Magic: The Gathering
Overview
Magic: The Gathering (MTG) is a collectible card game created by mathematics professor Richard Garfield and introduced in 1993 by Wizards of the Coast. Magic is the first example of the modern collectible card game genre and still thrives today, with an estimated six million players in over seventy countries. Magic can be played by two or more players, either in person with printed cards or using a deck of virtual cards through the Internet-based Magic: The Gathering Online or other online programs.
Gameplay
Each game of Magic represents a battle between wizards known as "planeswalkers", who employ spells, artifacts, and creatures depicted on individual Magic cards to defeat their opponents. Although the original concept of the game drew heavily from the motifs of traditional fantasy role-playing games such as Dungeons & Dragons, the gameplay of Magic bears little resemblance to pencil-and-paper adventure games, while having substantially more cards and more complex rules than many other card games.
Game Rules
Magic games consist of two or more players who are engaged in a battle acting as powerful wizards called "planeswalkers". Each player has their own deck, either pre-determined or created from a personal collection, and draws seven cards at the beginning of the game. Each card represents magical spells, creatures, and artifacts that the player can use to defeat their opponents.
Card Types
There are several types of cards, each with different abilities and roles in the game. These include Creature cards, Sorcery cards, Instant cards, Enchantment cards, Artifact cards, Land cards, and Planeswalker cards. Each card type plays a unique role in the game and requires specific strategies to use effectively.
Deck Building
Deck building is a strategic element of Magic: The Gathering. Players construct their own decks, with a minimum deck size of 60 cards. In most formats, decks can contain no more than four of any individual card, counted by its English card title equivalent, with the exception of "basic land" cards. Deck building requires a strategic understanding of the individual cards as well as the synergies and interactions between them.
Formats
There are several different formats in Magic: The Gathering, each with its own rules and restrictions. These include Standard, Modern, Legacy, Vintage, Commander (or Elder Dragon Highlander), Brawl, Draft, and Sealed. Each format provides a unique gameplay experience and requires different strategies.
Tournaments
Magic: The Gathering has a thriving competitive scene, with numerous tournaments held worldwide. These tournaments are held at the local, regional, national, and international levels, and offer various types of competition, including Constructed, Limited, and Team events.
Impact and Legacy
Magic: The Gathering has had a significant impact on the gaming industry. It is credited with creating the collectible card game genre, and has inspired numerous other games. Its complex gameplay and strategic depth have also been praised, and it has been cited as an influence in game design and the growth of esports.