Since the thread about awful humans playing Magic has 77 pages, I thought I'd try to start something a little more optimistic. Let's give a shout out to some of the players that make this game we love better just by being nice enough to play it with us.
At my LGS, we have a woman named Melissa who shows up at almost every FNM and prerelease. I won't share her last name because she's about to change it (Congratulations, Melissa!) and because she's a pretty private person who probably wouldn't appreciate it. If I wanted to criticize anything about her style, it would be the way she crows about how well her deck worked or how well she played whenever she wins. But you can't help but forgive her because the last time you beat her, she was talking the same way about your awesome deck or your brilliant game-winning play.
She's very encouraging toward newer players. Whenever someone new shows up, she'll introduce herself and take them over to meet the judge (our normal judge is a big softie who can look pretty intimidating from across the room, but talking to him for two minutes is enough to dispel that feeling). She'll point out small mistakes and forgive them, offer tips even when they might cost her a game, and give deckbuilding advice.
Actually, she's pretty accommodating with everyone. I'm the kind of player who likes to focus on what I'm doing when I'm playing, and when Melissa sits down across from me, she won't say anything that isn't relevant to the game state and hold off on chatting until after the game. With chattier players, she's every bit as talkative as they are.
If you're building a deck and missing one or two key pieces that she has, and you have nothing she particularly wants to trade for (a situation that comes up often, given the size of her collection), she'll often loan you what you need until you can get your own copies.
All in all, she's just the kind of player who makes things better for everyone around her. I think we should all try to be more like Melissa. I know I do.
Anyone else know someone that deserves mention as a great ambassador for the game?
There was a guy who attended our LGS regularly (when I went there regularly), named John, that was just a great guy. Beforehand, he would chat with you about Magic or whatever. If you needed a card for that evening, he would gladly let you borrow it. During the games he was polite, open, easygoing, and clear. On top of it, he was a good competitive player. He was always gracious in victory or defeat, having something kind to say either way. I don't think that I ever saw him even look like he was losing his composure or getting tilted or salty. I wish every player could be close to how John was.
The guy who gave me my first ~130 Magic cards was sorta like that. Not quite as sweet, and he had a mildly acerbic sense of humour, but he was always careful not to offend with it. He always tried to help the players in our casual group, as well as slightly more competitive players at the local and regional tourneys that he's attend occasionally. Win or lose, he always had a kind word about others' decks, play styles, and even less blatant things like using variant artwork. His advice was generally sound, too. He played with an open and fun style, which made his infrequent bluffs especially effective. He was a joy to all.
After i'd playing for several months and was reaching the point of having different decks constructed for use against varying numbers of opponents, and i had also built a deck specifically for the purpose of dueling against him, as he had long been considered the best duelist of our group, though he rarely won at the 3-5 player tables and never at 6+. One night he called me as he was getting out of work and asked if i'd like him to come over and play a few hands. "It'll be just you and i again," i informed him, "and i gotta warn you that i've built a deck specifically for dueling with you." He took it as a compliment, which frankly was how it was intended.
He hadn't planned to stay long, but after dropping the first 6 hands he declared himself determined to win at least a single hand, if not a match, before leaving. It's worth mentioning that he nothing but great things to say about both the construction of the deck and my skillful handling of it. He tried sideboarding almost ad nauseum. He tried taking the draw. He tried everything he could think of, with all 3 of his decks, all against my one. In spite of his frustration he was a perfect gentleman and nothing but magnanimous in defeat. "I've created a MONSTER!" he grinned. After 40 straight losses, he decided enough was enough and we both had to get up early for work the next day. He vowed vengeance. He looked me in the eye, shook my hand, offered congratulations, said "has the student surpassed the master? It looks likely, but i'm not ready to give up the ghost just yet! See you tomorrow!"
We remained good friends for several years after that, until he moved to Washington State somewhat unexpectedly with a really wonderful woman. But after that night, he never dueled against me again. Considering what a great sport he'd been about it all, and that our friendship meant more to me than the game, i never again broached the subject. I still think it's odd.
But that guy was awesome. He brightened up any table he sat at to play. He played for the pure joy of it, and he was a solid player in all aspects, with the possible exception of having difficulty with that kind of losing streak, but to be fair, i think that would mess with most peoples's heads. I never expected it to that to him, i was just trying to field a competitive deck.
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They just couldn't put 7th edition into Modern because of the card borders? Seriously? Count me out.
I am always happy to be playing Magic, so losing doesn't really bother me. I am very competitive in my other hobbies, but not so much at Magic. I took about a 7 year hiatus, and before that I only played casual with friends. I just started going to a LGS about 6 months ago. I think more than anything I am just happy to be able to play magic whenever I want now. I never know how awesome going to an LGS was, I wish I went sooner.
When I do win, I always try to say something positive, and never gloat.
Also, with trading, if the card I am trading for is a little less (a few bucks) than the one I am trading away, I will usually be fine and just do the trade. I know a lot of other people are like "well that card is 2.75 and the one I am getting is only 2.50 so I need to find something to make of the .25 cent value. When I started trading we never could just look up prices on demand on our smart phones. So, trades were more about getting something you need for something you dont use. I am imagining I lost a lot of money back in the day when I started playing because of this, but it is whatever. People are usually pretty gracious when I take the lower end of the deal, and honestly I don't worry over a few dollars in value...
A couple nights ago, I played a fellow on LackeyCCG and it was basically two countermagic decks pitted against each other. He ran U/B and as such got me down to 3 life by the endgame. The game went on so long that I did something I've never done with my blue deck- I decked him for the win. Stroke of Genius, countering his Elixer of Immortality's ability with Disallow, and finishing the job with Ancestral Recall. He was extremely gracious throughout the entire ordeal and knew the rules as well as I'd hope any player would. I would've been happy to lose against him, but this is the only game in the entire time I've been playing in which I can say I won by casting Ancestral Recall at an opponent.
I find myself to be helpful to a fault. Such as reminding my opponent about triggers, phases, keywords, etc when they forget about them. Even if it is my detriment in the match, as I honestly would expect the same courtesy. Nothing shady.
I find myself to be helpful to a fault. Such as reminding my opponent about triggers, phases, keywords, etc when they forget about them. Even if it is my detriment in the match, as I honestly would expect the same courtesy. Nothing shady.
Same. I've been on both ends of this. If an upkeep trigger beneficial to them says "may", I'll let it slide. Otherwise, I'll point out that they have to take the bonus.
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At my LGS, we have a woman named Melissa who shows up at almost every FNM and prerelease. I won't share her last name because she's about to change it (Congratulations, Melissa!) and because she's a pretty private person who probably wouldn't appreciate it. If I wanted to criticize anything about her style, it would be the way she crows about how well her deck worked or how well she played whenever she wins. But you can't help but forgive her because the last time you beat her, she was talking the same way about your awesome deck or your brilliant game-winning play.
She's very encouraging toward newer players. Whenever someone new shows up, she'll introduce herself and take them over to meet the judge (our normal judge is a big softie who can look pretty intimidating from across the room, but talking to him for two minutes is enough to dispel that feeling). She'll point out small mistakes and forgive them, offer tips even when they might cost her a game, and give deckbuilding advice.
Actually, she's pretty accommodating with everyone. I'm the kind of player who likes to focus on what I'm doing when I'm playing, and when Melissa sits down across from me, she won't say anything that isn't relevant to the game state and hold off on chatting until after the game. With chattier players, she's every bit as talkative as they are.
If you're building a deck and missing one or two key pieces that she has, and you have nothing she particularly wants to trade for (a situation that comes up often, given the size of her collection), she'll often loan you what you need until you can get your own copies.
All in all, she's just the kind of player who makes things better for everyone around her. I think we should all try to be more like Melissa. I know I do.
Anyone else know someone that deserves mention as a great ambassador for the game?
RWU
GUB
WBR
URG
BGW
But, I am not Melissa.
There was a guy who attended our LGS regularly (when I went there regularly), named John, that was just a great guy. Beforehand, he would chat with you about Magic or whatever. If you needed a card for that evening, he would gladly let you borrow it. During the games he was polite, open, easygoing, and clear. On top of it, he was a good competitive player. He was always gracious in victory or defeat, having something kind to say either way. I don't think that I ever saw him even look like he was losing his composure or getting tilted or salty. I wish every player could be close to how John was.
BWTokens
GCollected Stompany
BWGUSeance Insanity
URUR Bloo
After i'd playing for several months and was reaching the point of having different decks constructed for use against varying numbers of opponents, and i had also built a deck specifically for the purpose of dueling against him, as he had long been considered the best duelist of our group, though he rarely won at the 3-5 player tables and never at 6+. One night he called me as he was getting out of work and asked if i'd like him to come over and play a few hands. "It'll be just you and i again," i informed him, "and i gotta warn you that i've built a deck specifically for dueling with you." He took it as a compliment, which frankly was how it was intended.
He hadn't planned to stay long, but after dropping the first 6 hands he declared himself determined to win at least a single hand, if not a match, before leaving. It's worth mentioning that he nothing but great things to say about both the construction of the deck and my skillful handling of it. He tried sideboarding almost ad nauseum. He tried taking the draw. He tried everything he could think of, with all 3 of his decks, all against my one. In spite of his frustration he was a perfect gentleman and nothing but magnanimous in defeat. "I've created a MONSTER!" he grinned. After 40 straight losses, he decided enough was enough and we both had to get up early for work the next day. He vowed vengeance. He looked me in the eye, shook my hand, offered congratulations, said "has the student surpassed the master? It looks likely, but i'm not ready to give up the ghost just yet! See you tomorrow!"
We remained good friends for several years after that, until he moved to Washington State somewhat unexpectedly with a really wonderful woman. But after that night, he never dueled against me again. Considering what a great sport he'd been about it all, and that our friendship meant more to me than the game, i never again broached the subject. I still think it's odd.
But that guy was awesome. He brightened up any table he sat at to play. He played for the pure joy of it, and he was a solid player in all aspects, with the possible exception of having difficulty with that kind of losing streak, but to be fair, i think that would mess with most peoples's heads. I never expected it to that to him, i was just trying to field a competitive deck.
**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.
When I do win, I always try to say something positive, and never gloat.
Also, with trading, if the card I am trading for is a little less (a few bucks) than the one I am trading away, I will usually be fine and just do the trade. I know a lot of other people are like "well that card is 2.75 and the one I am getting is only 2.50 so I need to find something to make of the .25 cent value. When I started trading we never could just look up prices on demand on our smart phones. So, trades were more about getting something you need for something you dont use. I am imagining I lost a lot of money back in the day when I started playing because of this, but it is whatever. People are usually pretty gracious when I take the lower end of the deal, and honestly I don't worry over a few dollars in value...
Same. I've been on both ends of this. If an upkeep trigger beneficial to them says "may", I'll let it slide. Otherwise, I'll point out that they have to take the bonus.