Beginner Tips
Top 10 Tips for New Players
Section titled “Top 10 Tips for New Players”1. Don’t Overextend
Section titled “1. Don’t Overextend”Commit 2-3 creatures at a time. If they get destroyed, you have backup.
2. Set Traps Before Attacking
Section titled “2. Set Traps Before Attacking”Always set trap cards before entering the Battle Phase. This:
- Protects you from counter-attacks
- Creates uncertainty for your opponent
- Gives you options if things go wrong
3. Learn the Mana Curve
Section titled “3. Learn the Mana Curve”Don’t dump all your mana on turn 1. Plan ahead:
- Turn 1: 1-2 cost card
- Turn 2: 2-3 cost card or two 1-cost cards
- Turn 3: 3 cost card + trap
4. Read Cards Carefully
Section titled “4. Read Cards Carefully”Card text is precise. Key words matter:
- “Target” - You choose
- “Random” - Chosen randomly
- “All” - Affects everything
- “When” - Triggers automatically
- “You may” - Optional effect
5. Track Life Points
Section titled “5. Track Life Points”Both yours AND your opponent’s. Calculate:
- How much damage can you deal this turn?
- How many turns until you can win?
- Can your opponent kill you next turn?
6. Understand Priority
Section titled “6. Understand Priority”When both players can act, the active player (whose turn it is) gets priority first. Use this to:
- Force reactions before playing key cards
- Bait out removal spells
- Stack abilities in your favor
7. Learn Element Matchups
Section titled “7. Learn Element Matchups”Know the chart:
- 🔥 Ember beats 🌿 Nature
- ❄️ Frost beats 🔥 Ember
- 🌿 Nature beats ❄️ Frost
- ✨ Arcane beats 🌑 Void
Exploit weaknesses for 50% bonus damage!
8. Card Advantage Wins Games
Section titled “8. Card Advantage Wins Games”“Card advantage” = having more cards than your opponent. Gain it by:
- Drawing extra cards
- Trading 1 card for 2+ enemy cards
- Using efficient removal
9. Know When to Trade
Section titled “9. Know When to Trade”Trading = your creature destroys an enemy creature and vice versa.
Good trades:
- Your weaker creature kills a stronger one
- You eliminate a key threat
- You protect your Life Points
Bad trades:
- Your key creature dies for a minor threat
- You lose board presence for no gain
10. Practice, Practice, Practice
Section titled “10. Practice, Practice, Practice”There’s no substitute for experience. Play games to:
- Learn common cards and combos
- Develop intuition for good plays
- Understand the meta
Common Beginner Mistakes
Section titled “Common Beginner Mistakes”| Mistake | Why It’s Bad | What to Do Instead |
|---|---|---|
| Playing all your cards | Vulnerable to board wipes | Hold 2-3 cards in reserve |
| Ignoring mana curve | Can’t play cards on curve | Balance your costs |
| Forgetting traps | Miss reactive plays | Set traps early |
| Attacking blindly | Walking into traps | Consider opponent’s face-downs |
| Ignoring card draw | Run out of options | Include 4-6 draw cards |
| Building 60-card decks | Inconsistent draws | Stick to 40 cards |
Next Steps
Section titled “Next Steps”Once you’re comfortable with basics, move on to:
Advanced Tactics Level up your gameplay
Meta Analysis Understand the competitive landscape