What is Magic: The Gathering?

Many years ago, I used to play the trading card game Magic: The Gathering but lost track of it for quite a while.

Now, years later, I have rediscovered my love for Magic and report on new sets, exciting formats, interesting cards, and much more on my blog. Additionally, I write about the backgrounds of the Magic hobby.

On this page, you will learn what Magic: The Gathering is, how trading card games work, how Magic came to be, and why I like it so much. I’ll also go into how you can best get started with it.

What is Magic: The Gathering?

Magic: The Gathering is a trading card game (TCG) from Wizards of the Coast. It was the first of its kind and has been a great success from the beginning.

Original author Richard Garfield created a mass phenomenon with it.

More than 120 sets, each with hundreds of new cards, have appeared in about 30 years, each bringing new mechanics and exciting possibilities.

There are many different game formats for Magic, but the best-known is certainly the 1:1 duel of 2 players, each with a deck of 60 cards, trying to bring the other player’s life points to 0.

To do this, you first play lands, which bring mana in one of 5 different colors each turn. With the help of this mana, you then play matching creature cards, artifact cards, enchantment cards, and more.

Some of these remain on the field (especially creatures) and can be used again and again in later rounds.

Strategic thinking and planning ahead are important to make the best use of your deck. But tactical considerations also play an important role, as at the beginning of the game, you shuffle your deck and draw your cards in random order. Each round, you usually draw a new card from your deck.

If the opponent has no more life points, you win.

You can usually get new cards via booster packs. These are random card packs that usually contain between 14 and 20 cards.

But what you get in them is random, only the distribution of the different rarity levels is known.

There are even game formats where exactly this randomness is the charm.

Many Formats and Many Cards

In itself, Magic: The Gathering is easy to explain, but the devil is in the details.

For one, there are many different formats that use their own rules and special features.

For example, the Commander format is very exciting, where usually 4 players sit at the table and you build a deck of 100 cards in advance, where one card is the Legendary Commander.

The endless possibilities come from the many cards that have been released so far for Magic: The Gathering. More than 20,000 unique cards have now appeared for Magic in about 30 years, and it’s that variety that appeals to me so much.

You have almost infinite possibilities to build your own decks and always create new combos and synergies. More than 120 sets with hundreds of cards each have been released so far, and every year many Magic novelties are added.

These sets always bring new mechanics and game elements, making Magic as a whole very complex.

The Right Starter Set for MTG

Starter sets have always been available for Magic: The Gathering. These contain the same cards in every box (in contrast to the random booster content) and are ideal for newcomers. Here you don’t have to collect matching cards first but can start with a working deck.

The current starter set offers 2 different decks with 60 cards each, with which you can start playing immediately. In addition, there are helpful accessories and a manual.

Video about What is Magic: The Gathering?

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FAQ

What is Magic: The Gathering Secret Lair?

When one seeks to discern the nature of MTG Secret Lair, one must delve into the intricacies of this particular brand. It is a veritable cornucopia of collectible card drops that are designed to leave the beholder utterly dazzled with their eye-popping designs and hitherto unseen art styles.

What is Magic: The Gathering Alchemy?

Should one inquire as to the true essence of MTG Alchemy, one must first comprehend the fundamental tenets of this format. It is a bespoke arena that has been meticulously crafted to incorporate a heady blend of newfangled-to-digital Magic cards and rebalanced Standard cards. This convergence produces an experience that is fast-paced, ever-evolving and tailored to meet the demands of our valued players.

What is Magic: The Gathering Jumpstart?

In the quest to unearth the true meaning of MTG Jumpstart, one must first wrap their mind around the unorthodox yet delightful nature of this unique offering. By merging any two Jumpstart booster packs, one has the ability to create a bespoke 40-card themed deck, which serves as a passport to the world of Magic. With no need to laboriously build a deck, one can immediately launch into the fray, effortlessly learning and playing the game.

What is Magic: The Gathering Online?

MTG Online is a complex digital adaptation of the renowned card game, utilizing an innovative virtual economy to uphold the collectible aspect of the game. It is played through an Internet service that is deftly operated by Wizards of the Coast, a service that has been operational since June 24, 2002.

What is Magic: The Gathering Arena?

In the case of MTG Arena, one is presented with a free-to-play digital collectible card game that has been painstakingly crafted by Wizards of the Coast (WotC). This particular game has been fashioned to cater to the demands of a discerning clientele who seek a robust, user-friendly gaming experience that is unmatched in its scope and scale.

What is Magic: The Gathering Pioneer?

When one attempts to unravel the enigmatic nature of MTG Pioneer, one must first come to terms with the fact that it represents a singularly unique point in the evolution of this beloved game. It is an intermediate format that is tailor-made for those players who seek novel ways to utilize their card collection, long after the rotation of Standard cards. Similar to Modern and Legacy formats, Pioneer is a non-rotating format, ensuring that the Pioneer deck one purchases today remains relevant and legal indefinitely.