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I played magic when I was 13-14 and enjoyed it (I am 27 now) but I fell out of it. I have no cards, but noticed the last time that I was in my FLGS that there is a new edition coming out. MTG has been on my mind for the past few months, so I figured this would be a great opportunity for me to hop back on the horse. My main question is: do you guys know any good MTG resourses online? Places with strategy for beginners, deck building, drafting decks, etc. I could even use a refresher on the basic rules, I haven't played in over a decade. So, what is the Dakka of magic?

Thanks!

If you are getting back in to Magic, one good thing for you would be to attend a Friday Night Magic at a FLGS. Most have them and they are pretty good for learning the new decks and winning some cards. Plus having a little fun.

But, be warned. If you are getting back in to Magic, they pump out new "editions" pretty fast so it is a hard hobby to keep up with. You will dump a lot of cash in to it.

I have like sixty magic cards from about 1999 that I'm holding onto. I never learned how to play, and I never did anything with my cards besides look at them, but I want to keep them.

Is there a website where I can learn how to play, or a starter set that doesn't cost too much? I can't say I have too much money to invest, but it's a classic game, and I feel bad not participating in it.

What exactly does a "Friday Night Magic" entail? I'm not TOO concerned with the money that the hobby takes, but I don't necessarily want to be hardcore into it either. How much per month would you say it takes to maintain a middle of the road stance?

www.goodgamery.com and associated forums is home to many very good players and some seriously good comedy.


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Samus_aran115 wrote:I have like sixty magic cards from about 1999 that I'm holding onto. I never learned how to play, and I never did anything with my cards besides look at them, but I want to keep them.

Is there a website where I can learn how to play, or a starter set that doesn't cost too much? I can't say I have too much money to invest, but it's a classic game, and I feel bad not participating in it.

There's an XBLA magic game now that's actually really good for beginners if you have a 360.

Should I bother with an 'intro pack'? The entangled webs one looks neat, haha.

And I don't have a 360, but they have a little program to use, which I'll do later. School blocks me from downloading things.

what's the game for the xbox called? It it an actual disc game or just a download for xbox live?

Duals of the Planeswalkers 2012. It's an XBLA game, meaning it is download only through xbox live. I think it's around 10 dollars.


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Samus_aran115 wrote:Should I bother with an 'intro pack'? The entangled webs one looks neat, haha.

And I don't have a 360, but they have a little program to use, which I'll do later. School blocks me from downloading things.

The intro packs are actually a lot better than they used to be is my understanding. Should be fine.

http://mtgsalvation.com/

All you need in one handy site Btw you can't go wrong if you buy 2 intro packs. You will be able to quickly relearn the rules. And if you decide your not as into it as you tought it was not a big investment. But be carefull mtg is a moneysink 4 new sets coming out each year

I played duels of the planeswalkers and hated the game. You can't edit the complete deck to the specs you want

God no, salvation is awful. Pleaaaase don't go there and if you do, don't read the decklists.


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Lord Demon wrote:
I played duels of the planeswalkers and hated the game. You can't edit the complete deck to the specs you want

You're talking about the original. 2012 allows editing.

Tritium he can read the decklists for kitchentable magic it is perfectly fine. Btw wich formats do you play?

I did not know you can edit now. God how i hated the fact i could not replace the bad cards from my deck. Straight up life gain with nothing extra really wizards?

Lord Demon wrote:Tritium he can read the decklists for kitchentable magic it is perfectly fine. Btw wich formats do you play?

I did not know you can edit now. God how i hated the fact i could not replace the bad cards from my deck. Straight up life gain with nothing extra really wizards?

He shouldn't need decklists for kitchen table, but yes, those subforums are better. I play legacy, standard and limited.

Yeah, the original duals of the planeswalkers was godawful for that reason. The new one is way better.

I'm a bit lost here, there are different rules for different formats? What format should I learn? What is used at most FLGS / local tourneys?

Suks wrote:I'm a bit lost here, there are different rules for different formats? What format should I learn? What is used at most FLGS / local tourneys?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magic:_The_Gathering_formats

Block and Standard are safest for beginners, but they're highly competitive sometimes. Honestly, I would play limited if I were a new player. That's more skill based than budget based.

The formats are JUST for deck legality, not for rules. It's the same basic rules no matter what.

Suks as Tritium says standard and limited is most convenient. Then as you play longer and your collection expands you branch out to other formats.

I play vintage, standard, limited and edh. Beginning to think now that buying some duel updates would not be so bad now

Now, if you are just gonna play casual at the kitchen table, I highly recommend using legacy as your base format. It's a lot easier that way for random people who have old cards to play with you.

And if your flgs has a game area i suggest looking at what they play en maybe borrow a deck and start playing yourself. Most people i know usually carry several decks and dont mind lending someone a deck and then give them some pointers. That way you can also figure out wich playstile you like. Wich cards to buy or not buy and before you know it you have a set magic night. That is the way i lured several friends in the game

Rented Tritium wrote:Duals of the Planeswalkers 2012. It's an XBLA game, meaning it is download only through xbox live. I think it's around 10 dollars.


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Samus_aran115 wrote:Should I bother with an 'intro pack'? The entangled webs one looks neat, haha.

And I don't have a 360, but they have a little program to use, which I'll do later. School blocks me from downloading things.

The intro packs are actually a lot better than they used to be is my understanding. Should be fine.

Okay, cool! I'll pick one up

http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Default.aspx

This site has full card listings and pictures for everything!

Samus_aran115 wrote:

Rented Tritium wrote:Duals of the Planeswalkers 2012. It's an XBLA game, meaning it is download only through xbox live. I think it's around 10 dollars.


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Samus_aran115 wrote:Should I bother with an 'intro pack'? The entangled webs one looks neat, haha.

And I don't have a 360, but they have a little program to use, which I'll do later. School blocks me from downloading things.

The intro packs are actually a lot better than they used to be is my understanding. Should be fine.

Okay, cool! I'll pick one up

Actually don't get an intro pack. Get the "Deckbuilder's Toolkit" you can pick one up at your local Walmart or Target style store on the cheap.

It has a lot of content. A busload of of basic lands, a few boosters, plus a ton of semi-random commons/uncommons. You also get passable box with it to hold your cards.

You should have enough with that to make about 3 decks (2 Two-Color decks and a 3rd Mono Color Deck) they'll be marginally worse than the intro pack decks, but you'll get a lot more out of being able to build your decks with the new cards.

EDIT: This is the product you want: http://sales.starcitygames.com/carddisplay.php?product=174604

I always buy one for ANYONE I am introducing magic to.

I hadn't really played since the ninties, but my oldest son got into it around x-mas time and we have been playing it casually (open format).

We bought a bunch of large bulk lots on ebay and just buit a bunch of decks to play with.

I have no desire to get back into it officially or competatively though...

Seconded on Deckbuilder's toolkit. The 2011 set that most Wal-Marts sell come with two 2011 core boosters of 15 cards each, a Scars of Mirrodin booster, and a Mirrodin Besieged booster as well as 150 cards and 100 land IIRC. These are about $20 and for the boosters alone beats the prices at most places.

The newest block is the Innistrad block. With Innistrad they reintroduced transformation cards, but the second part of Innistrad is coming out. This is called Dark Ascension.

If you want to get started then core 2012, Scars of Mirrodin, Innistrad, and Dark Ascension are the latest. Now they are adding a new mechanic with Dark Ascension, Finest Hour is usually a boost to an ability the card has already that is activated when you have 5 or less life.

I got into during Christmas Break thanks to my brother who returned for break from a military institute (turns out military officers to be are a bunch of nerds) and so far I have spent a lot of money on cards, but started selling them thanks to some amazing luck with boosters.

Planeswalkers are also a big mechanic to learn.

Just so you guys know Duels of the Planeswalkers 2012 is on PSN and Steam not just XBLA.

MMmm. I too am interested in this actually. Cards are much easier to transport than minis and it's a good thing to play on those days you don't mind going down to the store but don't feel like chucking dice for two hours. Not to mention that I love the artwork that is on most of the cards, especially Blue or White decks.

That being said I have to say it seems a little intimidating. Well, so was 40k when I started, but I got into it fairly smoothly. MtG actual gameplay, on the other hand, seems very competitive and the players seem to be leaning towards that neckbeard stereotype, at least those that I have seen. I hope that I'm incorrect on this, does anyone have any input regarding the MtG gaming culture overall in the west?

I'm off to a tournament with a friend this weekend for the new release, never been to one before!

I gave up Magic after most of my Vampire got removed from Tournament play in Standard.

Chongara wrote:

Actually don't get an intro pack. Get the "Deckbuilder's Toolkit" you can pick one up at your local Walmart or Target style store on the cheap.

It has a lot of content. A busload of of basic lands, a few boosters, plus a ton of semi-random commons/uncommons. You also get passable box with it to hold your cards.

You should have enough with that to make about 3 decks (2 Two-Color decks and a 3rd Mono Color Deck) they'll be marginally worse than the intro pack decks, but you'll get a lot more out of being able to build your decks with the new cards.

EDIT: This is the product you want: http://sales.starcitygames.com/carddisplay.php?product=174604

I always buy one for ANYONE I am introducing magic to.

That looks great too. Cheap! Maybe I'll just buy both, lol!

fluffstalker wrote:
That being said I have to say it seems a little intimidating. Well, so was 40k when I started, but I got into it fairly smoothly. MtG actual gameplay, on the other hand, seems very competitive and the players seem to be leaning towards that neckbeard stereotype, at least those that I have seen. I hope that I'm incorrect on this, does anyone have any input regarding the MtG gaming culture overall in the west?

If you play at a game store, yes. Ask around and see if any of the more tolerable folks play with a private group or circle of friends you can get invited to. Finding a good set of folks to play Magic with is like finding a good set of folks to do any other nerdy hobby with.

Though as for the gameplay, if nothing else the rules are much clearer and well defined than 40k. Once you get a handle on them, you'll rarely run into a situation where two cards are interacting in a way that isn't pretty much clear, and when you do just look online there will be an official clarification already. That alone reduces a lot of the friction you can run into in something like 40k, where the rules are just bits and pieces of disjointed systems held together with duct tape and faith in the emperor.

rockerbikie wrote:I gave up Magic after most of my Vampire got removed from Tournament play in Standard.

there's so many in innistrad that are better, beside, in zendikar, there were only 2 good ones, nighthawk and gatekeeper.


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Chongara wrote:

fluffstalker wrote:
That being said I have to say it seems a little intimidating. Well, so was 40k when I started, but I got into it fairly smoothly. MtG actual gameplay, on the other hand, seems very competitive and the players seem to be leaning towards that neckbeard stereotype, at least those that I have seen. I hope that I'm incorrect on this, does anyone have any input regarding the MtG gaming culture overall in the west?

If you play at a game store, yes. Ask around and see if any of the more tolerable folks play with a private group or circle of friends you can get invited to. Finding a good set of folks to play Magic with is like finding a good set of folks to do any other nerdy hobby with.

Though as for the gameplay, if nothing else the rules are much clearer and well defined than 40k. Once you get a handle on them, you'll rarely run into a situation where two cards are interacting in a way that isn't pretty much clear, and when you do just look online there will be an official clarification already. That alone reduces a lot of the friction you can run into in something like 40k, where the rules are just bits and pieces of disjointed systems held together with duct tape and faith in the emperor.

the golden rule of magic: the cards are always right.

remilia_scarlet wrote:

rockerbikie wrote:I gave up Magic after most of my Vampire got removed from Tournament play in Standard.

there's so many in innistrad that are better, beside, in zendikar, there were only 2 good ones, nighthawk and gatekeeper.

I think the point is many people dislike the notion of set rotation entirely. You buy cards, you get used to playing with them you want to keep doing it until YOU decide not to play them anymore. This is fine if you've got a good casual group to play with. However if you rely on FNM or other organized play (or the people you're playing just refuse to play anything but standard), you're up the creek without a paddle if it bothers you.

EDIT: Yes, there are eternal formats but those tend to lean even more heavily towards competitive decks. There is relatively little in the way of "Just Play whatever" off of kitchen tables.