My oldest son is 9 and he likes playing Magic. I haven't played since the revised days. Does anybody have any good way to keep a 9 year old interested. I'm going to have him pick out his own creature only deck to use, as the spells confuse even me sometimes, lol. Anything else I should be looking at doing?
I'd seek out a local game store, events such as Friday night magic (FNM) are run regularly.
I think learning to draft is fun and a good way to get your hands the newest cards. Although I know my LGS only runs draft for the first few weeks of a new set then switches to standard. A bunch of families have come to FNM with whatever deck cards they have and sure they lose the first round or two then they all get paired together with their weaker decks. I think a kid with this dino deck actually went 3-1 last week.
The best place to start is with a new set at prerelease, since no one knows much about the cards and how good they are and make plenty of rules mistakes, people are pretty relaxed and having fun at those events. The next one is Dominaria, I should check when that is out...
My oldest son is 9 and he likes playing Magic. I haven't played since the revised days. Does anybody have any good way to keep a 9 year old interested. I'm going to have him pick out his own creature only deck to use, as the spells confuse even me sometimes, lol. Anything else I should be looking at doing?
Thanks,
Chris
Hi Chris,
welcome to the forums
Like the others have mentioned, prereleases are a pretty casual environment and just about everyone is using the cards for the first time together. Some stores (my LGS does) even do two headed giant prereleases! You and your son could team up together!
The unfortunate thing is that prereleases aren't a weekly available event your son could go to. I would check out a prerelease when Dominaria drops but in the mean time I would recommend calling or visiting some local game stores to see what weekly/monthly events they hold. Lots of places have "casual" magic nights where anything goes, mostly EDH/Commander and some pick-up games of 60 card in between.
EDH/Commander is a casual multiplayer format that is a ton of fun and may be more forgiving of an environment for your son to jump into. Sometimes the Standard/Modern players are building decks that are more competitive than a casual player is expecting. Hence I recommend at least taking a look at EDH/Commander. It's a format that is perfectly ok with having creature-only decks too, it's not a terribly unusual thing to see. Multiplayer might seem intimidating for a 9 year old at first but with the right kind of folks around it could be a helpful experience, getting varying perspectives on play style and strategy. My LGS is great for youngsters because lots of the locals are old time players and are there to play for the sake of playing and not terribly competitive. The FNM scene may be more competitive, depends on the LGS.
I would recommend checking out the game stores in person to understand their vibe/employees/playerbase. Some stores have a nice facility but the playerbase is hostile for new and unexperienced people. It's a tall order to take the time out of your schedule to visit some stores but you could rest easy knowing there may be a LGS in your area that you can feel comfortable dropping your son off at, or going to with him.
I've been buying cards for my son here and there since he was 7, he is now 16. He's an excellent student and and even better son, so we will go get cards together and I'll reward his good grades with what he wants to collect. Currently its UnStable. And we play a decent bit of it. My advice, let your son decide if he wants to collect/play with you, don't force it. Lead by example. If he sees you are having a good time or others at say an LGS if he is very social let him explore safely with your guidance. If he outgrows it or becomes bored, so be it. Too many parents try to force a sport or activity on their children. It should be more casual and exploratory for them (with proper guidance of course). Sounds like you are a good and concerned Dad that has been playing since when I started playing as well. Good luck and I'll leave it at this, make the game fun and special and enjoy your time with your child, they grow up quick.
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Thanks,
Chris
I think learning to draft is fun and a good way to get your hands the newest cards. Although I know my LGS only runs draft for the first few weeks of a new set then switches to standard. A bunch of families have come to FNM with whatever deck cards they have and sure they lose the first round or two then they all get paired together with their weaker decks. I think a kid with this dino deck actually went 3-1 last week.
The best place to start is with a new set at prerelease, since no one knows much about the cards and how good they are and make plenty of rules mistakes, people are pretty relaxed and having fun at those events. The next one is Dominaria, I should check when that is out...
Pioneer:UR Pheonix
Modern:U Mono U Tron
EDH
GB Glissa, the traitor: Army of Cans
UW Dragonlord Ojutai: Dragonlord NOjutai
UWGDerevi, Empyrial Tactician "you cannot fight the storm"
R Zirilan of the claw. The solution to every problem is dragons
UB Etrata, the Silencer Cloning assassination
Peasant cube: Cards I own
Art is life itself.
Hi Chris,
welcome to the forums
Like the others have mentioned, prereleases are a pretty casual environment and just about everyone is using the cards for the first time together. Some stores (my LGS does) even do two headed giant prereleases! You and your son could team up together!
The unfortunate thing is that prereleases aren't a weekly available event your son could go to. I would check out a prerelease when Dominaria drops but in the mean time I would recommend calling or visiting some local game stores to see what weekly/monthly events they hold. Lots of places have "casual" magic nights where anything goes, mostly EDH/Commander and some pick-up games of 60 card in between.
EDH/Commander is a casual multiplayer format that is a ton of fun and may be more forgiving of an environment for your son to jump into. Sometimes the Standard/Modern players are building decks that are more competitive than a casual player is expecting. Hence I recommend at least taking a look at EDH/Commander. It's a format that is perfectly ok with having creature-only decks too, it's not a terribly unusual thing to see. Multiplayer might seem intimidating for a 9 year old at first but with the right kind of folks around it could be a helpful experience, getting varying perspectives on play style and strategy. My LGS is great for youngsters because lots of the locals are old time players and are there to play for the sake of playing and not terribly competitive. The FNM scene may be more competitive, depends on the LGS.
I would recommend checking out the game stores in person to understand their vibe/employees/playerbase. Some stores have a nice facility but the playerbase is hostile for new and unexperienced people. It's a tall order to take the time out of your schedule to visit some stores but you could rest easy knowing there may be a LGS in your area that you can feel comfortable dropping your son off at, or going to with him.
Good luck!
http://www.mtgsalvation.com/forums/magic-fundamentals/magic-general/334931-what-is-the-most-pimp-card-deck-youve-seen-or?comment=5361
Commander
RGOmnath, Locus of Rage Grenades! EDHGR
UWSygg's Defense, EDH - Voltron & ControlWU
BUGMimeoplasm EDH ft. Ifnir Cycling-discard comboBUG
WBTeysa, Connoisseur of CullingBW
BWSelenia & Recruiter of the Guard suicice combo EDHWB
UBRWGO-Kagachi - 5 Color Enchantments - EDHUBRWG
STOP using "dude/bro" as a pejorative or insult. Grow up.
Margaret Thatcher: “The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money.”
Benjamin Franklin: "Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."
Martin Luther King Jr.: "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character."