During his prime, Gary Kasparov, like many other chess champions, would hone his craft by playing many opponents simultaneously.  And he would play these matches as quickly as possible.  The difficulty was that he never knew what to expect from game to game, and from challenger to challenger.  Each reaction could vastly change the game Kasparov was playing, and these changes happened too repeatedly to plan for adequately.  The purpose of these displays (beyond entertainment and wonder) was simple, to demonstrate that a true master of something could best anyone without prior preparation. All the while, strengthening their knowledge of the fundamentals of Chess.  This will make sense later, promise.

[caption id="attachment_11608" align="alignright" width="150" caption="skill means being able to handle any situation"][/caption]

Normally I am not the one creating controversy or making bold proclamations, outside a ludicrous prediction here and there.  That is Reinhart’s territory, and normally I loathe intruding.  However, two weeks of release events for Magic 2011 have once again assured me of one thing: Limited formats, especially Sealed, are the best in competitive Magic.  You read that correctly, I just identified one format as the best above all others. Of course we can wallow in semantics regarding how anything can be better than its unique peers, like comparing sweet to sour, or jazz to country music.  The natural contrarian in all of us will be waiting outside the gates, pitchforks and torches in hand. Screaming, ‘Nothing is 'the best'!  How can you say that?’ And while admittedly it is a somewhat arbitrary label, allow me three paragraphs to convince skeptics otherwise.

[caption id="attachment_11597" align="alignleft" width="250" caption="just enough cash for Next Level Bant"][/caption]

In the realest sense, taking into account economic and social limitations, Limited Magic is the most fair type of competitive MTG.  The financial obligation that goes with playing Constructed formats has reached a near breaking point.  With Mythic rarity and a recent popularity surge in the game itself, cards are worth more now than at any point since 1994.  This has made certain cards (everyone reading this now knows which ones) very difficult to collect for many fans.  On a similar note, not everyone has successfully surrounded themselves with eager play-testers helping them assess if their homebrew can reliably conquer Mythic Conscription.  Certainly neither expensive consumer goods, nor friends, are considered rights.  But for Magic to be a true contest, the playing field must be more level, and the solution for that has already presented itself – Limited.  Formats that are cheaper and accessible to virtually everyone.

Back to the Kasparov example for a moment.  Playing random games of chess against faceless competition did more than impress onlookers.  The experience actually worked in Kasparov's favor, as each game scenario enhanced his basic chess skills.  These core basics are the building blocks of even the most complex strategy.  Limited Magic, more accurately Sealed, helps duelists master the simple fundamentals of an intricate pastime.  Details often forgotten become genuinely interesting again.  For example, combat takes more than knowing the ‘right’ move from earlier practice matches.  Situations arise that players can’t possibly anticipate, forcing them to adjust strategy mid-game.  In addition, because net-decking, or using the Hive Mind, is almost impossible, deck building becomes an act of creativity and ingenuity that surpasses any Constructed format.

[caption id="attachment_11598" align="alignright" width="250" caption="boosters, a smart duelist's weapon of choice"][/caption]

The fact that Limited requires a high level of basic MTG skill, and that each contestant begins on equal footing are key pieces to this puzzle.  But, perhaps the greatest attribute of Limited is the life it breathes into otherwise dead cards.  Almost every card becomes useful when the pool of cards is so restricted, and because of that, cards take on a value they would never normally reach.  Of course good  cards are always good cards, but those second and third tier choices, like Garruks Packleader and Hideous End become bright stars in their own right.  After playing a few Limited matches, your eyes open to why WotC prints cards like Phantom Beast.  How could the format that uses the widest array of cards, and the most unique decks, all while giving players the most challenging scenarios not be the best in MTG?

There are a few reasons not everyone agrees with that sentiment.  First of all, you can’t always use the cards or colors you want to.  Second, there is way too much luck involved.  And third, without a Meta-game, players are missing a huge part of the skill of Magic.  If these sound like straw man arguments, you couldn’t be more right.  Good thing we have a real Straw Man here to dispute them with.

"While I admit, the cards you must compete with are random, not selected after numerous screening processes, I argue that is a good thing.  Of the 229 non-basic land cards in Magic 2011, only about 20 are Constructed tournament quality, and among those, only around ten are good enough for the best decks. How can you argue against a format that requires you to discover the virtues of so many more cards?"

"Forgive me if I sound trite, but most of the cards in Magic 2011 are crap.  I love playing Magic, but I don't want to waste my time casting spells like Armored Cancrix.  I don't even know what a Cancrix is, do you!?  Oh, and I also like using stuff from 'ancient' expansions like Alara Reborn and Worldwake.  With Limited, you're only playing the most recent set.  I also don't have a strong desire to lose a match because my opponent opened three Mythics in his packs and I didn't."

"Are you suggesting that Limited is some how more luck-based than any other Magic format?  Luck is the elephant in MTG's room, and it always has been.  What is the difference between drafting a Baneslayer Angel and having your opponent mulligan down to five cards?  Luck is the nature of the beast, and we all need to accept that.  Speaking of how chance MTG success is, what about the rock-paper-scissors effect of every Constructed environment?  Junds beats Mythic Conscription, which beats Red Deck Wins, which beats Next Level Bant, which in turn beats Jund.  Limited eliminates this merry-go-round for the most part."

"Maybe, but I'm not drinking your Kool-Aid yet.  My biggest problem is lack of a Meta, and how much it takes away from the strategy and skill involved.  After the Super Bowl everyone praises the winning team for being more well prepared, and seizing the tiniest advantages that took weeks to spot.  Knowing a tournament will feature certain builds and certain cards provides the opportunity to outsmart your opponent before you even shuffle up.  By the way, my time is running short, I have a very important date with another sort of Wizard."

"I won't take up too much more of your time, just let me refute that last blurb about Meta-game strategy.  It's overrated.  Thanks to the internet, and sites like this one, hardcore competitors know the ins and outs of each top deck, simply by reading about them online.  Constructed Magic is more of a learned system than anything now.  As an example, when 8-year old Kurt Porter made the second day at Grand Prix- Kuala Lumpur the underlining story was that he binned the 'wrong' cards to Blightning in a Jund mirror-match and won despite that.  All the decisions Constructed players hold so dear have been made for them hundreds of times already.  Limited is the only haven left for true strategic freedom within the competitive realm.  Thanks for stopping by, and try not to get set on fire."

One final note, before this all wraps up:  Not only does Limited offer the most creativity, the largest card pool, and arguably the most skill needed, there is one more factor that makes it the best.  It is also the most fun.  And just like Constructed formats, Draft and Sealed translate easily to the casual environment.  Don't believe that, then pick up a few boosters of various MTG expansions and hold your own Limited event.  You won't be sorry.

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For those who may not know, Reinhart will be attending Comic Con in San Diego this weekend.  So be on the lookout for CC-related Tweets and other goodies.

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