This is a debate that I see coming up frequently in discussions online. This debate primarily comes up in EDH circles but this really applies to any playgroup out there. And the debate is people's definitions of "fun."
It usually starts with someone who says something like "This format isn't about [insert thing here] it's about having fun!" Because of the size of the groups that I'm in this debate quickly develops into a particularly long thread with many people weighing in. Sadly this means many weigh in without reading the full thread (which should be done before jumping in), leading to identical points being discussed multiple times. Once this occurs it becomes a vicious circle of tl;dnr => Make point made 385x previously in the thread => More people tl;dnr and so on. Now with that out of the way, my opinion on the matter.
The Point
First, you can learn a lot by stepping out of your shoes and into someone else's (This is where I believe most of the dispute comes from). We are a numerous and varied species and thus there comes a great many things that we find entertaining. For those of you reading this, Magic: The Gathering is likely one of the little joys you find in life. For others (or perhaps you as well) it's the things on 4chan and well let's not get into that...
Thus in our little subdivision of "entertainment" we have our own divisions of "fun." Some prefer battlecruiser metas where everything is a Cold War until someone hits the big red button and nukes start flying. Others want the most durdle meta imaginable where Vorthos run rampant, flavor is everything and 8 piece combos are the norm. Finally there are those who want decks to be polished to a mirror finish. Not a card slot is wasted, each carefully selected to be impactful and useful. Where winning is the goal and beating each other's faces in is accepted and encouraged (Some metas even play without a banlist period).
And there you have it. Try to remember that your definition of fun isn't the only one out there and what may not be acceptable in your meta may be actively encouraged and promoted in another. Step in someone else's shoes and you may find that you can have fun in every one of those metas (as I have). Barring monoblue metas because nobody likes those.........Just kidding. To each their own!
Addendum: While this is my bias, I believe another part of the problem is some people don't run removal in their decks and when they lose to a combo they get upset because they couldn't do anything about it. Every deck needs a small bit of removal because there are many decks out there that do a great many things and you have to be able to stop them from time to time.
Disclaimer: I'd like to add that I am by no means encouraging you to play contrary to your meta. It is usually best get a feel for your playgroup and make some concessions (or you might find yourself quickly out of a playgroup). If you can't make concessions then it is probably best to find another playgroup should the first not be receptive to making their own concessions.
And that's my 2 cents (Or 4 considering how this is probably longer than most of the posts I'll put this in)
About Me
I started playing EDH in a very very blue meta. This meant that everyone ran 3-4+ boardwipes, several counter spells and the works. Out of 5 players, 4 of them were likely playing blue. And I was the 5th person, not... To add to this it generally a cutthroat meta, you sink or swim, and I was chucked in the deep end wanting to play token swarm (Yes, in a boardwipe heavy meta). My thought was tokens aren't cards so wiping them wouldn't mean anything. Needless to say I didn't fare very well. I'd maybe kill one person at the most (if that) after building up a board-state and then get wiped out. This is what led me to the dark side, my favorite EDH strategy: The infinite combo.Since then I've moved to a different playgroup (Two actually). One significantly more aggro (Primarily because of a aggro/combo Krenko deck) and the other decidedly more casual. And lo and behold, I've had FUN in each of them. Granted the transition was a little difficult. Going from control to aggro isn't easy and going from cutthroat to casual isn't either but each has their own little pluses and I have thoroughly enjoyed all of them.
Stay Tuned!
This article was quickly drafted in the middle of another article, the one I was working on next: "Getting in the Game: Thinking EDH" which is actually the 2nd article I've been working on as I backburnered the 1st.
Thanks for reading,
Sincerely, MTW
