Uses for Tapped Out.
TappedOut forum
Posted on Oct. 7, 2020, 11:54 a.m. by defamagraphy1
I've gotta start out in saying I like this community. So here's my question, which brings multiple points/questions following.
Why do you use TappedOut?
Me personally, I like to come here to springboard ideas on what could be very horrible decks (and most likely are) or give a sort of primer on what I'm playing or detailed guide on how to build a deck that has four million card choices.
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Do you use tapped out as a sort of "social media" for your deck?
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Do you use tapped out as a showcase for cards that's taken you time to acquire?
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Do you use tapped out to show how amazing your deck is?
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Do you use tapped out to give others ideas on builds?
Now I've gotta say there's nothing wrong with any of these things. However, there are some things I see frequently that are kinda mehhhhh, that users do.
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Cycling a deck that's been rotated out of format because it's received a lot of upvotes and views.
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Building all foil decks with very very very expensive cards.
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Bringing up certain subjects that feel horribly opinionated, or are extremely touchy topics that could end up quite badly.
I realize these two things truly don't matter to a degree, but at the same time, I wonder what the purpose is for this.
For point 1. It's possible that you've been out of Magic for a bit and not realized your deck has rotated, OR it just recently rotated, but after a certain point I'm wondering why people still do if cards are banned or no longer legal (this is outside of errors of course) and you're not bothering to change the tag.
For point 2, It's not to say that you do not own these particular cards, but when I look at your list and I see a foil Mana Drain foil Force of Will foil fetch lands and so on, all in one deck I'm starting to frown on if the cards are actually owned.
It's one thing to put an expensive card into a deck that is necessary to make the deck function, but after that what is the point on clicking the foil button if you're trying to show how the deck works?
For Point 3, Sometimes its good to have healthy discussions about things that have a negative impact on us, but at some point, I feel as though you have to agree to disagree. Especially if theres truly no right or wrong answer and not continue replying with your feelings
How do you guys feel about this? Thoughts?
Omniscience_is_life says... #3
I joined T/O originally for the sole purpose of building a Tezzeret brawl deck that wanted to fetch Omniscience with his Ultimate ability (hence my name). Now I use the site to see what people are up to in the MTG community, and to build a lot of random EDH decks with silly names. It's a lot of fun.
October 7, 2020 12:11 p.m.
defamagraphy1 says... #4
Things I of course didn't even think of, and definitely good answers. Awesome.
October 7, 2020 12:14 p.m.
when you say "frown upon if the card is actually owned", do you mean you doubt the person owns it? why does it matter if they own the card or not?
October 7, 2020 12:43 p.m.
I started using this site a year or so ago when I got back into the game after about 20yrs. For me it’s been a fantastic learning aid. Tons of highly competent and capable users offer advice either directly or indirectly (I routinely read comments left on other’s decks). Especially now with the virus and it’s restrictions, I find this site an invaluable source to keep me up to date on all the little nuances of the game.
October 7, 2020 12:43 p.m.
FormOverFunction says... #7
I like talking about magic, and LOVE exposing more people to my screwball decks. M:tG is a very big creature, and it’s possible to get too narrow a focus on it. I like trying to help people dial-back a little and recognize how much creative possibility is there waiting for them.
October 7, 2020 12:45 p.m.
defamagraphy1 says... #8
I like all these comments.
Balaam_ definitely a good reason to use it.
Pyrra it's why I said it wasn't too important, at the same time why do it? More of a curiosity over a pointless exercise really. Kind of the equivalent to taking a selfie with a hand full of fanned out cash
FormOverFunction I like your style man, to me, I want to do a little something more with Magic because you can. I like decks that use the whole deck, that have weird interactions or reusability or breaks a rule. It's so much more than just draw land damage win
October 7, 2020 1:44 p.m.
Even before I registered on T/O I was using the export feature to try out different decks online. There's always fun stuff to be had.
October 7, 2020 3:54 p.m.
I use T/O because it’s more convenient than using a spreadsheet to keep track of my cards and decks, and I can interact with the awesome T/O community to help refine my deck ideas. I enjoy trying to help other people when I can, because teaching is the best way to learn for yourself. Also the convenience of searching for cards and similar decks is amazing, and the ability to draw simulated hands and playtest is invaluable for a dedicated MtG player.
As someone who has been playing and collecting MtG for over 20 years, I can understand your frustration regarding foiled decks or what appear to be extremely expensive decks. What younger/new players might not realize is that people like myself have been collecting for so many years, card by card, foil by foil, and many cards were acquired randomly via booster or when their value was much less than what they are now. For example, I own 4 Grim Monolith. Each one is worth approximately $200-250 now. But many years ago I traded for each card individually and paid next to nothing for them.
Another issue is that many deck designers use the optimal possible cards to design their decks, especially in the world of competitive EDH, and those designers usually proxy cards depending on the rules of their playgroup. So if you look at a deck list worth thousands and thousands of dollars, there’s a good chance that person will be using proxies, and that’s fine.
However, there may be a situation where someone is inflating their ego by misrepresenting their card collection (all foil showcase fetchlands, etc.), but based on my observations I think that is rare, and most people do not do this.
Also, it’s important to note that some people have more disposable income than others for whatever reason, and people have the right to spend their money on what they want. While we may not always agree with the decisions of others, the fact that someone can spend their money on what they want is a good thing!
October 7, 2020 4:13 p.m.
metalmagic says... #11
My current primary use is as a collection tracker and a way to find trades I can't find in person. I used to be incredibly active on the site, especially when I joined 10 years ago now (holy crap, 10 years already). I wrote a few articles (which are kinda bad looking back lol) and had planned to write more and keep a series going, but my early 20s were busy and I couldn't really commit. Sometimes I update my old EDH lists that I still have and deckcycle a few times just for fun, but I don't use the deck builder anywhere near what I used to.
I also used to be super active on the Rules Q&A page answering questions, which I think helped me get my L1 Judge certification rather easily. I'm no longer a judge though, as I was primarily doing that because I was the manager of a card shop at the time and it was convenient for us to have an in-house judge. All in all, I've had tons of good memories on the site and honestly nostalgia might be what really keeps me using it. I am glad to see it remaining a heavily used site and constantly being updated. Maybe I'll return to being more active in the forums and on decks, but for now I'm more of a lurker than anything.
October 7, 2020 4:21 p.m.
When I found Tapped Out I was just getting back into playing Magic after not having done so since high school. Seemed like a great place to get info on the state of the game, build out the ideas for decks from my head, and most importantly - be able to test those decks without needing the cards on hand. If I'm not mistaken, the search that brought me to the Tapped Out page was one where I was looking for a way to playtest Magic.
I keep coming back because I enjoy seeing what other people are building. I enjoy most of the conversations that are had. I also use Tapped Out as a sort of news resource. There have been several times that something has happened in regards to Magic that I missed, or just wasn't paying attention to, but a post here spotlights it so I can go check out the information for myself.
October 7, 2020 4:33 p.m.
I use it mostly to track the contents of all the different paper decks and cubes I have assembled. I have so many cards in decks that the ability to search using the inventory search function on this website has proven invaluable for me.
Also I like the deck analysis features available on a deck's page to help me plan changes and updates. Especially giving cards tags to make custom categories...that feature specifically is what makes this stand out as a deck building tool for me.
The social media aspect is also fun and I like to use it for this too. Although the actuality of getting really useful suggestions on decks in a reasonable time period is hit or miss. Still I have had some great deck ideas come through the site over the years.
October 7, 2020 7:24 p.m.
defamagraphy1 says... #14
I do agree with what you're saying, showcasing is definitely a thing to be proud of. I'm an older player myself and at one point owned a Mox Jet, OG Mana Crypt, Ancestral, a play set of Force, Thoughtseize, Timetwister, had a sealed From the Vault Exiled and several cards with a heafty pricetag. I guess it's just something with the foil button that's a little irking, or maybe it's because I myself wouldn't wouldn't post something like that. It's a very minor thing really.
I guess it's really more about #3 as I have found myself in threads with conversations ending up that way.
Aside from all that, I am enjoying being a part of a thread that isn't so negative about a card or aspect and that's really what all this is about.
October 7, 2020 7:48 p.m.
RNR_Gaming says... #15
1) I use tapped out to brew up decks instead of messing up the organization of my collection; it's a neat non-messy way for me to express ideas with no clean up required.
2) nope. I frequently trade so cataloging would be too time consuming
3) My decks suck lawl
4) I do like helping objective builders but I struggle to help the users that evaluate from a casual prospective
Pt.2
1) I actually don't see this happen often. The majority of decks I see are predominately EDH and modern.
2) sometimes it's just for memes, sometimes people use foils to indicate cards that are crucial to the deck that will never come out, though there's definitely some vanity and some magic players do have deep pockets.
3) Most of the time these subjects are brought up in the blind eternities and for the most part people remain civil - if someone gets out of line an admin will step in; remember to report any abuse to staff.
October 7, 2020 8:13 p.m.
RiotRunner789 says... #16
Let's be honest. I use tapped out to get my DeinoStinkus fix.
October 8, 2020 1:03 a.m.
Doombeard1984 says... #17
HI defamagraphy1,
So I joined initially when I got back into magic 4 or so years ago. I play EDH and so tracking and exposing my deck ideas and builds to other minds is a really positive thing. I think all feedback is really good, and helps you build a better deck.
Also, "The Gathering" is a really important aspect of MTG (Its even in the name). Whilst I have my own playgroup etc, I like to try and give back to the community that has given me so much.
I am also a Judge, and so I get to get some more knowledge on current metas etc. This is less important at the moment due to lack of official events, but like to "Keep my finger on the pulse" so to speak.
I also, genuinely just like seeing some of the crazy oddball EDH decks that people build.
With the cards thing, I am a little OCD and will only put the cards I own on my list If its wrong I get a little twitchy lol.
Laters
RiotRunner789 says... #2
I started using tapped out to electronically store my decks and track edits more efficiently than a Word document.
Now, the above reason is still number 1 but I also enjoy the ability to playtest a deck before actually building it.
The forums are nice to either see or participate in mtg discussions.
Lastly, I enjoy getting and giving feedback on decks. Getting feedback I'd say is last because I normally bounce ideas off of my playgroup but it is enjoyable to be able to see different builds here and get the random comment on a deck.
October 7, 2020 12:01 p.m.