MTGO 1v1 Commander Etiquette
Commander (EDH) forum
Posted on Jan. 26, 2016, 12:10 p.m. by FalconGunrak
Hey everyone. I'm new to EDH and have no one to play with in paper so all of my playing happens online. So I guess the MTGO community is my "meta".
So, I've read a lot about EDH and the spirit of the format which is a lot of what drew me into the format. I used to play paper magic over 20 years ago and just got back into it. After trying to keep up with standard for almost a year I have now fully entrenched myself and collection into commander .
The problem I am having and that I seek comments and advice on is where you the "line" is on what is "fun" to play in this meta.
Part of what makes magic so fun for me and commander in particular is the vast diversity of the format and the countless options of types of decks.
What I've learned quickly is that if you play any countermagic or touch the opponents ability to ramp quickly then I get a lot of scoops.
So then I play Grenzo or Thalia (she makes people mad too) or Grimgrin Zombies just to get blanked by Brago or a million +1/+1 counters or run over by a turn 4 infinite combo etc.
Any advice comments would be helpful and to be clear I am not trying to say you should or shouldn't be able to play any type of deck or that one's opinion is wrong. You think counter magic is boring? I get it. I really do. I just need help getting a better feel for the middle ground of the meta while still having fun.
Thanks in advance and I look forward to your comments.
FalconGunrak,
Welcome to EDH!
I don't know about MTGO, but I think Jason Alt's "Commander Heat Index" articles give a really good feel for the way some cards are perceived IRL. I think he has four in the series so far.
January 26, 2016 12:20 p.m. Edited.
PepsiAddicted says... #4
in EDH on mtgo you should follow the same etiquette as when playing with RL people you just met. you dont really have to talk to them but if you do be nice. counterspells and tutors are perfectly fine. but there is the regular land destruction hate, especially early game LD will get ppl to scoop.
or you just play whatever you want, even LD. because there are enough random ppl online. and if they start QQing too much block them ;)
if you ever wanna play edh or modern hit me up: PepsiAddict
January 26, 2016 12:27 p.m.
I don't play online, but 1v1 commander is often viewed as more competitive than the multiplayer variant. I very rarely see 1v1 decks that aren't aware of the state of the format here on TO, for example.
January 26, 2016 12:50 p.m.
PepsiAddicted says... #6
the problem is that there is no specific option to play duel commander because mtgo doesnt support it as a format. its always multiplayer banlist and ruleset even when playing 1v1 on mtgo (so just multiplayer mtg rules with command zone and 40 HP .i almost never play 1v1 edh so i am not 100% sure but i think u play 1v1 with 40 HP.. for example). and most ppl arent even aware that theres a difference. so there is not really much of a competitive "spirit" even tho the decks are competitve. from time to time you see some1 trying to enforce french rules in 1v1 but they are on their own
January 26, 2016 12:56 p.m. Edited.
FalconGunrak says... #7
Pepsi addict . I will definitely hit you up for a game some time. And yes it's same commander rules with 40 hitpoints, you are just playing one opponent.
I think what the best thing would be(and this may be a different thread) is to eventually make enough friends online where you could let each other know what tier of deck you want to play before the match starts. Anything goes/good but not broken/theme tribal ....you get the best idea.
I like to be friendly and see all kinds of decks and I guess overall I don't understand the bent attitude a lot of people have. Maybe I don't take it personal enough or something but I've never lashed out because I got mana drained.
Side note....played a guy last night with Esper control deck. Game went all the way down until clocks were almost up. I couldn't break through no matter what. Finally asked the guy what his win con was since I was still at 40 and he had made zero attempts to affect my life total in 20 turns. His answer was to make the other person run out of time! That I could see people getting posses about!
January 26, 2016 1:17 p.m.
nonstripedzebra says... #9
I haven't had a lot of experience with 1v1 mtgo commander, but most of the decks I have played against were pretty oppressive. I have had a couple fair match-ups, but my best experiences are the multiplayer matches. People seem to be more interested in talking with you, and similar to tabletop games, schemes and alliances can be made and most people stay in good spirits. That is kind of what edh is about to me. Add me if ya want. nonstripedzebra on mtgo
January 26, 2016 2:35 p.m.
vampirelazarus says... #10
I think you should just keep up what you're doing. If people quit because you're playing counterspells, that's on them. You're just playing the game.
January 26, 2016 2:38 p.m.
FalconGunrak says... #11
I will add you for sure. I guess i just need to get a playgroup within the MTGO meta where we all agree on the level of decks allowed.
Personally I like the whole gambit, from cheesy tribal/themed decks that are pretty low powered but fun to play all the way up to hardcore denial decks. Personally not an infinite combo guy, but hey, it's up to me to stop it right?
Gidgetimer says... #2
The problem with using any online program as your meta is that the power level varies greatly. I guess it would be better on MTGO where you atleast have to get the digital cards than on untap where people can include The Tabernacle at Pendrell Vale just by knowing its name. I would just build a deck that you are comfortable with and just keep playing games until you get a good one.
January 26, 2016 12:17 p.m.