Many new players struggle when they enter complex games for the first time. In the world of online casinos, beginners often look for safe and risk-free ways to explore different games. That’s why top Canadian casino platforms provide gaming with no upfront payment, giving players a chance to test games and understand mechanics without risking their own funds.
However, card games like Magic: The Gathering present an entirely different level of complexity. Unlike simple slot machines or table games, Magic requires strategic thinking and careful planning. Even seasoned players who have been playing for years make mistakes occasionally.
Many beginner players tend to have a rather simplified understanding of the game, leading to some errors that can affect the gameplay and lead to regular losses. Figuring out what these errors are and how to avoid them can take your gameplay to the next level. In this post, we will review some of the most common mistakes beginners make when they play Magic: The Gathering and how to avoid them.
Not Attacking Enough
Beginners often take a measured approach to attacking when they play Magic. This is sort of expected since most people prefer to be safe rather than sorry. When things begin to get a little tough on the board, they resort to relying mostly on evasion creatures instead of attacking.
While playing it safe is a good idea in many situations, there are times when making big, calculated attacks is a much better idea. The problem with many beginners is that they simply don’t know when to push and what cards they should use for such calculated attacks. Sometimes, taking some hits and losing a creature or two on an attack is better than just sitting back and taking hits. In most cases, when an obvious bad attack isn’t on the table, attacking is a much safer bet and a better way to learn than evasion.
Frequent Chump Blocking
Beginners often misevaluate their commodities, which can lead to them wasting cards on chump blocks. For instance, a player on 18 life blocking an opponent’s 4/4 attacks with his own 2/2 or 1/1 card is not a very good play. Such a player is trying to stay at a high life, but they do so at the expense of sustaining a stable board, which contributes more to sustaining your life total than chump blocking indiscriminately.
Some of the reasons why chump blocking isn’t a good idea include:
- The smaller creatures you throw away early in the game can later be combined with another creature for a double block when it’ll be worthwhile.
- Any utility that the creature could have later in the game is lost once you block with it
- Worst of all, chump blocking doesn’t solve the underlying problem. Your creature is lost, but the threat that forced the move is still on the battlefield and can still do some damage. This is ultimately something that should only be done in an emergency.
Falling for Flashy Plays
New players often get carried away when they realize they have assembled an unlikely combo, and they can’t wait to launch a big, clean play. However, more experienced players know that a big play doesn’t always go as planned.
A seemingly cool (or even profitable) move might not necessarily be your best option. Timing is what really determines the outcome of a move. You must know how to calculate the potential risks of any move and sometimes stick to the simple, boring plays because they’re just better.
Being Easy to Read
A common piece of advice when you play a card game is never to let your opponent see your hand – not just literally, but psychologically, too. Newer players often lack the self-control required to make their emotions less obvious to the opponent. For instance, when you make it obvious that your opponent has the upper hand after a quick draw, they have the confidence to commit more creatures to the playing field without worrying about taking a big hit.
To avoid this, ensure that your expressions and mannerisms don’t give too much away. A stoic and neutral expression, regardless of the state of the board, will make it harder to read your cards and anticipate your moves.
The list of possible beginner mistakes in Magic: The Gathering is practically inexhaustible. As you learn more about the game and practice, you’ll be able to figure out the right moves and make fewer mistakes over time. The most important tip is always to learn to adjust to the specifics of any game you’re playing to limit potential errors.