Introduction to Magic: the Gathering

Magic: the Gathering, MTG, belongs to the genera of fantasy games known as trading card games, (TCG). In fact MTG is unique among TCG's, in that it is the first of its kind. MTG was invented by Richard Garfield, and was published due to a fateful meeting between Richard, Peter Adkison, and Wizards of the Coast co-founder Ken McGlothlen, at a Dragonflight convention, in Seattle, August 1991. The prototype, originally called Manaclash, was tested in 1991, and the game we know today, was finally published two years later.

In The Beginning : Daily MTG : Magic: The Gathering

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I have personally collected, and played MTG for fifteen years; in fact I can still visualize the first Magic commercial aired on television. I remember having my interest peeked, but I did not actually learn the game, until I played the original Magic: the Gathering computer game. I was hooked, and I hadn't even opened a pack of cards yet. Now I have a collection, which I estimate to be between 60 and 80,000 cards.

MTG is successful, because of its simplicity. There is a universal set of rules, which has been subject to change over the years, but for the most part has remained constant. The exceptions to the rules are printed on the cards. To play, you start by building your own deck, of sixty or more cards, comprising of around twenty lands. The ingenious marketing strategy of MTG, is in the steady release of new cards. To keep up with current trends in the game, players must constantly buy into new cards, or rotate their collection. This unfortunately is also the reason that I have seen veteran players fall away from the game over the years. But as the wheel turns, new generations are always eager pick up the torch.

There is so much more to playing MTG, than deck building and strategy. Collecting into the game is where the true enjoyment lies. Each time you open a fresh pack of cards, you immerse yourself in a fantasy world, viewed through the window of artwork. You unlock the secret history of these new worlds in reading flavor text and flavorful mechanics. The fantasy experience becomes equal parts published intent and imaginative interpretation. Trading is also a name sake of the genera. Through experience you learn what you like to play and collect. When you pull off a big trade, perhaps acquiring that mythic rare which is the cornerstone of your all-star deck, you feel a sense of accomplishment that transcends just playing the game.

Learning to play MTG is simple. There are numerous e-sources out there, and numerous willing teachers at local game shops.

Learn to play!