Magic: The Gathering is a collectible card game where players assume the role of powerful wizards known as Planeswalkers, who battle each other by casting spells, summoning creatures, and utilizing magical artifacts. The game is played with custom-built decks of cards, each representing lands, spells, creatures, and other magical elements. The objective is to reduce your opponent’s life total from 20 to 0 using your deck's strategic combinations and synergies.
Players
2 or more (Recommended: 2 players for most formats)
Genre
Trading Card Game (TCG), Strategy, Fantasy
Game Variants
Standard
A format where players build decks using cards from the most recent sets, emphasizing current strategies and mechanics.
Commander (EDH)
A multiplayer format where each player builds a 100-card deck centered around a legendary creature (the Commander), with unique deck-building rules and high replay value.
Draft
A limited format where players open booster packs and draft cards to build a deck on the spot, testing their deck-building skills and adaptability.
Modern
A non-rotating format that allows cards from core sets and expansions dating back to 2003, offering a vast pool of cards and strategies.
Pioneer
A format that falls between Standard and Modern, allowing cards from recent sets starting with Return to Ravnica (2012) onward, with a focus on mid-power-level decks.
About
Game Play
In Magic: The Gathering, players start with a hand of seven cards and take turns drawing cards, playing lands, casting spells, and attacking their opponent with creatures. The game is divided into phases, including the draw phase, main phase, combat phase, and end phase. Players use mana (generated from lands) to cast spells and summon creatures. Each card has specific abilities and effects, leading to complex interactions and strategies. The game ends when a player’s life total reaches zero or they are unable to draw a card from their deck.
New to the game
Join Local Events
Participating in local Magic: The Gathering events, like Friday Night Magic at your nearby game store, is a fantastic way to dive into the game. These events are often beginner-friendly, with experienced players and staff ready to help you learn the ropes. Don’t hesitate to mention that you're new—most players are happy to offer guidance and advice.
Utilize Online Resources
YouTube channels and Twitch streams are invaluable for new players. Watching gameplay videos, deck techs, and strategy discussions can help you understand the nuances of the game. Additionally, the Magic: The Gathering Arena digital platform is a great way to practice and learn the game at your own pace. It offers tutorials, starter decks, and the chance to play against others online.
Start with Preconstructed Decks
A great way to begin is by purchasing a preconstructed deck, such as a starter set Deck or a Commander Deck. These decks are designed to be balanced and accessible for beginners. You can start playing right away with friends or at local events, gradually learning the intricacies of deck-building and gameplay as you go.
Game history
Magic: The Gathering was created by mathematician Richard Garfield and first published by Wizards of the Coast in 1993. It is considered the first trading card game and has since become one of the most popular and influential games of its kind. The game has undergone numerous expansions, introducing new mechanics, settings, and storylines. Magic: The Gathering has had over 100 sets released, with the game evolving through various "blocks" and formats. It is also a major force in both casual and competitive play, with tournaments held worldwide, including the prestigious Magic Pro Tour.
Hints and tips
Build a Balanced Deck:
Focus on creating a deck with a good mix of lands, creatures, and spells. A typical 60-card deck should have around 24 lands to ensure you can cast your spells consistently.
Mana Curve
Pay attention to the mana curve when building your deck. Include a range of cards with different mana costs to ensure you can play something every turn.
Know Your Deck
Familiarize yourself with your deck’s strengths, weaknesses, and synergies. Knowing your win conditions and how to achieve them is crucial to success.
Card Advantage
Try to maintain card advantage by drawing more cards than your opponent or making trades that result in you having more resources.
Timing is Key
Play spells at the optimal time, especially instant-speed spells. Holding back on playing certain cards until the right moment can turn the tide of the game.
useful websites
A popular resource for decklists, metagame analysis, and articles.
A top site for Commander format deck building and statistics.
A powerful card search engine with detailed card information, rulings, and images.
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