It is 100% @MagnusEffect's fault that I got into this, but it is quite fun. I've won a few games, lost a few games, and am enjoying just playing with a starter deck. Matches last around 5-10 minutes so far, so no stress win or lose. And yes, card games are lootbox based, but to be fair, they always have been. This is just digital instead of paper. And yes, Tabletop Simulator is "better" since it has all the cards, but it takes longer and if no one is around here, this is something I can play in 5 minutes between doing something else.
I enjoy this and I've played a fair amount over the last few months. Haven't done a ton since Allegiance dropped, but I dabble occasionally.
If you get into Magic Arena and you think you like it, I recommend buying ONLY the starter pack at first. It gives you the best bang for your buck (but you can only buy it once). Also, you only have a limited number of booster cards you can unlock at the start. If you want to have an easier time starting, I recommend saving those until you have a deck you know you want to play continuously. I have suggestions for that below: Since Arena is a 1v1 format, I personally recommend building a Red deck FIRST because it is very strong in 1v1 and the more matches you win, the more free decks and cards you will also win. Consider this your "farming deck". RECOMMENDED CARDS FOR FIRST DECK IN MTG ARENA A few things to keep in mind: some of the cards I'm about to recommend will not win you any friends. Some of these cards should be used sparingly when in casual play at a table with buddies. HOWEVER, MTG Arena is not a game where you are playing to make friends. Some opponents will hate you for using some of these cards, but who cares?! You cannot expect any mercy from anonymous people from the internet. Heed my advice and it will save you HOURS of headache. CREATURES How many? 20-22
ARTIFACTS How many? 8-12IMPORTANT - because artifacts and lands are generally colorless, these will work in ANY deck. This makes them THE MOST EFFICIENT investment of your card unlocks. Keep that in mind when expanding your card catalog. LANDS & MANA CURVEHow many? 22 (For this deck, do not be tempted to go higher or lower!) For your first deck, "keep it simple, stupid"! This is a mono-Red color deck so all you need is Mountains. Mana Curve is the average mana cost of your cards in your deck. Generally speaking (especially for Arena), I recommend keeping your average somewhere between 2-3 mana cost. Conveniently, MTG Arena will calculate this for you in "Deck Details" (click the graph icon in the top right corner when viewing your deck). Arena games play FAST and you want a deck that takes advantage of that. Generally speaking, 6+ cost spells will not save you if your opponent almost kills you by turn five.
And yes, this is a very long series of post, but if you have little experience in MTG Area and you want to truly enjoy your time spent there, the above advice will save you HOURS of headache. I'm not saying this is the only deck you should use, but I am recommending this is where you should start. You will need at least one strong deck to farm for more rewards and Red is perfect for new players doing 1v1. You are welcome.
Wow... It's been awhile since I've played Arena, but I just went 9:1 today! The only reason I lost one was because I was mana screwed and the guy I faced had a legitimately *oppressive* deck (cheating giant dinosaurs out by reducing mana costs by 4). I'm not bragging, but rather wanted to illustrate my points made above. My deck is far from optimal because I don't have all the cards I want, but here is what I used today to get my string of wins: 1x Dark-Dweller Oracle (I'm considering changing this out for +1 Tormenting Voice) 1x Dismissive Pyromancer (I'm considering changing this out for +1 Tormenting Voice) 2x Fire Urchin (ideally I would change this to +2 Raptor Hatchlings) 4x Goblin Instigator 1x Lava Coil 3x Lightning Strike (might change these to +3 Lava Coils) 2x Raptor Hatchling 3x Sure Strike 1x Diamond Mare 2x Jousting Lance 2x Shield of the Realm 1x Suspicious Bookcase 1x Act of Treason (ideally I would change this to another Goblin Chainwhirler) 1x Boggart Brute (will probably change this to another Squee, the Immortal) 2x Goblin Chainwhirler 1x Squee, the Immortal 2x Sleek Schooner 2x Transmogrifying Wand 1x Goblin Trashmaster 3x Rekindling Phoenix 2x Demanding Dragon 22x Mountain Keep in mind that many of these I got from the starter pack. A few cards to note: Some players seem to be confused about both Squee and the Rekindle Phoenix: I've had situations where they will target them down with conventional means, not realizing they will be back next turn. It is funny to watch. Shield of the Realm is not powerful, but many players seem to forget that it is there or what it does. I've seen many cases where they will attack into it, just to have their attack be completely blunted. People REALLY like to target down Goblin Trashmaster and Diamond Mare with burn spells... which is hilarious to me because they are very far from the biggest threat you can throw at them. Fire Urchin's ability is very seldom useful compared to the "fear factor" Raptor Hatchling brings. Get 4x Raptor Hatchlings when you can. They are great in Red, but also in Red/Green dino decks. 3-4 Rekindling Phoenixes are just as fucking ridiculous as I remembered them. Use them. Abuse them. Make your enemies feel the burn. Goblin Chainwhirler's ETB affect that deals 1 damage to all enemies is so damn good at clearing the board of 1/1s. On my last game, I literally had a guy quit the match at 25 health after I played the Chainwhirler and killed three of his dudes on turn 4.
