Basically I started playing the Magic 2012 video game over the summer at the recommendation of a friend. Ever since I've been hooked on it and now I'm looking to start playing at the local game shop. My question for you guys is what are some good ways to start building a collection of cards? They sell just about everything when it comes to Magic most things will be readily available. All input is appreciated!
Buy a dark ascension variety pack and an innistrad booster box, and you should be alright. Then buy specifics to make decks, and exchange with friends. This combo is little pricey though... Oh, and as you make decks, keep making new ones, in new formats, new strategies. Keep more than one on at a time, but not all. The ones you retire are going to serve as good card collection
Get to know your local dealer and see how they can help you. My local guy takes care of me on some stuff. He also sells repacks for a buck. It's a good way to get some decent cards for building. Drafts are fun IMO and it evens the playing field( except for those mythic pulls ) and usually you can win packs and get a promo
But the best deals for cards are online but look around every so often you can find a steal
Easiest way to be good fastest is to look online for the top world deck, replicate it, and kick people's be-hinds. Play it until you eventually realize what makes it soo good, then you can make your own deck.
Srsly guys -.-, hes just starting. But a deck builders toolkit and maybe a premade deck that they sell at stores.
Srsly guys -.-, hes just starting. But a deck builders toolkit and maybe a premade deck that they sell at stores.
Quote from: Gummuh on February 08, 2012, 07:52:51 PM
Basically I started playing the Magic 2012 video game over the summer at the recommendation of a friend. Ever since I've been hooked on it and now I'm looking to start playing at the local game shop. My question for you guys is what are some good ways to start building a collection of cards? They sell just about everything when it comes to Magic most things will be readily available. All input is appreciated!
Deck Builder's Toolkit works like a charm.
Personally, I would buy a 2000/3000 junk card box from eBay or something. Dirt cheap considering the amount of cards you get, and as long you have enough lands, that can keep you entertained for a long time.
As someone who has lost and had to restart his collection several times, I'd say, buy a precon deck, maybe a deck builders toolkit, and get to know how things work together find a non pompous player at the shop and let him take you under his wing, being a strong, solid magic player takes time and practice just like everything else, and it's crazy how even novice decks do well in multiplayer and commander, so get some game play time in, and we'll help you as much as we can. PM me, I'll even send you some cards that catch your eye in the most latest sets, free of charge, keep in mind I can't let go of everything.
For a beginner, I would not waste my money on buying large boxed of cards for loads of cash. It simply isn't worth it. When you become more adept, you would soon realize that half of those cards are just trash in the first place. I would actually "study" more about the decks/cards and what makes it good before coming to any conclusion. By doing do, you not only are self improving, but you are also saving money on junk cards that you probably will find to be horrible. (believe me when I say it, grab boxes are usually full of crap)
As most have said, I'm with the Toolkit (not the app :P). As for pre-cons, I'd say if you want to focus on winning games, get an Event Deck. If you want to learn about synergy and are interested in a new idea or theme (Zombies, Undying, etc) get a Theme deck. They're less competitive and more casual.
New Event Decks:
http://www.wizards.com/magic/magazine/article.aspx?x=mtg/daily/arcana/898
DKA Theme decks
http://www.wizards.com/magic/tcg/productarticle.aspx?x=mtg/tcg/darkascension/intropacks#deck5
I have to disagree with Proph on buying those 5000 count sales on eBay and what not. The reason they are so cheap is because they have been picked apart for all the good cards and you will just be getting the nasty old afterbirth....so to speak. Goto eBay and search for " dark ascension common/ uncommon playset" this is 4 copies of every common and uncommon for DA and they sell around $30 last I checked. You can do the same for Innistrad and other sets. The longer a set is out the more expensive these playsets become so get em early and cheap. Then you can just trade ppl or buy single rares online. eBay is good for buying single rares cheap....playsets of rares tend to get driven higher...just have to watch for deals, set your highest price, and stick to what you want to pay.....DON'T overpay....check prices on this app and do the math!!!!
Quote from: BlackJester on February 09, 2012, 01:49:15 AM
As most have said, I'm with the Toolkit (not the app :P). As for pre-cons, I'd say if you want to focus on winning games, get an Event Deck. If you want to learn about synergy and are interested in a new idea or theme (Zombies, Undying, etc) get a Theme deck. They're less competitive and more casual.
New Event Decks:
http://www.wizards.com/magic/magazine/article.aspx?x=mtg/daily/arcana/898
DKA Theme decks
http://www.wizards.com/magic/tcg/productarticle.aspx?x=mtg/tcg/darkascension/intropacks#deck5
I agree with this, and recommend the hold the line event deck personally. That one has one of the easier strategies to learn (in my opinion) and has a good base to improve a white deck in.
Also see if you can get a hold of the deck inserts for event decks that tell you how to play the deck it try's to explain how it works and how to play it. Also it suggests what to add for your playing style.
Thanks for all the replies! Right now I'm leaning towards getting a Toolkit. Quite conveniently the next expansion comes out right as school ends so I will probably get a bunch of cards from that to get me going into the summer. If you have anything else to add, please do!
I'm looking for all the help I can get!
I just got into magic this year. The best thing I found at the beginning was to buy something cheap like a deck builders tool kit to get started. That way if you aren't comfortable or it's not what you thought your not out a lot of money. Most importantly the best thing you can do is talk to people and ask questions......lots and lots of questions. The duels of the planeswalkers game doesn't explain everything to you. The game is so much more involved than that. So start cheap and find out how you like to play (aggressive, conservative etc..). Then start building and playtesting decks and asking more questions. Also since you are just starting out I would start with buying packs from innistrad set and dark ascension set as they will be in rotation the longest from this point on.
The deckbuilder's toolkit I believe is to be a waste of money, it contains pretty lame things that don't really do too much in the competitive environment. If you dream big and want to become better faster, I would suggest simply getting the event decks (haven't thought of them until now :0). They are designed by WoTC to be slightly competitive and contains really good cards that can be traded out if need be. Personally If you have like 30-50 to spend, I would just get an event deck and some booster packs (the contents to use as trade fodder) and get the cards you want to make your deck better.
Or if you have some more money, you can get another event deck to add more copies of good cards to your original deck (and the rest leftovers are still more trade fodder)
If you play casual the toolkit is awesome for only $20. You get 4 boosters so that is $16 value. So for $4 you get a lot of lands and a bunch of very playable common/uncommons like {lightning bolt}, {Serra angel}, and {leatherback baloth}. Now if you are an overly critical standard player *cough* Appleguru *cough* than the toolkit is not for you ;)
Quote from: Gummuh on February 09, 2012, 07:46:19 PM
...Quite conveniently the next expansion comes out right as school ends so I will probably get a bunch of cards from that to get me going into the summer...
It's almost like they planned it that way... ;)
Let's play nice here. :)
Now, buying an event deck gives you something you could probably start kickin' a$$ and taakin' names with (not really), but you are locked in playing the same deck over and over. If tweeking a single deck to perfection is your idea of fun (and if it is, that's great! Go Spikes!) then go that route. If however you'd like to try a wider variety of the game and have the land and essentials to do so, my money is on toolbox.
One of the beautiful things about the game of magic is that there are many ways to enjoy it and you need to figure out what it is about the game that interests you most:
Winning
Coming up with cool ideas/combos
Getting together with friends and having fun
If the first is most important to you, go with Apple's suggestion. For the second, maybe a theme deck? And toolbox for the third? It's not quite that simple, but at least the toolbox gives you building blocks to try a number of different ideas and future decks.
IMHO
Quote from: Appleguru56 on February 09, 2012, 10:29:28 PM
The deckbuilder's toolkit I believe is to be a waste of money, it contains pretty lame things that don't really do too much in the competitive environment. If you dream big and want to become better faster, I would suggest simply getting the event decks (haven't thought of them until now :0). They are designed by WoTC to be slightly competitive and contains really good cards that can be traded out if need be. Personally If you have like 30-50 to spend, I would just get an event deck and some booster packs (the contents to use as trade fodder) and get the cards you want to make your deck better.
Or if you have some more money, you can get another event deck to add more copies of good cards to your original deck (and the rest leftovers are still more trade fodder)
I agree with guru on this one. Toolkit is lame. The event deck or intro packs are the best way to go. Event decks would require less work than an intro pack.
I was not being mean......just SOURcastic :))
When do the new toolkits release or have have they released
Quote from: Greg54js on February 10, 2012, 12:26:36 PM
When do the new toolkits release or have have they released
The first one came out in May 2010. The "refreshed" one (including boosters from Zen - Besieged) came out March 2011. I would guess that another would come out this March.
Get a Magic buddy. I came back to the game not long ago and one of my friends just threw free cards my direction. Friends in the game mean you will have some quick cards and someone to play. Welcome and watch your wallet :) Our hobby is a money pit.
As you have already seen there are plenty of ways to get started. I only got into it just on 2 years ago, and really only played casual 1v1 and multiplayer for the first year and a bit, not really understanding all the different formats and such.
I did my research at the time and went with the deck builders toolkit as it gave me the most cards (with a good range of different stuff) that money could buy. I found it an awesome way to start and before I knew it I had 3 decks on the build and one that really kicked some arse.
To supplement and tweak what I had I found a local place that sold singles online and I did heaps of research into what cards I wanted, then went and purchased only the ones I needed to minimize the bulk of cards.
Doing it this way (I believe) is much better on the wallet -as already mentioned this hobby is a money pit if you let it- and you can end up spending many bucks on buying lots of rubbish and a few awesome cards by buying lots of boosters.
Now just recently my mates and I have started getting into playing more standard based stuff. Getting along to sealed tournaments is always good and a level playing field. Often they will give you a great deal on what you will need to play and also give you a promo card. For dark a. set we had a fat pack tournament, a sealed 6 boosters one (3 from inn 3 from da) and a draft. I found that was a great way to add more cards to my play set and give me more cards to create new decks.
Finally somewhere along the line I got into playing the computer versions of the game, this not only ironed out a few of the simple play mistakes I was making, but forced me to know the rules far better. (having an awesome resource like the iMTG app with everything right at your finger tips is invaluable)
Good luck and with whatever way you decide to go, have fun and remember its a game. Enjoy it, and if you get beaten, go away and come back stronger.
:)