To preface, I started taking this game seriously around DKA, but learned it when Mirrodin came out, and had experience in other trading card games for much longer.
So consistently, when I play in FNM/other local tournaments (I play Modern as well), I go 2-2. (Or 2-1-1, depending on my matchups) Yes, that's okay, and sometimes can get me money, but for the most part, it's just average. Literally middle of the pack.
I don't know what to attribute this to though. I run lower tier decks in both Standard and Modern, because of budget constraints, but feel like I have a mastery over them. However, there's this niggling feeling that I'm not doing well because I'm just not good at this game.
How can I differentiate between the impact my deck choice has on my performance and the impact my ability to play the game has? More succinctly, how can I tell how good I am at this game?
Play a deck that takes a high skill level to pilot and play it.
If you still go 2-2 over the course of a few weeks, then your a decent player in my mind....
TBH, there really is no way I can think of to measure. Its one of those, you know your good when your on top (SCG open or GP)
the thing is, with constant results of 2-2 and even 2-1 (i dont count draws) this means you're better than average while still on the lower tier budget decks.. If you had the expendable budget to afford the higher caliber cards, i'd assume your rankings would further increase as well.
This game isn't JUST about skill anymore, it's about skill, luck and Budget. This is at least what i've seen as i've watched this game evolve from it's very roots (been playing since May 93) So budget is now just as important as skill and playing ability.
From what i've seen, the game seems to divide itself into a balance of skill/$/luck.
Skill 40-50%, Luck 20-30%, Budget (even as miniscule as it is) 10-20% but it still has a huge impact on the tier/league/ect that you're participating in.
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Ravarshi Kashaku, Ancient Dragon of the Darkened Realms;
The Merciless Lord of Torture, Permanently Bound To: ">[THE PACK] 11/5/63 - 11/25/09 Goodbye mom, i'll always love you...
The thing is...skill level is bight subjective. If you play at a very casual lgs then a 2-2 might be pretty poor. If you play at a lgs where a lot of pros/high level grinders play then 2-2 is really really good.
This is one of the biggest reason I miss the ELO ranking system. It wasn't perfect but it did have some uses
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Current Decks
Standard BEtched Champion/InfectB WSoilders/knightsW WUVenser SplicerWU RRDWR GFeed the Pack comboG WUPool of ExhaustionWU
EDH GEzuri, Elf OverrunG BGeth, GraverobberB UThada Adel, ThiefU RUrabrask, Big RedR WElesh Norn, CrusadeW WUGAngus Makenzie, Bant ControlWUG
Its pretty hard to say how good someone is based off FNM records. If have gotten to the point where you don't get angry when people point out what you are doing wrong and start taking it as constructive criticism then you are on the path to becoming a good magic player. I feel like all good players at some point go through this phase where you have to really critically look at how you do things in Magic and realize your game needs a lot of work and that your playing could probably always be better.
Aside from that, unless your LGS has a strong mix of a few pros/grinders, it seems like you would be an above average player as you are breaking even with budget decks. If you are doing this against strong LGS competition then you are probably quite good, as taking down veteran magic players with lower tier/budget decks is not easy.
One more good way to gauge how good you are is to see how often you can win games that you have no business winning (mull to 5 or less, beating nut draws, fighting out of opponents soft locks, beatings your terrible match up). Even if your doing this against average players, this means that you are doing something that sets you aside from everyone else.
Finally, drafting in non-bomby formats (so non trip AVR draft) and winning consistently is a decent way to see how good you are. This can also be tricky though as it can be really easy to blast through a draft with inexperienced drafters.
If you can get some decent friends together (one that are decent at magic I mean), build a proxied gauntlet and take turns playing them to get an idea of the decks.
Its hard to gauge if you are good at this game or not. A pro is a pro but distinguishing people who play well are a bit trickier once you cut out obvious mistakes. The suggestion to take a skill intensive deck isn't a bad one but try different types.
So consistently, when I play in FNM/other local tournaments (I play Modern as well), I go 2-2. (Or 2-1-1, depending on my matchups) Yes, that's okay, and sometimes can get me money, but for the most part, it's just average. Literally middle of the pack.
FNM, unless your LGS is where PT players playtest, doesn't count. FNM is a venue that, well, some people would say a more relaxed setting, a time to test oddball decks and to socialize, rather than playing to win.
Go play in a larger venue. I'd say PTQ, GP, or regionals at the minimum. When (large and prestigious) prizes are at stake, people tend to do play to the best of their ability.
How can I differentiate between the impact my deck choice has on my performance and the impact my ability to play the game has? More succinctly, how can I tell how good I am at this game?
Go play limited, where everyone spends the same amount on money on packs. Test yourself in the limited format against players you know are goodm or at least better than you. As mentioned above, non-bomby formats (where you can't go "oh I opened X! If I draw it, I win!" is best.
It should be noted that if you're having problems with cash to buy cards, you might also have a problem going to GPs and PTQs on a regular basis. Playing magic is about resources. Not just money, but time, and the social network to find good players to play against/borrow cards from.
How can I differentiate between the impact my deck choice has on my performance and the impact my ability to play the game has? More succinctly, how can I tell how good I am at this game?
I tried this one time. Get a friend who is willing to help and two decks that do pretty evenly against each other. Record everything as you play, right down to what cards each player draws. After the game reset the game and play with open hands and as per the record. Both of you will see some mistakes that you or the other had made during the game.
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Why do I like posting in lists:
1. It allows me to express multiple thoughts without a need to write an essay or make multiple posts. 2. I tend to have multiple thoughts at the same time. 3. Having the right first opinion is sometimes more glorious than having a grammatically correct second opinion. 4. It allows you as a reader to pick out the most erroneous point and counter-comment, allowing you the chance to express an opinion and look like a sensible person when I sound like a dummy.
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So consistently, when I play in FNM/other local tournaments (I play Modern as well), I go 2-2. (Or 2-1-1, depending on my matchups) Yes, that's okay, and sometimes can get me money, but for the most part, it's just average. Literally middle of the pack.
I don't know what to attribute this to though. I run lower tier decks in both Standard and Modern, because of budget constraints, but feel like I have a mastery over them. However, there's this niggling feeling that I'm not doing well because I'm just not good at this game.
How can I differentiate between the impact my deck choice has on my performance and the impact my ability to play the game has? More succinctly, how can I tell how good I am at this game?
If you still go 2-2 over the course of a few weeks, then your a decent player in my mind....
TBH, there really is no way I can think of to measure. Its one of those, you know your good when your on top (SCG open or GP)
540 Peasant cube- Gold EditionSomething Spicy| Ad Nauseam
| Infect
Big Johnny.
This game isn't JUST about skill anymore, it's about skill, luck and Budget. This is at least what i've seen as i've watched this game evolve from it's very roots (been playing since May 93) So budget is now just as important as skill and playing ability.
From what i've seen, the game seems to divide itself into a balance of skill/$/luck.
Skill 40-50%, Luck 20-30%, Budget (even as miniscule as it is) 10-20% but it still has a huge impact on the tier/league/ect that you're participating in.
The Merciless Lord of Torture, Permanently Bound To: ">[THE PACK] 11/5/63 - 11/25/09 Goodbye mom, i'll always love you...
Tibalt & His Devils vs. Avacyn's Inquisitors
My EDH decklists
This is one of the biggest reason I miss the ELO ranking system. It wasn't perfect but it did have some uses
BEtched Champion/InfectB
WSoilders/knightsW
WUVenser SplicerWU
RRDWR
GFeed the Pack comboG
WUPool of ExhaustionWU
EDH
GEzuri, Elf OverrunG
BGeth, GraverobberB
UThada Adel, ThiefU
RUrabrask, Big RedR
WElesh Norn, CrusadeW
WUGAngus Makenzie, Bant ControlWUG
Extended
WGElvesWG
Legacy
RGoblinsR
UBGFariesUBG
UBGRaffinityUBG
Aside from that, unless your LGS has a strong mix of a few pros/grinders, it seems like you would be an above average player as you are breaking even with budget decks. If you are doing this against strong LGS competition then you are probably quite good, as taking down veteran magic players with lower tier/budget decks is not easy.
One more good way to gauge how good you are is to see how often you can win games that you have no business winning (mull to 5 or less, beating nut draws, fighting out of opponents soft locks, beatings your terrible match up). Even if your doing this against average players, this means that you are doing something that sets you aside from everyone else.
Finally, drafting in non-bomby formats (so non trip AVR draft) and winning consistently is a decent way to see how good you are. This can also be tricky though as it can be really easy to blast through a draft with inexperienced drafters.
Standard - N/A
Modern - Infect, Scapeshift
Legacy - TES, High Tide
Its hard to gauge if you are good at this game or not. A pro is a pro but distinguishing people who play well are a bit trickier once you cut out obvious mistakes. The suggestion to take a skill intensive deck isn't a bad one but try different types.
FNM, unless your LGS is where PT players playtest, doesn't count. FNM is a venue that, well, some people would say a more relaxed setting, a time to test oddball decks and to socialize, rather than playing to win.
Go play in a larger venue. I'd say PTQ, GP, or regionals at the minimum. When (large and prestigious) prizes are at stake, people tend to do play to the best of their ability.
Go play limited, where everyone spends the same amount on money on packs. Test yourself in the limited format against players you know are goodm or at least better than you. As mentioned above, non-bomby formats (where you can't go "oh I opened X! If I draw it, I win!" is best.
It should be noted that if you're having problems with cash to buy cards, you might also have a problem going to GPs and PTQs on a regular basis. Playing magic is about resources. Not just money, but time, and the social network to find good players to play against/borrow cards from.
"Sometimes, the situation is outracing a threat, sometimes it's ignoring it, and sometimes it involves sideboarding in 4x Hope//Pray." --Doug Linn
I tried this one time. Get a friend who is willing to help and two decks that do pretty evenly against each other. Record everything as you play, right down to what cards each player draws. After the game reset the game and play with open hands and as per the record. Both of you will see some mistakes that you or the other had made during the game.
1. It allows me to express multiple thoughts without a need to write an essay or make multiple posts.
2. I tend to have multiple thoughts at the same time.
3. Having the right first opinion is sometimes more glorious than having a grammatically correct second opinion.
4. It allows you as a reader to pick out the most erroneous point and counter-comment, allowing you the chance to express an opinion and look like a sensible person when I sound like a dummy.