How to get started with Magic: The Gathering in 2022?

The trading card game Magic: The Gathering (often referred to simply as Magic or MTG) offers players hundreds of hours of fun and remains at the top of the card game rankings. However, nearly thirty years of history has brought a massive pile of cards and rules that might seem intimidating at first glance. Don't worry, though – we'll show you the best way to start playing Magic and have a great time.

How to learn the rules of Magic: The Gathering

The easiest way to learn the rules is to have someone around you explain them. If you have friends who play Magic, don't be afraid to ask them. They'll be happy to help you with the basics and lend you a deck to try the game out. MTG is a social experience, and the more people you have playing around you, the better.

If you don't know anyone who plays, don't despair. You can pick up one of the beginner products and head to a local game store, where someone will surely take you under their wing. Alternatively, buy one for yourself and one for a friend (or choose a product that contains two decks) and learn the rules together.

The 21st century offers modern options, so you can also try Magic in an online environment using the Magic: The Gathering Arena client. You get several decks for free and can test how the basic rules work in games against both real people and AI. There is also the Magic: The Gathering Online client, which provides more gameplay options and advanced formats (Legacy, Modern), but it might be too complicated for a beginner.

Which Magic: The Gathering deck should I get to start?

For absolute beginners who just want to try the game, Wizards of the Coast release the Arena Starter Kit. These are marked with the year of release, starting with the Arena Starter Kit 2020. In this product, you'll find two simple decks to test basic mechanics, along with a code for Magic: The Gathering Arena. Before Arena Starter Kits, there were beginner Planeswalker Decks, and these older products are still available. However, this product line has been discontinued, and no new Planeswalker Decks will be released.

If you've decided to take the game seriously, there's a great option in the form of Challenger Decks. Wizards of the Coast release Challenger Decks for the Standard format and the more advanced Pioneer. They are modeled after the most successful currently played decks, and even though they lack the most expensive cards, they are a great stepping stone into competitive play. If you're confused about MTG game formats, our follow-up article will help you clear things up.

Another great way to dive into Magic: The Gathering is the Commander format, which offers a different gaming experience and the possibility of multiplayer. Preconstructed Commander Decks are released regularly for this currently most popular format.

How to start with limited Magic: The Gathering formats?

In limited formats, you build a deck from random cards you open from a certain number of expansion boosters during the tournament. In the Draft format, you pick one card from a pack and pass it to the next player in line. In the Sealed format, you receive several boosters, from which you build a deck to play with for the entire tournament.

To try the Sealed limited format, prerelease tournaments held for new set releases are ideal, as they have a more relaxed style. Or, you can use the Magic: The Gathering Arena client again.

Which Magic: The Gathering set should I start with?

It depends on which format you plan to play. Commander, Legacy, or Pauper are formats where the set you bought your cards from doesn't matter. In contrast, Pioneer works with newer sets, and in Standard, only a few of the most recent sets (released roughly in the last two years) are allowed. If you buy cards from the latest standard sets, you'll be able to play them in more formats. In 2022, these are Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty, Streets of New Capenna, Dominaria United, and The Brother's War.

How to expand your Magic: The Gathering collection?

Once you find you enjoy the game and one deck isn't enough, what products should you continue with? You can always buy boosters, bundles, or booster boxes of your favorite set. Other options include preconstructed decks – Challenger or Commander decks, and you can also trade individual cards with other players. Just be careful not to let the cards overwhelm you.

author: Michal Dlouhý