So… there’s a Mac port of Magic the Gathering Arena. Oh boy, the power of nostalgia has hit me once again… Encouraged by a friend from overseas, for about 6 months…”Get on this so we can have a game”. We sometimes battle in the outdoor heat of Singapore during our lunch breaks…
Just in the weekend I gotten “crushed” over a few games and a great catch up. Yes, I have joined up with about 14 “free” boosters and I finished the tutorials… Reconstructing favourite decks/style of play with he modern cards. I still a n00b but I think I know what I am doing…
Yes, you can attack the planeswalker directly… “Oh, I see” I said. Clearly still an n00b. Guided by my friend who could’ve killed me 4 turns ago…
So, No, there’s no Dancing Polar Krakens, Ebon Knights, Getting Lost in Ith, Necropotence, Channel/Fireball was still legal, but I can get a hold of Underworld Dreams (oh, did I long for this card…)… (This shows how far back when I was playing. But the familiar races Merfolk, Dragons and Zombies… are still around).
My user is – Sunfist#45222
Is it good?
Kinda, definitely a nice Virtual Table Top (vTT) interface and running Discord chat in the background, it was cool, the banter and gaming over the internet with shared console… Almost link the real without holding sleeved cards, and worried if that drink or bug (IRL) is gonna attack that $80 Rare…
When making decks, I can reuse my cards in my library without dismantling a favourite deck. And can game almost any time, and collecting coins to get more cards ( as long as you win… so you “don’t” need to spend real money). This is me talking non-competitively.
There’s a neat mechanic with wild cards, like in poker, it can turn into any cards you like, dependant on the rarity and the number of wilds you have. So I was able to get my bouncing Mui Yan Ling Planeswalker, and soon my Underworld Dreams….
But the drawback is not in the gameplay but missing out on the physical. Able to trade out cards that you don’t use with other cards that fit your play styles. Able to meet up with people face to face (f2f) and banter in real life…
Able to hold cards.
Side note – If anyone has a Black Lotus or some Moxes, I’d be happy to trade for a few years of photographic services…. ( Also looking the Imperial L5r – Obsidian Hand).
But with the LockDowns and separated by bodies of water… I am happy I can duel again on the mountain tops, tapping Mana and soon I will be able to counter/bounce/block the “Decisive Moment” to win my duel… without carrying my Suitcase of Cards.