My opponent had sivir level 2 with magic shield active and he attacked with this sivir and leblanc that also took the magic shield, but then when i used 2 frostbites made by the magic that cost 1 mana (the three sisters or whatever the name is) the magic shield on leblanc did not disappear and i wasted lot of cards and mana. It did not happened in ranked or normal but on a match with a friend, but i am still mad about it.
It really wanted and tried to do something different. Going the paid route was probably not their smartest move because it killed any interest in the game from the get go and raised the bar to impossible heights.
LoR later moved on in as 'artifact but better' and more or less signed the real artifact's death warrant. 2.0 was never really going to work with LoR practically doing it better.
Just to explain the sheer number of cards released, in 2020 MTGArena released the following sets:
Theros Beyond Death (254 cards)
Ikoria Lair of Behemots (274 cards)
Core Set 2021 (274 cards)
Jumpstart (496 cards)
Amonkhet Remastered (338 cards)
Zendikar Rising (280 cards)
Historic Anthology 2 & 3 (54 cards)
With very limited crafting (only from wildcards available in every X boosters) and requirement of having 4 cards in deck, having cards for large variety of decks is nearly impossible.
You forgot Kaladesh Remastered (287 cards I think, I don't play Historic outside of events so not sure).
Like Sample101, I employ Blighted Ravine and Avalanche, although I enjoy the former over the latter. Blighted Ravine has won two games for me: once by destroying an overcommitted board and forcing a surrender, and another by inflicting lethal with its "Everything" damage. I also use Vile Feast and Grasp of the Undying; like I said in the original post, I'm pretty removal-heavy. Quite possibly *too* heavy, but it's semi-workable for now.
Oh and if something like Azir/Hecarim is giving you grief, maybe run Passage Unearned. I did just in case but it's been a dead draw for me so far, so I might remove it.
I've always rated all 135 cards in one sitting, which would likely be after the giveaway ends. Not that there would be a good chance of winning either way. I'm trying to comment in the forum threads for the first time this expansion, so there's that.
The economy of MTGA is better than HS, but not great. As Almaniarra mentioned, the starter decks get you going just fine. They aren't great, but they are enough. I started about 7 months ago in the middle of the Core 2021 expansion, and only buying a couple of very cheap starter bundles (less than I spent starting HS) I now have 61% of a full collection (4x all cards) for Core 2021, 79% of a full collection of Zendikar Rising (including over half of a full collection of rares and Mythic Rares), and 57% of a full collection of Kaldheim (a little over a month in). For wildcards, I have 109 common, 116 uncommon, 29 rare, and 18 Mythic Rare. I have crafted at least four full non-Smorc meta decks in that time. Mind you, none of those decks have a lot of last year's expansions (e.g. no Adventures-heavy decks), and I don't have all of the power land cards, but I get by just fine. As for Historic, well I suppose like if I were starting HS today for Wild that isn't much fun. But for the events I am able to construct not terrible decks.
As far as RNG, well it's just different than HS. There is always the mana screw/flood problem, but other than that only a few powerful RNG clown-fiesta cards in the meta at any one time. That said, they do exist.
I like the complexity and the variety of events (even the Historic events), but it isn't for everyone.
Like Thraxus, I would say you have to try it to really know how you like it.
Always a shame to see a card game have its deck depleted. The 3 Lane system was interesting, too, but the monetisation and excessive RNG when it comes to playing units dragged it down.
Valve's Artifact is Officially Dead - No More Updates Planned, Goes Free to Play
Killed by bad marketing and circlejerking.
New Neutral Minion - Shadow Hunter Vol'jin
Seems good. Flexible and enables interesting combos.
New Priest Spell - Desperate Prayer
The power creep is real.
Valve's Artifact is Officially Dead - No More Updates Planned, Goes Free to Play
The 3 lane thing is probably what killed it for most casuals who can stomach the 20$ price tag.
I only watched the game in action and the number of times the screen have to flip was amazing.
Sivir level 2 bug
My opponent had sivir level 2 with magic shield active and he attacked with this sivir and leblanc that also took the magic shield, but then when i used 2 frostbites made by the magic that cost 1 mana (the three sisters or whatever the name is) the magic shield on leblanc did not disappear and i wasted lot of cards and mana. It did not happened in ranked or normal but on a match with a friend, but i am still mad about it.
Valve's Artifact is Officially Dead - No More Updates Planned, Goes Free to Play
It really wanted and tried to do something different. Going the paid route was probably not their smartest move because it killed any interest in the game from the get go and raised the bar to impossible heights.
LoR later moved on in as 'artifact but better' and more or less signed the real artifact's death warrant. 2.0 was never really going to work with LoR practically doing it better.
Is MtG:A F2P?
You forgot Kaladesh Remastered (287 cards I think, I don't play Historic outside of events so not sure).
10 Hot Runeterra Decks From Day1 of Empires of the Ascended
Like Sample101, I employ Blighted Ravine and Avalanche, although I enjoy the former over the latter. Blighted Ravine has won two games for me: once by destroying an overcommitted board and forcing a surrender, and another by inflicting lethal with its "Everything" damage. I also use Vile Feast and Grasp of the Undying; like I said in the original post, I'm pretty removal-heavy. Quite possibly *too* heavy, but it's semi-workable for now.
Oh and if something like Azir/Hecarim is giving you grief, maybe run Passage Unearned. I did just in case but it's been a dead draw for me so far, so I might remove it.
Fun at the Crossroads
I've always rated all 135 cards in one sitting, which would likely be after the giveaway ends. Not that there would be a good chance of winning either way. I'm trying to comment in the forum threads for the first time this expansion, so there's that.
Is MtG:A F2P?
Former HS player and current MTGA player here:
The economy of MTGA is better than HS, but not great. As Almaniarra mentioned, the starter decks get you going just fine. They aren't great, but they are enough. I started about 7 months ago in the middle of the Core 2021 expansion, and only buying a couple of very cheap starter bundles (less than I spent starting HS) I now have 61% of a full collection (4x all cards) for Core 2021, 79% of a full collection of Zendikar Rising (including over half of a full collection of rares and Mythic Rares), and 57% of a full collection of Kaldheim (a little over a month in). For wildcards, I have 109 common, 116 uncommon, 29 rare, and 18 Mythic Rare. I have crafted at least four full non-Smorc meta decks in that time. Mind you, none of those decks have a lot of last year's expansions (e.g. no Adventures-heavy decks), and I don't have all of the power land cards, but I get by just fine. As for Historic, well I suppose like if I were starting HS today for Wild that isn't much fun. But for the events I am able to construct not terrible decks.
As far as RNG, well it's just different than HS. There is always the mana screw/flood problem, but other than that only a few powerful RNG clown-fiesta cards in the meta at any one time. That said, they do exist.
I like the complexity and the variety of events (even the Historic events), but it isn't for everyone.
Like Thraxus, I would say you have to try it to really know how you like it.
New Priest Spell - Desperate Prayer
5hp to my opponent is worth it.
New Neutral Minion - Shadow Hunter Vol'jin
Decent enough to get a second chance at a battlecry!
[Game] Card Treasure Hunt (The Resurrection Attempt)
Nope, same as before.
Forged in the Barrens
Bring on this expansion already!
New Neutral Minion - Mankrik
Nice to have WoW references pop up!
New Shaman Spell - Chain Lightning (Rank 1)
Interesting board clear.
New Neutral Minion - Spirit Healer
Wonder how the spells in Priest/Paladin will go with this.
Valve's Artifact is Officially Dead - No More Updates Planned, Goes Free to Play
Always a shame to see a card game have its deck depleted. The 3 Lane system was interesting, too, but the monetisation and excessive RNG when it comes to playing units dragged it down.
Hopefully they at least keep the servers running.
[Game] Card Treasure Hunt (The Resurrection Attempt)
Boommaster Flark
New Warlock Spell - Imp Swarm (Rank 1)
Maybe worth it if you end up in late game as zoo?
Forged in the Barrens
Bring on card reveals!
Valve's Artifact is Officially Dead - No More Updates Planned, Goes Free to Play
Hard to see this game survive when you have Hearthstone, Magic & Legends of Runeterra dominating.
New Neutral Minion - Razormane Raider
Could be interesting to ping this as a mage and have it go straight face against an enemy.
New Druid Minion - Druid of the Plains
Decent removal, but will it heal to 7 health when it transforms?
New Neutral Minion - Blademaster Samuro
This could really turn the tide in battle - stack it with a Lifesteal effect it could be a full heal.