15th Nov, 2007

Magic The Gathering - Curse or Blessing?

Most of you might have come across this collectible card game at one time or another. Well, I have been an avid on/off Magic The Gathering player for many years now (since I was merely 14 years old to be exact)..

It’s an addictive, time consuming, and expensive hobby to get involved in - but its got its fair share of good points too. I’ve quit the game a total of 3 times now over the years due to various commitment, distractions, and financial reasons.

Just before I quit last year however, I participated in an international Grand Prix tournament that was held in KL. It was the highlight of my MTG hobby. I managed to win RM1,000 in the process (the smallest cash prize actually) - and it was my very first MTG cash prize win. The first place went to a Japanese player who walked away with USD2,400. Pro players regularly win a WHOLE LOT more.

Recently some friends (Sandra!) decided to give the game a go. I dropped by at their place just the other day to pit my old deck vs their new ones, and I ended up having a lot of satisfying fun.

MTG - Fooie & Melvin

MTG - Cards

MTG - Sandie

Sandie : Ummmmmmmm…
FoOie : Why? Wanna concede?
Sandie : Of course not! I will… *proceeds to initiate killer combo that kills me*
FoOie : 8O
Anyway.. to keep the long story short.. I am VERY TEMPTED to restart again.

The question is.. SHOULD I?

Why I Should

  • I know I am capable of playing well at the tournament level
  • I enjoy the serious, professional competitiveness of the game
  • BIG prizes to be won regularly
  • Meet lots of people
  • LOVE everything about the cards - artwork, the whole mini-economy, deck construction, strategy..
  • Improves mental alertness

Why I Shouldn’t

  • It’s bloody expensive. Restarting cost could reach up to RM1000, and maintenance might require around RM300-500 per month. Of course, I can always sell my cards to earn most of the $ back, but the problem is I don’t quite like doing that.. :(
  • It’s bloody time consuming. Weekly Friday Night Magic sessions, qualifiers, tournaments, pre-release events, etc..
  • I do not exactly have a ‘team’ to train regularly with YET.
  • My geekiness will be amplified 10 fold.
  • I probably won’t find my future wife by playing MTG.
  • I might just end up quitting again.

Any advice folks?

Posted by: FoOie

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Responses

Dude… would it surprise you if I was a Magic: The Gathering fanatic, too?

I may have not played the game for a while but I still keep my deck and collection of cards - I think they’re considered collector’s items by now.

I should think getting a team is easy because most guys, like you and me, had played MTG at one time or another, and if they’re sentimental enough, they’d still keep the remnants of their former decks.

As of lately though, it seems that the latest decks are “hi tech” looking. Whatever happened to the good ole’ days of plain medieval…

By: Edmund Loh on November 16th, 2007
at 1:26 am

Btw… you will NEVER find your wife at the table so don’t count on it. I already tried.

By: Edmund Loh on November 16th, 2007
at 1:27 am

Edmund : Hehe, you MUST bring your old cards and play with me SOON.. :) I might wanna buy some of them off you (if you’re selling) haha..

Getting a team to play with isn’t difficult. Getting a REGULAR team who is willing to invest as much time, effort and cash to reach a certain professional competitive level is. You can only be as good as the people you play with. :)
Yeah, Magic has gotten all funky compared to its earlier days hehe, but thats what makes it all the more interesting…

You already TRIED looking for a WIFE? :P
The only girls I know who play Magic, are ALWAYS girlfriends of guys who do.

By: FoOie on November 16th, 2007
at 11:01 am

Woah! That young lady is cute! I don’t mind playing card with her but I will proberly lost all the game!
Have a nice day!

By: HORNY ANG MOH on November 16th, 2007
at 3:41 pm

play boardgame, we are cheaper!!!

By: Henry on November 16th, 2007
at 4:09 pm

Horny Ang Moh : Yeah, she is VERY cute haha, and I lost both my last games to her :P
Henry : LOL, I already do play boardgames.. hehe.. just that its not as competitive (professionally) or as rewarding. Also, there is a certain feeling of repetition to it after awhile.. same people, same ole games.

Not saying boardgames aren’t good though hehe.. I still play a lot of it, and am constantly introducing new friends to the world of designer boardgames..

But it just isn’t the same as MTG :P (maybe coz it requires less commitment too)

And you speak as though you ARE a boardgame. haha :P

By: FoOie on November 16th, 2007
at 5:00 pm

Oh gee, thanks mr horny ang moh *giggles*

By: Sandra on November 16th, 2007
at 5:34 pm

Don’t restart. You’ll never get laid for the next…. 8 years :P

By: M* on November 17th, 2007
at 3:25 pm

Sandra : hehe, don’t I get a thanks too for supporting and reinforcing his compliment? :P
M* : Scary thoughtss scary thoughts.. but then again, getting laid isn’t all that its hyped up to be :) I will not let some cards get in the way of that, should the opportunity presents itself of course :D
Magic players do get laid haha, many are intelligent, come from well to do backgrounds, and have a decent social life. Besides, geeks make good boyfriends. haha.. You won’t find better guys elsewhere.. ;) (and girls complain that all the good guys are taken - truth is, they just don’t know where to look.)

By: FoOie on November 17th, 2007
at 4:56 pm

Fooieeeee! unbelieveable! hahaha. *shys away*

By: Sandra on November 18th, 2007
at 3:08 am

I found *my* good man, via my blog. HAHA!!! Long story.

By: M* on November 18th, 2007
at 5:28 pm

Sandra : kekekeke :P
M* : You’re gonna have to tell me that story one of these days :)

By: FoOie on November 18th, 2007
at 7:11 pm

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