{"id":11959,"date":"2026-01-12T21:09:43","date_gmt":"2026-01-12T20:09:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mizoutcg.fr\/guides\/comment-debuter-magic-the-gathering\/"},"modified":"2026-01-12T21:09:43","modified_gmt":"2026-01-12T20:09:43","slug":"comment-debuter-magic-the-gathering","status":"publish","type":"guide","link":"https:\/\/mizoutcg.fr\/en\/guides\/comment-debuter-magic-the-gathering\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Get Started with Magic: The Gathering in 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>You've heard about <strong>Magic: The Gathering<\/strong>, 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.<\/p>\n\n<p>But where do you start when discovering a game with <strong>more than 27,000 different cards<\/strong>? This guide walks you through it step by step, from your first purchase to your first game.<\/p>\n\n<h2>What is Magic: The Gathering?<\/h2>\n\n<p>Magic: The Gathering (MTG) is a <strong>trading card game (TCG)<\/strong> created by Richard Garfield and published by Wizards of the Coast since 1993. It's the very first TCG in history \u2014 the one that invented the genre.<\/p>\n\n<h3>How the game works<\/h3>\n\n<p>Two (or more) players face off with decks they've built themselves. Each player starts with <strong>20 life points<\/strong>, and the goal is to reduce your opponent's life points to zero.<\/p>\n\n<p><strong>Card types:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Lands<\/strong>: Produce mana, the resource used to play your other cards<\/li>\n<li><strong>Creatures<\/strong>: Attack and defend<\/li>\n<li><strong>Spells<\/strong>: One-shot effects (sorceries) or instants<\/li>\n<li><strong>Enchantments<\/strong>: Permanent effects on the game<\/li>\n<li><strong>Artifacts<\/strong>: Magical objects with various effects<\/li>\n<li><strong>Planeswalkers<\/strong>: Powerful allies with multiple abilities<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h3>The 5 colors of mana<\/h3>\n\n<p>Magic uses a <strong>5-color system<\/strong>, each with its own philosophy and play style:<\/p>\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>White (W)<\/strong>: Order, protection, swarms of creatures, life gain<\/li>\n<li><strong>Blue (U)<\/strong>: Knowledge, control, counterspells, card draw<\/li>\n<li><strong>Black (B)<\/strong>: Power, death, destruction, sacrifice for advantage<\/li>\n<li><strong>Red (R)<\/strong>: Chaos, fire, aggression, direct damage<\/li>\n<li><strong>Green (G)<\/strong>: Nature, growth, big creatures, mana ramp<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p>Decks can be mono-color or combine multiple colors to take advantage of their synergies.<\/p>\n\n<h2>Where to start: products for beginners<\/h2>\n\n<p>In 2025, Wizards of the Coast offers several products designed specifically for new players.<\/p>\n\n<h3>The Starter Kit (recommended)<\/h3>\n\n<p>This is <strong>THE ideal product to start playing as a duo<\/strong>. The Starter Kit contains:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>2 ready-to-play 60-card decks<\/li>\n<li>2 exclusive foil cards<\/li>\n<li>A learning guide<\/li>\n<li>A code for MTG Arena (digital version)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p><strong>Price:<\/strong> Around $15-20<\/p>\n<p><strong>Why it's ideal:<\/strong> You can play immediately with a friend or family member. The decks are balanced against each other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3>Jumpstart Boosters<\/h3>\n\n<p>A fun alternative: <strong>Jumpstart Boosters<\/strong> each contain a themed half-deck of 20 cards. Mix 2 boosters together = 1 playable 40-card deck!<\/p>\n\n<p><strong>Advantages:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Discover different themes and mechanics<\/li>\n<li>Replayability: every combination produces a different deck<\/li>\n<li>No need to know deck-building rules<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h3>Commander Decks (for later)<\/h3>\n\n<p>The <strong>Commander<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n\n<h2>Learning the rules<\/h2>\n\n<p>Magic may seem complex at first glance, but the <strong>basic rules<\/strong> can be learned in about an hour.<\/p>\n\n<h3>Free resources to learn<\/h3>\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>MTG Arena<\/strong> (free): The official video game with an excellent interactive tutorial<\/li>\n<li><strong>Official basic rules<\/strong>: On the Wizards of the Coast website<\/li>\n<li><strong>YouTube<\/strong>: Many English-speaking creators explain the rules<\/li>\n<li><strong>Your local game store<\/strong>: Game shops often host beginner sessions<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h3>How a turn unfolds<\/h3>\n\n<p>Each turn breaks down into <strong>phases<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Untap<\/strong>: Untap your tapped cards<\/li>\n<li><strong>Upkeep<\/strong>: Some effects trigger<\/li>\n<li><strong>Draw<\/strong>: Draw a card<\/li>\n<li><strong>Main Phase 1<\/strong>: Play lands, creatures, spells<\/li>\n<li><strong>Combat<\/strong>: Attack with your creatures<\/li>\n<li><strong>Main Phase 2<\/strong>: Continue playing cards<\/li>\n<li><strong>End of turn<\/strong>: Discard down if you have more than 7 cards<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n<p>The best approach is to <strong>play a few games<\/strong> to internalize these phases naturally.<\/p>\n\n<h2>The different game formats<\/h2>\n\n<p>Magic offers several ways to play, called <strong>formats<\/strong>. Each format has its own deck-building rules.<\/p>\n\n<h3>Beginner-friendly formats<\/h3>\n\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Format<\/th>\n<th>Deck size<\/th>\n<th>Description<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Standard<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>60 cards<\/td>\n<td>Cards from the last 2-3 years only<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Jumpstart<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>40 cards<\/td>\n<td>2 Jumpstart boosters mixed together<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Commander<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>100 cards<\/td>\n<td>Very popular casual multiplayer format<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n<h3>Limited formats (with boosters)<\/h3>\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Draft<\/strong>: Each player opens 3 boosters and picks cards in turn<\/li>\n<li><strong>Sealed<\/strong>: Each player builds a deck from 6 boosters<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p>These formats are excellent for playing with fresh cards without needing an existing collection.<\/p>\n\n<h2>Building your first deck<\/h2>\n\n<p>Once you've mastered the basics, you'll want to build your own deck. Here are the fundamental rules.<\/p>\n\n<h3>The 60-card rule<\/h3>\n\n<p>A Standard deck contains a <strong>minimum of 60 cards<\/strong>. In practice, stick to exactly 60 to maximize your chances of drawing your best cards.<\/p>\n\n<h3>Recommended base structure<\/h3>\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>24 lands<\/strong>: Your mana base (adjust to your curve)<\/li>\n<li><strong>24-28 creatures<\/strong>: Your strike force<\/li>\n<li><strong>8-12 spells<\/strong>: Support, removal, card draw<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h3>The mana curve<\/h3>\n\n<p>Spread your cards across <strong>mana costs<\/strong> so you have options every turn:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>A few cards at 1 mana<\/li>\n<li>More cards at 2-3 mana (the heart of your deck)<\/li>\n<li>A few powerful cards at 4-5+ mana<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h2>Protect your cards from day one<\/h2>\n\n<p>Magic cards can gain value over time. <strong>Protect them from the start<\/strong> with sleeves.<\/p>\n\n<h3>Why sleeve your cards?<\/h3>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Protection against scratches and wear<\/li>\n<li>Better deck shuffling<\/li>\n<li>Preserves card value<\/li>\n<li>Hygiene (no direct contact with hands)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h3>Sleeves for beginners<\/h3>\n\n<p>For a first deck, <strong>basic sleeves<\/strong> are enough. Plan on $1.50 to $3 for 100 sleeves. Later, you can invest in premium sleeves (Dragon Shield, Ultra Pro APEX).<\/p>\n\n<div class=\"mizou-products-section\"><h4 class=\"mizou-products-title\">\ud83d\uded2 Our sleeves to protect your cards<\/h4><div class=\"mizou-products-grid columns-4\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mizoutcg.fr\/en\/produit\/sleeves-spiritforged-spirit-blossom-ahri-riftbound-lol-tcg\/\" class=\"mizou-product-grid-item\" target=\"_blank\"><div class=\"grid-item-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/mizoutcg.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/product-12426-primary-69942b260aa01-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Sleeves Riftbound Spirit Blossom Ahri - 100 - UVS Games\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"><\/div><div class=\"grid-item-title\">Sleeves Riftbound Spirit Blossom Ahri - 100 - UVS Games<\/div><div class=\"grid-item-price\">18,00\u20ac<\/div><span class=\"grid-item-stock in-stock\">In stock<\/span><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/mizoutcg.fr\/en\/produit\/sleeves-modern-horizons-3-pearl-medallion-100ct-ultra-pro\/\" class=\"mizou-product-grid-item\" target=\"_blank\"><div class=\"grid-item-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/mizoutcg.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/product-12222-primary-698b31775f49d-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Sleeves Ultra Pro Modern Horizons 3 Pearl Medallion - 100 - Magic The Gathering\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"><\/div><div class=\"grid-item-title\">Sleeves Ultra Pro Modern Horizons 3 Pearl Medallion - 100 - Magic The Gathering<\/div><div class=\"grid-item-price\">12,00\u20ac<\/div><span class=\"grid-item-stock in-stock\">In stock<\/span><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/mizoutcg.fr\/en\/produit\/sleeves-dragon-shield-orange\/\" class=\"mizou-product-grid-item\" target=\"_blank\"><div class=\"grid-item-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/mizoutcg.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/100-dragon-shield-matte-orange-dragon-shield-300x300.webp\" alt=\"Dragon Shield Sleeves Matte Orange - 100\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"><\/div><div class=\"grid-item-title\">Dragon Shield Sleeves Matte Orange - 100<\/div><div class=\"grid-item-price\">9,00\u20ac<\/div><span class=\"grid-item-stock in-stock\">In stock<\/span><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/mizoutcg.fr\/en\/produit\/dragon-shield-classic-yellow-60-sleeves\/\" class=\"mizou-product-grid-item\" target=\"_blank\"><div class=\"grid-item-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/mizoutcg.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/product-10714-primary-68ccf9bc8e79d-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Dragon Shield Sleeves Classic Yellow - 60\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"><\/div><div class=\"grid-item-title\">Dragon Shield Sleeves Classic Yellow - 60<\/div><div class=\"grid-item-price\">6,00\u20ac<\/div><span class=\"grid-item-stock in-stock\">In stock<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"mizou-products-see-all\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mizoutcg.fr\/en\/categories\/accessoires\/sleeves\/\">Voir tous les produits Sleeves \u2192<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n<h2>Where to play?<\/h2>\n\n<p>Magic can be played anywhere: at home, in stores, online\u2026<\/p>\n\n<h3>In stores<\/h3>\n\n<p><strong>Game shops<\/strong> regularly host:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Friday Night Magic (FNM)<\/strong>: Casual tournaments on Friday evenings<\/li>\n<li><strong>Prereleases<\/strong>: Play new sets before they officially release<\/li>\n<li><strong>Commander nights<\/strong>: Relaxed multiplayer games<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h3>Online<\/h3>\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>MTG Arena<\/strong>: Free, ideal for learning and quick games<\/li>\n<li><strong>Magic Online (MTGO)<\/strong>: The full version, but paid<\/li>\n<li><strong>Spelltable<\/strong>: Play paper Magic over webcam with players from around the world<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h2>Budget: how much does it cost?<\/h2>\n\n<p>Magic can be played at any budget level.<\/p>\n\n<h3>To get started ($20-50)<\/h3>\n\n<ul>\n<li>1 Starter Kit: ~$20<\/li>\n<li>100 basic sleeves: ~$3<\/li>\n<li>1 deck box: ~$5<\/li>\n<li>Total: <strong>~$30<\/strong> to start playing right away<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h3>To level up ($50-150)<\/h3>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Singles to upgrade your deck<\/li>\n<li>Entry into in-store tournaments<\/li>\n<li>A few boosters for fun<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h3>Regular player ($150+\/year)<\/h3>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Keeping up with new sets<\/li>\n<li>Multiple competitive decks<\/li>\n<li>Premium accessories<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p><strong>Tip:<\/strong> Buy singles instead of opening boosters when you're after specific cards. It's almost always cheaper.<\/p>\n\n<h2>FAQ \u2013 Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n\n<h3>Is Magic hard to learn?<\/h3>\n\n<p>The <strong>basic rules are simple<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n\n<h3>Can I play solo to get started?<\/h3>\n\n<p>Yes! <strong>MTG Arena<\/strong> lets you play for free against the computer or other players online. It's perfect for learning at your own pace.<\/p>\n\n<h3>Are old cards still playable?<\/h3>\n\n<p>It depends on the format. In <strong>Standard<\/strong>, only recent cards are legal. In <strong>Commander<\/strong> or <strong>Legacy<\/strong>, almost all cards are playable. Check legality on sites like Scryfall.<\/p>\n\n<h3>How many cards do I need to buy to get started?<\/h3>\n\n<p>A <strong>Starter Kit<\/strong> is enough for your first games. You don't need a collection: start small and grow gradually based on what you enjoy.<\/p>\n\n<h3>Are boosters a good investment?<\/h3>\n\n<p>For the <strong>thrill of opening packs<\/strong>, yes. To build a specific deck, no \u2014 buy singles instead. Boosters are perfect for Draft or as a gift.<\/p>\n\n<h3>Which color should I pick to start?<\/h3>\n\n<p>Pick the color that matches your <strong>preferred play style<\/strong>: aggressive (red), control (blue), balanced (white\/green), or sneaky (black). Try them all in MTG Arena to find your favorite!<\/p>\n\n<h2>Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n<p>Magic: The Gathering is an incredibly rich game that can stay with you for years. The keys to a good start:<\/p>\n\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Start simple<\/strong>: Starter Kit or Jumpstart<\/li>\n<li><strong>Learn by playing<\/strong>: MTG Arena or with friends<\/li>\n<li><strong>Protect your cards<\/strong>: Sleeves from day one<\/li>\n<li><strong>Join the community<\/strong>: Local stores, Discord, forums<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n<p>Welcome to the world of Magic! And if you have any questions, our MizouTCG team is here to help.<\/p>\n\n<div class=\"mizou-products-section\"><h4 class=\"mizou-products-title\">\ud83d\uded2 All our Magic: The Gathering products<\/h4><div class=\"mizou-products-grid columns-4\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mizoutcg.fr\/en\/produit\/dragon-shield-lightning-matte-dual-sleeves-standard-size\/\" class=\"mizou-product-grid-item\" target=\"_blank\"><div class=\"grid-item-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/mizoutcg.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/product-10720-primary-68ccf9dd44ce2-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Dragon Shield Sleeves Dual Matte Lightning - 100\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"><\/div><div class=\"grid-item-title\">Dragon Shield Sleeves Dual Matte Lightning - 100<\/div><div class=\"grid-item-price\">9,00\u20ac<\/div><span class=\"grid-item-stock in-stock\">In stock<\/span><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/mizoutcg.fr\/en\/produit\/deck-box-chocobo-final-fantasy-ultra-pro-magic\/\" class=\"mizou-product-grid-item\" target=\"_blank\"><div class=\"grid-item-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/mizoutcg.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/product-10449-UPR38725-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Deck Box Chocobo Final Fantasy - Ultra Pro\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"><\/div><div class=\"grid-item-title\">Deck Box Chocobo Final Fantasy - Ultra Pro<\/div><div class=\"grid-item-price\">6,00\u20ac<\/div><span class=\"grid-item-stock in-stock\">In stock<\/span><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/mizoutcg.fr\/en\/produit\/booster-avatar-the-last-airbender-magic-the-gathering\/\" class=\"mizou-product-grid-item\" target=\"_blank\"><div class=\"grid-item-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/mizoutcg.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/magic-the-gathering-booster-de-jeu-avatar-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Booster Avatar The Last Airbender - Magic The Gathering\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"><\/div><div class=\"grid-item-title\">Booster Avatar The Last Airbender - Magic The Gathering<\/div><div class=\"grid-item-price\">7,00\u20ac<\/div><span class=\"grid-item-stock in-stock\">In stock<\/span><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/mizoutcg.fr\/en\/produit\/display-spider-man-magic-the-gathering-francais\/\" class=\"mizou-product-grid-item\" target=\"_blank\"><div class=\"grid-item-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/mizoutcg.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/spidermanboosterbox-300x300.webp\" alt=\"Marvel&#039;s Spider-Man Display - Magic The Gathering\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"><\/div><div class=\"grid-item-title\">Marvel&#039;s Spider-Man Display - Magic The Gathering<\/div><div class=\"grid-item-price\">170,00\u20ac<\/div><span class=\"grid-item-stock in-stock\">In stock<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"mizou-products-see-all\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mizoutcg.fr\/en\/categories\/magic-the-gathering\/\">Voir tous les produits Magic The Gathering \u2192<\/a><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>You&#8217;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 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":12816,"template":"","guide_category":[154],"class_list":["post-11959","guide","type-guide","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","guide_category-magic-the-gathering"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mizoutcg.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/guide\/11959","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mizoutcg.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/guide"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mizoutcg.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/guide"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mizoutcg.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12816"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mizoutcg.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11959"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"guide_category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mizoutcg.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/guide_category?post=11959"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}