Im a semi-casual player and I use Arena to learn the stack. Ive played quite a bit of standard. Ive noticed at my local stores (we have a bunch) its just about all commander/prerelease/occasional draft. And after playing standard in Arena I can see why. I want to sit down and enjoy a game of magic. I want to experience interaction and have an in-depth game of card chess. But standard lately is just - did you go first - did you get your badgermoles or Khonas out - win by turn 3 unless im lucky enough to get removal that affects more than 1 target by my turn 2.

My suggestion is for standard to only allow 2 copies of each card in a deck. This way, the turn 3 win combos are less reliable, and you need to actually sit down and play a game. Magic is a lot more fun when it's less of a race to turn 3, and more of a battle of wits.

My other suggestion is achievement awards in tournaments. To compare it to Bloodbowl, we have not just first/second/third, but also Most Touchdowns, Mast Casualties, etc. Maybe to stop folks from scooping if they dont win round 1, you offer other things they can still try to win if they stick around to play. Like maybe, a Most Life award where they get an award if in all matches, their combined life total was the highest? Or most X counters award. Youd have to track it and get your opp to sign off on it or something. But well, there it is.

As someone who has watched Avatar, I never thought I would hate badgermoles as much as I do now. lol