I can't speak for everyone here, certainly, but I think it comes down to a combination of "we play the game", "we only have so many people currently/we need to prioritize", and "it's big/popular". The latter is self-explanatory, but having staff members who actually play the games in question is a big help, in my opinion, for a couple reasons:
We have a non-zero amount of first-hand knowledge regarding the game's systems, so we (hopefully) know what we're talking about lol. In this way, we gain credibility in the things we say and can be of more service to the readers.
Enthusiasm for the game can translate into enthusiasm to write about the game, pushing content for something you enjoy. If I was coerced to write about, say, Gwent, when I legitimately don't like Gwent, it might come across in the quality of my work and that would be a shame for those who read it. If I had to do that on the regular, I could see myself getting frustrated with the "job" and decide to stop outright. I volunteer my time to contribute, so I'd frankly rather spend that time with the games I actually like.
Playing the games means we're more capable of interacting with that community. I can engage with Hearthstone or Snap players and have a substantive conversation with them about the game, because I know enough to have something to say. I don't own any Magic the Gathering cards, haven't play the paper game since I tried it 10+ years ago, and don't play the online version; how can I reply to someone in the comments and be helpful to them?
These three ideas work in unison and contribute to some extent toward what we report on on the website. We lost the people who were enthusiastic about Magic the Gathering, and in turn the quality and quantity of our MtG articles went down. I'm not trying to bash anyone or provide excuses: it's a simple fact that we don't have the resources to elevate our Magic game, so it falls to the side as we turn our attention to other things. That leaves the remaining Big Four: Hearthstone, Legends of Runeterra, Yu-Gi-Oh Master Duel, and now Marvel Snap. Snap is "the new hotness" and many of us on the staff enjoy it, so...there you have it :)
Release day I started on my phone then booted up Steam later, and I didn't have to run the tutorial twice. Obviously too late now for the OP, but for anyone else reading this, I would suggest making your account on the mobile version if possible and jump to Steam/PC after. Maybe I got lucky - not sure - but IIRC it immediately gave me the option to sync to my Google account.
Sorry you had such a frustrating experience, OldenGolden :(
Upgrading base (Common) cards to Uncommon is definitely the most credit-efficient way to level up your Collection Level, even if it's not immediately obvious or feels slower. 25 credits for 1 level is twice as good as making an Uncommon a Rare via 100 credits for 2 levels (50 credits per level).
Workin' with what I have and been quite successful: Bronze 26 after just the one day, only conceded a couple times and straight-up lost just once. Not a fan of Wolfsbane, to be honest, but I lack a suitable replacement.
Currently Collection level 71, but I haven't found many cards to swap in yet. Just pulled Nova, so now I can be a few months behind the ball with the Nova -> Carnage combo lol
Apologies if this is a stupid question: did you go to your Inbox and claim it? It's not automatic. Your inbox is located with the news, using the bottom right button on the home screen.
Not trying to insult your intelligence; just need to make sure :)
I'm only at Collector Level 24 and Iron 16 so far, but I'm really enjoying it! Burned through my Daily and "Recruit Pass" Missions as fast as I could, so I hit a temporary wall on the Collector side of things. I also keep forgetting to Snap lol
Seems to work just fine on Steam, too, despite the Early Access. Looks the same as if I'm playing on my phone.
They weren't teasing more changes, apparently: that's literally all we get. Guess we'll have to wait and see what 24.6 does; I for one will be continuing my break from Hearthstone until such a time.
Linkblade, I thought His Dark Materials was pretty great (so much better than any of the TV/film adaptations), though the third one was not the strongest of the set. Curious to hear what you think.
I can agree with that assessment: The Amber Spyglass fridges Lyra for a bit, which is annoying, and possibly spends too much time with Mary (in my opinion). It's not bad at all...it's just not as good as the first two.
Still, I am excited to see how HBO tackles the last book; premiere is December 5th! Only 8 episodes, but at least we'll get to see the ending. I was worried Covid had derailed that opportunity completely D:
A "new" spell is just a spell you haven't cast yet that game. It can come from outside your deck (Manifest), or could be a card from your deck you haven't used up to that point.
Could theoretically go great with something like Subpurrsible, since you'll be cycling through cards with different names on the regular.
"Mirror Shield is now banned in Murloc lobbies." Thanks, I guess? I can see how stupid that would be, but you really shouldn't have to be in a position for specific Quests to be shut off depending on who's in.
Not like Mirror Shield ever got me anywhere, so I guess this is all upside on my end *shrugs*
Already did it, although this might be a game I actually play on my phone for once. Hearthstone on mobile is kind of a pain, but SNAP doesn't seem to have as much baggage in terms of file-size or input issues. Don't need to press on anything, target anything; just...play cards where you want them.
You're guaranteed to draw Vanndar Stormpike when you want it, so that's the direction I went with a Relic Big DH. Relic Vault on 2, Relic of Phantasms on 3, etc. The problem was finding enough cards to fill out the deck: you don't want anything extra costing 2, 3, or 4, leaving me to grab a bunch of cards that cost 5 or more. I had a lot of congestion on turn 5, but guaranteed Alexstrasza the Life-Binder on 6 was nice, followed by Neptulon the Tidehunter or Raid Boss Onyxia.
When the deck went off it went off, running over a Control Shaman. Far Watch Post would've ruined me, though.
I can't speak for everyone here, certainly, but I think it comes down to a combination of "we play the game", "we only have so many people currently/we need to prioritize", and "it's big/popular". The latter is self-explanatory, but having staff members who actually play the games in question is a big help, in my opinion, for a couple reasons:
These three ideas work in unison and contribute to some extent toward what we report on on the website. We lost the people who were enthusiastic about Magic the Gathering, and in turn the quality and quantity of our MtG articles went down. I'm not trying to bash anyone or provide excuses: it's a simple fact that we don't have the resources to elevate our Magic game, so it falls to the side as we turn our attention to other things. That leaves the remaining Big Four: Hearthstone, Legends of Runeterra, Yu-Gi-Oh Master Duel, and now Marvel Snap. Snap is "the new hotness" and many of us on the staff enjoy it, so...there you have it :)
Uhh...nope, I think you're the winner of Marvel Snap lol :D
Release day I started on my phone then booted up Steam later, and I didn't have to run the tutorial twice. Obviously too late now for the OP, but for anyone else reading this, I would suggest making your account on the mobile version if possible and jump to Steam/PC after. Maybe I got lucky - not sure - but IIRC it immediately gave me the option to sync to my Google account.
Sorry you had such a frustrating experience, OldenGolden :(
Upgrading base (Common) cards to Uncommon is definitely the most credit-efficient way to level up your Collection Level, even if it's not immediately obvious or feels slower. 25 credits for 1 level is twice as good as making an Uncommon a Rare via 100 credits for 2 levels (50 credits per level).
Go Team Venom! Such bias does not stem from being assigned to him, either: I would've wanted a Venom avatar even if I was placed on Team Carnage haha
Here's my version of the On Reveal deck:
Workin' with what I have and been quite successful: Bronze 26 after just the one day, only conceded a couple times and straight-up lost just once. Not a fan of Wolfsbane, to be honest, but I lack a suitable replacement.
Currently Collection level 71, but I haven't found many cards to swap in yet. Just pulled Nova, so now I can be a few months behind the ball with the Nova -> Carnage combo lol
Apologies if this is a stupid question: did you go to your Inbox and claim it? It's not automatic. Your inbox is located with the news, using the bottom right button on the home screen.
Not trying to insult your intelligence; just need to make sure :)
LET'S GOOooooOOOoo
I'm only at Collector Level 24 and Iron 16 so far, but I'm really enjoying it! Burned through my Daily and "Recruit Pass" Missions as fast as I could, so I hit a temporary wall on the Collector side of things. I also keep forgetting to Snap lol
Seems to work just fine on Steam, too, despite the Early Access. Looks the same as if I'm playing on my phone.
They nerfed Flurgl again. I got him done while the going was good, I guess lmao.
"We have to nerf Flurgl another time. Maybe that tells us there's a problem with Murlocs?" "Nahhh!"
They weren't teasing more changes, apparently: that's literally all we get. Guess we'll have to wait and see what 24.6 does; I for one will be continuing my break from Hearthstone until such a time.
I can agree with that assessment: The Amber Spyglass fridges Lyra for a bit, which is annoying, and possibly spends too much time with Mary (in my opinion). It's not bad at all...it's just not as good as the first two.
Still, I am excited to see how HBO tackles the last book; premiere is December 5th! Only 8 episodes, but at least we'll get to see the ending. I was worried Covid had derailed that opportunity completely D:
Sorry I never responded to your comment sooner!
A "new" spell is just a spell you haven't cast yet that game. It can come from outside your deck (Manifest), or could be a card from your deck you haven't used up to that point.
Could theoretically go great with something like Subpurrsible, since you'll be cycling through cards with different names on the regular.
"There's always money in the banana stand!"...that show was super funny. Nice reference :)
I can see how creating another turn seemingly out of nowhere could be frustrating; that Magik change was for the best.
Two weeks to go; let's count 'em down!
...My hype fell away as time went on, so I'm trying to rebuild it haha
"Mirror Shield is now banned in Murloc lobbies." Thanks, I guess? I can see how stupid that would be, but you really shouldn't have to be in a position for specific Quests to be shut off depending on who's in.
Not like Mirror Shield ever got me anywhere, so I guess this is all upside on my end *shrugs*
Already did it, although this might be a game I actually play on my phone for once. Hearthstone on mobile is kind of a pain, but SNAP doesn't seem to have as much baggage in terms of file-size or input issues. Don't need to press on anything, target anything; just...play cards where you want them.
You're guaranteed to draw Vanndar Stormpike when you want it, so that's the direction I went with a Relic Big DH. Relic Vault on 2, Relic of Phantasms on 3, etc. The problem was finding enough cards to fill out the deck: you don't want anything extra costing 2, 3, or 4, leaving me to grab a bunch of cards that cost 5 or more. I had a lot of congestion on turn 5, but guaranteed Alexstrasza the Life-Binder on 6 was nice, followed by Neptulon the Tidehunter or Raid Boss Onyxia.
When the deck went off it went off, running over a Control Shaman. Far Watch Post would've ruined me, though.
You are not wrong: cards like Framester, Curse of Agony, and the Bombs from Warrior can all turn off Highlander payoffs :)
"Class Action Lawyer" is a perfect name for a Pure Paladin card. Their word game is on point!