Poll: Magic the gathering: VG&Pref

[viranimus]

Two subjects, one short lived, one for long term discussion value.

After a lengthy absence Ive found myself becoming interested in Magic the gathering again. I played originally back when it first came out and during its first reboot period in the late 90s.

Short term: Even in reviewing it I am having trouble differentiating between Magic:TG Online and Magic:TG Duel of the planeswalkers 2012.
http://store.steampowered.com/app/49470/
Is there something different between them? Which is better? Hell I guess you can include magic: Tactics in with this.

Long term: What sorts of decks do you favor? Poll included, but feel free to discuss pros and cons. Thank you.

 

[Elamdri]

Two subjects, one short lived, one for long term discussion value.

After a lengthy absence Ive found myself becoming interested in Magic the gathering again. I played originally back when it first came out and during its first reboot period in the late 90s.

Short term: Even in reviewing it I am having trouble differentiating between Magic:TG Online and Magic:TG Duel of the planeswalkers 2012.
http://store.steampowered.com/app/49470/
Is there something different between them? Which is better? Hell I guess you can include magic: Tactics in with this.

Long term: What sorts of decks do you favor? Poll included, but feel free to discuss pros and cons. Thank you.

Duals of the Plainswalkers is pretty much exactly Magic:TG but on a computer. The only thing I don't like about it is that you have to use pre-built decks and the interface takes some getting used to (Which can suck when you start because if you screw up a move because you didn't know what a button did, you can loose the game) but it's pretty forgivable. It's actually a good way to learn. I don't know much about Magic:TG Online except it's much older. I think Duals might be it's replacement, not sure.

I play blue because, well quite frankly, having friends is overrated. Also, have you seen THIS:

Spoiler: Avacyn Restored Spoiler

 

[Tethalaki]

Even in reviewing it I am having trouble differentiating between Magic:TG Online and Magic:TG Duel of the planeswalkers 2012.
http://store.steampowered.com/app/49470/

Magic: Online (MTGO) is very much paper Magic but online.

A short comparision between Duels of the Planeswalkers (DotP) and MTGO:

• * MTGO is online and multiplayer only, there is no AI.
  * MTGO has basically every card from Invasion (printed in 2000) on wards, compared to the very limited card pool that DotP has.
  * You have to buy boosters (with actual money) or trade cards to get more cards in MTGO.
  * MTGO supports multiple formats (Standard, Modern and Casual being the main three); it also supports Sealed and Draft events.

These are the main differences; though there are other things (i.e; online PTQs, MTGO World Cup, more multiplayer/casual formats, ect).

As for what I play: I'll play basically anything. Currently laying around I've got a Blue/Black Control deck, Blue/Black Zombies, a Birthing Pod deck (White, Green, Red), Modern Splinter Twin (Blue, Red) and Modern Caw Blade (Blue, White) and the pre-made Fire and Lightning premium deck (Red).

 

[RedEyesBlackGamer]

Spoiler: Avacyn Restored Spoiler

I don't see that being all that good. It is being severely over-hyped. Most of the time, it is just going to be an Explore [http://gatherer.wizards.com/pages/card/Details.aspx?multiverseid=201578], other times it is dead in your hand.
OP: MGO Online has way more cards, you play against actual people, it can be a serious monetary investment. I've heard that it is inexpensive for occasional, casual play.
DoTP is a great way to get re/introduced to the game, but has limited play value as all the decks are pre-made and AI opponents can only do so much.
I just started playing two months ago, but I find myself drawn toward Red. Super-aggressive- Bolt-to-the-face-happy-fun-time seems like a good way to play.

 

[Elamdri]

Spoiler: Avacyn Restored Spoiler

I don't see that being all that good. It is being severely over-hyped. Most of the time, it is just going to be an Explore [http://gatherer.wizards.com/pages/card/Details.aspx?multiverseid=201578], other times it is dead in your hand.

Except that it isn't just about getting another draw and land, it's about being able to take a whole extra turn, so basically getting two uses out of your resources. Explore doesn't untap all your permanents.

 

[Crises^]

Spoiler: Avacyn Restored Spoiler

I don't see that being all that good. It is being severely over-hyped. Most of the time, it is just going to be an Explore [http://gatherer.wizards.com/pages/card/Details.aspx?multiverseid=201578], other times it is dead in your hand.

Except that it isn't just about getting another draw and land, it's about being able to take a whole extra turn, so basically getting two uses out of your resources. Explore doesn't untap all your permanents.

Its not that that good standard yet until there is more library fixing, but with my sensie diving top control deck its a god send.

The card is going to be broken apart in legacy because of top and brainstom.

 

[RedEyesBlackGamer]

Spoiler: Avacyn Restored Spoiler

I don't see that being all that good. It is being severely over-hyped. Most of the time, it is just going to be an Explore [http://gatherer.wizards.com/pages/card/Details.aspx?multiverseid=201578], other times it is dead in your hand.

Except that it isn't just about getting another draw and land, it's about being able to take a whole extra turn, so basically getting two uses out of your resources. Explore doesn't untap all your permanents.

http://www.channelfireball.com/articles/owens-a-win-of-miracles/
It may be fun in casual play, but it is a dud for competitive play. I called it an Explore because this is a likely scenario,
A person draws it Turn 3, plays it then just puts down an extra land and could play a 4-drop. That person sped up the game by a turn, not game-breaking. Particularly not when you are staring at two copies of it opening hand and have to mulligan. A card based around topdecking is never going to be reliable on a consistent basis. Everyone is talking about what happens when you topdeck it, but the reality is that it will be a dead card a lot of the time.

 

[Elamdri]

Spoiler: Avacyn Restored Spoiler

I don't see that being all that good. It is being severely over-hyped. Most of the time, it is just going to be an Explore [http://gatherer.wizards.com/pages/card/Details.aspx?multiverseid=201578], other times it is dead in your hand.

Except that it isn't just about getting another draw and land, it's about being able to take a whole extra turn, so basically getting two uses out of your resources. Explore doesn't untap all your permanents.

http://www.channelfireball.com/articles/owens-a-win-of-miracles/
It may be fun in casual play, but it is a dud for competitive play. I called it an Explore because this is a likely scenario,
A person draws it Turn 3, plays it then just puts down an extra land and could play a 4-drop. That person sped up the game by a turn, not game-breaking. Particularly not when you are staring at two copies of it opening hand and have to mulligan. A card based around topdecking is never going to be reliable on a consistent basis. Everyone is talking about what happens when you topdeck it, but the reality is that it will be a dead card a lot of the time.

I trust blue's ability to dicker with the library enough that it will see competitive play.

 

[RedEyesBlackGamer]

Spoiler: Avacyn Restored Spoiler

I don't see that being all that good. It is being severely over-hyped. Most of the time, it is just going to be an Explore [http://gatherer.wizards.com/pages/card/Details.aspx?multiverseid=201578], other times it is dead in your hand.

Except that it isn't just about getting another draw and land, it's about being able to take a whole extra turn, so basically getting two uses out of your resources. Explore doesn't untap all your permanents.

http://www.channelfireball.com/articles/owens-a-win-of-miracles/
It may be fun in casual play, but it is a dud for competitive play. I called it an Explore because this is a likely scenario,
A person draws it Turn 3, plays it then just puts down an extra land and could play a 4-drop. That person sped up the game by a turn, not game-breaking. Particularly not when you are staring at two copies of it opening hand and have to mulligan. A card based around topdecking is never going to be reliable on a consistent basis. Everyone is talking about what happens when you topdeck it, but the reality is that it will be a dead card a lot of the time.

I trust blue's ability to dicker with the library enough that it will see competitive play.

Legacy? Sure. But it will not see play in Standard.

 

[Sethzard]

I normally play black blue, partially because there is little that pisses people off more that a deck which normally has answers to everything.
Also the main difference is that MTG:O is basically mtg in computer form, with you paying for boosters as normal, and DOTP is a micro version which doesn't feature deck building, but is a lot of fun and good for beginners to learn.

 

[Tallim]

MtGO all the way. If you know how to play then it is so much better to be able to properly build your own decks and for the most part it is pretty inexpensive to be competitive, the trick is to not buy boosters and just buy event tickets which you then trade for the cards you want with the sell bots.

As for Temporal Mastery as a card, it's ok but not in standard as there isn't enough library manipulation to make it anything less than a lucky draw if it is useful. I can see it being useful in legacy games though, Library Of Leng (or similar) could really help with the miracle mechanic.

EDIT: Didn't answer the other question. I play a lot of different decks but I tend to gravitate towards Green/Black or Green/Blue. I can't stand playing Red, it just seems cheap (not saying it isn't valid but I just don't enjoy it much)

 

[Bertylicious]

I play blue because, well quite frankly, having friends is overrated. Also, have you seen THIS:

Spoiler: Avacyn Restored Spoiler

I don't play magic much, but a mate of mine has a legacy reanimator deck with dark ritual that can basically win on the 2nd turn. It is no fun to play against, espcially when he lays down Iona and tells you can no longer play any of the cards in your hand.

I get the impression that most legacy decks, properly competetive legacy decks, need to win on the 2nd or 3rd turn so drawing that would basically guarentee you the game.

 

[viranimus]

Honestly if you want to play some magic either go with MTGO or physical cards.

Yeah I agree. Im primarily asking this because I still have all my cards (round about 2000 physical cards) and Im considering playing again. Ive bought DOTP to find it an enjoyable way of reintroducing and practicing against both AI and real players, but I wanted to hone my skills before buying new cards, and find a place locally where I can actually play (small town syndrome) and dont want to spend a lot in an online product if it has limitations which DOTP seemingly does have. Such as I Cannot stand how it does not allow you to decide which lands get tapped on usage and does a very bad job at automatically doing it.

Anyway, I used to play typically dual decks or tri decks. Tri decks are risky especially when you get stuck from land shortages. Usually ill go with combinations of Mountains/swamps (IE red for zerg rush, Black for magic) Or Forests/Mount/Island (green for heavy tanks, Red for intital zerg rush, Blue for gimmicky magic.)

Although in this DOTP, it has me running a Plains/Swamps deck which I am starting to appreciate the cards that are centric to it (IE angels and demons)

 

[Macgyvercas]

I usually run Red/Black or Blue/Red. I have a Red/Black Vampire deck for standard, and a Red/Blue deck for modern. I'm also working on Red/Blue and Blue/Black Faeries for modern and a Blue/Black Faeries deck for vintage/legacy because I have a strong desire to lose friends. I'm also preety good with White decks. And Green can go fuck itself.

 

[Paladin2905]

I strongly prefer the couple white/black decks I made back when I played in the late nineties and early 00s. The reason for this was several shared creature types that interacted well together; the best example is clerics/zombies.

I haven't played in a while, so I don't know if the newer cards still have these abilities, but the cleric white/black deck had a slew of health draining, reinforcing, resurrecting and destroying mechanics that interchangeably worked with both the white and black creatures. Not the brute force of a green or red, but certainly fun to play.

 

[RJ 17]

Two subjects, one short lived, one for long term discussion value.

After a lengthy absence Ive found myself becoming interested in Magic the gathering again. I played originally back when it first came out and during its first reboot period in the late 90s.

Short term: Even in reviewing it I am having trouble differentiating between Magic:TG Online and Magic:TG Duel of the planeswalkers 2012.
http://store.steampowered.com/app/49470/
Is there something different between them? Which is better? Hell I guess you can include magic: Tactics in with this.

Long term: What sorts of decks do you favor? Poll included, but feel free to discuss pros and cons. Thank you.

Not certain if you're talking about what I'm think of with Magic Online, but that's like...official. You buy packs with real money, build your own decks, play in tournaments, etc. It's much more "realistic" than Duels 2012, in that you're actually making your deck with your own money rather than playing with a bunch of preconstructed decks.

As such, they both have their pros and cons.

Duels: You know what you're going up against, you know what to be expecting from each deck and each deck (with a few exceptions) are really pretty damn good. However the shuffling in that game is absolutely atrocious. If you have 4 or more lands in your starting hand: you'll draw nothing but land for the next 8 turns. If you have 3 or less, chances are you're not going to be drawing land for a long time. I'm not saying getting mana screwed/mana drown doesn't happen in real life, it most certainly does. However it happens WWWAAAYYY too often in Duels. Another drawback is that you can't build your own decks and most people like that kind of control over their playing.

Magic Online: Really the only bad thing is that it can become incredibly addicting and just absolutely melt a hole in your wallet. As I said: you're actually buying cards with your own real money. This grants you as much customization options as there are in real life. And I think the way it works is that if you manage to get at least 1 of each card in an entire set, you can order that set and they'll send you a copy of all the cards you have for you to use in real life. You can join draft and sealed deck tournaments as well as more standard format tournaments. Really it's like being able to play REAL magic any time you want...as I said, just don't go crazy with yourself and spend all your rent money on magic cards.

As for my personal taste in decks, I tend to try and go for speed. My most recent "holy shit I love this frickin' deck!" was a White-Weenie/Equipment deck built with a mix of Mirrodin and Eldrazi blocks. Lotta Kor creatures from the Eldrazi blocks, lotta bad-ass equipment from the Mirrodin blocks. It's fast and doesn't take long before one of my little 1/2 slap-dicks becomes a 11/12 prot blue/black/white/red that mills 10, gets me a 2/2 wolf token, heals me while doing direct damage to my opponent, and every time it attacks I get to destroy a permanent (Sword of War and Peace, Sword of Mind and Body, Argentum Armor). Then just for fun I've got 4 Phyrexian Rebirths in the deck as well as a couple Bone Hoard living equipments. Annnnnd 2 of the "new" Elspeths with one "new" Gideon. :3

 

[Vardermir]

I play blue because, well quite frankly, having friends is overrated. Also, have you seen THIS:

Spoiler: Avacyn Restored Spoiler

I don't play magic much, but a mate of mine has a legacy reanimator deck with dark ritual that can basically win on the 2nd turn. It is no fun to play against, espcially when he lays down Iona and tells you can no longer play any of the cards in your hand.

I get the impression that most legacy decks, properly competetive legacy decks, need to win on the 2nd or 3rd turn so drawing that would basically guarentee you the game.

As a primarily legacy player, turns 1-3 are extremely important, but that doesn't mean games can't last longer. Against a deck like Reanimator, its just vital that you have some form of graveyard hate. Its pretty easy to beat someone when you keep exiling all their graveyard and they never actually play anything .

I play a bunch of different decks, but almost all of them have at least a splash of green, mostly for mana acceleration. Turn 1 Emrakul? Yes please

 

[Doomhammer828]

Although in this DOTP, it has me running a Plains/Swamps deck which I am starting to appreciate the cards that are centric to it (IE angels and demons)

The new set that comes out in a couple weeks is actually focused on angels and demons.

Wait, they are releasing another new one? Good lord, didn't the last one just come out in February?

Yep, they release four a year. They come out around February, May, July, and October.

Ah okay, I would hate to be one of those guys who collector every single card from every single release. It would suck >.<

I know one of those guys! He usually just gets the one of every card set from StarCitygames.com so it isn't that bad.
Also Avacyn Restored is shaping up to be a bad set, their are far to many insanely overpowered cards and many cards snap EDH in half, such as Avacyn, Griselbrand, and Gisela
Favorite deck type Blue/Red, new deck that i'm working on, update of U/R Vore for Modern

 

[viranimus]

However the shuffling in that game is absolutely atrocious. If you have 4 or more lands in your starting hand: you'll draw nothing but land for the next 8 turns. If you have 3 or less, chances are you're not going to be drawing land for a long time. I'm not saying getting mana screwed/mana drown doesn't happen in real life, it most certainly does. However it happens WWWAAAYYY too often in Duels. Another drawback is that you can't build your own decks and most people like that kind of control over their playing.

Appreciate the assessment. I fully agree, Duels is shit for deck distribution. And yes, I find myself highly dissatisfied with pre built decks. Im thinking Ill eventually move to MTGO because I dont think theres enough people who play locally to have a lot of fun playing f2f. Only problem with that is theres too much competition and get pounded heavily even by casuals who have ample time/investment in their builds.

 

[RJ 17]

However the shuffling in that game is absolutely atrocious. If you have 4 or more lands in your starting hand: you'll draw nothing but land for the next 8 turns. If you have 3 or less, chances are you're not going to be drawing land for a long time. I'm not saying getting mana screwed/mana drown doesn't happen in real life, it most certainly does. However it happens WWWAAAYYY too often in Duels. Another drawback is that you can't build your own decks and most people like that kind of control over their playing.

Appreciate the assessment. I fully agree, Duels is shit for deck distribution. And yes, I find myself highly dissatisfied with pre built decks. Im thinking Ill eventually move to MTGO because I dont think theres enough people who play locally to have a lot of fun playing f2f. Only problem with that is theres too much competition and get pounded heavily even by casuals who have ample time/investment in their builds.

Don't get me wrong, Duels 2012 is still a fun game if you've got some friends to mess around with. Some of the decks are just a lot of fun to use. For instance, they've got this Zombie deck that is just ridiculous, they've got a white knight deck in which almost all the creatures have First Strike...and there's 3 Knight Exemplars (think that's what it's called), a 2/2 non-legendary Knight that gives all OTHER knights +1/+1 and indestructibility. This means if you get 2 of them out, your entire army is officially indestructible. There's also a deck built heavily around enchantments...that deck is one of my personal favorites, actually. :3

As for MTGO, it really isn't that bad. The most fun I have with it are doing the Sealed Deck/Draft tournaments...particularly the Drafts as that makes your odds even better. You won't be going up against people who have bought all the cards necessary to make one of the current top 10 decks as you'll encounter in most standard tournaments. With Drafts and Sealed, everyone is picking from fresh booster packs from which they have to build a deck right there on the spot. REALLY helps make things fun and fair.

That said, there's still "oh that's just fucking lame" moments in a Draft when you go up against someone who managed to get 2 frickin' planeswalkers or something.

So yeah, as far as MTGO vs Duels, I'd say they serve 2 different purposes. "REAL" magic players probably won't have much fun in Duels since there's very little control over your own deck, however more casual/light players can have fun in Duels since it's very simplified annnnnd if you download the actual expansion (and not the mini-ones that just give you a couple more decks), you actually get to play as the Arch Enemy in Arch Enemy games....and that's just all kinds of fun. Especially when you get a Scheme card that lets you bust out Ulamog on your first turn. :3