Afternoon all.
I'm new to MTG and have some questions about the game. I'm not sure if these have been answered in another thread or if there is a dedicated forum for these type of questions? if there is could somebody direct me to it? if not, any help would be appreciated.
I've ordered some cards from Ebay, they are mixed lots and from different releases. Are there any rules on what cards you can and can't use within a deck that you build from scratch?
Is there a difference between the paper version of the game and the Arena version, could you learn the game on Arena and then be able to go and play the paper version?
Afternoon all.
I'm new to MTG and have some questions about the game. I'm not sure if these have been answered in another thread or if there is a dedicated forum for these type of questions? if there is could somebody direct me to it? if not, any help would be appreciated.
I've ordered some cards from Ebay, they are mixed lots and from different releases. Are there any rules on what cards you can and can't use within a deck that you build from scratch?
There are different formats that restrict what cards by name you can build a deck with. For instance, Standard restricts you to cards that were printed or reprinted in the last 5 or so sets. The set count changes. Vintage allows every card ever printed with some restricted or banned due to reasons. Good starting points for new players include Standard, Pauper, Pioneer, Commander (or EDH), Brawl. Other formats include, but are not limited to, Vintage, Legacy, Modern, and Cube.
The differences are numerous to list so the best choice is to get yourself down to a Local Game Store or find another player to teach you. This way you can align your collection with what is currently popular.
As an aside, bulk collections sold on eBay tend to be of little value in deck construction for most formats. This is why they're sold as bulk and not individually.
Is there a difference between the paper version of the game and the Arena version, could you learn the game on Arena and then be able to go and play the paper version?
Thank you.
Sadly, yes.
On the surface, both Arena and Standard/Brawl sometimes have different ban lists at times and Arena offers an Historic format which doesn't have a true corollary with paper.
In addition, there are Arena algorithms, such as the double hand draw for Best of One, that allows for certain strategies and deck construction to exist. A notable example was a red burn deck that IIRC, used only 13 lands that had a pretty decent win/loss ratio. An identical paper deck would malfunction in most games.
Deck lists can, and do, go back and forth between paper and Arena. You just have to be aware of the differences and adjust deck lists accordingly.
When buying bulk collections the best way of playing is finding someone nearby and each building your deck from what is laying around. Beyond this casual setting card legality is separated by formats. If you are playing MTGArena you are probably playing standard which is a two year rotating format. Meaning it uses up to two years of the most recent cards with the previous year rotating out in the fall.
Rules wise MTGArena and paper MTG are the same. They use the same rules and the same cards. Other than standard there are different formats between paper and Arena.
If you have and LGS(local game store) your best bet is to go there and talk to them about when their magic nights are. Show up on such a night and talk with the people there. You can end up wanting to play any number of formats, though I suggest against Legacy, Vintage, Modern and Cube because it usually requires a greater knowledge of cards and rules to play.
Are there any rules on what cards you can and can't use within a deck that you build from scratch?
There are a number of different game formats, each with slightly (or highly) different rules on what cards are allowed. Some formats are:
Standard: Only permits some of the most recently-released sets, and excludes some sets that are not meant to be part of Standard. Old cards rotate out of Standard each fall, with sets being released throughout the year. https://whatsinstandard.com/ keeps you updated on what's legal, what's coming up, and when things will rotate out.
Extended: Not really played much any more. Basically the same as standard, but kept cards for longer.
Modern: Does not rotate like Standard or Extended, but excludes sets released before 8th Edition (July 2003). For the most part, this means the cards in the format are those with the "Modern" card frames, although the Time Spiral set and some promos with "Old" card frames makes it not a hard-and-fast rule.
Legacy: All sets are legal, but a ban list prevents the use of some of the most busted stuff.
Vintage: Not really played much any more, in large part because some of the staple cards cost thousands of dollars to obtain real copies of. All sets are legal, but a ban list prohibits cards which fall afoul of gambling laws (the very old "ante" mechanic), require manual dexterity (Falling Star and Chaos Orb), or cause serious problems with tournaments (Shahrazad). A restricted list limits the use of some of the most busted stuff.
Commander: All sets are legal, but a ban list prevents the use of some of the most busted stuff. Commander also has special deckbuilding rules not present in the above formats, and is targeted at multiplayer free-for-all gameplay rather than 1v1.
Is there a difference between the paper version of the game and the Arena version, could you learn the game on Arena and then be able to go and play the paper version?
As far as the rules of the game go, yes you could learn with Arena and then go play paper. Strategy and deckbuilding are a little bit different, though.
I'm new to MTG and have some questions about the game. I'm not sure if these have been answered in another thread or if there is a dedicated forum for these type of questions? if there is could somebody direct me to it? if not, any help would be appreciated.
I've ordered some cards from Ebay, they are mixed lots and from different releases. Are there any rules on what cards you can and can't use within a deck that you build from scratch?
Is there a difference between the paper version of the game and the Arena version, could you learn the game on Arena and then be able to go and play the paper version?
Thank you.
There are different formats that restrict what cards by name you can build a deck with. For instance, Standard restricts you to cards that were printed or reprinted in the last 5 or so sets. The set count changes. Vintage allows every card ever printed with some restricted or banned due to reasons. Good starting points for new players include Standard, Pauper, Pioneer, Commander (or EDH), Brawl. Other formats include, but are not limited to, Vintage, Legacy, Modern, and Cube.
The differences are numerous to list so the best choice is to get yourself down to a Local Game Store or find another player to teach you. This way you can align your collection with what is currently popular.
As an aside, bulk collections sold on eBay tend to be of little value in deck construction for most formats. This is why they're sold as bulk and not individually.
Sadly, yes.
On the surface, both Arena and Standard/Brawl sometimes have different ban lists at times and Arena offers an Historic format which doesn't have a true corollary with paper.
In addition, there are Arena algorithms, such as the double hand draw for Best of One, that allows for certain strategies and deck construction to exist. A notable example was a red burn deck that IIRC, used only 13 lands that had a pretty decent win/loss ratio. An identical paper deck would malfunction in most games.
Deck lists can, and do, go back and forth between paper and Arena. You just have to be aware of the differences and adjust deck lists accordingly.
Rules wise MTGArena and paper MTG are the same. They use the same rules and the same cards. Other than standard there are different formats between paper and Arena.
If you have and LGS(local game store) your best bet is to go there and talk to them about when their magic nights are. Show up on such a night and talk with the people there. You can end up wanting to play any number of formats, though I suggest against Legacy, Vintage, Modern and Cube because it usually requires a greater knowledge of cards and rules to play.
Two Score, Minus Two or: A Stargate Tail
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