Let’s face the facts: for years, Magic: The Gathering has had a serious problem with rules complexity. This issue has caused many, many new and prospective players to shy away from the game. One study has even gone as far as saying the Magic is the most complex tabletop game to this day.
So it’s really quite comforting, as a Magic player, that Wizards of the Coast has become determined to remedy this issue. Enter the Foundations Beginner Box. The Beginner Box is supposed to be the easiest way for new players to learn Magic: The Gathering. But is it truly an intuitive learning experience for prospective players? And is it worth it for enfranchised players to acquire? This review will seek to answer these questions. Let’s dive in!
The best way to begin playing Magic: The Gathering is to familiarize yourself with the rules. But are the rules too elevated? Image credit: Josh Nelson
The Rules Complexity of Magic: The Gathering, Fixed?
Magic‘s rules are often cited as some of the most comprehensive of any tabletop game, let alone any card game. However, the Foundations Beginner Box uses grounded language and simple terms to explain the rules of the game. With its inclusion of two decks meant to be played against each other unshuffled, it also illustrates how a typical game of Magic is meant to play out.
This, in turn, creates a positive play experience for those demoing the game for the first time. There will inevitably be a winner and a loser, but the demo game is strictly meant to teach new players the core mechanics of Magic, so there’s no harm in that; winning and losing are merely aspects of almost any game.
On top of all that, the rules reference included in the Beginner Box has a simple glossary of common terms and game vocabulary, intended for any player to grasp the concepts of the game itself. This is especially useful for that friend, a new player, who insists on tapping their green mana-producing lands for “one Forest,” or similar concepts. If you know, you know, and soon enough, so will your friend.
The Beginner Box for Foundations also comes with eight simple Jumpstart packs. Image credit: Josh Nelson
Additional Materials
The Beginner Box comes with the following items:
Two preconstructed demo decks meant to be played without shuffling (one Vampires, and one Cats)
Two boards for use as playmats
Two spin-down life counters
A Rules Reference booklet
Eight Jumpstart packs meant for new players
A pack of tokens
The two boards are usable for anyone who wishes to use them in their games, not just demo-ers. There is no area for noncreature, nonland permanents, but it’s very useful all the same, especially for players looking for a game beyond demonstrations. The eight Jumpstart packs are also extremely introductory but give insight into how the game is played for any color, not just black or white like the demo decks offer. In fact, putting those with the aforementioned Jumpstart packs gives players forty cards of each color identity. Nifty!
The board for the Magic: The Gathering Foundations Beginner Box. Image credit: Josh Nelson
The Card Gamer Verdict
9.7
Art & Component Quality9
Gameplay10
Value10
The Magic: the Gathering Foundations Beginner Box has everything an aspiring Magic player would want in a demo product. It explains the game in a fashion befitting its status as introductory and even offers some playability beyond its demonstrative capacities. In the end, this is an absolutely stellar product for beginners and we would be remiss to give this anything less than stellar marks. We hope that Wizards of the Coast keeps this kind of product in circulation for new players even after Foundations enters a new edition.
Looking for more great Magic content? Then join our writer Cooper as he climbs the mythic ladder on Arena, starting here.
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