Magic the Gathering: Arena

[SinisterDeath]

@Verbal32, @Nolder

Magic: The Gathering Arena

 

So this is a thing.
 

From what I've played so far, it's significantly better representation of MTG than the F2P Magic Duels/Duels of the Planeswalkers video games. It's not MTGO, but it's being marketed as F2P with Pay to Advance? mechanics. (Sink money in opening new packs)

 

It's currently limited to Just Standard Format Cards (It doesn't have Kaladesh Block, which hints it may not release until Kaladesh rotates out of Standard),
It currently only has one Game Mode.

Best of One.

Eventually we are going to get

Best of 3.

And Draft options.

 

I'm hoping for Brawl & Commander game modes to make an Appearance

 

As an Aside, the Newest set that Prereleased  yesterday is Called Dominaria.

Dominaria is the home plane of Magic: The Gathering.

 

I went to Prerelease yesterday, and participated in a 2HG, and bought a Booster Box. (First one I've ever bought)

The Estimated Value of just the Rare and Mythic Rares I got was $220. 2HG+Box = $172. 
So I think I did good!

Also, Dominaria has some old Tribals back.

Like Elves, Wizards, Goblins and Saprolings make a Strong appearance this time.

 

I'm saddened that we got only 1 Kavu creature. But also thankful we didn't get any Slivers.

 

Edited April 22, 2018 by SinisterDeath

[Nolder]

I haven't played MTG in well over 10 years. There are so many new mechanics I don't know.

 

Is this supposed to be following a Hearthstone type model where you earn some sort of currency to buy packs as you play the game?

[SinisterDeath]

13 hours ago, Nolder said:

I haven't played MTG in well over 10 years. There are so many new mechanics I don't know.

 

Is this supposed to be following a Hearthstone type model where you earn some sort of currency to buy packs as you play the game?

Pretty much.
You win a game you get a small amount of gold. (I think there's a daily limit to how much gold you can earn in a day)
There's daily quests for packs and gold.

1000 gold to purchase a pack.

Unknown how much it's going to be to purchase 'gems'.

 

They recently tested codes in Physical packs in New Zealand, that can be redeemed in MTGA just like Pokemon. Though it sounds like 1 in 10 nets you an actual booster pack.

[Verbal32]

Interesting - I had heard of this, but I am curious to try it out and see if it is better than HS.

[Nolder]

Yeah I might try it too.

 

I like the mechanics of MTG better than Hearthstone in a lot of ways.

[Nolder]

@SinisterDeath do you know if this game will have trading?

[SinisterDeath]

8 hours ago, Nolder said:

@SinisterDeath do you know if this game will have trading?

That's a hot topic over at www.reddit.com/r/magicarena

Currently they have no plans to allow trading. 

A lot of users are hoping for a Dusting Mechanic similar to Hearthstone.

The economy is a bit of a mess atm. 

 

They released prices for gems.

750 Gems: $4.99
1,600 Gems: $9.99
3,400 Gems: $19.99
9,200 Gems: $49.99
20,000 Gems: $99.99

 

Cost of boosters with gems.
600 Gems: 3 Packs - 750 gems = 150 leftover.
1,200 Gems: 6 Packs - 1600 Gems = 400 Leftover
3,000 Gems: 15 Packs - 3400 Gems = 400 Leftover.
9,000 Gems: 45 Packs - 9200 Gems = 200 Leftover
18,000 Gems: 90 Packs = 20,000 Gems = 2000, 2000 Gets you 9 Additional packs for for 1800 Gems, leaving you with 200 leftover Gems.

[Nolder]

Honestly trading might make or break the game for me.

I'd like to see them improve on hearthstone's model in a way that's good for players and not the company.

 

Looking at the dollar to Gem to pack rate it doesn't look like that's going to happen.

[SinisterDeath]

19 hours ago, Nolder said:

Honestly trading might make or break the game for me.

I'd like to see them improve on hearthstone's model in a way that's good for players and not the company.

 

Looking at the dollar to Gem to pack rate it doesn't look like that's going to happen.

Correct.

Hasbro, who owns Wizards of the Coast are definitely pulling the strings when it comes to marketing $$$.
They recently did a Survey on the Economy.

I'm hopeful the Devs put the $$gem/gold as they did via the penny pinchers, and this Survey they recently did is a big shiny middle finger and I told you so to the penny pinchers that the users will hate the system, and flee it for things like Hearth Stone.