Virgin Magic

This being the first time we’ve played Magic, I had intended to make the learning/teaching as simple as possible. So it wasn’t the plan that there would be three players. Rather, my intention was that only Gem and I would be playing. Penny’s addition probably made the game that much more fun. Of course, it also meant that I’d taken a further step to creating a gaming group with a difference – more female, than male members!

Magic can easily become one of those money sink games, due to it’s ever expanding contents. If you’re intention is to be in the tournaments then you have got to invest heavily in the game. On the otherhand, the game is flexible enough to be played in almost any location, requiring just each players’ card deck and a flat surface to play on; your game can be carried around in your pocket. I’m intending to play this on a trip up to and down from Manchester.

So how did the game go? Well, on reflection we were not following the rules as closely as we should have. Magic involves summoning creatures that attack another player. The attacked players can choose to block an attacking creature with one of their own or take the damage. Attacking creatures cannot act again it is their owner’s turn again. Where we cocked up was thinking that blocking creatures also couldn’t act again until it was their owner’s turn. Slight difference but possibly game changing. We’ll know for next time.

My winning was a close call; on my penultimate turn, Gem and I realized that Gem could not win and the Penny would win unless we worked together. Gem made good on a verbal agreement which was slightly nerve wracking (Magic can encourage backstabbing) and permitted me to win. We did have fun, even if there was a lot of “wait, you two are working together!” moments. Penny’s already gone out and bought herself some more cards.