Taking part in Magic: The ReunionCommander mode has turn out to be a set a part of my month-to-month routine just lately, as I used to be solely formally launched to the sport and its multiplayer format in early 2024. Nevertheless, this rapidly grew to become a topic of my hyperfocus and inside days of taking part in my first recreation, I used to be already wanting on the playing cards this could work nicely with my Kykar deck to improve it and have a greater likelihood of beating my desk. Concurrently, I used to be additionally taking a look at among the greatest MTG Commander decks, making an attempt to grasp how they labored.
Inside just a few months, I upgraded my Kykar deck and bought two new decks, with out contemplating additional equipment like mats and shields. I rapidly spent some huge cash on the sport, and a big a part of it didn't repay as I anticipated. Some improve playing cards for Kykar didn't work out in addition to I had hoped. My Captain N'ghathrod deck was additionally considerably disappointing, as I constructed it across the milling and horror theme, nevertheless it ended up being slower than anticipated. Nevertheless, I discovered an answer for my costly Magic: The Reunion bills.
The tabletop simulator helped me check out the brand new Magic: The Gathering Playing cards & Decks
The sport prices $19.99 on Steam
As an alternative of spending more cash on playing cards and decks I didn't know I'd click on on, I made a $20 funding in Tabletop simulatora Steam recreation that may run quite a lot of video games, together with Commander mode for MTG. Whereas my group and I haven't sacrificed our month-to-month conferences to play playing cards in individual, now we have been taking part in Commander nearly with some frequency, because of Tabletop simulator. By operating the mode within the Steam recreation, we will add any Magic: The Reunion deck we would like primarily based on card lists from standard itemizing websites like Archidekt, Scryfall, and Moxfield.
Successfully, this permits us to play with decks we don't personal in actual life, experimenting with lists constructed by different gamers – or ourselves, once we put within the effort to check how the deck would possibly work – and see if it fits our taking part in types. We are able to additionally run a number of video games with the identical decks and see if a loss was proof of not being in tune with the mechanics of the deck in query. Magic: The Reunionin Commander mode or if the earlier recreation was only a sequence of unlucky occasions that resulted from a nasty beginning hand to unhealthy attracts.
I spent lots much less cash on Magic: The Gathering Commander due to Tabletop Simulator
The sport allowed me to really feel the decks and measure my pod's reactions
Due to my experiences with Tabletop simulatorI've spent much less cash on MTG than I used to be throughout my first few months. This isn't as a result of the sport is now not a topic of my hyperfocus – it's – however as a result of I've been extra cautious concerning the forms of decks I put money into. I nonetheless love my Captain N'ghathrod deck, however I'm terrified of how tough it may be to run (due to the variety of triggers and excessive mana prices). The deck's errors would have been prevented if I had tried it in Tabletop simulator.
Now, earlier than I construct and purchase a brand new deck, I make certain to actively play with it typically and see how I really feel operating it. I just lately tried out a Yennett, Cryptic Sovereign deck at my desk and it felt nice. The Esper deck is a good management deck that retains opponents at bay whereas meticulously attacking them. It helps you construct your board even when you could have unhealthy attracts, because of the Commander card's capability, which in flip helps preserve you protected from assaults out of your opponents. This sturdy MTG The Commander deck, nevertheless, has a deep-rooted drawback.
The Yennett deck is extraordinarily salty. As a lot as I loved it and gained a recreation with it, I felt like my opponents had been sad with how my deck labored, as they at all times felt like they couldn't assault me or forged any removing spells towards my playing cards. In fact, that is a part of the deck's performance, but when I continually pester my associates for the sake of victory and in flip instantly turn out to be “the issue“As soon as any match begins, nobody within the group can be happy – not even me. Tabletop simulator allowed me to see this nice MTG the deck's worst drawback.
Though I loved taking part in Yennett, the little experiment made me notice that this wouldn't be such a superb deck to make use of towards my associates, which ended up saving me round $300. Earlier than Tabletop simulatorI'd have presumably constructed and bought the deck, solely to attempt it out later, leaving the sport with a sense of bitterness and disappointment at having invested in one thing that may be off-putting to others. When making an attempt new Magic: The Reunion Commander decks are essentially the most direct method to Tabletop simulatorSteam recreation can even assist with updates.
The tabletop simulator additionally helped me with MTG Commander updates
I check card updates and removals earlier than making use of modifications
I just lately purchased Infinite Punishment, the very best Magic The Gathering: Duskmourn Commander's deck. The deck, which options Valgavoth, Harrower of Souls, is already a terrific precon to run, however it might get exponentially higher with upgrades. Identical to discovering new decks to play, researching deck upgrades could be a tiring effort and it doesn't at all times repay. This may end up in just a few dozen and even tons of of {dollars} spent on playing cards which might be advisable however don't look that good throughout precise play, and that is the place Tabletop simulator enter.
Gamers can modify their decks on their most well-liked itemizing platform after which import them, permitting them to check out new playing cards they take into account buying. For instance, I used to be in a position to run my Valgavoth deck simulating an improve with Sulfuric Vortex, Roiling Vortex, and Fiery Emancipation. After just a few video games, I used to be certain these had been upgrades that made sense to purchase, not like Mana Barbs. As sturdy as Mana Barbs is, he turns into a goal for removing as quickly as he enters the board, which might make him a wasted funding in Magic: The Reunion.
For an replace to be added, a card must be eliminated and Tabletop simulator it additionally gave me a greater likelihood of taking part in among the playing cards which might be advisable to be eliminated. Enchanter's Bane, for instance, is listed among the many playing cards that may be faraway from Valgavoth's deck, however I've had a number of enjoyable taking part in with it for now, which implies I'll prioritize eradicating different suggestions to make room for upgrades.
Though the gaming expertise supplied by Tabletop simulator pales compared to in-person Commander tables, Steam gaming presents another for me to play with my associates with out having to attend a whole month earlier than our schedules match up. Plus, this $20 funding has additionally helped me handle my cash higher in terms of buying new Magic: The Reunion decks and upgrades because it permits me to check them out and ensure I like them earlier than making a remaining choice.