MTG Arena Beginner’s Guide [2024]

MTG Arena is a digital adaptation of the popular collectible card game, Magic: The Gathering. It has quickly become one of the most popular ways to play Magic, offering a convenient and accessible way to enjoy the game from anywhere in the world. Whether you’re a seasoned Magic veteran or a complete newcomer to the game, MTG Arena has something to offer.

Getting started with MTG Arena can be a little overwhelming, especially if you’re new to the game. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll take you through everything you need to know to get started with MTG Arena, from the basics of gameplay to more advanced strategies for building your collection and competing at the highest levels. By the time you’re finished reading, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a skilled MTG Arena player, ready to take on the world of Magic: The Gathering.

Key Takeaways – MTG Arena Beginner’s Guide

• Learn the basics of gameplay, including the rules and mechanics of Magic: The Gathering.
• Build your collection by participating in events, completing daily quests, and opening booster packs.
• Develop your deck building and strategy skills to compete at the highest levels of play.

Getting Started with MTG Arena

As a beginner, downloading and installing MTG Arena is the first step to start playing. You can download the game from the official website here. MTG Arena is available for Windows and macOS, and you can also play it on mobile devices.

Downloading and Installing

To download MTG Arena, simply click on the “Download” button on the website and follow the instructions. Once you have downloaded the installer, double-click on it to start the installation process. The installation process is straightforward and should take only a few minutes to complete.

Navigating the Interface

After installing MTG Arena, you will be greeted with a welcome screen. From here, you can create your account and start playing. The interface is intuitive and easy to navigate. You can access different features of the game, such as your collection, the store, and your profile, from the main menu.

Completing the Tutorial

Before you start playing against other players, it is recommended to complete the tutorial. The tutorial will teach you the basics of the game and how to play. You can access the tutorial from the main menu by clicking on “Learn to Play” and then “Tutorial.”

Once you have completed the tutorial, you can start playing against other players. To get started, you can either purchase the Welcome Bundle or use the Jump In feature to join a game quickly.

Building Your Collection

Building a strong collection of cards is essential for success in MTG Arena. Here are some tips to help you build your collection efficiently.

Understanding the Economy

MTG Arena has its own economy based on gold, gems, and booster packs. Gold is the in-game currency that can be earned by completing daily quests, participating in events, and winning games. Gems are the premium currency that can be purchased with real money or earned through events and rewards. Booster packs contain cards and can be purchased with either gold or gems.

Earning Rewards and Packs

To earn rewards and packs, players can complete daily quests and participate in events. Daily quests are a great way to earn gold, which can be used to purchase booster packs. Events offer a variety of rewards, including gold, gems, and booster packs. Players can also earn booster packs by leveling up their mastery pass.

Utilizing Wildcards

Wildcards are a valuable resource that can be used to obtain any card of the same rarity. There are four types of wildcards: common, uncommon, rare, and mythic rare. Wildcards can be earned through booster packs or purchased with gems. It is important to use wildcards wisely and save them for cards that are essential to your deck.

Gameplay Fundamentals

As a beginner in MTG Arena, it is essential to understand the basic gameplay mechanics. This will help you to build a solid foundation for your future gameplay.

Learning Basic Mechanics

The game is played by two players, each with a deck of cards representing creatures, spells, and effects. The objective is to reduce your opponent’s life total from 20 to 0. To achieve this, you need to use your cards strategically to control the board and attack your opponent.

The game has a stack system, which means that each spell or effect played is added to a stack and resolved in reverse order. This system allows players to respond to each other’s actions, creating a dynamic and strategic gameplay experience.

Exploring Game Modes

MTG Arena offers several game modes that cater to different playstyles. The most popular game modes are Standard, Draft, and Commander. Standard is the most accessible game mode, where players build decks from the latest sets of cards. Draft is a limited format where players draft cards from a pool to build a deck. Commander is a multiplayer format where players build decks around a legendary creature.

Mastering Combat and Effects

Combat is a crucial aspect of the game, and it is essential to understand the different phases of combat. There are three phases of combat: the beginning of combat, declare attackers, and declare blockers. Understanding these phases will help you to attack and block effectively.

MTG Arena has several effects that can modify the game state, such as counters, damage prevention, and card draw. It is crucial to understand these effects and how they interact with each other to make informed decisions during gameplay.

Deck Building and Strategy

As a beginner, crafting your first decks can be a daunting task. However, with the right knowledge and strategies, it can be an enjoyable experience. Here are some tips to help you build your first decks:

Crafting Your First Decks

When you first start playing MTG Arena, you will be given pre-constructed decks to play with. These decks are a great way to learn the game mechanics and get a feel for the different colors and strategies. But eventually, you will want to build your own decks.

To build a deck, you need to understand the different colors and their strengths and weaknesses. Each color has its own unique playstyle and strategy. For example, white is good at controlling the board, while red is good at dealing direct damage.

Once you have chosen your colors, you need to think about your mana curve. A mana curve is a graph that shows the distribution of mana costs in your deck. You want to have a good balance of low, mid, and high-cost cards to ensure that you can play cards at every stage of the game.

Advancing to Competitive Play

Once you have built a few decks, you may want to try your hand at competitive play. Competitive play is where you will face off against other players who have built their own decks.

To be successful in competitive play, you need to understand the current meta. The meta refers to the most popular decks and strategies being used by players. By understanding the meta, you can build decks that are designed to counter the most popular strategies.

You should also have a sideboard. A sideboard is a set of cards that you can swap out between games to better adapt to your opponent’s deck. For example, if you are facing a deck that is heavy on creatures, you may want to swap in some cards that deal with creatures.

Adapting to the Meta

The meta is constantly changing, so you need to be able to adapt your decks to stay competitive. One way to do this is to keep an eye on the current meta and adjust your decks accordingly.

Another way to adapt to the meta is to experiment with different strategies. For example, if the meta is heavy on control decks, you may want to try building an aggro deck that can deal damage quickly.

Engaging with the Community

As a beginner, it’s important to engage with the MTG Arena community to learn more about the game and improve your skills. Here are two ways to connect with other players:

Joining Events and Tournaments

MTG Arena has a great selection of events and tournaments that you can participate in, ranging from casual play to competitive play.

These events are a great way to meet other players, learn new strategies, and earn rewards.

You can find events by clicking on the “Events” tab in the main menu.

You can also check out Draftsim’s Ultimate Guide to MTG Arena for a comprehensive list of events and their rewards.

Connecting with Other Players

Playing with friends is a great way to improve your skills and have fun.

You can add friends by clicking on the “Friends” tab in the main menu and entering their username or email address.

Once you’ve added friends, you can challenge them to a direct challenge by clicking on their name in your friends list and selecting “Challenge”.

You can also join MTG Arena communities on social media platforms like Reddit and Discord to connect with other players and learn from their experiences.

There are also many guides and tutorials available online that can help you improve your skills and learn new strategies.

MTG Arena Zone has a great selection of guides for beginners, including a Quick Start Guide and a Beginner’s Guide.

You can also find many helpful tutorials on YouTube by searching for “MTG Arena beginner’s guide” or “MTG Arena tutorial”.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can beginners efficiently progress in MTG Arena?

As a beginner, it’s important to focus on building your collection and learning the mechanics of the game.

One way to do this is by completing daily quests and participating in events.

By doing so, you can earn gold, gems, and booster packs which will help you acquire more cards and build better decks.

What are the best beginner-friendly formats in MTG Arena?

The best formats for beginners are Standard, Historic, and Draft.

Standard and Historic are the most popular formats in MTG Arena, and the card pool is limited to a smaller set of cards which makes it easier to build competitive decks.

Draft is a great way to build your collection and learn the mechanics of the game, as you get to choose cards from a limited pool to build a deck on the spot.

Which steps should a new player take to start building their collection in MTG Arena?

New players can start building their collection by completing daily quests, participating in events, and opening booster packs.

It’s also a good idea to use wildcards to craft specific cards that you need for your deck.

As you progress, you can also consider purchasing gems to participate in drafts and acquire more cards.

Are there any free codes available for MTG Arena that beginners can use?

Yes, there are free codes available for MTG Arena that beginners can use.

These codes can be redeemed for booster packs, cosmetics, and other rewards.

Some popular codes include “PlayAllegiance” and “PlayRavnica”.

You can find a list of all available codes on the official MTG Arena website.

What are the most popular formats played in MTG Arena as of 2024?

As of 2024, the most popular formats in MTG Arena are Standard, Historic, and Draft.

Standard and Historic are the most popular constructed formats, while Draft is the most popular limited format. However, this can change depending on the current meta and events being offered.

Where can beginners find a community or forum for MTG Arena strategy discussions?

Beginners can find a community or forum for MTG Arena strategy discussions on Reddit, Discord, and other online forums. These communities can be a great resource for learning about the game, getting feedback on your decks, and finding other players to play with.

Some popular MTG Arena Discord servers include “MTG Arena Pro” and “MTG Arena Zone”.