I just recently got back into MTGO after I had stopped playing paper during gatecrash, and MTGO after theros. I only really played pauper on mtgo and I sold off the majority of my cards that were worth something when I stopped playing. I have like 17 tix right now as well as 234 play points (which I just recently learned were a thing). I'm not really planning on putting any more into the game as sadly, getting a degree is more important than magic right now.
Now, I'm wondering what I should do with the remainder of my play points and tickets. I know that BFZ prerelease events are right around the corner, and with what I have right now, I could do two draft events. I'm wondering if this would be a bad idea for someone who hasn't drafted since Gatecrash, and admittedly I was never the most amazing drafter. I am definitely willing to put in the effort of reading up on the paper BFZ prerelease and practicing drafting the set.
My other option is getting back into competitive pauper. Although I'm not sure how healthy the format is these days. I do have a pauper deck already assembled, but there have been a few other decks I've been wanting to try. Are the pauper daily swisses good value? I've seen player run pauper events and have also wanted to try my hand at those.
If you guys have any other suggestions for what I should use my remaining tickets and play points on, that would be great. I miss playing mtg and it's only now that I've finally had some free time to get back into it.
"How much do you think is the MINIMUM to have a bot that will be able to purchase cards to flip, while still having the cards required as fluff? What methods could I use outside of purchasing tix with real money could I use to work towards that minimum ( or even more than minimum) goal? Like I said, I am willing to spend at least a few hours on this a day in order to get a bot running. If I do get to the point where I can see it as a business opportunity, and I have the will and resources to do so, I would probably consider it. "
The problem with this line of thinking is what is your bot going to buy for 100 tix that you can actually turn over? Usually when I go to buy a deck (especially if I'm buying cards from an unknown ML bot) I go after the highest dollar cards first and then try to fill in the rest with fluff cards so I don't leave tix on that bot. If you don't have those cards because you didn't make the investment nobody is going to come.
I ran an ML bot for a while and used it only to unload my draft fluff at close to retail but even then I had to keep my prices competitive. ML has a setting where you can "undercut everyone" but I really don't suggest using it if you want to make a profit because it's mostly for people who just want to unload their draft stuff. In fact that's a good way to attract speculators who will flip your cards to another major chain since you might be selling below their buy prices. Bot margins can be very thin.
How much do you think is the MINIMUM to have a bot that will be able to purchase cards to flip, while still having the cards required as fluff? What methods could I use outside of purchasing tix with real money could I use to work towards that minimum ( or even more than minimum) goal? Like I said, I am willing to spend at least a few hours on this a day in order to get a bot running. If I do get to the point where I can see it as a business opportunity, and I have the will and resources to do so, I would probably consider it.
Coding your own bot takes so long (unless its hacked) that its absurd to think the average or even above average coder should be doing it. We are talking 800-1000+ man hours just to get basic functionality. Now if you are willing to risk WOTC banning your accounts like they did Dan Bopes twitch bot, and millibot, then you can hack and its "easy" probably more like 400-500 man hours for basic functionality
Unless you are looking at investing 50+k dollars in capital coding your own bot is probably pointless. Fair disclosure though, I am a partner in Jaybot and we intend to have a publicly rentable V4 bot.
As for starting capital, Heath is correct it does depend entirely on your goals. Given your goals, I would suggest a few hundred tix, just to learn software and botting and get into the market. Once you are used to things, going to 1-2k is usually enough to run a ok standard bot+a couple of buybots.
A couple hundred tix? Is that really how much one would need in order to start off? Would it be completely pointless to try with a lower count (like 80-100 or even less)? Say I were to use ML (it's the only public one I actually know about), with 100 tix, how long would it take to make back my initial investment?
What is your goal for this? Are you wanting to make a living running a MTGO bot, fund your drafting, side income, etc?
The answer to the above question will allow me to answer to the next question which is how much your initial investment needs to be IMO.
If you are doing this to make a living then you should code your own bot if you have the capacity to do that. If you are just trying to make some money to support your drafting habit then I would say a bot like MLBOT is your best bet.
In response to your question, I'd say it's a mix between funding my purchases in mtgo, with just a tad interest in side income. I'm not planning on making it my primary source of income, but the thought of having a little bit of income is somewhat tempting. But, if running a bot can fund the decks I want to build as well as entry fees and that's it, then I am fine with that as well. I have literally close to 0 experience in programming or coding so I believe that it would take quite a long time for me to even get something close to a functional bot.
regardless i think you'd want a new account just for the new name, and the ability to play while your bot is working.
You want a "bot-like" name, so when people add your account to their buddy list, they know why they added it.
Very very true. I'm wondering how many TIX you'd need to have a decent start up. I'm also wondering what would be the format/set of cards that would be most beneficial at the start. I feel as though standard would have the strongest return at the risk of fluctuation due to the ever changing metagame.
magic library bot is free, but wizards says there's a chance that your account gets compromised via that program
i researched this topic before but can't find my post on it
botting can be lucrative, but you risk the chance of the getting your account compromised
Yeah, I heard that it's suggested that you purchase another account for botting purposes, but even then, there's still a risk of all your work and money being taken.
The biggest problem most amature bot owners have is that they don't have the time to keep their prices updated unless they limit themselves to standard cards or they just want to sell off their draft chaff.
If you want to make money at it, not just sell your rares for a 10% higher than buy prices be expecting to put some money into it and work.
How much time do you dedicate to your bot? I am honestly willing to spend hours working on my bot if need be, in order to make a profit. How much do you think you'd need for an initial investment? Do you know any bots that are commercially or available for free? Or possibly how to make one yourself.
There are a few members here that are very open about the fact that they run bots, and I'm sure there are more than a few that haven't said so.
I do run bots and I'd be happy to answer most any questions you have.
You might get more answers if you ask whatever the question is right away that you no doubt have in mind.
Yeah, sorry for posting my question. I was honestly posting on my phone and wanted to keep it short and simple. My questions right now are:
1. What bot do you personally use?
2. If it is commercially available, either paid or free, would you recommend it?
3. How does one start using bots?
You could have clicked my link.
Searched for block.
Saw THS block constructed.
Googled THS block constructed.
Clicked some google results and figured out what it was.
I'm pretty sad you didn't take the 30 seconds to do that.
Standard is not where you want to be. The meta shifts too much. Mono red was a bad deck for a period of time when everyone was playing mono blue. The Block meta does not shift as much, so you have a good chance of your deck being viable for the whole 3 months till the new set comes out.
I actually did so and googling THS block constructed didnt actually yield many useful results.
@missmua: thank you for the clear answer. I may try to get into block constructed now.
Now, I'm wondering what I should do with the remainder of my play points and tickets. I know that BFZ prerelease events are right around the corner, and with what I have right now, I could do two draft events. I'm wondering if this would be a bad idea for someone who hasn't drafted since Gatecrash, and admittedly I was never the most amazing drafter. I am definitely willing to put in the effort of reading up on the paper BFZ prerelease and practicing drafting the set.
My other option is getting back into competitive pauper. Although I'm not sure how healthy the format is these days. I do have a pauper deck already assembled, but there have been a few other decks I've been wanting to try. Are the pauper daily swisses good value? I've seen player run pauper events and have also wanted to try my hand at those.
If you guys have any other suggestions for what I should use my remaining tickets and play points on, that would be great. I miss playing mtg and it's only now that I've finally had some free time to get back into it.
I'm not really looking for a fully stocked standard bot. Is it REALLY necessary to have a fully stocked bot with 4x of each standard card?
"How much do you think is the MINIMUM to have a bot that will be able to purchase cards to flip, while still having the cards required as fluff? What methods could I use outside of purchasing tix with real money could I use to work towards that minimum ( or even more than minimum) goal? Like I said, I am willing to spend at least a few hours on this a day in order to get a bot running. If I do get to the point where I can see it as a business opportunity, and I have the will and resources to do so, I would probably consider it. "
I was aware of this, but thank you for the link
How much do you think is the MINIMUM to have a bot that will be able to purchase cards to flip, while still having the cards required as fluff? What methods could I use outside of purchasing tix with real money could I use to work towards that minimum ( or even more than minimum) goal? Like I said, I am willing to spend at least a few hours on this a day in order to get a bot running. If I do get to the point where I can see it as a business opportunity, and I have the will and resources to do so, I would probably consider it.
A couple hundred tix? Is that really how much one would need in order to start off? Would it be completely pointless to try with a lower count (like 80-100 or even less)? Say I were to use ML (it's the only public one I actually know about), with 100 tix, how long would it take to make back my initial investment?
In response to your question, I'd say it's a mix between funding my purchases in mtgo, with just a tad interest in side income. I'm not planning on making it my primary source of income, but the thought of having a little bit of income is somewhat tempting. But, if running a bot can fund the decks I want to build as well as entry fees and that's it, then I am fine with that as well. I have literally close to 0 experience in programming or coding so I believe that it would take quite a long time for me to even get something close to a functional bot.
What bots are available to the public and is it worth it to code your own bot?
Very very true. I'm wondering how many TIX you'd need to have a decent start up. I'm also wondering what would be the format/set of cards that would be most beneficial at the start. I feel as though standard would have the strongest return at the risk of fluctuation due to the ever changing metagame.
Yeah, I heard that it's suggested that you purchase another account for botting purposes, but even then, there's still a risk of all your work and money being taken.
How much time do you dedicate to your bot? I am honestly willing to spend hours working on my bot if need be, in order to make a profit. How much do you think you'd need for an initial investment? Do you know any bots that are commercially or available for free? Or possibly how to make one yourself.
Yeah, sorry for posting my question. I was honestly posting on my phone and wanted to keep it short and simple. My questions right now are:
1. What bot do you personally use?
2. If it is commercially available, either paid or free, would you recommend it?
3. How does one start using bots?
I actually did so and googling THS block constructed didnt actually yield many useful results.
@missmua: thank you for the clear answer. I may try to get into block constructed now.