How To Play Magic: The Gathering (MTG) Learn To Play In About 15 Minutes!
Table of Contents
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
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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.
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Types of Lands:
- Plains: Produce White Mana
- Islands: Produce Blue Mana
- Swamps: Produce Black Mana
- Mountains: Produce Red Mana
- Forests: Produce Green Mana
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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:
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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).
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Main Phase:
- Play one land and cast spells by paying their mana costs.
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Combat Phase:
- Declare attackers and blockers, calculate damage, and resolve combat.
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Second Main Phase:
- Similar to the first Main Phase; you can play another land if you haven't yet.
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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
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Creature Stats:
- Power: Damage dealt by the creature (first number).
- Toughness: Damage the creature can withstand (second number).
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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
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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.
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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!