Starter Packs

[Mattao19]

My friend plays Hearthstone, and I finally convinced him to try MtG how do I get him started? SHould i get a starter pack? Or buy a cheap Std deck?

[Rass]

Can't you make him a basic deck to borrow at first?

[Kaylesh]

My LGS provides starter packs to learn to play, could be a fine starting point. Start simple, and slowly expand.
Intro deck can be fine too, but I'd wait until he has found a play style. That way he'll get more fun out of it.

[InfinitiveDivinity]

I'm a fan of basic mono-colored decks with only vanilla creatures and super simple spells like {Pacifism}s for {W}, basic counters for {U}, basic removal like {Murder} for {B}, simple burn for {R}, and some pump spells for {G}. It helps newcomers get a grasp on the game without throwing to much at them at the same time. With Hearthstone though, a few of our evergreen abilities transfer over, they have their own version of haste and what not.

[LinkCelestrial]

I learned with Heroes vs Monsters and a printout of the rulebook. Then again I'm a bit more inclined to this sort of thing than most. Build some basic decks, play them, tell them about what each colour does and go from there. I like the starter kits but I have a better time playing with intro decks usually. If you can boost their collection with some of the stuff you have laying around an intro deck is great. If not I'd lean towards a starter kit.

Another bonus of the starter kit is they'd learn about deck building. Then again if you can boost their collection you can still teach them about it.

I handed my friend Mono Black Devotion (a ghetto version of RtR-Theros standard) grabbed Ensoul Blast, played open hand and they got the general gist from that. They've never played another deck since (I don't see them often) so maybe I guessed their play style a little too well.

If they struggle with a concept, maybe try building a deck around it and having them pilot it. It's a pretty great learning experience if you help them out.

Whatever happens I'm glad you've converted another to the cause.

[MuggyWuggy]

Make your friend a deck that is easy to pilot

Send your friend to modern or legacy first and save them money if those are played actively in your area

[General Kiwi]

When I started playing a friend and I both went out and bought a random starter deck (every Friday) and played them against each other. Both of us were learning as we went and it helped us discover what colors we liked. I felt it worked out great.

[Kaylesh]

I got hooked on Duels of the Planeswalkers. Really easy to learn the basics, and made me want more cards. 2013 & 2014 were good. I hear Magic Duels is good, but I downloaded it and the graphics are all jacked so until it's patched I can't really recommend it.

I heard the tutorial in Duels is really great. The older versions did a nice job with tips as well imo.

[Codester1991]

Once they grasp the basics build em a soul sisters deck to help them with remembering triggers that's what my girlfriend is playing now. I started her off with green aggro and switched to this. She had a windbrisk heights down with and archangel of Thune under it and had attacked with three spirits while having two souls attendants down and two ajanis pridemates. Try to figure out how many triggers that turns into. Lol.

[Kaylesh]

Once they grasp the basics build em a soul sisters deck to help them with remembering triggers that's what my girlfriend is playing now. I started her off with green aggro and switched to this. She had a windbrisk heights down with and archangel of Thune under it and had attacked with three spirits while having two souls attendants down and two ajanis pridemates. Try to figure out how many triggers that turns into. Lol.

Just don't miss too much detrimental ones, would be shame to get to the point you get your last warning and receive a match loss while at 509 - 5 in lives

OT: I just ran the Gideon and Jace campaigns of Duels. While I had connectivity issues yesterday, today went fine. I really like how they teach stuff in the game. Although with the resets I had yesterday I have the feeling the Gideon decks are stacked. Just too coincidental perfect curves. Thrice. But for learning, it's nice. And free!