Magic the Game....Buying accessories for bf for Christmas and need advice.

The Game Room
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Hey all,

Doing searches for accessories for the game Magic. My bf has started going to the tournaments and I am looking for things that those who play would like to have perhaps not exactly in the practical level (he can figure out what cards and all that he likes on his own…and truly it’s mind boggling.)

Many questions…

Noticed accessories having specific affiliations. Are there questions I can be asking him to find out what would be appropriate. Know he is currently concentrating on a white deck.

Would like to get him a really nice case. Currently he has those binder books and card sleeves. Are there ones that are better and more useful?

The dice, notice that there are dice that have some sides to many sides…do I get a combination? Do I go for a dice pack?

Keychains, do they only hold one dice, or do you get more than one for carrying more than one die?

Those life tokens, how many tokens do you buy and does it make a difference on what kind of graphic is on them?

If you were playing with your friends, would you like to have a game mat?

Best place to buy these things online, preferably in Canada.

(however all suggestions in the States would be great too, often the prices are cheaper even with duty and shipping)

Any place that makes custom magic stuff to personalize?

Looking at the bags to carry all the stuff, around forty dollars. To all you gamers would you like to have something like that?

Wanting to buy something that says that I know that he loves doing this and that i am supporting his interests.

He is always talking about it to me and I must admit I kind of glaze over but he is so willing to talk about it i can certainly ask the right questions to find out stuff.

…and the guild stuff, what questions would be right to ask …and noticed they have watches, so questions are kinda important or he may end up getting a barbie watch or something by mistake. Yikes.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance…

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I don’t have a lot of advice about dice and other such accessories. I was always a tournament player and generally just grabbed whatever d20 I could find, then would use coins if necessary.

Regarding a carrying case, my favorite of all time was a small plastic briefcase that had custom-cut foam inserts. It looked somewhat like this:

I have never used a playmat (although I am coming around to the idea). I always thought they were pretty silly, but if you want your sleeves to remain usable for a long time they’re probably the way to go.

Regarding his affiliations, there’s a quiz on the Magic mothership about guilds. Get him to take it, and if he agrees with its assignment there’s a ton of guild stuff you can buy him (playmats, deck boxes, pins, t-shirts, etc). The quiz is here:

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Thank so much I’m going to check into it. Question though, I know people use coins but (designating lives right?) How many is the max used?

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Some Magic players use 20-sided dice (d20s) to keep track of their Life scores. There’s a particular kind of d20 called a “spindown” die, which is particularly useful for this, because consecutive numbers are located adjacent to each other on the die faces (that is, the “20” is located next to the “19”, which is located next to the “18”, etc.). This is useful because it means you don’t need to spend as much time hunting for your new life number when it changes.

However, while you start the game with 20 life points (and lose when you end your turn at 0), some styles of play (and types of decks which players build) can lead to having even more than 20 life points. Thus, a d20 may or may not be your boyfriend’s preferred way of keeping track of his life – I’ve seen many other kinds of life counters out there (dials, glass beads, etc.)

Also, while there are all sorts of other types of “polyhedral” dice for sale at game stores (primarily for use in role-playing games, such as Dungeons & Dragons), they’re of limited or no use in a Magic game. So, even if your boyfriend likes to use dice for keeping track of life, I’d buy him several d20s, rather than a “polyhedral set” (which’d contain a d12, one or two d10s, etc.)

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I love the briefcase, but it only ships to the states…I’m in Canada. Looking for other sites that might ship to Canada or worse comes to worse, get it sent to an American friend to bring for me.

Perfect gift.

I’m on a quest! Thanks so much

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Gosh I am glad that I posted here. I would have screwed up so badly I can’t tell ya.

Thank you

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There’s a good chance he already has all of the necessities (deck case, life counters, etc) already, but if you’re willing to spend a bit, I think an alternate-art version of a favorite card might make an excellent gift.

As long as the modifications are done to an original card and certain key pieces are still visible, Magic cards that have had their art completely replaced are still legal to play in tournaments. Google for alternate art Magic and you’ll see some pretty impressive customized cards some artists have created.

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Usually they’re referred to as “alters.” One of the most notable alterers are Eric Klug (@klug_alters). Not sure how much an alter costs, probably on the order of $50-150, depending on the work necessary (an extension should be cheaper than full art, etc.).

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That reminded me of another idea…back when I played a lot of Magic (in the Jurassic Era of Revised and 4th Edition), I bought several prints of art from Magic cards. In each case, the individual artists had prints for sale, which weren’t tremendously expensive, and they were for cards that (a) I tended to often use, and (b) really had well-done art. The prints weren’t legal for actual play, obviously (they were typically around 8" x 10"), but I had them framed and hung them up in my office.

At any rate, if there are particular cards that your boyfriend really likes, or has commented on the art for, you might be able to find prints of the art, probably on the artist’s web site.

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BTW, for comparison purposes, here’s a spindown d20, compared to a traditional d20.

I’ve heard tell of D&D players who use spindown d20s – it’s alleged that, with practice, you can roll a spindown d20 in such a way that you have a high probability of it landing on a high number (which is generally a good thing in D&D). For this reason, Dungeon Masters who know about spindowns may ban them from use at their games.

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Talk to him about the game. Find out what guild he prefers.

Guilds are a part of the design of the current block, Return to Ravnica, based in a world-city by the name of Ravnica. Each guild focusses on a two-colour pair.

If he prefers one of the following list: -[ul][li]Azorius[/li][li]Izzet[/li][li]Rakdos[/li][li]Golgari[/li][li]Selesnaya[/ul]then see if you can track down a prerelease guild pack for that guild. They were fiven out at the prerelease, but the rest can be sold.[/li]
If he answer from this list: -[ul][li]Boros[/li][li]Gruul[/li][li]Simic[/li][li]Dimir[/li][li]Orzhov[/ul]then he prefers a guild that will appear in the next set, slated for release in very early February. Prereleases will be held in late Jan, and any surplus guild packs from the release will be on sale after then.[/li]
If you want a link let me know and I’ll PM you what I can find.

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I never liked the d20 for life purposes. I liked two d10s, which easily gives you everything from 1-99 with a minimum of fuss.

To the OP, while I don’t really play physical Magic any more, I don’t think I really would have liked accessories. What I would have liked were some really good covers for the cards and some really good way to organize. I’m afraid I don’t really have an answer for either one of those.

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As long as the modifications are done to an original card and certain key pieces are still visible, Magic cards that have had their art completely replaced are still legal to play in tournaments. Google for alternate art Magic and you’ll see some pretty impressive customized cards some artists have created.
[/QUOTE]

Hey, actually when surfing I saw some amazing redone cards and your information really helps because I was thinking…

Hell, if he can’t use the card I’m not so sure I would be down with that. You’ve opened up more possibilities.

If they are still usable I will give that a look more seriously.

Thanks, just thought the card wouldn’t be able to be used.

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[quote=“MHaye, post:11, topic:640100”]

Talk to him about the game. Find out what guild he prefers.

Now the trick for me is to come up with a story why now I am so interested!

My strategy is saying I met someone at tennis who played magic and he mentioned guilds and go from there.

Realize that it will mean more to make it specific. I do believe he is playing with a white deck.

We played originally and I beat him big time over and over again as a novice and then he made his super deck and I pretty much said that was unfair.

Might just suggest he bring his super deck and I can play with that and he has to choose another.

Errrr…but I kinda doubt he wants to play with me again; but let’s see if I can egg him on.

Thanks

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Saw the customized cards and they looked terrific but I thought they would be unusable in a game so your info works for me! Gives me some latitude in thinking.

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Thanks for the amazing insights into the game.

From what I have garnered I have to do some research into his playing style and his preferred method of keeping score.

I’m going to have to say Markdash’s binder idea would have been a go for sure, and still might be if I can find someplace that ships to Canada.

Practicality and function is a big plus, as is the ascetics that can be easily brought into the gift.

I think I have to find out more about this penchant of his.

I believe the gift means more if I find out specifics and just knowing that the white deck is only scratching the surface.

This gift idea really underlines the “thought” to the gift and I am on a mission.

Appreciate the “guild” specifics, will try to determine this surreptitiously.

He has just returned to the game and does not have the bells and whistles so counters and boxes and everything but playing cards and sleeves are on the roster.

Thinking of posting some of the more interesting finds that I found based on what people have posted and guess what? I’m planning on printing off this forum so he can see the process!

I am going to make a list of whimsical types of things that I find that I can order online and it by this forum.

Kinda do like a t-shirt that had the icons for all of the colours saying “I’d tap that”

The counters seem the most interesting albeit some not so practical.

and…

hope these links work…

In my heart of hearts I would like to get that binder and a few fun things like this.

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and this…

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Interested …birthday is around there.

Thanks so much, know that he just got something that just came out and was itching for it. It would be a great thing to be on top of.

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Another possible idea is a set of sleeves. If he’s working on a specific deck color, you can usually find sleeves with the matching mana symbol on the back. If he’s playing in tournaments he’s probably already got some, but sleeves get worn and need to be replaced fairly often. You can also get nice plastic deck boxes, usually with color-appropriate art.