Hmmm Whenever I add a description (usually something like "bring your A game" or "this deck might contain annoying cards" but occasionally also "weak deck") I get what I asked for. This might be because I play some of the "Fringe" formats and Extended which while not fringe has a more long term (dare I say mature?) group of players who actually do take the time to look at the description column.
I have noticed that standard players tend to be more aggressive, urgent (play now! play quick! no talking!), and rude. This isn't necessarily true of all Standard format players but seems to be more the rule than the exception. Thus those players who are somewhat ignorant of basic social standards of interaction may also tend to ignore obvious signs like: "No land destruction!" etc. I am not saying this is definitely so but I think it likely.
As Steve says everyone has a different definition of casual magic. The same is true for casual behavior and social standards. While a majority of players are from the US, there are quite a few other cultures represented online as well and conversational english isn't universal (though it may be some day.) Just as people don't always respond well to chat they may not be able to read your message clearly.
On the other hand I wouldn't feel bad about turning people away. The point of casual is to have fun or in someway enjoy the experience. (Learning something might be the goal instead of pure enjoyment but the goal is to get something out of it.) If you aren't getting something out of it then why bother? It is of course nice to be polite and courteous but it may not be possible to always do this with players who can't or won't read the signs. It does help if you are having this problem to repeat the phrase in chat. For instance "Looking for semicompetitive opponents only, standard format, table set up"
The key point Steve hit on which I think is 100% correct is that like casual player to player trading, casual gaming messages aren't encouraged. They aren't discouraged but the UI does not really help you get the message across. I hope the design team are reading articles like this for this crucial commentary.
As always a great read. Ollie is getting an advantage imho by joining a chess club. Magic teaches you some very important strategy skills but chess is purer imho for learning things like look ahead and tempo. Studying books and learning from past masters can't hurt either for metriculation skills but presumably that will be many years down the road. That he enjoys chess probably means he will be great at it or at least good enough to learn valuable lessons from it, and if so he may also surpass you (eventually) in magic too, considering his apparent brilliance.
"I cast Soul's Might for five cards and then play out Rupture Spire, Harrow, and Woolly Thoctar on my next turn. Talk about some serious velocity. He gets double Vampire Hexmage, but I am bringing serious creatures into battle.
Analysis: I wasn't exactly sure about the inclusion of Soul's Might in this deck, but in this game the power level it displayed was pretty insane. Being able to draw five cards after you've deployed a threat basically guarantees that you'll be able to pound the red zone with giant monsters."
I agree strongly that players should be able to play whatever they want in the casual room and, regardless of complaints, this is pretty much what they do anyway. I also agree that people should make better use of the game descriptions, but the big problem is that NO ONE READS THEM. When I want to play Pauper Standard I make a Pauper game and write "Standard Decks Please" in the game description and more than half my opponents that join will NOT be playing with Standard legal decks. So I have to sit there and type "did you read the game description?" to everyone that joins my game, which more or less negates the purpose of the game descriptions to begin with and makes you feel like an idiot turning players away from a game over and over.
Heya Hammy saw you online earlier but had to go before you could reply. Sorry to hear of your loss. I hope Pete and John make it. Talk about rotten luck :(.
Sadly I wanted this article back for revision. For one thing I ended up goofing the count: its over 100 by 3. For another I had another Deck with 3 colors which seems a little tighter in practice and also I wanted to add in some 60card singleton decks I've been working on. :( Also a few types in the formatting (Vivid Creek, Strip Mine, Realm Razer) I was going to correct.
I can tell you have potential as a writer but this article needs some work. it feels like it is just a page of notes with nothing really bringing it together. no theme.
Tell us more about that red deck you've been destroying daily events with. Jackal Familiar, really?
Schedule is Zendikar Draft this morning, followed by 100Card Singleton this afternoon.
Tomorrow will be unified standard at 9:00 am PST and unified standard will be tomorrow afternoon. There will also be a WotC site page for the events as well, once it's up I'll link it up. :)
Yes, but Dark Depths doesn't tap for mana, which makes it kind of useless until you either get out a Hexmage or an Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth.
I'm not really in favor of using almost dead cards until you get a combo out.
Of course, this isn't much different than using Progenitus in an elf deck with Natural Order. Except Natural Order is kind of a 1 card combo in that case.
Of course, there are always retrace cards to use a Dark Depths when you can't find the Hexmage.
Are these events happening on MTGO, with all you guys sitting together, or are they paper? If on MTGO, where are they taking place, and is there any kind of schedule?
From what I have, I think dark depths is one that is highly possible cos you can do other things with "creatures" and "lands" other than assemble the said combo... wasteland vs dark depths seems like an odd answer but it doesn't really have to be forced out and you can play eternal witness type spells for it... it's not that big a deal anyway since indestructability is not that indestructable...
Where are you!!!! We tried to find you on the second floor. We're in the bridge, please swing by and say hello!
There is official coverage, with draft viewers and stuff. Don't know how to get there other than the direct link WOTC_Lee gave out earlier.
http://www.wizards.com/Magic/Magazine/Article.aspx?x=mtg/daily/eventcove...
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO community team!! I'm routing for all my "beta kids" Go get em guys!
Nice! Still no official coverage it seems.
Hmmm Whenever I add a description (usually something like "bring your A game" or "this deck might contain annoying cards" but occasionally also "weak deck") I get what I asked for. This might be because I play some of the "Fringe" formats and Extended which while not fringe has a more long term (dare I say mature?) group of players who actually do take the time to look at the description column.
I have noticed that standard players tend to be more aggressive, urgent (play now! play quick! no talking!), and rude. This isn't necessarily true of all Standard format players but seems to be more the rule than the exception. Thus those players who are somewhat ignorant of basic social standards of interaction may also tend to ignore obvious signs like: "No land destruction!" etc. I am not saying this is definitely so but I think it likely.
As Steve says everyone has a different definition of casual magic. The same is true for casual behavior and social standards. While a majority of players are from the US, there are quite a few other cultures represented online as well and conversational english isn't universal (though it may be some day.) Just as people don't always respond well to chat they may not be able to read your message clearly.
On the other hand I wouldn't feel bad about turning people away. The point of casual is to have fun or in someway enjoy the experience. (Learning something might be the goal instead of pure enjoyment but the goal is to get something out of it.) If you aren't getting something out of it then why bother? It is of course nice to be polite and courteous but it may not be possible to always do this with players who can't or won't read the signs. It does help if you are having this problem to repeat the phrase in chat. For instance "Looking for semicompetitive opponents only, standard format, table set up"
The key point Steve hit on which I think is 100% correct is that like casual player to player trading, casual gaming messages aren't encouraged. They aren't discouraged but the UI does not really help you get the message across. I hope the design team are reading articles like this for this crucial commentary.
Nice article Steve.
Awesome deck dude. Right up my alley.
As always a great read. Ollie is getting an advantage imho by joining a chess club. Magic teaches you some very important strategy skills but chess is purer imho for learning things like look ahead and tempo. Studying books and learning from past masters can't hurt either for metriculation skills but presumably that will be many years down the road. That he enjoys chess probably means he will be great at it or at least good enough to learn valuable lessons from it, and if so he may also surpass you (eventually) in magic too, considering his apparent brilliance.
Yep you're right, Soul's Might definitely doesn't draw you five cards =)
That's okay, I went 2-0 in the next matches, 2-1 a'int bad for this. Certainly was a 3-0 deck though, but 'eh', not bad!
"I cast Soul's Might for five cards and then play out Rupture Spire, Harrow, and Woolly Thoctar on my next turn. Talk about some serious velocity. He gets double Vampire Hexmage, but I am bringing serious creatures into battle.
Analysis: I wasn't exactly sure about the inclusion of Soul's Might in this deck, but in this game the power level it displayed was pretty insane. Being able to draw five cards after you've deployed a threat basically guarantees that you'll be able to pound the red zone with giant monsters."
You mean Soul's Majesty rather than Soul's Might. Good article.
I agree strongly that players should be able to play whatever they want in the casual room and, regardless of complaints, this is pretty much what they do anyway. I also agree that people should make better use of the game descriptions, but the big problem is that NO ONE READS THEM. When I want to play Pauper Standard I make a Pauper game and write "Standard Decks Please" in the game description and more than half my opponents that join will NOT be playing with Standard legal decks. So I have to sit there and type "did you read the game description?" to everyone that joins my game, which more or less negates the purpose of the game descriptions to begin with and makes you feel like an idiot turning players away from a game over and over.
Articles like this really set you apart from other Limited writers!
Heya Hammy saw you online earlier but had to go before you could reply. Sorry to hear of your loss. I hope Pete and John make it. Talk about rotten luck :(.
Sadly I wanted this article back for revision. For one thing I ended up goofing the count: its over 100 by 3. For another I had another Deck with 3 colors which seems a little tighter in practice and also I wanted to add in some 60card singleton decks I've been working on. :( Also a few types in the formatting (Vivid Creek, Strip Mine, Realm Razer) I was going to correct.
Is there a way to watch this?
I can tell you have potential as a writer but this article needs some work. it feels like it is just a page of notes with nothing really bringing it together. no theme.
Tell us more about that red deck you've been destroying daily events with. Jackal Familiar, really?
Thanks and keep it up!
By the time I saw you lose game one, it was off the board. Any other way to watch the replays?
Replay of my stunning top-deck defeat should be there for a few minutes.
Windborn Charge kills me... only card in his deck that could have won him that one.... gah!
Glad you enjoy 'em! I'll try to keep finding time to write more.
are the events watchable on MTGO? I would love to be able to watch and offer support to you guys.
MTGO, and we're all in the same room.
Schedule is Zendikar Draft this morning, followed by 100Card Singleton this afternoon.
Tomorrow will be unified standard at 9:00 am PST and unified standard will be tomorrow afternoon. There will also be a WotC site page for the events as well, once it's up I'll link it up. :)
Yes, but Dark Depths doesn't tap for mana, which makes it kind of useless until you either get out a Hexmage or an Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth.
I'm not really in favor of using almost dead cards until you get a combo out.
Of course, this isn't much different than using Progenitus in an elf deck with Natural Order. Except Natural Order is kind of a 1 card combo in that case.
Of course, there are always retrace cards to use a Dark Depths when you can't find the Hexmage.
Are these events happening on MTGO, with all you guys sitting together, or are they paper? If on MTGO, where are they taking place, and is there any kind of schedule?
From what I have, I think dark depths is one that is highly possible cos you can do other things with "creatures" and "lands" other than assemble the said combo... wasteland vs dark depths seems like an odd answer but it doesn't really have to be forced out and you can play eternal witness type spells for it... it's not that big a deal anyway since indestructability is not that indestructable...