If you want to play casually modern is okay but if you're going competitive it's probably more expensive than most standard decks.
A standard deck is usually the cheapest thing short term. Long term if you want to play standard nonstop it is by far the most expensive format though, as you have to buy a bunch of new standard cards whenever a set is released. Whereas in legacy and modern to an extent most new cards aren't playable/you don't have to buy them.
I stress that you always look up prices for trading before you finalize a trade. There are some who really want to gain value out there by trading say a voice of resurgence for a taiga.
Legacy is basically old extended. Turn 1 kills are very rare. I play storm combo in legacy/a deck that is capable of killing the opponent on turn 1, and I kill someone on turn 1 maybe once a tournament if I'm lucky.
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"Yawgmoth," Freyalise whispered as she set the bomb, "now you will pay for your treachery."
My suggestion, if you are interested in getting into Modern, is to pickup the shock lands that they reprinted in Return to Ravnica and Gatecrash. They are staples for a modern mana base and they dropped in price and will stay down for the next few weeks until the new set, Theros, is released and impacts standard.
I also returned after a ten year break, so I know exactly how you feel and how overwhelming things might seem. Expect to encounter plenty of new mechanics, new card types, oracle text changes, erratas, various rule changes, new mana symbols, previously unimaginable abilities and interactions, and much more.
For now just have fun, browse through the cards set by set, learn how to use the Gatherer search engine, familiarize yourself with the staples and popular decks in various formats, prices, and the banned lists, then pick one (of more) format(s)to play and invest in. If you plan to play legacy again, having duals gives you a great foundation to start with, but definitely be prepared to spend lots of money if you want your deck(s) to be competitive.
Personally I think you should go through your cards and build some edh decks and/or a cube for starters with which you can use to play casually with friends.
Before getting into standard, modern, or legacy constructed, I highly recommend going to a few drafts or pre-release sealed deck events because limited is the best way to test your card evaluation skills and play on an even playing field.
Also, expect to see "power creep" because creatures are much stronger on average than you remember them.
Lastly, a good way to rebuild your collection at a significant discount is to check out a couple garage sales or browse Craigslist and similar sites because you can often find large lots of cards for a small fraction of what they'd otherwise cost you at an lgs.
A very respected, well-informed and well substantiated opinion. Bravo. Reporting this just in case it is against a rule or another (which it frankly should be.)
LOL! Why would that post bother you? As far as I'm concerned, anyone who limits themselves exclusively to standard is only punishing themselves. Granted some people simply don't have the curiosity or capacity to understand and play other formats well.
Anyhow, the best I can come up with myself is a game in the top 8 of a PTQ back during Urza block in which we were starting game 3 with time already expired, so the tiebreaker rule was that whoever had more life after 3 turns would win. And I lost to... healing salve.
Well I live in northeast Pa. I don't think there is a legacy community within a half hour drive, definitely not a local one. The local shop is mostly draft/ standard for FNM. They are starting up modern so hopefully the scene has some people.
While NEPA is a vague enough region, I'm there, too, and the store I go to (Jupiter Games in Vestal, NY) seems to have a decent sized Legacy crowd.
Don't know if that helps at all, might be too far for you for general playing. But if you do get into Legacy at all they do hold a big weekend (Saturday I think?) event every month or two with large prizes. I'm not sure on the timing because I don't play Legacy myself.
Playing Limited is inexpensive, arguably more fun, and you'll play with a ton more cards that you would end up passing by if you were to play constructed. Plus, it is a good way to build up your collection.
Play Limited for a year, amassing the current block being released (Theros) and then when the next set comes out in 2014, you should be ready to start playing Standard. You would have amassed a fairly decent collection by then and should be able to partake in Standard with no problems. But playing catch-up with all of RTR block might be a little difficult.
1. Don't sell off any of your old collection just yet.
2. Try to play some casual pick up games at the card shop. A lot has changed with Magic in the past 10 years with terminology and rules. You don't want to burn money on a tournament when you thought things worked one way but now it's a different way.
3. Move to limited next. Limited is a great way to build up your collection while playing the game.
4. From here, get into whatever the Magic scene is in your area. It will most likely be limited/standard.
5. If you don't like the current Magic scene, try to create a new one or find a different shop that caters to your needs.
I would follow these steps while watching matches like SCG Feeds or the pro tour stuff.
Congrats on returning and hope you have lots of fun!
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EDH/Commander
Olivia Voldaren
Sigarda, Host of Herons
Jor Kadeen, the Prevailer
Jhoira of the Ghitu
Jarad, Golgari Lich Lord
Edric, Spymaster of Trest
Grand Arbiter Augustin IV
Rosheen Meanderer
Ghost Council of Orzhova
Vela the Night-Clad
This makes no sense, in the future shocklands cannot but go down in price
That really depends on how often they get reprinted. As Legacy slowly stops growing under the weight of card availability issues (like Vintage before it), modern may replace it as the non-rotating format of choice. In that scenario the demand for shocks will rise and the price will go up until they are reprinted again. It'll take several more rounds of reprints before the market is saturated with shocks and the price drops. I think that shocks are a good medium-term investment.
Part of the reason Legacy took off was Tempest, Urza's block, and Masques rotating out of Extended. Old school players wanted a format to play their fun cards that wasn't Vintage (type one). If you are an old school Extended player who loved Urza's block, I think you might find Standard and Modern underwhelming. Both formats are very creature centric with no LD or prison, nothing recognizable as control, and no fast combo. If Legacy is played in your area, this will be your format. If not, consider relocating!
Part of the reason Legacy took off was Tempest, Urza's block, and Masques rotating out of Extended. Old school players wanted a format to play their fun cards that wasn't Vintage (type one). If you are an old school Extended player who loved Urza's block, I think you might find Standard and Modern underwhelming. Both formats are very creature centric with no LD or prison, nothing recognizable as control, and no fast combo. If Legacy is played in your area, this will be your format. If not, consider relocating!
Best of luck and welcome back!
Urza's block was insane! Unfortunately I was so new to the game and very young at the time to see all the madness in standard. I did learn and started really getting into Extended, it was by far my favorite.
Doing more reading, Legacy really is like the new Extended. I mistook legacy for vintage.
So I made some decisions! I am getting into modern, started getting a Tron deck together. There is a local shop that holds modern and another 45 minutes away.
If magic is still as fun as I remember it being, I will get into Legacy also. TES/ANT looks like a super fun combo deck.
I will be moving to San Diego next year. I wonder how the legacy/Magic scene is out there.
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A standard deck is usually the cheapest thing short term. Long term if you want to play standard nonstop it is by far the most expensive format though, as you have to buy a bunch of new standard cards whenever a set is released. Whereas in legacy and modern to an extent most new cards aren't playable/you don't have to buy them.
I stress that you always look up prices for trading before you finalize a trade. There are some who really want to gain value out there by trading say a voice of resurgence for a taiga.
Legacy is basically old extended. Turn 1 kills are very rare. I play storm combo in legacy/a deck that is capable of killing the opponent on turn 1, and I kill someone on turn 1 maybe once a tournament if I'm lucky.
Currently Playing:
Retired
My suggestion, if you are interested in getting into Modern, is to pickup the shock lands that they reprinted in Return to Ravnica and Gatecrash. They are staples for a modern mana base and they dropped in price and will stay down for the next few weeks until the new set, Theros, is released and impacts standard.
Infraction issued for troll/flame baiting and adding nothing to the discussion. -Xen
Though I'll put it in a small font.
Please stop hijacking my reply box.
I also returned after a ten year break, so I know exactly how you feel and how overwhelming things might seem. Expect to encounter plenty of new mechanics, new card types, oracle text changes, erratas, various rule changes, new mana symbols, previously unimaginable abilities and interactions, and much more.
For now just have fun, browse through the cards set by set, learn how to use the Gatherer search engine, familiarize yourself with the staples and popular decks in various formats, prices, and the banned lists, then pick one (of more) format(s)to play and invest in. If you plan to play legacy again, having duals gives you a great foundation to start with, but definitely be prepared to spend lots of money if you want your deck(s) to be competitive.
Personally I think you should go through your cards and build some edh decks and/or a cube for starters with which you can use to play casually with friends.
Before getting into standard, modern, or legacy constructed, I highly recommend going to a few drafts or pre-release sealed deck events because limited is the best way to test your card evaluation skills and play on an even playing field.
Also, expect to see "power creep" because creatures are much stronger on average than you remember them.
Lastly, a good way to rebuild your collection at a significant discount is to check out a couple garage sales or browse Craigslist and similar sites because you can often find large lots of cards for a small fraction of what they'd otherwise cost you at an lgs.
Good luck!
LOL! Why would that post bother you? As far as I'm concerned, anyone who limits themselves exclusively to standard is only punishing themselves. Granted some people simply don't have the curiosity or capacity to understand and play other formats well.
While NEPA is a vague enough region, I'm there, too, and the store I go to (Jupiter Games in Vestal, NY) seems to have a decent sized Legacy crowd.
Don't know if that helps at all, might be too far for you for general playing. But if you do get into Legacy at all they do hold a big weekend (Saturday I think?) event every month or two with large prizes. I'm not sure on the timing because I don't play Legacy myself.
Though I'll put it in a small font.
Please stop hijacking my reply box.
(Also known as Xenphire)
I found out The Encounter in allentown runs a legacy on mondays but its about an hours drive!
Seriously, what Kantra said.
Playing Limited is inexpensive, arguably more fun, and you'll play with a ton more cards that you would end up passing by if you were to play constructed. Plus, it is a good way to build up your collection.
Play Limited for a year, amassing the current block being released (Theros) and then when the next set comes out in 2014, you should be ready to start playing Standard. You would have amassed a fairly decent collection by then and should be able to partake in Standard with no problems. But playing catch-up with all of RTR block might be a little difficult.
1. Don't sell off any of your old collection just yet.
2. Try to play some casual pick up games at the card shop. A lot has changed with Magic in the past 10 years with terminology and rules. You don't want to burn money on a tournament when you thought things worked one way but now it's a different way.
3. Move to limited next. Limited is a great way to build up your collection while playing the game.
4. From here, get into whatever the Magic scene is in your area. It will most likely be limited/standard.
5. If you don't like the current Magic scene, try to create a new one or find a different shop that caters to your needs.
I would follow these steps while watching matches like SCG Feeds or the pro tour stuff.
Congrats on returning and hope you have lots of fun!
Standard
Modern
Living End Combo
Legacy
T.E.S.
TezzAffinity
Combo Elves
Belcher
Forgemaster Combo
High Tide
Solidarity
Merfolk
Burn
Goblins
UnLEDed Dredge
EDH/Commander
Olivia Voldaren
Sigarda, Host of Herons
Jor Kadeen, the Prevailer
Jhoira of the Ghitu
Jarad, Golgari Lich Lord
Edric, Spymaster of Trest
Grand Arbiter Augustin IV
Rosheen Meanderer
Ghost Council of Orzhova
Vela the Night-Clad
That really depends on how often they get reprinted. As Legacy slowly stops growing under the weight of card availability issues (like Vintage before it), modern may replace it as the non-rotating format of choice. In that scenario the demand for shocks will rise and the price will go up until they are reprinted again. It'll take several more rounds of reprints before the market is saturated with shocks and the price drops. I think that shocks are a good medium-term investment.
Best of luck and welcome back!
https://fieldmarshalshandbook.wordpress.com/
RUGLegacy Lands.dec
RUGBLegacy Lands.dec
RGLegacy Lands.dec
WUBRG EDH Lands.dec
UBR EDH Artificer Prodigy
B EDH Relentless Rats
Urza's block was insane! Unfortunately I was so new to the game and very young at the time to see all the madness in standard. I did learn and started really getting into Extended, it was by far my favorite.
Doing more reading, Legacy really is like the new Extended. I mistook legacy for vintage.
So I made some decisions! I am getting into modern, started getting a Tron deck together. There is a local shop that holds modern and another 45 minutes away.
If magic is still as fun as I remember it being, I will get into Legacy also. TES/ANT looks like a super fun combo deck.
I will be moving to San Diego next year. I wonder how the legacy/Magic scene is out there.