[elif]

If you play standard, it's definitely pay-to-win.

The average cost of the top 10 decks at any moment is over $200, as meta shifts and sets rotate, you're buying ~5 decks per year minimum.

If you want to practice, you have to buy digital copies of those decks too (either buying singles in mtgo or a ton of boosters on arena)

If you want to play at the competitive level, you have to travel to multiple cities for open/gp events since there is a lot of randomness based on draw and matchups.

[whereismylogin]

> If you want to practice, you have to buy digital copies of those decks too (either buying singles in mtgo or a ton of boosters on arena)

Am I spoiled by having a local LGS franchise that mostly, from open to close, has players ready to play? Sure we have FNM, but there are always people there. I can't make FNM tonight, but I know if I drop in at 1:30 tomorrow, there will be endless games to be had. I personally stay far far away from digital -- for me this is not why I play the game.

[wyldfire]

> If you play standard, it's definitely pay-to-win.

Yes, but casual games with friends can be really enjoyable. Sealed events at the LGS are good too.