Magic: The Gathering Online Beta!

Well, just found out about this game in an MTG site ... looks like fun tho it could be costly...

I dunno about a monthly fee, but WOTC has made it so that the only cards you can use are the ones purchased online using Prize Points ... Prize Points are gained either through real money (ack) or through winning some matches online. To give you an idea, a booster pack is worth one Prize Point. (In the Beta, each beta tester is given 100 Prize Points that they can use to buy boosters and create their decks.)

As of now, the Beta only allows Type 2 decks to be played.

Below are some details:

MTG Online Beta Announcement
MTG Online Homepage
MTG Online FAQ

I have temporarily uploaded the Beta zip file in our downloads section. Here are the instructions on how to install it:

• Download the zip file from the Downloads Section.
• Then, unzip it, using a program such as winzip. (http://www.winzip.com)
• Unzip the .zip file inside the downloaded zip file into a new folder without any other Non-MTGOnline files.
• Run setup.exe (note: Setup will download files from the WotC server. The last 10 percent of the download will take considerably longer because of the number of files downloaded. It took me about 10 minutes on cable.)
• Once they are downloaded, follow further instructions to install Magic Online
• Once Magic Online is installed, move all of the contents of the .zip files into the magic online folder. Just the programs, not any specific folders.
• If it prompts you to overwrite, DO NOT OVERWRITE ANY FILES.
• Afterwards, delete the file (updated.lst)
• Run setup.exe again (the one in your magic online folder)
• It will update the program to the newest version (from 8.39 to 8.46)
• Then, run "magic", "magic1", or "modo" to start MTGOnline. (note: magic and modo check for updates before running. magic1 does not.)
• Now that Magic Online requires version .846, you will need to do an additional step. Open the "modo" file in the MTGOnline Folder where you have all of your programs. That will run the update program and it will download the necessary files.

I have downloaded and registered for a beta account, but will probably try it out this weekend. Note that you need to have knowledge of the basics in playing Magic: The Gathering before trying out this beta.

Those who wanna try it out should hurry tho ... the beta accounts are given out in controlled waves, and this wave might end in the next week or two ... And the installer in the Downloads Section is not gonne be in there forever

To check for availability of beta slots, go here. If you don't see the Magic Online Account it means they have temporarily 'sold out' of accounts.

Lemme know what you think

Sweet!!

No more forgetting which box/binder I put my cards in!!

CCG -> CFG (Collectible File Game)

I hope they hold official tournaments online...

Can't wait. I downloaded it and installed it. I will give it a try tonight. I haven't played magic in a couple years.

I started playing when it first came out, but sold out after the tournaments quit giving away prize money. Back when you could still trade for a Black Lotus.

My tournament deck sold for $1200.

*snip*

This looks cool.

LOL. Download took me 1 minute.

Edit: Stupid bugged installer. Is deceiving. Constant timeouts. I thought it was done. *sigh*

Oh yeah this thing is cool!!

Woot Woot!!!

Originally posted by Gunslinger
LOL. Download took me 1 minute.

Hehe, I didn't mean the file on the Downloads section is supposed to take long ... I meant the actual installation/download process, coz it downloads the card graphics from the server one by one ... but you already know that by now

btw, you ever tried creating a second account, lol ... coz I did

Well, I guess sucky servers are always a constant during beta tests ... I almost beat two people, but I get kicked off the server everytime I'm in the homestretch ... grrrr...

It won't log in again.

Do you have to create another account each time you log in or something?

No, you don't need to create a new account to re-login ... sometimes logging in is laggy - need to wait for it sometimes ...

I can login just fine today .... they are on version 0.848 now ... gave ya an additional 75 Prize Points to buy boosters with

I played several games already, and quickly learning the new cards .... there was that one multicolor angel that was protection from all colors ... damn, did I hate that ...

Ooooo desolation angel rulez, lol ...

There is also Desolation Giant. Angel is the Flying Armageddon, Giant is the walking wrath of god. I actually have a foiled miscut Desolation Angel in real life. It's spiffy. I was offered $175 for it once.

You have sooooo much to catch up on Laggy. And I would be glad to be the one to demonstrate for you.

The protection from all colors angel is Iridescent Angel.

There are a tone of new mechanics you need to get up to speed on - not just new cards. I don't mean the things like threshold, I just mean the way the environment has changed. The game is played different than it used to be. The type 2 metagame changes like the wind and sometimes it's tough to stay with it.

Oh, and Laggy, my style throughout my 3 years of MTG has always been control. I make everyone ask permission before they place their card on the table. I have played Blue/White control for most of this period of time. So, if you would like to set up trades with me - so we can better augment our decks for this beta, I would be happy to oblige - assuming you don't want the same things I do.

Well, I'm catching up little by little, just by watching the other players play ... most people use tricolor (commonly red, green and white) ... and I try to engage in some casual games, and I'm not doing too bad for someone who hasn't played Magic for close to seven years, hehehe ... I've won 5 of my last eight games ... I fought someone who uses a millstone deck - lost to that coz of a bad hand but learned some new techniques ... the latest one I fought was a green/red/blue weenie/permission deck - waited patiently for him to tap out and used one-mana discarders to make him use up his counterspells, before I dropped the desolation angel on him, lol.

I'm using a black/blue discarder/permission deck right now (I tried to do a generic red/blue cheese/permission deck but I found out that it's not as effective as it once was) ... I was always a black/red player or a red/green, but I'm still getting used to the new cards to come up with an effective deck.

Black/blue is working pretty well for me .. just need to get some more cards to augment it (like maybe some abyssal specters and that black/blue mage that lets me draw cards when it does damage).

The new "dual" lands are excellent .. no wonder everyone's playing multicolor.

I'll be playing Magic all weekend (probably around noon and afternoon), so if you wanna log on and trade, fine by me.

Just watching people play is already getting me updated on the new "mechanics" ... but if you wanna be my diabolic tutor, I'll be happy to oblige

I wish I new how to Play Magic: the gathering, ive heard its a good game. Back when I was in high school that was a big deal so one weekend I went to this book store and they had packs. I bought 5 packs and ended up selling a few of the cards individually for a lot of money. Guess they are worth something.