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The title's taken from something that I'm afraid has become something of an inside joke with a few people that I discuss Magic with up here. Why I'm using it'll become clear presently.
Magic is a game I dig a lot. You may have seen some posts related to it. Magic and I have a difficult relationship because it's fundamentally a consumerist endeavor and I'm not a consumerist type of person. I've got a collector button. For the most part, I can ward it off, but Magic hits a terrible note where the collection seems like it does something. Functionality - even a false functionality - is a terrible lure.
Anyway, I got back in to the game because I enjoy it and because I made a few friends that played. That's a good reason, in my book. My trouble really starts when I begin to tally costs, though. It didn't look so costly when I began! That's what every newbie says. I'll just play casually! I know that it's cheaper just to outright buy the objects of ones cardboard affection, and I know the cost. Or I thought I did. Basically, I figured that the local store level tournament is like the local club level music scene. If you're causal but decent, you'll do ok, but I'm showing up to the 5 dollar game on Friday and people are playing decks that have a cost that rivals my month's rent. Standard's big dog right now is the 'Baneslayer Angel'. It's the new Very Rare category, and basically spells the end of the game if you can't deal with it right away. If you're playing White, then you need to play 4 Baneslayers. There's very little way around it. You can play something else, but there's no debate that you're playing an objectively inferior card.
It's the same with a slew of cards, actually. There's no way you can play any combination of colors and not play these cards. And they're expensive. My own options are limited. I can go big or go casual, and drop out of tournaments. I really, seriously thought about it, and I've made my choice. I'm going casual. I am not about to bust my wallet and stress about this. That is my sad, grownup decision. Of course, I chuckle when I say that.
Actually, when I 'go casual', it's not so bad. I've got a substantial bank of very potent cards. So basically, I'm taking the kid gloves off. Sad grownup indeed. I took apart my brand new tournament deck and sleeved up 14 year old cards this evening.
Magic is a game I dig a lot. You may have seen some posts related to it. Magic and I have a difficult relationship because it's fundamentally a consumerist endeavor and I'm not a consumerist type of person. I've got a collector button. For the most part, I can ward it off, but Magic hits a terrible note where the collection seems like it does something. Functionality - even a false functionality - is a terrible lure.
Anyway, I got back in to the game because I enjoy it and because I made a few friends that played. That's a good reason, in my book. My trouble really starts when I begin to tally costs, though. It didn't look so costly when I began! That's what every newbie says. I'll just play casually! I know that it's cheaper just to outright buy the objects of ones cardboard affection, and I know the cost. Or I thought I did. Basically, I figured that the local store level tournament is like the local club level music scene. If you're causal but decent, you'll do ok, but I'm showing up to the 5 dollar game on Friday and people are playing decks that have a cost that rivals my month's rent. Standard's big dog right now is the 'Baneslayer Angel'. It's the new Very Rare category, and basically spells the end of the game if you can't deal with it right away. If you're playing White, then you need to play 4 Baneslayers. There's very little way around it. You can play something else, but there's no debate that you're playing an objectively inferior card.
It's the same with a slew of cards, actually. There's no way you can play any combination of colors and not play these cards. And they're expensive. My own options are limited. I can go big or go casual, and drop out of tournaments. I really, seriously thought about it, and I've made my choice. I'm going casual. I am not about to bust my wallet and stress about this. That is my sad, grownup decision. Of course, I chuckle when I say that.
Actually, when I 'go casual', it's not so bad. I've got a substantial bank of very potent cards. So basically, I'm taking the kid gloves off. Sad grownup indeed. I took apart my brand new tournament deck and sleeved up 14 year old cards this evening.
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I actually just decided to stop playing, after picking the game up again for a few weeks. A frustrating altercation with an opponent who a) is one of the regulars at the local game store, b) gets mad if you are not Playing to Win, and c) takes it personally if attacked with a forestwalk creature while he has played forests.
Part of my thought process was seeing the current cards which are being played and realizing that there is no way my old cards can compete against the new stuff, and that I'm not shelling out cash for starters and boosters - or heavens forbid, buying a single card for $5 or something.
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I was actually gearing up to try for the pros when college hit and whatnot. The truth is, I was an ok player, and maybe I could have made it, but I never had the cash - and now I don't have the drive. That drive is firmly allocated in other realms, now.
When I got back in, I did spend money on individual cards. My first purchase was 16 bucks for two separate cards, and I actually don't regret the money I've spent.
But when I see those cards for $40 a pop and know I'm not going anywhere until I buy them... I can't justify it.
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Geeks with high paying jobs often don't have a better idea with what to do with their disposable cash. Instead of raising a family, they just play Magic.