The Magic pre-release event is an exciting opportunity for fans of the popular card game to get a sneak peek at upcoming sets. These events typically take place before the official release of a new set and allow players to build and play with decks using the new cards. The pre-release events are often held at local game stores, making them accessible to many players. One of the main attractions of pre-release events is the chance to open new booster packs and see what cards are inside. This gives players the opportunity to start strategizing and planning their decks ahead of time. It also adds an element of surprise and anticipation to the event.
A lot of time has passed since then, and I still buy leftover prereleases because I still genuinely enjoy the whole concept of them. Heck, this weekend me and my partner bought 2 of the Core 21 pre-releases from our new LGS (we have now moved towns) and we had a blast with them – I even managed to pull these bad boys!
Our friend Timmy came to our LGS with a bunch of mates, and as soon as I sat on their table for our first round I felt the high and mighty gazes of the other 3 men on my table. You can sometimes splash a third, playing two colors as your base and a couple powerful cards or additional costs of another color, but I d really focus on the two colors you want here.
It also adds an element of surprise and anticipation to the event. In addition to the new cards, pre-release events also often feature special promo cards that are only available to those who attend the event. These promo cards can be highly sought-after by collectors and can sometimes even become valuable in the secondary market.
Why I don’t go to prereleases – MTG
Prereleases are an exciting time for Magic players – you can get your hands on the latest cards (or in Core 21’s case, the latest reprints) and get to dabble in creating a small, yet immensely fun deck.
I love the whole concept of prereleases, how it encourages players all to meet up to see what the new set is going to get and is a brilliant way for all levels of Magic players to come together. Whilst I appreciate that they are a fun and positive event for most, my one bad experience has ultimately made me apprehensive of going to my local game store for future pre-releases.
Flashback to 25th January 2019, 5 days before my birthday. Ravnica Allegiance is just about to come out and myself and my partner decide that after getting back into MTG a few months prior that we would go down to our local LGS and join the prerelease.
I will admit I was a little confused at first, I was new to the game and wasn’t 100% sure about card synergies, mana curves – I was just a very new player looking to learn how to play MTG properly. The first deck that I made was a Simic deck with the idea of getting lots of tokens on my creatures and being honest I thought the art on the Simic cards looked pretty cool!
In comes long time player, and resident asshole – let’s call him Timmy. Our friend Timmy came to our LGS with a bunch of mates, and as soon as I sat on their table for our first round I felt the high and mighty gazes of the other 3 men on my table. Now I’m not sure if I was overreacting a bit here, because as a very shy and small girl people can easily intimidate me. But Timmy was a different kettle of fish.
I introduced myself as any polite normal human does, explained that I was new to the game so I would appreciate any pointers he could give as I knew I was bound to lose but I just wanted to know how to improve. 3 games go by, Timmy obliterates everything that I put out on my board. I don’t understand the combos he pulls off, even when I asked him if he could explain it to me he responded with “If you’re here you should know what the cards do.”. Alright, asshole.
The 3 games I played against Timmy frustrated me to no end, with him making sarcastic remarks whenever one of my creatures died or a sorcery card didn’t work as I intended. It was clear after numerous attempts of me asking politely if he wouldn’t mind explaining some mechanics – and trust me, we had plenty of time with how quickly he beat me – that this guy was not welcoming to newbies at all. It’s understandable that not everyone wants to educate others about the game but there was no need for the condescending attitude.
Timmy fostered a fowl mood within me, my nerves set on fire when people have such an attitude where they look down on someone for being new. He then began to ignore me after our 3 matches had concluded and focused on his mates game next to us. I was astonished. Not even a smidge of friendly banter, no acknowledgement of existence, just bragging that he was going to be the one to win the tournament – which I think won like 10 booster packs or something daft.
I played another game with another guy who was relatively new to the game too and we had a great match! Lots of communication, lots of discussion around the mechanics of the cards we were both playing, and he provided me with a lot of recommendations with how I should play. This was the kind of attitude that I had expected from a pre-release of players showing support and helping their peers. Timmy was obviously an anomaly.
Overall, the Allegiance pre-release left a very sour taste in my mouth. I struggled to comprehend why Timmy was such an arse when there was simply no need for it. From then, my partner asked me if I wanted to go to other pre-releases but I honestly wanted to avoid them because I didn’t want to feel on like that again, I didn’t want someone to judge me for my lack of experience and ultimately make me feel invisible. It made me feel really shitty about myself, and I was put off playing physical paper MTG for quite some time.
A lot of time has passed since then, and I still buy leftover prereleases because I still genuinely enjoy the whole concept of them. Heck, this weekend me and my partner bought 2 of the Core 21 pre-releases from our new LGS (we have now moved towns) and we had a blast with them – I even managed to pull these bad boys!
Since I’ve got more experience now I feel that I want to give prereleases another shot, because not everyone is the same as Timmy was and I really want to meet new people to play with. So maybe with the next set that comes out, I might challenge myself to go to my LGS and just genuinely enjoy myself and overcome this negativity which nibbles at my brain!
Another aspect of pre-release events that make them appealing to players is the chance to engage in friendly competition. These events are typically run as tournaments, allowing players to test their skills against others in a fun and casual setting. This can be a great way to meet and connect with fellow Magic players in the community. It's worth noting that pre-release events are not just for experienced players. They are also welcoming to newcomers who may not have as much experience with the game. Many stores offer pre-release events that cater specifically to beginners, providing a more relaxed and instructional atmosphere. Overall, the Magic pre-release event is a highly anticipated and accessible event for fans of the game. It offers the opportunity to get a first look at new cards, engage in friendly competition, and connect with fellow players. Whether you're a seasoned veteran or new to the game, the pre-release event is a must-attend for Magic enthusiasts..
Reviews for "Experience the Thrill of Playing Magic before its Official Release"
1. Olivia - 2/5 stars - I was really excited for the Magic pre-release event, but I was disappointed with "Magic pre-release within reach". The event felt disorganized and chaotic. The staff didn't seem knowledgeable or helpful, leaving me feeling lost. The game setup was also confusing, and it took away from the overall experience. I don't think I would attend another event like this in the future.
2. Ethan - 1/5 stars - "Magic pre-release within reach" was a complete letdown for me. The venue was cramped and uncomfortable, making it difficult to focus on the game. The players around me were rude and unfriendly, making it an unwelcoming atmosphere. Furthermore, the whole event felt rushed, and there was no sense of excitement or anticipation. I wouldn't recommend this event to any Magic fans.
3. Marie - 2/5 stars - I attended "Magic pre-release within reach" with high hopes, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The prize pool was lackluster, and there was no real motivation to participate. The staff seemed disinterested and unenthusiastic, which took away from the overall atmosphere. Additionally, the event lacked variety and creativity, making it feel repetitive and mundane. I left feeling unsatisfied and unimpressed.