What does it mean to go infinite?

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Infinite Combo? What is it's Definition?

  • #1 Oct 1, 2008

    Infinity is defined as "unlimited or unmeasurable in extent of space, duration of time, etc." according to (Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)). However in Magic, this tends to refer to anything that can repeat over and over again. Therefore, I have been debating with my playgroup over what constitutes a definition of an infinate combo.

    Is it a combo that can be used over and over again like Dijinn Illuminatus and Pact of the Titan? This combo can be used to create extremely high numbers of creatures, however it is still not infinate because the number you generate (say 1,234,567) can always have one added to it (1,234,568). For that reason, I am wondering Is there ever a true infinite combo in Magic? And if not, should a deck like this be allowed in a match in multiplayer?

  • #2 Oct 1, 2008

    Infinity is defined as "unlimited or unmeasurable in extent of space, duration of time, etc." according to (Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)). However in Magic, this tends to refer to anything that can repeat over and over again. Therefore, I have been debating with my playgroup over what constitutes a definition of an infinate combo.

    Is it a combo that can be used over and over again like Dijinn Illuminatus and Pact of the Titan? This combo can be used to create extremely high numbers of creatures, however it is still not infinate because the number you generate (say 1,234,567) can always have one added to it (1,234,568). For that reason, I am wondering Is there ever a true infinite combo in Magic? And if not, should a deck like this be allowed in a match in multiplayer?

    Yes, there are infinite comboes in Magic. These comboes result in game draws due to no one being able to do anything as the triggers keep going around and around. Ex. getting 3 Faceless Devourers out with no other Shadow creatures. Since the action never stops, the game is a draw. On the other hand, with Pandemonium, this would become a finite combo, as once your opponent is dead, the combo ends. And I don't play multiplayer, so I wouldn't know if it would be allowed. As a Casual player, I'd say yes, but that may be just me.

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  • #3 Oct 1, 2008

    Yes, there are infinite comboes in Magic. These comboes result in game draws due to no one being able to do anything as the triggers keep going around and around. Ex. getting 3 Faceless Devourers out with no other Shadow creatures. Since the action never stops, the game is a draw. On the other hand, with Pandemonium, this would become a finite combo, as once your opponent is dead, the combo ends. And I don't play multiplayer, so I wouldn't know if it would be allowed. As a Casual player, I'd say yes, but that may be just me.

    I completely agree, however what people fail to realize about these decks is that they take time to develop, by which point their opponents will have had opportunities to take them out when they had the chance. If you have a knowledge of how deadly an opponents deck is and you choose to take out the newbie with 4 Vizzerdrix out first just because it is an easier win is your fault. At that point you can just deal with the fact that you messed yourself up. It would be easier to take the new player out late game.

  • #4 Oct 1, 2008

    There is never really an infinite combo in Magic. Because there is no "infinity" in Magic, any action/series of actions can only be done a specific number of times. General, this is an integer that the controller of the action determines. As stated before, there are ways to cause a draw in a game when the game enters an "infinite loop" that cannot be escaped. My favorite example is casting an Oblivion Ring on an Oblivion Ring that is Oblivion Ringing another Oblivion Ring.

  • #5 Oct 2, 2008

    There is never really an infinite combo in Magic. Because there is no "infinity" in Magic, any action/series of actions can only be done a specific number of times. General, this is an integer that the controller of the action determines. As stated before, there are ways to cause a draw in a game when the game enters an "infinite loop" that cannot be escaped. My favorite example is casting an Oblivion Ring on an Oblivion Ring that is Oblivion Ringing another Oblivion Ring.

    You know that combo only works when there are absolutely no other nonland permanents in play (and that even counts the ones Oblivion Ring'd), right?

    Modern
    GX Tron XG
    UR Phoenix RU


    Pauper
    WB Pestilence BW

  • #6 Oct 2, 2008

    Binary

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    What does it mean to go infinite?

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    I completely agree, however what people fail to realize about these decks is that they take time to develop, by which point their opponents will have had opportunities to take them out when they had the chance. If you have a knowledge of how deadly an opponents deck is and you choose to take out the newbie with 4 Vizzerdrix out first just because it is an easier win is your fault. At that point you can just deal with the fact that you messed yourself up. It would be easier to take the new player out late game.

    Playing a Necromancy when the only creature card in any graveyard is Worldgorger Dragon can cause a draw, and that requires very little setup. (And that deck loves to do it if the opponent tries to win the game, too.)

    I am no longer on MTGS staff, so please don't contact me asking me to do staff things. :|

  • #8 Oct 2, 2008

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    What does it mean to go infinite?

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    Infinity doesn't exist in magic. There are just loops. Ones like the Pact/Djinn are all optinal actions. So while you can reach an arbitrarily large number, eventually it will stop.
    In the Worldgorger/Necromancy combo, you have a series of manditory actions which only stop because the rules say so.

    As long as one player can make a choice to stop a combo, it will go X times and then stop. There are probably caveats and corner cases as well, but that is the general idea.

  • #9 Oct 3, 2008

    My definition of infinite combo? Game design flaw.

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What is the meaning of being infinite?

Infinite describes things that are endless, like the universe, or your uncle's corny jokes. Finite means "relating to something with an end," and when you add the prefix in-, meaning "not," you get infinite: having to do with something that never, ever ends.

What is the meaning of infinite in love?

Limitless, eternal and becoming as one, there is no better symbol to represent eternal love. And it's not just about eternal love but also the infinite and limitless possibilities that love brings. With so many possible way to interpret the infinity symbol, it is no wonder that it has become such a popular love symbol.

What is infinite example?

Examples of Infinite Sets A set of all whole numbers, W= {0, 1, 2, 3, 4,…} A set of all points on a line. The set of all integers.

What does going infinite mean MTG?

Here's the plan: Get Mortal Combat onto the battlefield, then cast Enter the Infinite. Unfortunately, Enter the Infinite says you have no maximum hand size until your next turn, so you'll need a way to discard cards as well.