If you are a new player learning the game, this article is not for you. At least, not directly. There are several excellent articles and videos created both byWizards of the CoastandMagic celebritiesteaching the basics of the game. Not to mention great starting products, be it in the form of either structured or randomized decks. And of course, there’s also an amazingfree-to-play video gamewith an outstanding built-in tutorial. Explore those, get some matches, and carry on my neonate planeswalker.
“There’s also Shandalar, if you’re still on Windows 95”
But if you are trying (or tried) to get somebody into the game, only to have them return confused looks at you on every turn before abandoning the idea of a second match, this is for you. Magic is an incredible game. Definitely one of the most complex and open-ended ones. And because of this magnitude, it can take some extra effort to properly introduce someone to the game. Hopefully, some of these tips will help you on your road to teach them not only how to play, but also why we love this game so much.
Be patient
This is the thing: Whoever you teach to, unless they are familiar with games of this nature, will suck. And they will suck until they suck a bit less with every new match. Maybe they’ll get the flow of the game quickly but will do misplays, forget to attack, play things inefficiently during the main-phase, miss triggers, forget to untap, etc. And this is simply natural and OK. Been there, done that. What is not ok is to force them to play at the same level you normally do from the get go.
So many times I’ve encountered people teaching others how to play games (besides Magic) by telling them step by step what they should do or even forcing them to do something “more efficiently”. Failure is not simply a part of learning: It’s an essential tool for it, almost to the point of necessity. With observation and time, they’ll pick the best way to play, and even ask the right questions (“In what order do things happen?”, “Does this work like I think?”)
Your role here is, above all, to be patient. Guide them softly. Show them things that are possible. They’ll not be near the level of your LGS / FNM buddies, not for a while at least. Give them time and play matches while introducing new abilities, ideas, cards, etc. You’ll soon see the same “a-ha!” moments you had while discovering interactions and combos. And once they do, it means they are thinking more deeply about the game that they would if you directed all their plays. Let THEM connect the dots.
The right cards for the right occasions
When I started with Magic, there were only the classic keywords to learn. Every other thing was written in the cards themselves. Therefore, as acertain professoralways says, “Reading the card, explains the card”.
Nowadays? That’s… debatable.
“I’m looking at you, The Initiative”
My solution? Keep it simple. Classic one-versus-one matches with decks that are meant to be balanced. Here Jumpstart and the Starter Kits shine through. I have a full box of half decks to use specifically for this. These are especially useful because they are built with the idea of being introductory to the mechanics, and balanced among themselves. You surely have heaps of bulk waiting to become something useful. Build some decks that are sort of balanced and give them a go. Keep in mind the mechanics and strategies being used, and make sure you have all the tokens ready for it. And by all that’s good, please, PLEASE check if the cards that are in the deck can be understood. As cool as that phyrexian Elesh Norn is, your friends will not understand a thing from it. Although if they do, you should run.
“Beauty, grace and strength. The compleat package”
Also (and this may be controversial) avoid teaching them how to play by playing Commander. At least at the beginning. It’s easier to learn how to read the board and make decisions with only one opponent and deck at a time. And not only because of the complexity and concepts you may be introducing with multiplayer matches, but also because you should…
Play around their interests
I was around 9 when I first held Magic cards in my hand. I had just switched schools and my new friends introduced me to the game. I was struck by the beautiful and sometimes shocking art of many of the cards. The original design of Llanowar Elves will forever be printed in my mind, not to mention the horrifying visage of Terror.
“With white borders for extra nostalgia”
Back then, all it took to teach me how to play was an intense sleepover with two friends and the thick How-to-play booklet. But most importantly, the fixation I had with fantasy and what the game proposed. Without that base interest, I wouldn’t have followed any of it for more than a couple of days. Today I’m the only one from that group that still plays the game. Can’t say that I’ve improved much though.
Your new players will be the same. Something drew them to the game. Use that to your advantage. Maybe build a tribal vampire deck for that goth friend. Or a spellslinger mono-red for your WoW friend who plays Wizard. Explore and help them find the strategy, cards and mechanics they’ll enjoy the most. Fostering this interest is important becausegetting into Magic can take time. Making them invested in what there is and what they can do is important to build that drive to learn more about the game. You’re looking to ignite that spark. Remember you were at that point once. What drew you in? And how did you delve into it? Help them find the same things.
Meet them halfway (if you can)
This is the last and most important truth: Hardly anyone new to the game will EVER be as invested in the same ways as you. Period. Players come in all shapes and sizes and maybe what you hoped would be a new player in your commander pod just really likes competitive play. Or the other way around. You have no control over that and neither do you need to.
I tried introducing my friends to Commander but there are always so many things going on at the table and matches are so long, that they decided they want to play 1-v-1 from now on. They also don’t want to put any money into the game. My response as their go-to Magic guy is to meet them halfway there, even if I don’t do 1-v-1 anywhere else. I already have a Dominaria Remastered box waiting for the next draft night, and I haven’t gotten rid of my pauper decks because of that.
This can be difficult, of course, because it can put the weight on your side to get all the cards and tokens, build the decks, keep everything organized, etc. But if you want that new opponent across the table, you have to bite the bullet or reach an understanding about what’s possible to do on your end, or what they can do to help you meet there. Maybe it’s all chipping in to buy aGame Nightset, maybe it’s a night of proxying cards. It’s not easy, but it sure is worth it.
And that's it! I hope this article helps you on your way to make your gathering a bit larger.