Just checking, I've seen some newbies thought they could play FNM with their pre-release decks with 20 extra cards. The guy got mad that he did horribly because he went 2-2 with the deck but went 0-5 at FNM and didn't understand why.
Sure you can put together a random deck out of 6 packs (more if you win rounds at pre-release), but I wouldn't say using the deck is the way to test the player level. It's best to ask around including the store employees before diving into an FNM if you're that worried.
Actually what city/state/country do you live in? Someone here is bound to be close to you and know the stores pretty well and can tell you where to go.
I understand, I know you're just helping the new guy. Honestly, I wouldn't ask the store employees as they likely wouldn't know (or care) about the local meta. I could just show up without a deck and watch everyone, but I don't think the store employees would appreciate that.
And by using the prerelease deck I didn't mean using it as a way of "testing" the player level. Basically I just plan on bringing it as an excuse to see what types of decks people are playing. I think I have a pretty good idea of what a proper high level deck with good synergy will look like.
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I'm new to Magic and have a lot of stupid questions. Thanks to everyone in advance who help answer these stupid questions.
I think what he's saying is that bringing a Limited Sealed deck from the Prerelease to a Constructed Standard FNM is like a mouse going to play with WOLVES. Sure, there's always a chance that the mouse can win, but it's pretty damn unlikely.
If you don't mind that, then it's fine. But some players don't like getting that trounced on - it's a huge reason that Wizards has changed the game of Magic in the past 10 years to a game that includes more variance (so newer players won't give up like they did in the past when they could never beat better players. nowadays, they can).
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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)
Just checking, I've seen some newbies thought they could play FNM with their pre-release decks with 20 extra cards. The guy got mad that he did horribly because he went 2-2 with the deck but went 0-5 at FNM and didn't understand why.
Sure you can put together a random deck out of 6 packs (more if you win rounds at pre-release), but I wouldn't say using the deck is the way to test the player level. It's best to ask around including the store employees before diving into an FNM if you're that worried.
Actually what city/state/country do you live in? Someone here is bound to be close to you and know the stores pretty well and can tell you where to go.
I understand, I know you're just helping the new guy. Honestly, I wouldn't ask the store employees as they likely wouldn't know (or care) about the local meta. I could just show up without a deck and watch everyone, but I don't think the store employees would appreciate that.
And by using the prerelease deck I didn't mean using it as a way of "testing" the player level. Basically I just plan on bringing it as an excuse to see what types of decks people are playing. I think I have a pretty good idea of what a proper high level deck with good synergy will look like.
I could just show up without a deck and watch everyone, but I don't think the store employees would appreciate that.
I don't think that the store owner would have a problem with a potential client that want to see have to offer. You can go there on a Friday, ask some question about ixalan prerelease, maybe preregister to get a small discount on the entry fee of the event, watch a couple of games and talk to the other player. You could also buy something cheap like a booster pack if you feel like.
9talete9 makes some good points. I'd add that most LGS employees have to have some knowledge of the product they're selling. That doesn't necessarily mean that everybody who works at any given store is a certified MTG judge, in fact it seems more common to me that stores try to have a diversified knowledge base among their employees
Plenty of time i've seen newbies allowed to hang out and watch the games, though there are certain protocols of politeness that should be followed, and it's definitely a good idea to drop a little cash while you're there, maybe even just on a drink and a snack and/or a few booster packs. As far as watching the matches, it's mostly fairly common sense: don't crowd in, don't interrupt the players, don't comment on a match in progress, and try to be aware if you're making one or both players uncomfortable - if you are, give them some space, go watch a different game. Almost everybody was a newbie once, and i like to think most of us remember what it was like. FNM is generally supposed to be a fairly relaxed and fun atmosphere, though some local metas can become pretty competitive. It's up to you to put yourself out there and meet people, and making new friends and nemeses is definitely a big part of the fun for a lot of players. If you don't feel comfortable nor welcomed at the first shop you try, hopefully there are others within your commuting range.
Oh, and the store employees can often (though not always) be a great source of information about the meta in their own stores.
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They just couldn't put 7th edition into Modern because of the card borders? Seriously? Count me out.
Build a budget versions of Ramunap Red. That is what I did. Although when I built my deck I did not even know Ramunap Red was a thing. I just thought "Wow These red cards look like they will do great together". You can forego the multiple Chandra, Hazoret, and abrades and stick with cheaper cards. Most of the cards I got from draft night since I always draft Red and some other color (to a fault).
My deck is not great, but it does well. I went 3-0 the other day against netdecks. The key cards that you really need are:
Bomat courier
Shock
Earthshaker Khenra
The 3/2 minotaur with exert that keeps crap from blocking
some other burn spells like the one that does 3 to creature and 2 to player, blur of blades, etc. Some people dont agree with these but it is nice to do extra damage to the player as you kill their creatures.
Need Rumanap Ruins and Sunscorched deserts. I have one using Rumanap Ruins as a sac outlet for deserts.
This deck is relatively cheap and can be competitive. The more I play the better my deck wins. I dont get frustrated in losing either, so that helps. Most people have been super helpful.
Another thing to remember, is that a Deck isn't built in a day. It takes time to build up your card pool, and until you do, your decks aren't going to be the best (unless you dump a buttload of money into it all at once).
So build a deck with what you have, and go to the FNMs and Standard Showdowns and learn how the deck plays, what works, what doesn't work, what's working for other people, if you like a particular deck style, etc... and pick up cards when you can. Remember Standard shakes up every time a set is released, and it REALLY shakes up when there is a rotation (like next week with Ixalan), so cards that didn't seem good/seemed worthless can suddenly become good, and the best card in the format, can become garbage with a new release.
In time, especially if you take advantage of prereleases and drafts, your card pool will build up, and you'll find yourself able to be building these Tier 1, Tier 2 decks that win (or at least challenge) at FNM without needing to drop hundreds of dollars in cards all at once.
If you are just starting out, recognize that you are not likely going to win often. But recognize that you are learning. You are seeing what styles you like and don't like. You are learning the card combos that are active out there, and seeing what ones might fit your deck style. You'll often find other players who can give you advice, or may even donate cheap cards to help you out.
And in time, you'll soon find that you'll have a deck that will be challenging, that will be winning, or maybe a deck that just throws a spoiler in your local FNM community, that they have to plan around even if it isn't a Tier 1 or Tier 2 deck, just because they know YOU are showing up.
I've been poking around these forums for a bit, and one thing I noticed is that everyone here treats FNM like its a super competitive tournament. This worries me. Will I have to buy $200 worth of singles just to build a half decent deck? I'm just starting out, I don't want to invest too much at first. And I don't want to play with seasoned pros who'll get annoyed with a newbie like me.
The only thing that would scare me... Is how smelly is my opponent. I swear some of those players (mostly 30 year old kids) needs to take a shower, at least once a week.
As for type 2. You can pick a color, and look for a bunch of playsets of low cost cards you find in a common box. You could build a decent deck for 10 dollars or even less. If your looking for a better deck, buy 2 of the same pre-constructed decks (of the current set) filter out the cards and you can make a good type 2 deck. I think it's silly to spend 100 dollars or more for type 2 deck.
I mean...the "organic" way to get into magic is to play limited events for a while and build up a collection. You attend prerelease/release events that are sealed, you draft once or twice a week, and you stumble into some staples along the way between opening product for your deck and occasionally winning. Constructed is a different animal. I am competitive, but not toxic, and I play at game stores with grinders and PT participants without any severe toxicity. Sure, occasionally someone will be salty after a loss but no reason to let that get to you.
Don't take the forum as a measuring stick for general attitudes. Understand that the more casual a player is, the less likely they are to spend a lot of time reading and posting online about the game, so that reality skews the stats a bit. But yeah...card prices are set by the supply and demand of good constructed playables. That said you can build some solid decks for around $100 like UW Approach and RG Pummeler. In fact, ideally you've gotten some good cards for those decks or others that can be traded as a result of limited play.
Honestly BlueTron, that was my original idea for getting into Standard, just going to limited events for a while to build up a good collection. It sounds like it could be a good idea after all, and I'm glad someone can verify that. Plus, going to play at limited will help me get more experience.
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I'm new to Magic and have a lot of stupid questions. Thanks to everyone in advance who help answer these stupid questions.
Most players are going to be pretty friendly I've found other than the hyper competitive. Even in strong FNM nights, I've seen players lose twice right away and then play against other people starting out on matches after that. (Pairings are by like record.)
When I started out, I think I just watched matches for 2-3 weeks trying to get a hang of it before getting trounced for a few months and learned. (Big creatures may look cool, but often too slow.)
Mono-Red and the Red/Green Pummeler Energy decks can both be built cheap but even with a solid deck, most people need time to learn "HOW" to really play.
The other thing is be careful of Rotation right now. 1/2 the cards that are legal for FNM standard today, are not legal next Friday.
I've been poking around these forums for a bit, and one thing I noticed is that everyone here treats FNM like its a super competitive tournament. This worries me. Will I have to buy $200 worth of singles just to build a half decent deck? I'm just starting out, I don't want to invest too much at first. And I don't want to play with seasoned pros who'll get annoyed with a newbie like me.
FNM is usually standard format where the top tier and bottom tier decks aren't separated by much.
Unfortunately, this is not very true where I go. Usually around 20 people at Standard FNM each week. Top 4 are PTQ contenders. Next 8-10 are able to beat them 45% of the time in a matchup. Last 8 quite often couldn't beat any of the top 12 even if the top 12 started at 10 life.
However, those bottom 8 end up playing against each other in rounds 3-5 usually and have fun as well. With TEMUR, Rag Red, Gate and Pummeler running around, there can be a huge difference between a GOOD deck and jank.
That's why I hate fnm: there is no way for people to really compete fairly in constructed. Yet, people want tournaments for constructed.
Draft is a much more skill intensive format than constructed ever has a hope of achieving.
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1. (Ravnica Allegiance): You can't keep a good esper control deck down... Or Wilderness Reclamation... or Gates...
2. (War of the Spark): Guys, I know what we need! We need a cycle of really idiotic flavor text victory cards! Jace's Triumph...
3. (War of the Spark): Lets make the format with control have even more control!
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I understand, I know you're just helping the new guy. Honestly, I wouldn't ask the store employees as they likely wouldn't know (or care) about the local meta. I could just show up without a deck and watch everyone, but I don't think the store employees would appreciate that.
And by using the prerelease deck I didn't mean using it as a way of "testing" the player level. Basically I just plan on bringing it as an excuse to see what types of decks people are playing. I think I have a pretty good idea of what a proper high level deck with good synergy will look like.
If you don't mind that, then it's fine. But some players don't like getting that trounced on - it's a huge reason that Wizards has changed the game of Magic in the past 10 years to a game that includes more variance (so newer players won't give up like they did in the past when they could never beat better players. nowadays, they can).
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)9talete9 makes some good points. I'd add that most LGS employees have to have some knowledge of the product they're selling. That doesn't necessarily mean that everybody who works at any given store is a certified MTG judge, in fact it seems more common to me that stores try to have a diversified knowledge base among their employees
Plenty of time i've seen newbies allowed to hang out and watch the games, though there are certain protocols of politeness that should be followed, and it's definitely a good idea to drop a little cash while you're there, maybe even just on a drink and a snack and/or a few booster packs. As far as watching the matches, it's mostly fairly common sense: don't crowd in, don't interrupt the players, don't comment on a match in progress, and try to be aware if you're making one or both players uncomfortable - if you are, give them some space, go watch a different game. Almost everybody was a newbie once, and i like to think most of us remember what it was like. FNM is generally supposed to be a fairly relaxed and fun atmosphere, though some local metas can become pretty competitive. It's up to you to put yourself out there and meet people, and making new friends and nemeses is definitely a big part of the fun for a lot of players. If you don't feel comfortable nor welcomed at the first shop you try, hopefully there are others within your commuting range.
Oh, and the store employees can often (though not always) be a great source of information about the meta in their own stores.
**Legacy**
Grixis Delver
16post
**Standard**
I'll let you know if/when i go back to Standard. I hate pulling cards i can't use.
My deck is not great, but it does well. I went 3-0 the other day against netdecks. The key cards that you really need are:
Bomat courier
Shock
Earthshaker Khenra
The 3/2 minotaur with exert that keeps crap from blocking
some other burn spells like the one that does 3 to creature and 2 to player, blur of blades, etc. Some people dont agree with these but it is nice to do extra damage to the player as you kill their creatures.
Need Rumanap Ruins and Sunscorched deserts. I have one using Rumanap Ruins as a sac outlet for deserts.
This deck is relatively cheap and can be competitive. The more I play the better my deck wins. I dont get frustrated in losing either, so that helps. Most people have been super helpful.
So build a deck with what you have, and go to the FNMs and Standard Showdowns and learn how the deck plays, what works, what doesn't work, what's working for other people, if you like a particular deck style, etc... and pick up cards when you can. Remember Standard shakes up every time a set is released, and it REALLY shakes up when there is a rotation (like next week with Ixalan), so cards that didn't seem good/seemed worthless can suddenly become good, and the best card in the format, can become garbage with a new release.
In time, especially if you take advantage of prereleases and drafts, your card pool will build up, and you'll find yourself able to be building these Tier 1, Tier 2 decks that win (or at least challenge) at FNM without needing to drop hundreds of dollars in cards all at once.
If you are just starting out, recognize that you are not likely going to win often. But recognize that you are learning. You are seeing what styles you like and don't like. You are learning the card combos that are active out there, and seeing what ones might fit your deck style. You'll often find other players who can give you advice, or may even donate cheap cards to help you out.
And in time, you'll soon find that you'll have a deck that will be challenging, that will be winning, or maybe a deck that just throws a spoiler in your local FNM community, that they have to plan around even if it isn't a Tier 1 or Tier 2 deck, just because they know YOU are showing up.
The only thing that would scare me... Is how smelly is my opponent. I swear some of those players (mostly 30 year old kids) needs to take a shower, at least once a week.
As for type 2. You can pick a color, and look for a bunch of playsets of low cost cards you find in a common box. You could build a decent deck for 10 dollars or even less. If your looking for a better deck, buy 2 of the same pre-constructed decks (of the current set) filter out the cards and you can make a good type 2 deck. I think it's silly to spend 100 dollars or more for type 2 deck.
In his Second 100 days - Yawgmoth's Bargain is unrestricted in Vintage.
What is going to happen in the Next 100 days!!!
Don't take the forum as a measuring stick for general attitudes. Understand that the more casual a player is, the less likely they are to spend a lot of time reading and posting online about the game, so that reality skews the stats a bit. But yeah...card prices are set by the supply and demand of good constructed playables. That said you can build some solid decks for around $100 like UW Approach and RG Pummeler. In fact, ideally you've gotten some good cards for those decks or others that can be traded as a result of limited play.
When I started out, I think I just watched matches for 2-3 weeks trying to get a hang of it before getting trounced for a few months and learned. (Big creatures may look cool, but often too slow.)
Mono-Red and the Red/Green Pummeler Energy decks can both be built cheap but even with a solid deck, most people need time to learn "HOW" to really play.
The other thing is be careful of Rotation right now. 1/2 the cards that are legal for FNM standard today, are not legal next Friday.
FNM is usually standard format where the top tier and bottom tier decks aren't separated by much.
As in what? Are you saying it is common to see a mix of high and low tier decks?
As in the best deck in the format is only a little better than someone else's janky brew.
However, those bottom 8 end up playing against each other in rounds 3-5 usually and have fun as well. With TEMUR, Rag Red, Gate and Pummeler running around, there can be a huge difference between a GOOD deck and jank.
Draft is a much more skill intensive format than constructed ever has a hope of achieving.
1. (Ravnica Allegiance): You can't keep a good esper control deck down... Or Wilderness Reclamation... or Gates...
2. (War of the Spark): Guys, I know what we need! We need a cycle of really idiotic flavor text victory cards! Jace's Triumph...
3. (War of the Spark): Lets make the format with control have even more control!