head to head
vs
Magic DuelsvsMagic: The Gathering Arena
Magic Duels leans Variance (Systems & Chaos); Magic: The Gathering Arena leans Optimization (Grand Arena).
Magic DuelsMagic: The Gathering Arena
Axis by axis
Execution0 vs 1
Magic: The Gathering Arena leans harder on execution: Pure clicks, no mechanical skill
Reads5 vs 7
Magic: The Gathering Arena leans harder on reads: Bluffing instants and combat tricks against humans
Variance7 vs 7
Even - both lean on variance about the same.
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.