One major difference in the proggys is that of the turn sequence buttons. unless you download a lot of additional patches, the apprentice software is hard set into Magic the Gathering and the turn sequence uses only M:tG's phases. Cardtable has a few built in game's phases (which can be selected under the options menu), or also you can use the generic setting which just has an "End turn" only button to simply end when you are done.
Below are screenshots of the apprentice deckmaker and the Cardtable Deckbuilder program, the primary mode for building decks:
To Use the deckbuilder, simply open the program (by itself for Cardtable versions prior to 1.2, or through the programs commands-1.2+), load the cardinfo file (which will be a .ctd file, located in your Cardtable folder directory under the folder labeled "decks"). This will load all of the cards available to choose from in the left hand column, then click on a card to bring up the image thumbnail and the card's text. Double click the card to put it into your deck, or click "add". When you are done creating or editing your deck click save and it will save a .ctd file for you to load into the Cardtable program.
Perhaps the best point that Cardtable has over Apprentice, (other than that it actually feels like a real in-person game) is that it is so adaptable to other CCGs. There are all kinds of Apprentice patchs online that let you convert it from Magic cards to, say, DBZ or LotR, but you it alters Apprentice's programming after that: hence, you would need to installations of Apprentice to play both DBZ and LotR, each seperate installation being patched to play each individual game. Not so with Cardtable. Just unzip the files and load your decks and you are good to go.
To use and play games on Cardtable, you will have to have a friend to play against who has the same files to play (easily downloaded for free from this site) and you have to know the rules. Because of the versatility of the program, you must know the card and table layout for the game since you can put cards anywhere if you wish. The turn sequence is also adaptable with a button to push to change the phases or turns that informs your opponent that it has changed-there is also a built in chat feature. There is also a feature that lets you roll a die (you can set the side number). All in all-this program is hands down better than Apprentice.
now you just need someone to play with:
Click to Enter the Chat and Find Someone to Play
