** Please visit MTGPlay.com for current online Magic gaming **
This website is no longer being updated.

If you are having technical problems, visit the Support page.

Will WotC continue to support MTGIE?
What updates of Magic sets are available for MTGIE?
Is this the only chatroom for MTGIE players?
What do I do if I'm having problems connecting to the chatroom?
Why aren't there a lot of people here?
Can you add a useful feature to the MTGIE Club website?
What is Magic Interactive Encyclopedia (aka MTGIE / MIE)?
What are the minimum requirements to run MIE?
Where can I get MTGIE?
What is MTGPlay?
What is Magic Online?
What is Apprentice?
What is SideStep?
What do players mean by "Type 1" or "Type 2"?
How do I load a deck in MTGPlay?
How do I play using MTGPlay?
How come Onslaught and Legions are not available for sealed deck in MTGPlay?
Why are unofficial sets not playable for sealed in MTGPlay?

Will WotC continue to support MTGIE?

WotC will NOT continue support after Dec 31, 2002. Read it from WotC. There will not be an official Onslaught update from WotC. Magic Online is intended to replace MTGIE.

What updates of Magic sets are available for MTGIE?

The installed MTGIE comes with sets Alpha through Mercadian Masques. The WotC has provided official updates up to Judgment. They will no longer provide future updates because they have discontinued support for the product. Unofficial updates are available at the MTGPlay website. Before applying un-official updates, I highly recommend that you make a backup of the file called magic.mdb. The magic.mdb file is a Microsoft Access database file that holds magic card info, your decks, updated sets, and path addresses to card images. I suggest you keep a backup of the file in a different location than the MIE or MTGPlay files, just in case.

Is this the only chatroom for MTGIE players?

The current chatroom is the main way to find other players. It is accessible thru a Java-enabled browser. There are 2 alternate chatrooms in case the main chatroom is down. The chatroom will take some time to load -- please be patient.

What do I do if I'm having problems connecting to the chatroom?

Firstly, please make sure you have Java turned on in your browser: in Internet Explorer, go to 'Tools', 'Internet Options...', 'Security tab', 'Custom Level...', scroll down to 'Java Permissions', select 'High Safety'. If you still can't access the chatroom, try opening ports 8000-8009 on your firewall. If you are using AOL and the built-in AOL browser, please use Internet Explorer to access the chatroom instead. Read these tips if you are having trouble accessing the chatroom.

If you have Windows XP, please visit the Sun Microsystems site for the Java download.

Why aren't there a lot of MIE players here?

There weren't many users of MTGIE to begin with. Reaching those players is difficult now without a way of contacting them. I have been able to reach players thru message boards and a link on the MTGPlay website. Some Magic players have probably opted to use Magic Online. Also, some owners of MTGIE do not use it for playing online - they use it for inventory or card encyclopedia purposes. Even with a small number of people to start, there seems to still be a slow but growing number of new owners of MTGIE that meet online.

As of April 2, 2003; over 100 MIE players have visited this site. There are MIE players from all over the world: Spain, France, Italy, Germany, Japan, US, Australia, etc. Not everyone meets here at the same time that you might visit the chatroom. And not everyone will decide to meet here on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. For now, expect about 0-12 players to be in the chatroom. If the chatroom is empty, try waiting several minutes to see if other players show up.

Can you add a useful feature to the MTGIE Club website?

This site was originally started as a free website that was put together with free tools modified to the best of my ability. If you know how a certain feature can be added this website, then you can email the instructions/information and it will be considered.

The chatrooms on this site are third-party programs. I cannot add or modify their features - only minor appearance options.

What is Magic Interactive Encyclopedia (aka MTGIE / MIE)?

MTGIE is a program that is installed onto your computer with at least Windows 9x or NT system. It is made up of card images, database, etc. It is self-contained to run without having to access an external server. The program uses FULL card art and text for database search and virtual playtable interface. The playtable interface is non-intelligent (unlike Magic Online). MTGIE does not direct player actions. So MTGIE is intended for advanced players who know the rules of the game and know how to play the cards. The program does not support playing against the computer.

Features of the program include:

Users can search a database of Magic cards. The database includes every card from sets Alpha to Mercadian Masque. (Other sets can be installed.) Search by set, color, text, etc. Pictures of each card are included. Inventory and easily track your real life collection of cards. Build decks with any card listed in the database. Players may also build "Sealed decks" from Boosters/Starters. Print out of deck lists are possible too. Import or export decklists in .xml format. Play your decks in a duel against another player online or on a LAN.

WotC has provided additional patches/program downloads to enhance MTGIE:

There is a program patch that fixes some problems with MTGIE. It also contains enhancement features. Patches for sets from Nemesis to Judgment, so players have access to cards in those sets. LAN(Local Area Network) program launcher that allows players to play over a LAN. Rulings and Price patches. (These patches were released more than a year ago. Download the patches and use them. But don't rely on them for accurate current rulings and pricing information.) Artist patch fixes some problem with updating sets.

**MIE does NOT contain updated card prices, rules, or deck type information. Do NOT rely on the card price, rules, or deck type information found within MIE.**

What are the minimum requirements of MIE?

The CD game minimum requirements:

100mhz processor Windows 9x, Windows NT 16MB RAM 60MB hard drive space CD-ROM 4x SVGA Video card

Because of its heavy system resource use, my recommended minimum: 300mhz processor 128MB RAM 1GB hard drive space (for a full images installation and additional updates)

Where can I get MTGIE?

MTGIE is out of production but you might be able to find it available some places. It is not found at Amazon.com or WotC webstore anymore. Some players have found MTGIE at Best Buy, Babbages, Waldenbooks, Electronics Boutique, or other local gaming/book store. Try special ordering the game through one of these stores. There is also usually someone selling it on eBay. I would try eBay if you are unable to special order it locally.

What is MTGPlay?

MTGPlay is a program that can connect players to play Magic. It utilizes your MTGIE database of cards and decks. The playtable interface allows up to 6 players to play at the same time. Lost connections can be restored as long as the player hosting the game is still online. Some of the MTGPlay functions are easier to use, and MTGPlay uses less computer resources. An overwhelming number players prefer to use the MTGPlay interface over MTGIE. MTGPlay allows sealed deck games. Playing 2 of your own decks against each other is possible if you open up 2 instances of MTGPlay (1 serves, 1 connect). Because WotC has stopped producting updates, unofficial ones are now produced and are added using MTGPlay. Visit MTGPlay.com and the MTGPlay program website.

What is Magic Online?

Magic Online is a new program that WotC has developed to replace Magic Interactive Encyclopedia. Players purchase a CD or download a file containing a program to access the WotC server which tracks Magic cards and players' inventory. Magic Online officially went on sale on June 24, 2002. Magic Online may be downloaded/purchased from the WotC site.

The interface is intelligent and directs players on how card rules are enforced. (You still need to know how to play Magic - Magic Online contains tutorials to teach you the game mechanics.)

Players must log onto the WotC server to access cards and play games. Virtual cards are purchased for $3.69 per pack. Each virtual card will have an unique ID# so WotC can keep track of it. Cards can be traded online through the WotC server. A players card collection will be held on the server. Like MTGIE, Magic Online will allow players to track their virtual collections and sort them.

Players will find other players by logging onto the WotC server. Players can play in tournaments or casual play. Players can play drafted or constructed deck games.

What is Apprentice?

It's a program that allows players to create decks and play against players. The interface is non-intelligent. Cards have no pictures - just title and text. Players use the Apprentice program and download additional expansion patches.

More info and tournament information is available at www.dragonstudios.com

What is SideStep?

SideStep is a very small program that connects players to play a game of Magic using MTGIE, not MTGPlay. With MTGIE, players normally first meet at the WotC chatroom and then request to play each other. The WotC server then connects the 2 players so they may duel. But sometimes the server is not working properly so this program comes in handy.

Learn more about using Sidestep to play with the MIE interface.

What do players mean by "Type 1" or "Type 2"?

You will hear of players building and playing deck formats: Type 1 (aka Classic), Type 2 (aka Standard), or Extended. These players have built decks according to the DCI tournament rules. Even though players may not be playing in a tournament, the tournament rules provide a card base to choose from. And it sets up the type of playing environment based on those cards allowed. Building decks according to these standards is so widespread that you should consider building several decks to these specifications.

Unless restricted to 1 or banned, up to 4 of any card is allowed in a deck (exception to basic lands). Authorized cards include promotional cards but do not include gold-bordered Collector's cards or Unglued cards.

Please check the official DCI Lists for the most up-to-date banned/restricted lists.

How do I load a deck in MTGPlay?

1) Right-click your name on the table (Player1) and select "Load a deck..."
      Then select a deck and click the "Load" button

or...

2) Click on the "Deck Editor" button
      Then select a deck and click the "Load" button

How do I play using MTGPlay?

One player hosts a game and up to 5 other players may connect as clients. Host clicks on 'Game' then 'Serve...'  Host can just click 'OK' unless a specific port and password is wanted. The default port is 1001. Clients click on 'Game' then 'Connect...' IP address and port number from the host is entered and 'OK' is pressed. Clients will then be connected.

(If you do not know your computer's IP address, visit Coolbean.com and it will tell you.)

If you are disconnected as a client, you may reconnect as long as the host still has the game running. You will reconnect with cards, life, etc. still intact as if you just stepped away for a moment.

If playing 3 or more players in MTGPlay, please set the resolution of your screen to 1152 x 864 if possible. This allows more playtable space. And the 'View Card' window is also displayed at its optimum quality.

Within the "Load Deck" window, modify and create new decks by right-clicking decks/cards.

If you want to play a Sealed Deck game, first make sure all the players are connected. Then one player right-clicks his/her name and selects 'Sealed Deck.' That player selects the starters and boosters for the players to use. All the players will be asked to accept the sealed deck game. A deck editor window will open for each player to build his/her individual deck. No extra lands can be added at this time. But players can load the sealed deck, save the deck, and then bring up the deck editor to add more lands to it (if players agree to this).

If you are hosting a game and do not wish other players to enter the game, click on 'Game' then 'Serve...' and set a password. Players already connected will be able to continuing playing without the password.

See also the summary of MTGPlay commands.

How come Onslaught and Legions are not available for sealed deck in MTGPlay?

NOTE: The below information might be obsolete. New versions of MTGPlay have been modified so that the program uses the cardsetname instead of the cardsetID#. In theory, MTGPlay will utilize an unofficial card set like Onslaught regardless of when it was installed.

The unofficial updates at the MTGPlay site provide the new cards and images, but the updates do not modify the fields in magic.mdb to make the new cards available for Sealed Deck use. Players will need to make the modification to the magic.mdb files themselves, if they want to play Sealed Deck games with the updated cards. If you use Lysander's updates, they will automatically make the loaded sets available for sealed deck play. If you do not have Microsoft Access, please use Lysander's updates instead.

Open the magic.mdb with Microsoft Access. The password is (7V9@GP_  The table 'tlkpCardSets' needs to be opened for modification. The numbers for StarterExists, CommonStarter, CommonBooster, UncommonSarter, UncommonBooster, RareStarter, etc. need to be changed from '0' to a different number. Since Onslaught is a major expansion, it has the same type of column numbers as an expansion like Odyssey. And since Legions is a minor expansion, it has the same type of column numbers as an expansion like Judgment. Fill out the numbers with a corresponding expansion.

(HINT: right-click on the 'CardsetID' and sort by Z-A to get the latest sets on top)

Here is the list if you need it:

Save the file when done.

Why are unofficial sets not playable for sealed in MTGPlay?

If you used Lysander's patch or modified the 'tlkpCardSets' table already, the unofficial sets will be selectable but your opponent may not receive a dialogue window to play a sealed game (or the incorrect sets are listed in the dialogue window). This happens because you and your opponent have mismatched cardsetID#s. There are several solutions:

1) Use the same magic.mdb file (use a copy of one of the database)
2) Modify the magic.mdb as described in the earlier question
3) Use the 'ANY' option when first selecting starters and boosters. Then, tell your opponent which sets both of you should select when the computer prompts. (This is the easiest workaround solution.)

If you are having technical problems, visit the Support page.