How to Get Better at Magic the Gathering (MTG)

With rich strategic depth and an extensive ruleset, your learning journey for Magic the Gathering never ceases to keep you engaged. Learning how to get better at MTG may seem daunting at first, but it’s more straightforward–and enjoyable–than you may think.

We’ve got you covered, whether you’re still learning the differences between Enchantments and Instants or you’ve experienced enough defeats at the hands of meta decks to make your head spin.

This guide will teach you how to get better at Magic the Gathering, starting from the basics. We’ll cover how to build better decks in MTG, how to juggle mana, and how to review your gameplay.

Even the best MTG players started from Step 1. Getting better at Magic the Gathering is easy with the proper support in your corner. Our team at Danireon has helped card game players of all skill levels grow their collections and adapt to new strategies. 

We have thousands of rare MTG cards for sale, a knowledgeable support team to brainstorm tactics, and a free Discord community to help you practice with other friendly players!

The Basics of Magic the Gathering (MTG)

To learn how to get better at Magic the Gathering, you need to learn how to walk before you can run. Even the best MTG players take time to review the fundamentals to identify new strategies.

Getting better at Magic the Gathering comes when you can fully internalize and use these rules.

Learn the Core Rules

As with any skill, the first step of how to get better at Magic the Gathering is getting a deep understanding of all the rules.

The turn structure of Magic is an essential mechanic to understand:

• Beginning Phase: At the start of your turn, you “untap” (free up) your mana and any permanents on your board. You’ll then activate abilities in play and draw a card (unless it is the very first turn of the game.

• 1st Main Phase: During this phase, you’ll play lands, summon creatures, and cast spells.

• Combat Phase: Mastering the combat phase is crucial for getting better at Magic the Gathering. It consists of 5 sub-phases, or “steps”. Beginning of Combat (which procs abilities), Declare Attackers, Declare Blockers, Damage, then End of Combat.

• 2nd Main Phase: After combat, there is another main phase, where you can perform the same actions as in the 1st one, provided you have mana remaining.

• Ending Phase: In the end phase, some buffs or debuffs expire. For example, the +10/+10 buff from Preposterous Proportions FDN-338 would expire here. If you have extra cards in hand over the maximum (7), discard them during this phase.

This gameplay loop continues until a player runs out of life points.

Familiarize Yourself with Card Types

Each card type in MTG has different use cases and rules you’ll need to learn. The best MTG players know how to allocate mana and build decks around different cards.

• Creature: Creature cards will be the bulk of most MTG decks until you’re very experienced. Each creature has Power (attack damage) and Toughness (health). They are destroyed if they reach 0 toughness in combat or due to sorceries. Ex. Krenko, Mob Boss FDN-204

• Sorcery: Sorcery cards give you utility, damage, and buffs to turn the tide of battle. They can be played during your main phases but not during combat. Ex. Tempt with Bunnies BLC-049

• Instant: While slightly less potent than sorceries, Instants have a unique advantage–they can be played anytime. This can let you destroy an attacking monster, buff up a blocker once attackers are declared, and other “gotcha moments” that can lead to big wins. Ex. Archdruid’s Charm MKM-151

• Enchantment: Enchantments are permanent versions of sorcery and instant cards. They provide buffs and debuffs onto creatures and are tricky to remove. Ex. Festival of Embers BLB-316

• Artifacts:  Artifacts are items representing inanimate objects. They provide consistent buffs or mana. Ex. Patchwork Banner BLB-247

• Equipment: A subtype of artifacts, they can be equipped onto creatures to provide buffs to their stats. Ex. Hidden Blade ACR-073

• Land: Mana is required for practically everything in Magic the Gathering. A critical part of learning how to get better at MTG is understanding how to use land. Land can be single or multi-color, depending on your strategy. Ex. Floodfarm Verge DSK-330

• Planeswalker: The superstars of MTG, Planeswalkers are powerful cards that can singlehandedly win games. They have counters that you can add or subtract from to activate abilities. Ex. Jace, the Mind Sculptor (BLC-075)

Some cards may have multiple types, such as Threefold Thunderhulk LCI-265 being both an artifact and a creature.

Understand the Stack and Priority

Once you understand the card types, the next step in learning how to get better at MTG is understanding the “Stack.”

Knowing when to activate card abilities or hold mana is something the Best MTG players have mastered.

For example, what is your best course of action if you have a Geyadrone Dihada MH2-199?

Should you use the +1 ability to trade 2 life and debuff an opponent? What about taking control of an enemy creature to go for the win? Or should you save until the -7 counter, which lets you take control of every enemy creature?

If you’re struggling with how to get better at Magic the Gathering, taking time to focus on your timings and stack control will be a big help.

How to Build Better Decks in MTG

Once you have the basics down, we recommend picking up a deck and experimenting to get a feel for the game.

But eventually, if you want to master the art of how to get better at Magic the Gathering, you’ll need to create your own.

Why Deck-Building is the First Step Towards Improving

Learning how to build better decks in MTG is necessary for your long-term improvement. Every card in your deck should contribute to your win condition(s). Because you have a limited set of cards to draw, you must ensure you give yourself the best odds.

Focus on Synergy Over Individual Power

One common mistake when trying to learn how to get better at MTG is stuffing decks full of powerful cards.

A key part of how to build better decks in MTG is ditching individual power. Instead, aim for synergy with your cards. Add equipment to buff up your creatures, use card draw sorceries to hit your combos, and ensure you have removal if you run into an enemy wall.

Balance Your Mana Curve

Mana management is a fundamental part of learning how to get better at MTG.

In a 60-card deck, you’ll want to ensure enough cards in the 0 to 2 mana cost range. If you spend your first two turns setting Land down and doing nothing else, you’ll be on a fast track to defeat.

Most decks want at least a couple of late-game power spikes in the 5 to 7 mana cost range. This does depend on your deck color and overall strategy (Red decks tend to be lower, Green decks higher, for example), but it’s a good starting point.

Be sure to stock enough land cards, too–24 in a 60 deck is a nice starting point that you can adjust with playtesting.

Playtest and Refine

Every good planned-out deck is just a concept until you play it. Maximizing your playtests is vital to learning how to get better at MTG.

Take your deck to Friday Night Magic, local tournaments, or just to play with friends. Notice if you run into issues with too much mana or not enough. 

Are you hitting your power spikes promptly, or do you have empty turns? Are you unable to deal with powerful creatures without removal, or conversely, unable to keep your own on the board?

All of these questions will help you pinpoint adjustments you need to make.

Start Building Better Decks at Danieron Today!

After playtesting, you’ll likely identify theoretical problems–insufficient removal, too much land, no way to deal with enchantments, etc.

You’ll need to add powerful cards to your deck when that time comes.

That’s where Danireon comes in. As North America’s #1 home for trading card games, we have all the individual and sealed Magic the Gathering you need to improve your game. We carry rare cards through our trade-in program, all priced at or below market rates, to give you the best deals.

We also provide speedy shipping to ensure you get your new cards before your latest tournament.

Our products include Magic the Gathering pre-orders for the latest Standard releases, pre-built Magic the Gathering commander decks to help you skip the deckbuilding process for EDH, and Magic the Gathering accessories like card sleeves to keep your collection safe.

How to Get Better at MTG as a Player: 7 Tips for Getting Better at Magic the Gathering

After learning the basics and building a few decks you’re proud of, you’re well on your way to improving. From this point, it’s a matter of learning from every game and staying focused to maximize your results.

Anticipate Your Opponent’s Moves

When you first begin playing Magic, every card will be brand new.

Over time, you will get a feel for what your opponent is doing. Their win conditions, types of cards they may have, and what they are weak to.

The more you can anticipate these moves, the better your performance.

Learn When to Be Aggressive or Defensive

There is a time and place for offense and defense when playing MTG. Some decks play almost entirely one way or another–a Red rush deck will always be on the front foot while milling Blue decks are playing keep-away.

But for most setups, you’ll have windows to use all your mana in hopes of doing damage and spots where you need to hold back that Instant card to keep yourself alive.

Master Resource Management

The best MTG players have an intention for every mana they spend. Take time to focus specifically on how you’re spending your mana. Should you play your win condition creature ASAP, or should you wait until you have a protective Instant card in case of removal?

These questions will differ between hitting your timing and going home empty-handed.

Study Advanced MTG Concepts

While you don’t need to master every complex topic immediately, dipping into advanced concepts will be helpful in the long run.

Metagame Awareness

The ‘meta,’ or most popular decks within a format, can be helpful–but not always. Meta decks have the structure needed to help you learn the game. However, some meta-strategies may be overly complex.

Sideboarding Strategies

Sideboards are used in best-of series, allowing you to swap in cards to counter your opponent. Many sideboard cards counter one particular color or type, so these cards are often not in main decks.

Bluffing and Mind Games

You can often hold back mana even without a relevant card to play. Opponents may fear removal with un-tapped mana, causing them to second-guess a sure-win.

Play Regularly and Seek Diverse Opponents

The more you play and practice, the quicker you’ll learn. Try to play against different opponents or at least different decks. This will give you an idea of the strengths and weaknesses of various strategies, making you a well-rounded player.

Analyze Your Games to Identify Mistakes

Practice makes perfect. Review replays of your games to check for mistakes. Did you use your mana wrong or focus on the wrong enemy creature? Nailing these decisions will improve your play in the long run.

Stay Updated with New Cards and Mechanics

Magic releases new cards several times a year, many with unique mechanics. Keep an ear out for updates so you can react accordingly–or even adapt them yourself.

Closing Thoughts on How to Get Better at Magic the Gathering

Getting better at Magic the Gathering is a constant journey. Whether you’re just learning how to get into Magic the Gathering as a beginner or you’ve competed in tournaments, there is always something to improve at.

But that journey is precisely why the game is so beloved–ultimately, it’s an engaging challenge that keeps you on your toes.

If you need new cards to try out different strategies or want to find new friends to play with, check out Danireon! We have a vast inventory of MTG cards and accessories, including the latest set releases.

We also have a friendly support team that loves discussing the ins and outs of the game–you can chat with us to learn more about deckbuilding, mana management, and more.

Visit our store or stop by our free Discord server today!