Magic The Gathering (cards) help

[go-10]

so I know the game's been around for years but I've never picked it up until now. Well I still don't know how to play but I'm learning, bought that PSN 2012 game to get the rules and basics down at least.

My questions it for a total noob what would you recommend for a good starting deck? Advice on strategies?
I was thinking on building a poison and mana recovery centered deck but my friend tells me that will only get me killed as its too easy a strategy to beat. Also the nearest comic book store on this forsaken island I'm currently stuck in is 6 hours away, what's a good place to buy cards online?

I used to be an avid Yu-Gi-Oh! player but in that game I was an attacker won't 23 tournaments and quit after that. However looking at Magic there's more strategy involved which is why I like it more

 

[FilipJPhry]

You could try a black vampire deck. It's a noob class, but very effective if done right. Vampires can beat just about anything. They have Lifelink which gives you health as you damage monsters and your opponent. Also, instant-death spells are really handy if you want to get rid of monsters that are blocking your way. The Vampire Nighthawk is arguably the best vampire monster. I don't buy my cards online, though. A starter kit is pretty good: it gives you all the mana cards you need, and a bunch of booster packs too. Last of all, do some research. Look up mechanics and strategies online.

Like I said, I don't buy cards online, so the first sites to pop in my google search were:
http://www.mtgfanatic.com/store/magic/?gclid=CNnUiN3svqsCFUqK4Aod6y62fQ
and
http://www.coolstuffinc.com/magic+the+gathering+cards.php?gclid=COW6-JztvqsCFYSK4AodvkwafA

 

[godofallu]

Are you asking for real life magic advice, or advice for decks in the game? I don't own the game.

As far as the vampires suggestion goes, remember that Innistrad's release removes the Zendicar block from standard. Since Zendicar had most of the good vampires, and standard is like 75% of MTG played you would be in for some trouble.

My advice for starters is to build up a card base using cards from the post Innistrad standard. At first you basically have to make a deck out of the cards you have. Then gradually edit it and edit it as you get more good options.

That or spend like 25 dollars ordering a custom deck which you create. At that price range if you're a great deck builder you can do average at a friday night magic and do decently for casual.

Of course you won't know the cards or deck building enough to make a deck like that.

Just stick to monocolored decks is my advice. White weenies, red deck wins, green beats are the three basic decks that basically anyone can build.

 

[dimensional]

I havent played the latest game so cant help you there but the way I learnt the game was just to read the mini rulebook that came inside the larger random packs where you also get lands as well (do they still print that?) then just went through a couple of test games to make sure everything had sunk in.

Generally it is not a difficult game to learn but there will invariably be some complex rule technicalities at some time or another.

As for starter decks any deck that says starter will do and as for strategy well that will vary a lot but being very very general if you are playing red or green you should play offensively while blue and white are more defensive and black is probably more offensive based as well.

If you are building your own deck as previously mentioned stick to monocolour to start with and a simple theme i.e lots of little creatures to rush opponent or lots of cards to destroy opponents resources then drop a big critter or a scaling sligh deck approach i.e few cheap critter bit fewer medium ones and a couple of big ones.

The game allows for masses amount of customisation even if limited to just standard I used to love coming up with crazy (and usually impractical) combos, my favourite was an infinite mana duplicated wish combo which in theory would allow me to cast an infinite number of spells in one turn as long as I had the cards.

Oh and serious tournament play can be pretty brutal you will not be let off a single mistake and if people think you dont know the rules enough expect them to try and cheat (subtly) if it suits them.

As for buying cards I had the same problem in the end all I did was write names of cards on scrap pieces of paper then put that paper in a plastic wallet with any old card backing it and hey presto you have a new card. Ok not really as for a start you have to memorise or look up what it does and you wont be allowed to play anywhere remotely competitive but it is a good and cheap way to test out new deck ideas and play with friends.

 

[RemuValtrez]

I've been playing MTG for probably about 7 years now. Haven't been keeping up as of late, but I must say one of the best decks I've made would have to be my Green Elf deck. It's not hard to play, and I've made many revisions of it over the years. Originally it was a small creature deck with a bunch of instants to give +3/+3 (Giant growth), turning into an enchantment deck (Yay Blanchwood armor / Alpha status) and finally turning into an elfball deck (Yay Elvish Promenade). It's not a hard deck to play, as long as you have the right cards in it. And it's very effective. Kinda sucked when I made it into an elf factory right before Elves vs Goblins came out, as it became the norm to use, buuuuut meh.

But as I do not play the actual console games, making a deck on there would be a bit tougher I'd imagine, but it's something to shoot for!