the "Deck Builder" tab. You can then either double-click the lands to add them to your deck one at a time, or use the arrows to set the quantity to add of each. Pressing the "suggest land" button" will add land to your deck in proportion to the number of each mana symbol in casting costs to reach the minimum size required. However, the land added is not guaranteed to be a reasonable ratio to the number of spells in the deck, and if your deck is already at/over the minimum size, no land will be added at all. Remember, you do not get to keep these lands after the event, they are just a loan.
4.13 I am trying to build a constructed deck with two colors; can I use a draft to add cards to my collection to improve this deck? Answer:Show
As long as there are cards of your chosen colors in the boosters being passed to you, you can always choose one of them. However, there a risk that at some point in the pack, there are no cards left in your colors. So of your 45 final cards, most could be in your chosen colors. However, this will impact your ability to play in the draft itself -- you could be giving up cards that would win you games in exchange for cards you need for your constructed deck. The "poor man's defense" against paying the tickets that provide boosters for the pros, and only reason for beginners to draft, is to draft those cards that you need for your collection, instead of drafting the cards that are give you the best chance to win the draft. This is usually called "rare-drafting", because if you draft for your collection you are more likely to take a rare card than a common. If people notice you are rare-drafting, you might get shouted at. This is because if you take the cards for your collection and pass on the cards good for winning, the players to your left (mainly) and right (for the second booster) get passed more winning cards. That increases their chances to win, while it diminishes the chance of the other players. So it's a hard choice whether you want to participate in a draft as a beginner. For dedicated two-color players its a prime source of cards, without you ending up with too many off-color cards. You also might end up with more than 3 rares for $14, which might be profitable. But you have to be aware that this probably will distort the final result of the draft, and some people might despise you for that.
4.14 How does the timer/chess-clock work? Answer:Show
In a leagues, drafts, or premier, each player receives a preset amount of time to finish 1 "round". For a premier event or draft, each player gets 30 minutes. For a league, it will be 45 minutes. Your clock starts to count down when you get priority and stops when your opponent gets priority. If you take a long time to consider an action, pay the mana cost of an effect or just spend time chatting when you have priority, your own clock will obviously go down faster than the opponent's. Note that your connection speed also plays a role in this. Someone playing overseas on dial-up will automatically play a bit slower than someone on cable in the States as the information simply takes longer to travel from and to the game server. That being said, there are ways to reduce wasted time in timed matches. Rather than clicking the OK button when prompted to, you can simply press the F2 (same as clicking OK) or F4 (same as pressing OK repeatedly until end of turn or a new effect specifically requiring a response from you is played) keys. Right click on the match screen, then choose Game play Settings. You can unset the stops (phases at which MTGO waits for you to take an action or press OK) that you don't use. For instance, if you have no effect that you might want to use at the end of your opponent's turn, disable that stop. That's a few seconds gained each turn. You can always re-enable later it if you need it. You can also right-click on an effect on the stack and choose to always yield priority to that effect. This is great for effects like Howling Mine, where you never really want to respond. It also prevents your opponent from forcing you to run your clock down by, say, repeatedly tapping his Seeker of Skybreak to untap itself. And then there are other common sense things. If you want to say something to your opponent, do it during his turn while his timer is going down. Similarly, you'll probably get a reply while you are playing.If a card you don't know to well comes into play, don't spend too much time reading it while it is played (while the game is waiting for you to press OK) but read it while your opponent continues to play his/her turn afterwards.
4.15 How do I get the Promo Cards in the "Promo" or "Promo 2" tab? *Updated* Answer:Show
Promos are generally given out for playing in particular types of events, with foil versions given for placing well in the same events. Once a promo period is over, the only way to get the card is to trade for it (unless WotC reissues it).
A full list of promo cards and how they were awarded is available in the MTGO Wiki.
Wizards of the Coast reserves the right to reuse these cards for future promotional events as they deem appropriate. Note that all cards in the Promo tab can be randomly created by the Momir Vig or Jhoria of the Ghitu avatar, whether or not they have been released.
4.16 What are some chat commands that you can use in game? Answer:Show
/away You can mark yourself as being away from your computer by typing /away message in any chat window, where the message is what you want to tell other users. Your status and message will be displayed in the chat area of the room you're in. Any players who try to send you private messages will get an automatic reply telling them that you're away, but you'll still receive their messages. When you return to your computer, just type /away to show that you're back. For example, if a player with the user name Bob types /away running a marathon, the message Bob is away - running a marathon appears in the room the player is in. When the player returns and types /away, the message Bob is back. is sent to that room.
/me You can send a chat message that starts with your user name by typing /me message in a chat window. For example, if a player with the user name Bob types /me thinks Magic Online is the best game ever in any chat area, the message Bob thinks Magic Online is the best game ever appears.
/join You can start or join a group chat by typing /join room name in any chat area. For example, if Bob typed /join Wombats rule! then a private message window with the name Wombats rule! would appear on Bob's screen. Other players could join that chat by typing /join Wombats rule!
/addbuddy You can also add a player to your buddy list at any time by typing /addbuddy name. If the player's name has a space in it, put quotation marks around it, /addbuddy "player name".
/goto You can go to the room that a player is in by typing /goto name. If the player's name has a space in it, put quotation marks around it, /goto "player name".
/eject In a multiplayer game, players can opt to eject another player from the game by typing /eject name. If the player's name has a space in it, put quotation marks around it, /eject "player name." Quotes are only necessary when the username contains a blank. If the username is only one word, no quotes are needed.
Trading on MTGO can be pretty cutthroat. One of the users on this forum, BentFranklin, has written a good guide on trading for MTGO. If you are a new user, I would recommend reading this before conducting your first trade. Even if you are an experienced user, you might pick up a thing or three. The trading guide also has a great explanation in one of the most popular player created rooms, the Auction room, in it. So go read it.
5.1 How can I make all my cards tradable? How about a subset of them? Answer:Show
Right-click on the book in your collection (not on a card) for more options. To work with some number other than 4, change the Owned filter. Also, remember that the right-click options only affect the visible cards.
So, to keep one copy of each of your foil commons and mark the rest tradable, you set the filters as follows:
Owned > 1
Rarity = Common
Version = Premium
Then right-click on the book.
The first option reads something like, "Make all copies more than (1) tradable." Click that, and you're done.
5.2 The shuffler is useless! What shuffling system are they using and why is it so bad? Answer:Show
The reason it seems bad is that it really is completely random. When most players shuffle their decks in real life, they don't truly randomize their decks; they just make the deck "sufficiently random" so that they can't tell what the next card will be. This still leaves some patterns in the deck, like an even spread of mana or less chance of duplicates being next to each other. With the MTGO shuffler, it is completely random. Chris Green (the lead programmer for Leaping Lizards, who designed the game) wrote a very detailed article about the shuffling process, but has unfortunately removed the original article when the programming responsibilities shifted to Wizards itself. An internet image of the article can be found here. If you still feel the need to complain about the shuffler, please keep it confined to the shuffler thread.
5.3 How do I change the way my duel/game screen looks? Answer:Show
There are two different duel screen layouts available: Big Card and Compact. You can change yours by going into your Game Play settings (Menu => Settings => Game Play) and changing the drop-down box next to Game Table Design.
5.4 Is there any way I can change the interface/UI/GUI? Is there any way I can skin/change the colors inside the client? Answer:Show
WotC has hired a user interface expert to design a new interface for MTGO. However, those efforts are still a long way from completion. There has also been a gradual improvement in small GUI elements in the meantime. There is no official way to change the user interface, however several users have contributed skins and software to improve the look of the client, which led to the creation of the Magic Online Customization Forum. All of these are use at your own risk, but no security problems have been reported about them so far. There was a user-run contest to create the best skin, which gave away over $800 in cash and prizes to skinners (all collected from other users and MO dealers). The thread from the contest is here. The contest resulted in several excellent skins, as well as an excellent program which automates the process of switching between skins. This program, created by danmage72, can be downloaded here, with a website to follow later.
5.5 I see people talking about having a bot to automatically trade for them. What are bots, and how do I get one? Answer:Show
Bots are a name for third party products that automate the process of trading. They do this to allow you to trade without having to be at your computer. You can safely obtain a bot in one of two ways.
Write the code yourself. This is the safest way.
Obtain a prewritten script in which you can look at the source code and verify that there is no extra coding in there that will log your keystrokes and send it to the writer of the script.
If you can't either write the code yourself, or verify someone else's code is clean, DO NOT use that bot. If you use a bot with a trojan or keylogger in it, you will find, sooner rather than later, that all your cards will be traded from your account to the account of the person that gave you the bot, and they will be gone forever, as all Wizards will see is verified trades from your account to the other person's account in which both people confirmed the trade.
5.6 Is there any way to add boolean logic to make more complex searches? Answer:Show
In the 'search for' box, & can be used for AND, | can be used for OR, and ~ can be used for not. ex: "destroy | creature" will display all cards either the word destroy or the word creature on them ex: "red source & damage" will display all cards with both the phrase "red source" and "damage" on them
5.7 How can I make chat symbols? How can I format my chat text? Answer:Show
There are two ways to type symbols in Magic Online. The first involves press the Control Key (<ctrl> and <q> at the same time, followed by another key. "<ctrl>+<q> Commands:"Show
<w> : White Mana Symbol
<u> : Blue Mana Symbol
<b> : Black Mana Symbol
<r> : Red Mana Symbol
<g> : Green Mana Symbol
<p> : Snow Mana Symbol
<0> : 0 Generic Mana Symbol
<1> : 1 Generic Mana Symbol
<2> : 2 Generic Mana Symbol
<3> : 3 Generic Mana Symbol
<4> : 4 Generic Mana Symbol
<5> : 5 Generic Mana Symbol
<6> : 6 Generic Mana Symbol
<7> : 7 Generic Mana Symbol
<8> : 8 Generic Mana Symbol
<9> : 9 Generic Mana Symbol
<a> : 10 Generic Mana Symbol
<c> : 12 Generic Mana Symbol
<shift>+<e> : 14 Generic Mana Symbol
<l> : 16 Generic Mana Symbol
<shift>+<1> : WB Hybrid Mana Symbol
<shift>+<2> : RW Hybrid Mana Symbol
<shift>+<3> : UR Hybrid Mana Symbol
<shift>+<4> : UB Hybrid Mana Symbol
<shift>+<5> : BG Hybrid Mana Symbol
<shift>+<6> : GW Hybrid Mana Symbol
<shift>+<7> : WU Hybrid Mana Symbol
<shift>+<8> : RG Hybrid Mana Symbol
<shift>+<9> : WB Hybrid Mana Symbol
<shift>+<0> : BR Hybrid Mana Symbol
<t> : Tap Symbol
<s> : Smiley Face
<f> : Frowny Face
<y> : Yuck Face
<m> : Mute Face
<shift>+<i> : Eye Symbol
<i> : WotC Symbol
<l> : Leaping Lizard Symbol
<h> : Hat Symbol
<e> : Trophy Symbol
<n> : Pig Symbol
In addition to the <ctrl>+<q> codes, you can add formatting as well many of the above symbols and some others using tags much like the BB tags you use on the boards. Note that tags that do not begin '[s' cannot be used when the chat window is docked. Chat TagsShow
Formating [a:url=http://www.wizards.com]hyperlink[/a] (non-Hasbro links in public areas still violate the CoC)
Mana Symbols [sW] : White Mana Symbol
[sU] : Blue Mana Symbol
[sB] : Black Mana Symbol
[sR] : Red Mana Symbol
[sG] : Green Mana Symbol
[sP] : Snow Mana Symbol
[s0] : 0 Generic Mana Symbol
[s1] : 1 Generic Mana Symbol
[s2] : 2 Generic Mana Symbol
[s3] : 3 Generic Mana Symbol
[s4] : 4 Generic Mana Symbol
[s5] : 5 Generic Mana Symbol
[s6] : 6 Generic Mana Symbol
[s7] : 7 Generic Mana Symbol
[s8] : 8 Generic Mana Symbol
[s9] : 9 Generic Mana Symbol
[sa] : 10 Generic Mana Symbol
[sc] : 12 Generic Mana Symbol
[se] : 14 Generic Mana Symbol
Set Symbols
[sSET ABR X] : Produce ABR's Set Symbol for X rarity where ABR = set abbreviation (ex: RAV, 10E) and X = Rarity (C/U/R/M)
examples:
[sSET RAV C] : Ravnica Common Symbol
[sSET 9E R] : 9th Edition Rare Symbol
Spell Type Symbols
[sSpellL] : Land symbol
[sSpellA] : Artifact symbol
[sSpellC] : Creature symbol
[sSpellS] : Sorcery symbol
[sSpellI] : Instant symbol
[sSpellE] : Enchantment symbol
[sPlaneswalker] : Planeswalker symbol (not yet available)
[sBooster] : Booster Symbol
Other Symbols
[sAdept] : Eye
[sPig] : Pig
[sLizard] : Lizard
[sClan] : Clan symbol
[sS] : Smiley Face
[sF] : Frowny Face
[sY] : Yucky Face
[sMute] : Mute Face
[sE] : Trophy
[sWiz] : WotC Icon
[sZ] : Zzzzz
[sV] : Down Arrow
[sT] : Tap symbol
[sPB B]: Black paintbrush
[sPB W]: White paintbrush
[sFolder]: Folder icon
[sDeck]: Deck symbol
[sClone]: Copy symbol
[sGY]: Tombstone icon
5.8 How can I add formatting to my classifieds posts? Answer:Show
[a:url=http://www.wizards.com]hyperlink[/a] (non-Hasbro links in public areas still violate the CoC)
bold (alt: [@b][/@])
italics
underline
[@A]ash[/@]
[@B]blue[/@]
[@C]cyan (shadow)[/@]
[@G]green[/@]
[@O]orange (shadow)[/@]
[@P]purple[/@]
[@R]red[@]
[@S]slate (shadow)[/@]
[@W]white (shadow)[/@]
[@Y]yellow (shadow)[/@]
[@x##RRGGBB]text[/@] Where ##, RR, GG, and BB are hexadecimal numbers between 00 and FF. RRGGBB set the color of the text, ## sets the dimness of the color. I suggest keeping ## at FF since it has no effect on your RRGGBB color and you can easily come up with any color you want with just RRGGBB. Note that when ## is 00, the text is not 100% dim (black) but something like 50% dim.
[p]left justify (overwrites timestamp)
[r]right justify
[n]new line
[f Font Meta_Medium 16] Your Text Here [/f] Large Size
[fCARD_COUNT] Your Text Here [/fCARD_COUNT] alternate for the Large size
[fCARD_TYPE] Your Text Here [/fCARD_TYPE] for the Medium size
5.9 How can I make links to cards within the client? Answer:Show
To make a card link, simply enclose the name of the card in curly braces: {Shock}. If you wish to link to a specific version of the card, follow the card name with a color and the set code: {Shock:ONS} will show the Onslaught version of Shock. If you wish to link to the foil version, simply include an asterisk anywhere in the card name: {*Shock}, {Sh*ock} and {Shock:ONS*} will all show the foil.
5.10 What is the Magic Online Championship Series (MOCS)? What are Qualifier Points (QP)? How do I earn Qualifier Points? *Updated* Answer:Show
The Magic Online Championship Series is the highest level of competition currently offered online. Each MOCS year is divided into a series of "seasons" lasting four weeks each. Players earn qualifier points for placing high in regularly-scheduled events during the season. Any player that earns 15 QPs during the season is invited to the season championship. Players with more QPs can earn byes in the season championship. The format of the monthly championship changes each month, with all participants receiving promo cards and the winner getting an invitation to the $100 000 Magic Online Championship during the Magic World Championship, as well as an invite to the World Championship itself.
Full details on the 2010 Magic Online Championship Series can be found here.
5.11 Is there a player reward program? How do I participate in player rewards? *NEW*"Answer:"Show
Since July 2009, Magic Online has included a player rewards program where participants are awarded promo cards each month based on the number of reward points (often abbreviated MOPR points) earned during the month. Points are earned for participating in events, making purchases from the online store, and even just logging in! To enroll, all you have to do is click the button that says "I'm eligible for player rewards" when prompted upon logging in.
Full details on the Player Reward program can be found at here.
5.12 Why are only U.S. citizens allowed to participate in player rewards? *NEW*"Answer:"Show
WotC is unable to offer player rewards outside the United States at this time due to legal concerns. However, they rely on each player to report their own eligibility for the rewards program rather than using the country of record on-file with the account.
5.13 How can I set my starting life and cards in hand (to handicap a player, or for a variant format that requires it)? Answer:Show
You do this by clicking the "options" button when you set up a game, and then checking "Use Starting Handicaps". You will set your handicaps (up or down) when the game starts.
5.14 My friend challenged another one of my friends to a game (using the right click "Challenge" command), and I want to watch it. But the /goto command doesn't take me to a game room. How can I find it? Answer:Show
Challenges are in one of two places, depending on the game:
Single game challenges are in the Casual Decks room.
Match challenges (best 2 out of 3) are in the Tournament Practice room.
Once you are in the appropriate room, change to spreadsheet mode. (If you see tables, click the box that looks like a spreadsheet right below the "Card Shop" link.) Then sort the player list in alphabetical order in the top pane (the games currently running), and find the name of the person who started the challenge.
5.15 How do I watch replays of past games? Answer:Show
It depends on where the game was played. First, you can replay ANY game you were in by double-clicking on the game number in the "Games" tab inside the dock. For a causal game (any game in the "Casual Play" group of rooms): Double-click on the game you wish to watch. You can also watch a game in progress this way. For a Daily or Premiere Event: To watch a game, first click the "View Round" button located between the match standings (top) and the round results (bottom) on the event scene and choose the appropriate round. Then find and double-click on the appopriate match in the results portion of the scene. A popup will then ask you to choose the game you wish to replay. For a League: Leagues are non-functional at this time, and it is unknown the policy for replays when they return. For an 8 Man Single Elimination tournament: You can't watch replays of these games at this time. There is no way to save a game to your local computer [yet], sorry. However, you *can* share games with your friends by opening the %AppData%\Wizards of the Coast\Magic Online.0\<mtgologin>.mygames file on your computer. Simply find the line(s) that contain the game you want to share, copy the entire line, and send it to your friend. Your friend can then insert that line into their .mygames file and your game will appear under their My Games tab (I suggest doing this while their MTGO is shut down to ensure it works correctly). Keep in mind, replays from before previous updates may no longer work, as the replays use the game servers to actually play the game again. Thus, if the interface or rules change on the game server, the game will no longer replay correctly and may even crash the client.
5.16 Where can I find decklists from constructed events? *Updated* Answer:Show
Decklists from constructed Daily and Premiere Events for the last several days are available on the Magic Online What's Happening Page. These are compiled weekly for the Thursday "Daily Activity" on the Magic the Gathering webpage. The archive of these weekly compilations is available here.
5.17 How can I get cards from Ice Age™ and Alliances™? Why do they show up in the Collection tab? Answer:Show
Some cards in Ice Age and Alliances were released in the preconstructed decks for Coldsnap™. The only way to get these was to buy the preconstructed deck from the store (no longer available) or trade with another player. Other cards from Ice Age™ and Alliances™ are available in the Master's Edition™ sets, but these appear in those sets, not in the Ice Age™ or Alliance™ tab.
First, you need to apply. When applications are posted, there will be an announcement in the Magic Online Group Blog, and usually in the Announcement section in-game as well. This is usually done a couple weeks before beta begins, but there is not an application period for every beta. When there is no beta application period, the applicants from the previous beta will be reused. The form is now processed via the WotC knowledgebase and is available here. At the beginning of each beta (typically the Monday or Tuesday after the paper pre-release), everyone who is invited to beta will receive an invitation either in-game and/or by e-mail with instructions on how to participate. Those who are not invited will not receive any notification, but may be invited later if needed. Because of the large applicant pool, only a small fraction of users are admitted to beta. While WotC attempts to get a good cross-section of the player base to participate in beta, the inclusion of any one person is generally random. In addition to these randomly-chosen testers, there is a small number of "core testers" who are invited back every beta. This group contains those who have distinguished themselves as exceptional bug-hunters or otherwise demonstrated their considerable usefulness to the beta process. This group is constantly evolving, as new core testers are discovered and old ones are removed by attrition.
The server status can be viewed using the "Server Status" button on the Magic Online Homepage (lower right). Also, remember that the game could be going through a planned and announced downtime. Check the Magic Online Group Blog to see if a downtime has been announced. Downtimes are typically scheduled for Weds mornings Pacific Time.
6.2 How can I troubleshoot the game if something goes wrong? Answer:Show
First, you should check the Troubleshooting FAQ and WotC Customer Service to see if your problem is already answered there. If neither location holds a solution to your problem, you can either write to WotC Customer Service using the "e-mail us" tab at the above link, or start a new thread in the MO Troubleshooting Forum to request help from fellow board members (please check existing threads first). Your Customer Service login is the same as your boards login. If you do not have a boards/help account, you will need to create one.
To report a bug, please follow the steps on the help site found here (beginning by searching to see if your bug has already been reported). Wizards of the Coast appreciates you taking the time to report these things. If the bug occurred during a sanctioned event and costs you potential prizes, you may be eligible for a refund and should instead see Q 6.4 for refund request.
6.4 What happens if it crash while I'm playing a tournament or a draft? Do I lose my money and cards? How do I file a refund request? Answer:Show
The full WotC compensation policy is available here. If you believe you are entitled to compensation, you should follow the directions here to request it.
6.5 I accidentally bought product I don't want, can I return it? Answer:Show
Product from the store can generally be returned for a refund within 30 days as long as the product has NOT been traded or opened (including use in a tournament). To do so, use this form. Your customer service login is the same as your boards login; if you do not have one, you must create one. Event tickets will not be refunded. The $9.99 charged for account creation also cannot be refunded.
6.6 I submitted a question to Customer Service (conduct report/refund request/store question/etc) via the knowledgebase; is there any way to check on the status of my question (or even make sure it was received)? / I sent a refund request to Customer Service several days ago, why haven't I heard back yet? Answer:Show
Return to the knowledgebase and login using the tab on the upper right. Then click on the tab labeled "My Stuff" and then the button labeled "Questions". This will bring up a list of every question you have successfully submitted along with the submission date and the current status. You can click on any item in the list to bring up all correspondence related to that submission (including the original and any replies). If your issue is *not* listed, it was never successfully sent to Customer Service. The most common cause of this is failure to click the "Send Email" button on the final page of the submission process. Please try to submit your question again. Queries appear in the "My Stuff" section immediately after they are submitted, so you can always check yourself if you are unsure if your question submitted properly.
6.7 Is it alright to quit, concede, or disconnect from a game anytime I feel like it? Answer:Show
It depends on the type of game: In team play, you shouldn't concede on your own no matter what. It's simply rude to teammates and to opponents who probably waited awhile to get the game started. You could leave a Emperor (a type of team multiplayer) unflanked or cause the whole team to lose if you are the Emperor. Also, in 2v2 (2 on 2), 3v3, 2-Headed Dragon (also known as 2HG, a play structure where partners share a cumulative life total) or 3HG games, a lost teammate is generally an automatic defeat. There are those who choose to play on even after losing a teammate or teammates as the case may be. This circumstance is often a lesson in frustration. People who do concede without explanation, especially in early game, tend to wind up on teammate(s)' and opponents' blocked lists alike. (Anthony Alongi provided a couple of article on dealing with problem teammates. They mostly apply to paper, but have some good points for online play as well, particularly not becoming a problem player yourself: Multiplayer Monsters -- Are you one of these group-play headaches?Monster Slayers -- The personalities that make multiplayer great) In 1v1 (regular single-player duel) or FFA (Free for All) play, it is generally considered good sportsmanship to say "Good game" or "gg" then concede (emphasis on being polite and admitting defeat is helpful). Either a bad draw (not enough mana AKA manascrewed) or a timed match would cause this. Timed match is mentioned because if you are going to lose a duel, it is best to try to save time on your game clock. If you have an emergency and need to leave early, you should just leave. But, try to explain in the game chat window why you need to go before leaving if you have time. If this is not possible, you may want to seek out the player(s) by using the /addbuddy or /goto commands (find their names with the My Games button) and apologize (either in person or through a message left via the My Buddies window) when you return. But, in many cases, you would probably be on blocked lists by this time. Therefore, explaining before you leave is best. A simple, quick message can sway the ire of many. Bad example: It has been a long game, but my dog wants me to walk it. (Then, you should have walked it beforehand.) Good example: My pet is sick! Sorry, I gotta tend to it. Good example: My significant other/family member needs me. Sorry. Good game.
6.8 My opponent just disconnected without dropping first! What do I do? Answer:Show
Just sit and wait. Your opponent must take some action within 10 minutes. Obviously, if he's disconnected, he can't do that. After 10 minutes of inactivity, your opponent gets a match loss. Of course, the same policy applies if for some reason you are inactive (ISP failure, computer blows up, AFK, etc). Be aware that if you receive a match loss due to inactivity as described here in a sanctioned tournament, you will be DROPPED from the event, no matter what your record to that point (this includes Swiss events, but does not apply to leagues).
6.9 How do I block somebody from trade/PM spamming me during a game? Answer:Show
First, a definition. Trade spamming is the process by which someone sends you multiple trade requests during a game. The trade requests take the client's focus away from the game, and force you to deal with the trade request. If someone (or multiple people) hit you with multiple trade requests within a short period of time, this can cause to you be unable to play the game, and time out, losing what would have probably been a game you would have won otherwise. To prevent this from happening, check the "Ignore non-buddy trade requests" box in Settings (Personal) before starting a game/tournament. Just remember to uncheck it if you wish to do any trading. Alternatively, you can block all of the users sending you requests individually. However, this can sometimes be difficult in the middle of an attack. Additionally, this behavior is not only obnoxious, but prohibited by the Code of Conduct. If it ever happens again and you have the time, you can take a screenshot of the problem and send a complaint to Customer Service. If you wish to report an ORC or player for misconduct, please visit this page for the procedure. Use the topic Digital Games => Magic: The Gathering Online => Report Conduct. You may need to create a knowledgebase account if you do not have one (this is different than a MTGO or message board account).
6.10 I think I was unfairly muted/banned by an ORC, what can I do about it? Answer:Show
If you think you were unfairly treated by an ORC online, please visit this page and fill out the form (after logging in to that system - You'll need to create an account if you haven't already). (If that form does not work for you, copy the information that would be in that form, then click "Ask a Question". Select the Topics Digital Games => Magic: The Gathering Online => Report Conduct. Paste and finish the form that you copied. Be sure to include the ORC's name and all the details about the incident. If you are serious about your report, remember that rational, polite language will go a long way towards strengthening your case. Please DO NOT post problems with ORCs on these boards; such threads are quickly closed and any mention of a specific ORC censored out.
Questions about Terms of Service and Code of Conduct Restrictions
7.1 When I login, it says the Terms of Service have changed. Where can I find what those changes are? *Updated* Answer:Show
The previous player-organized website that tracked the ToS changes has been removed. Hopefully this will return at a later date.
7.2 Is it against the Terms of Service to have multiple accounts? What about sharing accounts? Answer:Show
Having multiple accounts is perfectly fine; the only restriction is you cannot have multiple accounts entered in the same event. Many people maintain several accounts as a way of organizing their cards and separating playing accounts from trading accounts. Sharing accounts is a big no-no; accounts are not allowed to be shared under any arrangement. The only exception to this is you may create a separate account and share it with your son/daughter aged 13-17. In short: One person, many accounts: Good Many people, one account: Bad
In many states in the US and in most countries around the world, gambling is legally prohibited or heavily regulated. Ante is a kind of bet. Each person offers an object of value (a card) in exchange for the chance to win another such object. The chance is not certain and depends significantly upon luck. This is the very definition of betting, and betting is the fundamental element of gambling. Therefore, to avoid any legal complications, ante games are prohibited from being advertised on Magic Online. You can play a game for ante, but if the other person does not pay up, Wizards will do nothing about it. It doesn't matter if it's allowed where you live; it's still prohibited in the US (where the game is based). It's never going to be part of the Magic Online client, so do not ask for it.
7.4 Is bribery cheating? Why or why not? And What should I do if I witness bribery (towards me or another) or other forms of cheating? Answer:Show
Yes, bribery is most definitely cheating. Sanctioned events on Magic Online follow the DCI Universal Tournament Rules, the Magic Floor Rules, and the DCI Penalty Guidelines as closely as possible. All available here. These rules clearly list bribery as a form of cheating. If you witness bribery, please visit this page. Copy the form then click "Ask a Question". (You'll need to create an account if you haven't already). Use the topic Digital Games => Magic: The Gathering Online => Report Conduct. Paste and finish the form that you copied. Wizards of the Coast takes reports of bribes seriously, and they appreciate your taking the time to tell them. If you witness a form of cheating that is not bribery, please report that user's behavior using the same link, but take out the word "bribery" and insert "Cheating." (That link describes all the forms of cheating that affect a game on MTGO.)
7.5 Why can't I sell my account on eBay? Answer:Show
The short answer is that it's a violation of the terms of service for Magic Online. Magic Online associates any given account with the credit card which launched it and, for this reason, is not able to enforce third party agreements which would be made and possibly contested on Ebay. Since Magic Online cannot enforce such agreements, they deny the right to transfer an account and avoid the entire problem (at least for them).
7.6 Why can't I chat in the Support room? Answer:Show
The Support room is a special room for ORCs to assist people that are new to the game or are having some sort of problem. Allowing normal chat in this room would only disrupt the ORCs from providing efficient help to those that need it.
Section 8: Part of a Larger World
Questions about joining Magic communities
8.1 Where can I find a group of friendly people to play with regularly or just hang out with? Answer:Show
There are lots of places to find nice people to play online. These message boards are a good place to start, as is their counterpart online (see BBS in Q 8.4). You could also try joining a clan to meet some like-minded friends (although most people form clans with friends they already have, not all operate like this). Furthermore, over the course of your play online, you will encounter many friendly (and some not-so-friendly) people; don't be afraid to continue conversing with these people after your game and add them to your buddy list so you can search them out for games in the future, or even set up regular play schedules.
8.2 I see some people making clickable cardnames on the boards… how do I do that? Answer:Show
Simply type [card]cardname[/card], thus [card]Wrath of God[/card] = Wrath of God. Please note that apostrophes do not work right, thus Urza’s Armor doesn’t link, but Urzas Armor does.
8.3 What are clans? How do I join a clan? Answer:Show
Clans are groups of people who tend to have similar playing interests. They range from very casual to ultra-competitive. In order to join a clan, you need to be invited by the clan captain, and you can only be in one clan at a time. When you are in a clan, an extra chat window will appear when you logon, listing all the members of the clan and allowing clan members to talk with one another. There is currently a fifty (50) member limit to clans. Unfortunately, there is currently no official support for clan vs. clan events online.
8.4 What are some common acronyms and abbreviations players should know? Answer:Show
Sets
IPA: Invasion™, Planescape™, Apocalypse™
OTJ: Odyssey™, Torment™, Judgment™
OLS: Onslaught™, Legions™, Scourge™
MDF/MD5: Mirrodin™, Darksteel™, Fifth Dawn™
CBS: Champions, Betrayers, and Saviors of Kamigawa™
RGD: Ravnica™: City of Guilds, Guildpact™, and Dissension™
TPF: Time Spiral™, Planar Chaos™, and Future Sight™
LM/LLM: Lorwyn™ [, Lowryn™] and Morningtide™
SE/SSE: Shadowmoor™ [, Shadowmoor™] and Eventide™
ACR/ACA: Alara™, Conflux™, Alara Reborn™
Formats:
Highlander: Singleton (only one copy of a non-basic-land card allowed in the deck)
Emp: Emperor
Pris: Prismatic
2HG: 2 Headed Giant
3HG: 3 Headed Giant Other:
MaSS: “Moderators and Support Staff,” an old name for the Support room (where all the ORCs are)
MODO: Short for “Magic Online Digital Object,” an old name for Magic Online.
MtGO: Magic the Gathering Online.
BBS: Bulletin Board Service - This term was first used to describe a board, much like this one, in the early days of the internet. In MtGO, we use it to refer to the group of people on this board that hang out together in game.
8.5 What types of discussion occurs in the various forums here? AnswerShow
New Player Forum is our forum dedicated to helping new and prospective players learn about Magic Online. If you have any questions about getting started with Magic Online or just want to introduce yourself as a new player, you should start there. The New Player Forum also has its own FAQ thread geared towards new players.
Magic Online General is the catch-all forum for everything Magic Online-related that doesn't go somewhere else. For the most part, if you post something in Magic Online General, you'll be fine.
Magic Online Player-Run Events is for the promotion and reporting of player-run events. Players are not allowed to promote these events in-game at all; however, the boards moderators have decided to allow this. If you're looking for an event to play in, usually in a more-offbeat format (such as all-commons, tribal, or free-for-all), this is a good place to look.
MO Boards Business is a place for discussing the boards themselves. For instance, if the moderators decide to lock a series of threads, this is the place to ask why (PMing the moderators works, too). Just make sure if you ask, you try to find out why rather than try to reopen the topic. This is *not* the place to discuss MTGO policies and actions. These discussions belong in Magic Online General.
The Tranquil Thicket is the off-topic forum for the Magic Online messageboards. If you have something fun to discuss that isn't about MTGO, you can post here. Also note The Rec Room, which serves the same purpose for all WotC boards.
Magic Online Customization is for the organization and sharing of player-created adaptations for Magic Online. This includes new arts to "skin" your client as well as separate applications to enhance your Magic Online experience.
Deck Critique: MTGO Formats contains a subforum for each Magic Online format. These are for discussing the latest decks and important concerns of each format.
Magic Rules Q&A is for Magic rules clarificaitons and other questions.
Clans & Recruitment is a place where you can ask about clans and how they work as well as recruit people into your clan. Much like Player-Run Events, this is one of the few official places to promote your clan.
Magic Online Cards Marketplace is the one location in the boards where you can offer trades for Magic Online cards. Please keep ALL trading to this board.
9.1 Note from Glorious, the original author of the Rant-and-FAQ Spoiler:Show
Hi, I'm Glorious, and I wrote the original All-in-One Rant-and-FAQ. =) I've more or less retired from Magic, though I do still log on to MTGO occasionally and I'm still keeping up with judging issues IRL. I'm glad to see someone has taken over the R&F and is keeping it alive. WizO_Jabberwock mentioned that there's not much ranting left in the R&F, and this is true. The original R&F really was a rant; it was provoked by some random post I read complaining about how buggy MTGO was -- when we were still in the Beta test. As you can imagine, I wasn't amused. In response, I let loose with my first-ever Internet rant, but I felt it would get the point across more effectively if I set it up in a question-and-answer format. I've posted a very early copy of the R&F on my own site (and the link is unfortunately no longer active); you can see that there really was some ranting in it. This is by no means the original R&F, as it actually contains some useful info. =) The information in the R&F I linked is obviously WAY out of date and most of the links are dead, but it should help give some historical perspective on where the "Rant-and-FAQ" name came from. And yes, the ranting is all still in there. I also have a few other topics I wrote in the early days of Magic; I'll try to find them and post them here. If you find them worthwhile, feel free to have a maintainer copy-and-paste them into a new thread and sticky them. I believe most of them will be out of date by now, but they're still worth reading and should be fairly easy to update. Anywho, good luck to all, and I'm glad you're still finding the R&F useful!
9.2 Original Introduction to the Rant-and-FAQ (by Glorious): Spoiler:Show
I hate to say it, folks, but I'm hopping mad! I've read a lot of stuff on this board, positive and negative, but I have yet to issue a rant. Heck, I've never let off an honest-to-goodness rant ANYWHERE on the Internet before. However, earlier today, I read a post complaining about some random aspect of the game, and I blew my top. I thought I'd seen it all, but this missive really got my goat. This is where I draw the line. This time, I've had enough. I've structured this rant kind of like a FAQ. That way, you can skim it for your pet peeves and see what I have to say about the issue. I chose to post it here and not in the Random Room because it really does answer many questions about Magic Online. So, everyone please take a deep breath, grab a drink, and repeat after me: "It's just a game!"
Well, I hope you're still with me. If you have any comments, feel free to let me know. I could always use advice on what FAQs you'd like answered here. You can just post a reply to this thread.
This Rant-and-FAQ was first prepared while MTGO was still in beta testing. For a while after the official launch, the Rant-and-FAQ laid in the graveyard, lost but not forgotten. Thanks to the tireless efforts of many during Glorious' absence, the time has come to flash it back! The purpose of this FAQ is to introduce new players into the Magic: the Gathering Online world. The game can seem complex, even overwhelming if you've never played paper MtG. And if you abandoned the paper game few years ago, the interface and the new rules can confuse you. This FAQ was first reposted after launch by vitalogy1994, then by Glorious, the original author from the Beta days. However, this FAQ is the work of many, many people. Everyone is invited to add to this FAQ. You can submit your questions & answers below, as a reply to this thread. Whenever there is an update to the Rant-and-FAQ, this topmost post will be updated, and a new post will be added to the end of the thread outlining the changes. I expect that updates will happen about once a month; maybe more frequently if something important changes.
With the changes made over the years, along with the renumbering done 9 July 2005, I am simply changing this to a list of contributors to the FAQ. So, in alphabetical order, thanks to the following people for their help with the FAQ: Adept_Gamma, Adept_Vision, Algona, Ambitious, Arpeggio, asveron, BentFranklin, chonjurer, chrisg (from Leaping Lizards, Developer), ConclaveKing, CutToTheChase, doneagle, Daniel Myers (Former Brand Manager, Magic Online), Diem, Dizzarian, dragonmage65, Elaine (from Leaping Lizards, Developer), elf, evilferret, fastcart, Firecrest, Glorious, Grett, Grisgram, Groucho, hamtastic, HollowOn3, Llarian, Lrgetrout, MagicMaster_E, major havoc, Myril, nushae, Offkorn, Plutar, Programmerman, ProPainCDZ, Qestraal, RoaringPossum, Scott Schulz, Shaybo, starfury42, tempesteye, Tharion_wind, thedodo, Thomas Baldwin, Tobold, TourPro, vitalogy1994, WarlordBB, Wendy, WizO_Jabberwock, WotC_Mel. Thanks also to everyone who has contributed to this thread throughout its multiple lifetimes.
11 Feb 2002: Fixed a grammar error and added a question.
14 Feb 2002: Added many new questions and tweaked a few existing ones. Re-edited numerous times to fix UBB glitches.
21 Feb 2002: Updated info on Torment and pack allocations.
26 Feb 2002: Added info on older sets, update times, and disconnection.
09 Mar 2002: Removed Torment question, as it was no longer relevant.
Changed info on shuffling to reflect the update to the help file. Added several new questions and updated a couple others.
14 May 2002: Loads of new questions contributed by fastcart, along with a couple of new ones I made up. Now cross-posted to the main Wizards boards as well as the Beta boards, since newer members can't register for the Beta boards any more.
15 May 2002: Whoa. Two updates in as many days. This one added a couple of questions and fixed numerous minor errors in spelling, grammar, or layout. Since this update is so close to the last one, I didn't remove the NEW or UPDATED markers from the last update.
02 Jul 2002: Revamped for post launch, ton of out of date beta stuff removed/rewritten. Maintenance taken over by thedodo, fastcart, and vitalogy1994. 14 Aug 2002: Few out of date stuff removed. Changed slighty the layout. Added Q's 1.4, 1.5 & 3.11.
30 Aug 2002: Another update that added several new questions and updated some old ones.
05 Oct 2002: Added Q's 1.2, 1.9, 3.15, 3.16, & 5.6. 15 Feb 2003: Changed layout. Updated Q's 1.2, 1.5, 2.3, 3.10, 3.13, 3.16, 4.3, 5.2, 6.2, & 6.3. Added 3.17, 3.18, 5.7, & 6.4. Moved original Q 1.9 to 1.2 and slid the other questions down. Listed Q 4.3 in the Questions Quick-Reference.
30 Mar 2003: Updated and/or corrected Q's 3.4, 3.12, 3.13, 3.17, & 5.2. Added Q 1.5 and removed Q 5.3, then adjusted the question numbers accordingly.
14 Jun 2003: Updated Qs 1.2, 1.3, 1.7, 3.13, 4.2, 5.2, & 6.3, . Added Q 1.4, then adjusted the question numbers accordingly. Q 3.17 had to be formatted differently because of UBB errors.
21 Jan 2004: Cleaned up the FAQ thread as a whole removing the chatter / clutter. Updated Qs 2.7, 3.13. 09 Jul 2004: Redid the FAQ as a whole, updating discussion of price and removing links which no longer worked.
05 Apr 2005: Update to the FAQ - added new card sets, new help links, a general "freshening up."
02 May 2005: Additions by bubba0077. Other minor additions.
09 Jun 2005: FAQ renumbered and regrouped. Added code names for many sets. Added BoP avatar.
10 Jul 2005: *NEW* and *Updated* tags return. FAQ updated with information due to SoK release and announcement of Mirage coming online.
09 Aug 2005: Constructed formats added, Bug reporting details updated, information about starting handicaps added.
06 Sep 2005: Changed Eighth Edition references to Ninth where applicable. Costs to play, notes on bots and Adepts' red text added. Added Ninth Edition avatars. Added Ninth Edition and Dissension (third set in Ravnica block) links, changed Ravnica link to the product page from Arcana.
04 Oct 2005: Added 2.13-15 (Print Runs) by bubba0077, renumbered the rest of the section. Gift cards in 3.4. Other miscellaneous changes.
02 Nov 2005: Added Ravnica and Coldsnap information. Changed Standard/Extended format information due to the rotations with Ravnica's release. Also added/updated 1.11, 1.22, 2.28, 3.10, 3.11.
06 Dec 2005: Many changes with Mirage coming online. Added "Find Feature" in preface. Added 1.6, 1.9, 2.26. 03 Jan 2006: Very short update. Minor changes to 1.9, 2.1; moved 2.30 to 1.22. 28 Feb 2006: Guildpact updates. Paypal updates in 3.4 and 3.6. 11
Apr 2006: Visions updates. Also fixed a few "typos" in other answers.
30 May 2006: Dissension updates.
15 Aug 2006: Coldsnap updates. Added: 1.3, 1.11, 1.25, 3.2; Gave the Technical Questions appendix its own section number (5), moved down the other questions as appropriate. Many other updates.
29 Aug 2006: Updates, correcting numbering in many questions due to many new/renumbered sections. Added Kjeldoran Outpost to list of promo cards, added 1.25 (how to find challenge games). Also updated content in 2.6, 2.10, 2.25, and 3.5.
26 Sep 2006: Minor updates. The two main topics are the price increase taking effect 6 October, and a new section on trade spamming.
23 Oct 2006: Major reorganization of entire FAQ. All questions renumbered. Added: 3.2, 3.2a Delete: Q on Bink Player
24 Oct 2006: Cleanup from the previous day's reorganization (making sure questions referencing each other correctly do so).
31 Oct 2006: Time Spiral updates.
24 Dec 2006: Minor typo corrections, beginner FAQ and beta tester questions added.
16 Jan 2007: Relabeled spoiler blocks to say "Answer:" instead of "Spoiler". Update 2: Added tempesteye's glossary to 1.1. Also updated 1.11 with the Mac information from the latest Online Tech article.
25 Feb 2007: Planar Chaos updates. Also Vista problems, 1 account per person restrictions, changing links to threads archived by these boards.
12 Jun 2007: Future Sight updates.
06 Aug 2007: Tenth Edition updates.
02 Nov 2007: Lorwyn updates and other corrections.
15 Apr 2008: Major update for v2.5 to v3 transition. Also Morningtide, Extended and Commander updates and general clean-up. Added multiplayer formats. Started new thread (old thread)
21 Apr 2008: Minor additions filling in holes and added section on chat symbols and tags (New/Updated tags not reset).
12 Jul 2008: Shadowmoor updates, skin changer, other updates, removal of some now invalid questions.
25 Jan 2009: Many updates.
14 Jun 2009: Many updates.
21 Dec 2009: Many updates. Reformatted FAQ for new boards software
Middle click OR left click + right click OR + while during over -> Zoom on card -> Hide/show transparent chat box -> OK (same as clicking [OK] button) -> Removes all auto-yields and cancel previous pressed F4/F6/F8. (Can again be used when you do not have priority, or right click on the play area and select "Remove auto-yields", which is identically functional to F3.) -> Pass priority until something is on the stack (Yield until EOT as long as nothing happens). (Can again be used when you do not have priority.) -> Lets you briefly look at face-down cards you control.
Yeah, the new boards killed the formatting and I haven't had a chance to fix it yet
and <q> at the same time, followed by another key. 
