I feel like MM2015 is just all the good stuff from the original and then a little more. I have 0 desire to buy old boxes if I come across them because all the chase stuff is in this set as well.
The LGS also has to watch out for problems involving sales tax on their property. The LGS owner I spoke to told me that 15 years back he was burned for allowing a cash transaction on the premises of his store and not forcing them to pay sales tax. He ended up getting a nice fine and after that has banned cash transactions. That said, it's all good if you wanna trade cards and "give him some pizza money later". He always makes sure that it appears to be two different things though.
Casual/competetive, those words dont mean anything apart from using the word "competetive" about some documents that are for the PT and GP.
The word casual has no formal meaning at all, it can only be used in the subjective, which makes it pointless.
Casual events are things where the entry fee is used to cover the event itself (upkeep of building, club fees and so forth). I'd consider this, in Magic, to be something like a Prerelease where you would assume you're paying for your packs. If there are prizes, they're not very significant.
Competitive is where you are entering the event with a much larger monetary gain for the winner. I would say this goes from FNM up to the Pro Tour.
Though in terms of what you quoted me on, I had not selected 'casual' as a casual vs. competitive idea but in regards to being laid back.
I'd actually prefer Wizards promotes Prereleases and Game days to last X rounds (4 or 5) and you get prizes based on your overall record. One LGS in the area does this with Two-Headed Giant events. People tend to stay longer with the hope of getting a pack or two of the new set.
That said, even perfect records don't net a large number of packs, but aren't these kind of events supposed to be more casual and fun?
It feels very much like a check the box kind of thing in this story. I started reading it and as soon as the orc said "you're a dude who thinks he's a girl" I stopped. It's a bit too hamfisted for me.
I try to keep up with games, but they cost too much (I budget $50 a month for my hobbies) and I just don't get entertained as much with them. I keep a wishlist on Steam and when something hits about $5, I get it. But for the most part, they just aren't worth $50-$60 to me.
As a late 20s guy with kids, I find myself more interested in social activities like board and wargames. There isn't a lot of incentive to invite friends over to play a video game because most of it is done online. Heck, I haven't gone to a LAN party since 2006. I kind of miss 4-player games where everyone was in the same room.
I'll be keeping a close eye on this edition. I got burned with 4th edition after I bought like 10 books and nobody wanted to play consistently. I need the core books, maybe an additional monster manual and I'm set.
I'll use them if they feel natural. I never remember "Grixis" from the Shards. These aren't as intuitive, but they may work. I hesitate all the time trying to figure out what a 3 color combination is, even the shards.
People using chewing tobacco or listening to music. Those are my pet peeves while playing. The card area at the LGS is loud enough and it's impossible to hear you while you have crap in your mouth. Plus the odor.
Otherwise, I'm a pretty good sport about all the other random crap people do.
Eh, X/Y didn't do it for me. I think the emphasis on EVs/IVs and competitive battling has burnt me out. I loved the old games when I didn't know better. Anymore, I feel like there is the "optimum" build in any game and to get the max enjoyment out of the game, you have to do it that way. I remember scumming for the right temperament or whatever they're called (Adamant, Timid, etc) and thinking it was kind of annoying. Now I catch a guy I want, spend 30 mins doing EV training, then going back to playing. It just wasn't fun. I have a compulsion to do these things to get the greatest output from my characters.
I'd like to see an open world pokemon game. Think Final Fantasy 12 where you see the creatures on the map and engage them in real time. No need for online connecting personally, but whatever.
If I could access it on my Nexus 7, I wouldn't complain. It looks alright. A little confusing, but nothing I couldn't get used to. As it is, I can't access the article page with all the dropdown menus and so forth. So, I just stopped visiting the website. There's enough podcasts and forums out there to distill the information that I really don't need to go there all that much if it's such a hassle.
Standard - I play Magic once a month approximately. I don't have the time nor the energy to devote to constantly tweaking something I may not play with very often. Most magic meet-ups are casual-er formats.
Modern - In college, we started playing 'new frame' Magic. It was the first Ravnica block, so there weren't a ton of sets and some players hadn't been playing long. It kept everyone relatively even. With a solid collection, Modern has become my favorite 60-card constructed. Most cards are more available to newer players and is supported by Wizards. The rotating ban list is one of my favorite parts of the format.
Legacy - If I had the money and foresight in my youth, I would have bought dual lands at $10-$20 a pop. I didn't. So, I have no interest in buying $50 to $150 lands for a format I see interest declining in my area. It's a fantastic format that I feel is ruined by a promise and potential legal dispute over that promise.
Vintage - I don't have the interest in putting my money into Legacy, so why would I go even further into vintage.
EDH - I play a lot of this. I started in it's infancy and it's awesome to go to a shop you've never been at and at least a few people have EDH decks ready to play.
Pauper - MTGO only around here. No thanks.
Cube - I don't have 8 people I would want to draft with to make this viable.
You never know who is in your shop I guess.
Casual events are things where the entry fee is used to cover the event itself (upkeep of building, club fees and so forth). I'd consider this, in Magic, to be something like a Prerelease where you would assume you're paying for your packs. If there are prizes, they're not very significant.
Competitive is where you are entering the event with a much larger monetary gain for the winner. I would say this goes from FNM up to the Pro Tour.
Though in terms of what you quoted me on, I had not selected 'casual' as a casual vs. competitive idea but in regards to being laid back.
That said, even perfect records don't net a large number of packs, but aren't these kind of events supposed to be more casual and fun?
As a late 20s guy with kids, I find myself more interested in social activities like board and wargames. There isn't a lot of incentive to invite friends over to play a video game because most of it is done online. Heck, I haven't gone to a LAN party since 2006. I kind of miss 4-player games where everyone was in the same room.
Otherwise, I'm a pretty good sport about all the other random crap people do.
I'd like to see an open world pokemon game. Think Final Fantasy 12 where you see the creatures on the map and engage them in real time. No need for online connecting personally, but whatever.
Modern - In college, we started playing 'new frame' Magic. It was the first Ravnica block, so there weren't a ton of sets and some players hadn't been playing long. It kept everyone relatively even. With a solid collection, Modern has become my favorite 60-card constructed. Most cards are more available to newer players and is supported by Wizards. The rotating ban list is one of my favorite parts of the format.
Legacy - If I had the money and foresight in my youth, I would have bought dual lands at $10-$20 a pop. I didn't. So, I have no interest in buying $50 to $150 lands for a format I see interest declining in my area. It's a fantastic format that I feel is ruined by a promise and potential legal dispute over that promise.
Vintage - I don't have the interest in putting my money into Legacy, so why would I go even further into vintage.
EDH - I play a lot of this. I started in it's infancy and it's awesome to go to a shop you've never been at and at least a few people have EDH decks ready to play.
Pauper - MTGO only around here. No thanks.
Cube - I don't have 8 people I would want to draft with to make this viable.
Nowadays, I see movies once and I'm good.