why the mtg alchemy format, instead of standard or any other format played on mtg arena?

mainly, the shorter rotation time, but also digital-only cards at least when they are not too overtuned.

though i like playing in other modes too, including higher power formats like historic (some could argue that with 3 year rotation, standard format is not far off from other bigger card pool formats like explorer or pioneer in paper),or draft, love the challenge of constructed decks in a more limited card pool. i have even enjoyed the special events where you build constructed decks out of a single set. i would love to see a format where the pool consisted of just cards from last 4 or 6 sets, and rotate every time a new set dropped.

i know the alchemy format gets a lot of hate, so much so, that many popular content creators won’t venture into playing alchemy, with awareness that that would alienate much of their follower base.

(insert reminder here about wanting to add a link page for a list of streamers (or add section to current linklog page))

on the digital cards, yeah i get that some of them have been ridiculous (then again, so have a good many non-digital cards too been insane). and valid are the gripes about not balancing a format where card balancing is possible.

my dissonance is on cards that are balanced that exist in other formats in non-balanced form. it is vexing, and drove me away from the format initially. but not as irksome for cards that are not available in original form on mtg arena. like the one ring for example. i know i am not alone in this sentiment, even amongst the minority that were enthusiastic about the launch of the mtg arena alchemy format.

but there have been some cool Alchemy cards

hopefully, going forward, wotc will refrain from past alchemy missteps and accentuate the good alchemy can be.