Special Clip - Why did I Quit Magic?

Summary

This video shares the personal journey of a Magic: The Gathering veteran who transitioned from being a competitive player and judge to stepping away from the game. They reflect on their experiences, the changes in the game, and the challenges with Magic's evolving focus on collectibles over gameplay. The narrator highlights the valuable skills gained through Magic, but ultimately expresses disillusionment with its current direction. Despite their departure from competitive play, the narrator acknowledges the lasting impact Magic had on their life and the friendships formed along the way.

Takeaways

• 😀 The narrator began playing Magic: The Gathering competitively in the mid-2000s, quickly growing to the point of hitting top 32 in events with a few top 16 finishes.
• 😀 Their favorite competitive deck was Stoneblade, especially a version splashing green and black for Deathrite Shaman, and including Zealous Persecution.
• 😀 The narrator was known for innovating strategies, such as using Zealous Persecution before others started copying the idea.
• 😀 Judging at Magic events allowed the narrator to balance playing and earning money, though over time, their judging schedule conflicted with their desire to play.
• 😀 SCG's restructure in 2015, which made the Sunday Legacy events less profitable, further diminished the narrator's desire to engage with the competitive scene.
• 😀 After a shift toward Modern, and with the discontinuation of events like Game Day, the narrator gradually disengaged from Standard, aligning with a growing dissatisfaction with the game's collectible focus.
• 😀 The narrator's interest in Magic waned due to rampant power creep and the constant financial commitment required for competitive formats, particularly in Modern and Pioneer.
• 😀 The pandemic and the release of powerful sets like Modern Horizons 2 reinforced the narrator's decision to stop actively playing Magic due to financial strain and format changes.
• 😀 Despite leaving Magic, the narrator reflects positively on the friendships and skills gained through the game, including leadership, strategy, and communication.
• 😀 The narrator now only plays EDH casually with friends, where everyone proxies cards, though they continue their involvement in the Magic community by sharing their expertise and assisting others.
• 😀 The narrator feels conflicted about their relationship with Magic, describing it as a toxic breakup where they no longer recognize the game they once loved, but are still connected to the community for support.

Q & A

What initially drew the speaker into Magic: The Gathering?

The speaker was initially drawn to Magic because of the game's depth and complexity, specifically enjoying the strategic nature and challenges posed by the competitive formats.

Why did the speaker decide to play Legacy, despite hesitation about the format?

The speaker hesitated to play Legacy because of the cost associated with the format but eventually chose to play after recognizing its appeal. They enjoyed playing at a competitive level, often finishing in the top 32 at events.

What was the speaker’s favorite deck in Legacy and why?

The speaker's favorite Legacy deck was Stone Blade, particularly a version that splashed green and black for Deathrite Shaman. They appreciated its synergy and the inclusion of two Zealous Persecutions in the main deck, which they felt gave them an edge over other players.

How did the speaker feel about their influence on other players in the Magic community?

The speaker felt a sense of pride and ego boost when they noticed that other players started copying their deck choices, specifically the inclusion of Zealous Persecution. They were happy to see their unique approach being adopted by others.

How did the speaker balance their role as a judge and player?

The speaker initially enjoyed a balance of judging on Saturdays and playing on Sundays. However, as they advanced in the judge community, they had to strategically decline Sunday judging opportunities to ensure they could still play, while also recognizing the higher expected value of judging.

How did SCG's restructuring of their open series impact the speaker?

The restructuring by SCG, where Saturday events paid out in cash and Sunday events only offered store credit, significantly impacted the speaker. Since they had limited use for store credit, they felt that this devalued the experience of participating in Sunday events, leading them to participate in fewer Legacy tournaments.

What role did Game Day events play in the speaker's Magic experience?

Game Day events were a highlight for the speaker, offering both competitive gameplay and the opportunity to collect exclusive promo items, like playmats. The speaker enjoyed the challenge of earning these promos but also faced some criticism for store hopping and reselling playmats, which some perceived as 'scalping.'

What led the speaker to stop playing Standard and focus on other formats?

The discontinuation of Game Day in 2017 marked the end of the speaker’s active participation in Standard. With no reason to maintain a Standard deck and the growth of Modern events in their area, the speaker naturally transitioned away from Standard and no longer felt the need to keep up with the format.

How did the speaker feel about Magic’s shift towards being more of a collectible than a game?

The speaker became disillusioned with Magic as it increasingly focused on being a collectible rather than a game. They felt that this shift diminished the game's original appeal and that the game was no longer about the strategic depth they once loved, but about keeping up with financial investment in new cards.

How did the pandemic and Modern Horizons 2 impact the speaker’s relationship with Magic?

The pandemic led the speaker to step away from Magic for several months. When they returned, Modern Horizons 2 had significantly altered the Modern format, and they felt that the new set invalidated existing decks, reinforcing their belief that Magic was no longer a sustainable hobby without continual investment.

How does the speaker currently engage with Magic, and what keeps them involved?

Currently, the speaker plays Magic only once a month in a casual EDH game with friends, where everyone proxies their decks. Despite their disillusionment with the game's direction, the speaker continues to help others by sharing their expertise and providing content, driven by the positive impact their work has on others.

What lesson does the speaker take away from their time with Magic, despite their frustrations?

The speaker reflects that while their time with Magic may have involved frustrations and disappointment, it also provided valuable skills like strategic thinking, leadership, and social connections. They acknowledge that their experiences, even if no longer aligned with the game, shaped their personal and professional growth.