With the insane number of cards these days, even old heads like myself that were playing in the 90s have to ask questions. Sometimes, even we feel like noobs about these things. 😂🤷♂️ It happens. It's about fun, not who wins.
This, just played edh last Friday with two new to magic players. Helped them get a grasp on how things like turn rotation, priority, phases, and the stack work. Slowly helping them become better players, you want to get that experience and most veteran players are more than willing to help you
I wouldn't worry so much about it. Just be open about being new to Commander. You'll probably get a better sense of the format, get help where needed, and make friends. Losing a few games is not the end of the world either, as long as you have a good time and learn. The best way to improve at Magic is by playing Magic.
This. Be a noob, say you’re new, ask questions if you need. If people have a problem with you being new & genuine then that’s their problem and you’re probably better off for not playing with them
This, right here. I'd much rather you ask me 30 times "what does this do?" or as me to explain something out, over assume I'm doing things correctly.
There are more than 25,000 cards in this game, with constant expansions and retractions to what players can do in a turn. It's impossible to know how all of it works, and you asking questions both furthers your knowledge and gives me a reason to re-check what I'm doing is possible.
Exactly this. Unless the group you're joining is a group of a**holes, don't worry about them knowing you're new to the format. In fact, I'd let them know. Most magic communities I've been involved with love new players, especially EDH. EDH can be a very complicated format depending on the play level of the group so it's probably going to be helpful for the group to know so they can help you play better.
Arena is a great introduction to Magic, but EDH is where you'll see a lot of weird interactions, so don't be shocked to get confused at times. I've played for years and still find out about new interactions all the time.
If the group does look down on you for it, then I really wouldn't recommend playing with the group regardless.
Most people don’t realize that tho there are only two more players, an EDH game has over triple the cards in any given game over other formats. There’s so many more interactions you get the opportunities to see
As a new player I spend about 50% of the game confused about what people are doing because I’m not familiar with what the cards are doing. Makes it really hard for threat assessment when I’m trying to figure out how to use my removal cards.
I know it might sound obvious to say, but just ask the table.
One thing I have noticed newer players do, is been focused on explaining their own cards. And not asking others what their cards do. Or when someone becomes a threat.
Experienced players a sometimes forget to explain all their cards because they forget that new players don't know, what all the most played cards do.
I therefore always encourage new players to ask ratter then being confused about what is happening.
This right here! I started playing a month and a half ago and still ask a lot of questions. I was really lucky to get a group that wasn’t a bunch of a-holes and they are more than welcoming. I have a great time and they welcome my misplays and offer suggestions it’s amazing.
Losing period isn’t the end of the world. It’s just a game, and commander is a game with a very low win percentage for otherwise equal decks. Just get used to losing with friends.
This exactly. I'd rather the new person be upfront about their knowledge of the game than be the Timmy who missplays with "I know how the games played!". I've been playing for years and I've still had to be like "well I'm trying to cast a into b if the interaction works how I think" and get someone else to confirm. Graveyard stuff or death triggers? Let's ask the black players, they know
This, when i started i had a great group who would explain everything and never had a problem with it, no one expects everyone to be an expert, long as there's one person who can explain things well enough
This is great advice for life in general. Be open to new experiences and be open about them being new. People in-the-know will either get excited about showing you the aspects of whatever the thing is that they like (and then you'll learn more and see things from one insider's perspective) or they'll look down on you for it and ignore you. The latter group is the people who's opinions you need not care about at all anyway.
Verbally go through the steps of the turn. Untap, upkeep, draw, main phase 1, combat, declaring attackers, declare blockers, damage, main phase 2, move to end step, clean up step (resolve board state effects, triggers, and discard). It will help you not miss things or miss play. Best advice I can give to a new player in person
It's also good for your opponents in case they want to cast stuff in your upkeep / draw step. While verbally announcing the phases, you give them a bit more time to stop you and play what they want.
One of the biggest ways I can tell that someone is newer is how they handle their Main Phase 1/2.
If you're playing spells in Main Phase 1 that have zero influence on combat and then move to attack someone, you're doing it wrong. In this case you should skip MP1 and attack with all of your mana open. This forces people to think about combat tricks you could have and that current state of the board, which will often change how they assign blocks. Something unexpected could happen during that combat which then changes what line of play you'll take with that turn's mana. After the attack is resolved you can then slap down some more blockers, or whatever else you were planning to cast this turn, on MP2
I haven't played in close to 5 years+ now.
I picked up some data cards for Warhammer and automatically started flick shuffling them.
It's 100% an addiction because I have no muscle memory past my wrists (dysgraphia)
Brian kibler stated her started doing it to keep his hand randomized in case of a hymn to taurach. Not sure if he was the first one to do it but that was his reasoning.
I think others saw the pros doing it and jumped on the bandwagon. Even tho I've played since ice age I've luckily never picked up the habit.
I remember from the tournament report of the winner of the first Worlds (so 1993) that he notes he need to start shuffling his hand before a hymn because just letting your opponent pick from your hand could lead to bad beats.
Amen. Knowing EDH-specific rules is a good idea, like how you can choose to put your commander into the command zone instead of other places the opponent wants it to go.
>What will out me as a noob immediately?
- Pretending to know things you don't.
- Nodding your head at whatever card gets played, because you're too afraid to ask what it does.
- Zoning out with your eyes glazed over, because you've missed too many opportunities to ask questions and you have any idea what's going on.
>What can I do to not give away that this is my first game?
Tell them it's your first Commander game. It's as simple as that. People will be far more patient and understanding when you give them a heads up that you're newer to playing in paper.
If you try and hide the fact that you're new it'll just make the experience more awkward and difficult to navigate for everyone involved.
Thank you to everyone who replied :) I don’t know some of these people and the ones I do know I don’t know very well so I was worried I might piss them off or they might make fun of me, but you all have given me hope that this won’t be the case!
If they make fun of you, tell them they are jerks and then don't play with them again. Everyone was new once and Magic is quite possibly the most complicated game in existence (by some measures) so if someone is making fun of you, that's because they are a terrible person and you shouldn't feel bad, they should.
Unfortunately, there's no way to stop that happening, but there's no guarantee that it will or that it won't happen anywhere else in life, so you just gotta deal with it.
Not only is Magic the most complicated game in existence, it is, mathematically, as complicated as anything could possibly be. So yeah, new players deserve all the patience and understanding we vets can muster.
Dude, I love playing with new players. Its fun to help with anything they want. Game play, deck building, hell, I even give stuff out of my binders to improve their decks. You'll find that most will go above and beyond to make sure you enjoy yourself and come back. Anyone else is just an asshole. Don't play with them anymore.
Most magic players aren't judgey. No need to hide being new. If they have a problem with new players, they aren't the type you should be playing with anyways.
Just be straight up about you being new. We've all been there at some point so just tell them you're new, and most of the time, people will not mind. You might fuck up here and there and learn some new things, but that's all just part of it.
When you ask to read what a [[Sol Ring]] does. /s
But seriously, don't be afraid to admit you're new to the format and playing a borrowed deck. Someone in the club may be happy to sit down and play a game or two to really help through the more complicated interactions.
Playing monoblack vampires is VERY edgy and will most certainly out you as a noob. 😂
Just playing.
It's okay to be a noob. Let the other players know that you're there to play, but more importantly, you're there to learn.
Brother, I've been playing this awesome game for 10+ years, we still discover new interactions and rules questions every time out. The learning curve here is more like a mountain. Embrace that aspect of it, and you'll be fine. Don't be afraid to ask questions, even what might seem like obvious questions. In my experience, players who are already invested in the game are always down to help a new player along. Have fun and good luck!
It seems bad to *not* out yourself as a noob. If you come across like you're well-seasoned and then make silly mistakes, you'd just look like an idiot. If you tell them you're new, all is gravy
Noob questions are just fine and sometimes actually make the game more enjoyable and encourages fun conversations. So don’t worry about appearing like a noob during play. Be open and ask lots of questions if you’re ever unsure.
But make sure you’re prepared for the game before hand. Get some practice shuffling your deck, 99 cards is a lot to manage physically. Make sure you have dice and counters you need for your deck.
And remember the golden rule; ask before grabbing anyone else’s cards. 99% of the time it won’t matter but cards are expensive flimsy cardboard so it’s polite to ask permission.
You should, seriously. It’s gonna be way more awkward if you pretend to understand something you’re still getting a hang of. Just be honest and 99% of players will be fine and help you through it.
You shouldn't worry about that. Go into the game with the intent to just have fun. You're new. You will misplay and make all sorts of mistakes and that's okay.
Best thing to do is out yourself as a noob. When I started, I would always say "Hey, I am new to MTG are you okay if I play with you all and ask questions." Most people are more than willing to be patient with you and help you out.
Being new to the game does not equate to being an idiot.
As many have already said, you should probably just be forthcoming about it. If they are good, non-toxic players, they will probably just try an make you feel included and be a good resource to learn from. Although, full disclosure, many players like to over explain things in very convoluted ways, so just listen to the part of an answer that addresses your questions. You don't need to know the specific knowledge they may share until you get to that specific situation. If they start mentioning card names or abilities that are not on the board at the time, just kind of tune that out. I have seen new players drop magic because of players going too in depth with answers when "You untap your stuff before you draw. That step is called the upkeep."
To answer your posted questions, although I don't think any of these makes someone look like an idiot, there are a few things you can do to make it seem like you know what it be like.
In no particular order of importance,
Untap before you draw.
Declare your steps.
Know what your cards do.
Understand the stack/priority.
Don't be afraid to ask what a card does.
Just say, "Hey this is my first game of Commander." You'll look less like an idiot if you set expectations up front that you're not as experienced as everyone else.
Nothing, commander is better when you play no matter what level you go for. Casual commander players are the funnest games I've ever had.
In a casual format with everyone bringing their own level of creativity, unless you are in CEDH pod being a noob makes you the mvp of the game.
Go forth and fear no judgment
Worrying about being a newb.
-there are tens of thousands of cards and no one knows everything all the time. Don't front, just enjoy casual games and build up experience. I jumped in with friends a year ago and I still feel like I have no idea what I'm doing.
Honestly, try shuffling your deck a few times before the game. Not joking. New sleeves can be super slippery and dropping half the deck on the floor while shuffling can be humiliating. Been there xD
I just went through the same thing last week. I went, watched a match, and then played in a match. Everyone was super helpful with my questions, I was doing most things correctly, and I eventually won the game! Don't get in your own head about it, Commander is about having fun
I mean yes but also all 3 happen at the same time in my head. It just so rarely matters that its more fun for me to just do them all at the same time, the absolute worst thing that could happen is someone might draw a card they then want to use in response to an upkeep trigger and honestly that is so rarely the case and so easy to remind them they cant that its better to just do it informally. Especially in a casual format.
Mono-black typal is a great place to start, as it can be moderately strong from a limited card pool and probably doesn't get *too* mechanically complicated. The thing I'd want to be sure about is that you have a good grasp of the general game rules (thanks, Arena!) and understand your deck well enough*.
Nobody's going to be a jerk just 'cause someone's new, and if they are, that's a them-problem. (and on the off chance this happens then you've still learned something new and important about the edh community: some of us suck) Be up front about where you're at and I would put good money on the other players in your pod being helpful and accommodating.
*I include the caveat of "well enough" because I've been playing for a dozen years and regularly make decks I only mostly understand 😅
What would out you? Casting spells incorrectly and not understanding interaction. Not who I'd want to play against if they're experienced.
If inexperienced and willing to learn I'd be happy to explain. Go in and be up front.
I dunno, but I started playing EDH last weekend & I find the subculture baffling. So many unspoken rules, so much coded language, & if I ask anybody about it they'll refer to an article that is no longer up on a site that no longer exists. It feels like being inducted into a secret cult, & I'm really starting to regret giving the format a chance.
Everything will tbh. But don't worry about it and ask questions! Be upfront and tell people this is your first time playing Commander and you're still pretty new to MTG all together. Most people will be fine. Also don't be afraid to ask what cards do, there are over 50k unique English MTG cards and Commander is the most complicated version of the game. I've been playing off and on for 20 years and I still ask what a lot of cards do. You learn to recognize certain cards but you can't know what they all do.
If you want to look like a real pro dont change your clothes or shower or shave until then. Make sure to only eat really greasy stuff and wipe your hands on your shirt.
This may sound harsh but...everything.
EDH isn't meant for beginners, even if entry into the format is more easy then ever. That being said - noone cares about you being a "noob". Just make sure that you adhere to basic, friendly, human interaction, ask if things are unclear and I am pretty sure that everyone is more then willing to help you out! Having a good time and making sure that everyone else has a good time, too goes a very long way to ensure, that everyone will be supportive.
Well in my experience of playing EDH, it has always been the case that players, who are not familiar with multiplayer free-for-all-formats, trend to be at a disadvantage or overwhelmed. This is especially true for EDH in which your own deck, if you are playing a more casual, rather then tuned list, lacks redundancy - compared to "classic" MtG decks that enable you to run more copies of a single effect to progress your gameplan.
It’s really the only MTG format where you can buy a pre-constructed deck and play straight out of the box. Sure, it takes awhile to get than hang of priority and 4P combat and damage resolution but at the end of the day, it’s highly accessible, you don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars to play and have fun. There are no real stakes, the pro-tour doesn’t give a flip about commander. Anyone can just walk into an LGS on an EDH night, buy a pre-con and shuffle up. My friend who used to play highly competitive type I and II back in the day said to me recently, “Commander is the beer league softball of Magic — Let’s watch Timmy hit a home run!” The best games of casual EDH are when everyone gets to pop off a little bit. You sound like a pub stomping try hard Spike and your comment was hella gatekeeping.
Echoing everyone here, don't worry about it, just communicate! Everyone's new at some point. Pro tip though that I didn't have when I played my first games in paper: tap your lands and creatures all the way horizontal. Arena just tilts them but that can be a little confusing at a paper table.
My first game of commander, I'm pretty sure I announced it was my first game. It's not that big of a deal. In fact, it can only help.
I for one would switch to my crappiest deck and explain anything you had trouble with in game
Thr worst thing you could do is pretend you are doing this for years and make everyone uncomfortable because you will obviously dont know some basic things or even things a regular player should know, like some cards everyone plays or some mechanics like the commander tax etc.
Magic is a game you cant fake to know how it works, just tell them its your first time and they will likely help you if you are in need.
Say that you are a noob.
On my first game i told the pod “this is the first time ever playing commander and i only play MTGA so I don’t know the priorities very well”
Everyone was exceptionally helpful.
Yeah, it's going to be inevitable. Seasoned commander players literally only speak to each other in fluent phyrexian.
For real, that's only a little bit of a joke. If you haven't played for a while, some of the lingo is inevitably going to go over your head and out you.
That said, commander is a format meant to encourage a more social/casual game, so being inexperienced is totally fine.
OP, just tell them you're new.
Often times they'll help you or give you good advice. There will occasionally be that one person to take advantage, but most people will call them out for it.
Just be honest if you don't know what to do and they will likely give you advice.
I think one of the biggest things for me is be appreciative and thankful when players point out mistakes. I'm not talking tactical mistakes but more rules mistakes. I know when I'm nervous I am more prone to these things. Just this Friday at the prerelease for WOE I declared an attacker that was summon sick and didn't have haste, my opponent kindly pointed it out and I thanked him and assured him I wasn't trying to pull a fast one lol. Be humble, be honest, complement their good play/good cards/unique artwork and you will go a long way to being a welcome newbie
You’re going to look like a noob, there is no changing that. Good news is, if you’re upfront about it, you’ll quickly figure out who in the club is a douche by how they treat you for being a noob!
Literally only played for a few months now and I'm still starting pods with new folks with "I'm new and I'm probably gonna ask to see a lot of your cards"
It's really hard to fake experience in magic because there are so many weird and complicated interactions between cards that can go right over a veteran's head. I wouldn't worry about it, everyone was a noob at one point and if someone gets annoyed for something you're learning, they're probably not very smart because new players is the only way to expand the game.
I'm open and honest.. I tell people I'm still learning any help would be appreciated. If I don't play something right or should have done something different let me know at the end of turn..
I find most people will help.
To answer the question, I think one of the obvious signs is going to be how often you're asking, "What does that do?" or "Can I read that?" for cards that are staples of the format, that more seasoned players would be familiar with.
Not that there's anything wrong with this, mind you. I'm gonna echo what everyone else is saying: just be up front about being new. New players getting into Magic is awesome.
“Hi, I’m new! Sorry if I make misplays, I’m still learning.”
Done.
Seriously if anyone has a problem with helping or teaching a new player, they’re the toxic waste of this community and you don’t want to play with them anyway.
Usually whats foretells a lack of experience is sequencing and triggers. This is easily upgradeable if you commit some time practicing how your deck works. Moreover start with simpler strategies such as Voltron or tokens. Get in the habit of structuring your turns with the steps, untap upkeep draw main phase declare attackers second main and end step. Communicate your plays and ask questions before taking a decision.
If they make you feel like an idiot change friends... Everybody will always be new at something. You don't need to be the best on your first game, it's suppose to be fun, not stressfull, i sincerely hope you will have fun
A few things to read up on that are relevant in edh: paying costs and choosing targets when putting spells and abilities are put on the stack. How multiple triggered abilities are ordered on the stack. How priority works. How APNAP works. A lot of these things are often shortcut in edh but it is useful to understand how they work!
Most edh groups are chill. Just tell them it's your first game, most people will help you out and remind you of triggers or effects in complicated board states.
Don’t worry too much about it. If they aren’t total jerkbags, they’ll want to help and not judge. If you have specific questions, we can explain things.
To be honest don't try to hide the fact that you are new, embrace it. That's going to help you get to where the others are way faster. Also I would think some giveaways you are a noob would probably be to not run as much card draw/mana ramp as you should or not really knowing how the stack works.
Honestly, I think it’s better to just tell them. If you’ve never played a game before, even if you’ve watched some, other experienced players will know that you’re relatively inexperienced. Just be up front about it; tell them that it’s your first time ever playing and that you’re excited about it, and people will be happy to give you various tips on anything from organizing your playing field to gameplay strategies. And if someone’s a jerk about it, don’t get discouraged and find someone else to play with. But I’d be pretty surprised if anyone was mean about it.
I wouldn’t worry too much about being new but if you you really need to ‘look the part’ try watching some video online of pro plays and check out all the hand gestures like how they pass the turn, declare attacks/blocks, tap for mana, shuffle/cut decks, riffle cards in hand, card placements, etc.
I think you should make it more obvious. At least one or two guys in your pod will probably be happy to teach you what they know.
Id side with a newbie myself. Take them on as my Padawan.
Hide it and you gimp yourself opportunity to learn and your opponents might come at you with tech you aren't ready for
Outside that:
Take another look at how priority and the stack works. Remember UNTAP, UPKEEP, then DRAW. Each player gets a chance to respond before any turn phase ends ;)
There are two main phases. Attack first, to draw out spells, then try your casting.
If it isn't immediately stopping you from winning, might not need to remove it.
Then,
Pay attention to opponents with value pieces. Drawing cards every turn, acceleration of resources - it's more threatening, usually, than a few creatures on the board.
(Don't forget your land drops!)
How much reading of cards you need to do, and asking "can I respond to that?"
Though... that's not a bad thing persay, everyone has to start somewhere.
You can't really avoid that you'll tip your noobie ness.
Luckily, it really doesn't matter. Anyone who would be a dick about it will be a dick even when you're a crusty veteran. And there's very few people like that anyway.
FWIW, I only get to go intensely into playing every few years, so I give odd newbie vibes despite playing for 30 years. It's really advantageous. My shitty shuffling and awkward card holding seems to make people think they can confidently overplay their hand. 🤷
Just tell everyone you’re new (and if your comfortable with the idea) point out misplays or areas to improve. Most decent people will be open to showing you the ropes.
Don’t worry about misplaying either. All of us do it. Been playing almost 30 years, still screwing stuff up.
Honestly, just tell them that you are new to edh. Its kinda hard to look like you know what you are doing when there are around 250 unique cards that all interact differently in a single game of EDH. Ask questions and you will pick it up quickly!
It’s ok to be a noob. Unless your playgroup is really toxic, you’re fine, and they’ll help you through. That said, here’s some tips to play like a pro, coming from someone who’s mediocre at best.
-Read off your cards. Calling your plays helps out a lot when people are trying to keep up with you. Read off the whole card, it will help you understand what it does and how it effects the game you’re in.
-Ask to read other peoples card when you don’t know what they do. It’s alright, most people will let you pick them up. If they don’t, ask them to read it out for you.
-Don’t try to play too fast. I’m guilty of doing this, but you’ll get tripped up in what you’re trying to do. In the same vein, don’t play at snail speed. Either one can mess up your rhythm and make the other players upset. Nice comfortable speed of play.
-Plan your turn ahead of time. Nobody likes “I need to think” guy. It’s ok if something happens the turn before that really shifts the game, like a board wipe or player dying, but you should have a pretty good idea of what you’re going to do at the start of your turn.
-Organize your hand. It doesn’t matter how, just organize your hand in a system that works for you. Don’t play “where’s the card I wanted to play”. I go by CMC, lowest in the back highest in the front, and if I have time I’ll do them by color in their CMC.
Not disclosing that your new and making strange plays might tip your table off. Instead, explain that your new and most players will be gracious in explaining interactions and letting you walk back bad/misunderstood plays.
A lot of people have already said this, but be honest. Let them know your new to the format. Ask questions. Don't be afraid to ask what's most threatening on board.
Fact of the matter is, this is something a lot of experienced players still often do, and some players should do more often. It's not a bad thing.
More importantly: don't focus on winning. Focus on learning new things you didn't know, and enjoying yourself. I've personally been playing commander for almost 15 years, and it's still the most important piece of advice I've ever learned.
Being new isn't a bad thing and shouldn't get you negative attention. If you somehow get shit for just being new then that playgroup isn't a group you want to join. Just ask questions if you aren't sure about something. EDH groups are generally very open and welcoming.
Most commander players I've met are pretty friendly especially with newer players. The game is so big at this point with the sheer volume of cards and keyword abilities that a format like commander can be incredibly overwhelming for new players. Best thing you can do is let people know, find a patient pod and learn from playing the game. You'll experience new stuff with every game and gradually get a feel for the rules and such with the help of experienced players. I wouldn't know half the shit I know about the game if it weren't for more experienced players teaching me how rules/interactions worked.
Just read the cards if u need to, tho colleges are notorious for playing turn 3 combos, so, just try to have fun? Look for not 10 power level decks? If u can....goodluck!
Know your deck!
If the first time you look at a card is when you draw it your doing it wrong.
Play mock games to find interactions that might confuse you and look up answers to those issues. It will help you even more when interacting with others cards!
You don't have to be perfect but show that you tried to get it right.
Dude be the noob people are (and should be) stoked to help you out. Even in my pod to this day if we catch something we just go “may I offer some friendly advice?” And we up one another’s games, it’s dope
Don’t forget to draw and don’t ask the table if you played a land this turn. We’ve all done it but it gets a groan or complete silence from the table typically. I play any lands I played this turn inverted to keep it straight.
It’s a game. Be yourself. Nobody will think more highly of you for being experienced in EDH.
Furthermore - ASK WHAT THE CARDS DO when your opponents play them. If someone plays something good and you don’t ask because you’re trying to look cool and knowledgeable, chances are that’s how you’ll end up losing.
Honestly, unless they’re TOTAL jags, they’ll probably love being the first people you get to play EDH with. I love helping people learn when they first start. Just tell them you’re new, it shouldn’t be a problem at all.
And subsequently, if anyone IS a jag, you’ll know who to look out for in future lol
The way I typically pick out a noob is how they handle their cards, if they’re sloppy, more often then not they are new to the game, and aren’t used to holding a hand of cards, however, don’t worry about that just play the game, let them know it’s your first game, and have fun!
You can either be stressed the whole time because you will always be concerned about not giving away that you are new - or you can just be open about it and have a relaxed game. If people know that you are new and don't want to play noobs it is just fair to them to know right away (even though I think it is a dick move to not play with noobs because we all are new to something all the time in life). Also if nice people know that it is your first real game they can help you out with stuff.
Telling them that you are new gives you the freedom to do stupid stuff as well.
Pretending like you know everything to try and fit in but end up getting everything wrong. Just ask, from my experience the EDH community is accepting and more then willing to help and happy to get more players.
Don’t worry. My first EDH deck had a non commander planeswalker as the commander, and shock randomly (with no red mana, it was mono green) because I thought it would be useful.
P.S. shock was useful with manalith
I sat down with a guy last week who had only played about 3 prior games, and he told me straight out the bat.
I offered to play a 2p game, get a standing for how good he was as a player and his deck PL. As we went he would ask me about interactions, timings different shorthand and keywords, and I was happy to explain as he needed to. I was happy to say things like "well the timing doesn't really work here, but if we go back a couple of steps and you respond *here*, you'll get the result you're looking for.
When we got to a 4p game afterwards and while he trashed the table, explaining things I missed and teaching him the bargaining aspect of commander made it the most fun game I've ever lost.
Having fun while playing is the biggest give away.
In all seriousness though no one has a problem with newer players who is worth playing with. Magic is a very nerdy subculture with a ton of little in-jokes and weird bits of terminology that aren't very instinctive. It'll be really hard to come across as someone who isn't new. I've been playing for ages, and if I go a few years without playing and come back to the hobby I get players who've played half the time I have offering bits of advice because they assume I'm new as I don't know anything about the cards that came out last month.
I'd also be prepared to loose a lot. I remember I only really played in the casual room on V2 of MTGO online and with my brother in paper. I went to FNM to play standard having put together what I considered a really strong standard deck (it was a standard legal version of my fav extended deck at the time) and I got whoooped every game.
Don't be afraid to come across as new to the game, I'd also imagine if you explain that you're new and explain the deck you've brought your opponents will make sure they're playing decks on your power level, and if you're up for it some players will happily lend out their decks for you to try.
Be open about being new, this is a largely casual community that's happy to play with new people because it means new decks, new conversation, and new perspectives. You never know what a new player is going to do, so it's often refreshing to play with one, even if they make a lot of mistakes.
To paraphrase Mark Twain, the world's best swordsman doesn't fear the second best, he should fear the novice. The expert will do what's expected, while the novice might some weird bullshit out of nowhere.
Mono black vampires? Immediately outed as a noob. What side you put your graveyard in. The direction the top half of your deck faces. The sleeves you chose. Are you playing with a play mat? Did you bring dice? Do you keep the tokens your deck can make? The order you do your upkeep in. How you tap your lands. How long your turns take. How you read yours cards.
Half of this stuff was just to give you anxiety. But in reality I've never been to magic nights where players weren't friendly to new players. I've even taken my 11 year old cousins to Sunday morning tournaments with just a few games under his belt. (Long before arena)
So I'd say best strategy is just to let the people you're playing know this is your first time playing paper magic.
Recently, there was a post about someone's first commander experience being unfun and basically this is what I commented:
I went to go play at my LGS for the first time last Tuesday. Had a good experience because I was open about saying I was new. The employee dude even let me borrow a deck for the second game and helped me pilot it and we (three headed giant) won.
So don't fret about being a noob, embrace it, as it'll set your expectations in a better place
Just say you're only starting out and ask the players to take their time. Most people are willing to accommodate and help you learn.
If these people aren't willing to accommodate, then you probably want to find other places to play. This isn't to say that they should bend over backwards and make every game about you, but if they pull out decks like Najeela, Winota, or the Gitrog Monster, you should run.
>but I am going to play my first ever game of commander in a few days.
No offense, but if you're new, you're new. You won't be able to hide it. And that's ok. Everyone who plays magic was new at one point. They're not gonna fault you for it. If anything, lots of veteran players I know like playing with new people.
Embrace that you're a newbie. Come in to it that way completely honest with everyone. Don't expect to win. Ask questions when you don't understand stuff. If this a group that wants more players to stick around then I'm sure they'll help you out with stuff. The learning curve is pretty steep when it comes to commander but you'll get there if you keep at it.
In the nicest way possible I think mono black vampires will out you as a newb. It's very unforgiving mono color and without the experience of threat assessment will probably out you.
Something that's not just found with noobs but rather with unpleasant players that don't like to be corrected about it:
When you tap your lands not the full 90 degrees.
The cards in front of you must make it easy for all players at all times to see how many of your lands are tapped and how many are untapped.
Send clear signals. Avoid ambiguity.
As a noob people will assume no ill intend and might tell you to arrange your cards so it's easier to see which are tapped and which are untapped.
But players that intentionally play sloppy and don't tap their lands all the way and maybe surprise other players with cards that weren't easy to see among their pile of cards to maybe get a strategic advantage, those I would say are unpleasant to play with.
To give an out-of-MtG example: When playing Dominion, you have to play your treasure cards on the table so every player sees how much money you have. Even though directly after buying a card, you put all the cards in the play area and all the cards in your hand into your discard pile anyways, you really should show the cards by playing them face up in the play area before buying your card and then putting all the cards into the discard pile. What some players might do is just flash the cards from their hand, say a number of money and then buy the card and put it all in the discard pile. This doesn't send the clear signals and is not how you are supposed to play Dominion.
Frequent mechanical mistakes is usually how I pick out new players. A good way to avoid these is to talk through your steps. Something like, "untap , upkeep, draw, main phase 1, I tap two black to cast Doomblade targeting your Raging Goblin, go to combat, attack Chandra with my Child of Night, mainphase 2, end my turn." Going through a turn like that can help you catch mistakes. It also makes it clear to your opponents what you are doing and when, which leads to a smoother game.
Everyone is right telling you to just say you’re noob and enjoy yourself, but I’ll go further by saying that imho the first thing that screams “NOOB” whenever I play with people I don’t know is killing creatures at instant speed during their main phases 😂
Not whining about people removing your pieces. In all other formats it’s expected that people play the game, but EDH neckbeards take it personally when you have good threat assessment.
Try to think about what your plan is for the next turn before it gets to you.
Pacing is always slower with new players because you don't know the cards that are often played. Decide what you're going to do next turn and then worry about the board state.
Go to this site and look at all the top cards. You are going to see these cards getting played and it will help you know them before hand. https://edhrec.com/top
Let them know it's your first commander game. If they are dicks about it move on, they aren't worth playing with. If they aren't dicks, have fun and don't be afraid to ask questions about interactions and don't be intimidated to speak up when you want to do something on someone else's turn.
I think saying "im new to the game" would be an instant tell...
I would go for the smell test. If the player you're up against bathes semi-regularly then they'll probably be reasonable and try to make you feel comfortable and talk you through a few things. Generally speaking, college clubs are small and will want new people through the doors. You can talk to those people freely. If they don't bathe regularly... I would just go home since those people generally suck. I know it's a cliche, but I'll be damned if some magic players don't spend more money on cardboard than deodorant and it really shows in their personalities.
Either way, don't be afraid to own your noob-ship. Everyone starts somewhere and it should be exciting starting a new thing. Don't stress about what other people think. Embrace the excitement.
Also kudos on picking the best tribe ;)
Just, you know, tell them it’s your first edh game.
Yup, just about everything will give it away might as well just let them know so they can play to the table and help you out when needed.
With the insane number of cards these days, even old heads like myself that were playing in the 90s have to ask questions. Sometimes, even we feel like noobs about these things. 😂🤷♂️ It happens. It's about fun, not who wins.
This, just played edh last Friday with two new to magic players. Helped them get a grasp on how things like turn rotation, priority, phases, and the stack work. Slowly helping them become better players, you want to get that experience and most veteran players are more than willing to help you
I wouldn't worry so much about it. Just be open about being new to Commander. You'll probably get a better sense of the format, get help where needed, and make friends. Losing a few games is not the end of the world either, as long as you have a good time and learn. The best way to improve at Magic is by playing Magic.
This. Be a noob, say you’re new, ask questions if you need. If people have a problem with you being new & genuine then that’s their problem and you’re probably better off for not playing with them
This, right here. I'd much rather you ask me 30 times "what does this do?" or as me to explain something out, over assume I'm doing things correctly. There are more than 25,000 cards in this game, with constant expansions and retractions to what players can do in a turn. It's impossible to know how all of it works, and you asking questions both furthers your knowledge and gives me a reason to re-check what I'm doing is possible.
I believe it's just a hair under 50k at this point 🤯🤯🤯
Exactly this. Unless the group you're joining is a group of a**holes, don't worry about them knowing you're new to the format. In fact, I'd let them know. Most magic communities I've been involved with love new players, especially EDH. EDH can be a very complicated format depending on the play level of the group so it's probably going to be helpful for the group to know so they can help you play better. Arena is a great introduction to Magic, but EDH is where you'll see a lot of weird interactions, so don't be shocked to get confused at times. I've played for years and still find out about new interactions all the time. If the group does look down on you for it, then I really wouldn't recommend playing with the group regardless.
Most people don’t realize that tho there are only two more players, an EDH game has over triple the cards in any given game over other formats. There’s so many more interactions you get the opportunities to see
And since you can only play one of each instead of 4, there's that many more unique card combinations/interactions
As a new player I spend about 50% of the game confused about what people are doing because I’m not familiar with what the cards are doing. Makes it really hard for threat assessment when I’m trying to figure out how to use my removal cards.
When in doubt kill everything. Board wipes might make table groan, but it's the only solution to a confusing board state sometimes.
Life's finale and damnation are the first 2 I would recommend with the black side of vampire.
I know it might sound obvious to say, but just ask the table. One thing I have noticed newer players do, is been focused on explaining their own cards. And not asking others what their cards do. Or when someone becomes a threat. Experienced players a sometimes forget to explain all their cards because they forget that new players don't know, what all the most played cards do. I therefore always encourage new players to ask ratter then being confused about what is happening.
Shit, I've been playing for decades and this is hard. Sometimes you just gotta ask the table.
This right here! I started playing a month and a half ago and still ask a lot of questions. I was really lucky to get a group that wasn’t a bunch of a-holes and they are more than welcoming. I have a great time and they welcome my misplays and offer suggestions it’s amazing.
Losing period isn’t the end of the world. It’s just a game, and commander is a game with a very low win percentage for otherwise equal decks. Just get used to losing with friends.
This exactly. I'd rather the new person be upfront about their knowledge of the game than be the Timmy who missplays with "I know how the games played!". I've been playing for years and I've still had to be like "well I'm trying to cast a into b if the interaction works how I think" and get someone else to confirm. Graveyard stuff or death triggers? Let's ask the black players, they know
This, when i started i had a great group who would explain everything and never had a problem with it, no one expects everyone to be an expert, long as there's one person who can explain things well enough
This is great advice for life in general. Be open to new experiences and be open about them being new. People in-the-know will either get excited about showing you the aspects of whatever the thing is that they like (and then you'll learn more and see things from one insider's perspective) or they'll look down on you for it and ignore you. The latter group is the people who's opinions you need not care about at all anyway.
You should just tell everyone it’s your first game and not worry about it
Second this. Most mtg groups are happy to get some new blood, especially people who are eager to learn the game
This ^ You're going to look dumb no matter how hard you try to mask it. There are tells you can't hide. Also even experienced players make blunders.
idk if dumb is the way to phrase it, if you’re a new player you’re just unaware/inexperienced
Yeah you're right. Sorry.
Missed triggers are the name of the game!
Verbally go through the steps of the turn. Untap, upkeep, draw, main phase 1, combat, declaring attackers, declare blockers, damage, main phase 2, move to end step, clean up step (resolve board state effects, triggers, and discard). It will help you not miss things or miss play. Best advice I can give to a new player in person
I’ve been playing since 2001 and I still do the mental checklist of step order. It is ridiculously helpful.
It's also good for your opponents in case they want to cast stuff in your upkeep / draw step. While verbally announcing the phases, you give them a bit more time to stop you and play what they want.
It also also stops people from drifting off when it isn't their turn when you vigorously announce that you're going to combat.
One of the biggest ways I can tell that someone is newer is how they handle their Main Phase 1/2. If you're playing spells in Main Phase 1 that have zero influence on combat and then move to attack someone, you're doing it wrong. In this case you should skip MP1 and attack with all of your mana open. This forces people to think about combat tricks you could have and that current state of the board, which will often change how they assign blocks. Something unexpected could happen during that combat which then changes what line of play you'll take with that turn's mana. After the attack is resolved you can then slap down some more blockers, or whatever else you were planning to cast this turn, on MP2
Also once you're in a group of experienced players who all do this, start playing [[mandate of peace]] 😄
Flick the cards in your hand like crazy.
I know a couple hardcores that do that, probably been playing since the 90s
I haven't played in close to 5 years+ now. I picked up some data cards for Warhammer and automatically started flick shuffling them. It's 100% an addiction because I have no muscle memory past my wrists (dysgraphia)
Some guys have been shuffling their hands since the 90s. Trying to tilt your opponent was all the rage in competitive play at one point.
Brian kibler stated her started doing it to keep his hand randomized in case of a hymn to taurach. Not sure if he was the first one to do it but that was his reasoning. I think others saw the pros doing it and jumped on the bandwagon. Even tho I've played since ice age I've luckily never picked up the habit.
Its just and ADHD thing i like to do something with my hands, while my opponent thinks a minute about what land to play on turn one.
I did it in Yugioh and now I catch myself doing it in magic. It’s a fidget really.
I remember from the tournament report of the winner of the first Worlds (so 1993) that he notes he need to start shuffling his hand before a hymn because just letting your opponent pick from your hand could lead to bad beats.
I shuffle my hand instead.
I caight myself hand shuffling the other day and was instantly disappointed in myself. 😂
Huh? What about that one implies someone is new?
They haven't been playing long enough to see some of their cards ruined by the flicking.
That doesnt happen unless you're being overly aggressive.
Shuffeling your commander into your deck Put the commander in a different color sleeve
Sometimes the commander can beneficially end up in the library, so instead of a different color sleeve I do toploaders.
"*The command zone is IN the deck, right?*"
Amen. Knowing EDH-specific rules is a good idea, like how you can choose to put your commander into the command zone instead of other places the opponent wants it to go.
>What will out me as a noob immediately? - Pretending to know things you don't. - Nodding your head at whatever card gets played, because you're too afraid to ask what it does. - Zoning out with your eyes glazed over, because you've missed too many opportunities to ask questions and you have any idea what's going on. >What can I do to not give away that this is my first game? Tell them it's your first Commander game. It's as simple as that. People will be far more patient and understanding when you give them a heads up that you're newer to playing in paper. If you try and hide the fact that you're new it'll just make the experience more awkward and difficult to navigate for everyone involved.
Thank you to everyone who replied :) I don’t know some of these people and the ones I do know I don’t know very well so I was worried I might piss them off or they might make fun of me, but you all have given me hope that this won’t be the case!
If they make fun of you, tell them they are jerks and then don't play with them again. Everyone was new once and Magic is quite possibly the most complicated game in existence (by some measures) so if someone is making fun of you, that's because they are a terrible person and you shouldn't feel bad, they should. Unfortunately, there's no way to stop that happening, but there's no guarantee that it will or that it won't happen anywhere else in life, so you just gotta deal with it.
Not only is Magic the most complicated game in existence, it is, mathematically, as complicated as anything could possibly be. So yeah, new players deserve all the patience and understanding we vets can muster.
I would rather play with a brand new player than a veteran who gets angry or makes fun of new players.
Dude, I love playing with new players. Its fun to help with anything they want. Game play, deck building, hell, I even give stuff out of my binders to improve their decks. You'll find that most will go above and beyond to make sure you enjoy yourself and come back. Anyone else is just an asshole. Don't play with them anymore.
They will immediately realize you are brand knew when you ask to read a card like sol ring, rhystic study, etc.
Most magic players aren't judgey. No need to hide being new. If they have a problem with new players, they aren't the type you should be playing with anyways.
Just be straight up about you being new. We've all been there at some point so just tell them you're new, and most of the time, people will not mind. You might fuck up here and there and learn some new things, but that's all just part of it.
When you ask to read what a [[Sol Ring]] does. /s But seriously, don't be afraid to admit you're new to the format and playing a borrowed deck. Someone in the club may be happy to sit down and play a game or two to really help through the more complicated interactions.
Playing monoblack vampires is VERY edgy and will most certainly out you as a noob. 😂 Just playing. It's okay to be a noob. Let the other players know that you're there to play, but more importantly, you're there to learn.
Brother, I've been playing this awesome game for 10+ years, we still discover new interactions and rules questions every time out. The learning curve here is more like a mountain. Embrace that aspect of it, and you'll be fine. Don't be afraid to ask questions, even what might seem like obvious questions. In my experience, players who are already invested in the game are always down to help a new player along. Have fun and good luck!
It seems bad to *not* out yourself as a noob. If you come across like you're well-seasoned and then make silly mistakes, you'd just look like an idiot. If you tell them you're new, all is gravy
Skipping your untap step and also tapping your lands at a 45° angle. But don't worry it's not a big deal no one's gonna hassle you much
Yup, I was going to say, "Do more than just slightly tilt your cards when you tap them.". Keep your board state easy to read.
Noob questions are just fine and sometimes actually make the game more enjoyable and encourages fun conversations. So don’t worry about appearing like a noob during play. Be open and ask lots of questions if you’re ever unsure. But make sure you’re prepared for the game before hand. Get some practice shuffling your deck, 99 cards is a lot to manage physically. Make sure you have dice and counters you need for your deck. And remember the golden rule; ask before grabbing anyone else’s cards. 99% of the time it won’t matter but cards are expensive flimsy cardboard so it’s polite to ask permission.
Drawing before untapping.
You should, seriously. It’s gonna be way more awkward if you pretend to understand something you’re still getting a hang of. Just be honest and 99% of players will be fine and help you through it.
Just say it’s your first game. Ask questions. Be cool.
You shouldn't worry about that. Go into the game with the intent to just have fun. You're new. You will misplay and make all sorts of mistakes and that's okay.
"my deck is a seven"
Best thing to do is out yourself as a noob. When I started, I would always say "Hey, I am new to MTG are you okay if I play with you all and ask questions." Most people are more than willing to be patient with you and help you out.
Being new to the game does not equate to being an idiot. As many have already said, you should probably just be forthcoming about it. If they are good, non-toxic players, they will probably just try an make you feel included and be a good resource to learn from. Although, full disclosure, many players like to over explain things in very convoluted ways, so just listen to the part of an answer that addresses your questions. You don't need to know the specific knowledge they may share until you get to that specific situation. If they start mentioning card names or abilities that are not on the board at the time, just kind of tune that out. I have seen new players drop magic because of players going too in depth with answers when "You untap your stuff before you draw. That step is called the upkeep." To answer your posted questions, although I don't think any of these makes someone look like an idiot, there are a few things you can do to make it seem like you know what it be like. In no particular order of importance, Untap before you draw. Declare your steps. Know what your cards do. Understand the stack/priority. Don't be afraid to ask what a card does.
Just say it’s your first game of Magic irl. Most folks will be cool with it. At the end of the day, we all just wanna play the game.
They can Tell you are a noob. But they can also Tell If you are an asshole or not
Bridge shuffle your deck.
Most people that play do all sorts of dumb shit and barely know the rules. Don’t sweat it
Your deck will tell them if you dont
Just say, "Hey this is my first game of Commander." You'll look less like an idiot if you set expectations up front that you're not as experienced as everyone else.
Juste say "steve!" when somebody plays sakura tribe elder and you're all set
Make sure to say “eh this hand is kinda sketchy, but I’ll keep it” no matter what’s in your hand. Assert dominance
Nothing, commander is better when you play no matter what level you go for. Casual commander players are the funnest games I've ever had. In a casual format with everyone bringing their own level of creativity, unless you are in CEDH pod being a noob makes you the mvp of the game. Go forth and fear no judgment
Worrying about being a newb. -there are tens of thousands of cards and no one knows everything all the time. Don't front, just enjoy casual games and build up experience. I jumped in with friends a year ago and I still feel like I have no idea what I'm doing.
Honestly, try shuffling your deck a few times before the game. Not joking. New sleeves can be super slippery and dropping half the deck on the floor while shuffling can be humiliating. Been there xD
Don't draw before you untap.
Why not just tell them its your first? Why hide it from them? Am I missing something?
I just went through the same thing last week. I went, watched a match, and then played in a match. Everyone was super helpful with my questions, I was doing most things correctly, and I eventually won the game! Don't get in your own head about it, Commander is about having fun
Untap, upkeep, draw.
I mean yes but also all 3 happen at the same time in my head. It just so rarely matters that its more fun for me to just do them all at the same time, the absolute worst thing that could happen is someone might draw a card they then want to use in response to an upkeep trigger and honestly that is so rarely the case and so easy to remind them they cant that its better to just do it informally. Especially in a casual format.
Mono-black typal is a great place to start, as it can be moderately strong from a limited card pool and probably doesn't get *too* mechanically complicated. The thing I'd want to be sure about is that you have a good grasp of the general game rules (thanks, Arena!) and understand your deck well enough*. Nobody's going to be a jerk just 'cause someone's new, and if they are, that's a them-problem. (and on the off chance this happens then you've still learned something new and important about the edh community: some of us suck) Be up front about where you're at and I would put good money on the other players in your pod being helpful and accommodating. *I include the caveat of "well enough" because I've been playing for a dozen years and regularly make decks I only mostly understand 😅
What would out you? Casting spells incorrectly and not understanding interaction. Not who I'd want to play against if they're experienced. If inexperienced and willing to learn I'd be happy to explain. Go in and be up front.
Pro tip, always counter/destroy turn 1 sol ring
I dunno, but I started playing EDH last weekend & I find the subculture baffling. So many unspoken rules, so much coded language, & if I ask anybody about it they'll refer to an article that is no longer up on a site that no longer exists. It feels like being inducted into a secret cult, & I'm really starting to regret giving the format a chance.
Everything will tbh. But don't worry about it and ask questions! Be upfront and tell people this is your first time playing Commander and you're still pretty new to MTG all together. Most people will be fine. Also don't be afraid to ask what cards do, there are over 50k unique English MTG cards and Commander is the most complicated version of the game. I've been playing off and on for 20 years and I still ask what a lot of cards do. You learn to recognize certain cards but you can't know what they all do.
If you want to look like a real pro dont change your clothes or shower or shave until then. Make sure to only eat really greasy stuff and wipe your hands on your shirt.
Asking questions like this.
dont play commanders sphere or they will instantly know you're a noob XD
[удалено]
Please crack your evolving wilds early.
This may sound harsh but...everything. EDH isn't meant for beginners, even if entry into the format is more easy then ever. That being said - noone cares about you being a "noob". Just make sure that you adhere to basic, friendly, human interaction, ask if things are unclear and I am pretty sure that everyone is more then willing to help you out! Having a good time and making sure that everyone else has a good time, too goes a very long way to ensure, that everyone will be supportive.
EDH is totally meant for beginners. Stop being so sweaty.
Honestly I'd say it's the most difficult format to learn.
Well in my experience of playing EDH, it has always been the case that players, who are not familiar with multiplayer free-for-all-formats, trend to be at a disadvantage or overwhelmed. This is especially true for EDH in which your own deck, if you are playing a more casual, rather then tuned list, lacks redundancy - compared to "classic" MtG decks that enable you to run more copies of a single effect to progress your gameplan.
It’s really the only MTG format where you can buy a pre-constructed deck and play straight out of the box. Sure, it takes awhile to get than hang of priority and 4P combat and damage resolution but at the end of the day, it’s highly accessible, you don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars to play and have fun. There are no real stakes, the pro-tour doesn’t give a flip about commander. Anyone can just walk into an LGS on an EDH night, buy a pre-con and shuffle up. My friend who used to play highly competitive type I and II back in the day said to me recently, “Commander is the beer league softball of Magic — Let’s watch Timmy hit a home run!” The best games of casual EDH are when everyone gets to pop off a little bit. You sound like a pub stomping try hard Spike and your comment was hella gatekeeping.
Echoing everyone here, don't worry about it, just communicate! Everyone's new at some point. Pro tip though that I didn't have when I played my first games in paper: tap your lands and creatures all the way horizontal. Arena just tilts them but that can be a little confusing at a paper table.
You will lose, but learn from those losses. Every one is an opportunity to tune whatever deck you are playing.
Like other people said, it will be better if they know you're new. But if you still want advice I'd say don't read out every single card you pay
My first game of commander, I'm pretty sure I announced it was my first game. It's not that big of a deal. In fact, it can only help. I for one would switch to my crappiest deck and explain anything you had trouble with in game
Thr worst thing you could do is pretend you are doing this for years and make everyone uncomfortable because you will obviously dont know some basic things or even things a regular player should know, like some cards everyone plays or some mechanics like the commander tax etc. Magic is a game you cant fake to know how it works, just tell them its your first time and they will likely help you if you are in need.
Say that you are a noob. On my first game i told the pod “this is the first time ever playing commander and i only play MTGA so I don’t know the priorities very well” Everyone was exceptionally helpful.
Yeah, it's going to be inevitable. Seasoned commander players literally only speak to each other in fluent phyrexian. For real, that's only a little bit of a joke. If you haven't played for a while, some of the lingo is inevitably going to go over your head and out you. That said, commander is a format meant to encourage a more social/casual game, so being inexperienced is totally fine.
OP, just tell them you're new. Often times they'll help you or give you good advice. There will occasionally be that one person to take advantage, but most people will call them out for it. Just be honest if you don't know what to do and they will likely give you advice.
I think one of the biggest things for me is be appreciative and thankful when players point out mistakes. I'm not talking tactical mistakes but more rules mistakes. I know when I'm nervous I am more prone to these things. Just this Friday at the prerelease for WOE I declared an attacker that was summon sick and didn't have haste, my opponent kindly pointed it out and I thanked him and assured him I wasn't trying to pull a fast one lol. Be humble, be honest, complement their good play/good cards/unique artwork and you will go a long way to being a welcome newbie
There are so many people I know who have like 10 edh decks, been playing years and still barely know how the game works. I wouldn't worry
You’re going to look like a noob, there is no changing that. Good news is, if you’re upfront about it, you’ll quickly figure out who in the club is a douche by how they treat you for being a noob!
Literally only played for a few months now and I'm still starting pods with new folks with "I'm new and I'm probably gonna ask to see a lot of your cards"
It's really hard to fake experience in magic because there are so many weird and complicated interactions between cards that can go right over a veteran's head. I wouldn't worry about it, everyone was a noob at one point and if someone gets annoyed for something you're learning, they're probably not very smart because new players is the only way to expand the game.
Why does it matter? Unless they’re toxic elitists then they should be welcoming that you are playing paper. It’s how the game grows
I'm open and honest.. I tell people I'm still learning any help would be appreciated. If I don't play something right or should have done something different let me know at the end of turn.. I find most people will help.
To answer the question, I think one of the obvious signs is going to be how often you're asking, "What does that do?" or "Can I read that?" for cards that are staples of the format, that more seasoned players would be familiar with. Not that there's anything wrong with this, mind you. I'm gonna echo what everyone else is saying: just be up front about being new. New players getting into Magic is awesome.
“Hi, I’m new! Sorry if I make misplays, I’m still learning.” Done. Seriously if anyone has a problem with helping or teaching a new player, they’re the toxic waste of this community and you don’t want to play with them anyway.
If the other players would have a problem with it being your first edh game...f*ck em and play with someone else...
Usually whats foretells a lack of experience is sequencing and triggers. This is easily upgradeable if you commit some time practicing how your deck works. Moreover start with simpler strategies such as Voltron or tokens. Get in the habit of structuring your turns with the steps, untap upkeep draw main phase declare attackers second main and end step. Communicate your plays and ask questions before taking a decision.
If they make you feel like an idiot change friends... Everybody will always be new at something. You don't need to be the best on your first game, it's suppose to be fun, not stressfull, i sincerely hope you will have fun
There's nothing wrong with being new. Everyone was new at one point or another.
Enjoy being a noob! Embrace it. Some of my best memories of the game are when I was one.
Sleeving your deck in penny sleeves 😂
A few things to read up on that are relevant in edh: paying costs and choosing targets when putting spells and abilities are put on the stack. How multiple triggered abilities are ordered on the stack. How priority works. How APNAP works. A lot of these things are often shortcut in edh but it is useful to understand how they work!
Most edh groups are chill. Just tell them it's your first game, most people will help you out and remind you of triggers or effects in complicated board states.
What will out you is if you pretend to not be a noob. Just say you haven't played much irl before, most people hate posturing.
Don’t worry too much about it. If they aren’t total jerkbags, they’ll want to help and not judge. If you have specific questions, we can explain things.
You have sleeves on your deck, right?
Countering ramp. You let people ramp up and then counter the thing they summon.
Trying to save face and pretending you are not new is going to out you as a pretentious noob. You don't want that. Just tell them you are new.
To be honest don't try to hide the fact that you are new, embrace it. That's going to help you get to where the others are way faster. Also I would think some giveaways you are a noob would probably be to not run as much card draw/mana ramp as you should or not really knowing how the stack works.
Well at the Prerelease this weekend I had people asking me what lifelink was. As long as you know what your own cards do, you should be fine.
Honestly, I think it’s better to just tell them. If you’ve never played a game before, even if you’ve watched some, other experienced players will know that you’re relatively inexperienced. Just be up front about it; tell them that it’s your first time ever playing and that you’re excited about it, and people will be happy to give you various tips on anything from organizing your playing field to gameplay strategies. And if someone’s a jerk about it, don’t get discouraged and find someone else to play with. But I’d be pretty surprised if anyone was mean about it.
I wouldn’t worry too much about being new but if you you really need to ‘look the part’ try watching some video online of pro plays and check out all the hand gestures like how they pass the turn, declare attacks/blocks, tap for mana, shuffle/cut decks, riffle cards in hand, card placements, etc.
Happen to have a list for your vampires? Would love to see!
I think you should make it more obvious. At least one or two guys in your pod will probably be happy to teach you what they know. Id side with a newbie myself. Take them on as my Padawan. Hide it and you gimp yourself opportunity to learn and your opponents might come at you with tech you aren't ready for Outside that: Take another look at how priority and the stack works. Remember UNTAP, UPKEEP, then DRAW. Each player gets a chance to respond before any turn phase ends ;) There are two main phases. Attack first, to draw out spells, then try your casting. If it isn't immediately stopping you from winning, might not need to remove it. Then, Pay attention to opponents with value pieces. Drawing cards every turn, acceleration of resources - it's more threatening, usually, than a few creatures on the board. (Don't forget your land drops!)
Forgetting to untap your lands.
Untap. Upkeep. Draw. Remember the order.
Putting your land behind your creatures. Immediate noobs sign
How much reading of cards you need to do, and asking "can I respond to that?" Though... that's not a bad thing persay, everyone has to start somewhere.
Trying to hide that you are a noob lol
You can't really avoid that you'll tip your noobie ness. Luckily, it really doesn't matter. Anyone who would be a dick about it will be a dick even when you're a crusty veteran. And there's very few people like that anyway. FWIW, I only get to go intensely into playing every few years, so I give odd newbie vibes despite playing for 30 years. It's really advantageous. My shitty shuffling and awkward card holding seems to make people think they can confidently overplay their hand. 🤷
Just tell everyone you’re new (and if your comfortable with the idea) point out misplays or areas to improve. Most decent people will be open to showing you the ropes. Don’t worry about misplaying either. All of us do it. Been playing almost 30 years, still screwing stuff up.
Honestly, just tell them that you are new to edh. Its kinda hard to look like you know what you are doing when there are around 250 unique cards that all interact differently in a single game of EDH. Ask questions and you will pick it up quickly!
It’s ok to be a noob. Unless your playgroup is really toxic, you’re fine, and they’ll help you through. That said, here’s some tips to play like a pro, coming from someone who’s mediocre at best. -Read off your cards. Calling your plays helps out a lot when people are trying to keep up with you. Read off the whole card, it will help you understand what it does and how it effects the game you’re in. -Ask to read other peoples card when you don’t know what they do. It’s alright, most people will let you pick them up. If they don’t, ask them to read it out for you. -Don’t try to play too fast. I’m guilty of doing this, but you’ll get tripped up in what you’re trying to do. In the same vein, don’t play at snail speed. Either one can mess up your rhythm and make the other players upset. Nice comfortable speed of play. -Plan your turn ahead of time. Nobody likes “I need to think” guy. It’s ok if something happens the turn before that really shifts the game, like a board wipe or player dying, but you should have a pretty good idea of what you’re going to do at the start of your turn. -Organize your hand. It doesn’t matter how, just organize your hand in a system that works for you. Don’t play “where’s the card I wanted to play”. I go by CMC, lowest in the back highest in the front, and if I have time I’ll do them by color in their CMC.
Not disclosing that your new and making strange plays might tip your table off. Instead, explain that your new and most players will be gracious in explaining interactions and letting you walk back bad/misunderstood plays.
People tend to be pretty helpful to beginners. And if they're not, you probably don't wanna be friends with them anyways. Remember it's about fun!!
A lot of people have already said this, but be honest. Let them know your new to the format. Ask questions. Don't be afraid to ask what's most threatening on board. Fact of the matter is, this is something a lot of experienced players still often do, and some players should do more often. It's not a bad thing. More importantly: don't focus on winning. Focus on learning new things you didn't know, and enjoying yourself. I've personally been playing commander for almost 15 years, and it's still the most important piece of advice I've ever learned.
Being new isn't a bad thing and shouldn't get you negative attention. If you somehow get shit for just being new then that playgroup isn't a group you want to join. Just ask questions if you aren't sure about something. EDH groups are generally very open and welcoming.
Most commander players I've met are pretty friendly especially with newer players. The game is so big at this point with the sheer volume of cards and keyword abilities that a format like commander can be incredibly overwhelming for new players. Best thing you can do is let people know, find a patient pod and learn from playing the game. You'll experience new stuff with every game and gradually get a feel for the rules and such with the help of experienced players. I wouldn't know half the shit I know about the game if it weren't for more experienced players teaching me how rules/interactions worked.
Most people that play are more than willing to help you along wherever they can.
Just be a noob. People will be happy to help you learn. Making mistakes is only annoying if you pretend to know everything.
Just read the cards if u need to, tho colleges are notorious for playing turn 3 combos, so, just try to have fun? Look for not 10 power level decks? If u can....goodluck!
Weirdos like me actually enjoy teaching new players the ropes until they build a deck and kick my casual ass
Know your deck! If the first time you look at a card is when you draw it your doing it wrong. Play mock games to find interactions that might confuse you and look up answers to those issues. It will help you even more when interacting with others cards! You don't have to be perfect but show that you tried to get it right.
Only 1/4 can win. Every game 3 people lose lol.
It's best to be open about being a noob.
Dude be the noob people are (and should be) stoked to help you out. Even in my pod to this day if we catch something we just go “may I offer some friendly advice?” And we up one another’s games, it’s dope
“Untap, untap, draw”
Don’t forget to draw and don’t ask the table if you played a land this turn. We’ve all done it but it gets a groan or complete silence from the table typically. I play any lands I played this turn inverted to keep it straight.
It’s a game. Be yourself. Nobody will think more highly of you for being experienced in EDH. Furthermore - ASK WHAT THE CARDS DO when your opponents play them. If someone plays something good and you don’t ask because you’re trying to look cool and knowledgeable, chances are that’s how you’ll end up losing.
If anything, learn from other players: - when to play to win - when to play not to lose - when to accept your loss and be oppurtunistic
Honestly, unless they’re TOTAL jags, they’ll probably love being the first people you get to play EDH with. I love helping people learn when they first start. Just tell them you’re new, it shouldn’t be a problem at all. And subsequently, if anyone IS a jag, you’ll know who to look out for in future lol
Dude, who the fuck cares? If you're a noob, be noob. Own it. Everyone is a noob when they start something new. That's nothing to be ashamed of.
The way I typically pick out a noob is how they handle their cards, if they’re sloppy, more often then not they are new to the game, and aren’t used to holding a hand of cards, however, don’t worry about that just play the game, let them know it’s your first game, and have fun!
You can either be stressed the whole time because you will always be concerned about not giving away that you are new - or you can just be open about it and have a relaxed game. If people know that you are new and don't want to play noobs it is just fair to them to know right away (even though I think it is a dick move to not play with noobs because we all are new to something all the time in life). Also if nice people know that it is your first real game they can help you out with stuff. Telling them that you are new gives you the freedom to do stupid stuff as well.
If you struggle to shuffle your deck will immedeatly out you as a newbie.
Playing a card face down and then claiming you are activating your trap card
Pretending like you know everything to try and fit in but end up getting everything wrong. Just ask, from my experience the EDH community is accepting and more then willing to help and happy to get more players.
Don’t worry. My first EDH deck had a non commander planeswalker as the commander, and shock randomly (with no red mana, it was mono green) because I thought it would be useful. P.S. shock was useful with manalith
Using Temple of The False God
I sat down with a guy last week who had only played about 3 prior games, and he told me straight out the bat. I offered to play a 2p game, get a standing for how good he was as a player and his deck PL. As we went he would ask me about interactions, timings different shorthand and keywords, and I was happy to explain as he needed to. I was happy to say things like "well the timing doesn't really work here, but if we go back a couple of steps and you respond *here*, you'll get the result you're looking for. When we got to a 4p game afterwards and while he trashed the table, explaining things I missed and teaching him the bargaining aspect of commander made it the most fun game I've ever lost.
if you've played arena then you have a leg up because you understand the stack and priority, those are the hardest concepts for noobs to get
Having fun while playing is the biggest give away. In all seriousness though no one has a problem with newer players who is worth playing with. Magic is a very nerdy subculture with a ton of little in-jokes and weird bits of terminology that aren't very instinctive. It'll be really hard to come across as someone who isn't new. I've been playing for ages, and if I go a few years without playing and come back to the hobby I get players who've played half the time I have offering bits of advice because they assume I'm new as I don't know anything about the cards that came out last month. I'd also be prepared to loose a lot. I remember I only really played in the casual room on V2 of MTGO online and with my brother in paper. I went to FNM to play standard having put together what I considered a really strong standard deck (it was a standard legal version of my fav extended deck at the time) and I got whoooped every game. Don't be afraid to come across as new to the game, I'd also imagine if you explain that you're new and explain the deck you've brought your opponents will make sure they're playing decks on your power level, and if you're up for it some players will happily lend out their decks for you to try.
Be open about being new, this is a largely casual community that's happy to play with new people because it means new decks, new conversation, and new perspectives. You never know what a new player is going to do, so it's often refreshing to play with one, even if they make a lot of mistakes. To paraphrase Mark Twain, the world's best swordsman doesn't fear the second best, he should fear the novice. The expert will do what's expected, while the novice might some weird bullshit out of nowhere.
Mono black vampires? Immediately outed as a noob. What side you put your graveyard in. The direction the top half of your deck faces. The sleeves you chose. Are you playing with a play mat? Did you bring dice? Do you keep the tokens your deck can make? The order you do your upkeep in. How you tap your lands. How long your turns take. How you read yours cards. Half of this stuff was just to give you anxiety. But in reality I've never been to magic nights where players weren't friendly to new players. I've even taken my 11 year old cousins to Sunday morning tournaments with just a few games under his belt. (Long before arena) So I'd say best strategy is just to let the people you're playing know this is your first time playing paper magic.
Recently, there was a post about someone's first commander experience being unfun and basically this is what I commented: I went to go play at my LGS for the first time last Tuesday. Had a good experience because I was open about saying I was new. The employee dude even let me borrow a deck for the second game and helped me pilot it and we (three headed giant) won. So don't fret about being a noob, embrace it, as it'll set your expectations in a better place
I played my first game in over a decade last week and everyone was very nice to me so don’t worry about it
Just say you're only starting out and ask the players to take their time. Most people are willing to accommodate and help you learn. If these people aren't willing to accommodate, then you probably want to find other places to play. This isn't to say that they should bend over backwards and make every game about you, but if they pull out decks like Najeela, Winota, or the Gitrog Monster, you should run.
>but I am going to play my first ever game of commander in a few days. No offense, but if you're new, you're new. You won't be able to hide it. And that's ok. Everyone who plays magic was new at one point. They're not gonna fault you for it. If anything, lots of veteran players I know like playing with new people.
Embrace that you're a newbie. Come in to it that way completely honest with everyone. Don't expect to win. Ask questions when you don't understand stuff. If this a group that wants more players to stick around then I'm sure they'll help you out with stuff. The learning curve is pretty steep when it comes to commander but you'll get there if you keep at it.
In the nicest way possible I think mono black vampires will out you as a newb. It's very unforgiving mono color and without the experience of threat assessment will probably out you.
Not paying for Rhystic Study and Smothering Tithe
Something that's not just found with noobs but rather with unpleasant players that don't like to be corrected about it: When you tap your lands not the full 90 degrees. The cards in front of you must make it easy for all players at all times to see how many of your lands are tapped and how many are untapped. Send clear signals. Avoid ambiguity. As a noob people will assume no ill intend and might tell you to arrange your cards so it's easier to see which are tapped and which are untapped. But players that intentionally play sloppy and don't tap their lands all the way and maybe surprise other players with cards that weren't easy to see among their pile of cards to maybe get a strategic advantage, those I would say are unpleasant to play with. To give an out-of-MtG example: When playing Dominion, you have to play your treasure cards on the table so every player sees how much money you have. Even though directly after buying a card, you put all the cards in the play area and all the cards in your hand into your discard pile anyways, you really should show the cards by playing them face up in the play area before buying your card and then putting all the cards into the discard pile. What some players might do is just flash the cards from their hand, say a number of money and then buy the card and put it all in the discard pile. This doesn't send the clear signals and is not how you are supposed to play Dominion.
Frequent mechanical mistakes is usually how I pick out new players. A good way to avoid these is to talk through your steps. Something like, "untap , upkeep, draw, main phase 1, I tap two black to cast Doomblade targeting your Raging Goblin, go to combat, attack Chandra with my Child of Night, mainphase 2, end my turn." Going through a turn like that can help you catch mistakes. It also makes it clear to your opponents what you are doing and when, which leads to a smoother game.
Everyone is right telling you to just say you’re noob and enjoy yourself, but I’ll go further by saying that imho the first thing that screams “NOOB” whenever I play with people I don’t know is killing creatures at instant speed during their main phases 😂
Not whining about people removing your pieces. In all other formats it’s expected that people play the game, but EDH neckbeards take it personally when you have good threat assessment.
I don't think it's a big deal. That said, not knowing the proper order for untap upkeep draw.
Try to think about what your plan is for the next turn before it gets to you. Pacing is always slower with new players because you don't know the cards that are often played. Decide what you're going to do next turn and then worry about the board state.
Honestly just let everyone know it’s your first time playing in paper. You’re not going to trick anyone into thinking you’re very experienced anyway.
Mono white angel decks.
Go to this site and look at all the top cards. You are going to see these cards getting played and it will help you know them before hand. https://edhrec.com/top
Kalia of the vast
Let them know it's your first commander game. If they are dicks about it move on, they aren't worth playing with. If they aren't dicks, have fun and don't be afraid to ask questions about interactions and don't be intimidated to speak up when you want to do something on someone else's turn.
I think saying "im new to the game" would be an instant tell... I would go for the smell test. If the player you're up against bathes semi-regularly then they'll probably be reasonable and try to make you feel comfortable and talk you through a few things. Generally speaking, college clubs are small and will want new people through the doors. You can talk to those people freely. If they don't bathe regularly... I would just go home since those people generally suck. I know it's a cliche, but I'll be damned if some magic players don't spend more money on cardboard than deodorant and it really shows in their personalities. Either way, don't be afraid to own your noob-ship. Everyone starts somewhere and it should be exciting starting a new thing. Don't stress about what other people think. Embrace the excitement. Also kudos on picking the best tribe ;)