How do you start playing in competitive magic?
General forum
Posted on May 4, 2015, 3:18 p.m. by kbarnhart
I have a question.
What steps would you need to take to make it to a Pro Tour?
I don't live near a store that does FNM or any tournaments so I don't know where to start.
Can somebody explain what a PTQ is vs a GP?
How does Wizards track how well of a player I am?
Where do you start to become a "pro" player? What are the necessary steps?
VampireArmy says... #3
Mtgo seems like a good starting point. The difficult thing there being the difference in meta i suppose.
May 4, 2015 4:44 p.m.
Rasta_Viking29 says... #4
Top 8 a Grand Prix or Top 4/8 a RPTQ
The deck is stacked against you. FNM is very far removed from pro play and is not necessary but it is a fun and forgiving environment to work on your game. Magic Online or moving to a more populated area will be your best bet.
Grand Prix's are large tournaments open to anyone. Some pros are paid to attend these tournaments and can start the tournament with up to 3 byes. They're WotC's flagship events and have attendances in the 4 digits.There are two levels of PTQs. Preliminary PTQs are open to anyone who has not qualified for that season's RPTQ or Pro Tour and are organized locally. PPTQs are essentially a step up from FNM. Regional PTQs must be qualified for by winning a PPTQ or being a silver level pro. These tournaments have the feel of day 2 at a GP. Depending on the size of the RPTQ the top 4 or top 8 gets invited to the Pro Tour.
By your DCI Number. Here's mine as an example.
Tournament competitiveness from easy to difficult: Casual, FNM, PPTQ/SCG IQ, Day 1 GP, RPTQ, SCG Open, Day 2 GP, SCG Invitational, and the Pro Tour. This is by no means factual but it is a good guideline for competitive MtG. There are no set steps but you should expect to work your way up WotC's or SCG's tournament circuit.
This article could be of use to you: How to be the Best at Magic - Craig Wescoe
May 4, 2015 5:43 p.m.
How are points scored for pro points, as in, where do I sign in/check, and what events count towards rankings?
May 4, 2015 5:48 p.m.
VampireArmy says... #6
I won some qualifier points by playing phantom drafts. Not sure if that's useful info
May 4, 2015 5:55 p.m.
Rasta_Viking29 says... #7
kameenook to get a DCI Number you'll need to play an IRL sanctioned event and they'll get you set up at the game store.
Info on Pro Points: Pro Tour Players Club Guidelines and Procedures & Magic: The Gathering Professional Points Structure
May 4, 2015 6:14 p.m.
I do already have a DCI, but it's been ages since I've looked at anything online, thanks for the link!
May 4, 2015 6:19 p.m.
DERPLINGSUPREME says... #9
play blue.
lots of blue.
no other colors, maybe splash black, but above all, play blue.
and splinter twin.
May 4, 2015 6:43 p.m.
Thanks guys, i'm not actually looking to go pro by any means. It was just a curiousity thing. The info you guys gave me was great, thank you again.:)
xlaleclx says... #2
PTQs are relatively lower level events where the winner gets an invite to the pro tour.Grand Prix are a higher level, much larger event where usually the top 8 get pro tour invites as well as large cash prizes.
You'll have a hard time getting better if you don't have a store with an active competitive magic community so if you want to actually get good MTGO is probably your only bet.
I'd consider someone to be a pro once they've hit silver silver pro in the pro players club
May 4, 2015 3:35 p.m.