I remember when my brother came into my room all excited. "Becca, you've got to try this!" he said, holding a thick stack of cards in his hand. Well, my introduction to the geeky card game Magic: the Gathering didn't happen quite that way, but it's close enough to the truth. For the majority of people who are as clueless as I was, this article offers a simple explanation to Magic: the Gathering. While I haven't been playing Magic for very long, here's a brief list of why I'll be playing for years to come.
1. The Community
Instead of saving the best for last, I'm starting off with the primary reason I enjoy playing. What I've learned from the handful of games I've played is that friends and strangers alike are patient and understanding of a newbie trying to learn the ropes. As there are a wide variety of cards and conditions, most members of the community realize not even they know everything about the game, and they're just genuinely excited to have a friend to play with.
2. Great for Conversation
A geeky card game, social? Really? You bet it is. Half of playing a Magic: the Gathering game is communicating to the other players what cards you're using and why, and in those big five-player games you've got to kill the time waiting for your turn somehow. I've found Magic to be a great bonding experience with friends and a great way to get bragging rights.
3. Self-Exploration
The complexity of Magic: the Gathering is my biggest frustration and greatest love about the game. On one hand, it makes it impossible to every rule and combination about the game, but it also makes it extremely customizable. You can learn a lot about a player simply by knowing which colors he or she prefers to play with. I've really enjoyed the process I've gone through trying to figure out what kind of deck works best for me.
4. The Lore
What I think is really neat about Magic: the Gathering is that the creators just don't put together crazy fantasy races and scenarios; they also provide a storyline and a written lore for how these events came about. As an avid fantasy reader, I appreciate being able to ask Magic players about their favorite cards and listening to them explain what type of race their card is and their role in the lore of Magic.
5. A Sense of Accomplishment
What's cool about Magic is that you always have a chance to win against a seasoned opponent, as a lot depends on the luck of the draw and how smart you and your opponent play your cards. One misplay or wasted turn can cost the whole game. While I easily have more losses than wins, there's a sense of pride that comes with winning, like getting an A on a paper from a tough professor. Besides, who doesn't enjoy winning?
These five points are what makes all the confusion and frustration in learning the game worth it for me, and I'm sure hundreds of other people as well. While I understand Magic: the Gathering isn't everyone's cup of tea, I hope this article encourages you to at least give it a try. If you're ever in Spring Arbor, I'm sure the guys on Andrew's 1S and 1W would be willing to deal you in.
