Top 7 ways to get started with Magic the Gathering!

Magic the Gathering has been a powerhouse of a gaming hobby, all around the world, since its introduction in the early 90s! As with all hobbies, getting your start can be difficult and knowing what products to pick up first isn't always obvious! That's why we've put together this handy little guide on 6 different ways that you can get your start in the epic TCG that is Magic.

Each of the proposed starter points are aimed at a different type of newcomer and offers a quick way to get into the game that so many love. Throughout this post, we'll be talking about different "formats" of MTG, so if you're not sure what they are (or just want to brush up on your knowledge), check out our format guide in the related blogs below.

Commander Decks - Commander (also known as EDH), is a multiplayer format that is relatively new to Magic and boasts crazy combos and outrageous gameplay. If you want to play a casual and fun game with a group of friends (3 others for a 4-player game), then you pick up a pre-constructed Commander Deck! Each deck contains 100 cards and new decks are released with every major expansion, so there are plenty to choose from!!

Commander also doesn't rotate, meaning that your Commander deck will always be legal in Commander games in the future. Although Commander is a bit more involved than the level of gameplay that the Arena decks offer, it will be a better long-term investment.

Challenger Decks - Like Commander Decks, Challenger decks are pre-constructed decks that allow you to play straight away! All challenger decks are designed to be highly competitive, and even though they are a bit on the pricey side, their prowess in competitive Magic is not to be underestimated.

Each deck is based upon a popular deck type that has seen a lot of play during the last year of official tournaments and are, in most cases, based upon winning deck lists. If you want to rock up to a local tournament with a great deck, then definitely check out Challenger decks!

Bundles - Bundles are the classic starter option and is where a lot of players first started their MTG obsession (including yours truly)! Bundles contain a handful of packs (10 draft boosters with older bundles and 8 set boosters with newer ones), a D20 life counter and a set of basic lands in both regular treatment and foil! This all comes in a durable box, which can be used to store your cards! Gift edition bundles container collector boosters rather than play/draft boosters.

The bundle offers a great mid-way point for those interested in being a player and a collector. The D20 and lands allow you to participate in playing the game and the good selection of packs help build up your early collection. Gift Bundles are a special type of bundle only released with certain sets! These Gift Bundles offer great value for money, as they also include a Collector Booster (which is full of foil and rare cards!)

Booster Boxes - Booster boxes contain a large number of packs and are the best bet for a collector starting out! Here, we would define a Collector as being a Magic enthusiast that isn't as interested in playing the game, as they are in collecting it. With Boosters you have four options: Play Boosters, Draft Boosters, Set Boosters and Collectors Boosters. Draft Booster are designed to be drafted (check out our Format guide) and contain a lot of common cards.

They are the most affordable of the Booster Boxes. Set Boosters contain a good mix of common cards and rarer cards, whilst also including an art card (which shows off some of the awesome art that MTG is known for). Set boosters have replaced Draft boosters as the default in recent years and are the most logical choice for collectors. Collector Boosters are the premium packs that contain the most rares and foils! They are significantly more expensive, but do boast the most rewards!

Starter Kits - Starter kits are perfect for beginners. They include everything you need to start playing, such as a rulebook, a playmat, and a selection of cards designed to introduce you to the game's mechanics. They used to be called Arena Starter Decks.

They usually include two pre-built 60-card decks, each with one Mythic Rare card and four Rare cards to begin your collecting adventure. The included booklet will teach you the essentials, and you’ll be ready to play in no time! Magic The Gathering Starter Kits also contains two deck boxes to store your cards, four double-sided tokens (2 with each deck), two double-sided reference cards to aid you as you play and two MTG Arena code cards to unlock both decks for two people to play online.

Pre-release Kits - Pre-release events are an excellent way to dive into the latest MTG set. You get a pre-release kit filled with booster packs and a promotional card, and you can immediately start playing with other new and experienced players.

Pre-release kits include a themed insert, six booster packs from the latest set, a premium promo card of any rare or mythic rare, a life counter, and a deck box. Participating in these events also gives you a chance to meet the MTG community.

Tournaments - There is no better way (in our opinion) to experience Magic, than at your LGS! Drafts and Friday Night Magic are classic ways to play the game but we recommend that your first foray into the game should be a Pre-release event! Pre-releases are a fantastic way to get the feel of the newest set and understand the game of Magic at its finest. If you are local to our Total Cards gaming centre, then feel free to pop in and ask when our next pre-release event is!

Final Tips for New Collectors

• Trade with Friends: Trading cards with friends can help you get the cards you need and build your dream deck faster.
• Stay Informed: Keep an eye on new set releases and MTG news to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and cards.
• Join Online Communities: Online forums and social media groups are great places to learn from experienced players and find trading opportunities.

Check out a selection of these awesome products down to get your start in Magic the Gathering! Alternatively, you can check out our entire range of MTG goodies by clicking the button below. If you would like us to touch upon another TCG or tabletop game, then let us know in the comments below!