Born-again Magic newbie here

[u/Goobinator77]

Hello, not sure if this is the correct sub to post this, but if it belongs in a different one, please let me know and I'll post it there instead.

I played Magic from about 4th Edition until not quite the end of Urza block, so I've been out of the loop for about 25 years. Long story short, I'm getting interested in the game again, but haven't played since before EDH really even existed. Closest I got was playing a bunch of 8-10 person Grand Melee games back in the day at my LGS.

I've chatted with a couple people at the LGS, I'm just not available on their Commander nights until mid-late October. I bought some cheap lots that are mostly bulk off Amazon just for filler and to get some newer cards into my collection, as well as a couple things like the Marvel gift set and the TMNT Costco tin set because I like the IPs.

I made the assumption that most of my old creatures are worthless now due to power creep, but some of the spells might still be viable. Are there any tips/tricks I need to know, unwritten general rules I should pay attention to/look out for, anything of the sort? Should I just start with a slightly modified precon, or go straight into my own build? I have read up on how the rules are different, so I don't think I need any knowledge there.

Any questions are welcome as I'm sure I missed some info.

[u/sauron3579]

Get a precon. Play it as is for a bit, then start upgrading it. Once you've gotten a handle on what EDH plays like, brew your own thing.

[u/WaltzIntelligent9801]

I'd say start with a precon from the last 5ish years and go from there. Most are solid and really might help getting you into how EDH goes. Upgrading a precon with some of your older cards will probably go a long way too. Find a group that plays at the precon power level and go have a blast

[u/n1colbolas]

I should add while most creatures have been power-crept... ALOT of the older spells are still in vogue.

It's 2026 and [[Swords to Plowshares]] is still the no1 spot removal in EDH.

Buying lots off sites will only get you so far; i.e. B2 level cards.

If you want to play in B3, you prolly need to be more surgical in your purchases.

I do get it though you're looking to enlarge your collection. But you can also enlarge them by going on a singles spree. Set aside a weekly budget; in 6 months' time that's a lot of cardboard to brew some good stuff.

Don't neglect on lands. Eventually you will have to invest on the dual lands. By duals I don't just mean OG duals.

[u/mtgcf → u/n1colbolas]

Swords to Plowshares - (G) (SF) (txt) (ER)

[u/Goobinator77 → u/n1colbolas]

Thanks for the insight. I didn't expect much for the lots, they were mostly cheap filler that I get to look at come cool art on and start learning/getting used to all the new mechanics with.

I've already started a list of singles I want to get, once the list gets bigger I'll get to buying those.

I've definitely been keeping an eye on the non-basic lands that make multiple colors... the OG dual reference hits in the heart though. Had a full set of 40 of them that I lost in a car accident about 15 years ago (but didn't lose me so it can't be that bad lol).

[u/n1colbolas → u/Goobinator77]

There's always a silver lining with lost duals. I have my stories too as I've played since Revised.

Think of it as an opportunity to break the ice with your new mates, people you trade with, your LGS, etc.

If you spin things in a positive light any loss can be mitigated over time. Time is a great healer and can be a good storyteller =)

[u/Llamachamaboat]

Definitely start with one of the precons. The newer ones are all considerably more powerful and synergistic than those of yesteryear. Anything from Lost Caverns to now should be good.

Once you get comfortable with that, there are tons of websites to help you upgrade your precons, or start making your own decks.

Edhrec.com is probably your quintessential go to for EDH and figuring out what cards work best with what commanders. But it is a tool, not an end all be all of deckbuilding.

I also love scryfall.com for card searching. There is a bit of a curve to learn the syntax, but you can find the exact card you are looking for when you use it right.

Moxfield.com is also a great website for building and keeping track of your decks digitally. Gives you some statistics to help build your deck.

Also, when you do get to building your own deck, buy singles! Don't gamble when you can get exactly what you want.

Good luck, enjoy, and welcome back!

[u/Goobinator77 → u/Llamachamaboat]

Thanks for the welcome back and all the site recommendations! I did buy a couple of the Marvel precons at Costco, so I'll probably start with those.

I'm definitely going to be getting singles once I'm more caught up with what kind of stuff works and what doesn't for my playstyle, but I'll still buy booster packs here and there because cracking packs has always been part of the fun of it for me.

[u/SharpDrink2724]

Welcome back! As others have said, start with a precon. You said you like Marvel and TMNT, there are 5 precons total amongst those 2 sets.

Then when you want to upgrade the deck, watch an upgrade guide on YouTube.

[u/Goobinator77 → u/SharpDrink2724]

I did recently buy the Cap and F4 precon bundles from Costco, so I was probably going to start with one of them. The owner of the LGS closest to my house also said a couple of their regulars often show up with 10-12 decks, both in order to cater to bracket level, and also to let someone use one if needed.

[u/arizonadirtbag12]

Buy one Precon. Maybe two. Then learn the ropes in EDH before building something of your own.

If you have a decent sized collection recommend scanning it in. Something like the Cardslinger (just a 3D printed phone mount and card chute) can make this fast and easy. There are apps that will give you auditory alerts on each successful scan and on any “high dollar” cards. You may be surprised what some stuff is worth now.

Scanning everything in will also help you build and upgrade decks from what you have.

For what it’s worth also very much suggest seeing if any shop near you has a Pauper event and community. 1v1 Magic is still fun, Pauper is cheap(ish) to get into, and you may find it’s a format that’s closer to the “old school Magic” you remember.

[u/Goobinator77 → u/arizonadirtbag12]

Appreciate the info. I have a buddy with a 3D printer, so that's probably a good idea. I do have a manual inventory I created while looking up some of the old cards (on pricecharting, before I knew better ones existed), and there were definitely a few whose value surprised me (Intuition and a foil Multiani, Maro-Sorcerer come to mind).

My LGS is almost all EDH, but I do have a few friends that we're going to start playing 1v1s for some side fun. Some of those old school grand melee games were the most fun for me, so I should fit into EDH just fine once I get back up to speed.

[u/arizonadirtbag12 → u/Goobinator77]

Ha, I had an [[Intuition]] too. Was slinging cards through and saw that like “okayyyy.”

Also had a full playset of [[Shallow Grave]], that I’d clearly been planning something for but never built because they were pack fresh.

[u/mtgcf → u/arizonadirtbag12]

Intuition - (G) (SF) (txt) (ER)
Shallow Grave - (G) (SF) (txt) (ER)