[Trick]

Sorry it's been a dryspell on articles. Erik got super busy after the pre-releases and didn't get time to write an article. And Sammy is in the midst of finals.

What did you think? Where do you fall on his five levels of player? Do you agree with them?

-- Trick

[Lythand]

I fall in Level two. Although I don't play much in tournaments anymore, that's were I would be. It's just sad that magic has become a money game. To play at the higher levels you have to have the money to do so. Otherwise your just playing with proxies, and standing on the outside looking in to a real tournament were proxies aren't used. I hope that the grassroots project wizards is planning here is going to roundout more types of play and possible bring down prices on cards, but I doubt it will happen.

[iokepa]

I'm just entering level 2. And of course, I have the same problem. Money. How can I play test more when I can't afford MGTO? Now, I am fortunate enough to have gotten my wife into playing, but that doesn't exactly provide a challenge to my deck (if you know what i mean... ;-) ....).

So, what's a guy to do? I've gotten into playing Magic Workstation Online, but that seems to have some weaknesses. I live too far from my local shop to play FNM very often. Erg. It's frustrating. I read, and read, and read...but in the end I know it's play time that's gonna make a difference.

[Lythand]

The only problem with Magic Workstation, is you tend to find people who don't know the rules, and MWS does not enforce them like MTGO. Soemthing I can suggest, there is a website called Puremtgo.com. They focus on MTGO strategies, and the host of that site is also the owner of MTGOtraders.com.  If you think you have the ability, you can wright articles for the site and depending if your article is good enogh, the owner will post it, and reimburse you for credit for the store. Also there is a monthly card contest in the forums that can net you some credits for the store as well. Both have been good to me for financing my collection.

[imachampion]

The only problem with Magic Workstation, is you tend to find people who don't know the rules, and MWS does not enforce them like MTGO. Soemthing I can suggest, there is a website called Puremtgo.com. They focus on MTGO strategies, and the host of that site is also the owner of MTGOtraders.com.  If you think you have the ability, you can wright articles for the site and depending if your article is good enogh, the owner will post it, and reimburse you for credit for the store. Also there is a monthly card contest in the forums that can net you some credits for the store as well. Both have been good to me for financing my collection.

Use MWS with people that you know. People from the boards, people in real life, and people that you meet online. As long as you limit the people that you play with...you won't find the idiots that you will on MWS.