Mystical Tutor: How Do I Start Playing Magic: The Gathering in 2025?

Greg Montique
Jul 7
3 min read

If you’re new to Magic: The Gathering in 2025, welcome to the multiverse. As a longtime player, I can tell you this is one of the best times to jump in. With digital tools, beginner-friendly formats, and crossover sets that speak to pop culture fans, learning MTG has never been easier or more fun. So let's answer one of our most asked questions, "How do I start playing Magic: The Gathering in 2025?"

Step 1: Choose Your Platform — Paper or Digital

Magic: The Gathering currently comes in two flavors:

MTG Arena: A free-to-play digital platform that’s perfect for learning the basics. It walks you through tutorials, gives you starter decks, and lets you play against real people at your own pace. You can even earn in-game currency to upgrade, buy packs, and enter events.
Paper Magic: The classic tabletop experience. You’ll need physical cards and probably a playmat, but nothing beats the social aspect of Friday Night Magic or Commander night at your local game store.

Magic: The Gathering Arena game screen showing cards in play. Central text reads "Magic The Gathering Arena" with a fantasy-themed design.

Most new players start on Arena, then branch out into paper once they’re comfortable.

Step 2: Pick a Format That Fits Your Style

Magic has several formats, but here are the best for beginners:

Standard: Uses the most recent sets. Easy to learn and supported on Arena so you can always brush up on the digital platform.
Commander: A multiplayer format with 100-card singleton (Only one copy of each card except basic lands) decks. Great for casual play and social interaction.
Jumpstart: A fast way to play by combining two themed booster packs into a deck. No deckbuilding required.

If you’re unsure, start with Standard on Arena or try a Commander precon deck in paper.

Step 3: Learn the Rules Without Getting Overwhelmed

Magic has deep rules, but you don’t need to know everything at once. Focus on these basics:

Turn structure: Untap, upkeep, draw, main phase, combat, end step.
Card types: Lands, creatures, instants, sorceries, enchantments, artifacts, planeswalkers.
Mana and casting: You tap lands to generate mana and use it to cast spells.

Arena helps automate these steps, so you can learn by doing. You can also search Mystical Tutor in our search bar up top to find a ton of useful explainers, guides, and tips!

Step 4: Build or Buy Your First Deck

You don’t need to build from scratch. Here are great starting points:

Starter decks on Arena: Free and ready to play.
Preconstructed Commander decks: Balanced and themed, perfect for learning.
Budget Standard decks: Many websites offer lists under $50 that are competitive and fun.

Magic: The Gathering Commander Deck box featuring Cloud from Final Fantasy VII holding a large sword. Text highlights "LIMIT BREAK" and "FINAL FANTASY VII."

As you play more, you’ll learn what strategies and colors you enjoy most.

Step 5: Join the Community

Magic is more than a game. It’s a global community.

You can:

Play at local game stores (LGS) during events like Friday Night Magic.
Join online communities on Reddit, Discord, or YouTube.
Watch streamers and content creators to learn strategies and deck techs.

The more you engage, the more rewarding the game becomes.

Where will you start?

Starting Magic in 2025 is like stepping into a living, evolving, but deeply rooted universe. Whether you’re here for the strategy, the lore, or the art, there’s a place for you. Take your time, play what you love, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Every planeswalker starts somewhere.