Season Results (February)

 As I mentioned last time,  Magic Arena calls each month a season. This post captures my February performance.

Pulling stats from untapped.gg and capturing in a spreadsheet across different events:

Here's my 'standard ranked' performance, ending at 'Gold 4':

Observations:

• My win percentage jumped to 47%. Still bad, but I'll take it. I don't need to be championship-caliber, but I do like hovering around 50%.
• I played for 13 hours in February. 
• As soon as I hit gold status in standard ranked, I play other types of games the rest of the month. Ending at gold gives mild (but satisfying) rewards, and I can't hang with them at that level, so there's not much point in playing further.
• Constructed events/play times still hover around 5 minutes per game; drafts, 7 minutes per game.

Fun times.

Kaldheim Quick Draft

Okay, one more Kaldheim draft. This is the last one. Probably.

Arena ran a Kaldheim quick draft- where you're drafting cards against the computer, then building a deck to play against people. I participated three times.

Draft 1

Record: 3-3

Deck: W/U/B . . . Something

Description: No idea. I had a fair amount of elves, but no real synergy or discernible strategy. Not sure how I pulled even on wins/losses.

1 Skemfar Avenger (KHM) 109

1 Narfi, Betrayer King (KHM) 224

1 Mistwalker (KHM) 68

2 Dogged Pursuit (KHM) 85

1 Snowfield Sinkhole (KHM) 269

4 Duskwielder (KHM) 91

3 Skull Raid (KHM) 111

1 Frostpeak Yeti (KHM) 57

1 Revitalize (KHM) 23

1 Dread Rider (KHM) 89

1 Undersea Invader (KHM) 78

1 Strategic Planning (KHM) 77

1 Return Upon the Tide (KHM) 106

1 Snow-Covered Plains (KHM) 276

1 Village Rites (KHM) 117

2 Weigh Down (KHM) 118

1 Snow-Covered Plains (KHM) 277

1 Snow-Covered Swamp (KHM) 280

2 Berg Strider (KHM) 47

1 Priest of the Haunted Edge (KHM) 104

1 Hailstorm Valkyrie (KHM) 97

1 Ravenform (KHM) 72

1 Demonic Gifts (KHM) 84

1 Glacial Floodplain (KHM) 257

1 Draugr Thought-Thief (KHM) 55

7 Island (SLD) 102

7 Swamp (SLD) 105

1 Draugr Recruiter (KHM) 87

1 Mists of Littjara (KHM) 67

1 Wings of the Cosmos (KHM) 39

Draft 2

Record: 5-3

Deck: W/U/G Tempo

Description: I used Cosima to great effect (well, the other side- The Omenkeel vehicle), as well as format staples like Mistwalker. A dash of snow theme as well. I roared to 5-0, then lost three straight. 

1 The Bears of Littjara (KHM) 205

2 Mistwalker (KHM) 68

1 Maja, Bretagard Protector (KHM) 222

1 Iron Verdict (KHM) 17

1 Shimmerdrift Vale (KHM) 267

2 Bind the Monster (KHM) 48

1 Pilfering Hawk (KHM) 71

1 Guardian Gladewalker (KHM) 174

1 Glittering Frost (KHM) 171

1 Saw It Coming (KHM) 76

1 Cosima, God of the Voyage (KHM) 50

1 Usher of the Fallen (KHM) 35

1 Goldmaw Champion (KHM) 14

1 Stalwart Valkyrie (KHM) 31

1 Boreal Outrider (KHM) 163

1 Snow-Covered Island (KHM) 279

1 Beskir Shieldmate (KHM) 4

1 Icehide Troll (KHM) 176

1 Snow-Covered Plains (KHM) 277

1 Horizon Seeker (KHM) 175

1 Snow-Covered Forest (KHM) 284

1 Graven Lore (KHM) 61

1 Blizzard Brawl (KHM) 162

1 Behold the Multiverse (KHM) 46

1 Snakeskin Veil (KHM) 194

1 Berg Strider (KHM) 47

1 Mammoth Growth (KHM) 183

4 Plains (SLD) 101

5 Island (SLD) 102

4 Forest (SLD) 108

Draft 3

Record: 3-3

Deck: W/B/R Aggro

Description: Deathknell Berserker + Demonic Gifts was a fun combo. A splash of removal cards helped me hit 3-0, then (again) lose three straight.

1 Jarl of the Forsaken (KHM) 100

1 Demon Bolt (KHM) 129

1 Tormentor's Helm (KHM) 155

1 Dwarven Hammer (KHM) 133

1 Doomskar Titan (KHM) 130

1 Hagi Mob (KHM) 140

1 Craven Hulk (KHM) 127

1 Great Hall of Starnheim (KHM) 259

2 Duskwielder (KHM) 91

1 Draugr Necromancer (KHM) 86

1 Vengeful Reaper (KHM) 116

1 Snow-Covered Swamp (KHM) 281

1 Poison the Cup (KHM) 103

1 Tergrid's Shadow (KHM) 113

1 Elderfang Disciple (KHM) 93

2 Deathknell Berserker (KHM) 83

1 Raise the Draugr (KHM) 105

1 Immersturm Raider (KHM) 141

1 Grim Draugr (KHM) 96

2 Scorn Effigy (KHM) 246

1 Halvar, God of Battle (KHM) 15

1 Woodland Chasm (KHM) 274

1 Shimmerdrift Vale (KHM) 267

1 Village Rites (KHM) 117

1 Snow-Covered Mountain (KHM) 282

1 Demonic Gifts (KHM) 84

1 Withercrown (KHM) 119

1 Hailstorm Valkyrie (KHM) 97

1 Valkyrie's Sword (KHM) 36

1 Snow-Covered Plains (KHM) 276

5 Mountain (SLD) 106

5 Swamp (SLD) 105

2 Plains (SLD) 101

Thoughts

This draft was more successful than my prior attempts. Perhaps I'm getting the hang of the set? I was still disappointed to lose three straight in my second two drafts, but the decks weren't strong enough to compete for long, so I should probably count myself fortunate that I won what I did.

Kaldheim Constructed

 

Arena is running a Kaldheim Constructed event (build a 60-card deck following normal construction rules using cards only from the Kaldheim expansion) right now. It was cheap to enter and fun to play; you had to use the same deck until you won four times or lost twice. You could then re-enter with another deck, paying the cost do to so again. I participated four times.

Deck 1

Record: 3-2

Deck: Mono-red dwarves & dragons

Description: use Magda's ability to pump your dwarves and create treasure tokens. Use those tokens as mana accelerators or dragon summoners (using another of Magda's abilities). This worked pretty well- when Magda survived. I could have used a fourth copy of her.

4 Goldspan Dragon (KHM) 139

3 Magda, Brazen Outlaw (KHM) 142

2 Seize the Spoils (KHM) 149

4 Frost Bite (KHM) 138

4 Fearless Liberator (KHM) 135

1 Dragonkin Berserker (KHM) 131

4 Breakneck Berserker (KHM) 124

4 Dwarven Reinforcements (KHM) 134

2 Squash (KHM) 152

4 Funeral Longboat (KHM) 238

3 Raiders' Karve (KHM) 242

1 Reckless Crew (KHM) 146

12 Snow-Covered Mountain (KHM) 282

12 Snow-Covered Mountain (KHM) 283

Deck 2

Record: 0-2

Deck: Golgari (black/green) Elves

Description: use the self-milling ability to leverage Return Upon the Tide and other cards that like your graveyard. This one fell flat; couldn't tell if it was the construction or execution.

3 Elderfang Disciple (KHM) 93

1 Skemfar Avenger (KHM) 109

4 Koma's Faithful (KHM) 102

2 Skemfar Shadowsage (KHM) 110

4 Return Upon the Tide (KHM) 106

1 Elvish Warmaster (KHM) 167

4 Roots of Wisdom (KHM) 190

4 Harald, King of Skemfar (KHM) 212

2 Harald Unites the Elves (KHM) 213

1 Tyvar Kell (KHM) 198

3 Elderleaf Mentor (KHM) 165

4 Village Rites (KHM) 117

2 Weigh Down (KHM) 118

2 Poison the Cup (KHM) 103

5 Snow-Covered Swamp (KHM) 281

5 Snow-Covered Swamp (KHM) 280

4 Snow-Covered Forest (KHM) 285

4 Snow-Covered Forest (KHM) 284

1 Skemfar Elderhall (KHM) 268

4 Woodland Chasm (KHM) 274

Deck 3

Record: 1-2

Deck: Azorius (white/blue) Foretell

Description: Use Vega and Cosmos Charger to take advantage of the foretell mechanic. This control deck didn't work as well as I'd hoped.

4 Vega, the Watcher (KHM) 233

2 Gates of Istfell (KHM) 256

5 Snow-Covered Plains (KHM) 277

1 Doomskar (KHM) 9

3 Iron Verdict (KHM) 17

4 Ravenform (KHM) 72

4 Saw It Coming (KHM) 76

3 Behold the Multiverse (KHM) 46

2 Cosmos Charger (KHM) 51

2 Niko Defies Destiny (KHM) 226

2 Starnheim Unleashed (KHM) 33

4 Karfell Harbinger (KHM) 65

3 Revitalize (KHM) 23

4 Ascendant Spirit (KHM) 43

5 Snow-Covered Island (KHM) 278

5 Snow-Covered Island (KHM) 279

5 Snow-Covered Plains (KHM) 276

2 Glacial Floodplain (KHM) 257

Deck 4

Record: 4-1

Deck: Orzhov (white/black) Angels

Descripton: Use the life-gaining ability of Righteous Valkyrie to pump your life total and (once you hit 27 life) your creatures. This one worked very well, especially if you could get two Righteous Valkyries out early.

4 Youthful Valkyrie (KHM) 382

2 Starnheim Aspirant (KHM) 380

11 Snow-Covered Swamp (KHM) 281

4 Righteous Valkyrie (KHM) 24

1 Doomskar (KHM) 9

1 Starnheim Unleashed (KHM) 33

3 Vengeful Reaper (KHM) 116

3 Hailstorm Valkyrie (KHM) 97

4 Firja's Retribution (KHM) 210

3 Rampage of the Valkyries (KHM) 393

13 Snow-Covered Plains (KHM) 277

3 Revitalize (KHM) 23

2 Iron Verdict (KHM) 17

2 Invoke the Divine (KHM) 16

2 Village Rites (KHM) 117

2 Poison the Cup (KHM) 103

Thoughts

I liked this event- a lot. I enjoy the Kaldheim set, but have had a hard time figuring out how to be successful with it in Standard (or draft . . . or sealed). This constructed event helped me focus on the set's mechanics in a different way, which I appreciated. I was disappointed in how decks 2 and 3 fared, but learned a few things along the way. I still think this is a hard to set to master. But it's fun.

Kaldheim Premier Draft

 Another Kaldheim event- this time, a premier draft. These work the same (mechanically) as quick drafts, but have two differences:

- they 'cost' more to play (in gems or coins)

- you're drafting with seven other players (and not againt the computer)

I participated in two premier drafts, recounted below.

Draft 1

Record: 1-3

Tempted by my first-pack Battle Mammoth, I ran a black-green deck that performed poorly. Kind of based on elves, but not really.

1 Battle Mammoth (KHM) 160

1 Struggle for Skemfar (KHM) 196

1 Elderleaf Mentor (KHM) 165

1 Tergrid's Shadow (KHM) 113

1 Horizon Seeker (KHM) 175

2 Return Upon the Tide (KHM) 106

3 Elderfang Disciple (KHM) 93

2 King Harald's Revenge (KHM) 180

2 Gnottvold Recluse (KHM) 172

1 Maskwood Nexus (KHM) 240

1 Bloodline Pretender (KHM) 235

2 Snakeskin Veil (KHM) 194

2 Roots of Wisdom (KHM) 190

2 Mammoth Growth (KHM) 183

1 Demonic Gifts (KHM) 84

1 In Search of Greatness (KHM) 177

1 Skemfar Elderhall (KHM) 268

1 Kolvori, God of Kinship (KHM) 181

1 Village Rites (KHM) 117

7 Swamp (SLD) 105

8 Forest (SLD) 108

Draft 2

Record: 1-3

This one fared no better. A white-black-green mess.

1 Realmwalker (KHM) 188

3 Dogged Pursuit (KHM) 85

1 Battle for Bretagard (KHM) 203

3 Withercrown (KHM) 119

1 Raise the Draugr (KHM) 105

1 Arctic Treeline (KHM) 249

1 Return Upon the Tide (KHM) 106

1 Sculptor of Winter (KHM) 193

1 Bretagard Stronghold (KHM) 253

1 Mammoth Growth (KHM) 183

1 Rise of the Dread Marn (KHM) 107

1 Fall of the Impostor (KHM) 208

1 Elderleaf Mentor (KHM) 165

1 Glittering Frost (KHM) 171

1 Ravenous Lindwurm (KHM) 187

2 Priest of the Haunted Edge (KHM) 104

1 Tyvar Kell (KHM) 198

1 Horizon Seeker (KHM) 175

1 Shimmerdrift Vale (KHM) 267

1 Rune of Mortality (KHM) 108

1 Woodland Chasm (KHM) 274

1 Skull Raid (KHM) 111

1 Snowfield Sinkhole (KHM) 269

1 Broken Wings (KHM) 164

1 Plains (SLD) 101

6 Swamp (SLD) 105

5 Forest (SLD) 108

I'm enjoying Kaldheim in limited formats, but the drafting strategy for this set continues to elude me. 

Collecting Magic

Collecting Magic used to be easy (expensive, but easy). When a new set came out, you could buy booster packs, a starter deck, or single cards (which came from booster packs that people opened). There were no foil or alternate versions of cards. That was then.

Today, there are four different kinds of booster packs. Yes, four. For the latest set, Kaldheim, here are the options (card rarities in parentheses- M=mythic, R=rare, U=uncommon, C=common):

• Draft booster  ($4 per pack)
• 15 cards (1 R/M, 3 U, 11 C)
• Set booster ($6 per pack)
• 12 cards (1 R/M, 7 U/C, 4 others of varying rarities)
• May contain cards not available in draft boosters
• Theme booster ($8 per pack)
• 35 cards (1 or 2 R/M, 34 or 33 U/C)
• May contain cards not available in draft boosters
• Collector booster ($25 per pack)
• 15 cards (5 R/M, 4 U, 6 others of varying rarities)
• May contain cards not available in draft, set, or theme boosters

This is now. My word. Wizards now needs to release a product overview to explain everything. And new to Kaldheim, there are twenty cards (5 R, 15 U) found only in set or theme boosters (the 5 R may also show up in collector boosters).

This makes collecting confusing, difficult, and expensive- depending on what you seek. Let's use Kaldheim as an example. The 'normal' set is 285 cards, but there are 120 additional cards that are largely variants (with different artwork or card frame design). Here is the card breakdown, with card ranges in each:

• Normal cards: 1-285
• Borderless cards: 286-298
• Showcase cards: 299-333
• Extended Art cards: 334-373
• Set booster cards: 374-393
• Basic land cards: 394-398
• Buy-a-box promo card: 399
• Other promo cards: 400-405

You can see all these cards in the Kaldheim list on scryfall. These cards are available in the following types of boosters:

Most of the cards beyond 285 are alternate versions- they look cool. That's fine- chase them if you like, but you can ignore them without missing out on playing the normal versions. What irritates me are the 20 'set booster' cards available only in set or theme boosters (the rares can be found in collector boosters, too). "Money grab" comes to mind. And disappointment . . . I really wanted to get some of the angel cards in the draft booster box I opened yesterday, only to discover afterwards that the cards I sought are available only in set or theme booster packs. Sheesh.

I don't fault Wizards for wanting to make money- companies need to profit. But flooding the market with all these options runs a risk of overwhelming players and driving them away. 

Season Results (January)

Magic Arena calls each month a 'season.' At the end of each, they reset a player's ranking and distribute rewards based on the same. This post captures my January performance.

In 2020, I captured my Arena stats by hand (see this post). That was annoying, so this time, I used untapped.gg to track things for me. It's pretty handy, tracking constructed, limited, and special events. I then pull from that to create a spreadsheet. Here's my January at a glance:

And here's my Standard Ranked progress, ending at "Gold 4":

Observations:

• My Orzhov "Clerics" deck variations were horrible, going a combined 5-20 in Standard. I kept at them, though, because I like the concept. 
• My overall win percentage across all events was 39%, confirming that I am a bad Magic player. (The pro's win percentage is something like 60%.)
• Note the average time per match- it increases as decks get less powerful. 
• Constructed "Play" format draws from all card pools available on Arena, and is thus the most powerful. Average game time: 3:03
• Constructed "Ranked (Standard)" format is the most commonly played and less powerful. Average game time: 5:08
• Limited "Ranked (Quick Draft)" is less powerful still, but you get to choose cards from rotating packs, which can lead to some synergistic and potent decks. Average game time: 6:19
• Limited "Sealed" is the least powerful of all, as you have six packs and must use cards from them to construct a deck. No guarantee of synergy here. Average game time: 7:45
• I played Magic for 11.75 hours in January. That seems like a lot . . . 
• I like Limited events (Sealed and Quick Drafts being my preferred), and should play them more often

Magic is fun, even if I'm not good at it. Statistics are fun, too.