head to head
vs
Magic: The Gathering ArenavsPokémon Champions
Magic: The Gathering Arena leans Optimization (Grand Arena); Pokémon Champions leans Reads (Mind & Math).
Magic: The Gathering ArenaPokémon Champions
Axis by axis
Execution1 vs 1
Even - both lean on execution about the same.
Reads7 vs 8
Pokémon Champions leans harder on reads: Predicting a human's switch or protect decides turns
Variance7 vs 5
Magic: The Gathering Arena leans harder on variance: Mana screw and topdecks remain decisive
Optimization8 vs 7
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.