I should describe my situation first. Until now, I was an avid competitive MtG player. I was playing for 4 years and for 2 years on tournaments. Nothing fancy, but not on the kitchen table level. I've played on smaller tournaments across my country, and I was decent (Top 4 / Top 8).
In my area, I'm considered as one of the best players out there. Also, I'm one of the guys in charge of our local game group. We don't have a store, just gaming rooms. In 2014 I wanted to participate in PTQ season. Well, it can't happen. Because of that, I wanted to start in 2015. And then the recent PTQQ changes happened. That's a big problem in many countries, like in my Poland for example. In summary: There is no chance anymore. Even if I succeed, I can't afford a full tour. I have lost my objective. I don't have a heart for it anymore. 2 years of my life went into oblivion. It may sound stupid, but vision of even a little chance of playing at Pro Tour was my fuel. I wanted to be better player, to lose, to learn, and finally win. I consider selling my tournament stuff, keeping my EDH decks and hiding in shadows. I will play casual and focus on event organising. I still love the game, I still love the people who share it with me and I love the support that they are giving me these tough days. Although, that's a lot of time and money to afford in new things. I tried to cover it with things like dating and focusing on my current interests. That's not working. My hobbies are gaming ( from retro to modern), science, reading, manga & anime, keeping myself fit, music & art ( as a consument, lack of artistic talent, never tried a musical things) and of course MtG. Sometimes I dig briefly into practical handicraft. I'm searching for a new hobby with a social and competitive element. Ok, it may be not strictly competitive, but it still must have an element of self-improvement and measurable progress. I have open mind, damaged spirit and a pretty big wallet (many Legacy and Modern staples to sell), so all responses are good. Thank you for reading this and / or replying.
Well, you're right. It was more than a hobby. Because it was competitive. I don't want to sound arrogant, but I achieve almost everything I could ever want at that point of career (high school phase). I'm one of the best students in the area. I have a high personal treshold and I'm really lucky to reach it without much effort. If you ask about social life, I've defeated my demons long ago. No, MtG was something more. I felt that I was reaching something. My skills were tested, crushed and polished almost every day. Each loss and win gave an equal lesson. And that's why I'm searching for something new. Call me an ungrateful bastard, but now I feel like I don't do anything really worthy of remembrance, although the truth is much different. I just need a competitive thrill, a vision of a long - term purpose. However, I still require an everyday remark of my amends. And then I look at the hobby lists and suggestions and yawn. Hearing it from other people is much better.
If I was this confident and ambitious I'd be trading stocks or playing big-stakes poker or something. I mean, if you want "self-improvement" and "measurable progress" I think that translates into "profit". Aside from that, get a part time job, take some extracurricular courses to fatten up your resume, or something like that, but wouldn't it be a waste to channel all this "go-getter"ness into like, crochet or something?
This is tough, because I'm not sure what the overseas availability is of a lot of products. Games Workshops products have a pretty loyal following, but they tend to have a heavy investment too.
Personally, outside of Magic my favorite game is X-Wing Miniatures.
Paintball!! Another dead end hobby where you can spend tons of money and not get anywhere, but you have the delusions of being great
JK!
I came to the same realization about 15 years ago. I was on the Pro Tour off and on, qualifying wasn't a problem. The problem is when you get to the Pro Tour, you realize how BAD you really are. There is no delusions, those guys are maniacs. They draft a set 500 times. I drafted 5-15 times and called it good. You are not missing anything except for the massive reality slap that is the Pro Tour.
Lucky for me, most of my trips were abroad (I was a Pro Tourist) and paid for by someone else. It was a great time travelling but unless you get/do something other than the PT, it is a massive waste of time and money. (But the memories are going to be with me forever). If I had a chance to do it again, I SURE AS HELL WOULD! Life is odd like that, we're all hypocrites, delusional etc etc
You mentioned music. I don't know what the music scene is like where you are, but finding a group of people to play music with is really great. I've been a musician my whole life, and nothing is better for keeping the mind and spirit healthy than music. Even if you only get to play once a week or once a month with other people, it's worth doing. You can definitely see your progress, it's social, and it's rewarding. Just my 2 cents.
This is tough, because I'm not sure what the overseas availability is of a lot of products. Games Workshops products have a pretty loyal following, but they tend to have a heavy investment too.
Personally, outside of Magic my favorite game is X-Wing Miniatures.
Poland will actually be EASIER to get Warhammer stuff, as GW is located in England. Ya know EU and all that stuff.
Anyway, you mention you live in Poland, and you have a thing for science. As crazy as this sounds, have you considered model rocketry. I hear the competition scene over there is actually pretty big (Has a lot to do with Eastern Europe's past and the government actually sponsoring them.) I just got back into the hobby and I have to say it is the most fun I have had in a long time. You would have to do some of the research over there yourself, but that may just be the ticket you want (Also I am damn jealous of some of motors you guys get over there, just saying.)
This is tough, because I'm not sure what the overseas availability is of a lot of products. Games Workshops products have a pretty loyal following, but they tend to have a heavy investment too.
Personally, outside of Magic my favorite game is X-Wing Miniatures.
Poland will actually be EASIER to get Warhammer stuff, as GW is located in England. Ya know EU and all that stuff.
Anyway, you mention you live in Poland, and you have a thing for science. As crazy as this sounds, have you considered model rocketry. I hear the competition scene over there is actually pretty big (Has a lot to do with Eastern Europe's past and the government actually sponsoring them.) I just got back into the hobby and I have to say it is the most fun I have had in a long time. You would have to do some of the research over there yourself, but that may just be the ticket you want (Also I am damn jealous of some of motors you guys get over there, just saying.)
Oh, I know about GW, it was things like Fantasy Flight Games or other products.
Model Rocketry is a lot of fun, actually. Good hobby.
I second Go. I'm JUST starting to learn it, but it's a very intense game of strategy with a long path to mastery. It's perfect for someone who is interested in competitive games, such as yourself.
In my area, I'm considered as one of the best players out there. Also, I'm one of the guys in charge of our local game group. We don't have a store, just gaming rooms. In 2014 I wanted to participate in PTQ season. Well, it can't happen. Because of that, I wanted to start in 2015. And then the recent PTQQ changes happened. That's a big problem in many countries, like in my Poland for example. In summary: There is no chance anymore. Even if I succeed, I can't afford a full tour. I have lost my objective. I don't have a heart for it anymore. 2 years of my life went into oblivion. It may sound stupid, but vision of even a little chance of playing at Pro Tour was my fuel. I wanted to be better player, to lose, to learn, and finally win. I consider selling my tournament stuff, keeping my EDH decks and hiding in shadows. I will play casual and focus on event organising. I still love the game, I still love the people who share it with me and I love the support that they are giving me these tough days. Although, that's a lot of time and money to afford in new things. I tried to cover it with things like dating and focusing on my current interests. That's not working. My hobbies are gaming ( from retro to modern), science, reading, manga & anime, keeping myself fit, music & art ( as a consument, lack of artistic talent, never tried a musical things) and of course MtG. Sometimes I dig briefly into practical handicraft. I'm searching for a new hobby with a social and competitive element. Ok, it may be not strictly competitive, but it still must have an element of self-improvement and measurable progress. I have open mind, damaged spirit and a pretty big wallet (many Legacy and Modern staples to sell), so all responses are good. Thank you for reading this and / or replying.
MTG sounded like a lot more than a hobby to you.
Perhaps you can direct that energy to self-improvement or your career.
Personally, outside of Magic my favorite game is X-Wing Miniatures.
TerribleBad at Magic since 1998.A Vorthos Guide to Magic Story | Twitter | Tumblr
[Primer] Krenko | Azor | Kess | Zacama | Kumena | Sram | The Ur-Dragon | Edgar Markov | Daretti | Marath
JK!
I came to the same realization about 15 years ago. I was on the Pro Tour off and on, qualifying wasn't a problem. The problem is when you get to the Pro Tour, you realize how BAD you really are. There is no delusions, those guys are maniacs. They draft a set 500 times. I drafted 5-15 times and called it good. You are not missing anything except for the massive reality slap that is the Pro Tour.
Lucky for me, most of my trips were abroad (I was a Pro Tourist) and paid for by someone else. It was a great time travelling but unless you get/do something other than the PT, it is a massive waste of time and money. (But the memories are going to be with me forever). If I had a chance to do it again, I SURE AS HELL WOULD! Life is odd like that, we're all hypocrites, delusional etc etc
Poland will actually be EASIER to get Warhammer stuff, as GW is located in England. Ya know EU and all that stuff.
Anyway, you mention you live in Poland, and you have a thing for science. As crazy as this sounds, have you considered model rocketry. I hear the competition scene over there is actually pretty big (Has a lot to do with Eastern Europe's past and the government actually sponsoring them.) I just got back into the hobby and I have to say it is the most fun I have had in a long time. You would have to do some of the research over there yourself, but that may just be the ticket you want (Also I am damn jealous of some of motors you guys get over there, just saying.)
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Board games in general too, plenty of great ones coming out right now and there's lots of opportunity to unload cash.
Oh, I know about GW, it was things like Fantasy Flight Games or other products.
Model Rocketry is a lot of fun, actually. Good hobby.
TerribleBad at Magic since 1998.A Vorthos Guide to Magic Story | Twitter | Tumblr
[Primer] Krenko | Azor | Kess | Zacama | Kumena | Sram | The Ur-Dragon | Edgar Markov | Daretti | Marath
UAzami, Locus of All KnowledgeU
BMarrow-Gnawer, Crime Lord of ComboB
WBRTariel, Hellraiser StaxWBR
Annul is really good in EDH