How To Play Magic: The Gathering (MTG) Learn To Play In About 15 Minutes!

Introduction

This tutorial will guide you through the basics of playing Magic: The Gathering (MTG), a collectible card game that combines fun, strategy, and imagination. You will learn about deck construction, gameplay mechanics, and key concepts to help you start playing in about 15 minutes.

Step 1: Understanding the Game Structure

• Deck Requirements:

  • You need a 60-card deck, typically consisting of 24 lands and 36 spells.
  • Lands provide mana, while spells include creatures, artifacts, enchantments, instants, and sorceries.

• Types of Lands:

  • Plains: Produce White Mana
  • Islands: Produce Blue Mana
  • Swamps: Produce Black Mana
  • Mountains: Produce Red Mana
  • Forests: Produce Green Mana

• Mana Costs:

  • Cards have mana costs shown as numbers in grey circles (generic) or colored symbols (specific color).
  • You must pay the color requirements of a card to cast it.

Step 2: Starting the Game

• Setting Life Points: Each player starts with 20 life points.
• Determine Who Goes First: Use randomization, such as rolling two six-sided dice.
• Draw Initial Hand: Each player draws 7 cards.

Step 3: Game Turn Structure

A turn consists of several phases:

1. Beginning Phase:

   • Untap Step: Untap all permanents.
   • Upkeep Step: Trigger abilities that happen during this step.
   • Draw Step: Draw a card (except for the first player on the first turn).

2. Main Phase:

   • Play one land and cast spells by paying their mana costs.

3. Combat Phase:

   • Declare attackers and blockers, calculate damage, and resolve combat.

4. Second Main Phase:

   • Similar to the first Main Phase; you can play another land if you haven't yet.

5. End Phase:

   • Clean-up: Discard down to 7 cards, remove damage from creatures, and end any effects that last until the end of turn.

Step 4: Combat Mechanics

• Creature Stats:

  • Power: Damage dealt by the creature (first number).
  • Toughness: Damage the creature can withstand (second number).

• Combat Steps:

  • Declare Attackers: Tap creatures to attack.
  • Declare Blockers: Opponent chooses which creatures will block.
  • Combat Damage: Damage is dealt based on power and toughness.

Step 5: Playing Spells and Abilities

• Types of Spells:

  • Permanents: Cards that stay on the battlefield (creatures, artifacts, enchantments).
  • Instants and Sorceries: One-time effects; instants can be played at any time during your turn.

• The Stack:

  • When a spell is cast, it goes on the stack. Players can respond with their own spells.
  • Spells resolve in reverse order.

Step 6: Using Planeswalkers

• Activating Abilities: Can be activated once per turn during your main phase.
• Loyalty Points: Each planeswalker has loyalty points that decrease when using their abilities.

Step 7: Key Gameplay Concepts

• Creature Abilities: Familiarize yourself with common abilities:
  • Haste: Attack immediately after being played.
  • Flying: Can only be blocked by flying or reach creatures.
  • Trample: Deal excess damage to the opponent if blocked.
  • Lifelink: Gain life equal to the damage dealt.

Conclusion

Now you have a foundational understanding of how to play Magic: The Gathering. Start with a basic deck, familiarize yourself with the rules, and practice with friends. As you grow more comfortable, explore advanced strategies, deck building, and different formats of play. Happy gaming!