Magic: The Gathering,GO TEAM MS!

[Thestatusquo]

Just a PSA, tomorrow at noon is the deadline for signing up.

Read the link pie posted, email the guy your info. You don't have to have a deck list, so there's no reason not to get this out of the was ASAP so you don't forget.

[kdowns]

Monday at Noon

[Thestatusquo]

Oh. My sleep schedule is out of wack. I thought today was sunday.

Still, there's nothing wrong with scaring people into not procrastinating.

[kdowns]

Less than 24 hours left to sign up.

[AGar]

signed up. Should be on for playtesting later tonight.

[Thestatusquo]

Just over 9 hours to sign up.

Also, apparently the tournament is already over 50 people. Which is sweet and not sweet at the same time.

[Oman]

I've been interested in this game, but don't have a lively MTG scene locally. Is this a good place to learn? What's the cost like to actually engage at any noobish to mid-range level.

[Thestatusquo]

how do you know you don't have a local scene? Have you checked here:

http://locator.wizards.com/

Also, I looked up Newcastle NSW Magic the gathering on google (thats where your fb says you're living these days) and this store popped up:
http://www.goodgames.com.au/stores/nsw/newcastle.html

Maybe check them out?

You can also always play on magic online, which is the same as in real life (you pay for cards and to enter tournaments) but there's always someone to play with or a tournament to join, and you can do it in your undies.

The other question is kind of hard to answer specifically, since it all depends on what you want to do. I will try to lay a framework, give you opposite ends of the spectrum. Most people fall somewhere in the middle. All the money I'm quoting you is in USD. Some people can very easily spend 100s of dollars on cards for decks for tournaments (an average standard deck will probably run you around 500, modern like 700-800, legacy 1200-2000) Whereas some people are very happy just buying a few packs or starter decks or whatever, and playing very casually with their friends. That will only cost you like 30$. There is a format called draft where you build a deck from 3 boosters and some lands they provide you and then play a tournament with that deck, and that is very popular and fun. It runs about 15$ a pop. There was one guy at my store in Chicago that referred to his weekly draft as his "bowling league" because he just went, drafted, then gave any cards he got away to someone else.

I would definitely recommend something like buying a starter deck (they come with two ready to play decks that are not very good for a competitive tournament player, but will be totally fine for you and a buddy to sit down, read the walk through, and learn how to play and have fun. Another option that would work pretty well is find a local store (like the one I posted up top) and ask if they have any casual magic days. If they do, come in and watch for a little bit, then ask someone if they'd mind teaching you how to play. Magic players are usually very happy to do this.

Magic can be a ridiculously fun hobby and a ridiculously expensive one as well, but spending money on cards can be worthwhile if you're getting enjoyment out of playing them, and winning with them, but there are plenty of ways to enjoy the game without going broke too. It's all up to you.

[Oman]

I've been to the Good Games here and the issue is that it's like 40 minutes drive away, on a work night (and I'm not saying weekend nights are better. I know they play on Fridays but I'm usually busy with friends), and the store isn't really designed around helping new guys or getting new people involved. To be entirely honest, I didn't actually ask if anyone was willing to help out a new guy, and I probably should've.

I'm probably more interested in the casual environment rather than trying to be amazing, I'm more interested in the craft, metagame, and strategy than in making "my ultimate deck". I.e. I'm more interested in draft than anything else.

Next year I'm moving to a bigger city, with a more intrinsic nerd culture (very coastal/surf/bogan here), and will be able to get involved in more play, but for now just kind of want to learn and experiment and enjoy.

EDIT: How long is a magic game on average?

[Thestatusquo]

Depends very much on the decks on either side of the table. Two decks that are not very aggressive can pretty easily play a game that goes hours. There's a casual format called Commander which is multiplayer and those games tend to take a very long time. In a tournament setting a round (consisting of a best of three game match) is 50 minutes long, though very aggressive decks can win a game much quicker than that.

[xRECKONERx]

I'm probably more interested in the casual environment rather than trying to be amazing, I'm more interested in the craft, metagame, and strategy than in making "my ultimate deck". I.e. I'm more interested in draft than anything else.

This is how I was when I first started... try drafting. It's casual, nobody has an innate advantage from having cards, and it teaches you the fundamentals on what makes a good deck.

[PeregrineV]

Sorry I missed that. If anyone here does well, let us all know.

[Thestatusquo]

I'm really excited.

[xRECKONERx]

PAIRINGS GO UP AT MIDNIGHT WOOOOOO~

just got the email

Hey I need to finish that SB for my GW deck!!!

4x Plummet
3x Ranger's Guile
1x Keening Apparitiong
4x Ambush Viper
1x Primal Huntbeast
2x Villagers of Estwald

[xRECKONERx]

I really just have problems with fliers. I'm wondering if Deadly Recluse shouldn't be a 2-of in the sideboard (maybe 3 of)

[AGar]

Pairings!

Looks like me, Shea, Sudo, Reck, Kdowns, DDD are all in. Did I miss anyone? We all seemed to avoid R1 pairings.

[Thestatusquo]

i've been trying to tell you to play deadly recluse since you started testing the deck.

[Shanba]

I'm also in (P. Dalton)

[Oman]

I've been playing 2014 duels of the plainswalkers on steam.

Solid game. Interesting meta.

[xRECKONERx]

i've been trying to tell you to play deadly recluse since you started testing the deck.

Main or side?

[Thestatusquo]

I don't know since I haven't played your deck, but I'd be tempted to run a 2/2 split.

[xRECKONERx]

4x Plummet
3x Ranger's Guile
1x Keening Apparitiong
3x Ambush Viper
1x Primal Huntbeast
3x Deadly Recluse

Anyone got these?

[Thestatusquo]

I got all o' dat.

[xRECKONERx]

^5

[Debonair Danny DiPietro]

And Team MS goes up 1-0; rest of you bums go get it!