How do i teach someone to play MtG?
Asked by muffludwig 13 years ago
After having friends over to play for what seems like endless hours to my girlfriend, she has shown interest in learning. I'm a great teacher, but not of magic. I getside tracked too easily. Are there any websites or possibly guides in the forums on teaching someone who doesn't know the difference between a land and a creature. I have a huge collection of cards, and would be able to throw together simple decks for some open-hand visual learning. Thanks!
KrazyCaley says... #2
Good thing for YOU to read; advice on teaching:
http://www.wizards.com/Magic/Magazine/Article.aspx?x=mtgcom/feature/448
Good thing for HER to try; has videos and an interactive learn-to-play demo.
http://www.wizards.com/magic/tcg/newtomagic.aspx?x=mtg/tcg/newtomagic/learntoplay
December 22, 2010 3:01 p.m.
Let her find out what SHE likes about Magic, don't try to get her to like what YOU like about Magic.
December 22, 2010 4:01 p.m.
KrazyCaley says... Accepted answer #4
@JaceFace Amen to that. 9 out of 10 girlfriends end up hating magic because the guy just pushes his vision of the game onto her.
December 22, 2010 4:06 p.m.
MagnorCriol says... #5
Thirded. Let her play and find what she likes.
What I'd suggest is first asking her what's catching her eye. Let her be general. Then just give her a deck that uses that theme and simply let her play.
Letting someone learn by doing is usually the most effective way, I think especially with MtG. And it's also easier to SHOW by doing.
It's probably best to start her with multiplayer. That way she's not always the focus of aggression, and there's more decks and things going on for her to see and be interested.
Just remember - and be sure to remind everyone else at the table - remember that she's new and be patient with her for it. Magic's got some illogical rules that can be confusing.
And especially remind her, in MtG, the specific words and verbs used on cards is usually VERY significant.
December 22, 2010 4:16 p.m.
i find the best way to teach someone how to play magic is by playing with them. play with both of your hands showing and walk them threw every phase. let them know what you would do in there place and why. and what you are doing and why. and start by using 2 basic decks you dont want them to understand everything in one game you just want them to get the basics. this is what my friend did with me and 2 games later i was making my own deck and kicking his butt half of the time.
December 22, 2010 10:27 p.m.
masterpeez says... #7
Tell her you love her, but women just can't learn magic. Its a biological thing.
December 22, 2010 11:25 p.m.
@masterpeez i have to disagree i play with a group of about 14 friends and 6 or 7 of them are girls and most of them kick butt.
December 23, 2010 1:23 a.m.
djdauenbaugh says... #9
I would recommend getting a pre-packaged deck at your local store. You can usually get one for about $10 bucks and that usually includes a strategy guide. When I was first starting out and my friends just wanted to demolish me, that was the first thing that started me thinking on my own about magic. Outside of my "teachers" mindsets. She won't enjoy it unless it becomes her own, so maybe that's the second step...I agree with what JaceFace and MagnorCriol are saying. Open-handed basic decks to start, then let her get imaginative based on what she likes.
December 23, 2010 3:13 a.m.
masterpeez says... #10
Lol jk. Maybe some girls can play magic. I learned by reading the online rulebook straight through, then buying every white common from the magic shop, then playing a brutal FNM, then playing a draft and more games all night long at a friends house. It takes a while to get it all down.
December 23, 2010 10:24 a.m.
I like the idea of having both of you get one of the structure decks and playing each other with those. You can be fairly certain there won't be any serious disadvantage in card strength, and there shouldn't be anything too complicated in those decks.
After she is beginning to understand a little, my suggestion would be to get her a few booster packs, probably one from a few different sets. I think this would be a good way to show her a variety of different cards, introducing a nice element of discovery. It also is a good chance for her to find a card or card type she really likes. My girlfriend wasn't all too into Magic, then she started playing with Lightning Bolt and now she almost refuses to play anything non-red. Plus, I find opening boosters to be fun in general.
Prophylaxis says... #1
First, look here:
http://www.wizards.com/Magic/TCG/NewtoMagic.aspx?x=mtg/tcg/newtomagic/whatismagic
Or if you like video:
http://www.wizards.com/Magic/TCG/Article.aspx?x=mtg/tcg/newtomagic/learntoplay
Note: I don't recommend downloading the demo. It's way too clunky for what it does.
If you have some learning sheets from the precon packs you bought, you can use those also.
Once she has learn the rules, you can probably throw together the simple decks or possibly buy some intro packs. Here's a good website for that:
www.ertaislament.com
December 22, 2010 3 p.m.