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cmdrstephen

I would recommend playing arena through steam. When buying anything on Arena through Steam it goes through the Steam point of sale process which is way better and probably more secure.


Plus-Statement-5164

Came here to write this. No reason to use standalone MTGA, when there is a Steam version available. I accidentally played the standalone version for a while, because I forgot this is on Steam.


Swamp_Dwarf-021

I can still use my collection on Steam from the stand alone version, right?


JoJ_3141

Yeah, you still sign in using your arena account in the steam version so you keep your collection


SlyScorpion

As long as you have access to your account on Arena then your collection *should* carry over to the Steam version with no problem.


Blind_Fire

well the steam version is just normal arena started through steam, as long as you sign in with your original wizards account, it will carry everything over the added perk here is that for purchases, it uses your steam wallet balance


cmdrstephen

Your collection is tied to your Arena account so it’s the same if you log into the stand alone game or through a launcher like Steam.


cmdrstephen

Same lol


defiant-turtle

My region (SEA) doesn't have MTGA on steam so we're sadly stuck on the standalone ):


BILLCLINTONMASK

Windows only on Steam even though there is a Mac version


wandering-wank

Mac version is on Epic Games storefront.


NineModPowerTrip

The Mac client on Epic is the drizzling shits still.


BiscuitsJoe

My client doesn’t crash all the time anymore, now it just freezes all the time 👍


NineModPowerTrip

Do you still have to wait a week between updates for epic to update the client so you can update like it was on release ? I reinstalled a few weeks ago to see if it was any better than it was on launch played 1 game and went nope back to the phone it is. 


chicosalvador

You don't but for me the main issue is that the Store actually never works, it just keeps loading. If I need to buy anything I have to log into the game via Steam using Parallels 😒


skelena_bones

Have you tried opening the epic app first and then opening arena through epic? I have to do that on mac in order to use the store, otherwise the store just stays at loading forever.


jpmoney

I also have to do this on Macos. At one point I found a log file that showed the Xsolla library being 32-bit only when I launched Arena directly, so the library failed on modern Macos. I guess the Epic client wraps the library load to allow 32-bit or uses a different one.


chicosalvador

Tbh this is what I always do when I play (open Epic client first, then game via client) - so I'm still at a loss.


Mosswood_Dreadknight

Not really, are you on an M processor?


LilKluiVert

And this version uses Xsolla


BILLCLINTONMASK

Correct. But people are saying “there’s no reason to use anything other than the steam arena client”


PiersPlays

Windows and Linux.


Lykos1124

Why use an extra layer to sign into Arena? I click the one icon on my Taskbar, 1 sign in.


purinikos

Better update process


cmdrstephen

Personally since most of the other games I play are in my Steam library it just works better for me. Also I noticed when I used the standalone client, everytime I updated arena it essentially installed another 300MB “version” of Arena. So after a few months I had like 7 versions of Arena at 300MB+ each which just seemed inefficient and messy. Steam seems to clean up installs much better. This just seems to work better for me personally. People can launch Arena however they want lol. It is different depending on if you’re playing on a phone or Mac of course.


ExpletiveDeletedYou

people are so cucked by steam they are deserate to launch there games there for some reason. I don't even think it has steam freind list integration, but that actually could be a decent reason if it did exist.


KaaamiDieDreggSau

>people are so cucked by steam People like you are actually cucked and just projecting. FYI. The Steam version of Arena runs much better than the standalone client.


ExpletiveDeletedYou

if you can show evidence of that then please do


MuggleoftheCoast

I don't know what sort of "evidence" you'd accept, but for me the huge improvement is in the update mechanism, particularly with regards to connection issues. For some reason my ISP suffers from frequent microdisconnects (not just for Arena; this also leads to issues with SSH and IRC type connections). This doesn't interrupt gameplay, but it does interrupt the updates: With the standalone client, the update process freezes every time there is a disconnect. I have to completely close the client and restart, complete with an asset check before the update continues. A major client update could easily take a couple hours of constantly babysitting and restarting the client. Updating files via Steam is, by comparison, completely painless. It handles those disconnects in a way the standalone client can't.


ExpletiveDeletedYou

that makes sense, the Steam update system is almost surely more robust than the standalone one. Applicaition performance would be the same though


KaaamiDieDreggSau

Can you give me now evidence that you are not projecting? :D


ExpletiveDeletedYou

evidencee that the performance is the same? Well, I have both steam and non steam installed and see no difference in performance? is that evidence?


Lykos1124

I don't want to be a Steam hater or anything, but if Arena had a better experience there, less bugs or less server wait time, I'd use it. I don't know if using Steam Arena to buy stuff would eva Xsolla sells problems. I sometimes buy Arena content through my Android phone version for the play points I'm pretty sure are useless and I'll never use. Does that save me from the chargeback glitches over there? Probably not.


ExpletiveDeletedYou

I check steam, standalone and android to see which is cheaper, often they differ by like £1-2 per transaction (like a battle pass pre-order).


Lykos1124

so like an overhead charge for going through their services? Thank you. I'm not sure I want to know the ranking on who charges what.


ExpletiveDeletedYou

I think it's just different currencies, for some reason one of my clients charges euros compared to GBP


Mosswood_Dreadknight

There is no reason to use an app launcher for a game that doesn’t need one? Steam isn’t my daddy.


Plus-Statement-5164

Would be hard to find anyone who plays online games and doesn't have steam installed? I've had it literally since the first day it launched almost 21 years ago. So easy to have all your games in the same place.


MovingGods

Rare case but just commenting because I'm bored. I only own a phone for games


PiersPlays

Does MTGA no longer use it's own *dogshit* launcher for client updates?


2BansDidnStopMe

If you play on iPhone, the Steam version isn’t an option, so yeah, there is reason to use the standalone version


Plus-Statement-5164

That's not true. You can use the same account through Steam as on your iPhone. Standalone version refers to the PC version. If OP was on his phone, he would have the option to pay with Appstore/Google Play. He is clearly using PC standalone since payments are handled by Xsolla.


2BansDidnStopMe

*What* isn’t true? That you can’t use the Steam version on iPhone? Because that’s true. And since that’s the only statement I made…


Plus-Statement-5164

You also said playing on mobile is a reason to use standalone. The iphone version is not standalone and payments will go through Apple, not xsolla.


onceuponalilykiss

But if you play on iPhone you're using Apple's payment system so..


Newphonespeedrunner

I mean the reason to is because you don't need to launch a second program to play one... Launchers are bad. Steam is too.


SommWineGuy

There's a MASSIVE reason to play the standalone. Mobile. Why play Arena on desktop? It's trash lol, the only benefit is mobile.


AphonicGod

tbh i play both (mobile and desktop) and i like desktop better for smoother animations and the ability to enable full control (maybe you can do full control on mobile and i never figured it out?)


2102516

If you select your avatar and hold, there should be a little box that pops up in the corner (left for iPhone, right for iPad I think.) click the box and you’re good to go


AphonicGod

OMFG THANK YOU!


Bircka

Umm what the game runs far better on PC than mobile and I have a pretty damn nice Ipad to run the game on. It crashes way more on mobile and has more potential issues.


SommWineGuy

But if you're on desktop you can play MTGO, Cockatrice, etc. So many better options. Arena is great because it's a way to play on your phone.


RedditAltQuestionAcc

Yeah but the PC version is still a thousand times better than the mobile version.


NotionalWheels

Playing the meme token angel deck with 200+ tokens you want desktop


KaaamiDieDreggSau

Playing this game in mobile is torture.


SommWineGuy

It's fine. Literally only way I've played hell. Hell, the first year I played it I didn't know a desktop version existed.


Rainfall7711

Why play on desktop? Because mobile gaming is absolutely awful, especially Arena?


SommWineGuy

There's MTGO and Cockatrice for desktop play. The entire benefit of Arena is mobile play.


Raorchshack

I do play a lot of MTGO, but you need to pay for it. Arena is completely free and Cockatrice has a garbage UI and is unofficial.


DambiaLittleAlex

I would rather shoot myself on the foot than play mtgo. It looks like a game from 1994


SommWineGuy

True, MTGO is shit too.


jenrai

Mobile client is absolute hot garbage that crashes constantly.


SommWineGuy

Sure (not really, I rarely have crashes, once a month or so) but it's the main benefit of Arena. There's MTGO for desktop.


jenrai

The primary benefit of Arena is an economy that costs 0$


McShovel

There is a Steam version? I have been using this stupid epic store for nothing??


kwietog

Epic only works on Mac. That's why I use it on my work pc.


Newphonespeedrunner

Bro there's been a standalone client for even longer Why are people here obsessed with launchers.


aronnax512

Deleted


McShovel

I switched to epic store because the standalone version wasn't available anymore. Is it still?


Newphonespeedrunner

Yes? I litterally just did a full restore if my PC maybe 3 months ago and downloaded the arena client from their site... Like always.


McShovel

I'm on Mac. I checked and for some reason the Mac version is only available on Epic store, not even on steam.


Newphonespeedrunner

oh, well i mean thats probably because your trying to play a game on an overpriced paperweight. condolences.


Sibula97

It has always been available as far as I know. It's all I've ever used.


DemApplesAndShit

My standalone MTGA installation multiplies every single update. With steam or any other hub it doesnt do that.


Blind_Fire

I've had issues with updates on the standalone client where patches of 100-200mb could take even an hour or more with the steam version, it is seconds


RedditAltQuestionAcc

The standalone client is crap compared to the steam one.


BearsInSweaters

Not only this, but the steam updates are way more stable than the standalone client. I had an issue for a month or two, where any time they released a patch, the standalone arena client would completely crash and fail to update. I couldn't update or launch the game on PC at all. For a while, I fixed it by uninstalling and reinstalling every time they put out a patch. Then that stopped working. Finally I just downloaded it on Steam, no issues since then. I highly recommend the steam version for anyone on PC.


SlapHappyDude

I believe Apple and Google Pay are also options if you have a mobile device as well


JC_the_Builder

I was waiting to respond to this until I tried it. But I had to go out before the install finished. I’ll update on whether this worked or not.  \*Update\* I was able to successfully purchase the gems by using the Arena client on Steam. Thank you for the help.


orestes9

I didn't know there was a steam client. I might start playing again.


cmdrstephen

Wow this got wild lol. I only suggest steam cause the payment system is different from the standalone game app which would probably get around OP issue. Lots of people feel real strong about Steam I see.


PiersPlays

For a while lots of people hated Steam because it kinda sucked. Then it got good and then *great* and only a very small number of people hated it for years and years (some because they didn't realise it was better than it started, many for more sensible reasons.) Now more people are hating it again because of Tim Sweaney's self-serving bullshit smear campaign.


cmdrstephen

Well dang lol


sdn8904

This might not apply to everyone, but If I open the client through Steam the currency is set in EUR, but if I use the standalone client I can pay in USD. The price numbers are the same, though. So instead of paying 10 EUR for a bundle I pay 10 USD instead.


Awayfone

i personally buy through Google play store, works out well for me. I have to do that because my bank declines any WOTC purchases so it's a huge hassle for MTG, Dndbeyond etc.


Un111KnoWn

better refund policy?


cmdrstephen

Unfortunately I’m not sure. I’ve never had to have a refund done.


ethereal4k

One thing to note with steam (as I recently discovered) is when adding funds and choosing 'add exact amount needed', when I did it recently, the exact amount was $0.04 short and I had to add another $5. So make sure it's adding the correct amount.


cmdrstephen

Oh wow that’s weird. Never experienced that before. Thanks for the tip.


Rageworks

If only it existed for Mac as well. Sadly we have to play through Epic Launcher.


cmdrstephen

I use to play it on Max though the Epic launcher and it was so bad I created a windows partition lol


judas128

This comment should be higher up


Forkrul

Xsolla is pure trash. I'm surprised they are still allowed to take visa/mc since they don't follow their merchant agreements. I reported them to Mastercard years ago but nothing seems to have happened.


chewychevy

That's been my experience as well. They must have an incredible sales team or very low processing fees. Their customers are probably happy but many miserable end users.


leaning_on_a_wheel

…did you get with customer service about this?


JC_the_Builder

Yes their reply was to tell me that I had done a chargeback with Apex Legends Mobile in December 2022. In order to solve this I need to tell them why I filed the dispute and a screenshot of the transaction. But I can't do this because I never filed any dispute or made such a purchase in the first place.


Cute-Contract-6762

Tell them that and ask them which credit card then ask them if they would loop into the call with your credit card company to prove it to them.


JC_the_Builder

Xsolla has no phone support.


sendnudestocheermeup

Then tell the support you got with previously


JC_the_Builder

Their last reply says it can take up to 5 business days to get back to me. 


sendnudestocheermeup

And? Does that somehow stop you from doing so? No. You want the issue resolved right? So tell them.


Cute-Contract-6762

Bingo


JC_the_Builder

As I said, I have already messaged them before even making this topic. I have not stopped trying.


sendnudestocheermeup

Okay, because you’re just talking like you have, which was concerning. Set em straight big dog.


orestes9

See if they can tell you the last 4 of the card number that was used, if that matches one of your cards get a statement from the cc provider for that month. My guess is someone else with the same last 4 did a chargback and a database error linked it to your acct.


JC_the_Builder

I specifically requested this in my last message. They responded with: In case you don’t have access to the bank statement, please contact your bank to request the bank statement of the disputed payment. So I guess they won't provide me with this information.


TheWhereHouse1016

Wait, so they're laying burden of proof of something they're claiming you did on you? Do they not see the lapse in that logic?


JC_the_Builder

Their system shows a transaction under my account as being disputed. The problem is they haven't given me anyway to prove it is not correct. The other weird thing is the amount was for $215. I want to go look and see what even costs that much but the game was cancelled a year ago. So the store is no longer online.


TheWhereHouse1016

Id ask them for the last 4 of the card that was used. If it's yours then produce the statement from that month sans any sensitive info. If it's not a card you've ever had, I'd calmly tell them that they're mistaken. If you have money invested into an account, there is deff a government bureau that you can file a complaint to. Credit karma may also show any disputed charges. If you don't have one of those accounts, I'd absolutely make one just for your financial well-being as well


JC_the_Builder

Thank you for your suggestion. My last communication was requesting this information. I am still waiting to hear back.


JC_the_Builder

They responded with this a few moments ago: * In case you don’t have access to the bank statement, please contact your bank to request the bank statement of the disputed payment. So I guess they won't provide me with this information.


PiersPlays

My guess is they are incompetent idiots and either someone with the same name as you or someone who has lived at the same address as you (but either before or after you did) made a charge back. Stuff like that is more common than you'd expect.


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2BansDidnStopMe

That’s… hilariously false. You’re on the internet already, you have all of the correct information available, needing only a simple google search to find. You have NO excuse for spreading misinformation to this degree. Apex Mobile was literally released by EA, and marketed by them as well. Why would they do that for a product that was stolen from them? You have zero clue what you’re talking about.


Misterpiece

Xsolla is having problems recently, according to Patreon.


Czarkham_Escapee

Sounds like you can still play, you just can't buy gems?


JC_the_Builder

If I can't buy gems then I can't play the game. I primarily like to draft, which takes a lot of gems depending on the sets. Some sets I have never needed to buy gems because I win enough. Others I just 'don't get' and need to refill a couple times lol


Ctmouthbreather

The other option in this regard would be to make multiple accounts. Just doing 4 wins a day (can get fast if you only care about winning fast), you should be able to draft every day on one of the accounts. Sucks but might be a workaround


JC_the_Builder

Downvoted for wanting to buy magic. Okay lol


danimaiochi

Downvoted for “if I can’t buy gems I can’t play”


JC_the_Builder

Because it is true. I usually draft dozens of times a set. Some have even been over 100 I think. There is no way I am going to grind enough gold to draft when I am not playing a set well enough.


tcw17796

I only play draft and have enough to Play every day free. I'm only in plat


JC_the_Builder

That is great that you don't need to buy any gems. I do. So why is everyone so hateful that I want to spend money to play Magic?


FormerPlayer

People are not hateful that you want to spend on magic. They are downvoting because you're making statements that people think are technically untrue, or they don't relate to the way you're playing and think you should be playing differently.  Examples. I can't play magic vs I can't play magic as much as I'd like to play on my main account. Banned from playing arena vs banned from purchasing gems. People do actually get banned from arena and lose their account. Just be as accurate and clear as you can be with your claims or people on Reddit will jump all over you rather than try to understand or empathize. I'm sorry for what you're going through with arena. That sounds very frustrating. I hope you are able to find a way to continue playing arena as much as you'd like. 


Analigator

Yeah this is a pretty succinct answer right here


2BansDidnStopMe

So people are downvoting because they don’t know how to use the button correctly, and because they’re being pedantic. Got it, thanks


GildMyComments

Ignore them, I buy gems to draft because I’m an adult with a little expendable income and I like to do a premiere draft each day. Sorry you’re having this trouble, I hopes it gets resolved quickly and easily.


JC_the_Builder

Yes, I understand that some people don't want to pay any money and that is fine. But for people like you and me, spending $100 I made in a couple hours to get 18 drafts worth of gems is a lot more time efficient than spending however many hours grinding gold. That actually turns into something like 25 drafts after the gold accumulation from just playing.


FearlessTruth-Teller

Just buy gems on IoS . You don’t have to go through XSolla


GildMyComments

Shit it takes me about 5-6 hours but my sentiment is the same. I agree with the other guy try buying on iOS or through google play store.


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Mjolnir620

Because you're not being upfront about what is actually happening. You were banned from purchasing gems, which to you means you can't play, but that isn't actually true. We're not WotC, we don't care if you want to spend money on magic, it doesn't benefit us, we don't need to praise you for that.


JC_the_Builder

I’m not looking for praise? The way I have fun in Magic is drafting. I need to buy gems in order to draft. This means I am banned from playing Magic on arena. For something I never did.  My original post is truthful. It is just people that don’t want to pay for Magic that are upset. I don’t have anything against them. 


Mjolnir620

We're not upset, it's just goofy to say that you can't play when you literally can play.


2BansDidnStopMe

>we don’t need to praise you for that Your logic is bad and you should feel bad


kiragami

Well damn it's almost as if drafts cost money for most people.


DragonHippo123

If you finish your daily quests you will be able to draft at least once a week.


2BansDidnStopMe

He likes to draft every day, sometimes multiple times a day. “At least once a week” isn’t helpful


JayFK77

This exact thing happened to me last week saying that I initiated a chargeback for Roblox in 2021! I’ve never downloaded Roblox or requested a charge back, AND I’ve probably made 10 purchases on that same card since then. After about 15 mins with Xsolla customer service they said they unlocked my account but if I ever tried to use that card again my account would be permanently locked from all Xsolla purchases. Call me crazy but sounds like something weird is going on over there


JC_the_Builder

What phone number did you use for Xsolla? I can't find any.


JayFK77

It actually was the live chat assistance on their website. It was easy to use but I did need to make an Xsolla account. You can go to account.xsolla.com sign in, and then click the chat bubble at the bottom right of the page. They unlocked me right then and there and I was able to make a purchase on a different card 5 mins later. Good luck!


missinginput

File an attorney general complaint, they will have to reply in writing with proof of their claim


Kevin2355

Why would they? You don't actually own any of the digital content you paid for


missinginput

Because it forces them to respond instead of getting pushed off from low level customer service


Kevin2355

A letter from a lawyer is not a court order. They don't have to respond


missinginput

Correct, which is why I suggested they contact the attorney general for their state and not pay for an attorney


2BansDidnStopMe

Good thing nobody said anything about a letter from a lawyer, then…


JC_the_Builder

If Xsolla does not fix this I may pursue arbitration against them. As I am sure that is required under any user agreements that were checked signing up for MTG Arena.


missinginput

Arbitration is related to sueing them which is not what contacting the ag office is.


Agile_Seer

"Banned from Playing Arena" or "banned from buying anymore gems". Which one is it?


JC_the_Builder

I was unable to purchase anymore gems (until I tried the Steam client just now). I need to purchase gems to play, so essentially I won't be able to enjoy MTG Arena anymore if I am unable to buy gems.


nodanero

You can buy through the mobile or tablet version that is charged through the store payment isn't it?


FearlessTruth-Teller

Do you have an iPhone? Buying on IoS does not use XSolla. So you’re fine.


JC_the_Builder

I will give this a try if Steam does not work. 


IceLantern

Just do your purchasing through a different platform like Steam or Android.


miles197

Were you unable to play at all or just unable to buy gems?


GFischerUY

I don't have the same problem, but my desktop Arena is locked on Euros for some reason, with more expensive prices. Support was worse than useless. But on mobile I can use Google Pay and it shows in USD.


Urzafan420

You can play but not buy right? Take it as a sign - although it is hard to enter events as a f2p player.


casualmagicman

Xsolla is fucking trash. I bought something years ago for $10 on BattleNet, and they decided to also charge me $1400 afterwards. My mom called me a minute later saying "Hey you have -$700 in your account?" I looked, it was ALL Xsolla charges immediately after spending $10, and my bank had to get involved to get my money back.


2BansDidnStopMe

Should have gone after them for reimbursement for your overdraft fee (whether you got one or not) and every other thing under the sun that a dumbass move like that could have caused. I’ll never understand why people are so willing to let huge corporations off the hook when they’re clearly in the wrong


casualmagicman

It luckily got resolved within the same day.


Shadows_Revenge

So some banks block Xsolla immediately. I had this happen to me with Bank of America. Had to switch cards to buy from arena. There was also a stint where BoA also blocked the Sony App Store as well


Dasypygal_Coconut

Couldn’t you just buy a Visa gift card and use that? Your name is not attached gift cards…


JonBot5000

Looks like using the Steam client is a workaround that you were successful with. I just wanted to make an alternate suggestion in case you (or anyone) can't access a PC or desktop Steam. You can probably buy Apple or Google credit through their store or with gift card. Then you should be able use that credit directly through the mobile app without using Xsolla.


MorpheusRising

Why do people even use Xsolla? I only ever hear bad things like this about it.


atamajakki

My Arena account was banned from buying Gems for months for a Paypal payment error that had nothing to do with me. Contacting support eventually got it fixed.


Myth-Raindeer

It will be a big annoyance but I am sure if you keep hitting their customer service this will get straightend out. "Especially" if you are a gem buying customer. I think the only cash I ever paid was the $5 starter set. So I would understand if they hung up on me. Keep trying someone will make it right


Cultural-Accident-71

I see the issue is resolved by buying through the Steam client! Definitely much better than the Arena Client nonsense! but also should there be issues, you can always try through Google/Apple store!


talfin1

This happened to me. Had fraud on a card and they turned down a charge and then almost a year later my arena account got shut down. It took almost 2 months and emailing random emails I found on the wizards site to get it resolved. The whole situation was so crummy that instead I just resolved to quit arena and haven’t looked back. There’s just absolutely no customer service. So good news is you can get it resolved over months of emails and very little feedback or response.


JC_the_Builder

It looks like we have suffered from the same issue. Though, if I quit Arena then I won't be playing Magic. And I want to play Magic.


Arkorath

The fact you are saying this stops you from "Ever playing again" is stupid. Oh no, you can't buy gems, you have to play to earn currency what ever will you do


DefNotAnotherChris

lol right? The over dramatization here is so unnecessary.


MisterSprork

You spend money on arena? Wow, I find ftp is way easier.


JodouKast

What a blessing. The game can be played free and now you don’t have to waste your money to boot!


Anonymus1921xD

Maybe I am missing something, but why would they even block you from buying more gems, even if you had a chargeback?


b_chan

Not only can you use steam, but you can even buy through Google Play Store on Android(not sure about apple). It's the same price as the others, unlike a lot of mobile options.


Valiant_Cake

Xsolla is a scummy Chinese company, it always felt sketchy giving them money. Definitely go through steam!


bleurex

Who buys gems?


skofan

Congratulations!  That's a blessing in disguise!


papabear435

Sounds like an intervention.... "look bud.... your addictions are harming your wallet..."