Yep, magic has a ton of different formats. The only formats that currently allow both Ravnica and Invasion are pauper (commons only) legacy, and vintage (called Classic online). Of those, pauper is by far the most accessible for new players.
On MTGO you can construct any deck you want, providing you own the cards. However, you need to choose the appropriate format. If you want to combine Ravnica with Invasion, you should play Legacy or Classic, or even Pauper if all your cards are common.
The Standard format (M13 + Innistrad Block + Return to Ravnica block) would be the easiest start, and Pauper (commons only of all sets) would be the cheapest format.
Oh I see. So in the Standard Format (I`m guessing it`s the most common format given it`s name) I am only allowed to play M13 + Innistrad + Return to Ravnica cards then?
One other question. Would it be a good idea if I built decks around certain cards or traits? For instance, I really like the Invisible Stalker and Gladecover Scout and other hexproof cards in general...
Yep, magic has a ton of different formats. The only formats that currently allow both Ravnica and Invasion are pauper (commons only) legacy, and vintage (called Classic online). Of those, pauper is by far the most accessible for new players.
What you should do in terms of a deck depends on what your goals are. Magic isn't really one game, there are tons of different formats and people have different expectations when they play. If you go to a casual play room, you can get away with playing a cool theme deck, but if you wander into a competitive tournament you're going to get crushed by established decks.
The best bet is to read some articles, browse the format specific forums on this message board, do some research, and figure out what you really want to get out of this game. You get to choose your own level of involvement, and that can mean spending 1-2 hours a week playing games or spending every weekend traveling the country playing against the best players in the world.
What you should do in terms of a deck depends on what your goals are. Magic isn't really one game, there are tons of different formats and people have different expectations when they play. If you go to a casual play room, you can get away with playing a cool theme deck, but if you wander into a competitive tournament you're going to get crushed by established decks.
The best bet is to read some articles, browse the format specific forums on this message board, do some research, and figure out what you really want to get out of this game. You get to choose your own level of involvement, and that can mean spending 1-2 hours a week playing games or spending every weekend traveling the country playing against the best players in the world.
Wow that`s actually pretty awesome, thanks for the heads up Mako!
Yes, the more focus in a deck, the better usually. Hexproof creatures + cards that can pump them can be good. This Modern deck is a good example how you can use hexproof optimally. It is very good, but it is also very expensive. However, I made a deck with a similar strategy cost ±10$. If you just replace the expensive lands by basic lands or guildgates and replace Daybreak Coronet with something else, you are almost already there. However, the nicest thing of Magic is for me to design a deck by myself. On MTGO it is possible to make something good for 10$, but if you want to be very competitive, it can be expensive.
Thanks, that deck looks amazing. But what makes Verdant Catacombs and Misty Rainforest so high in price?
It is rare and very popular (high demand). It is popular because it is very good and people use it in many decks. It is very good because it can search for a forest card and Temple Garden for instance is a forest card. So, with Verdant Catacombs you have access to your Temple Garden, which immediately fixes your G and W needs. Of course you can replace that card with a Graypelt Refuge or Sunpetal Grove, which are cheaper cards which also do what you want. However, the deck that I linked to is a tournament deck, and those decks use the best cards possible, and Verdant Catacombs is one of the best cards.
Ah ok that makes sense Well I don`t plan on spending hundreds of dollars on the game but I don`t want just the starter deck either so I`ll probably get a few nice cards myself.
I am thinking of creating an account since I kind of got bored of DotP and want to face some real challenge.
Thanks for your help in advance!
Oh I see. So in the Standard Format (I`m guessing it`s the most common format given it`s name) I am only allowed to play M13 + Innistrad + Return to Ravnica cards then?
One other question. Would it be a good idea if I built decks around certain cards or traits? For instance, I really like the Invisible Stalker and Gladecover Scout and other hexproof cards in general...
thanks,
Demiron
Pauper should be fun
The best bet is to read some articles, browse the format specific forums on this message board, do some research, and figure out what you really want to get out of this game. You get to choose your own level of involvement, and that can mean spending 1-2 hours a week playing games or spending every weekend traveling the country playing against the best players in the world.
Wow that`s actually pretty awesome, thanks for the heads up Mako!
Thanks, that deck looks amazing. But what makes Verdant Catacombs and Misty Rainforest so high in price?
Ah ok that makes sense Well I don`t plan on spending hundreds of dollars on the game but I don`t want just the starter deck either so I`ll probably get a few nice cards myself.
Thanks again for your help guys!