I got word of Cockatrice from a buddy of mine fairly recently and I have just downloaded and started using it.
Long story short, I LOVE it! It downloads pretty quickly and the instant it installs on your computer, it will immediately download the card database for the program. Other programs like Lackey and OCTGN gave me problems when trying to get sets put into the program; Cockatrice seems to avoid that potential mess.
I haven't been able to use the interface too much since I can't seem to find a solo/goldfish mode, but it looks fairly decent.
The one thing that annoyed to no end about MWS (aside from the shuffler) was the fact that it did not support multiplayer games. Cockatrice answers that problem without having to resort to MTGO. It also supports Mac and Linux users as well; another huge plus.
1) Does it allow pictures of the cards? I'm a big fan of that.
Yes, though I think you have to physically download card pictures and put them in the "pics" folder that the program has.
There's also an option where you can download card pictures "on the fly"; the card pictures will be downloaded as you play the cards and they seem to get cached (since I can't find any pictures in the pics file after turning this option on).
2) How readily-available is vital information such as cards in hand, life, etc.?
A screenshot they have on their page shows that it's roughly similar to MWS.
how the hell do you change control of a permanent in cockatrice?
The way I did it last night was to make a token of the card that I was going to take control of (Ctrl + T). Type the name of the card in the box, and you get an exact copy of the card.
Alas this program is rather amazing.
I can't imagine actually using it for deckbuilding though. But as far as games though I'm definitely sticking to this over MWS from now on.
Not being able to select specific arts when a card is from multiple sets makes me sad though, hopefully thats something they change soon.
Long story short, I LOVE it! It downloads pretty quickly and the instant it installs on your computer, it will immediately download the card database for the program. Other programs like Lackey and OCTGN gave me problems when trying to get sets put into the program; Cockatrice seems to avoid that potential mess.
I haven't been able to use the interface too much since I can't seem to find a solo/goldfish mode, but it looks fairly decent.
The one thing that annoyed to no end about MWS (aside from the shuffler) was the fact that it did not support multiplayer games. Cockatrice answers that problem without having to resort to MTGO. It also supports Mac and Linux users as well; another huge plus.
Their site is here:
http://cockatrice.de/
They also have a forum, so check that out if you can.
1) Does it allow pictures of the cards? I'm a big fan of that.
2) How readily-available is vital information such as cards in hand, life, etc.?
Yes, though I think you have to physically download card pictures and put them in the "pics" folder that the program has.
There's also an option where you can download card pictures "on the fly"; the card pictures will be downloaded as you play the cards and they seem to get cached (since I can't find any pictures in the pics file after turning this option on).
A screenshot they have on their page shows that it's roughly similar to MWS.
too many bugs/glitches/crashes with MWS.
1v1 Headquarters
Sliver Overlord (MP, Retired)
Talrand, Sky Summoner (1v1, Budget)
Sygg, River Cutthroat (1v1, Competitive)
After auto installing card sets, I noticed in the deck builder all my cards had pictures.
Sweet!
1v1 Headquarters
Sliver Overlord (MP, Retired)
Talrand, Sky Summoner (1v1, Budget)
Sygg, River Cutthroat (1v1, Competitive)
1v1 Headquarters
Sliver Overlord (MP, Retired)
Talrand, Sky Summoner (1v1, Budget)
Sygg, River Cutthroat (1v1, Competitive)
@ Gref: I noticed that I now have card pics loaded into now that I'm in the deck editor as well.
Program is good, but if I don't get a game of multiplayer Commander this week I'll give up on it.
Plus, it will be hard to get my friends into this with no card images
The way I did it last night was to make a token of the card that I was going to take control of (Ctrl + T). Type the name of the card in the box, and you get an exact copy of the card.
Thraximundar Control voltron
Darien, King of Dudes The swarm
Karador, Ghost ChieftainJunk graveyard
Erebos, God of the DeadMy BIG BLACK.......deck
Zedruu the kindhearted My take on Pristaxcontrombmodruu!
Roon of the Hidden Realm Bounce house
:symg::symu::symb: Vorosh
:symw::symu::symg: Phelddagrif
:symw::symu::symg: Jenara
:symu::symu::symu: Azami
:symb::symu::symb:DePietro
:symg::symb::symg:Savra
[Legacy]
ANT
Imperial Painter
EDH:
RNorin the WaryR <-Link! (Primer - Mono Red Control)
GUEdric, Spymaster of TrestUG <- Link! (Mini-Primer - Dredge)
Duel Commander:
WUGeist of Saint TraftUW <- Link! (Aggro-Control)
BGSkullbriar, the Walking GraveGB <- Link! (Aggro)
BUGDamia, Sage of StoneGUB <- Link! (Extinction Control)
Church of the Wary
Under the menu, if you select 'start local game' you can set the player count at 1.
Besides a few card arts not showing up, it's pretty great.
mxmlmn on cockatrice
yay
Hopefully theres some sort of solitaire mode so I can learn hotkeys and play around before actually going online.
Reckless Waif; It's the red Delver of Secrets.
Thraximundar Control voltron
Darien, King of Dudes The swarm
Karador, Ghost ChieftainJunk graveyard
Erebos, God of the DeadMy BIG BLACK.......deck
Zedruu the kindhearted My take on Pristaxcontrombmodruu!
Roon of the Hidden Realm Bounce house
It's going to take some getting used to, but I like the program so far.
Draft my Mono-Blue Cube!
lichess.org | chess.com
I can't imagine actually using it for deckbuilding though. But as far as games though I'm definitely sticking to this over MWS from now on.
Not being able to select specific arts when a card is from multiple sets makes me sad though, hopefully thats something they change soon.
Reckless Waif; It's the red Delver of Secrets.
I just made my EDH deck in the program, and I must admit it's great. I like the program and I will use it over MWS from now on.
My Mafia Stats - My Helpdesk
G Omnath, Locus of Mana U Arcum Dagsson BUG The Mimeoplasm GW Gaddock Teeg X Karn, Silver Golem
I'm also hoping to update the OP to make it a bit cleaner and stuff.
EDIT: And yes, if you go into creating a local game, you can goldfish there and get used to the interface.