If you have been keeping up to date with the Frag Dolls (LIKE YOU SHOULD BE, AHEM!), you should have noticed the slight Magic: The Gathering craze that’s affecting a bunch of the community! One of the great things about Wizards of the Coast’s MtG is that it’s available to be played in a variety of ways… If you have an Xbox 360, you can purchase Magic the Gathering: Duals of the Planeswalkers through the Marketplace (Valkyrie FD recently wrote a blog on it, you can check it out here!), you can even play MtG through Magic Online (PC Version with digital cards!). I’m still a fan of playing the game the traditional way, there is nothing more delicious then opening a booster pack and getting a whiff of that new card smell.

One of the things that I’ve noticed during my stay as a Frag Doll Cadette was that a bunch of you were really interested in learning how to play but were worried about the difficulty of the game. I sat and thought about this for a while, and I reminisced a little bit about how I learned to play. I first started playing MtG after I went to hang out with some people at the local LAN center. I’ve always been overly competitive, and after failing horribly at the game for a couple of minutes (or was it hours? O_o)… I soon managed to harass someone into teaching me the basics! The game can seem a bit daunting at first, but don’t fret! Here are some things that can help you on your planeswalking journey:

- Before you do anything else, go check out the Wizards of the Coast’s website. They offer numerous videos and tips to get you started!

- I enjoy MtG because it can be a ton of fun in any social setting! Try seeing if any of your friends want to learn the game with you as well. I went to my local MtG retailer and purchased one of the Duel Decks pack, and soon forced someone to play with me. Deck building gets a lot easier with practice and time, and the pre-built decks offer a great introduction. After some practice, you can always get some booster packs to change up your decks. 

- Get to know “The Stack”! Whenever you cast a spell or use an ability, your opponent gets a chance to cast something in response. Then its your turn again if you choose to counter whatever your opponent just did! This can actually go on for quite a long time, and can get a bit confusing. Be sure to read the rules carefully, and don’t be afraid to write down the order of things that can be played!

- Go to your local Friday Night Magic! You can find these events all over, and they offer a great place to meet people who love MtG as much as you! They play a variety of game types, and you can even find yourself going home with a cool prize card. These events are pretty casual, so be sure to ask a lot of questions! Most people are more then willing to help.

Magic the Gathering can seem a little challenging at first, but the game can be very rewarding. It keeps you on your toes, and it can be very addicting. Nothing is sweeter then bringing someone from 20 life to 0 in one turn with the perfect draw! If you have any more questions, or want some advice… Holler at me on Twitter @sunielove_fdc