I haven't played MTG in many many years and now I want to start playing again.
In order to get started, I was thinking about buying a booster box for the last block and some additional stuff. However since I haven't played for so long, I have no clue what to purchase.
Should I buy premade decks? or another booster box? or are there other options/suggestions?
For which expansion should I buy a booster box to get the best value for money?
Thanks for your quick answer. No real format in mind. Not even sure what formats are being played these days. Mostly want to play with friends and than probably a few tournaments here and there, but I wouldnt be playing tournaments on a very regular basis. I would prefer to play drafts anyway.
Thanks for your quick answer. No real format in mind. Not even sure what formats are being played these days. Mostly want to play with friends and than probably a few tournaments here and there, but I wouldnt be playing tournaments on a very regular basis. I would prefer to play drafts anyway.
I hope this helps
If you're only going to be drafting I don't think you would need to buy anything other than sleeves and a playmat really. If you plan on playing an constructed formats I would recommend either Modern or Commander. Since neither are rotating formats you don't have to worry about keeping a standard deck up to date and having cards rotate out.
Here is a link for Modern: http://www.mtgsalvation.com/forums/the-game/modern
Look into building a cube. You can build nearly infinite decks from it, can draft with friends, and can make it as cheap (pauper and/or non-pimped out and/or proxied) or as expensive (foils, a/b/u, power, etc) as you want. I quit playing competitive constructed Magic at least 5 years ago and built a cube. It's an ongoing project that I can customize to my liking, it includes old favorites and it always gets upgraded with each new set (so I'm always excited to see what's being printed). Check out some lists here in the cube forum and build from there if you decide to go that route.
Of course, you don't have to go off a list, you can make it entirely your own: tribal cube, junk rare cube, a cube based on a certain block or set, a cube with only one color, etc. It's so much fun!
If yo want to get into standard I suggest you to get the event deck and upgrade it, here is a link to a useful guide to upgrade it. That deck is really competitive and fun to play I wouldn't advise you to build any of the top decks in the format as those are crazy expensive right now (~700 usd). If you want to get into more casual formats like Commander the spoilers for the new product start tomorrow, those premade decks are usually are very fun and your friends can help you upgrading them.
If money is not an issue you could buy into modern, if so, I would advise you getting one of the tier 1-2 decks in the format, as most of the cards those decks use won't loose that much value over time, so you could sell them in case you want to get out of mtg again without a significant loss of money.
Let me just but in here and say that I am in a similar situation to OP here.
I started MTG since before Modernw was a thing, back when I was a middle schooler, then dropped it, got back into it in college with innistrad and RTR (two blocks the Vorthos-Johnny that I am LOVED)but seeing as I have little people to play with and not a lot of cash to drop, Standard isn't really a format I can get into.
I was looking at Modern because it'd allow me to use some of the cards that I still have from the Duel decks, booster drafts, and random acquisitions I got through the years, and it not rotating while still updating seemed interesting. However, I've also heard Modern has some of the most... competitive decks out there, with turn 3 guaranteed wins and little to no flavor tying the decks together.
So EDH/Commander has my interest (they're the same, right? I always assumed them to be but it can't hurt to make sure) yet I've never played it. But reading guys here and a few articles and opinions on the web has definitely picked my interest, and kinda got me wondering if I should build a main EDH deck while I build Modern/Standard decks as a side project. EDH decks are restricted to one offs (besides lands, I know) correct? They should be easy to build then, no?
Yes, modern is really competitive, it rewards skill and the ability to read into the metagame (as in what kind of decks are others currently playing). It can be really unforgiving, so If you feel kind of a newb to the format I would suggest to take it slowly (as in read first about the best decks in the format, maybe proxy them to learn how to play them, read about strategies an so, and choose one to build as the last step).
Edh/Commander are the same, although the format can be very fun is not that easy to build. It took me a while before it finally click. You can play as many copies of a basic land you want, but any non basic is one off too.
You could also consider buying someone's collection to establish a base of cards.
I also recommend starting off with the starter/into/event decks.
Private Mod Note
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Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
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Hooked on Magic since The Dark.
Blue Rules. Berserk, Fork, Fork, Fork, Fork
"Does trample go around the table?"
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You could also consider buying someone's collection to establish a base of cards.
I also recommend starting off with the starter/into/event decks.
If you decide you want to play EDH (Commander is indeed the same format), I highly recommend this, but don't get suckered into repacks on eBay. There are lots of cards people sell with their collections that would be unplayable in other formats, but all-stars in EDH. Granted, I only play EDH, but I've opened plenty of packs in my day, and many legacy/modern playables are also good in EDH. Another thing to keep in mind is that the Commander 2015 product is coming out shortly, which often has playables from all kinds of formats (save for maybe standard), so keep an eye on those, too.
Buy Intro deck, Play FNM Standard or casual pick-up games with others. Learn the basics again, learn deeper simple strategy tips. Get used to playing in person, that time limit creeps up on you, trust me. Watch games, ask questions. Upgrade the deck with a random pack or two from prizes/trades.
Then try out every other majorly supported/popular format. EDH/Commander is phenomenal fun if you have a group to consistently play with, borrowing a deck is just as fun as building your own, especially going in blind when you have a 5 color commander. Booster Draft/Sealed Deck are great if you $ but no cards and want a deckbuilding challenge. Semi-competitive, most folks I know use it to pad their trade binders and to play with whats in standard if they usually don't. Modern can be $$$$ and a hassle of no-fun when you feel like the worst player until you learn the metagame of decks you will face. Legacy/Vintage aren't worth your time unless you have all the money to blow.
There are plenty of other ways to play with the cards of course, all related to $/time investment and in how YOU LIKE TO PLAY. Plenty of casually fun long games and super short aggro 1on1 stuff to be played.
Edh/Commander have too many cards? Try Tiny leaders, half the deck, restricted CMC spells.
Booster drafts costing you an arm? Build your own draft pool of 300(?) cards to draft with your buddies, singleton format.
Really want to go in blindly odd? Use a Fat Pack to play Wizard's Tower.
Pack wars *Wizards called it Pack wars! /... ahem. One pack of cards with basic land/token card removed. Plus 15 basics, 3x each type, sleeved blindly without knowing whats in the pack, shuffle, cut, play as normal but try not to mulligan that ruins the fun of the rare surprise. I enjoyed it but it got costly when using MM15 packs, and an ante, heh.
EDITO: You should be able to get a sort of demo-deck from your Local Game Store that does events. Thee are like, 30 card decks with very simple cards that have examples of interactions, but aren't bombarding you with difficulty. They should be FREE You should probably ask them to teach you how to play so you get the basics if you really haven't played in years.
I haven't played MTG in many many years and now I want to start playing again.
In order to get started, I was thinking about buying a booster box for the last block and some additional stuff. However since I haven't played for so long, I have no clue what to purchase.
Should I buy premade decks? or another booster box? or are there other options/suggestions?
For which expansion should I buy a booster box to get the best value for money?
Thanks a lot for your help and advice.
Moomin
BWTokens
GCollected Stompany
BWGUSeance Insanity
URUR Bloo
I hope this helps
If you're only going to be drafting I don't think you would need to buy anything other than sleeves and a playmat really. If you plan on playing an constructed formats I would recommend either Modern or Commander. Since neither are rotating formats you don't have to worry about keeping a standard deck up to date and having cards rotate out.
Here is a link for Modern:
http://www.mtgsalvation.com/forums/the-game/modern
Here's one for Commander:
http://www.mtgsalvation.com/forums/the-game/commander-edh
Of course, you don't have to go off a list, you can make it entirely your own: tribal cube, junk rare cube, a cube based on a certain block or set, a cube with only one color, etc. It's so much fun!
If money is not an issue you could buy into modern, if so, I would advise you getting one of the tier 1-2 decks in the format, as most of the cards those decks use won't loose that much value over time, so you could sell them in case you want to get out of mtg again without a significant loss of money.
Yes, modern is really competitive, it rewards skill and the ability to read into the metagame (as in what kind of decks are others currently playing). It can be really unforgiving, so If you feel kind of a newb to the format I would suggest to take it slowly (as in read first about the best decks in the format, maybe proxy them to learn how to play them, read about strategies an so, and choose one to build as the last step).
Edh/Commander are the same, although the format can be very fun is not that easy to build. It took me a while before it finally click. You can play as many copies of a basic land you want, but any non basic is one off too.
I also recommend starting off with the starter/into/event decks.
Hooked on Magic since The Dark.
Blue Rules.
Berserk, Fork, Fork, Fork, Fork
"Does trample go around the table?"
============================
If you decide you want to play EDH (Commander is indeed the same format), I highly recommend this, but don't get suckered into repacks on eBay. There are lots of cards people sell with their collections that would be unplayable in other formats, but all-stars in EDH. Granted, I only play EDH, but I've opened plenty of packs in my day, and many legacy/modern playables are also good in EDH. Another thing to keep in mind is that the Commander 2015 product is coming out shortly, which often has playables from all kinds of formats (save for maybe standard), so keep an eye on those, too.
BGW Doran, the Siege Tower BGW
URG Animar, Combo Player URG (needs updating)
WBR Kaalia of the Vast WBR
Then try out every other majorly supported/popular format. EDH/Commander is phenomenal fun if you have a group to consistently play with, borrowing a deck is just as fun as building your own, especially going in blind when you have a 5 color commander. Booster Draft/Sealed Deck are great if you $ but no cards and want a deckbuilding challenge. Semi-competitive, most folks I know use it to pad their trade binders and to play with whats in standard if they usually don't. Modern can be $$$$ and a hassle of no-fun when you feel like the worst player until you learn the metagame of decks you will face. Legacy/Vintage aren't worth your time unless you have all the money to blow.
There are plenty of other ways to play with the cards of course, all related to $/time investment and in how YOU LIKE TO PLAY. Plenty of casually fun long games and super short aggro 1on1 stuff to be played.
Edh/Commander have too many cards? Try Tiny leaders, half the deck, restricted CMC spells.
Booster drafts costing you an arm? Build your own draft pool of 300(?) cards to draft with your buddies, singleton format.
Really want to go in blindly odd? Use a Fat Pack to play Wizard's Tower.
Pack wars *Wizards called it Pack wars! /... ahem. One pack of cards with basic land/token card removed. Plus 15 basics, 3x each type, sleeved blindly without knowing whats in the pack, shuffle, cut, play as normal but try not to mulligan that ruins the fun of the rare surprise. I enjoyed it but it got costly when using MM15 packs, and an ante, heh.
EDITO: You should be able to get a sort of demo-deck from your Local Game Store that does events. Thee are like, 30 card decks with very simple cards that have examples of interactions, but aren't bombarding you with difficulty. They should be FREE You should probably ask them to teach you how to play so you get the basics if you really haven't played in years.
Selling some cards I don't want.
Generally less than tcg mid.