You've heard about Magic: The Gathering, the most popular trading card game in the world, and you want to dive in? Excellent choice! With over 30 years of history and a global community of millions of players, Magic offers unmatched strategic depth.
But where do you start when discovering a game with more than 27,000 different cards? This guide walks you through it step by step, from your first purchase to your first game.
What is Magic: The Gathering?
Magic: The Gathering (MTG) is a trading card game (TCG) created by Richard Garfield and published by Wizards of the Coast since 1993. It's the very first TCG in history — the one that invented the genre.
How the game works
Two (or more) players face off with decks they've built themselves. Each player starts with 20 life points, and the goal is to reduce your opponent's life points to zero.
Card types:
- Lands: Produce mana, the resource used to play your other cards
- Creatures: Attack and defend
- Spells: One-shot effects (sorceries) or instants
- Enchantments: Permanent effects on the game
- Artifacts: Magical objects with various effects
- Planeswalkers: Powerful allies with multiple abilities
The 5 colors of mana
Magic uses a 5-color system, each with its own philosophy and play style:
- White (W): Order, protection, swarms of creatures, life gain
- Blue (U): Knowledge, control, counterspells, card draw
- Black (B): Power, death, destruction, sacrifice for advantage
- Red (R): Chaos, fire, aggression, direct damage
- Green (G): Nature, growth, big creatures, mana ramp
Decks can be mono-color or combine multiple colors to take advantage of their synergies.
Where to start: products for beginners
In 2025, Wizards of the Coast offers several products designed specifically for new players.
The Starter Kit (recommended)
This is THE ideal product to start playing as a duo. The Starter Kit contains:
- 2 ready-to-play 60-card decks
- 2 exclusive foil cards
- A learning guide
- A code for MTG Arena (digital version)
Price: Around $15-20
Why it's ideal: You can play immediately with a friend or family member. The decks are balanced against each other.
Jumpstart Boosters
A fun alternative: Jumpstart Boosters each contain a themed half-deck of 20 cards. Mix 2 boosters together = 1 playable 40-card deck!
Advantages:
- Discover different themes and mechanics
- Replayability: every combination produces a different deck
- No need to know deck-building rules
Commander Decks (for later)
The Commander format is the most popular in Magic, but wait until you've grasped the basics before jumping in. Preconstructed Commander decks are excellent but contain more complex mechanics.
Learning the rules
Magic may seem complex at first glance, but the basic rules can be learned in about an hour.
Free resources to learn
- MTG Arena (free): The official video game with an excellent interactive tutorial
- Official basic rules: On the Wizards of the Coast website
- YouTube: Many English-speaking creators explain the rules
- Your local game store: Game shops often host beginner sessions
How a turn unfolds
Each turn breaks down into phases:
- Untap: Untap your tapped cards
- Upkeep: Some effects trigger
- Draw: Draw a card
- Main Phase 1: Play lands, creatures, spells
- Combat: Attack with your creatures
- Main Phase 2: Continue playing cards
- End of turn: Discard down if you have more than 7 cards
The best approach is to play a few games to internalize these phases naturally.
The different game formats
Magic offers several ways to play, called formats. Each format has its own deck-building rules.
Beginner-friendly formats
| Format | Deck size | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | 60 cards | Cards from the last 2-3 years only |
| Jumpstart | 40 cards | 2 Jumpstart boosters mixed together |
| Commander | 100 cards | Very popular casual multiplayer format |
Limited formats (with boosters)
- Draft: Each player opens 3 boosters and picks cards in turn
- Sealed: Each player builds a deck from 6 boosters
These formats are excellent for playing with fresh cards without needing an existing collection.
Building your first deck
Once you've mastered the basics, you'll want to build your own deck. Here are the fundamental rules.
The 60-card rule
A Standard deck contains a minimum of 60 cards. In practice, stick to exactly 60 to maximize your chances of drawing your best cards.
Recommended base structure
- 24 lands: Your mana base (adjust to your curve)
- 24-28 creatures: Your strike force
- 8-12 spells: Support, removal, card draw
The mana curve
Spread your cards across mana costs so you have options every turn:
- A few cards at 1 mana
- More cards at 2-3 mana (the heart of your deck)
- A few powerful cards at 4-5+ mana
Protect your cards from day one
Magic cards can gain value over time. Protect them from the start with sleeves.
Why sleeve your cards?
- Protection against scratches and wear
- Better deck shuffling
- Preserves card value
- Hygiene (no direct contact with hands)
Sleeves for beginners
For a first deck, basic sleeves are enough. Plan on $1.50 to $3 for 100 sleeves. Later, you can invest in premium sleeves (Dragon Shield, Ultra Pro APEX).
🛒 Our sleeves to protect your cards
Where to play?
Magic can be played anywhere: at home, in stores, online…
In stores
Game shops regularly host:
- Friday Night Magic (FNM): Casual tournaments on Friday evenings
- Prereleases: Play new sets before they officially release
- Commander nights: Relaxed multiplayer games
Online
- MTG Arena: Free, ideal for learning and quick games
- Magic Online (MTGO): The full version, but paid
- Spelltable: Play paper Magic over webcam with players from around the world
Budget: how much does it cost?
Magic can be played at any budget level.
To get started ($20-50)
- 1 Starter Kit: ~$20
- 100 basic sleeves: ~$3
- 1 deck box: ~$5
- Total: ~$30 to start playing right away
To level up ($50-150)
- Singles to upgrade your deck
- Entry into in-store tournaments
- A few boosters for fun
Regular player ($150+/year)
- Keeping up with new sets
- Multiple competitive decks
- Premium accessories
Tip: Buy singles instead of opening boosters when you're after specific cards. It's almost always cheaper.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
Is Magic hard to learn?
The basic rules are simple and can be learned in 1-2 hours. The complexity comes from the diversity of cards and their interactions. The MTG Arena tutorial is excellent for easing in.
Can I play solo to get started?
Yes! MTG Arena lets you play for free against the computer or other players online. It's perfect for learning at your own pace.
Are old cards still playable?
It depends on the format. In Standard, only recent cards are legal. In Commander or Legacy, almost all cards are playable. Check legality on sites like Scryfall.
How many cards do I need to buy to get started?
A Starter Kit is enough for your first games. You don't need a collection: start small and grow gradually based on what you enjoy.
Are boosters a good investment?
For the thrill of opening packs, yes. To build a specific deck, no — buy singles instead. Boosters are perfect for Draft or as a gift.
Which color should I pick to start?
Pick the color that matches your preferred play style: aggressive (red), control (blue), balanced (white/green), or sneaky (black). Try them all in MTG Arena to find your favorite!
Conclusion
Magic: The Gathering is an incredibly rich game that can stay with you for years. The keys to a good start:
- Start simple: Starter Kit or Jumpstart
- Learn by playing: MTG Arena or with friends
- Protect your cards: Sleeves from day one
- Join the community: Local stores, Discord, forums
Welcome to the world of Magic! And if you have any questions, our MizouTCG team is here to help.
