head to head
vs
Frozen SynapsevsMagic: The Gathering Arena
Frozen Synapse leans Reads (Mind & Math); Magic: The Gathering Arena leans Optimization (Grand Arena).
Frozen SynapseMagic: The Gathering Arena
Axis by axis
Execution0 vs 1
Magic: The Gathering Arena leans harder on execution: Pure clicks, no mechanical skill
Reads8 vs 7
Frozen Synapse leans harder on reads: You must predict a human's hidden plan each turn
Variance4 vs 7
Magic: The Gathering Arena leans harder on variance: Mana screw and topdecks remain decisive
Optimization7 vs 8
Magic: The Gathering Arena leans harder on optimization: Deepest sequencing, deckbuilding, and stack puzzles
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.