Not sure this is trolling or not by the responses but my take on it...
I'd tend to agree the overall player base can be pretty rough. Unfortunately, nerdy things tend to bring out the socially inept or flat out mental health. Not all hit this spectrum of course and many people I've played with are cool, hell cooler then me, but I seem to see it all the time regardless. This multiples if prizes are involved. People who were originally cool go insane if I start winning.
I'd say play edh or multiplayer. Takes the pressure off and often times the stupider the game gets, the more fun people have. Got to find the right people of course. Months of weeding people out until I found my group.
I do love EDH, but unfortunately that seems to pull in the "try hard" crowd who thinks that beating down others in a game with no prizes is fun. Seems like even with nothing on the line it still brings out the worst in people, especially when the game drags on or you make any sort of move on a player.
i think you cannot think about playing magic in a solitaire way because magc IS the players. It is a battle of wits and experience shared. Pretty much like chess, you can play against yourself but it will never be as interesting.
If you don't want to play mtgo (and I perfectly understand and agree with what you're saying about it) my advice would be to look for other player. People who don't flicker cards, quiet and respectful people. I want to reassure you by reminding you that the sample of people you met so far is very low, try searching a bit more and i'm sure you'll find someone you feel comfortable playing with.
I too don't like people who are loud and have an arrogant demeanor. I usually try to avoid them, and if I meet them in tournaments I'm glad to beat them as it's a double victory, both against their deck and them.
But there are quiet and relaxed people. They are just difficult to hear over the loudness of the others, and to notice over their exuberance.
The sample I have is from going to over 4 different gaming stores in my area. They tend to be the same kind of folks.
Also the game is not the players. It's the story, the art, the feel, and worlds they weave. Sharing that with others is what diminishes the value of the game and all that it brings, at least to me. Trading has to be the worst. If I could play with bots I would.
How do I put this, the strategic part of the game is the players, what you described was the flavor, which is a coat of marketing paint. Considering some players play the game solely for its strategic value and don't care for the flavor at-large (which is probably the kind of people you don't like and find sharing with diminishing) and a larger majority do appreciate the flavor but still prioritize the strategic value above it, there isn't much you can do about it.
The flavor part isn't what really drives the game (which is essentially cardboard marketed with strategy and a coat of flavor), the main inspiration for that coat of flavor comes from D&D and there is where flavor plays a more important role (although the basic functions must still work otherwise it still breaks into boring degeneracy apparently - I don't play D&D don't take my words too seriously). Your ideal concept of a game seems to rely on flavor over strategy as a "base mechanic", which Magic doesn't really do so.
I disagree with that as I think that the flavor is the game and what makes it more appealing then something like chess or checkers. It might be that it's useful in marketing but without that flavor nobody would bother with the game.
The story, feel, flavor and just the way it is are what make up the game. It's what makes it different then yugioh or Pokémon and part of why people play. It may vary from player to player but it is a large part of why people pick Magic and not other games.
The sample I have is from going to over 4 different gaming stores in my area. They tend to be the same kind of folks.
I'd say they tend to be the kind of folks you dislike, otherwise it would be a very naive generalization. Still, 4 stores is a small size, it still could be that you're on the wrong side of variance. Or, your standards about people could be too high for most to be adequate.
Also the game is not the players. It's the story, the art, the feel, and worlds they weave. Sharing that with others is what diminishes the value of the game and all that it brings, at least to me. Trading has to be the worst. If I could play with bots I would.
Then if you want a game without players (!) just collect cards you like in terms of flavour and story and don't play games. Magic is both about playing with others and collecting cards, and you clearly seem to like only the second.
Well, Magic Duels allows you to play against AIs for free, and the card pool is growing. This is about the only thing I can't think of for someone who finds the other options lackluster. Aside from this, i fear there aren't many solutions, and i'm sorry for that.
I still disagree that Magic is about playing with others. I think if they knew what people were like they wouldn't say that.
Also you're trying make up excuses to cover up how bad the player base is for Magic. Ending up on the wrong side of variance is a weak response to was seems to be an obvious reality.
i think you cannot think about playing magic in a solitaire way because magc IS the players. It is a battle of wits and experience shared. Pretty much like chess, you can play against yourself but it will never be as interesting.
If you don't want to play mtgo (and I perfectly understand and agree with what you're saying about it) my advice would be to look for other player. People who don't flicker cards, quiet and respectful people. I want to reassure you by reminding you that the sample of people you met so far is very low, try searching a bit more and i'm sure you'll find someone you feel comfortable playing with.
I too don't like people who are loud and have an arrogant demeanor. I usually try to avoid them, and if I meet them in tournaments I'm glad to beat them as it's a double victory, both against their deck and them.
But there are quiet and relaxed people. They are just difficult to hear over the loudness of the others, and to notice over their exuberance.
The sample I have is from going to over 4 different gaming stores in my area. They tend to be the same kind of folks.
Also the game is not the players. It's the story, the art, the feel, and worlds they weave. Sharing that with others is what diminishes the value of the game and all that it brings, at least to me. Trading has to be the worst. If I could play with bots I would.
Stop duelling at FNMs. Prizes can bring out the worst in people, especially if they suffer delusions of grandeur.
Find a like-minded group of gamers and play multiplayer with them.
Cheers!
The problem is that even when there aren't prizes on the line it still becomes intolerable. I say that after having "played for fun" a few times before.
The problem though is that it's the same no matter where I go. The players are (ironically) the worst part of the game. If only you didn't need other humans to play the game, but alas you do. You say it has all types, but I think that's just something a community says to cover up how bad they are.
Of course I could apply the same logic when it comes to other people and playing any kind of game. I like the game, not the people. They are more like bodies one requires to get things rolling.
I mean I love the worlds and the art on the cards. I started in Alara and loved it, especially the shard of Esper. I loved the whole metallic feel of the plane and the cards, the concept of etherium (even how the word sounds). Then from there I branched backwards into the Shadowmoor block and it was like falling in love (I'm assuming). The hybrid cards were cool looking and how they cared about colors, plus the spirit avatars, scarecrow cards, and the dark feeling of the whole plane. Something similar happened when it came to Scars with the discovery of Phyrexia and I went hard into that, still don't know why I love phyrexia so much (I was absolutely tickled when I saw New Phyrexia).
Point being is that I pretty much love everything about the game and how it plays, except having to play with other people. For some reason that aspect of Magic almost makes me want to quit the game. Everything from flicking their cards to their loud voices, the list goes on. The players make the Magic experience difficult to enjoy for me. I tried the video games, but they are rather limited in deck construction. So as it has always been since I started I play with others out of necessity and try my best to pretend they are some kind of AI or I focus on the cards that I have played and the "feel" (art and story wise) of them.
You guys make it seem like Kruphix has a nihilistic view on the whole "we are not alone" subject. Because he knows about other worlds and the dangers of the big bads out there, he can start screening for that nonsense and begin preparing for it. Elspeth ain't going nowhere any time soon. Kruphix can start grilling her on New Phyrexia (who, with knowledge on their methods of operation, are a very beatable enemy imo). I now think of Kruphix as a security system for Theros.
As for the whole "powered by belief thing", there's an interesting scenario that comes out of it that prevents a big five and to a lesser extent, a minor god, from disappearing. It's not like a god disappears immediately if there isn't any devotion. If word were to get out that "hey, gods are a thing because we make it a thing", and people start actively trying to get rid of them, a god may decide to kill everyone out of spite since they'll fade regardless. I'm pretty sure most of the pantheon would do that without a thought and the Silence won't stop them.
In other words, that information that Kydele now has is very, very dangerous. The status quo isn't changing, barring some really ridiculous stuff happening (read: whatever that scumbag Ashiok is messing around with).
I think Kruphix knows that no matter how wide his knowledge is, he is still just a small fragment of a world among many. He knows of the dangers the walkers spoke of, beings that devour planets, a "machine" that spans plans and perverts life, a dragon older than him whose plans span worlds. He is the only one who truly understands just how vulnerable Theros is, that if anything like that should come there they would be doomed. Because all they have ever known are the gods and mortals, and after learning they are not so special how can they hope to stand against beings who know of other worlds as common knowledge. I think he is coming to grips with just how frail and mortal he truly is, as well as the plane. Not to mention there is no why that Erebos is going to let anyone near his prize so questioning her is out the window.
I've always found Ravnica to be quite blue. Te whole civilization and city aspect is irrelevant because the entire plane is a city with the exception of a few parts. Blue is the color of progress and being able to "shape your destiny", which is what each guild is ultimately trying to do (sometimes in not so secret ways). The guild pact may be white, but the guilds themselves do what they do for the betterment of Ravnica as a whole, and allowing it to progress further.
Still though, doesn't mean I'm a fan of the whole thing.
An interesting thought came across my mind, I was wondering how the personality types for the Jung Personality Test might fit into the philosophies of the colors in Magic. YOu know like INTJ, INTP, or ENTP
So he just does this whole thing for kicks? Sounds like my kind of character. Having the keys to anywhere in the city and watching people react when he "gives them what they want".
I do love EDH, but unfortunately that seems to pull in the "try hard" crowd who thinks that beating down others in a game with no prizes is fun. Seems like even with nothing on the line it still brings out the worst in people, especially when the game drags on or you make any sort of move on a player.
I disagree with that as I think that the flavor is the game and what makes it more appealing then something like chess or checkers. It might be that it's useful in marketing but without that flavor nobody would bother with the game.
The story, feel, flavor and just the way it is are what make up the game. It's what makes it different then yugioh or Pokémon and part of why people play. It may vary from player to player but it is a large part of why people pick Magic and not other games.
I still disagree that Magic is about playing with others. I think if they knew what people were like they wouldn't say that.
Also you're trying make up excuses to cover up how bad the player base is for Magic. Ending up on the wrong side of variance is a weak response to was seems to be an obvious reality.
Humans are pretty intolerable
The sample I have is from going to over 4 different gaming stores in my area. They tend to be the same kind of folks.
Also the game is not the players. It's the story, the art, the feel, and worlds they weave. Sharing that with others is what diminishes the value of the game and all that it brings, at least to me. Trading has to be the worst. If I could play with bots I would.
The problem is that even when there aren't prizes on the line it still becomes intolerable. I say that after having "played for fun" a few times before.
Of course I could apply the same logic when it comes to other people and playing any kind of game. I like the game, not the people. They are more like bodies one requires to get things rolling.
I mean I love the worlds and the art on the cards. I started in Alara and loved it, especially the shard of Esper. I loved the whole metallic feel of the plane and the cards, the concept of etherium (even how the word sounds). Then from there I branched backwards into the Shadowmoor block and it was like falling in love (I'm assuming). The hybrid cards were cool looking and how they cared about colors, plus the spirit avatars, scarecrow cards, and the dark feeling of the whole plane. Something similar happened when it came to Scars with the discovery of Phyrexia and I went hard into that, still don't know why I love phyrexia so much (I was absolutely tickled when I saw New Phyrexia).
Point being is that I pretty much love everything about the game and how it plays, except having to play with other people. For some reason that aspect of Magic almost makes me want to quit the game. Everything from flicking their cards to their loud voices, the list goes on. The players make the Magic experience difficult to enjoy for me. I tried the video games, but they are rather limited in deck construction. So as it has always been since I started I play with others out of necessity and try my best to pretend they are some kind of AI or I focus on the cards that I have played and the "feel" (art and story wise) of them.
Anyone have a similar experience?
I think Kruphix knows that no matter how wide his knowledge is, he is still just a small fragment of a world among many. He knows of the dangers the walkers spoke of, beings that devour planets, a "machine" that spans plans and perverts life, a dragon older than him whose plans span worlds. He is the only one who truly understands just how vulnerable Theros is, that if anything like that should come there they would be doomed. Because all they have ever known are the gods and mortals, and after learning they are not so special how can they hope to stand against beings who know of other worlds as common knowledge. I think he is coming to grips with just how frail and mortal he truly is, as well as the plane. Not to mention there is no why that Erebos is going to let anyone near his prize so questioning her is out the window.
Still though, doesn't mean I'm a fan of the whole thing.