Idk, what's so special about getting to 40 early? You gonna stop playing till next season? You gonna stress yourself over every loss cuz now you JUST GOTTA GET BACK TO 40. I would think there would be a bigger focus on that in the last month of the season not the first. Then again I think backwards of most gamers, I play for fun.

/same

When I hit 40 relatively quick this season, I was sad

But now I'm having lots of connection problems

Last season was my first. Got up to about 35, finished on 13. I tend to build and trial a lot of absolutely janky builds against real opponents. I have to delete most of my decks every couple of weeks. This season I've got about as high as 25, spent most of my time in the 10-15 range though.

I live in Arkansas, what is this 6th grade you speak of?

Sixth grade is called University of Arkansas, I believe.

Nope
University of Ricky
in Dartmouth

Well, if you were at R40 having played only 20 games, that would be something...

I think everyone has their own approach to Duels. If it works for you and it's fun that's what counts. My pattern (ios) is to initially tweak best decks from last season. Play versus in general to earn the first day win award and play hard AI with a fast deck.

I generally do not get into building until after the pro tour as I enjoy the limited rounds where we get to see the new set cards although there are always some we do not get. The omissions this time round are with a few exceptions not ones that should have a significant difference.

I then spend some time trying to play versus to get to mid ranks. The other competitive play comes from organised tournaments in iOS or competitive casual matches with son who plays.

I tend to build paper decks of favourite decks so although I am a free magic Duels player I can spend a reasonable amount assembling paper decks. Mainly though it is via second hand marketplace.

One neat change this season is much more 2HG this time so far.

iOS can suffer with getting versus matches at times but usually at start of a season it's much better. 2HG although with a random partner can often be a good way to get good ideas for decks from your partner.

I think the meta is more diverse but there are still a lot of optimal cards in certain deck archetypes that you will keep seeing as there is no better new alternative.