My local target had 25% off toys today and the 2 3-card Iconic Masters Draft Packs we bought were 25% off each. I would guess it would apply to all cards. You may want to check your local Target to see if they have the same deal going on. I had no idea and it was a pleasant surprise. Loose packs were already priced to $3.33 and another 25% off could bump them down to about $2.50 a pack USD. Again, I don't know if was just my local store or nationwide. You may want to check or contact them before making the trip. Just wanted to pass possible savings along. Let me know if you do save the 25% or not.
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Playing since 1994: Currently MAGS (HomeBrew),Standard & Pauper (Pioneer and Modern are degenerate trash formats)
STOP using "dude/bro" as a pejorative or insult. Grow up.
Margaret Thatcher: “The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money.”
Benjamin Franklin: "Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."
Martin Luther King Jr.: "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character."
I can confirm that this is the case for my local Target. I went in and picked up 2 Iconic Masters draft packs and they were 25% off. Below is what I pulled (if anyone happens to be curious):
that's a full box of iconic masters packs for 140 msrp... Wowza...
Edit: Correcting post! Some stores are running 50% off instead of just 25%, so that is how 140 dollars is showing up in some peoples calculations (I think... unless they totally don't know how to do math).
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!
Thanks for responding all. Wish I had one of those stores running 50% off like Meijer's is rumored to. (Can't corroborate that one yet.)
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Playing since 1994: Currently MAGS (HomeBrew),Standard & Pauper (Pioneer and Modern are degenerate trash formats)
STOP using "dude/bro" as a pejorative or insult. Grow up.
Margaret Thatcher: “The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money.”
Benjamin Franklin: "Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."
Martin Luther King Jr.: "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character."
I think MTG Lion did a video on another store selling for 50% off that is like Meijer, so maybe that is why I got 50% off? I'm not really sure. No one really knows what is going on over there since they are too busy with the Xmas section.
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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!
So the deal at Meijer's according to their ad is BOGO (buy one get one free) on toys. Technically not 50% off but they may honor that. BUT… the ad says it only runs through today (it started last Sunday). So for a few the stars have aligned. I dropped a Christmas hint to my mother for some for my son's Christmas present as she has a local Meijer's. I will let all know if she finds any and gets the deal but it appears that if you don't act today, it may be too late for that deal.
Playing since 1994: Currently MAGS (HomeBrew),Standard & Pauper (Pioneer and Modern are degenerate trash formats)
STOP using "dude/bro" as a pejorative or insult. Grow up.
Margaret Thatcher: “The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money.”
Benjamin Franklin: "Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."
Martin Luther King Jr.: "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character."
The ad for my store runs through the 22nd of November so it's still good over here. I think I'm going to head over there again.
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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!
I disagree with the notion made by MTG Lion that casual players don't need local game stores to play EDH/Commander when it's just as essential to those who need a venue to play competitively. Wizards of the Coast is making a terrible mistake by allowing retail stores such as Walmart and Target to sell product for Iconic Masters as it would cause local game stores to close shop when there isn't any incentive to.
There's still a demand for Wizards of the Coast to continue printing new sets for Magic when I think everyone's being too critical of the company for their faults in recent years regardless of what the issue might be whether it's gender politics, wallet fatigue, or low card stock quality. All of those issues can be resolved If they actually listen to the core-target demographic that got Magic where it is today.
Focus less on the politics that's been dividing the Magic community and do your job!
"Restriction breeds creativity." - Sheldon Menery on EDH / Commander in Magic: The Gathering
"Cancel Culture is the real reason why everyone's not allowed to have nice things anymore." - Anonymous
"For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?" - Mark 8:36
"Most men and women will grow up to love their servitude and will never dream of revolution." - Aldous Huxley, Brave New World
"Every life decision is always a risk / reward proposition." - Sanjay Gupta
Now we just need to convince target to sell singles....... (mind you at 50% off its ALMOST worthwhile to start crackingboxs.....)
Iconic Masters is a painful reminder as to why Wizards of the Coast and Hasbro need to halt production of Masters sets If all they're going to do is cram these sets with reprints of cards that nobody wants except for casual players. Perhaps they're afraid of reprinting Non-Reserved List cards currently in high demand because they're afraid of losing money.
Iconic Masters boxes are only 50% off at Walmart and Target because of Black Friday sales coming up later next week, though with the current drama that's been going on with the game as of late it almost seems like a coincidence that Wizards of the Coast would allow this sort of practice yet this hasn't really hurt them in the past in regards to Commander Theme Decks and Intro Packs at retail chains unless I'm missing something here.
"Restriction breeds creativity." - Sheldon Menery on EDH / Commander in Magic: The Gathering
"Cancel Culture is the real reason why everyone's not allowed to have nice things anymore." - Anonymous
"For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?" - Mark 8:36
"Most men and women will grow up to love their servitude and will never dream of revolution." - Aldous Huxley, Brave New World
"Every life decision is always a risk / reward proposition." - Sanjay Gupta
I am 100% fine with them selling Masters sets at box stores in 3 card draft packs. My beef is with the QUALITY OF REPRINTS in the sets. For what you get a lot of packs aren't premium at all but a mylar package of poop. Paying $9.99 MSRP for a pack that yields less than a dollars worth of cards on the secondary market is a steaming hot load of "feel bad".
Hope the Card Wars discounts continue through the Holiday Season. Competition is good for the consumer.
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Playing since 1994: Currently MAGS (HomeBrew),Standard & Pauper (Pioneer and Modern are degenerate trash formats)
STOP using "dude/bro" as a pejorative or insult. Grow up.
Margaret Thatcher: “The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money.”
Benjamin Franklin: "Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."
Martin Luther King Jr.: "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character."
I am 100% fine with them selling Masters sets at box stores in 3 card draft packs. My beef is with the QUALITY OF REPRINTS in the sets. For what you get a lot of packs aren't premium at all but a mylar package of poop. Paying $9.99 MSRP for a pack that yields less than a dollars worth of cards on the secondary market is a steaming hot load of "feel bad".
Hope the Card Wars discounts continue through the Holiday Season. Competition is good for the consumer.
Except the competition won't be good for local game stores who'd go out of business If Wizards of the Coast ends up aligning themselves with Amazon Prime where they can move product much faster than local game stores and popular retail chains such as Walmart and Target. Players NEED local game stores in order to play Magic and have fun.
The singles market is already killing Magic because local game stores aren't making any money off the product from players purchasing cards online that these stores don't even have in stock. All they're doing is helping other local game stores who set up e-commerce shops on eBay get paid more over driving out to your own local game store where they lost money on specific cards or product that they're unable to obtain or get from their distributors.
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America Bless Christ Jesus
"Restriction breeds creativity." - Sheldon Menery on EDH / Commander in Magic: The Gathering
"Cancel Culture is the real reason why everyone's not allowed to have nice things anymore." - Anonymous
"For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?" - Mark 8:36
"Most men and women will grow up to love their servitude and will never dream of revolution." - Aldous Huxley, Brave New World
"Every life decision is always a risk / reward proposition." - Sanjay Gupta
Hope the Card Wars discounts continue through the Holiday Season. Competition is good for the consumer.
Except the competition won't be good for local game stores who'd go out of business If Wizards of the Coast ends up aligning themselves with Amazon Prime where they can move product much faster than local game stores and popular retail chains such as Walmart and Target. Players NEED local game stores in order to play Magic and have fun.
I very rarely go to a local game store and I play Magic plenty. I even have fun doing so. LGSs are NOT needed for Magic to exist or continue. In the town I used to live in, there was a large group of people who would meet almost daily at the university campus to play. They even had small tournaments with small prizes that everyone chipped in to play. Much better than the geeky, ultra competitive douche-baggery that I see in players at most LGS.
Except the competition won't be good for local game stores who'd go out of business If Wizards of the Coast ends up aligning themselves with Amazon Prime where they can move product much faster than local game stores and popular retail chains such as Walmart and Target. Players NEED local game stores in order to play Magic and have fun.
Then LGS need to diversify and adapt to stay competitive. And I do all my playing in a fairly tight but competitive circle of family and friends and don't feel the need to hit up my LGS to play. I'm past that social stage in my life. I do frequent it and buy product quite often. I don't want to see it go, but a business needs to adapt to what is going on.
Competition is good for the consumer. Monopolies seldom work out well.
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():
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Playing since 1994: Currently MAGS (HomeBrew),Standard & Pauper (Pioneer and Modern are degenerate trash formats)
STOP using "dude/bro" as a pejorative or insult. Grow up.
Margaret Thatcher: “The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money.”
Benjamin Franklin: "Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."
Martin Luther King Jr.: "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character."
I very rarely go to a local game store and I play Magic plenty. I even have fun doing so. LGSs are NOT needed for Magic to exist or continue. In the town I used to live in, there was a large group of people who would meet almost daily at the university campus to play. They even had small tournaments with small prizes that everyone chipped in to play. Much better than the geeky, ultra competitive douche-baggery that I see in players at most LGS.
It really all depends on the local game store environment you're in including specific playgroups that you feel more comfortable playing with while some people just aren't as lucky as others who have that kind of privilege. I have friends at my locals who played Magic at college campuses but extended more toward playing at one of the local game stores I go to every Friday and Saturday.
[quote]Then LGS need to diversify and adapt to stay competitive. And I do all my playing in a fairly tight but competitive circle of family and friends and don't feel the need to hit up my LGS to play. I'm past that social stage in my life. I do frequent it and buy product quite often. I don't want to see it go, but a business needs to adapt to what is going on.
Competition is good for the consumer. Monopolies seldom work out well.
One of the local game stores I go to on Saturdays does adapt with personal computers where you can look up the cards you want to order either at the store or online and they'll deliver it right to you. You can also use the cards you sell for store credit to buy more product at the store regardless If it's associated with Magic or you can even get an all day fountain drink, a free bottle of water, or even candy.
"Restriction breeds creativity." - Sheldon Menery on EDH / Commander in Magic: The Gathering
"Cancel Culture is the real reason why everyone's not allowed to have nice things anymore." - Anonymous
"For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?" - Mark 8:36
"Most men and women will grow up to love their servitude and will never dream of revolution." - Aldous Huxley, Brave New World
"Every life decision is always a risk / reward proposition." - Sanjay Gupta
I very rarely go to a local game store and I play Magic plenty. I even have fun doing so. LGSs are NOT needed for Magic to exist or continue. In the town I used to live in, there was a large group of people who would meet almost daily at the university campus to play. They even had small tournaments with small prizes that everyone chipped in to play. Much better than the geeky, ultra competitive douche-baggery that I see in players at most LGS.
It really all depends on the local game store environment you're in including specific playgroups that you feel more comfortable playing with while some people just aren't as lucky as others who have that kind of privilege. I have friends at my locals who played Magic at college campuses but extended more toward playing at one of the local game stores I go to every Friday and Saturday.
There's definitely a big variation of player types from one store to another. Some are much better than others. The problem is that even if one finds a good store, with good, friendly players, you never know when some douche lord is gonna come walking in. It just takes one bad apple to ruin the bunch sometime. For me, I pretty much just play with a few friends. I'd love to be able to play with a broader range of people, but it's just not worth it to me--ultra competitive people at FNM is just a turn off for me. It is a game and supposed to be fun--when you have people getting pissed off if they lose, its just not a friendly environment. And too many game store owners don't care. They just allow it because the jerks are spending money too. I buy my product either online or wherever is most convenient, which too often is Walmart. I care nothing for supporting my LGS, but of course that's partially because I just don't like those environments in my area.
There's definitely a big variation of player types from one store to another. Some are much better than others. The problem is that even if one finds a good store, with good, friendly players, you never know when some douche lord is gonna come walking in. It just takes one bad apple to ruin the bunch sometime. For me, I pretty much just play with a few friends. I'd love to be able to play with a broader range of people, but it's just not worth it to me--ultra competitive people at FNM is just a turn off for me. It is a game and supposed to be fun--when you have people getting pissed off if they lose, its just not a friendly environment. And too many game store owners don't care. They just allow it because the jerks are spending money too. I buy my product either online or wherever is most convenient, which too often is Walmart. I care nothing for supporting my LGS, but of course that's partially because I just don't like those environments in my area.
If someone's being a douche then you need to adapt to the situation by talking to your local game store owner If there's a problem with that individual or If it's a group of people. Try to resolve the issue the best way possible without resorting to violence or potentially getting people kicked out or banned from said local game store. Even If you're buying product online it's always important to support your local game store as much as possible. I cannot stress that enough. As for me I haven't had any issues with the environment at the local game stores I attend on the weekends, most of which have been resolved by the owners.
Also a local game store should do more than exclusively sell Magic products by putting all their eggs in one basket, it doesn't work that way. There's a lot of local game stores with support for other properties such as Dungeons & Dragons, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Pokémon TCG, Vanguard, Tabletop Strategy Games, and even video game tournaments from time to time. Sure there's local game stores that charge more than others but that shouldn't stop people from playing at these venues. Everyone these days cares more about what's convenient for themselves rather than what's essential for actually playing Magic and other games.
"Restriction breeds creativity." - Sheldon Menery on EDH / Commander in Magic: The Gathering
"Cancel Culture is the real reason why everyone's not allowed to have nice things anymore." - Anonymous
"For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?" - Mark 8:36
"Most men and women will grow up to love their servitude and will never dream of revolution." - Aldous Huxley, Brave New World
"Every life decision is always a risk / reward proposition." - Sanjay Gupta
Okay, I'm going out and saying this right now: If Iconic masters tanks your Local Game Store, they were already going to go out of business anyway. The entire model of living off of MtG to keep a store open is impossible except in very specific areas. Gone Rogue Games Runs a patreon to keep their lights on along with selling Magic Product and they are the only location for playing magic for miles in their area. SCG survives off of their massive tournaments and huge inventory, along with convenient buylisting of card collections. The real reason for LGS having a hard time is the advent of online selling, not big box stores getting sealed product.
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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!
There's definitely a big variation of player types from one store to another. Some are much better than others. The problem is that even if one finds a good store, with good, friendly players, you never know when some douche lord is gonna come walking in. It just takes one bad apple to ruin the bunch sometime. For me, I pretty much just play with a few friends. I'd love to be able to play with a broader range of people, but it's just not worth it to me--ultra competitive people at FNM is just a turn off for me. It is a game and supposed to be fun--when you have people getting pissed off if they lose, its just not a friendly environment. And too many game store owners don't care. They just allow it because the jerks are spending money too. I buy my product either online or wherever is most convenient, which too often is Walmart. I care nothing for supporting my LGS, but of course that's partially because I just don't like those environments in my area.
If someone's being a douche then you need to adapt to the situation by talking to your local game store owner If there's a problem with that individual or If it's a group of people. Try to resolve the issue the best way possible without resorting to violence or potentially getting people kicked out or banned from said local game store. Even If you're buying product online it's always important to support your local game store as much as possible. I cannot stress that enough. As for me I haven't had any issues with the environment at the local game stores I attend on the weekends, most of which have been resolved by the owners.
Also a local game store should do more than exclusively sell Magic products by putting all their eggs in one basket, it doesn't work that way. There's a lot of local game stores with support for other properties such as Dungeons & Dragons, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Pokémon TCG, Vanguard, Tabletop Strategy Games, and even video game tournaments from time to time. Sure there's local game stores that charge more than others but that shouldn't stop people from playing at these venues. Everyone these days cares more about what's convenient for themselves rather than what's essential for actually playing Magic and other games.
You missed my point--in my experience, none of the things you mention do much good whatsoever. I'm sure in some cases and regions and stores it does, but not in my experience. So for me (or anyone really) why is it so important to support a game store that does nothing for me? I don't play at them, don't require their store to purchase what I need, don't give me any kind of discount off of MSRP that I can't get elsewhere... I just don't see them as essential for playing Magic. More and more products are starting to make their way into the big box stores, and if they ever catch up with the times and stop marking things above MSRP, I'll buy there just to avoid shipping times. I'm not trying to be a jerk here--I know a lot of people love the gaming stores and the environment. My point is just that without them, Magic does not die. People would just have to organize their own events.
I used to love the gaming stores. I remember many of the old ones when I was younger... it was like going into a treasure house, because one never knew what could be found in them... older products, out of print, all kinds of things that couldn't be found anywhere else. But TCGs turned them into hotspots for arrogant, overly competitive douche-berries. For me, this takes the fun out of it. And now that everything in the world is available online, shipped right to my door, there's just no need for them anymore. But, if you can give me a good reason why they really are so important, maybe I'll change my mind.
You missed my point--in my experience, none of the things you mention do much good whatsoever. I'm sure in some cases and regions and stores it does, but not in my experience. So for me (or anyone really) why is it so important to support a game store that does nothing for me? I don't play at them, don't require their store to purchase what I need, don't give me any kind of discount off of MSRP that I can't get elsewhere... I just don't see them as essential for playing Magic. More and more products are starting to make their way into the big box stores, and if they ever catch up with the times and stop marking things above MSRP, I'll buy there just to avoid shipping times. I'm not trying to be a jerk here--I know a lot of people love the gaming stores and the environment. My point is just that without them, Magic does not die. People would just have to organize their own events.
I used to love the gaming stores. I remember many of the old ones when I was younger... it was like going into a treasure house, because one never knew what could be found in them... older products, out of print, all kinds of things that couldn't be found anywhere else. But TCGs turned them into hotspots for arrogant, overly competitive douche-berries. For me, this takes the fun out of it. And now that everything in the world is available online, shipped right to my door, there's just no need for them anymore. But, if you can give me a good reason why they really are so important, maybe I'll change my mind.
Where exactly can you play a game of Magic or any Trading Card Game / Collectible Card Game for that matter without a local game store? As a Tournament Organizer without a brick and mortar store you cannot sanction events. Where do the new players start from? How is a community built and maintained? How do players improve and move onto bigger things? Without the grass roots local game stores Magic has no future. Are we headed to online play only? For Hasbro it's a hell of a lot more profitable, negligible production overheads, no spoilers, no tour to support. Everyone would be playing from the comfort of their own home. I'd rather go back to playing video games at that point though it won't be the same.
I remember when one of my local game store owners at one point used up the entire store space just to sanction a tournament for Star Wars: X-Wing which forced me and my playgroup to play cards at a local pizza restaurant down the street. Luckily for us the game store owner learned his lesson, but I kind of see where you're coming from though. The other local game store which is close to where I live is mainly active on Friday evenings as we've barely been getting anyone to come in on Saturdays for local events though I remember it being more active before the 2008 Great Recession with more table space. They still manage to get by with selling other products primarily Marvel and DC Comics though I don't know how long that's going to last.
Private Mod Note
():
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America Bless Christ Jesus
"Restriction breeds creativity." - Sheldon Menery on EDH / Commander in Magic: The Gathering
"Cancel Culture is the real reason why everyone's not allowed to have nice things anymore." - Anonymous
"For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?" - Mark 8:36
"Most men and women will grow up to love their servitude and will never dream of revolution." - Aldous Huxley, Brave New World
"Every life decision is always a risk / reward proposition." - Sanjay Gupta
There's definitely a big variation of player types from one store to another. Some are much better than others. The problem is that even if one finds a good store, with good, friendly players, you never know when some douche lord is gonna come walking in. It just takes one bad apple to ruin the bunch sometime. For me, I pretty much just play with a few friends. I'd love to be able to play with a broader range of people, but it's just not worth it to me--ultra competitive people at FNM is just a turn off for me. It is a game and supposed to be fun--when you have people getting pissed off if they lose, its just not a friendly environment. And too many game store owners don't care. They just allow it because the jerks are spending money too. I buy my product either online or wherever is most convenient, which too often is Walmart. I care nothing for supporting my LGS, but of course that's partially because I just don't like those environments in my area.
If someone's being a douche then you need to adapt to the situation by talking to your local game store owner If there's a problem with that individual or If it's a group of people. Try to resolve the issue the best way possible without resorting to violence or potentially getting people kicked out or banned from said local game store. Even If you're buying product online it's always important to support your local game store as much as possible. I cannot stress that enough. As for me I haven't had any issues with the environment at the local game stores I attend on the weekends, most of which have been resolved by the owners.
Also a local game store should do more than exclusively sell Magic products by putting all their eggs in one basket, it doesn't work that way. There's a lot of local game stores with support for other properties such as Dungeons & Dragons, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Pokémon TCG, Vanguard, Tabletop Strategy Games, and even video game tournaments from time to time. Sure there's local game stores that charge more than others but that shouldn't stop people from playing at these venues. Everyone these days cares more about what's convenient for themselves rather than what's essential for actually playing Magic and other games.
You missed my point--in my experience, none of the things you mention do much good whatsoever. I'm sure in some cases and regions and stores it does, but not in my experience. So for me (or anyone really) why is it so important to support a game store that does nothing for me? I don't play at them, don't require their store to purchase what I need, don't give me any kind of discount off of MSRP that I can't get elsewhere... I just don't see them as essential for playing Magic. More and more products are starting to make their way into the big box stores, and if they ever catch up with the times and stop marking things above MSRP, I'll buy there just to avoid shipping times. I'm not trying to be a jerk here--I know a lot of people love the gaming stores and the environment. My point is just that without them, Magic does not die. People would just have to organize their own events.
I used to love the gaming stores. I remember many of the old ones when I was younger... it was like going into a treasure house, because one never knew what could be found in them... older products, out of print, all kinds of things that couldn't be found anywhere else. But TCGs turned them into hotspots for arrogant, overly competitive douche-berries. For me, this takes the fun out of it. And now that everything in the world is available online, shipped right to my door, there's just no need for them anymore. But, if you can give me a good reason why they really are so important, maybe I'll change my mind.
Because you can't support WotC on your own and sadly a large percentage of people who collectively buy millions of dollars worth of product a year don't have any friends/magic-playing friends and need the LGS to even get to use their cards.
There's also people like me who travel a lot for work. I may have by board game bros who I play TCGs with at home. But I'm only at home 2-3 months a year and I appreciate that I can get a game of commander at most large cities in the American continent because WotC promotes a competitive community which in turn trickles down into having an enviroment that also allows a semi-competitive community who aren't tournament grinders but aren't kitchen table exclusives either and like going out to meet/challenge new people.
You missed my point--in my experience, none of the things you mention do much good whatsoever. I'm sure in some cases and regions and stores it does, but not in my experience. So for me (or anyone really) why is it so important to support a game store that does nothing for me? I don't play at them, don't require their store to purchase what I need, don't give me any kind of discount off of MSRP that I can't get elsewhere... I just don't see them as essential for playing Magic. More and more products are starting to make their way into the big box stores, and if they ever catch up with the times and stop marking things above MSRP, I'll buy there just to avoid shipping times. I'm not trying to be a jerk here--I know a lot of people love the gaming stores and the environment. My point is just that without them, Magic does not die. People would just have to organize their own events.
I used to love the gaming stores. I remember many of the old ones when I was younger... it was like going into a treasure house, because one never knew what could be found in them... older products, out of print, all kinds of things that couldn't be found anywhere else. But TCGs turned them into hotspots for arrogant, overly competitive douche-berries. For me, this takes the fun out of it. And now that everything in the world is available online, shipped right to my door, there's just no need for them anymore. But, if you can give me a good reason why they really are so important, maybe I'll change my mind.
Where exactly can you play a game of Magic or any Trading Card Game / Collectible Card Game for that matter without a local game store? As a Tournament Organizer without a brick and mortar store you cannot sanction events. Where do the new players start from? How is a community built and maintained? How do players improve and move onto bigger things? Without the grass roots local game stores Magic has no future. Are we headed to online play only? For Hasbro it's a hell of a lot more profitable, negligible production overheads, no spoilers, no tour to support. Everyone would be playing from the comfort of their own home. I'd rather go back to playing video games at that point though it won't be the same.
I remember when one of my local game store owners at one point used up the entire store space just to sanction a tournament for Star Wars: X-Wing which forced me and my playgroup to play cards at a local pizza restaurant down the street. Luckily for us the game store owner learned his lesson, but I kind of see where you're coming from though. The other local game store which is close to where I live is mainly active on Friday evenings as we've barely been getting anyone to come in on Saturdays for local events though I remember it being more active before the 2008 Great Recession with more table space. They still manage to get by with selling other products primarily Marvel and DC Comics though I don't know how long that's going to last.
Actually, right now there are a ton of places that let you schedule and run gaming events including MTG. Level 257 is one place in Schaumburg IL that I've seen used by people to organize play events. Since it's basically an arcade strapped to a restaurant there usually is catering to boot and a lot of other cool stuff. It's also much cleaner than 99% of all LGS out there. The entry fee is a little higher, but if someone is going to spend 3-4 hours of their life doing Magic the Gathering I can't think of a better place. Heck, even if you lose you can go do some bowling or try to beat that insane score someone managed to pull off in Galaga.
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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!
Because you can't support WotC on your own and sadly a large percentage of people who collectively buy millions of dollars worth of product a year don't have any friends/magic-playing friends and need the LGS to even get to use their cards.
There's also people like me who travel a lot for work. I may have by board game bros who I play TCGs with at home. But I'm only at home 2-3 months a year and I appreciate that I can get a game of commander at most large cities in the American continent because WotC promotes a competitive community which in turn trickles down into having an enviroment that also allows a semi-competitive community who aren't tournament grinders but aren't kitchen table exclusives either and like going out to meet/challenge new people.
I hate it when people use the kitchen table argument as an excuse for people to continue playing Magic when it doesn't even have the same impact as a local game store does in regards to developing healthy communities and playgroups. I got lucky developing one in high school when Yu-Gi-Oh! was all the rage before I even knew what a local game store was until a good friend of mine brought me to one which is the same store I've been going to for the last 15 years.
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America Bless Christ Jesus
"Restriction breeds creativity." - Sheldon Menery on EDH / Commander in Magic: The Gathering
"Cancel Culture is the real reason why everyone's not allowed to have nice things anymore." - Anonymous
"For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?" - Mark 8:36
"Most men and women will grow up to love their servitude and will never dream of revolution." - Aldous Huxley, Brave New World
"Every life decision is always a risk / reward proposition." - Sanjay Gupta
Because you can't support WotC on your own and sadly a large percentage of people who collectively buy millions of dollars worth of product a year don't have any friends/magic-playing friends and need the LGS to even get to use their cards.
There's also people like me who travel a lot for work. I may have by board game bros who I play TCGs with at home. But I'm only at home 2-3 months a year and I appreciate that I can get a game of commander at most large cities in the American continent because WotC promotes a competitive community which in turn trickles down into having an enviroment that also allows a semi-competitive community who aren't tournament grinders but aren't kitchen table exclusives either and like going out to meet/challenge new people.
I hate it when people use the kitchen table argument as an excuse for people to continue playing Magic when it doesn't even have the same impact as a local game store does in regards to developing healthy communities and playgroups. I got lucky developing one in high school when Yu-Gi-Oh! was all the rage before I even knew what a local game store was until a good friend of mine brought me to one which is the same store I've been going to for the last 15 years.
People here do realize that there are Local Game Stores that do not survive off of Magic the Gathering? Even if MtG went full retail, there are stores that live off of Games Workshop, Pathfinder, board games, and space rental for events. From my own observation Magic the Gathering tends to be almost parasitic in nature compared to a lot of other options available to hole in the wall game stores. Also, it looks like competitive play has been gradually shifting to digital MtG over the years despite MTGO having a bad reputation and this is being heavily engineered by WoTC. I play casually in paper for the most part and do competitive games online since it's a lot less taxing on time and patience.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
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!
Now we just need to convince target to sell singles....... (mind you at 50% off its ALMOST worthwhile to start crackingboxs.....)
Iconic Masters is a painful reminder as to why Wizards of the Coast and Hasbro need to halt production of Masters sets If all they're going to do is cram these sets with reprints of cards that nobody wants except for casual players. Perhaps they're afraid of reprinting Non-Reserved List cards currently in high demand because they're afraid of losing money.
Iconic Masters boxes are only 50% off at Walmart and Target because of Black Friday sales coming up later next week, though with the current drama that's been going on with the game as of late it almost seems like a coincidence that Wizards of the Coast would allow this sort of practice yet this hasn't really hurt them in the past in regards to Commander Theme Decks and Intro Packs at retail chains unless I'm missing something here.
The value in Iconic Masters is way better than MM2 or EM. Stop perpetuating that myth.
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Level 1 Judge
"I hope to have such a death... lying in triumph atop the broken bodies of those who slew me..."
You don't call "dying to removal" if the removal is more expensive in resources than the creature. If you have to spend BG (Abrupt Decay), or W + basic land (PtE) to remove a 1G, that is not "dying to removal". Strictly speaking Goyf dies to removal, but actually your removal is dying to Goyf.
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STOP using "dude/bro" as a pejorative or insult. Grow up.
Margaret Thatcher: “The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money.”
Benjamin Franklin: "Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."
Martin Luther King Jr.: "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character."
FOILS
RARES
UNCOMMONS
Mishra's Bauble
Edit: Correcting post! Some stores are running 50% off instead of just 25%, so that is how 140 dollars is showing up in some peoples calculations (I think... unless they totally don't know how to do math).
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!
STOP using "dude/bro" as a pejorative or insult. Grow up.
Margaret Thatcher: “The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money.”
Benjamin Franklin: "Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."
Martin Luther King Jr.: "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character."
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!
https://www.meijer.com/weeklyad/?storeref=269
It also says "selected toys" so it could be hit or miss.
STOP using "dude/bro" as a pejorative or insult. Grow up.
Margaret Thatcher: “The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money.”
Benjamin Franklin: "Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."
Martin Luther King Jr.: "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character."
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!
There's still a demand for Wizards of the Coast to continue printing new sets for Magic when I think everyone's being too critical of the company for their faults in recent years regardless of what the issue might be whether it's gender politics, wallet fatigue, or low card stock quality. All of those issues can be resolved If they actually listen to the core-target demographic that got Magic where it is today.
Focus less on the politics that's been dividing the Magic community and do your job!
"Restriction breeds creativity." - Sheldon Menery on EDH / Commander in Magic: The Gathering
"Cancel Culture is the real reason why everyone's not allowed to have nice things anymore." - Anonymous
"For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?" - Mark 8:36
"Most men and women will grow up to love their servitude and will never dream of revolution." - Aldous Huxley, Brave New World
"Every life decision is always a risk / reward proposition." - Sanjay Gupta
Iconic Masters boxes are only 50% off at Walmart and Target because of Black Friday sales coming up later next week, though with the current drama that's been going on with the game as of late it almost seems like a coincidence that Wizards of the Coast would allow this sort of practice yet this hasn't really hurt them in the past in regards to Commander Theme Decks and Intro Packs at retail chains unless I'm missing something here.
"Restriction breeds creativity." - Sheldon Menery on EDH / Commander in Magic: The Gathering
"Cancel Culture is the real reason why everyone's not allowed to have nice things anymore." - Anonymous
"For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?" - Mark 8:36
"Most men and women will grow up to love their servitude and will never dream of revolution." - Aldous Huxley, Brave New World
"Every life decision is always a risk / reward proposition." - Sanjay Gupta
Hope the Card Wars discounts continue through the Holiday Season. Competition is good for the consumer.
STOP using "dude/bro" as a pejorative or insult. Grow up.
Margaret Thatcher: “The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money.”
Benjamin Franklin: "Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."
Martin Luther King Jr.: "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character."
The singles market is already killing Magic because local game stores aren't making any money off the product from players purchasing cards online that these stores don't even have in stock. All they're doing is helping other local game stores who set up e-commerce shops on eBay get paid more over driving out to your own local game store where they lost money on specific cards or product that they're unable to obtain or get from their distributors.
"Restriction breeds creativity." - Sheldon Menery on EDH / Commander in Magic: The Gathering
"Cancel Culture is the real reason why everyone's not allowed to have nice things anymore." - Anonymous
"For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?" - Mark 8:36
"Most men and women will grow up to love their servitude and will never dream of revolution." - Aldous Huxley, Brave New World
"Every life decision is always a risk / reward proposition." - Sanjay Gupta
I very rarely go to a local game store and I play Magic plenty. I even have fun doing so. LGSs are NOT needed for Magic to exist or continue. In the town I used to live in, there was a large group of people who would meet almost daily at the university campus to play. They even had small tournaments with small prizes that everyone chipped in to play. Much better than the geeky, ultra competitive douche-baggery that I see in players at most LGS.
Then LGS need to diversify and adapt to stay competitive. And I do all my playing in a fairly tight but competitive circle of family and friends and don't feel the need to hit up my LGS to play. I'm past that social stage in my life. I do frequent it and buy product quite often. I don't want to see it go, but a business needs to adapt to what is going on.
Competition is good for the consumer. Monopolies seldom work out well.
STOP using "dude/bro" as a pejorative or insult. Grow up.
Margaret Thatcher: “The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money.”
Benjamin Franklin: "Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."
Martin Luther King Jr.: "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character."
"Restriction breeds creativity." - Sheldon Menery on EDH / Commander in Magic: The Gathering
"Cancel Culture is the real reason why everyone's not allowed to have nice things anymore." - Anonymous
"For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?" - Mark 8:36
"Most men and women will grow up to love their servitude and will never dream of revolution." - Aldous Huxley, Brave New World
"Every life decision is always a risk / reward proposition." - Sanjay Gupta
There's definitely a big variation of player types from one store to another. Some are much better than others. The problem is that even if one finds a good store, with good, friendly players, you never know when some douche lord is gonna come walking in. It just takes one bad apple to ruin the bunch sometime. For me, I pretty much just play with a few friends. I'd love to be able to play with a broader range of people, but it's just not worth it to me--ultra competitive people at FNM is just a turn off for me. It is a game and supposed to be fun--when you have people getting pissed off if they lose, its just not a friendly environment. And too many game store owners don't care. They just allow it because the jerks are spending money too. I buy my product either online or wherever is most convenient, which too often is Walmart. I care nothing for supporting my LGS, but of course that's partially because I just don't like those environments in my area.
Also a local game store should do more than exclusively sell Magic products by putting all their eggs in one basket, it doesn't work that way. There's a lot of local game stores with support for other properties such as Dungeons & Dragons, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Pokémon TCG, Vanguard, Tabletop Strategy Games, and even video game tournaments from time to time. Sure there's local game stores that charge more than others but that shouldn't stop people from playing at these venues. Everyone these days cares more about what's convenient for themselves rather than what's essential for actually playing Magic and other games.
"Restriction breeds creativity." - Sheldon Menery on EDH / Commander in Magic: The Gathering
"Cancel Culture is the real reason why everyone's not allowed to have nice things anymore." - Anonymous
"For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?" - Mark 8:36
"Most men and women will grow up to love their servitude and will never dream of revolution." - Aldous Huxley, Brave New World
"Every life decision is always a risk / reward proposition." - Sanjay Gupta
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!
You missed my point--in my experience, none of the things you mention do much good whatsoever. I'm sure in some cases and regions and stores it does, but not in my experience. So for me (or anyone really) why is it so important to support a game store that does nothing for me? I don't play at them, don't require their store to purchase what I need, don't give me any kind of discount off of MSRP that I can't get elsewhere... I just don't see them as essential for playing Magic. More and more products are starting to make their way into the big box stores, and if they ever catch up with the times and stop marking things above MSRP, I'll buy there just to avoid shipping times. I'm not trying to be a jerk here--I know a lot of people love the gaming stores and the environment. My point is just that without them, Magic does not die. People would just have to organize their own events.
I used to love the gaming stores. I remember many of the old ones when I was younger... it was like going into a treasure house, because one never knew what could be found in them... older products, out of print, all kinds of things that couldn't be found anywhere else. But TCGs turned them into hotspots for arrogant, overly competitive douche-berries. For me, this takes the fun out of it. And now that everything in the world is available online, shipped right to my door, there's just no need for them anymore. But, if you can give me a good reason why they really are so important, maybe I'll change my mind.
I remember when one of my local game store owners at one point used up the entire store space just to sanction a tournament for Star Wars: X-Wing which forced me and my playgroup to play cards at a local pizza restaurant down the street. Luckily for us the game store owner learned his lesson, but I kind of see where you're coming from though. The other local game store which is close to where I live is mainly active on Friday evenings as we've barely been getting anyone to come in on Saturdays for local events though I remember it being more active before the 2008 Great Recession with more table space. They still manage to get by with selling other products primarily Marvel and DC Comics though I don't know how long that's going to last.
"Restriction breeds creativity." - Sheldon Menery on EDH / Commander in Magic: The Gathering
"Cancel Culture is the real reason why everyone's not allowed to have nice things anymore." - Anonymous
"For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?" - Mark 8:36
"Most men and women will grow up to love their servitude and will never dream of revolution." - Aldous Huxley, Brave New World
"Every life decision is always a risk / reward proposition." - Sanjay Gupta
There's also people like me who travel a lot for work. I may have by board game bros who I play TCGs with at home. But I'm only at home 2-3 months a year and I appreciate that I can get a game of commander at most large cities in the American continent because WotC promotes a competitive community which in turn trickles down into having an enviroment that also allows a semi-competitive community who aren't tournament grinders but aren't kitchen table exclusives either and like going out to meet/challenge new people.
Actually, right now there are a ton of places that let you schedule and run gaming events including MTG. Level 257 is one place in Schaumburg IL that I've seen used by people to organize play events. Since it's basically an arcade strapped to a restaurant there usually is catering to boot and a lot of other cool stuff. It's also much cleaner than 99% of all LGS out there. The entry fee is a little higher, but if someone is going to spend 3-4 hours of their life doing Magic the Gathering I can't think of a better place. Heck, even if you lose you can go do some bowling or try to beat that insane score someone managed to pull off in Galaga.
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!
"Restriction breeds creativity." - Sheldon Menery on EDH / Commander in Magic: The Gathering
"Cancel Culture is the real reason why everyone's not allowed to have nice things anymore." - Anonymous
"For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?" - Mark 8:36
"Most men and women will grow up to love their servitude and will never dream of revolution." - Aldous Huxley, Brave New World
"Every life decision is always a risk / reward proposition." - Sanjay Gupta
People here do realize that there are Local Game Stores that do not survive off of Magic the Gathering? Even if MtG went full retail, there are stores that live off of Games Workshop, Pathfinder, board games, and space rental for events. From my own observation Magic the Gathering tends to be almost parasitic in nature compared to a lot of other options available to hole in the wall game stores. Also, it looks like competitive play has been gradually shifting to digital MtG over the years despite MTGO having a bad reputation and this is being heavily engineered by WoTC. I play casually in paper for the most part and do competitive games online since it's a lot less taxing on time and patience.
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!
The value in Iconic Masters is way better than MM2 or EM. Stop perpetuating that myth.
"I hope to have such a death... lying in triumph atop the broken bodies of those who slew me..."