A little help with Workstation please

[ELD]

I have recently downloaded MWS and was happy to find that you can find a game at any time.  My problem, however, is that everyone is so terrible, it doesn't help in testing my decks.  Is there a way to play TMDers without inviting one specifically.  I mean, just getting a random game with someone who's not terrible by going to a specific server or something.  I've been testing Grim Long, and it's been useless.  None of the decks run counter magic, and the ones that do play so badly that they just don't matter.  Many of the people are offended by the idea of a good deck.  A little help would be appreciated.  

Thanks.

[Necrologia]

As far as I know the "official" TMD IRC channel for requesting games is #themanaleak. It's often empty though, so I don't think there's really much you can do outside of joining the main channel and begging, or spamming PMs here on the drain.

As for the skill level of MWS randoms, those of you who have never tried it,  you have been warned.

[Freelancer]

Usually you can find a halfway decent person by making a game that clearly states no n00bs or something...

The one I always use (wich is reasonbly effective); T1 Experts only, 2/3 with sideboard !!

This keeps a lot off people without sideboard out (although 9/10 games I only play a single game because either; a) they suck or b) they leave because I smashed them into the ground ) and helps somewhat...Occasionally you get people in there that actually playtest with there decks (if your lucky), those are the great games...

The best way is just to ask around in chat...It isnt very fast, but its better than playing against sui and elves (wich I see surpisingly often )...

[Necrologia]

Usually you can find a halfway decent person by making a game that clearly states no n00bs or something...

From my experience this has never worked in any game ever. As a matter of fact, it tends to have the opposite effect. Since n00bs often fail to realize that they are indeed n00bs, they have a tendancy to join games specifically asking them not to join. Doing so proves to themselves that they actually have skill. Just look at the game name! It says no n00bs and I was able to join, I am therefore not a n00b!

If you want a good game on MWS, you really do have to find a competent player and set the game up in advance. I've never found any other way that works.

[Freelancer]

Ofcourse that will happen, I sayed it a bit vague what I meant was; if you name it in such a way that will scare away n00bs you will have atleast half-way decent opponents from time to time...

I've met plenty (well not plenty, but enough) off competent player on MWS...By making games unattractive for n00bs less will join, names like experts only !!, sideboards, P9 only!!, control slaver and -other decks- only...it helps somewhat...

[Whatever Works]

I have messed around with titles trying to find the best best competition, and if have had alot of success with this title:

T1 Experts (Tier 1 decks only!) Use Phases!

My last 10 matches using this has given me about 8 decent opponents, and unfortunetly 2 poor decks (bad sui black... elfclamp) but I dont think you can ask for better then 80%... If someone goes first turn land elf against me its perfectly fine to just quit game and start new 1, and then change title to T1 Experts (tier 1 decks only!) No ELVES/SLIGH.

I am Kyle L. on MWS so if you see 1 of my games definetly join if you want real competion. Good luck finding decent competition!

Kyle

[Mixing Mike]

Eric, I was you on it last night/this morning.  I tried to catch a game with you, but was unable too.  I usually IM people I know are good players whenever I want to get some games in.

Personally, I'm usually up for a game if I'm not away, so feel free to ask!

[LotusHead]

For those of us with Power (in my case, Power 7, 2 Mana Drains operating in a 10 Proxy environment), and access to TMD, playtests various Tier 1 decks (and Salvagers, of course)  and all of the thought that goes into T1...

What the fuck is IRC?  Answer like I really don't know.

Blah Blah Blah find us on #something on IRC.  

Help me.

I face randoms and good players on Magic-League.com and luckily, I play Vintage (preferred), Legacy (Thulsa Doom! see casual forum) and Kamigawa Block decks (I love drafting/Pimping out my Casual Block decks. U/R Splice Girls! The chick on Disrupting Shoal even LOOKS like a Splice Girl) So I get a good game in here an there in those various formats (T2 sucks for people who can't afford to buy boxes of the new cards, T1 sucks for people who can't buy all the old cards. Quote me.)

But the IRC thing? No Idea.

Talk to me like I'm a retard.  What is it? What is required? Google does me nothing.

[Toad]

IRC is a multiplayer Notepad. Some open discussion service for Internet.

http://www.mirc.com/irc.html <= What is IRC?

You can download IRC on this website too. TheManaDrain IRC references are :

Server = EFNet
Room = #themanadrain

[Meddling Mike]

I myself either

A) Look for a random game in which I put in the title "t1 serious decks only please" which does actually cut down on the number of random crap I play against.

B) Consult my teammates to see if any of them want to play, the only problem with this is that sometimes you end up playing the same matchups over and over again, but fortunately for me my teammates can often play a wide range of decks upon request.

C) Ask specific people from TMD to play and set up testing sessions.