If you’re intrigued by trading card games (TCGs) but hesitant to spend a significant amount on physical cards, diving into digital TCGs like Magic: The Gathering Arena can be an excellent way to get acquainted with the game without the financial commitment.
That said, Arena has a learning curve similar to the tabletop game, and approaching it with care is essential. Familiarizing yourself with the platform’s features will not only help you grasp the rules of Magic: The Gathering but will also enhance your understanding of the game’s evolving strategies and mechanics.
Get Started with Starter Decks
Once you sign up and finish the tutorial, the game provides you with several starter decks that represent all the color types in Magic: The Gathering, including some dual-mana decks. Each color has its own unique gameplay style and strengths.
These decks are crafted to be beginner-friendly and are legal in the Standard format. Although they might not compete well against experienced players, they effectively teach essential strategies and basic combos.
Additionally, you own all the cards in these decks, which allows you to experiment. Pay close attention to the keywords on each card to understand how they interact and trigger various effects.
As you gather more cards, you can enhance the starter decks with new spells to create more powerful combinations. Eventually, you’ll be able to build your own decks, and the cards from your starter decks will remain useful additions.
Check Your Inbox for Free Packs
Before purchasing in-game packs, remember that the game often rewards you with free packs for winning matches and participating in special events. These rewards can be found in your inbox, located in the upper right corner of the main menu.
Whenever a new set launches, Arena frequently gives out free packs to introduce players to new or returning mechanics.
Opening these packs is one of the quickest and most affordable ways for new players to expand their collections and earn wildcards, which are essential for acquiring elusive rares or mythic rares needed for your deck construction.
Utilize Advanced Search for Cards
Since its debut in 1993, Magic: The Gathering has released over 20,000 unique cards. Although not all of them are available on Arena, the card pool can still be overwhelming. Finding the best combos for your deck can take a lot of time.
Fortunately, Arena’s Advanced Search feature simplifies this task. You can input specific terms and phrases to filter your search based on type, color, cost, rarity, and effects.
If you’re building a deck with cards that generate a lot of creature tokens, such as Scute Swarm, try typing “when a creature enters the battlefield” into the search bar. This will show you cards that trigger effects whenever a creature enters the battlefield.
Use Wildcards Smartly
Your wildcard collection is a crucial resource in Arena. While you can use gold to buy packs and gems to enter drafts and events, wildcards are the only means to acquire specific cards for deck building.
When on the advanced filters page, checking the “Not Collected” option will display all cards in the selected format that you do not own.
To use a wildcard, simply click the “Craft” button or right-click on a selected card and use a wildcard of the corresponding rarity to add it to your collection. Since getting individual cards can be so beneficial, save these for when you’re building a specific deck.
Watch for Set Rotations When Building Decks
Even though many casual Magic: The Gathering players may overlook the current legal cards for Standard or Commander formats during friendly games, The Arena platform does indeed enforce these rules. To use a deck in Standard or Alchemy, all cards must be from the current rotation.
When setting search filters, select the format you plan to use, and only cards applicable to that format will show up. Keep in mind that card rotations happen regularly, usually in the fall.
If you’re playing in formats like Standard or Alchemy, it’s advisable not to spend wildcards on spells likely to rotate out soon.
Be mindful of which sets are due to rotate out of Standard or Alchemy, and use those cards sparingly. Spending a mythic rare wildcard for a card that will be removed shortly can be frustrating and wasteful.
Focus on Synergy Over Rarity
A common mistake among novices is thinking that just because a card is rare or mythic, it automatically deserves a spot in their deck. Although rarity might suggest a card’s overall utility, it could also lead to higher mana costs and may not synergize with your other cards.
Instead, prioritize lower-cost cards that trigger desired effects from the other cards in your deck, as this strategy will help you maintain control of the game.
Leverage Arena’s Mana Average Calculator
Arena also offers an incredibly helpful feature in the “Deck Details,” where you can view statistics about your deck, including card types, the intended format, and your deck’s average mana cost.
Typically, aim to keep your average mana cost low so that your cards remain affordable to play each turn.
Some decks, like landfall or mana ramp decks, benefit from a higher mana average because they can more easily afford powerful spells early in the game. Consequently, these decks require a higher land count than those with lower mana averages.
While there’s no definitive rule for how many lands to include, understanding your average mana cost is essential when making that decision.
Use Stops to Bluff Your Opponent
In an in-person game, there’s a constant tension as you assess how much untapped mana your opponent has, trying to determine when they might use a powerful spell. In Arena, the game is designed for speed, often skipping turn phases if there’s nothing for you to do.
While this keeps the game moving, it signals to your opponent that you have no cards to play, allowing them to unleash their game-winning combo without hesitation.
During play, you can set a “stop” at various turn phases to create the appearance that you have actions to take in response. The game will treat this as if you’re ready to cast a spell or activate an ability, even if you’re not, effectively masking your strategy from your opponent.
This technique is effective but can be frustrating for your opponent and is best reserved for competitive formats.
