How important is the "fit"?
The Kitchen Table forum
Posted on Nov. 9, 2022, 10:08 a.m. by Niko9
I mean, I feel like most players are somewhere in-between what is the most optimized deck and what cards you just want to play with, but there's a lot of gray area there, so I was just wondering how you all look at it.
And I guess what I mean more specifically is, when you make a deck, how important is the fit and flavor vs just pure effect? One example is that I have a deck where both Grand Abolisher and Ranger-Captain of Eos would be so good, but at the same time, I just don't feel like they fit. I'm not even sure if it's just the art style, I don't know, I just can't get into slotting them in. Does this happen to everyone, or is it just what happens to one janky player : )
Dead_Blue_ says... #3
The advice I have is to do a couple test games with the cards in question. You may find you like them after seeing them in action.
That being said, if you don’t like them don’t include them. It’s okay if you’re not 100% Spike. Build and tailor your deck to what you want and how you enjoy it. Have pet cards cool! Everything not optimal cool! Being able to pilot your deck correctly more often than not is more important than using the absolute best cards.
November 9, 2022 11:03 a.m.
Squee_Spirit_Guide says... #4
I am firmly on the 'Fit' end of the spectrum. Even when I'm playing competitively (which isn't often) I still tend towards cards I like over what's strictly optimal. I can't say exatly what it is either, but I just get more excited drawing a card I like, than a card that is 'best'.
I've spent many a game going down in flames, but happy with my lovely collection of basic lands in play :)
November 9, 2022 7:29 p.m.
TypicalTimmy says... #5
Personally, I play for fun. Even if I am losing, if I'm having fun, I win to myself.
Take this deck, for example. This stupid piece of crap likely would never win, but it's an absolute blast to play.
But yes, as with many things in life, it's all subjective. Some players only derive fun from winning. So if they are losing games, they hate it. I've played against people who won a game, but were still angry because for a few turns, they had a losing disadvantage. They could not handle not being #1 for a few turns in a row.
Other people, they could lose 5 out of 5 games in a row, but still have a blast because they are with their friends and making jokes and having a good time.
When I build a deck, I build with a goal in mind. For example, maybe I want a deck where I cram so many tokens onto the battlefield that I run out of space on my playmat... then I get wrathed and lose the game. Did I lose? Sure. But did I make 600 tokens? Yes. So did I have fun, despite losing?
Absolutely.
November 9, 2022 7:30 p.m.
Last_Laugh says... #6
Fit only matters if there's extreme differences in power levels, all their decks are built to combo, or the too powerful player is a douche imo. I run into this fairly often where my decks are all better than the options my opponents have/want to play with. I play a deck that doesn't combo and the game either ends up with me playing archenemy (which I'm fine with in these situations) or me playing suboptimally to make a competitive game out of it (I'll shuffle opening hand sol ring/mana crypt/tutors for a new card, etc.)
November 11, 2022 3:36 p.m.
FormOverFunction says... #7
For Commander I always choose form over function (lol) but if I get to play 2-headed-giant with someone at a prerelease I’m solidly in full function mode. It’s a real stretch to be able to make a themely deck, but forcing someone to ride shotgun on a poorly-constructed theme deck (with potential prizes on the line, no less) is a great way to never get invited along again ;p
November 11, 2022 7:45 p.m.
One of the [many] reasons I'm not a good, competitive Magic player is because I'll sacrifice optimization for flavor almost every time! I don't want to "just win"... I want to play with STYLE! And if I happen to win, too? That's just the cherry on top!
December 7, 2022 4:37 p.m.
khunkao Makes perfect sense : ) It be sound cliché maybe, but good cards are good, and the best cards are the ones you just kinda like for some reason.
TheOfficialCreator says... #2
How important it is entirely depends on your personal taste. If you want your deck to be as powerful as possible, you're likely going to sacrifice flavor to accomplish that end. But if you just want a deck to play casually with your friends, it may be worth excluding the powerful (and expensive) Grand Abolisher and Ranger-Captain to accomplish that effect.
For me personally, I like to play into the flavor of a card a lot, and not focus too much on optimization, though if I can make optimizations that benefit both flavor and power level I'll always spring for those.
November 9, 2022 10:39 a.m.