8 Arguments Against Online PTQs And Why They Are Wrong

Ever since Wizards announced their online PTQ campaign, there's been a lot of backlash about it. (You know, like the backlash to the new card frames, Fourth Edition Rules, M10 rules, black-bordered core sets, etc.) I don't get it. Frankly, if you don't like them, you don't HAVE to participate...so I fail to see how it affects you.

However, let's go after the main arguments that are against online PTQs. People think online PTQs are far worse than real ones because of several reasons. Here they are, and my rebuttals:

1. It's Not "Pure" Magic


Response: While the opportunities for bluffing are largely gone in MTGO, there are ways to still bluff. Leaving lands untapped, pausing before response to a spell, faking missing your fourth land drop to bait your opponent into walking into Day of Judgement, etc.

Also, because of the lack of opportunities to exploit superior rule knowledge and Jedi mind tricks, MTGO is actually more about the technical play than actual Magic. So saying it's not pure Magic is ridiculous. You don't get the same fun experience as playing with friends, and I certainly don't think you shouldn't play offline, but the debate here is MTGO's ability to run a series of high-level events with the same integrity and level of competition as real Magic.

I believe it certainly can.

2. MTGO can crash.


WOTC has made mistakes with MTGO before, but the fact that they're releasing online PTQ's makes me think that they have, in fact, made absolutely sure that the PTQ's will not crash. It's perfectly possible to reinforce a particular server to handle a greater load than normal which is probably what they've done here. They wouldn't do it unless they felt sure that there was a 99.99% chance the server could flawlessly handle a 512-player tournament.

3. It's easy to cheat. Just get a skilled player to play for you.


MTGO, thanks to it's interface, has a HUGE list of infractions that are impossible to commit online. Here are some of the major ones:

Deck/Decklist Mismatch
Illegal Deck
Missed Triggers
Game Rule Violation
Drawing/Looking at Extra Cards
Manipulation of Game Materials
Insufficient Randomisation
Disagreement about the game state
Slow Play
Lying about the rules

Compared to this, I'd say that the chance that you would get someone to play as you and give you the prizes is a lot less problematic than this plethora of activities which, accidentally or maliciously, cannot be done online.

4. Misclicks could cost an invite to the Pro Tour.


Mishearing your opponent can cost an invite to the Pro Tour. So can a host of real-life misclicks like drawing extra cards by mistake, flipping an opponent's card by mistake, etc. If you practice MTGO diligently, you shouldn't misclick often, just like you should handle cards well at the level where you can realistically consider winning a PTQ.

5. The competition will be lesser.


This is just crap. If anything, the competition could be greater. The really serious PTQers who are the best at your PTQ, guess what? If they haven't qualified they're probably playing in them. The best players will want every chance they can get, and good players from the other side of the world can compete, not just those within a few hundred kilometres of your PTQ.

6. If an MTGO-exclusive player makes it to the PT they can make mistakes, due to not being familiar with physical testing.


That's like saying you're not familiar with your deck. If I was an MTGO player who won one of these, I'd find some people who played physical Magic and join them! I would practice playing physically so I could learn to pick up on everything MTGO does for me and learn the nuances of physical play just like you need to test your deck to be familiar with it's nuances. And you can test both at the same time. No extra time needed.

7. You have to buy the cards twice to compete in MTGO.


I quote ThatDamnAussie here, whom I corresponded with over Twitter in preparation for this article.

"Everything costs money if you want to do well. You don't HAVE to play in the Modo PTQs to make the PT. These are bonus chances"


He's right. If you want to practice Zendikar Sealed, you have an expense ahead. If you want to bring two decks, as I recommend at one point, and several potential sideboards, as I have recommended, that's another expense. So is MTGO. You don't have to do it, but it maximises your chances. Also, if you play with RL friends testing for the PTQ, get them into it as well so you can share cards again. Plus, singles cost less on MTGO than they do in real life.

8. It's too easy to just let people play from their homes.


No, you're being an elitist.

That's it.

Alright, fine.

The fact that you can play from home does not diminish the mental stamina you'll require or the skill you'll need to command. Other people have the same bonuses. Do you honestly believe that if you've worked on your stamina, it won't pay off in an online PTQ? It will. Just because you can go to the fridge and get food rather than try to search for it, or go to the bathroom mid-round if you're okay losing a minute off your clock, doesn't mean your stamina won't help you. It lets you focus on what matters: playing Magic.




So, therefore, in my opinion, online PTQs are helpful for the game and community in general. I'm sure this'll spark a discussion in the comments, and I welcome it. I'll add my own insights as I check in.

In a few days I'll also release another article about the benefits of online PTQs that offline PTQs lack.

See you!