Friday Night Magic, A Guide.
Challenges and Articles forum
Posted on Dec. 14, 2013, 11 a.m. by Dalektable
Welcome back everyone to another edition of my "...A Guide" articles! Last week i talked about the in's and out's of budget building, you can find that article here Budget Building, a guide..
However this week we're steering away from deck building, and more towards one of the most fun opportunities available to magic players...Friday Night Magic
Things to Know
FNM is an amazing casual atmosphere for all players, new and old. It gives you a chance to test out your decks against players other than your play group, plus if you do good enough maybe even win some packs! For newer players FNM can seem intimidating, which is understandable. The people at FNM can range from highly experienced players to newbies, but have no fear! Most of the people there are willing to help you in your games, maybe even give you some pointers on your deck and how you can improve. And remember, it's always okay to ask questions! If your opponent makes a play that you don't quite understand, it's more than okay to ask them to explain what they just did. Doing this will help improve your skill, and fully understand the game that you are playing. Now, as i've been saying FNM is a casual event, however certain unspoken rules need to be followed. Let's call this... FNM Etiquette.
The "Do"s
Do bring with you everything you might need for the night! This includes your deck you'll be playing with, a playmat, some dice and some way of keeping track of your life totals and maybe a couple other decks that you can play with in between rounds! Also if you have a Trade Binder definitely bring that, a lot of players there will be willing to trade with you! It is also a good idea to bring extra money for food and any other needs such as that you may have, as these events can sometimes last quite a few hours.
Do come to FNM clean and nice. I'm not suggesting you dress up in your finest tux and come play your opponent in a top hat, just to be sanitary. Seriously guys, just take a freaking shower and slap on some deodorant for the love of god. We are sitting in a crowded room and no one wants to smell your BO. It seems there is always that one person at FNM...don't be that person.
Do make friends! FNM is a social experience, and a lot of players there will know each other. It's always better if you have friends to talk to and play some games with in between rounds, so either bing some with you or make some! Not many of them bite, i promise.
Do talk to your opponent. I can not fully describe to you how awkward it can be playing against someone who's only words that come out of their mouths are "_ triggers this" or "Draw, play _ card, pass turn". This is a social event be social! Yes, i know some of us aren't the most social types but here is the situation: you are sitting in front of another human. This isn't MTGO. You're going to have to talk some, which is good for you. Most people are pretty nice, so you shouldn't have much to fear.
The "Don't"s
Don't, and i can't stress this enough, DO NOT play as if you are at a grand prix. Your life doesn't depend on this game, and the prize is probably nothing more than a dozen packs for first. This can be incredibly intimidating to new players and can turn them off of the game, and honestly playing against these opponents isn't fun. There is a time and a place to play that seriously, and this isn't either of the time OR place.
Don't touch other players cards without asking. Most players won't care, but just grabbing their cards some players will be uncomfortable with. It's always okay to ask and most players won't mind, but never just grab their cards. Also, never bend another player's cards. Last night i was playing against an opponent and he picked up my card after asking to see it, and before handed it back bent it back and forth a few times. I was slightly irritated, so main point don't do that.
Don't rage.
This is a game people. I'm incredibly sorry you just lost your 4-0 streak and are now 4-1 but for heaven's sake DONT GET ANGRY. You lost a game, get over it.
In Conclusion
Friday Night Magic is a great experience, and all players should experience it. By following these simple "do"s and "don't"s you can make everyone's night much more enjoyable. So go out, have fun with your friends, and kick some ass with your favorite deck and win some packs! I hope you all enjoyed the article this week everyone, make sure to stay tuned for my next one!
Dalektable says... #4
Also, leave any suggestions for what i should write about next!
December 14, 2013 11:22 a.m.
After going to a few events and then reading this I think your next article should be "Showering, A Guide". Maybe its just the shop I go to, but the stink has been getting worse. Im glad you pointed this out.
December 14, 2013 12:08 p.m.
I have an idea.
How to use Silence a guide (note: it isn't a Counterspell ).
Some people on T/O are too lazy to read the rules text.
December 14, 2013 12:10 p.m.
Nice article...I'd like to add one thing.
Don't: Tell the player across the table from you that they are playing their deck wrong. Suggestions are nice, but don't tell someone that they should change their game plan because they aren't playing "your version" of the archetype.
December 14, 2013 12:15 p.m.
Dalektable says... #8
capriom85 Yes, i second this notion. Yesterday i was playing my deck A Good Man Goes To War and one of the people i played basically told me to take out every enchantment i have and put in all the typical white weenie cards. I mean, seriously that completely changes the whole theme of the deck. Sighs, people bother me.
December 14, 2013 12:44 p.m.
Great article. And I also agree on this last point. Whenever I play my Legacy White Weenie deck, someone will always suggest adding AEther Vial , Rishadan Port , Wasteland , Thalia, Guardian of Thraben etc... Just like your situation Dalektable, they are basically telling me to play a different deck, Death and Taxes, (a Legacy mono white control deck) instead of White Weenie, which I agree is not the same as suggesting individual cards that could improve my deck, and it is frustrating sometimes.
December 15, 2013 12:55 p.m.
lord_of_the_snakes says... #10
one more do: if you play a strange card that is not commonly used, like Possibility Storm , be prepared to explain what it does, i ran it in my rakdos aggro deck, and 3 out of the 5 people i used it against did not know what it did
December 15, 2013 7:48 p.m.
I played in a tournament with Storm and Eggs. EVERY person I played against said I was cheating. Be prepared to explain your combo.
December 15, 2013 7:52 p.m.
Awesome tips. I'm still really intimidated by going to FNM because I've never been before and am fairly new to the game. I learn fast but I never have the guts to go unless I bring a friend or two who has participated before.
February 23, 2014 3:21 p.m.
Nice article and valid points. One of the biggest things for FNM in my local area that I find annoying is playing the few players that treat it like a PTQ. I understand wanting to win but it's really obnoxious especially when they aren't willing to talk to you pretty much at all. The best part though is when I beat these people.
There is one guy in particular who taps his lands in a way that it difficult to tell which are tapped and which aren't so I will sometimes ask him to clarify which are actually tapped. And I always get a rude response along the lines of "can't you see"? And heaven forbid you make a math mistake or miss a trigger. He will basically make a snide comment about how ignorant you are and why you shouldn't be playing Magic. This guy is a good player but relies on intimidation tactics like what I mentioned above to get an advantage in the game. This one guy honestly lessens my FNM experience but it's so gratifying when I beat him.
February 23, 2014 6:20 p.m.
Hey Dalektable i was wondering if you could answer a few questions? I'm 13 and although i can play magic at a reasonable standard i have never been to a FNM game. I have 3 custom decks i made myself all fairly good and i'm planning on a fourth but i wanted to know if ones deck needs to have an archetype to be able to play with it in a FNM game. I don't make my decks based on archetypes YET i find a theme and use that as a foundation to build the deck on. For example, my graveyard deck uses cards in the graveyard to boost creatures on the battlefield. Basically the deck is based round that, but do i need a deck with an archetype to be able to play?Thanks for this it really helped and i look forward to your answer! :P
August 6, 2014 5:06 a.m.
Dalektable says... #15
McSween None of your decks are on your profile, so i can't help specifically. However, that being said, you don't have to build a deck like other peoples to play and do well. And as long as your deck is standard legal you can play in a tournament, and maybe do well. I myself am using a 30 dollar budget deck that I got first place at an FMM with.
Matsi883 says... #2
Great forum post. You should ask KrazyCaley if these can be articles.
December 14, 2013 11:07 a.m.