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Theory Behind Magic: Your Limits

Until a month ago, I have always wondered why I am not one of those people who always get into the top 8 in PTQs or even first in drafts. At first I thought it was because I was not skilled enough and in a way I was right. Ever since December, my game play has gone from bad to worst dropping from the usual top 4 in drafts to places like fifth or seventh. Surely my skill cannot have dropped so much in a month, so what is the problem?

It was not until I talked to my friend Chris Lopez that I realise what my problem was, which is: I do not spend enough time on the game. Although I still go to the weekly drafts at Games Paradise that is about all the time I spend on Magic lately, since I have been occupied by other events. Chris however spends lots of time playing against other people on the net at night and against his brother. Thus he is more practiced at the game then I am right now and was able to beat me in the last 2 drafts even though our skill level was about the same not too long ago.

Although I have forked out a huge amount of DCI points to learn this lesson, at last I know what has been keeping me from becoming one of the top players in Sydney. It is simply because I was not committed enough, and the commitment I refer to can come in many forms.

1) Time

In order to become one of the top players, one must be prepared to sacrifice huge amounts of time in comparing decks on the net and play test against them. One cannot expect to just walk in to the tournament with no idea of the metagame and win. I read in Topdeck magazine that Pro-Tour players spend days preparing with each other before the tournament begins to determine which deck is the best to play.

2) Cards

I have always believed that a moderate player with a good deck can beat a good player with a moderate deck more often because of the sheer power of certain cards. Therefore it is most important that you play with the best cards there are available instead using substitutes in your deck. For example, using a City of Brass instead of a Brushland in a white/green deck because you do not have the card and cannot be bothered getting it. One damage may seem insignificant and you may be able to win against some lesser players and decks. Yet when you are facing a similar or superior player/deck, you would need every advantage you have.

3) Rivals

As stupid as it sounds, it is also important to play against strong players even though you may not be at their level at the time. This is because through playing against better players, you will often push yourself harder then usual which improves your game play and may learn a few new tricks on the way. Playing the same players over and over again will not only be boring, but also make you nervous when playing other players in tourneys.

At this stage that I will note it would be much easier to commit to the game if you have friends that play Magic. This is because not only you will have people to play test with but can also borrow a few cards that they are not using during tournaments to lower the cost of the game. If you don't have any friends in the game, just come to Games Paradise in Sydney on Thursday night. I'm sure that our draft organiser, Chris Foggin the best of Magic pimps in Sydney can fix you up with someone. (j/k, I meant organiser. Must have been a typo)

Thank you all for reading my monthly ramblings, and congratulations to my friend Josh Lopez on making Top 8 in PTQ Barcelona. Now you can tell your brother to shut up when he says that you suck at drafts.

Until next time,
Minga Wong