How to Get Into Magic The Gathering for Beginners

Magic the Gathering has a storied place in the world of trading card games. The game laid the ground rules and concepts that made trading cards so popular, and its influence can be seen in all of the games developed since then.

The good news is that learning how to play Magic The Gathering for beginners is easier than you may think!

Whether you’re a seasoned card game pro or brand new to the world, the game is simple to pick up while maintaining a rich complexity that has captivated players for years.

This guide will show you how to get into Magic The Gathering. You’ll get a crash course in Magic lingo, learn how to build your first decks, and how to find people to play with.

Among all the advice and tips, the best method for learning how to start playing Magic The Gathering is simple: get some cards and jump in!

Danireon is the #1 store in North America to help you begin. We have thousands of MTG cards for sale, including singles, booster packs, and pre-made decks. Our friendly team will help you learn the ins and outs with personalized advice from our years of experience.

What is Magic The Gathering (MTG)?

In over three decades of Magic The Gathering, the game has captivated the hearts of millions of players worldwide.

Developed in 1993 by Richard Garfield and published by board game giant Wizards of the Coast, the debut of MTG quickly established a new genre.

Magic pits fantastical creatures like vampires, dragons, and faeries together in a turn-based gameplay loop. 

The game’s setting is a multiverse with something to offer everyone, from the Eldritch-creature-laden world of Zendikar to the political intrigue among the guilds of Ravnica.

Magic’s community is friendly and easy to join. Magic is played in massive worldwide tournaments, local game shops, Discord servers, your kitchen table, and anywhere between.

Each card's artwork is a labor of love; some collectors even prioritize art over gameplay.

As you learn how to start playing Magic The Gathering, the game’s engaging complexity and rich lore will make your journey all the more enjoyable. 

So don’t overly stress about how to get into Magic The Gathering; part of the fun is diving in and finding out which aspects of the game appeal to you most.

Still, it doesn’t hurt to have a detailed guide on how to play Magic The Gathering for beginners, so let’s break it all down in the next section!

How to Get Into Magic The Gathering: Step-by-Step Guide to Joining the Fun of MTG

There is something in the world of MTG for everyone. Learning how to get into Magic The Gathering is a simple and fun process.

Whether you’re collecting cards for their art or want to learn how to start playing Magic The Gathering, you’ll need a reliable source of cards, a friendly community, and an understanding of the terminology.

Find Somewhere to Buy Magic The Gathering Cards

The first tip for how to get into Magic The Gathering is simple: get your hands on some cards!

Whether playing in person at local game shops or online over Discord, you won’t get far without your first deck. There are a few avenues to explore, but it can be a tricky decision if you’re just getting started.

There are big box retailers and secondhand marketplaces like Amazon and eBay that sell MTG cards. However, the former won’t help you learn the ins and outs of the game, while the latter comes with authenticity risks.

There are also digital cards, like those found in MTG Arena or MTG Online, but they are often complicated if you’re learning how to start playing Magic The Gathering for the first time.

We recommend buying from a dedicated card game shop to learn how to play Magic The Gathering for beginners. Local game shops, even those that sell online, have built-in communities and staff that can help you understand the basics of the game.

Plus, card shops often host tournaments or draft events, helping you enjoy the game even if you don’t have any friends who are into Magic!

Why Start Your MTG Journey at Danireon?

Card shops are your best bet if you’re learning how to get into Magic The Gathering.

The next question is: which card shop should you choose?

MTG players and collectors across North America agree that Danireon is the best choice.

We’re your one-stop shop for all things card games. Our store has a large and diverse collection of sealed Magic The Gathering products, including booster boxes, packs, and Magic The Gathering Commander decks.

That includes access to the latest Magic The Gathering pre-orders, with speedy shipping ensuring you can grab new releases before anyone else.

Once you’ve learned the fundamentals of how to play Magic The Gathering for beginners and want to start hunting for specific single cards to round out your deck, we’ve got you covered there, too. 

We have thousands of individual cards in our inventory, which is constantly updated thanks to trade-ins from our community.

When you shop with us, you’ll have access to our friendly team's knowledge. We’ll teach you everything you need to begin your MTG journey, from help finding your favorite mana color to showing you how many Land cards your deck needs.

We also have a free Discord server to help you connect with other players and chat about deckbuilding, new pack pulls, and more!

Other Essentials Beyond the MTG Cards

Cards are the starting point, but you should invest in Magic the Gathering accessories too! Card sleeves can help keep your new cards fresh even after hours of gameplay.

We also recommend binders for storing extensive card collections.

You can find those accessories here at Danireon. Our toploader binders are easy to carry, come in several fun styles, and, most importantly, ensure your cards avoid damage.

Basic MTG Lingo

If you’re still trying to figure out what mana, Planeswalkers, and tapping mean, help is coming. Here’s what these common phrases mean:

• Mana: The energy needed to play creatures, sorceries, and other cards. Land cards are the main source, and mana comes in 5 primary colors + 1 colorless variety.

• Land: Each land card provides mana. You can play one per turn, and some have additional effects, like Sacred Foundry (EXP-014) having two colors or Gemstone Caverns (LTC-364)’s luck counters.

• Color: There are 5 colors in magic: Red(Aggression/Speed), Green(Mana/Ramping), Blue(Card Draw/Tricks), White(Creatures+Counters), and Black(Removal).

• Counters: Tokens you can add to cards as part of gameplay.

• Cast: The act of playing any card.

• Creatures: The minions and monsters that attack and defend. Ex: Herald of Eternal Dawn (FDN-338)

• Sorcery: Spells cast on your turn. Ex: Tempt with Bunnies (BLC-049)

• Instant: Spells that are castable at any time, including your opponent’s turn. Ex: Hellish Rebuke (AFC-026)

• Planeswalker: Powerful cards with additional effects that can win a match single-handedly. They can be multi (Ex: Ral, Crackling Wit (BLB-230)) or single-color (Ex: Liliana, Dreadhorde General (FDN-359))

• Commander: A gameplay format centered around 1 legendary creature that dictates your strategy

• Mill: Discarding cards from your deck

• Graveyard: Discarded cards go here. Some cards let you recover cards from the graveyard.

• Exile: Exiled cards are removed from the game entirely.

• Sideboard: Extra cards not in your main deck that can be swapped for Best of 3 or 5 formats.

• Artifact: Cards that provide additional effects to boost your strategy. Ex: Oketra’s Monument (AKH-233)

Beginner Deck Building Strategies

We recommend starting with a pre-built decklist as inspiration. These decks have already been researched to be effective in gameplay. Trying decks this way will also help you figure out your favorite playstyles.

Once you’re ready to build your own, here are a few rules to consider:

• Minimum Cards: Most formats have a 40 or 60-card limit, with Commander (100) being an exception. Staying at the minimum increases your chances of drawing your best cards.

• Land Count: You need an appropriate amount of Land to ensure you have mana. This will vary based on your strategy, but 24 in a 60-card deck is a good starting point.

• 4 Copies: Where possible, include 4 copies of each basic card. This ensures you’ll get the necessary creatures and spells and lets you focus your strategy. In a 24-land deck, you’ll only have 9 unique cards to master.

• 1 or 2 Colors: Single-color decks are best for beginners. If you want to get fancy and include multiple mana types, stick to just two. More colors mean more headaches as you get started.

• Removal is Key: If your mana color allows it, include removal and other sorceries. You can’t win MTG with just creatures…usually.

• Playtest: When you build your deck, the best way to test it is to play!

Understanding Different Playing Formats

There are plenty of formats, but we recommend just a few for beginners.

Standard is the most common competitive format. It uses a pool of the most recent sets. The smaller card pool makes it easier for newcomers to understand since you aren’t worried about cards from 30 years ago.

Commander, also called EDH, is loads of fun. You build a 100-card deck around one creature. It’s incredibly popular and is ideal if you want to make friends while playing.

Modern uses cards from a larger pool without worrying about your favorite cards rotating out. The power scale is higher in Modern, but it’s a great way to learn about older cards.

There are also Draft formats, which involve opening packs and creating a deck on the spot. It’s not the most beginner-friendly, though.

Finding Friends or Family Who Play

You’ve bought your cards and created your deck, and now it's time to give it a whirl!

While you can play games against yourself (known as “Goldfishing”), a significant part of MTG’s fun is the social aspect!

You can find friends or family who have already played or are learning the game together. Putting together a couple of decks and bringing them to your game night can be a blast as you and your loved ones learn the strategies of each deck together.

Looking into Local Events

Magic The Gathering has a vibrant scene that is still going strong three decades later. Local game stores are always hosting events. That includes Friday Night Magic, a weekly event hosted at most stores with beginner-friendly formats.

Local tournaments and set releases can also be fun and an excellent way to make new friends.

Join Online Communities

An online community is another amazing way to learn the game without a local store nearby.

Discord servers are fantastic; you can play games over a webcam, open packs together, and discuss the latest strategies. We host a server here at Danireon, and it’s free to join!

For other social groups, you can also check out Reddit, Bluesky, X, or the official MTG forums.

Is MTG Arena Right For You?

If you’re just beginning your journey of how to get into Magic The Gathering, you may have been recommended MTG Arena.

Arena is an online app that lets you play Magic without requiring physical cards.

Some tutorials are helpful, but Arena isn’t the best way to get started. The game is centered around the Standard format, with a strict meta that can feel repetitive. 

Plus, it requires a hefty cash investment, all for a digital product you can’t show off to your friends or sell later.

The same is true for MTG Online, an older app with an unwieldy UI that can be difficult to learn.

Closing Thoughts on How to Start Playing Magic The Gathering

For good reason, Magic The Gathering has reigned atop the throne of card games for three decades. It’s a complex game that is easy to pick up and satisfying to master.

The best way to begin is to find a card shop, pick up some decks, and start playing!

You’ll find all the cards and accessories you need here at Danireon. With our diverse inventory and friendly team, you’ll learn the ins and outs and have fun.

Join our free Discord community to connect with other players and ask our team for recommendations on which packs to start with.