Do you want to start playing Magic: The Gathering but are unsure how the game works? MTG is one of the world's most strategic card games, but the basics are simpler than many think. In this guide, we go through everything you need to know to play your first match.
How do you play Magic: The Gathering?
Magic: The Gathering is played between two players who start with 20 life. You use cards from your deck to play creatures, cast spells, and attack the opponent. The goal is to reduce your opponent's life to 0 or win through other card effects.
The basics – how the game works
Two players face off, each with their own deck. Both start with 20 life and 7 cards in hand. The first person to reduce the opponent's life to 0 wins, or if the opponent cannot draw any more cards.
A standard deck consists of at least 60 cards. Commander uses 100 cards including your commander, normally starts with 40 life, and allows one copy per card name, with the exception of basic lands and cards that state otherwise. The deck's color identity must match your commander.
Card types you will encounter
- Lands – generate mana used to play cards
- Creatures – attack and block
- Instants – can normally be cast when you have priority, even on your opponent's turn
- Sorceries – are normally cast during one of your main phases when the stack is empty and you have priority
- Enchantments – affect the game over time
- Artifacts – permanents with various effects; they can be colorless or colored
- Planeswalkers – powerful cards with their own abilities
How a turn works
- Untap – untap your cards
- Upkeep – activate effects
- Draw a card
- Main phase – play cards
- Combat – attack and block
- Main phase – play more cards
- Ending – the turn ends
When you use a land for mana, you tap it. It resets at the beginning of your next turn.
Lands, combat, and the most common beginner mistakes
You may normally play one land per turn. It is not a spell. In two-player games, the person who goes first skips their first draw. A creature normally cannot attack or use an ability with a tap symbol unless you have controlled it since the beginning of your turn; haste is an exception. It can still normally block.
The attacker chooses attacks, and the defender chooses blockers. Attacking creatures are normally tapped, while blockers are not. Unblocked attacks deal damage to the attacked player. The stack handles spells and many abilities: the last object added is normally resolved first.
Wizards' official introduction and the current complete rules explain the exceptions.
Build your first deck
A beginner deck should be simple and consistent. Stick to one or two colors and a clear plan.
- About 24 lands
- About 20 creatures
- About 16 other cards
Playstyles
- Aggro – fast attacks
- Midrange – balance between attack and control
- Control – stop the opponent and win late
Roles of the colors
- White – order and small creatures
- Blue – control and card drawing
- Black – destruction and resources
- Red – fast damage
- Green – large creatures and mana
Formats
- Standard – newer cards
- Commander – 100 cards including commander, normally 40 life and color identity rules
- Modern – larger card pool
- Pioneer – intermediate format
If you want to get started, you can explore Magic: The Gathering products or supplement with sleeves and deck boxes to protect your deck.
Tips for beginners
- Play simple decks at first
- Learn the timing of the cards
- Focus on one strategy
- Protect your cards from the start
- Play often to get better
Summary
Magic: The Gathering is easy to start with but quickly becomes more advanced. With a simple deck and a basic understanding, you can start playing immediately and develop over time.
Explore the assortment at Hobbykort.se and begin your Magic journey today.
Curious about the history of Magic collectibles?
Our article on three major Magic sales shows why exact edition, condition, and history matter. The record-breaking examples are a different part of the hobby than the first playable deck and do not show what regular cards with the same name are worth.
FAQ – Magic: The Gathering rules
How many cards are in an MTG deck?
A deck consists of at least 60 cards. Commander uses 100 cards.
How do you win in Magic?
You usually win by reducing your opponent's life to 0.
What is mana?
Mana is the resource you use to play cards and is generated from lands.
What is the difference between an Instant and a Sorcery?
Instants can normally be cast when you have priority. Sorceries normally require your main phase, an empty stack, and priority.
Where do you buy Magic cards in Sweden?
You can find Magic: The Gathering products at Hobbykort.se.
Also read which accessories are suitable for a playable deck.