Magic Online, and alternatives

So here's something I've been wanting to write about for awhile, and hopefully get somemore people in the know. Jeff Hoogland wrote an article a little while back about the same kind of stuff, and I'll probably link it at the end so you can read something by someone who actually knows what they're talking about...

Anyway, as an out of work father with a family I'm the first to admit that Magic is one expensive hobby, even more so if you're trying to get into the big circuit competitive scenes (be it SCG or grind your way through PPTQ's and try to make your way to the PT), you need to drive for hours spend countless hours testing, who knows how many dollars in gas and food and hotels.

The other problem people have with MTGO is that the program is bad. Just... bad. The interface, the gameplay, everything! Even when I tried to do some free drafts on it I lost even more hair than I'm already using trying to navigate the game play and make my way for a win (though, I usually lost... to the timer, because MTGO is frustrating). I mean, there's a reason @ismtgostillbad has more than 600 followers.

Someties, MTGO just does things you don't even want it to do.... Most famously:

Guess what MTGO did to LSV? Well, it shuffled his deck. I'm pretty sure LSV rage quit after this, but I can't confirm.

One way to ease the burden is Magic Online (or modo as some call it) that way you can test right at home in your underwear, or if you live out in the boonies and there is no LGS you can always go on MTGO and find something to play. Problem is? This gets even more expensive. Sometimes the decks online can cost even more than they do in paper, so if you're looking to play both your wallet will be empty... QUICKLY.

Fear not! I know ways to get around this! There are free alternatives out there! ... and guess what? They operate better than MTGO could ever dream of operating.

1: Untap.in

website: www.untap.in

Untap.in is probably the most lightweight of the things I can show you. You don't need to download anything, and I think there's even a way for you to play on Untap on your android device (but, I don't touch them Androids, so I can't confirm).

The problems with Untap though is you have to do all of your own triggers. There's no automations, and no rules enforcement, so if you end up in a game with someone cheating the hell out of the game, you just kind of have to sigh, and leave the match. This was my first forray into playing Magic for free online, and I still go back sometimes if my new favorite is having server issues.

2: Cockatrice

Where to Download: http://www.woogerworks.com/

Cockatrice is the one that everyone knows about, and the go to program for people who are looking to play for free online, so from what I understand it has the largest community. My personal problems with the program is the way it looks (seriously, I perfer MTGO than this) but it's the longest running program that's around and there must be a reason for it. Even when Wizards tried to get Woogerworks shut down, they're still there and able to connect you with some other nerd looking to play some Cardboard Crack.

Since I've only used the program for about 10 minutes and decided I didn't like it I don't have much to say about it, from what I've gathered like Untap.in it doesn't have rules enforcement and you have to do all your triggers yourself.

3: XMage

Where to Download: http://xmage.de/

XMage has become my go-to program for funsie and testing Magic decks all around. There's full rules enforcement, all automated triggers, and the interface looks the best of the three. It's easy to find 1 on 1 matches of any format or even Free for All Commander battles, and even 8 man tournaments. You can also find sealed tournaments and drafts. It's easily the best of the bunch, and it's all open sourced so if you know about that sort of stuff you can fully customize, and even help what the people are doing.

The problems? Well, just like anything XMage does it have it's problems. There can be server issues, which leads to you dropping from your game (just like MTGO) but it is often able to reconnect you and even put you right back into the game you were playing.

Some people have said that it takes forever to click through the triggers and that's why they prefer to play on Cockatrice or Untap, but there's easy ways to skip priority to any point wether it be to your next turn, the end of the current turn, or even during your opponents main step.

It's probably the biggest of the programs. You download the client itself, then you have to download the cards (which can take a few minutes) and then the mana symbols.

Another problem with XMage? Well, when you play a card like Meddling Mage, it gives you a list of every card in Magic and you have to scroll through and find the card you want to name. It sucks, takes forever and there's gotta be a better way to do it.

Here's the article written by Jeff Hoogland if you'd like to read something by someone who knows how to write: MTGO Alternatives on The Meadery

#mtgo #xmage #untap #cockatrice #alternatives