Tips and Guides from Dragon's Lair - One of Sweden's oldest game stores

Curious about Magic: The Gathering? Here's everything you need to get started

Expected reading time: 6–8 minutes Magic: The Gathering is the world's first collectible card game and still one of the most popular. Since its inception in 1993, millions of players have built decks, made new friends, and discovered why the game continues to fascinate year after year. If you're curious about Magic, it might seem like there's a lot to learn. Different formats, hundreds of new cards every year, and a language that sometimes feels like a world of its own. But the truth is, it's easier to get started than many people think. Here are some things that might be good to know as you take your first steps into Magic: The Gathering. Start by playing Unlike some other card games, many people get into Magic for the gaming experience itself. Of course, there are collectors, but for most, the hobby is about playing matches, building decks, trying new strategies, and meeting other players. Therefore, we always recommend starting with playing and letting the rest come naturally. Play with English cards In Magic, English cards are standard. Almost all tournaments, game nights, guides, and discussions are based on the English card names. Although there are cards in other languages, English is the version used by the vast majority of players. This makes it easier to follow strategic discussions, find information online, and play with others regardless of where they come from. If you're new, you don't need to know advanced English. Most people quickly learn the most common terms by playing. Find a way to start playing A common misconception is that you have to build your own deck from scratch right away. You don't have to. Many start with pre-built products or borrow a deck from a friend during their first game nights. This way, you can focus on learning the rules and understanding how the game works before you start thinking about your own card choices and strategies. Magic is a game best learned by actually playing it. Try different formats One of the reasons Magic has survived so long is that there are many different ways to play. Some enjoy quick matches with smaller decks. Others prefer longer games with several players around the same table. The most popular format today is Commander, where usually four players meet in social and often quite spectacular matches. For many new players, Commander is also the natural way into the hobby because the focus is often as much on community as on winning. The best way to find your favorite format is to try a few different variants and see what suits you. Useful accessories You don't need much to start playing, but a few accessories make the hobby both easier and more fun. Many players use: Sleeves to protect cards A deck box or card box A playmat Dice for life counting and markers A binder for trades and favorite cards Good accessories help cards last longer and make it easier to bring your deck to game nights and tournaments. Community is a big part of the experience For many, Magic becomes more than just a game. It becomes a reason to meet people with the same interests, discuss strategies, try new ideas, and share memorable matches. One of Magic's great strengths is that there's room for all types of players. Some love competitions and tournaments. Others just want to play some casual Commander games with friends. There's no right or wrong way to be a Magic player. Game nights make learning easier If you want to develop faster, it's hard to beat the feeling of playing with others. At game nights, you get help with rules, can ask questions, and get the opportunity to meet players with different experience levels. You often learn more during an evening at the game table than through hours of videos and guides. Besides, it's much more fun. At Dragon's Lair, we regularly organize Magic events for both new and experienced players. Whether you're curious about your first game or have been playing for a while, there's always someone to play with. Everything you need to get started At Dragon's Lair, you'll find English Magic cards, accessories, pre-built products for new players, Commander products, playmats, sleeves, and much more. We also host game nights, tournaments, and other Magic events where you can meet other players and develop your game in a welcoming environment. If you're unsure where to start, we're happy to help. Many of us who work in the store started as beginners ourselves and know how much easier the hobby becomes when someone points out a good way in. The most important thing is to get started It's easy to feel like you have to learn everything about Magic before you start playing. But most players discover the same thing: you learn along the way. Find a deck that seems fun, visit a game night, and play some matches. After a while, the cards, rules, and strategies will start to fall into place. That's when Magic truly shows why so many continue to play year after year.