Kickstarting a Local Legacy Community

[xfxf]

Long story short asked for advice.

[Zand]

When I started playing Legacy, my local store was only running monthly tournaments that would only very occasionally fire. The problems we had are a bit different from yours because honestly, that guy just sounds like a really poor businessman. I mean, if he is seriously allowing that many proxies in standard, how can he ever hope to make money on singles...?

What we did at our store was relentlessly promote Legacy, online and otherwise. We would talk to players about the format, we would lend decks for casual games/tournaments and very patiently correct people's misconceptions of the format. What we found was that the more people saw people playing Legacy, the more they became interested (it had a snowball kind of effect). The people that would sit on the sidelines and comment about Legacy being 'degenerate' etc, we would just kindly ask to leave.

Also, that Legacy. Modern hybrid sounds suuuuper retarded. Like, wow. I assume most combo is banned... If that is the case please explain to them why Force of Willjust a bad card in such a meta. Also, Ponder over Brainstorm... Really?

[mini1337s]

What we did at our store was relentlessly promote Legacy, online and otherwise. We would talk to players about the format, we would lend decks for casual games/tournaments and very patiently correct people's misconceptions of the format. What we found was that the more people saw people playing Legacy, the more they became interested (it had a snowball kind of effect).
THIS! Show your passion for the format and it will snowball. It can take time to ignite the spark, but when you get the first person passionate about it, he will go and ignite that in another.

Halifax is a pretty small city, population 297000. From my chats with other members, we have a larger group of consistent legacy players than larger cities in Canada. During exams, we might get a little wane in our attendance, but we normally see 8-20 people every Thursday night. At the last legacy event held, we had a turnout of 65 (no proxies).

Here are some tips I've found helpful in growing legacy:
1. Allow proxies. Poll the magic community and establish a fair amount to use. I've seen different rulings, from unlimited, to cards costing $40 or more, to dual-lands only. I prefer unlimited with the suggestion to be reasonable (leaving the interpretation up to the player), as it encourages a no-risk entry to the format. Sure, you might play against someone with proxied duals, forces, and jaces, but the next week, well, now they only have 2 proxied Jaces, and the next, they bought a Tundra, etc etc.
2. Build a couple of "standard" legacy decks and bring them with you. I like decks that are fairly accessible in terms of pricing, so new players are intimidated by a $2000 price point. Good decks are ones with cross-format staples, like Merfolk, Maverick/Junk, a combo deck of your choice (Belcher, so they learn how fragile those "infamous" turn one wins are), etc.
3. If you are spearheading the community, ATTEND. If you are having weekly/biweekly events, outside of a death in the family, be there, and be excited! Be charismatic, spend time teaching and developing players, and don't be a baby if you lose. Establish a level of respect, and give a face to your scene.
4. Partner up with a shop/location that can hold the event for whatever frequency you decide on (weekly, biweekly, etc). Give them an incentive to do this, show them how they can make $$$ off it.
5. Take the high-road. It already looks like you have a major opponent to the format. Participate in debate, but never go to his level. If he gives a small-minded opinion on what the format is, politely respond with how he is wrong. If you are the charismatic leader you need to be, you'll quickly find the community siding with you over the "neckbeard"

Building a legacy scene takes a bit of time, but it's highly rewarding. Encourage your participants and stay positive!

Good luck, and if you ever have a question, need some advice, or need to vent, shoot me a PM

[MirrorMask]

THIS! Show your passion for the format and it will snowball. It can take time to ignite the spark, but when you get the first person passionate about it, he will go and ignite that in another.

Halifax is a pretty small city, population 297000. From my chats with other members, we have a larger group of consistent legacy players than larger cities in Canada. During exams, we might get a little wane in our attendance, but we normally see 8-20 people every Thursday night. At the last legacy event held, we had a turnout of 65 (no proxies).

Here are some tips I've found helpful in growing legacy:
1. Allow proxies. Poll the magic community and establish a fair amount to use. I've seen different rulings, from unlimited, to cards costing $40 or more, to dual-lands only. I prefer unlimited with the suggestion to be reasonable (leaving the interpretation up to the player), as it encourages a no-risk entry to the format. Sure, you might play against someone with proxied duals, forces, and jaces, but the next week, well, now they only have 2 proxied Jaces, and the next, they bought a Tundra, etc etc.
2. Build a couple of "standard" legacy decks and bring them with you. I like decks that are fairly accessible in terms of pricing, so new players are intimidated by a $2000 price point. Good decks are ones with cross-format staples, like Merfolk, Maverick/Junk, a combo deck of your choice (Belcher, so they learn how fragile those "infamous" turn one wins are), etc.
3. If you are spearheading the community, ATTEND. If you are having weekly/biweekly events, outside of a death in the family, be there, and be excited! Be charismatic, spend time teaching and developing players, and don't be a baby if you lose. Establish a level of respect, and give a face to your scene.
4. Partner up with a shop/location that can hold the event for whatever frequency you decide on (weekly, biweekly, etc). Give them an incentive to do this, show them how they can make $$$ off it.
5. Take the high-road. It already looks like you have a major opponent to the format. Participate in debate, but never go to his level. If he gives a small-minded opinion on what the format is, politely respond with how he is wrong. If you are the charismatic leader you need to be, you'll quickly find the community siding with you over the "neckbeard"

Building a legacy scene takes a bit of time, but it's highly rewarding. Encourage your participants and stay positive!

Good luck, and if you ever have a question, need some advice, or need to vent, shoot me a PM

Basically what he said is all you can do. Unfortunately you will have to be the businessman in this case as this guy you described is one of the worst shop owners I've ever heard of or seen myself (even worse than the one near my house). I would suggest, if possible, the space that will sanction the tournament to be completely separate from the 2 stores in your area. If I were you I wouldn't like my effort and time to be wasted for someone else profit (unless they pay you for your work). If they suck at running a business and try to keep the community in a primitive state because of their own incompetence then shut them down if you can. What he does is way too much unethical to be allowed to operate!! Its practically stealing candy from a 2 year old! I cannot believe it! REALLY!

[godofallu]

In all honesty if the demand isn't high enough in an area then Legacy events simply aren't viable. It's just not something that you can find everywhere.

I suppose you can try to increase demand through marketing, but honestly that seems incredibly hard. Especially when people already have invested in Standard and negative feelings toward legacy. Plus you would need a new place to play since the store owner doesn't approve.