I'm split on weather open list or closed lists is a truer test of skill.

On the one hand focusing on playing your deck as best as possible is good set of skill, but I think many actions in the game can only be avoided if a player knows they exist.

If I know my opponent is running: Bait and Switch I can minimize its damage. If I know they have no way to punish me collecting 12 amber I should do it.

I see that my opponent has not called Dis in a long time, if they have three gateways to Dis I should avoid playing 15 creatures to the field.

Do I really want to play a creature just to give him a target for (insert terrible things with amber bonus)

I see things that are otherwise good play being a trap against certain decks. Now the cards set is small, but it the future likely every 'good' move will have some associated trap.

I also see the strategy in trying to account for everything. I personally feel that its not a strategy game if you do not see that deck list. Yet, I would like some other thoughts on the matter.

Since your opponent has the same disadvantage as you do it doesn’t matter that much, does it?

games would likely contain more big swings or combo’s, but that goes for both sides

different tests of skill (and luck)

1 minute ago, Palpster said:

Since your opponent has the same disadvantage as you do it doesn’t matter that much, does it?

games would likely contain more big swings or combo’s, but that goes for both sides

I do not think all decks are created equal in this respect.

For example so require creatures to perform an effect and others just play awesomeness as actions.

48 minutes ago, Dalek5 said:

I do not think all decks are created equal in this respect.

For example so require creatures to perform an effect and others just play awesomeness as actions.

But you won’t know which way their deck favors and they won’t know about yours. So you both try to play your own game and react to whatever the opponent does. Doesn’t get more “Age of Discovery” than that.

As for true test of skill, if you want the truest test of skill, you play best of 9 with Miss Onyx vs Miss Onyx...but let’s be honest, that wouldn’t be as much fun.