this post was submitted on 23 Jul 2025
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From my experience as a game shop owner, the issue is not that women are not interested in playing Magic, it is the toxic men that play Magic that cause them to not play.
Toxic!? That's harsh, I totally showered two weeks ago!
If only showering (or not) was the issue...
@nokturne213 @MotoAsh well, the only issue...
@nokturne213 @lorty Stores with better staff fostering better communities get better gender ratios. Which supports your observation.
But because toxic men are going to show up from other communities to events at the good stores they still weigh down the good stores. Particularly at more competitive events.
Staff (store and event) need to be vigilent, particularly at events that draw a wider audience (RCQ and such). They also need a hair trigger on what counts as toxic behaviour.
It's unfortunately one of those communities that has ended up being hyper-competitive and gatekeepy af from my experience. Even as a dude, I don't go to LGSs to play anymore. I've had fun with drafts and prereleases, but it only takes one match out of 3 for me to regret showing up in person.
I would guess that commander tends to be more welcoming, assuming people are following the bracket system now.
(There's also something to be said about the smell, but not really sure what can be done about that. This might just be an issue at my LGS though.)
They could chuck a pit stick in pre release boxes too