Have you ever felt lost staring at the wall of Magic: The Gathering starter decks? You see all those colorful boxes, each promising an adventure, but which one is right for you? It’s a common feeling! New players often struggle to pick their very first deck. They worry about picking a deck that is too hard to learn or one that won’t let them play exciting games with friends.
Choosing the perfect Magic Starter Deck is the first big step into a vast and amazing world. A good starter deck gets you playing fast and teaches you the rules smoothly. A bad choice can feel frustrating and slow down your fun. Don’t let confusion stop your journey into becoming a planeswalker!
This guide cuts through the confusion. We will break down what makes a great starter deck and show you exactly what to look for based on your play style. By the end of this post, you will know the best deck to grab for your first epic battle. Let’s dive in and find the perfect deck to launch your Magic career!
Top Magic Starter Deck Recommendations
- Magic: The Gathering Starter Kits are a great way to dive into a game of deep strategy, gorgeous art, fantastical stories, and a thriving fan community
- 2 decks designed for out-of-the-box play, with a Play Guide to get you started
- 2 boxes to store your decks—easy to bring to your next board game night or play at your local game store
- LEARN THE BASIC ELEMENTS OF MAGIC—Your Magic: The Gathering journey begins with a friend beside you! Play your first game in a guided battle of Aang versus Zuko. Choose your side and send your forces to your opponent while learning essential gameplay lessons
- GUIDED LEARN-TO-PLAY EXPERIENCE—Start by playing a tutorial game with two 20-card decks, each with a step-by-step guide booklet that will walk you through your first game
- CREATE THEMED DECKS—Once you’ve conquered the basics, master the remaining elements by combining any two of the eight 20-card half-decks into a full 40-card Avatar: The Last Airbender-themed deck; mix and match to try different combos!
- EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO SUCCEED—Gain an instant Magic collection. This truly astounding box boasts over 350 cards with essential staples for any color and any way you want to play.
- BORDERLESS CARDS and FULL-ART LANDS—Crown your collection with cards featuring gorgeous pieces of alternate art that fill each card; the Foundations Starter Collection includes 6 Borderless cards and 10 Full-Art Land cards
- RARES and SHINING FOILS—Collect coveted Rare and Mythic Rare cards and cards that gleam with a beautiful foil treatment; this collection includes 75 cards of rarity Rare or higher and 26 Traditional Foil cards (8 of which are Rare or Mythic Rare), plus you’ll find more in the included Play Boosters.
- 60-CARD THEME DECK—Accessible, ready-to-play decks filled with iconic Magic themes. A fun, fast entry into Standard format—choose a theme that fits you and jump right in
- WHAT IS STANDARD?—Standard is Magic's most-played 60-card constructed format, where you build decks from the most recently released sets. Dynamic gameplay and evolving strategies make Standard one of the most fun and popular ways to play!
- CONTENTS—1 battle-ready 60-card Angels theme deck, 1 deck box, 5 double-sided token cards, 1 strategy insert, and 1 reference card
- Includes a mix of AT LEAST 25 Rares/Uncommons which is half of the cards.
- Absolutely NO... Basic lands, Foreign, or silver/gold bordered cards.
- Some may contain Foils or Mythics but not all.
- READY-TO-PLAY COMMANDER DECK FOR NEWCOMERS AND FANS: Join friends in epic battles! This Magic: The Gathering Starter Commander Deck, First Flight (White-Blue), is ready to play straight out of the box
- INTRO TO MAGIC’S MOST POPULAR FORMAT: Commander is a multiplayer way to play Magic! Learn how to play with your own deck, easy-to-follow rules, strategy tips, and reference card
- 100 CARD WHITE-BLUE DECK: With the First Flight deck, take wing with the sphinx Isperia, Supreme Judge, and overwhelm foes with a squadron of flying friends
- 60-CARD THEME DECK—Accessible, ready-to-play decks filled with iconic Magic themes. A fun, fast entry into Standard format—choose a theme that fits you and jump right in
- WHAT IS STANDARD?—Standard is Magic's most-played 60-card constructed format, where you build decks from the most recently released sets. Dynamic gameplay and evolving strategies make Standard one of the most fun and popular ways to play!
- CONTENTS—1 battle-ready 60-card Pirates theme deck, 1 deck box, 5 double-sided token cards, 1 strategy insert, and 1 reference card
- READY-TO-PLAY COMMANDER DECK FOR NEWCOMERS AND FANS: Join friends in epic battles! This Magic: The Gathering Starter Commander Deck, Token Triumph (Green-White), is ready to play straight out of the box
- INTRO TO MAGIC’S MOST POPULAR FORMAT: Commander is a multiplayer way to play Magic! Learn how to play with your own deck, easy-to-follow rules, strategy tips, and reference card
- 100 CARD GREEN-WHITE DECK: With the Token Triumph deck, ally with the elf cleric Emmara, Soul of the Accord, and overwhelm foes with a multiplying army
The Essential Buying Guide for Your First Magic: The Gathering Starter Deck
Ready to jump into the amazing world of Magic: The Gathering (MTG)? A Starter Deck is your perfect first step. This guide helps you pick the right one so you can start battling quickly and have the most fun!
1. Key Features to Look For
When you pick up a Magic Starter Deck, you need to know what makes it a good starting point. These decks are designed for brand-new players.
- Two Ready-to-Play Decks: The best starter sets give you two complete decks. This lets you immediately play against a friend. You do not need to buy anything else to start a game.
- Simple Strategy: Look for decks that focus on basic, easy-to-understand game plans. Complex mechanics can confuse new players.
- Rulebook and Play Guide: A good starter set includes a simple guide or booklet. This teaches you the basic rules of how to cast spells and attack.
- Variety of Cards: Ensure the decks offer a mix of creatures, spells, and land cards. This helps you understand the different parts of a Magic game.
2. Important Materials and Components
A Starter Deck is more than just the cards. The extra materials help you learn the game better.
- Card Quality: The cards themselves are made of sturdy cardstock. While professional tournament cards are slightly different, starter deck cards should feel solid and not bend easily when shuffled.
- Rulebook/Insert: Check that the included paper materials are current. Older rulebooks might not cover the newest ways the game works.
- Life Counters (Sometimes Included): Some sets come with small dice or spin-down counters. These help you track your life total accurately during the game.
3. Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Not all starter decks are created equal. A few things can make your learning experience much better or much worse.
Factors That Improve Quality:
- Theme Cohesion: When the two decks in the set work well against each other (like Fire vs. Water), the experience is much more balanced and fun.
- Up-to-Date Content: Decks released more recently usually feature cards from newer sets. These cards often have clearer text and mechanics that are easier for beginners to grasp.
Factors That Reduce Quality:
- Outdated Sets: If a starter deck uses very old card designs or mechanics, you might struggle to find help online or learn current rules.
- Overly Aggressive Decks: Sometimes one deck is much faster or stronger than the other. This imbalance makes learning frustrating because one player always loses quickly.
4. User Experience and Use Cases
How you plan to use the deck greatly affects which one you should buy.
Use Cases:
- Learning with a Friend: If you and one friend are starting together, the two-deck starter is essential. It lets you learn by playing immediately, which is the best way to learn MTG.
- Learning Solo: If you are learning by yourself, the included rulebook is the most important feature. You can practice shuffling and reading the cards before you play against another person.
- Future Upgrading: A good starter deck contains basic, useful cards. These cards can be moved into bigger, more powerful decks later on. A deck with many common, useful lands or creatures is a better investment.
A starter deck should feel exciting, not overwhelming. Choose one that clearly tells you how to play and lets you start battling right away!
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Magic Starter Decks
Q: What is the main difference between a Starter Deck and a Planeswalker Deck?
A: A Starter Deck usually contains two simple, balanced decks meant for two people to learn the game together. Planeswalker Decks are often geared toward one player learning a specific character’s style.
Q: Do I need to buy anything else to play with a Starter Deck?
A: Usually, no. Most starter sets give you everything needed for two players to start a game right out of the box.
Q: Are the cards in a Starter Deck rare?
A: No. Most cards in a starter deck are common or uncommon. They are designed for learning, not for winning big tournaments.
Q: How long does it take to learn the game using a Starter Deck?
A: Most people can grasp the basic rules (playing lands, attacking) within one or two practice games using the included guide.
Q: Can I use these cards in other Magic games later?
A: Yes, absolutely! Once you buy them, the cards are yours to use in any legal deck format.
Q: What age group are these decks best for?
A: They are generally great for players aged 10 and up, depending on reading ability and interest in strategy games.
Q: Should I buy the newest Starter Deck available?
A: Buying a newer one is usually better because the rules and card terminology are clearer in modern printings.
Q: What if I only want to learn by myself?
A: If you are learning alone, focus on the deck that has the clearest rulebook or tutorial insert included.
Q: Do the decks include basic lands?
A: Yes. All Magic decks, including starter decks, must contain the necessary land cards (like basic Mountains or Forests) to play.
Q: How many cards are usually in one Starter Deck?
A: A standard two-deck starter set will contain two 60-card decks, totaling 120 cards plus any extra tokens or guides.
Hi, I’m Tom Scalisi, and welcome to The Saw Blog! I started this blog to share my hands-on experience and insights about woodworking tools—especially saws and saw blades. Over the years, I’ve had the chance to work with a wide range of tools, and I’m here to help both professionals and hobbyists make informed decisions when it comes to selecting and using their equipment. Whether you’re looking for in-depth reviews, tips, or just advice on how to get the best performance out of your tools, you’ll find it here. I’m excited to be part of your woodworking journey!