About Magic: The Gathering TCG

February 21, 2025

Hey there, Planeswalkers! Welcome to the Big Deck Energy!

So, you're interested in Magic: The Gathering? Awesome! You've come to the right place. Magic is more than just a card game – it's a whole universe of strategic gameplay, amazing stories, and a fantastic community. Whether you're a seasoned gamer or brand new to trading cards, there's a spot for you at our tables.

Here at Big Deck Energy, we're all about three things:

Building Community: Magic is best enjoyed with friends, old and new. We've got open play nights right here on [Days/Times], so come on down, bring your friends, or make some new ones! We're a friendly bunch and always happy to welcome new players. Looking for a game? Just ask!
Exploring Worlds: Magic's got this incredible Multiverse, packed with different planes, each with its own unique flavor. From epic battles to intricate lore, there's always something new to discover. We've got all the latest sets and plenty of back stock to explore, so come browse and find the world that calls to you!
Honing Your Skills: Think you've got what it takes? Magic is a game of strategy, cunning, and a little bit of luck. Whether you enjoy brewing up wild new decks or mastering established strategies, there's always a new challenge. We run tournaments on [Days/Times] for those who want to test their skills, and we're always happy to offer advice and tips for improving your game.

Magic: The Gathering is a complex game with a long history, so it's natural for new players to have questions. Here are some of the most common questions they might ask:

How do I play Magic: The Gathering?

Magic the Gathering is a trading card game where you play as a Planeswalker, a powerful mage. You summon creatures, cast spells, and use your resources (mana) to defeat your opponent.

Wizards of the Coast has has and interactive beginner guide.

Come into the shop and we can show you how to play and give you an intro to decks that are perfect for learning the basics. We also offer learn-to-play sessions before each tournament – come along and we'll walk you through it, then watch players of all experience levels duel!

What are the different card types?

Lands: These are your primary resource for generating mana, which you need to cast spells and activate abilities. There are basic lands (Plains, Islands, Swamps, Mountains, and Forests) and nonbasic lands, which can have special abilities.
Creatures: These are your fighters! You summon them to attack your opponent and defend you from their creatures. They come in all shapes and sizes, with varying power and toughness.
Spells: These cards have a one-time effect. They can be instants (played at almost any time), sorceries (played only during your main phase), enchantments (that stay on the battlefield and affect the game), artifacts (similar to enchantments, but they're objects rather than magical effects), and Planeswalkers (powerful allies that can be attacked and have their own abilities).
Enchantments: These spells remain on the battlefield and have ongoing effects. They can buff your creatures, hinder your opponents, or alter the game state in various ways. Some enchantments are Auras, which directly enchant a creature or other permanent.
Artifacts: Similar to enchantments, artifacts are permanents that stay on the battlefield. They can also have ongoing effects or activated abilities. Some artifacts are Equipment, which can be attached to creatures to enhance them.
Planeswalkers: These are powerful allies you can summon. They have loyalty counters, which can be increased or decreased to activate their abilities. They can be attacked by your opponent's creatures.

Now, a really important part of card types is color. Magic has five colors of mana, and most cards are associated with one or more of these colors:

White: Represents order, law, and justice. White cards often focus on healing, protection, and weenie (small, efficient) creatures. Lands that produce white mana are called Plains.
Blue: Represents intellect, knowledge, and illusion. Blue cards often involve drawing cards, countering spells, and controlling the game. Lands that produce blue mana are called Islands.
Black: Represents death, decay, and power. Black cards often involve sacrificing creatures, discarding cards, and powerful but risky effects. Lands that produce black mana are called Swamps.
Red: Represents chaos, passion, and destruction. Red cards often involve direct damage spells, fast and aggressive creatures, and impulsive actions. Lands that produce red mana are called Mountains.
Green: Represents nature, growth, and life. Green cards often involve large creatures, mana ramp (generating extra mana), and effects that benefit creatures and lands. Lands that produce green mana are called Forests.

How to Play: Magic the Gathering : 6 Steps - Instructables

The color of a card is indicated by its mana cost, which is printed in the top right corner. For example, a card with a mana cost of {1}{W} requires one generic mana (of any color) and one white mana to cast. Understanding colors and mana costs is crucial for building a functional and effective deck!

What are the different formats?

Magic has a ton of different ways to play, which we call formats. Each format has its own rules about which cards are legal and how the game is played. It's like different versions of the same game, keeping things fresh and exciting! Here's a rundown of some of the most popular ones:

Constructed Formats (You build your deck beforehand):

Standard: This is the most popular format, and it uses the newest sets of cards. It's a great place to start, as the card pool is smaller and easier to learn. The format rotates every year, keeping the metagame dynamic.
Modern: Modern allows cards from a wider range of sets, going back to Eighth Edition. It offers a larger card pool than Standard, leading to more diverse decks and strategies.
Legacy: Legacy is an "eternal" format, meaning almost all cards ever printed are legal (with a few exceptions). It's known for its powerful and complex interactions, and it's a favorite among experienced players.
Vintage: Vintage is the other "eternal" format, and it allows all cards ever printed (again, with a small restricted list). It features some of the most powerful cards in Magic's history, and it's a very high-powered format.
Commander (also known as EDH): This is a popular casual format where each player has a legendary creature as their "commander." Decks are 100 cards, with only one copy of each card allowed (except basic lands). It's a multiplayer format, often with four players, and it emphasizes social interaction and fun.
Pioneer: Pioneer is a non-rotating format that uses cards from Return to Ravnica forward. It sits between Standard and Modern in terms of card pool size.

Limited Formats (You build your deck on the spot):

Draft: In a draft, each player starts with three booster packs. They take turns picking a card from each pack and passing the rest to the next player. This continues until all the packs are empty, and then players build a deck from the cards they drafted.
Sealed: In a sealed event, each player receives six booster packs and builds a 40-card deck from those packs. It's a great way to experience a new set and test your deckbuilding skills.
Prerelease: Prereleases are special events held before a new set is officially released. They use a sealed format, and they're a fun way to get a sneak peek at the new cards.

Other Formats:

Brawl: A format similar to Commander, but with a smaller card pool (Standard-legal cards) and different deck construction rules.
Pauper: This format uses only common cards. It's a budget-friendly way to play Magic, and it can be surprisingly competitive.
Peasant: Similar to Pauper, but allows uncommon cards as well.

There's a format for everyone! Come into Big Deck Energy and can talk more about the specific rules and card legality for each one.

You can find more information about Magic the Gathering rules on Wizards of the Coast's website.

How do I build a deck?

Deckbuilding is a core part of Magic, and it's where you really get to express your creativity! Here's a breakdown of the basics:

1. Deck Size and Card Limits:

Constructed Decks (Standard, Modern, Legacy, etc.): Your deck must contain at least 60 cards. You can have a maximum of four copies of any individual card in your deck (excluding basic lands).
Limited Decks (Draft, Sealed): These formats have different rules. In a draft, you'll usually end up with a 40-card deck. In sealed, you build a 40-card deck from your six booster packs.
Commander (EDH): Commander decks are 100 cards, and you can only have one copy of each card (except basic lands).

2. Mana Curve:

This is crucial for a smooth-running deck. Your mana curve refers to the distribution of mana costs in your deck. You want a good balance of low-cost cards (for early game plays) and higher-cost cards (for powerful late-game threats). A common way to visualize this is by creating a "curve" where the x-axis represents mana cost and the y-axis represents the number of cards at that cost. You generally want a curve that's higher on the left (low mana costs) and tapers down as you move to the right (high mana costs).

3. Mana Base (Lands):

You need lands to generate mana, so a proper mana base is essential. The number of lands you need depends on the mana costs of your spells. A good starting point is around 40% of your deck being lands, but this can vary depending on your deck's strategy.
Color Requirements: If your deck uses multiple colors, you need to make sure you have enough lands that produce each of those colors. Dual lands and other nonbasic lands can help with this.

4. Card Types and Balance:

Creatures: You'll need creatures to attack and defend. Consider their power, toughness, abilities, and mana costs.
Spells: Include a mix of spells to support your creatures and strategy. This might include removal spells (to get rid of your opponent's threats), card draw spells (to replenish your hand), and other utility spells.
Enchantments, Artifacts, Planeswalkers: These can provide powerful effects and add versatility to your deck.

5. Strategy and Synergies:

What's your overall game plan? Are you trying to win quickly with aggressive creatures? Are you trying to control the game with spells and then play a big threat? Your deck should be built around a specific strategy.
Look for cards that work well together. These are called synergies. For example, a creature that gets stronger when you play other creatures has synergy with other creatures.

6. Playtesting and Iteration:

The best way to refine your deck is to play with it! See how it performs against different opponents and decks. Identify any weaknesses and make adjustments. Don't be afraid to experiment and try new things.

Tips for New Players:

Start with a preconstructed deck. These are a great way to learn the basics of deckbuilding and gameplay.
Check out online resources and articles. There are tons of great resources available that can teach you more about deckbuilding strategies.
Talk to other players at your local game store. They can offer helpful advice and feedback.
Don't be afraid to experiment! Deckbuilding is a process of trial and error. The more you practice, the better you'll become.

Deckbuilding is an ongoing process. Even experienced players are constantly tweaking and improving their decks. So, have fun with it, and don't be afraid to try new things!"

Cards, Packs, Bundles, etc!

What's the difference between booster packs, preconstructed decks, and singles?

Booster packs are random packs of 15 cards, great for building your collection and discovering new cards. Preconstructed decks are ready-to-play decks designed for beginners or specific strategies, like Commander. Singles are individual cards that you can buy to complete your deck or collection. Bundles, Collectors Boosters, and other products often come with more packs in addition to dice, boxes, playmats, or other swag to help you show of your playstyle.

Which product should I buy to get started?

That depends on your goals! If you're completely new, an intro deck is the best way to learn. If you want to build a specific deck, buying singles is the most efficient. Booster packs are fun for the thrill of opening them, but they're less predictable. Big Deck Energy can help you identify Starter Decks, Bundles, and other exciting releases to help!

What are card rarities and how do they affect value?

Cards come in different rarities: Common, Uncommon, Rare, and Mythic Rare. Rares and Mythic Rares are harder to find and often more powerful, which makes them more valuable. The condition of the card also plays a big role in its value.

Play value is key. The game is constantly evolving, with new mechanics and cards being released all the time. Combine that with the creativity of the Magic community, and you get a constant stream of new strategies and playstyles. This means even older cards can suddenly become valuable as players discover new and innovative ways to use them. So, keep an eye on those older cards – you never know when they might become the next big thing!

Community and Events:

Where can I find people to play with?

Right here, at Big Deck Energy in Cathedral California! Check our Tournaments Page for more info!

How to play Magic: The Gathering: A beginner's guide | Dicebreaker

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