Genuinely, What am I missing?

[Bonoki]

These forums have never really been the place for guides or beginner advice. This game is over a decade old, and any guides posted here are outdated or buried beyond usefulness. The pace of updates is so significant that even if someone did post a guide, it would quickly become irrelevant. On top of that, guide threads rarely stay visible because they do not generate discussion; they are read once and forgotten. Our guide makers and content creators never post here themselves, which does not help. If you are searching for guidance, platforms like X, Reddit, and especially YouTube or Discord are where the community actively shares that content.

The negativity here is so noticeable because it has been pushed out of those other spaces. SE themselves direct players to bring complaints and feedback to these forums, so naturally, this becomes the dumping ground for grievances. If you are new to the game, I recommend avoiding these forums altogether. The risk of running into spoilers is high, and the constant wave of criticism can easily sap your enjoyment while you are still trying to find your footing.

What you described with MTG is precisely what long-term players are feeling here. It is an inevitable cycle with any game or product you invest years into. Over time, the passion that once fueled excitement can turn into frustration and, eventually, burnout. It is not something unique to this community or to MTG; it happens in every long-standing hobby. But in spaces like this, where frustration gathers and amplifies, it can feel overwhelming and all-consuming.