*(edit)LOL, just saw the last post was back in Feb. I assumed the newest posts would be at the top of the forum. Might not even still be playing MtG:A
So are you new to MtG or just new to Arena? MtG is a deck building game (period) If you are playing a premade deck you have to get into the mindset of whoever made it and try to figure out why each card is in there and what it is supposed to do.
Once you get past all the tutorials and build up enough of your own supply to create custom decks is where the game comes alive. Which sounds like you have just gotten a taste of. I haven't played in years because I don't play enough to keep getting the free booster packs to keep up with what's playable.
As a side note you can google free pack codes. Everytime they release a new set on MtG:A they give out a promo code which lets you get like 3 free boosters. That will help you build up your pool and get more wildcards. Also if you haven't figured it out when you open a booster it will generate wildcards if you already have 4 copies of the card. So if you already have 4 'elves' and you pull another in a pack, instead it will be a common wildcard that you can use to craft some other common card you want. Save and Rare or Mythic wildcards you get until you REALLY want/need a card to complete your new custom deck (kinda like you NEEDED those transformer sleeves!)
Have fun! Maybe I'll sign back in and see what's new. I don't think there is any way I could trade you my cards/wildcards so all we could do to interact in game would be to play each other. Glad to see you are figuring it out and enjoying it. I do think MtG:A mirrors the cardgame and play exactly (once you get past the pre-made decks and learn to play stuff).
I haven't played in a couple months... I can't get into SERIAL Game Playing like I used to do 20+ years ago. I prefer designing games, it's a completely different process, take time and thought and is very rewarding/challenging.
I was NEW to MagicA - Yes. NEW to Magic: the Gathering (MtG) also... I have a couple PRE-CON Decks for MtG... MagicA has been on hold.
NEW to BOTH ... Have never actually played a PHYSICAL game. But I'm very familiar with the game (not specific decks or play styles, etc.) in terms of what the game is, how it is divided (color pie) and the various types of cards (I don't know all of them... There are a LOT in MtG).
I don't need to play a game to understand it. Like I said I design GAMES and so like-wise I can "deconstruct" a game also ... And have an impression of what that game is like even without playing it.
MagicA is a FAR BETTER Game than MtG ... But MagicA will never replace MtG.
Why do I say MagicA is better? It does all the Accounting for the players. And forgetting a +1/+1 for a specific card or one of many on a turn can be the reason that a player loses. MagicA ensure that everything is done for the players and that is ONE (1) IMPORTANT benefit to favor MagicA over MtG.
But MtG have over 18,000 cards and even if some cards are Banned for formats and tournaments... You can play whatever you like with your friends IN-PERSON. Paper Magic is GREAT because you can do WHAT YOU LIKE... Not what you are forced to do (In MagicA).
There are BAD things about MagicA: like being it's OWN format. I'm sure you know that WoTC made cards especially for MagicA that are NOT available in MtG. That sucks crap. I can't play my MagicA Decks in real MtG... Bad idea IMHO.
Same is true for MtG: MagicA doesn't have all 18,000 cards available in MtG. Only a subset plus their own cards (in MagicA).
I am aware that the concept is Deck Strategy. Which is something that you may be able to appreciate with one of my current Designs called "Monster Keep" (MK)... Why? Because the First Edition is 15 unique Cards/Monsters and you can have up to 3 of any Card/Monster in your 15 Card Customizable Micro Deck.
What is special about MK? While your Micro Deck may have a "dominant" strategy ... How you play each of the three (3) Seed Rounds affects what happens in the fourth (4th) Round: the Battle Round.
You only get to play 6 out of 15 Cards/Monsters. So almost a 1/3rd of your Micro Deck and so while strategy of the Micro Deck may be important, mathematical improvisation on-the-fly is a definite challenge. Plus "re-adjusting" to your opponent's Cards/Monsters.
Anyhow when I publish the Rulebook for MK... I'll send you a link you can read... You might find it "interesting". But it is very different than all the other TCGs/CCGs...
The Tutorials demonstrate the LINEAR working of a MagicA Deck. Like IF you are having a HARD TIME beating "Nick Bolas" (The Dragon), you can google on YouTube videos on HOW to BEAT that AI Player. And so with plus or minus a few cards, the Deck strategy plays off of what MagicA FORCES TO HAPPEN. It's weird that in such a CASE your Deck is irrelevant and the same sequence of cards will repeat over-and-over each time you try a specific opponent and their Deck.
That sucks TBH. MK is different and that would never work or more specifically the game is not designed to be sufficiently repeatable and predictable even given less cards and less choices...
Anyhow... That worries me a bit about MagicA.
Those Transformer Sleeves are COOL and UNAVAILABLE ANYMORE. When you put your Mouse Pointer over the Deck ... The top-most card TRANSFORMS and make the cool Transformer sound... Hehehe. For $4.99 I'm not going to complain. I bought them and I still like them. Worthwhile LIMITED Time Offer.
IDK TBH. I haven't played for a couple Months (since Spring - maybe). I was annoyed that I could NOT use my MagicA Decks to create MtG Decks and play them in-person. I don't like that.
I explained some of the differences... Anyhow I've also explained how MagicA is better than MtG (because of all the Accounting). MagicA has NO ERRORS or playing mistakes (it plays cards as they are intended) and ensures that all the bonuses/penalties are all handled correctly.
That's HUGE. It makes the game more FUN and less prone to ERROR(s).
Why is that important??? Well it is if you don't understand how some card works (like Night/Day cards - werewolves) and +1/+1 on multiple creatures, Growth of additional of Tokens creatures, etc.
Anyhow ... Both MagicA and MtG are cool games and IMHO different which is perfectly acceptable... But I WISH I could have MagicA cards like booster packs of MtG editions. Just so I can create my MagicA Decks in pure Paper Magic (MtG)