FUCK Magic - How to Value Cards in Limited Magic The Gathering

I've had some people express a little confusion with the point-value of cards in reference to my examples last post. Rather than later, I decided it would be a good idea to do a breakdown of this concept now just in case it comes up again later.

Mathematical!

As much as I like to avoid it, mathing is an essential part of magic. It's obvious that one must be able to add and subtract from 20 to some degree, but before you even begin playing there are much more intimidating figures to calculate.

(This section refers to Game Theory #1 in the "Value of Cards" portion.)

Back to Basics

A ratio is a set of numbers that are proportionately valued.

Ex.

You compulsively buy 2 packs of cards for every 1 game you lose.

Every time you buy 2 packs, you purposely lose 2 games.

Your "packs bought" to "games lost" ratio is 2:1

You lose 5 games.

Because of your 2:1 ratio, you compulsively buy 10 packs.

Now where were we?

Now that you've had a little refresher course, I'll show you why I decided to give you 7th grade math-class flashbacks.

In order to help visualize the concept of card's point values, lets pretend that each card is worth actual dollars. The goal of any given draft is to have the highest dollar amount.

Here is a breakdown of general card values:

Creature - Cost effective with no drawbacks = 1$

Ex. Nessian Course

Enchantment - Cost effective with high likelihood of use = 1$

Ex. Into the Wild

Artifact = Cost effective with high-likelihood of use. = 1$

Ex. Bonesplitter

Sorcery - Provides 1$ benefit to user or 1$ loss to opponent.

Ex. Doom Blade

Instant - Provides 1$ benefit to user or 1$ loss to opponent.

Ex. Advent of the Wurm

This is a great way to consider a baseline value for cards, in order to judge the value of other cards on your own.

1-for-1

When you hear someone refer to a 'playable' during a limited event, it is most likely that they are referring to a card that is (at least) a 1-for-1. 

A 1-for-1 is a card that costs 1$ and either gains that 1$ back or takes 1$ from your opponent.

This is where you get your 1:1 ratio. Every time you play that 1$ card, it costs the opponent 1$ to deal with.

Creatures with no abilities and cards with minor abilities that also allow for a draw are considered to be 1-for-1's.

2-for-1

When someone refers to a 2-for-1 during limited, they are referring to a single card that has a 2$ value.

Similarly, in order for an opponent to deal with this card it costs them 2$

Ex, Strangleroot Geist

Because Strangleroot comes back the first time it dies and must die a second time in order to be removed from consideration, it is a strict 2-for-1. This one card costs 2$ for an opponent to deal with, and therefor has a full 2$

X-for-Y

Unfortunately the complexity to calculating these values isn't static. (It doesn't stay the same) Cards are usually worth somewhere between 1 and 2, and almost never easy to calculate its exact value. 

So in order to value a card accurately it requires keen  information gathering and critical problem-solving. Check out Game Theory #1 in order to get more information on how to value these cards on the fly.

Thanks to all of my readers so far! 

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