Magic The Gathering Online : Worth it?

[Bells]

I've been out of Magic for years now, i think it's been like, maybe 4 or even 6 years since the last time i ever played a match at all...

But every now and again i see the online version in the corner of my eye, and it always gets me curious.

Maybe just cause the aspect of a Collectable cardgame with Thousands of options and nearly limitless strategies really appeals to me... but the cost point always seems too damn high.

So, i'm pretty out of the loop, and i'm not really sure how stuff works nowdays... from what i understand, now, if you want to play online you need to buy a client, that gives you 100+ random cards to build your decks, and you can play freely, but if you want more cards you have to pay for the boosters and decks the same value you would for the actual physical cards... is that right?

[Ramary]

Do you mean Duels of the Planeswalkers?

[Kyanbu The Legend]

I think he means the PC online game. Though really it's cheaper to buy and play MtG 2013 for the PS3/360. Since Magic Online I think you have to play monthly for. While the PS3/360 games have online play. I might be wrong about the monthly payment thing.

[Ramary]

Well MtG 2013 is on Steam too, which is why I wanted to make sure.

[Bells]

i honestly have no idea if there is more than one option to play Magic Online, although my gaming platform is PC...

[Arcanum]

MTG Online gives you full access to every card, and complete deck building ability. I think there's also tournaments that you can pay real money to enter. However, the catch is that you have to buy all your cards, or get them in booster packs, which you buy. All with real money. And last I remember (this is going off memory from 3+ years ago when I looked into it) the digital cards cost more than the actual physical cards.

Like, if you really want to have full customizable control* over your deck, then go for it. But I warn you it's going to cost you a lot.**

Otherwise, if you just want to play the game and enjoy the strategy, I'd recommend the Duels of the Planeswalker game. You are more limited in your deck choices, although playing games unlocks cards for that deck that you can just add in or use to replace other cards. I bought the 2012 version when it was on sale and it brought back fond memories and was pretty fun to play, even if it was against the AI (though I did play a few games against Toastburner and destroyed him ). I'll probably buy the 2013 version when it hits $5.


*Although if you don't build your deck around the current metagame you're going to get wrecked, so I wouldn't say you actually have full customization.

**And if you build around the meta then it will cost you even more.

[Bells]

uh.. hold on. You have full access to every card, but you have to pay to use them?

So.. i can use it to build decks and such, but if i want to play with other people i can only use the cards i bought?

here is a really nagging question, can i just play with friends for fun, or do i have to be in tournaments to play other players?

[IHateMakingNames]

I think he means to use cards in tournaments you have to actually own the card. Otherwise it's all free.

Edit - I actually think I was wrong and he means it all costs money.

[Bells]

Ah so i see!!

Man, i have 6 Shelves full of Gundam Model kits and even still, looking around, Magic The Gathering looks EXPENSIVE even in online form...sheesh!

[Arcanum]

There's some info about it here, although here are the specific sections about deck building and buying.

The important bit is:

At the top is your CARD POOL, which contains cards you currently have available for deck building.

Also I googled around and found two FAQs and while they may seem dated, I doubt much has changed in MTGO's formula over the years (except, possibly, which cards you get when you buy the client). Also apparently to get single cards you need to buy event tickets (they cost $1) and trade them for a card's value with another person. There's a trading FAQ out there somewhere.

Also, yes you can player with other people without needing to enter a tournament.