In Charlotte, North Carolina, there's a brewery by the name of Resident Culture. Typically this spot is filled with patrons relaxing with a drink after work, but every Monday, something a little different happens. Around 30 to 50 Magic players gather together to play Commander at every level of power and skill. It's a place of laughter around crowded tables, where strangers become friends and inside jokes are born that last for years. Strangely enough, this gathering isn't connected to any local game store, but rather to a Facebook group organized by people who simply love to get together and play Magic: The Gathering. At the end of the day, that's what Magic has always been about: bringing people together through a shared passion.

When the pandemic hit in 2020 and local game stores were forced to close, Magic players had to adapt if they wanted to keep playing. Out of that moment came a revolutionary shift in the way people approached the game: SpellTable. While the technology for webcam play had existed before, SpellTable streamlined the experience and made remote play accessible to just about anyone. Suddenly, if you couldn't make it to the store, or didn't have one nearby, you could still shuffle up and play a game with friends across the country, or even the world. This innovation kept the game alive during a difficult time, but it also raised an important question: what happens to local Magic communities when playing online is easier than showing up in person?

To be clear, I don't think Magic as a card game is in any real danger of dying out entirely. Wizards of the Coast continues to put out new sets, Commander is more popular than ever, and products are flying off the shelves causing several problems, but profit isn't one. What I do worry about, though, is the health of smaller, local communities, especially in towns where game stores are few and far between. If more and more players choose to log on instead of showing up, some areas might see the game slowly disappear in-person, leaving only the digital experience behind, killing off these communities.

One of the most obvious areas impacted by this shift is the local game store. For decades, LGSs have served as the backbone of Magic communities. They're not just places to buy packs or singles, they're where you meet people, join events, and find a tribe that shares your interests. For me, every time I've moved to a new city, the first thing I've done is look up the local game stores. That's how I've built friendships, some of which have lasted years. Two of my groomsmen, who also happen to be my cohosts on The Thought Vessel, were people I first met at the LGS. Without that physical space, those relationships may never have happened.

But if players decide they'd rather play from home, stores lose out on more than just the entry fees from events. They miss the chance to sell sleeves, snacks, singles, and supplies. For stores already operating on razor-thin margins, that lost revenue can be the difference between surviving and shutting down. I'm sure many people reading this have a story about their favorite local shop closing its doors. I know I do, and it's always painful to watch a community hub disappear.

There's also the issue of new players. Magic is famously complicated, and it's easy to feel lost if you're trying to learn on your own. Most of us who've stuck around the game did so because we had veteran players who were patient enough to teach us the rules, guide us through our first decks, and explain why that card we thought was incredible actually didn't work the way we hoped. I remember being in that exact spot, and the kindness of other players made all the difference. But if everyone is playing from behind a webcam, it's much harder to mentor new players or give them the sense of belonging that comes from being welcomed into a group in person.

And then there's the community itself. Showing up in person doesn't just give you a chance to play, it makes the whole group stronger. The more you play face-to-face, the more you collaborate on deckbuilding, swap ideas for strategies, and see a wider range of playstyles. You'll find the weaknesses in your deck because someone at the table is bound to exploit them, and that makes you a better pilot. It's the kind of growth you can only get by shuffling up against a variety of opponents. Plus, the little moments, high-fives after a clutch topdeck, groans when someone casts a board wipe, laughter when a wild combo goes off, are so much richer when you're there in the room.

Now, I don't want to say players should never use SpellTable or other online platforms. I use them myself, and I've made friends across the country that I never would've met otherwise. Online play is an amazing tool, and it has its place. But making sure you're helping to grow your local community is just as important as cultivating an online community. When you show up at the table, you're not just playing a game, you're investing in the future of Magic in your own backyard.

So if you've been playing most of your games online lately, maybe think about heading down to your LGS or community event this week. Bring a deck, grab a drink, and meet some people. Who knows, you might find new lifelong friends, or even start traditions that carry on for years to come. That's the magic of Magic, and it's worth keeping alive. Until next time, happy gaming.