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by David S. Wilson Psychic Mages Duel A predictably quick and easy to play alternative game for all those Magic cards So you actually got tired of playing the same game all the time, but the only cards you have are Magic cards. Well here's a variant style duel that takes all of 5 minutes to learn. This game is based on the concept that 2 Mages. both having Psychic powers as well as magic ability once got into a duel.... Rule Changes : 1) All spells cost 1 colorless mana to cast. This bonus is yours since both Mages have Psychic enhanced Magic abilities. This rule change results in a quicker pace for spell casting.   2) Both hands are played open and on the table. You're both Psychics, you both know what spells your opponent might cast. This rule change results in less surprises. It's difficult to surprise a Psychic.   3) Your library is placed on the table upside down so each Psychic can see what the the card to be drawn is. This rule change shows both Psychics can predict what the immediate future holds for both yourself and your opponent.   4) Only during your turn and only after upkeep and drawing of your card can you use one of two Psychic abilities unique to this game. For the cost of 1 mana you can take the top card that you would draw next turn and move it to the bottom of your library. Or for the cost of two mana you can take the top card of your opponents library which he/she will draw on his/her next turn and move it to the bottom of their library. This rule change shows how a Psychic Mage can alter the future they see coming. That's it! Those are all the basic rules we made. We did figure out without any discussion not to include cards that let you look at the opponents hand. But then the experiments begin. Lets look a those rules again. Do you have to reduce the cost of all spells by 1 colorless mana? NO. Maybe Psychic abilities don't reduce the cost of spell casting. Do we have to play our hands on the table? NO. If you prefer the cards in your hand are protected from being seen by the other Psychic by your own Psychic abilities. Do we have to place our library upside down? NO. Play it normal. Give the Psychics the ability to peek at the top card of any 1 library during their turn. Do we have to limit Psychic abilities to only 1 and only on your turn? No try playing it where if you have the mana you can use the ability. EXPERIMENT! The best thing about Psychic Duels is there's no PDCI to tell you exactly what rules you have to play by. Once you understand the concept it's easy to try variations. Now I did run into 1 question while playing this game. Can I counter spell a Psychic ability? The answer I use depending on what version is being played is if the ability needs mana to use then it can be countered. But if you feel differently then the answer might be there is no way to counter Psychic powers. Now I don't understand why but TICKEE EL'MEO the undefeated green/black Psychic Mage insisted that I include the following message... "Pssst...Jim...Yes you Jim...watch out for Mike...he's going to let you win the first 3 Psychic Duels and then offer to play for Ante...it's a trick!.... You're Welcome. "       Thank You - Dave Wilson [ Back to May 1997 Table of Contents ] [ Back to Beyond Dominia ] Magic: the Gathering is a Registered Trademark of Wizards of the Coast