Nerding it up...a "real life" hobby?

[monkey0506]

I'm sure I mentioned my newest roommate who was so kind as to give me my first (owned) computer. He has several hobbies from comics to D&D. One of which I've actually adopted as a hobby myself.

Magic: The Gathering is a fairly well known game (being the original trading card game). My roommate has worked in a comic book store for several months up until very recently when he quit. Reportedly working there, people will just walk in and give him cards. Mostly in trade for other cards, but sometimes just cards that he wanted/needed.

I've played extremely casually in the past, but recently started playing in (unofficial, non-sanctioned) tournaments at another local games/comic store. I have yet to place or do anything spectacular, but I highly enjoy the interaction with other people, as well as the fantasy element of the game.

But I was thinking the other day...I used to be somewhat judgmental of these weirdos I used to see around the mall (amongst other places) playing Magic all the time...it occurred to me, that I am now officially one of those weirdos!

People can think whatever they want about me playing the game, but like I said, it's good to get out of the house and actually do something. Not that tinkering with AGS is nothing, but honestly everyone needs a break once in a while.

And as pathetic as it might sound, prior to this, AGS was my only real hobby. So...bah.

Just thought I'd share and ask if anybody else here plays Magic. My original deck that I've played the most with is a red goblin deck. My first tournament was draft and I played a red/white deck. My second tournament was standard and I played a green elf deck.

[Andail]

Never played, but I just popped in to say that you shouldn't be so concerned with what people consider weird or nerdy. If it's fun, go for it!

[Shane 'ProgZmax' Stevens]

Yeah, listen to Andail!

Also, Magic is extremely nerdy.  I should know, I played it a long time ago in a college far, far away.


And then I realized how much of a time waster it was and got really bored of it.

[Stupot]

Never played Magic or anything like it.  But not because I was afraid of being nerdy. Infact, growing up I was definitely the kind of lad who would have played Magic, D&D, Warhammer etc, and I was extremely jealous of the kids who did.  I just couldn't afford it.

I did collect X-files trading cards for a time, but that used up most of my lacklustre pocket money (it was either that or sweets which would rot my teeth).  And as the only person I knew who collected them was me, I had nobody to trade with, hahaha.

[Dualnames]

Used to play magic the gathering..had the idea of the best way to win anything..then they stop releasing a card because it was used in imba ways, though nobody used it my way..weird to notice..

[Akatosh]

Used to play it for quite some time. As an excuse, my age was 10 <= x <= 15. I've been trying to catalogue my collection for two years now so I can sell them, but I own literally thousands, so I sort of have a hard time getting arsed to do so. I think I still have my last playing deck lying around (mono blue control, if I recall correctly)...

/EDIT: Yep, I do. Pretty dusty, but in good working order.

[monkey0506]

Well if you're too busy to be arsed with sorting and selling them, I've apparently started collecting them. I'll pay for shipping!

Anyway, these tournaments seem like a lot of fun. It actually gives me something to look forward to each week...

Oh and Akatosh, I betcha that Willingstad's collection still dwarfs yours...

[Play_Pretend]

Don't worry about people thinking you're a nerd.  I'm a 6'3, 250 lb weightlifter with a hot girlfriend, and I'm still a total nerd that loves computer programming, comics and cartoons.   I've got a statue of Larry Boy as my desk mascot.  If anybody actually spends time judging you for doing something you enjoy, they're just stuck inside an extremely small mind.

[Ghost]

Magic can be nerdy, yes, but I used to play it a lot, always going for the most unlikely decks. I still own a few card, mostly for their artwork though, and have since then moved on to totally ungeeky hobbies like game-making, cooking, paper crafts and casual game reverse engineering.  :

If anybody actually spends time judging you for doing something you enjoy, they're just stuck inside an extremely small mind.

Well said!

[Trihan]

I play online. I have some really non-conventional decks, one based around Underworld Dreams/Megrim/Howling Mine, one based around March of the Machines/Myr Landshaper/Dross Scorpion and one based on Petals of Insight/Channel the Sun/Thief of Hope. I like decks that don't look like much initially but built into an absolute nightmare for your opponent.

[Raider]

I do play.
I play mill. Which is a deck based on removing cards from your opponent's library and putting them in the graveyard. (If they run out of cards to draw, they lose)
I have several decks actually and have been playing/collecting since I was 9 (I'm now 20).
If you need suggestions on building decks or pricing cards I have a grand knowledge of each edition and can put you on the right track. I freakin love the game, strategy, goblins, and a chance to kick your mate's asses.

Nerd it up bro.  8)

[Radiant]

I've played since high school. Back then, it was several times per week, now it's just two or three times per year (drafts, mostly). And who cares that it's nerdy? Vin Diesel plays D&D... (and Bill Gates is the biggest nerd ever, and makes more money than all of us combined!)