[Free article] Vintage 101: The Original Super League

[Islandswamp]

Vintage 101: The Original Super League

http://www.mtggoldfish.com/articles/vintage-101-the-original-super-league

My latest article is a brief recap of the first three seasons of the VSL, as well as a preview of season four and an interview with The Atog Lord. Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoy it! 

[TheMonadNomad]

Great article!  I never understood how any of the other leagues could really be "super" anyway - playing things right on curve standard-style is not super at all...

[Islandswamp]

Great article!  I never understood how any of the other leagues could really be "super" anyway - playing things right on curve standard-style is not super at all...

I imagine that those leagues lean on "star power" more than game-play excitement. Also you have to consider that the uninitiated have a harder time following Vintage than the other formats. Of course, watching the VSL several times helps, but some people won't get past their preconceived notions of what the format is about. It's all "I can't afford that", and "It's too complicated". To each his own I guess. I just feel like all other formats are horribly boring now (seriously, I've played less than ten non-Vintage matches of Magic in the last year). 

[Prospero]

Great article!  I never understood how any of the other leagues could really be "super" anyway - playing things right on curve standard-style is not super at all...

I imagine that those leagues lean on "star power" more than game-play excitement. Also you have to consider that the uninitiated have a harder time following Vintage than the other formats. Of course, watching the VSL several times helps, but some people won't get past their preconceived notions of what the format is about. It's all "I can't afford that", and "It's too complicated". To each his own I guess. I just feel like all other formats are horribly boring now (seriously, I've played less than ten non-Vintage matches of Magic in the last year). 

I played Vintage and Standard from 2000-2003, but I stopped playing non-Vintage formats in 2003, and I can't imagine going back.  I sold off my Standard deck before Darksteel was printed (I had Affinity when Broodstar was the kill, not Ravager).  Counterspell rotating and not being reprinted was a major blow to my desire to play Standard, though I held on for a while. 

Vintage has had highs and lows, but I think the format is so much more intricate, and challenging, than the other options.  I don't discriminate; if you enjoy Standard, Limited, whatever, and you hate Vintage, more power to you.  I just can't imagine going back. 

[TheMonadNomad]

The last time I played Standard was when the original Zendikar was out.  I was cracking packs trying to get a set of all the new fetch lands for Vintage.  Since I had the cards from cracking packs, I played a red/white aggro deck until it rotated out.
 
Even though I'm not much of a fan of Standard, it was really fun that lightning bolt was legal in Standard at the time.  That was a nice touch of nostalgia for me.  Since they did this with Lightning Bolt, I always thought there might be a time where they would do the same and bring back Counterspell for a season.  Now that Modern is a thing though, I doubt they ever end up doing that.

I guess it is supposed to be the star power that makes it "super".  That adds something sure, but it's far less of a draw than the format for me personally.

[Hrishi]

Heh, I have never played a game of standard in my life. I have been waiting for VSL to resume for a while since none of the other formats interest me at all.

[matori]

I think it is very important (but not necessary) for magic player to play other formats as well.
For me Limited was always endless fun, especial draft. There is something special when you have limited pool and possibilities to build a deck.
T2 can be interesting as well, as it is not easy to break meta game with cards available in that format.
All I want to say is that playing other formats is good to learn new/ other skills and check strategies which will not be necessary available/ adopted in vintage.
Personally I played all other formats since beginning (even Extended), but from day one I knew exactly what I love and where is power of mtg.
Nothing beats the Vintage, but we should not ignore other aspects/ formats of the game.

[dangerlinto]

I remember having to play non-Vintage (or it's older MTGO equivalent, Classic) formats when I went to the Community Cup challenge in 09. It was so very difficult because the mindset or the flow of the game was so very different.

Just a simple example, if you see an opponent with an island open and a full hand and you've got two threats, you better be sure you are baiting with the more important threat - save the Tinker for last, right?  But playing pretty much any other format this is the opening you've been looking for to get your best threat through their counterwall.  There are countless things and intricacies that are so very different.

It was exhausting having to switch gears like that.  I remember having to swap out with another player to play Momir because I couldn't play my deck properly. (which worked well, I won the momir match and my teammate won the match I was losing

[Islandswamp]

I remember having to play non-Vintage (or it's older MTGO equivalent, Classic) formats when I went to the Community Cup challenge in 09. It was so very difficult because the mindset or the flow of the game was so very different.

Just a simple example, if you see an opponent with an island open and a full hand and you've got two threats, you better be sure you are baiting with the more important threat - save the Tinker for last, right?  But playing pretty much any other format this is the opening you've been looking for to get your best threat through their counterwall.  There are countless things and intricacies that are so very different.

It was exhausting having to switch gears like that.  I remember having to swap out with another player to play Momir because I couldn't play my deck properly. (which worked well, I won the momir match and my teammate won the match I was losing

DangerLinto

I did not know you were in the MTGOCC. That's really cool. I'd love to do that someday, but I'm not holding my breath. Especially now that they don't vote for the participants anymore.

The beginning of my Magic career was mostly Type 2, Extended, and I qualified for the PT playing Block. My favorite decks though were my extended decks (from the era where you could play real dual lands), and my type one deck that was missing 7 pieces of power 
I had no collection left by 2014, but when VMA was announced I made it my goal to get into Vintage that way. I just find everything else boring now, although I would play limited if I had more time and money to waste, and I'd play any format I had to if it was for a PTQ, GP, whatever.

Thanks to everyone who took the time to read and share these articles. The more readers I get, the longer I'll have a job writing Vintage content. Also thanks to Rich Shay for doing the interview.

[dangerlinto]

DangerLinto

I did not know you were in the MTGOCC. That's really cool. I'd love to do that someday, but I'm not holding my breath. Especially now that they don't vote for the participants anymore.

They didn't vote when we went either.  It was the first one.  We were all selected by WoTC.  It was easily the coolest thing I've ever done, and one of the better moments of my life (marriage and kids are good, too The only thing now, of course, is that Erik was there and a friend and we lost him about 18 months later, so it's still a bit sad thinking of it.  In fact it was Erik who agreed to switch off Momir with me, because we had built that red-white Standard deck together.

2009 CC Coverage - If you scroll down, I'm the chap in the Canada Hockey jersey.  I thought I should fit the stereotype.

The beginning of my Magic career was mostly Type 2, Extended, and I qualified for the PT playing Block. My favorite decks though were my extended decks (from the era where you could play real dual lands), and my type one deck that was missing 7 pieces of power  
I had no collection left by 2014, but when VMA was announced I made it my goal to get into Vintage that way. I just find everything else boring now, although I would play limited if I had more time and money to waste, and I'd play any format I had to if it was for a PTQ, GP, whatever.

Like a lot of people here, I started before the DCI exited, so there was only one game called Magic.  Type 2 scared the crap out of me when they announced it.  I saw it then as the death of eternal play.

Thanks to everyone who took the time to read and share these articles. The more readers I get, the longer I'll have a job writing Vintage content. Also thanks to Rich Shay for doing the interview.

Keep writing!  We'll keep reading.