5 Reasons Why You Should Play Magic The Gathering

When passing by a shop selling video games or tabletop games, a certain stereotype of its patrons comes to mind. The picture of pimpled, plump adolescents spending their earnings from their weekend job on pricey paints and deluxe version discs is a scenario that is often mocked, but it also discourages many individuals from trying certain games, fearing that they will be viewed as one of those hermits who live in basements and confuse reality with a digital fantasy world.

Nonetheless, many of these games are incredibly entertaining, with their fantasy elements offering a tremendous amount of enjoyment and escape. One excellent example of this is Magic The Gathering, a trading card game that recently held its World Championship in Amsterdam and remains fresh in the minds of its fans. Originally created in 1993, it was the first trading card game and now boasts over 12 million players worldwide. If you’re not already one of these players but have always been curious about the potential joy of playing Magic The Gathering and similar games, we’ve got five reasons why you should pick up a pack of cards and a 20-sided dice and give it a try.

It promotes social interaction

Contrary to popular belief, games like Magic The Gathering are a great way to have fun with friends and even make new ones. Magic has an organized tournament system with professional players, and for those less fanatical, some game and comic book shops host their own tournaments for anyone to play. There are even open tournaments that provide players with a selection of cards to make a deck, and at the end, players get to keep them.

One unique aspect of Magic The Gathering is that it requires players to be physically present with each other to play. Many games today focus on connecting players from different parts of the world through the internet, often neglecting the socializing factor. While there are online versions of the game, the most popular form of Magic The Gathering is face-to-face competition. Additionally, the game’s open format allows for a large number of players to participate in a single game, ensuring that no one is left out.

2. It enhances strategic thinking

All aspects of Magic The Gathering require a high level of strategic thinking, from building your card deck to using cards in gameplay. While the game’s aesthetics and motifs are rooted in fantasy role-playing games, it has a wider selection of cards and a more complex set of rules and card combinations than most trading card games.

Despite this, Magic The Gathering is surprisingly easy to learn. Basic gameplay rules are sufficient for casual players, and only those planning to enter competitions may need to read the lengthy rulebook. The game’s complexity is one of its strengths, as players come to appreciate its depth and understand how the game constantly adapts to new card releases and social changes. For instance, the game’s creators removed demonic and occultist themes from the game’s early stages due to their controversial nature at the time, but these themes were later reintroduced when society’s views on them evolved.

Playing Magic The Gathering also helps develop a gracious attitude towards winning and losing, which can be beneficial for one’s personality. Winning a game can give players a great sense of accomplishment, and many take pride in creating a deck that can defeat any opponent.

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3. It is less expensive than many video games with similar complexity

Unlike many video and online games, Magic The Gathering operates on a physical basis, with no hidden costs. Once a player purchases a card, they own it indefinitely, without any season passes or playing restrictions. Building multiple decks with great synergy and a high chance of winning may cost more than an average board game or basic video game, but players are free from bunny-hoppers and griefers. Similar to other tabletop games, there is almost endless variety in the games played. Each card color in Magic The Gathering has its own storyline, making it much more interesting than typical “shoot everyone in the army” games.

Playing Magic The Gathering can also be a profitable investment, as some rare cards, like the highly-valued Black Lotus card, have been known to sell online for around $1000. Buying a pack of cards can be a small price to pay for the chance of obtaining such a valuable card. Additionally, purchasing cards from online wholesalers can significantly reduce costs, with a set of 1000 cards priced at around £30 instead of £266 if purchased in 15-card booster packs.

4. The artwork makes it worth the investment

Each Magic The Gathering card features artwork by numerous talented artists. Hundreds of artists have contributed to the game since its inception, and only two card designs from the original set are still used in prints today. Every card color has a unique style of artwork, with most designs focusing on religious, war, or spell-casting themes.

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5. It has a great on-line community

The online community for Magic The Gathering is exceptional, with active forums on most major social networking sites, including the official MTG website. The website offers information on the game, news on recent card releases, and a daily newsletter featuring articles from various MTG columnists.

Newcomers to the game will find that the players are always helpful, and with such a wide audience, there are numerous online tutorials available for building decks and learning the rules. Additionally, there are articles explaining all the specific terms used in gameplay. The website also provides information on upcoming events and has a list of official event venues. All venues have a weekly Magic The Gathering night, which is open to all levels of players.

Magic The Gathering is not just a fun and social game, but it also rewards players with free cards for attending events and a range of prizes for competing in tournaments. Despite the negative perceptions some non-players have about the game’s “coolness,” the community is welcoming, and players will quickly make new friends. While playing Magic The Gathering may dent your pocket and student loan, compared to the cost of gaming consoles, video games, and their endless accessories, it is a worthwhile investment. Getting started is easier than you might think, so there’s no reason not to give it a try!