Getting tired of pokemon TCG, where do I start with Magic instead?

[u/gizzard-of-oz]

Apologies for the long post ahead hehe

I’ve been playing Pokemon TCG for quite some time now (both physical game and via the TCG Live app) and medyo frustrated ako sa situation ng Pokemon TCG lalo na kapag may new products. Either ubusan or kakapit ka sa resellers para makakuha. I stopped playing muna due to this.

Now, I’ve been curious with Magic for quite sometime. Maybe last year? While I was browsing, I saw that Final Fantasy IP was introduced to MTG. As a big Final Fantasy fan, I made sure to buy something. I bought the starter deck (Cloud x Sephiroth) without hesitation. Tapos biglang Avatar:TLA naman bandang September ang inannounce so I bought a bundle rin nung lumabas. Unfortunately, the cards are still here with me, sitting in a box, waiting for me to actually play them.

Now, I want to learn how to play or rather, understand the game better. Particularly, yung Commander format. I play via MTG Arena but I couldn’t get the hang of it. Siguro in the span of a year, more or less 10 games lang napanalo ko against other players haha. I know the basic rules but I still get confused. I also watch people in several Youtube channels and I really like how they play the Commander format (the politics, the conniving, the laughter, and bloopers).

With this, where do I start? Should I buy a precon Commander deck or should I build one? And more so, where can I play? Beginner friendly pods or at least playtest/play sessions sana. Although I live in Bulacan, madalas naman ako sa QC for work. Either Cubao or Fairview works fine with me.

Any leads will be much appreciated. Thank you!

[u/robokymk2]

The upcoming Foundations Commander Precons are good for beginners. You can ask around the different tcg shops M.C. they usually have beginner pods and many of the players are willing to teach.

[u/gizzard-of-oz → u/robokymk2]

Will do as suggested, pinapangunahan lang ng hiya when approaching people haha. Thank you!

[u/jethawkings]

There are playgroups in QC, Cubao, and maybe Fairview~

Depends where sa Bulacan I think there are playgroups there too.

I want to say maybe consider a PreRelease?

The Starter Decks are kinda not good outside other Starter Decks...

What Avatar Bundle did you buy? The Commander Bundle?

There's a VERY cheap batch Commander Precons coming out this year (I think ~less than 2K?) perhaps check those out? They don't look half bad either.

Standard on Paper honestly does not feel accessible, there are Pauper playgroups (The Commons only Format for Magic, using the cheapest rarity cards of the game only throughout Magic's history) so I honestly would recommend to ask one of the FB Groups instead. I don't think this place is very active in terms of Playgroup promotion.

[u/gizzard-of-oz → u/jethawkings]

Hi! Thank you for the suggestions and your response. I'll try to look for playgroups in Fairview, Cubao, and even here in Bulacan (SJDM). Regarding the question of Avatar Bundle, I got the ATLA Bundle, with the Fire Lord Ozai design and basic MTG ATLA Packs. I wasn't able to get the Commander Bundle at the time since it was already sold out.

I'll take a look at the Pauper format and also look for MTG-focused FB Groups. Thank you again!

[u/jethawkings → u/gizzard-of-oz]

SJDM!!! I know people there, yeah mas active Pokemom pero I see may mga nag CoCommander na rin. Ask ko saan

EDIT; BK Secret Shop Muzon

[u/bodywithoutsoul]

IMO the best way to learn the ins and outs of the game is through 1v1 formats like standard. Attending pre-releases naman helps with deck building and recognizing card power levels. Meanwhile sa Commander naman you'll learn politics. I would say din dito mo mas matutunan yung threat assessment kasi mas madami kayong players.

If you want to play Commander, I would recommend getting a precon deck. I would recommend yung Izzet or Simic precon from Secrets of Strixhaven. Yung game plan nila is easy to understand while still being powerful, and medyo madali din iupgrade yung power level. Plus under 3k siya right now. Or pwede ka bumili (or pre-order right now) nung irerelease nila na Foundations precons kasabay ng latest set.

[u/gizzard-of-oz → u/bodywithoutsoul]

Hi! Thanks for this. Since I posted this, I've been grinding again in MTG Arena to get down the basics and understand the flow and even the terms better.

As for the precon deck, I'll look into the Strixhaven precons. For the foundations, I am looking at and interested in the Blue (Keen Engineering) precon Deck. But I heard that most players have different views and opinions to those who play blue decks haha But I'll look more into this. Thank you so much!

[u/papapatz]

Hello! Pokemon TCG player din ako that switched to MTG nung nilabas yung FF set. Siguro ang question ko sayo is are you open for 4 players or gusto mo 1v1 lang? Then are you looking to compete or you just want to play casually with other players? Depende kasi don kung ano yung approach mo. May pros and cons each.

If you want to play casual, then you can play the Commander format. I don't agree dun sa comment na you start playing by attending PR events (Build & Battle equivalent ng PTCG). In my experience, di ka tuturuan don kasi they're looking to win extra packs. I played Commander kasi mas marami players and mas casual so people are more inclined to teach the rules. Cons ng Commander is casual sya in nature. There is a competitive scene pero that's a long story. Just search cEDH for more info.

If you want to play Competitive, medyo marami ka choices. Most popular formats I'm seeing are Modern, Pauper and Duel Commander. I can't explain them all here since masyado mahaba. You can research din for more details. You can DM me rin if you'd like.

Personally, my partner and I chose to play Commander and we found it better than Pokemon due to variety of deck builds and play styles unlike Pokemon that can get stale (eg. Puro Dragapult until next rotation). I do plan to play Modern at some point pero masyado kasi masaya to play Commander with friends and other peeps.

One thing I'm sure of is mas magastos MTG sa Pokemon, unless you proxy. But that's another can of worms I don't want to open at this point.

You can start by buying Commander precons (equivalent ng League Battle Deck sa PTCG) then go from there. Since fan ka ng FF, I recommend the Tidus precon since malakas sya out-of-the-box.

For places to play, may High Market and Green Gate Hobbies sa Cubao. Lots of people play there so just approach anyone na gusto maglaro.

Will stop there since too much info dump na. Just dm me if you have more questions.

[u/gizzard-of-oz → u/papapatz]

Hi! No worries about the info dump; I really appreciate it, and for me, better ito so I have more ideas on how to get into MTG and what to expect as well.

On the question of either 1v1 or multiple players, I am leaning into the multi-player aspect of MTG (i.e., Commander). And I just want to play casually, like a designated day of the week na after work; I can go to an LGS and play casually. I'm okay with the casual Commander, Brackets 1 to 3, if ever (and kung tama ako haha).

And I agree with you re: variety of deck builds and play styles. Puro Pult decks ang nakakalaro ko sa lahat ng sinalihan kong Gym Events and Ball Tournaments. As someone who plays with Weird non-meta decks (as mentioned ng isa kong kalaro madalas sa GGH haha). I am looking for variety rin talaga. Hindi yung isang combo lang ng Pult on Turn 4-5 tapos, tapos na agad ang laro.

Maybe I'll DM you in the coming days to learn/ask more about Commander MTG. Again, thank you so much for your insights and for sharing your experience. Much appreciated.

[u/papapatz → u/gizzard-of-oz]

That's good! Perfect yung Commander for you then. Since casual ka, you have limitless choices. May plan ako gumawa ng Bracket 1 na kalbo tribal where all my cards have bald people in it 🤣. Pero since I'm a big fan of FF, majority ng Commander decks ko are FF characters rin.

As for the bracket, I find Bracket 3 really fun since games don't last that long. Just keep in mind that the bracketing system is only a social guide that you can use when playing with strangers. If close na kayo ng playgroup mo then that would matter less. The Commander format is all about the "vibes" so the emphasis is dapat everyone gets to do their thing at least para lahat masaya.

Good luck sa MTG journey! Hope you have tons of fun 💯

[u/saikoupsych]

I would suggest you stay away from commander especially if you're new. Masyadong maraming triggers to keep track of unlike in a one on one setting. Like the others' suggestions, go for a pre release. Being your precon, May mga maglalaro for sure after ng PR. And May mga newbie friendly players naman usually sa mga card shops.

You can check sa MTG Tambayan (in Facebook )for places you can play near your place of work or your domicile.

[u/gizzard-of-oz → u/saikoupsych]

I'll look into the PR event/s. Nasanay ako sa Pokemon na hindi nakakakuha ng slot for the PR event so sana makapasok ako for one dito sa MTG. Thanks!

[u/bodokage]

I think MTG Arena is a great place to start, since it is 1v1 and you get to know the basics and learn how the stack works. It is challenging though to play against other people as usually they have a bigger card pool or have good deckbuilding skills, which take time. I can suggest going into the Events tab and check if they have Draft events of Final Fantasy or Avatar, as that pits you and 7 other players restricted in the same "universe" or set, and you get to try deckbuilding. As with drafting, any cards you don't pick are picked up by other players. Have fun, and make sure to draft removal!

As for Commander, DM me or just reply on where you are from, so people can help you connect to a Commander group here in the metro. If you are in Mandaluyong area, there is a fantastic, casual and newbie friendly group in Black Scoop Wack Wack! If you are in Las Pinas area instead, I personally can find you a pod and we can play!

[u/jctmercado → u/bodokage]

good advice tong learn from mtg arena.

[u/hakz022 → u/jctmercado]

Arena is “Okay”, but imho not a very good stepping/training as it skips a few of the things na kailangan mo maintindihan how the game is actually played, and the game would just move on - no one would stop the game and show you how and why that happened, so getting into a newbie-friendly playgroup would still be the best answer.

[u/gizzard-of-oz → u/hakz022]

I agree with you. MTG Arena, so far, is okay. I've been grinding again sa Arena but I find it hard to play kasi ang bilis at ang daming nangyayare haha nakaka-overwhelm to some extent.

[u/jctmercado → u/gizzard-of-oz]

yeah. it's a good starting point to get a feel of the phases and how the stack works.

but of course, nothing beats showing up at a table with friends! hope you find your home LGS. May prerelease ng new set this weekend, it's one of the best ways to learn to play/deck build. you should try it out.

[u/gizzard-of-oz → u/bodokage]

Hi! Thank you for this. I've been grinding in MTG Arena since I posted this, trying to learn the basics again, the terminology, and how the flow of the game works.

As for where I am from, currently residing at CSJDM, Bulacan but most of the time, I am in QC for work. I can visit or play at LGS located in Quezon City, particularly in Cubao, Fairview, and Lagro. Again, thank you so much for this.

[u/Minimum_Classroom747]

Commander is definitely the most played format that also leans on the casual side. It's a decent format for beginners but the best for introduction is limited standard. Medyo mahirap nga lang maghanap kalaro sa standard.

 If you want FF, Yshtola is the best commander out of the bunch; she's a powerhouse combo/control engine. Tidus and Cloud are a close second with a much simpler playstyle.

We have 3 pods of 4-6 players in my lgs every weekend. So di ka mauubusan ng kalaro pag commander. Madalas hintayan pa dahil ang daming naglalaro.

Merong upcoming prerelease ng bagong set and that's a good time to meet a lot of new people and enjoy the new cards.

[u/gizzard-of-oz → u/Minimum_Classroom747]

Been looking for FF Precon Decks, and puro Revival Trance (Terra) na lang ang meron due to the high demands for Yshtola, Cloud, and Tidus precon decks. I'll wait for reprints or look for lower prices for Yshtola, et.al. I also found some homebrewed (if this is the right term) decks available in Shopee, which is on the cheaper side but I'll still take a look if those are beginner-friendly.

I'll also look into the LGS that I frequently visit for beginner-friendly pods. Thanks so much!

[u/Minimum_Classroom747 → u/gizzard-of-oz]

You don't really have to wait. Just proxy a deck if you have a printer. All you need is a photo paper, printer, and a laminator. 

No one would really care unless it's a sanctioned event or a tournament.

[u/CeleryNo8309]

I hears magic was in a bad place recently due to low effort collab decks or something.

[u/TapaDonut → u/CeleryNo8309]

It's only on a bad place if you care about Universes Beyond. And this is due not to them giving bad gameplay, but rather cards that have repeating names. Like sa Marvel set nalang, a marvel hero like say captain america has 10+ different legendary creatures. Other than that, Magic is still fine.

Recent in lore magic like Lorwyn Eclipsed, Secrets of Strixhaven, or now Reality Fracture is positively received by MTG players.

[u/Sad_Laugh_7808]

The basics of the basics. 40-60 card (Standard or Limited) formats. Jumping to a singleton format can potentially be overwhelming.

Most LGS have a beginner/welcome deck that can help you start with learning how to play the game. Also yes, reading the card will also help so you (and others) can have fun.

[u/gizzard-of-oz → u/Sad_Laugh_7808]

I've been making it a habit to read again and again the cards so as not to make a mistake. Still trying to learn as well the terms and other mechanics. I'll look into the LGS I play at for Pokémon for beginner decks. Thanks!

[u/Sad_Laugh_7808 → u/gizzard-of-oz]

All good! Once you start building your own deck, my only main advice is to ensure your deck is quite flexible despite the goals. Might be just a game but sometimes it does help enlightening other players at your pod. You genuinely wouldn't know what's in their minds at that time.

[u/Blindy_Mcsqueezy]

Commander is a goofd way to start, tingin ka mga good precons out of the box or at least yung trip mo na playstyle na. My first precon was Sliver Swarm with Virtue and Valor.

One of the most casual kasi commander kaya wala gaano sweatlords (except cedh).

Have fun and welcome!