Beginner to MTG
General forum
Posted on Dec. 4, 2013, 11:34 p.m. by Msharpe89
So where do you start if you are new to MTG? I find it easy to understand the basic rules. But, I get caught up with the Enchantments and instants and things of that sort. How did you all start? What's the best way to test your deck (if you don't know anybody in the area that plays)
Thank you for responding! And the welcome!
Madcap Skills is an enchantment, is that particular enchantment permanent? Like how would you know when a card is permanent and when it's not? Like Divine Favor does she stay on the field? Or when a creature comes on to the floor like Predatory Sliver does its ability go into effect right away?
I guess I just need a good place to find all the rules of MTG
December 4, 2013 11:57 p.m.
nobu_the_bard says... #4
Best way to learn is to play. Easiest to do that with people who are friendly; usually small local events. Don't be discouraged if the first guy you play is snobby, sometimes it takes a little exploring to find the nicer folks at a venue.
Friday Night Magic might suit you if it's available somewhere in your area. I thought constructed deck stuff was the most fun when I started, but I learned playing casually with Portal (an old starter set; they don't bother with these anymore, the game's gotten easier to learn anyway).
If you don't "get" deck construction, try buying a preconstructed deck or event deck and modifying it to suit yourself better. Avoid buying boosters unless you enjoy "gambling" or are swimming in cash- buying singles is more reliable and, if you have a particular card you want, more efficient.
Once you have the basics of the game down, you might try visiting a draft event. It will allow you to build a selection of cards and force you to gain an understanding of deckbuilding. This advice is often given at my LGS; I don't do drafts anymore personally, they involve a lot of mindgames for me, but they can be fun if you go there to screw around and get the hang of things and meet people rather than trying to win. If you do this, you should read up on the sets the draft will be using, the rules for drafting and how that particular venue carries on, and such preparations to have an idea of what to expect.
If you have a lot of trouble finding a venue, you can try playing online, but for me it isn't the same; the social aspect is much weaker. A lot of my friends like to suggest newbies with game consoles or computers buy one of the older computer game versions of magic cheaply, like on Steam (not Magic Online, but like Duels of the Planeswalkers) to play against the computer AI. The game will hand-hold you through, and is infinitely patient, but sometimes lacking in explanation of more complicated things (though it will execute them perfectly, just perhaps you will need to ask what happened). It also won't explain to you when you make an inefficient or pointless play, which a nice opponent will do (sometimes after the game is done, mind you).
December 5, 2013 12:07 a.m.
nobu_the_bard says... #5
A creature with a static ability like Predatory Sliver takes effect immediately upon entering the battlefield and remains in effect as long as he is in play. The same is true for all permanents with static abilities.
Only things that give an end condition stop happening, such as the "until end of turn" on Giant Growth . Instants and sorceries generally behave this way (being the old non-permanent card types); activated and triggered abilities of permanents may do this also. Some very old cards won't say this explicitly; you can see the "updated" text (what they would say were they printed today) at the Gatherer here. It's not likely you'll run into many cards that old.
December 5, 2013 12:15 a.m.
nobu_the_bard says... #6
Sorry I meant "only non-permanent card types" not old.
December 5, 2013 12:16 a.m.
Tradeylouish says... #7
If you want a resource where you can find most of the simple Magic rules, you can find the basic rulebook here. It covers most of what you need to know as you learn the game.
The comprehensive rules, which can be found here, cover all of the game rules in detail. However this rulebook is not recommended as a player resource (it's mainly for judges, and people needing to provide a definitive answer to a rules question).
If you need a rules question answered, you can use this sites MTG Q&A, which can be found here.
The best way to learn the game is to play with more experienced players. You should definitely try to find a local game store, which allows you to meet and learn from other players, buy cards, and later enter tournaments when you are confident.
December 5, 2013 12:32 a.m.
DimirZer00 says... #8
I would say a good start is with a mono-color Arrgo or creature deck. Then as you play with the deck. Switch out the cards you don't like and take note about the ones you do. This will give you a bit of a guild-line.On how you want to play the game.
Also, you might want to check you this drake deck:The test for my friend drake deck. Their beginner player.and I made this deck. So, they have a bit of a taste of over all game.However, I will be updating the deck into a mono-blue soon.
December 5, 2013 12:44 a.m.
HarbingerJK says... #9
the way I learned was making decks and screwing things up lol I did a lot of researching and reading articles on different MTG topics like archetypes and gameplay. You'll get there, just don't lose hope. I still make stupid mistakes every now and then, and you can't avoid playing against decks that your own deck is vulnerable to. For example, my R/G midrange versus my buddy's tron deck is basically always a losing battle, but my control decks versus that tron deck is almost always a decent game.
Sorry if some of those terms confused you lol
December 5, 2013 12:48 a.m.
DimirZer00 says... #10
P.S. for your first arrgo deck. you want somewhere between 18 and 25 creatures.
December 5, 2013 12:50 a.m.
I learned the game using the Duels of the Planeswalkers game, available on your gaming console or PC. It's a very newbie-friendly interface that allows you to gain an encompassing understanding of the rules and interactions in the game. I wouldn't be nearly the player I am today without that software.
After that, I just built decks relentlessly. Throw everything at the wall and something will stick, then work on that idea until it's fully refined. Deckbuilding is one of the most fundamental skills in Magic, and one that will help you in all aspects of the game, so I would focus on it primarily once you find other players to play with at a local store. Share your ideas and be open to people with greater knowledge than yourself.
December 5, 2013 1:29 a.m.
I completely agree with Jimhawk about deckbuilding. Once you've found some people to play with just build a ton of decks. This will inform you about what works and what doesn't.
December 5, 2013 4:16 a.m.
I really appreciate all the help. And links that you guys have provided thank you very much!
JWiley129 says... #2
The best way to test your deck is to play it, and the best way to play it is by playing other people. If you're having difficultly finding people to play with you can go to your local game store (LGS) and see if they host Friday Night Magic. You don't have to play at the competitive events, but there should be people who are interested in casual play who can help you along with the details of the rules.
If I may ask, what about Enchantments and Instants do you find confusing? There's probably someone here who can answer your questions. And welcome!
December 4, 2013 11:41 p.m.