head to head
vs
Magic: The Gathering ArenavsSpace Station 13
Magic: The Gathering Arena leans Optimization (Grand Arena); Space Station 13 leans Variance (Grand Arena).
Magic: The Gathering ArenaSpace Station 13
Axis by axis
Execution1 vs 2
Space Station 13 leans harder on execution: Clunky intentional interface; speed helps but rarely decides.
Reads7 vs 6
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.
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.