Hi, I've only recently started collecting and I'm having trouble finding a suitable place to learn the basics and practice for modern constructed. The only places available seem to be local FNM tournaments. Are these events suitable for beginners? It seems intimidating having to learn the game through competitive play. Anyone know any good starting points for new players trying to get into the game?
FNM is good. However, you should be open to all experiences.
Go to FNM, and try to make friends. Get a little playgroup together.
Are you in school? Surely there are groups in your school, college, or university. You just have to keep an eye out for them.
your local gaming shop will have someone playing if you hit it on the right day (usually a Friday or a Saturday)
Hell, even your local mall can have little gaming cliques.
Put an ad up at your local library (provided you are smart, meet in public, and never go off with anyone alone unless you have other people with you that you know and trust, or until you know them for months, and they pass the smell test)
The best way to learn is definitely MTGO (Online play), as the phases and technical sides of the game are right there for you every step of the way. Plus there is no intimidation factor that can come with walking into a room full of strangers. I have seen a bunch of new players get better in a hurry when they jump online and start practicing that way.
FNM is fine and fun, but not necessarily the best learning environment due to the competitive nature. Your opponents won't be looking to help you learn, won't point out your mistakes, won't be as likely to give you tips. But...playing in FNM can be a great way to meet good local players. Ideally you talk to them, tell them your situation, and try and get in on their non-tournament play/testing sessions. Most good players I know meet somewhat regularly to practice constructed, and it is in that kind of environment that you could really learn.
Power level, size of cardpool, cards from before I started playing.
Every time I have dipped my toe in the waters I have lost a leg.
~ Tim
Ahh, I see.
I speak from a time before what you know.
The variable card pool is precisely what is exciting about it.
I'm a legacy player. I routinely encounter force of wills, JTMS, Tarmogoyfs, etc.
I occasionally play vintage, and I confess, my lone mox is no match for most decks, but, it still can put up a good fight.
It sounds like your decks need tuning. Remember: Speed kills. Lower casting cost spells work. Strategy works, optimize your deck. You can play Standard in a Modern or even a Legacy environment, and win. You just have to pick up a few cards from the old days.
For example: Blue needs brainstorm. Black needs Dark Ritual. Red needs Lightning Bolt. etc etc etc.
FNM isn't really a tournament. As long as you have a good attitude, no one will mind that you are new/learning and most will likely be happy you are there and happy to explain stuff.
Our FNMs have a variety of players, some new, some experienced, some hardcore competitive and I'd imagine that is super typical.
FNM isn't considered competitive, however how competitive it is usually changes from shop shop with most stores having an amount of strong and weak players.
I think FNM are a good way to learn formats whatever they are. Most people get completely trashed at their first tournament and improve their deckbuilding skills. Tournaments are an excellent way to learn a format. Otherwise you can just proxy/buy ton of cards and practice against firends but it isn't the same.
I recommend Duels of the Planeswalkers for anyone just starting out with MTG. It teaches the rules and fundamentals of the game in a no-pressure environment (you don't have to worry about someone calling a judge on you for playing too slow). Magic Online is an option too, but I feel like the interface is off-putting and complicated to use in the beginning, so it's not optimal for someone new to MTG. Magic Online is very good for getting practice/building up skills though.
If you want to practice playing in real life, most stores have "casual" game time before FNM. Just show up to the store an hour or two before the tournament and ask if anyone wants to play a game for fun.
As for how serious the tournaments are, I second that it depends on the store atmosphere (how welcoming the employees and store regulars are, towards new players). I see you're in San Francisco; I've played at a couple of tournaments at Two Cats Comics in West Portal and I would recommend it. It's a small place, but it's clean, and the people there are pretty laid back.
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Focused on limited for now. Occasionally play some standard/modern as well.
If your concern is being able to practice playing Modern but you have the gist of the game itself down, you can always check out the various programs for online play in the Magic Software forum. While people online aren't always the nicest, you can always get a friend to play online with you from the convenience of him while you learn the basics through Magic Workstation, OCTGN3 or other programs.
How about you go to FNM but don't play in the event. Play people...
•before the event for fun
•during the event (between rounds)
•during the event (anyone who has a bye)
•after the event
•people who are there for fun
•people who scrubbed and dropped from the event
Hmm I guess I'll check the local game stores for casual games before events. I wanted to play magic online but I can't on a mac. It also seems like such a ripoff having to pay nearly the same amout for digital cards.
Hmm I guess I'll check the local game stores for casual games before events. I wanted to play magic online but I can't on a mac. It also seems like such a ripoff having to pay nearly the same amout for digital cards.
How about you go to FNM but don't play in the event. Play people...
•before the event for fun
•during the event (between rounds)
•during the event (anyone who has a bye)
•after the event
•people who are there for fun
•people who scrubbed and dropped from the event
This is a wonderful idea.
Then probably after playing like this, he will begin to thirst for the FNM level play, which isn't usually super competitive.
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Legacy - Sneak Show, BR Reanimator, Miracles, UW Stoneblade
Premodern - Trix, RecSur, Enchantress, Reanimator, Elves https://www.facebook.com/groups/PremodernUSA/ Modern - Neobrand, Hogaak Vine, Elves
Standard - Mono Red (6-2 and 5-3 in 2 McQ)
Draft - (I wish I had more time for limited...)
Commander - Norin the Wary, Grimgrin, Adun Oakenshield (taking forever to build) (dead format for me)
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Go to FNM, and try to make friends. Get a little playgroup together.
Are you in school? Surely there are groups in your school, college, or university. You just have to keep an eye out for them.
your local gaming shop will have someone playing if you hit it on the right day (usually a Friday or a Saturday)
Hell, even your local mall can have little gaming cliques.
Put an ad up at your local library (provided you are smart, meet in public, and never go off with anyone alone unless you have other people with you that you know and trust, or until you know them for months, and they pass the smell test)
There is no limit. Just keep your mind open.
FNM is fine and fun, but not necessarily the best learning environment due to the competitive nature. Your opponents won't be looking to help you learn, won't point out your mistakes, won't be as likely to give you tips. But...playing in FNM can be a great way to meet good local players. Ideally you talk to them, tell them your situation, and try and get in on their non-tournament play/testing sessions. Most good players I know meet somewhat regularly to practice constructed, and it is in that kind of environment that you could really learn.
Sorry, I'm a bit more ancient, and I find Modern a bit passe, but acceptable.
Ahh, I see.
I speak from a time before what you know.
The variable card pool is precisely what is exciting about it.
I'm a legacy player. I routinely encounter force of wills, JTMS, Tarmogoyfs, etc.
I occasionally play vintage, and I confess, my lone mox is no match for most decks, but, it still can put up a good fight.
It sounds like your decks need tuning. Remember: Speed kills. Lower casting cost spells work. Strategy works, optimize your deck. You can play Standard in a Modern or even a Legacy environment, and win. You just have to pick up a few cards from the old days.
For example: Blue needs brainstorm. Black needs Dark Ritual. Red needs Lightning Bolt. etc etc etc.
Our FNMs have a variety of players, some new, some experienced, some hardcore competitive and I'd imagine that is super typical.
If you want to practice playing in real life, most stores have "casual" game time before FNM. Just show up to the store an hour or two before the tournament and ask if anyone wants to play a game for fun.
As for how serious the tournaments are, I second that it depends on the store atmosphere (how welcoming the employees and store regulars are, towards new players). I see you're in San Francisco; I've played at a couple of tournaments at Two Cats Comics in West Portal and I would recommend it. It's a small place, but it's clean, and the people there are pretty laid back.
(Also known as Xenphire)
•before the event for fun
•during the event (between rounds)
•during the event (anyone who has a bye)
•after the event
•people who are there for fun
•people who scrubbed and dropped from the event
That is my exact problem with the game online.
This is a wonderful idea.
Then probably after playing like this, he will begin to thirst for the FNM level play, which isn't usually super competitive.
Premodern - Trix, RecSur, Enchantress, Reanimator, Elves https://www.facebook.com/groups/PremodernUSA/
Modern - Neobrand, Hogaak Vine, Elves
Standard - Mono Red (6-2 and 5-3 in 2 McQ)
Draft - (I wish I had more time for limited...)
Commander -
Norin the Wary, Grimgrin, Adun Oakenshield (taking forever to build)(dead format for me)