I've played the game's Standard format since the release of Theros. I'm no stranger to TCGs, and picked it up easily after learning some of the magic-related nuances, but going to local events has been a somewhat alienating experience.
The more serious players talk in lingo, of mechanics and trends in the meta that I've yet to grasp, among other things that I find myself Googling as I sit there. I realize most of these players have been involved with the game for years, but I'm curious as to what they tune into. What reading material to you recommend for a new player who wants to step up his game, or at least remain "current"?
In addition, is there a good resource out there for deckbuilding? Most of my decks are constructed with no real wisdom behind them other than trying for a decent curve and manabase. The greatest resource I've found was eyeballing decks ismilar to the ones that I want to play, and trying to understand how they're meant to play-out.
Sites that tend to have decent articles include (but are not limited to) Wizards, TCG Player, SCG, and Channel Fireball. During spoiler season, Wizards does a pretty good job of spreading the cards out among the various sites that produce MTG content - so checking the source of the spoiled cards might provide an introduction to other useful sites.
The Source also exists for Legacy players, if you are thinking of that direction instead of Standard.
SCG is selling Next Level Deckbuilding, which might provide some assistance on deck building. There are also more than a few useful threads here, of course.
The more serious players talk in lingo, of mechanics and trends in the meta that I've yet to grasp, among other things that I find myself Googling as I sit there. I realize most of these players have been involved with the game for years, but I'm curious as to what they tune into. What reading material to you recommend for a new player who wants to step up his game, or at least remain "current"?
In addition, is there a good resource out there for deckbuilding? Most of my decks are constructed with no real wisdom behind them other than trying for a decent curve and manabase. The greatest resource I've found was eyeballing decks ismilar to the ones that I want to play, and trying to understand how they're meant to play-out.
The Source also exists for Legacy players, if you are thinking of that direction instead of Standard.
SCG is selling Next Level Deckbuilding, which might provide some assistance on deck building. There are also more than a few useful threads here, of course.