Magic as a Lifestyle
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Posted on July 16, 2015, 7:42 p.m. by theClokkwork
When I was much younger I collected Yu-Gi-Oh, Pokemon TCG, even Chaotic cards. I loved collecting, and opening packs to see what kinds of cool creatures I would get from them. I never really got to into playing with them, because just having them was fun in itself. Cards have always been a part of my life, I'd say, just like videogames or books. They were a fun pastime and a way to connect with my friends, so when I decided to try Magic, I was trying it because that's what my friends were playing.
I started out by going to the Return to Ravnica pre-release and I was hooked. Not even for the game, but just because the cards were so much more than just cards, There was lore behind them, the art was inspired (on most cards) and collecting them felt like I was collecting storybooks. I took a long break from magic when my friend's left for college, but now that I'm back in the game it's become so much more.
These cards have memories behind them. Talrand, Sky Summoner was the first card I ever opened when I got that intro deck, for instance. I remember making trades all over the world with people on this site, hanging out with my friends at FNM's, opening a MM2 pack and pulling a Cryptic Command. These cards even helped me find something to keep my mind off my clinical depression, keeping me involved in a community and collecting new cards to distract myself.
All this has made it so Magic is a way of life for me. I spend time studying cards and making decks, not only for the fun of it, but also because it helps me get through my days. Having a hobby that constantly gets better (alongside my others) just makes life more fun. I feel like I'm a part of something bigger, being part of the Magic community, and that's really heartwarming.
I made this my first thread because I wanted to see if anyone has inspiring stories about how Magic has helped through tough times or helped them in their lives, or just happy Magic memories that you'll never forget, so I hope to read lots of great stories!
theClokkwork says... #3
It's fantastic to know that you're never alone when you're playing magic. Even when in a situation that makes you feel lonely, you can find your local card shop and begin to connect to people who love the same things as you.
The other day I went to the Origins Pre-Release, for instance. Right now I'm visiting family in North Carolina, since I just moved from here last year. I got to play that Pre-Release at the same place I played my very first magic game, and when I got there I found out it was the LAST week they were open. It was touching to be there for my first game up until the shop closed, and I just thought it was symbolic of what this thread's all about.
Thanks so much for sharing!
July 16, 2015 8:26 p.m.
not sure if you regularly read his articles, but mark rosewater (head designer - mtg) did a mailbag column where he asked players a similar question. it's not a bad read
July 16, 2015 8:27 p.m.
theClokkwork says... #5
I actually haven't read it yet, thanks for sharing it though, I love the idea of Magic helping people feel happier and be happier.
July 16, 2015 8:34 p.m.
HolyFalcon says... #6
I wouldn't have as good a connection with my friends if it weren't for magic. Every morning, we go up to the computer lab at school and test our brews against each other. Some of us (including me) play competitively, whilst others play with what they have, which sometimes consists of the contents of two intro decks. Sure, not every one of my friends play it, but it's really strengthened my friendship with them.
July 16, 2015 8:43 p.m.
theClokkwork says... #7
Haha, I started by crushing the best cards from two intro decks together, so that I can understand! It's fantastic having friends to play with, thanks for sharing!
July 16, 2015 8:48 p.m.
HolyFalcon says... #8
Yeah, for my birthday a couple years back I got the Lavinia of the Tenth and Vorel of the Hull Clade intro packs, those were sadly dismantled a long time ago. However, I found them both at Target and bought them, the decks are sitting on my shelf right now.
July 16, 2015 8:50 p.m.
theClokkwork says... #9
Haha I got the Archfiend of Depravity and Eater of Hope ones, and essentially created some weird Golgari Demons deck that was super fun to play. Just goes to show you don't need a tier 1 deck to have fun.
July 16, 2015 8:54 p.m.
OP_Magikarp says... #10
I remember one of my teachers in high school got me into Magic. One day all of my classmates and I decided we wanted to go to FNM that night and I remember the whole day was just us trying to find cards and come up with dumb decks just to play for the night. I ended up playing a deck centered around Immortal Servitude and a ton of 2 drops like Blood Artist and High Priest of Penance to make the opponent lose life. (SURPRISE SURPRISE is basically it for those who are interested). I only won one match that night but all my friends were standing around me as I top decked Immortal Servitude to basically guarantee the match win. Magic has always been about the community for me and I always prefer my LGS 100% over any other large game shop that doesn't have a solid community that I can go back to.
notKingCole says... #2
You know, I can affirm with this. I'm spending the summer with my uncle, who lives in the state next to mine. My little brother and all of my friends are hundreds of miles away, there's no one my age at my job, and I get pretty lonely. For that first week, I kept myself going by building random brews in my head all day (eight in one week, and the rate only increased). I found an LGS, and suddenly, I had friends. People I didn't even know were eager to talk about deck tech, trades, epic moments in casual games. I played EDH with someone I didn't even know waiting for the store to open up that day. He was so excited to show me his combos.
Probably the most bizarre thing was one time, at a casual Modern tournament, I ran into this guy. He had an old Mirage standard deck on him, and he treated it with the utmost care, like some sort of relic or heirloom. To him, it was a piece of history. It was an obscure combo deck that involved using Future Sight to play your entire library, then using flashback and a certain Wish (before Exile was its own zone, cards that fetched cards from out of play could grab flashback cards) and a single spell that milled a player by like two cards. He presented it as a puzzle to anyone who would try it, and when I found it, it was an awesome moment. "Would you do me the honors?" he asked, and I cut the deck, watching him goldfish it to show me the combo he was so proud of. It was a weirdly touching, connected moment. He was every bit as weird as I am (and that's saying something), and we would never have met if not for the folks at Wizards and some cardboard.
July 16, 2015 8:05 p.m.