How to teach someone
General forum
Posted on April 12, 2016, 10:20 p.m. by BlueMageBrandon
My friend wants me to help him learn to play Mtg and I was wondering what sites, decks, cards, interactions, etc., I should teach him. He already knows the basics like untap, draw, combat, and when to play what but it's the strategy that baffles him. Should I build, like, two casual decks like a BG and UR. I also have three different duel decks that we could use.
So what do you guys think would be the best way to help him and what do you think we should make sure to cover?
MindAblaze says... #3
Duel decks work great because they're not so OP that the game ends before it's really started. It also gives the person an idea of whether they like that style or not.
Strategy comes from reading and practice. You can learn the rock-paper-scissors of Magic, but you need to play to experience the ins and outs of different decks and what works for how you see the game and what doesn't.
April 12, 2016 10:55 p.m.
Gidgetimer says... #5
Magic: Duels isn't very good for teaching someone strategy. It misrepresents a lot of things and the card pool is intentionally designed to limit complex/strategic interactions.
Duel Decks are a pretty good resource since the decks are pretty balanced against each other and there are plenty of cards with depth. What I mean by "depth" is that they have an obvious use but can also be used more strategically than just doing the obvious use at your first opportunity.
If your friend isn't the type to get discouraged then repeatedly playing the decks and switching between them so that he can see how you use the cards to their fullest would be a good way to teach strategy. If they are easily discouraged and are not the type to learn from repeatedly losing then get a 3rd person who is decent to play the other deck while you talk through lines of play in one with your friend.
April 13, 2016 6:45 a.m.
lemmingllama says... #6
Just play games. Play two or three games, then allow each of you to swap a couple cards out of the deck for different ones. Rinse and repeat.
Also be sure to try and explain both priority and the stack. These are concepts that new players find difficult, but are very useful when you understand.
The_Redpill says... #2
The thing about Magic is that there is strategy in eveything you do and no strategy at all. If you've already taught him how to play, then that's really all you can do for him. If he wants to learn strategy, talk about different deck styles (burn, control, aggro, etc) and see what he likes best and then guide him through the process of making that kind of deck. If he has lots of extra time, let him look up some of the cards that would suit his deck best and see if he can make things click. Otherwise, make a quick deck with him and see if he can pick out some synergetic cards.
This is basically how I was taught and I turned out fine.
April 12, 2016 10:53 p.m.