I will forever have a spot in my heart for multiplayer Magic the Gathering.  It is the format that I broke into the game playing, and it is the format I play most often.  There is simply no replacing the excitement, and the unexpected plays you get from a four or five-way game.  That being said, there are some drawbacks.  Chief among them, as the saying goes, your best plays in multiplayer are often the ones somebody else makes.

Yes, we’ve often seen that sly wizard pretending to be helpless over in his shadowy corner.  Watching. . . waiting. . . laughing. . .  Alright maybe not laughing, but we’re sure he enjoyed the fact we had to Terror the other guy’s Spectral Force while he did nothing.  That same wizard won’t be too upset he hasn’t been attacked for five consecutive turns either.  Therein lies the real issue.  We’re being baited, and we’re springing that trap by ignoring them.  There is no one thing to deal with these players.  But there are certainly many things not to do.

distracted by one enemy, we're helpess against another

First off, removal cards must be used with the utmost caution.  Always remember that unlike a standard duel, the direct effect of your spell may have indirect effects on your fellow wizards.  When one player takes out an opponent’s creature or artifact who really wins?  That other guy, that’s who!  The odd man out who was lucky enough to keep his mana and that extra card.  The one they’re saving for later.  You know, like after we’re dead and gone and he is busy winning the game.

Along those same lines there is even a bigger gimme for that lazy wizard.  Counter magic.  When we destroy an attacking creature, or remove a hostile permanent we gain something.  We’ve prevented the loss of life, our planeswalker, or maybe our hand.  The point is we’ve been saved from some direct threat.  No matter how certain we are that Nightmare was headed our way, the threat was still vague.  Ominous maybe, but certainly not direct.  We need to use counter magic sparingly if we don’t want to give our third wheel too many advantages.

don't let this man win. . . so easily

Lastly, we come to the subject of attacking.  With a heavy heart and the best of intentions we aim our armies in the direction of the biggest obstacle.  The mighty clash that ensues produces only one winner.  We can guess who that is.  Not mounting any offensive because a player can’t openly defend themselves is foolish.  That’s right, lets attack that sneaky bastard with six lands and no creatures!  Make them use some of those stashed away spells.  Nobility will not win many Magic games and pity will win even fewer.  If that wizard can protect himself then he will.  If he can’t then he shouldn’t be playing that feeble deck anyway!  Right then.

In summary, we need to be more cautious with how we play in a format where everyone else stands to gain from your losses.  Careful spell timing, and fair play can ensure our multiplayer MTG games stay fresh, unpredictable, and most importantly fun.

Like this article? Try these:

1. A Casual Player’s Guide to your Gentleman’s Club
2. Time Walking – The Folly of Wasted Turns
3. Multiplayer Madness in Magic 2010
4. Multi Until I Die (Player That Is)
5. The Once and Future Kingmaker