Understanding MTG: What Do Pips Mean?

In the vast world of Magic: The Gathering (MTG), terms like mana, tap, and combat are relatively well-known, but there's one term that often stumps both beginners and seasoned players alike - 'pip'. So, what does 'pip' mean in MTG?

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Put simply, a 'pip' in MTG is a unit of measure used to denote the power level of a card, especially when discussing the strength of cards in relation to each other. It's a metric that helps players compare and evaluate cards, making it a crucial aspect of deck-building and strategy development.

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Understanding Pips in MTG

Before diving into specifics, it's essential to understand that the term 'pip' is not an official MTG term. It's a colloquial term coined by the community to fill a void in the game's lexicon, serving as a shorthand way to express a card's power level.

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In essence, a pip is a unit of measure that attempts to quantify a card's power, taking into account factors like its cost, effects, and synergy with other cards. It's a subjective and scalable measure, meaning that two players might use different standards to assign pips to the same card.

Pips Scaling: Charting Card Power

Pips are often scaled on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being exceptionally weak and 10 being nearly unplayable. This scale is by no means set in stone, and some players use different scales, such as 1 to 5, or even 1 to 20, depending on their personal perspective and playstyle.

For example, a common creature like a Savannah Lions might be rated around a 2 or 3, due to its modest power and toughness and lack of special abilities. Meanwhile, a powerfulplaneswalker likeJace, the Mind Sculptor might be rated an 8 or 9, reflecting its high cost, versatile abilities, and overall dominance in the game.

Pips as a Deck-Building Tool

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While pips are a subjective measure, they serve as a valuable tool for deck-building. By using pips to gauge the power level of cards in your deck, you can fine-tune your strategy and ensure that your deck has a balanced composition of powerful and efficient cards.

For instance, a player might aim to have an average pip rating of 5 across their deck, with a few cards rated higher (8+) to act as powerful 'spike' cards, and many cards rated lower (3-) to provide efficient, synergistic support. This type of 'pip math' can help players construct balanced, powerful decks that can compete at high levels.

Pips in Action: Analyzing Power Levels

Now that you have a solid understanding of what pips are and how they're used, let's explore how they can help analyze power levels in MTG.

Consider the old Standard format, where powerful cards like Tarmogoyf and Lightning Bolt ruled the roost. Using pips, we can analyze these cards as follows:

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Tarmogoyf

Cost: 2 colorless, 1 green
Power/Toughness: 2/1 to 3/4
Abilities: Prowess (grows larger when you cast spells), Deathtouch, Flash

Using a 1-10 pip scale, Tarmogoyf's power level might be rated around 7 or 8. Its relatively cheap cost, robust power and toughness, and game-warping abilities make it an incredibly powerful and versatile card.

Lightning Bolt

Cost: 1 colorless, 1 red
Damage: 3
Effects: Kills most creatures, can be used to burn opponents for 3 life

Lightning Bolt, on the other hand, is a classic 'spike' card, with an exceptionally high power-to-cost ratio. On a 1-10 pip scale, it might be rated around 9.5, reflecting its high efficiency and devastating potential.

Understanding the pip system allows card discussions to transcend mere speculation and opinion, enabling players to engage in meaningful, productive conversation about deck strategy and card power levels.

Next time you're discussing your favorite MTG deck or strategy, try incorporating pip ratings into your conversations. You might just find that it helps elevate your conversations - and your game - to the next level.

So, there you have it - a comprehensive overview of what 'pip' means in MTG. Whether you're a seasoned player looking to refine your deck-building techniques or a newcomer eager to gain a deeper understanding of the game, appreciating the power of pips is sure to enhance your MTG experience.