How to get over a MTG burnout?

[Philipp2293]

So my situation is like the following: I started to play competitive magic at the beginning of this year, weekly and monthly tournaments (only legacy, as this is the only format which really interests me). Since a few weeks, going to tournaments has lost some of it's joys.

It's definitely not a lack of possible decks, as I can build a wide range of decks. I still enjoy working on decks and testing them via MWS, but at the moment I'm not thrilled to play a real life tournament like I was 1 month ago. My plan now is to skip this weekly tournament and see how my mood is the next week.

Anyone else who wants to share his magic burnout stories? How did you cope with such a situation?

[oldbsturgeon]

Wow only about 3 months and you are already tired?
Definitely take a little time to see if you really like playing in that many tournaments, because maybe its too much for you.
In my case, I definitely don't have the luxury of playing once a week, but even when a store near me alternates weekend legacy and EDH I typically never go only because I typically am allowed once a month to play.
Having a wife and son means leisure activities is spending it with them, and Luke is 1 so isn't too familiar with the stack yet :) , and Lori just thinks the game is immature, so I'm glad I get what I get.
With all that said, when I did play FNM's every week I noticed after about a year of it, it seriously felt like a chore to even go, so I totally know how you are in this situation.
Your plan sounds to be the most logical choice without quitting tournaments all together. And if you have anyone to spend your time with like I do, they will apprecicate it as well.

[Penguinizer]

I had something like that. I had done pretty badly at a few tourneys, so I just took a break from competitive. Try to find a different format to play. If you're getting bored of T2 or Legacy, try drafting or EDH/Highlander. But most of all, if you don't feel like playing, you don't have to. You shouldn't force yourself. If playing at tournaments isn't fun, forcing yourself to play isn't going to help at all.

[jazzykat]

I'm going through the opposite right now (reanimator is finally satisfying the little kid who wanted to play with tubbies since kitchen table days but also likes to win) but I have had many episodes of this. For me, I just do something else. As long as you don't rely on MTG as a significant source of income then treat it for what it is, a game. You don't play Monopoly every day of your life do you? Put your cards in a box and set them aside. Besides, if you can enjoy the weather here in Vienna you really should be. I almost think that playing cards on good days should be illegal ;)

[(nameless one)]

I was also having that. I am an aggro player and I like putting my creatures sideways for the win.

When I started having this burnout, I decided to try something new; in my case I started playing control. First I started with pauper (because I did not want to spend money on something that might not work for me). I built a Parlor Tricks pauper deck. I like playing it so I started building the closest Legacy version, which surprisingly I find is Quinn.

So far, I am happy playing with Quinn and now I know the joy of playing control.

[menace13]

It happens and sometimes i need to take a break from the memory crunching of all the text and interactions. During these times if i play, i play casual multiplayer games or stop completely and go out, watch sports etc. Hey i heard somewhere even pornstars like their day off-gotta take a break sometime-.

[Philipp2293]

Thx for all your responses, I guess I'll stick to casual until I regrow my interest in competitive magic (might be next week anyways).


Besides, if you can enjoy the weather here in Vienna you really should be. I almost think that playing cards on good days should be illegal ;)

Actually I'm having a nice read in my garden this afternoon instead of flipping cards ;)

[cwt1220]

I started getting a little burned out a few months ago, so my playgroup and I started playing warmachine. They recently changed the rules to make the game simpler and cheaper. It was very easy to get started and very fun to play. I have just started to get the itch to play competitively again and can't wait to get back at it.

-Chris-

[Phoenix Ignition]

Put your cards in a box and set them aside. Besides, if you can enjoy the weather here in Vienna you really should be. I almost think that playing cards on good days should be illegal ;)

Added bonus of boxed cards is they double in price every year. Also, playing cards outdoors is fun, although wind is a huge enemy of expensive cards.


It happens and sometimes i need to take a break from the memory crunching of all the text and interactions.

Just remember that when you return you will need quite a bit of practice to get back into tournament-level form. After a month or two break I usually completely fail the first tournament I play in because my brain just stopped thinking how it should. MWS generally isn't enough either.

[Jak]

I got burned out from just playing a bunch of locals last Summer. I went to the pre-release and release parties, plus weekly Legacy events and I just started getting tired of it. I am not trying to be rude, but some mtg players you just don't want to be around and I started to question why I was spending a day out of my weekend to be there instead of someplace where I actually want to be. Anyway, I've taken a long ass break and now I have actually gotten the excitement to go play back.

When I finally start playing again, I am definitely going to limit how much I do. If my heart isn't set on going I won't go. I think the OP should do that after taking a bit of a break.

Edit- I should rephrase that. It isn't just mtg players, it is people in general. Some people are annoying, douches, have bad hygiene, etc and life will sometimes force those people into my life, but with going to mtg tournies I have the option to hang out with those people or not. It especially sucks when you can't get people you actually like to be there the same week as you (The Source Portlanders)

[Dilettante]

Relax, take your time, and play old fashioned 'casual' magic. I keep a EDH deck on me and 'weaker' decks for that reason.

I took a long break (Mirage to Judgment) myself and I tried to play 'seriously' when I came back. Got burned out (I hate having to use sleight of hand observation constantly) and 'relaxed' by playing Legacy, which for me... tends to draw less... erm... crazed players. I make sure I get out. I play MTG 0-3 times a month. Try exploring different stores. I actually go to 6 stores in my local area, each one with a different style of scene, to fit my mood. One where MTG is played in a very relaxed state with Warhammer being dominant, one with urban players who tend to be just drafting casually, one with urban players who are more tournament serious, one with a lot of EDH/Legacy, one that is just Legacy, and one with very casual drafting.

[the Thin White Duke]

Since I moved from the happenin' Western Mass. Legacy scene up to the Magic abyss that is Anchorage, AK I've holed myself up in my apartment and started to shun the sunlight (Magically speaking).
#1, Legacy doesn't exist up here. #2 It may just be me and I'm a horrible person, but I can't stand most of the players in this area. "Cliquish" doesn't start to explain things. Although surprisingly, hygiene doesn't seem to be quite the problem up here.
To echo (nameless one), I think changing things up with your "Magic Mentality" helps. I got back into Legacy about 6 years ago and played Standstill. I got a little bored with that and dug up an old Burn deck and I took that to tourneys here and there for some fun.
Personally, one of the toughest things about playing competitively was trying something new and giving that new thing a chance if it didn't work at first.

[Nightmare]

I like the "go outside" plan, myself. Or the "find a girl who will touch your privates." These are both excellent ways to get over a lull in your nerd-card interest.

Unless you're a girl looking to get over her Pot-Head ex boyfriend. In that case, I have plenty of dick.

Edit - I kid.

[UrDraco]

I second the get a girl comment. Trust me, you won't be playing too much magic if you have a girlfriend.

[troopatroop]

What they said :P

Play a new deck, Buy a new video game, Work hard.

[Sims]

I've had this problem a few times, but not so much anymore... ways I beat it:

1) Girlfriend.... in conjunction with...
2) Full time job... occasionally having to put in mandatory OT is a good way of keeping you busy
3) find the right store: not always an option.. but the store i frequent has a good amount of people that play regularly, and have the competitive spirit/card pool to make tier decks and challenge you... but also like to have fun and play the game, so will occasionally pull out the testing decks and the jank and run for the sake of running and playing with friends... relaxed atmosphere is prime for not burning out.
4) Test new decks a lot... maybe not drop the coin if you can borrow or proxy, but challenging yourself with new archtypes to master or lots of decks that may not be tier but are rogue and fun to play helps...which leads into
5) build casual and/or EDH and carry ti with you... it's the ultimate way of relaxing and playing a game without forcing yourself to be burned out due to excess of competitive events..

Hell, sometimes I just go to only play EDH and casual and not the competitive format of the day.. simply to enjoy the game and the company with people.