In the vast expanse of Magic: The Gathering, countless tools and trinkets are at the disposal of players seeking to outsmart and overpower their opponents. However, among the myriad of enchantments, artifacts, and creatures, certain pieces of equipment stand head and shoulders above the rest, empowering their wielders with unparalleled abilities and game-changing advantages.
Delving into the realm of legendary equipment, the Sword of Feast and Famine emerges as a formidable force. This double-edged blade grants its bearer a potent combination of offensive and defensive capabilities. In the hands of an agile warrior, it carves through enemy defenses with ease, while its thirst-quenching enchantment simultaneously regenerates the wielder’s life force. Conversely, the Sword of the Meek transforms seemingly insignificant tokens into formidable threats, imbuing them with deadly precision and swarming potential.
Beyond legendary status, the humble Lightning Greaves and Swiftfoot Boots play essential roles in the arsenal of any seasoned player. These unassuming footwear endow their wearer with the elusive gift of haste, enabling them to outpace their opponents and strike with lightning-fast precision. Whether dodging removal spells or unleashing an early onslaught, these boots provide an invaluable edge in the race to victory. Magic: The Gathering is a dynamic and ever-evolving tapestry, where the strategies and synergies are limitless. Equipping your forces with these elite tools is a testament to your skill and a surefire path to dominating the battlefield.
The Ultimate Guide to Essential Equipment in Magic: the Gathering
Mana Cards
Mana cards are the backbone of any Magic deck. They provide the energy needed to cast creatures, spells, and abilities. There are five types of mana cards: red, blue, green, black, and white. Each type of mana is associated with a particular color of magic, and can only be used to pay for cards of that color. The most common mana cards are basic lands, which provide one mana of a single type. However, there are also a number of non-basic lands that can provide multiple mana, or that have other special abilities. For example, the card Llanowar Elves can produce two green mana, while the card Sol Ring can produce two mana of any color.
When building a deck, it is important to include enough mana cards to ensure that you can cast your spells and abilities consistently. The number of mana cards you need will vary depending on the deck’s strategy and the average mana cost of its cards. However, as a general rule of thumb, you should include at least 20 mana cards in a 60-card deck.
The following table shows the different types of mana cards and the amount of mana they provide:
| Type of Mana Card | Amount of Mana |
|---|---|
| Basic Land | 1 |
| Non-Basic Land | 1 or more |
| Mana Artifact | 2 or more |
| Mana Creature | 1 or more |
| Mana Enchantment | 1 or more |
Mana Base Enhancements: Lands and Mana Artifacts
Lands
Lands are the foundation of any Magic: the Gathering deck. They provide the mana necessary to cast spells and activate abilities. While basic lands are the most common type of land, there are also several types of rare and powerful lands that can significantly enhance your mana base.
Mana Artifacts
Mana artifacts are non-land permanents that can produce mana. They are a great way to supplement your land base and ensure that you have the mana you need to cast your spells. Some of the most popular mana artifacts include:
| Mana Artifact | Mana Produced |
|---|---|
| Sol Ring | 2 mana of any color |
| Mana Crypt | 3 mana of any color (at the cost of 2 life) |
| Mox Diamond | 1 mana of any color (if you control a basic land of that type) |
| Grim Monolith | 3 mana of any color (by sacrificing a creature) |
| Karn’s Bastion | 2 mana of any color |
Mana artifacts can be very powerful, but they can also be expensive. As a result, it is important to carefully consider which mana artifacts you include in your deck. The best mana artifacts for your deck will depend on your deck’s strategy and budget.
Creature Summoning Essentials: Tokens and Creatures
Tokens
Tokens are temporary creatures that are created by spells, abilities, or other game effects. They are not typically considered “real” creatures, and they have no abilities or power/toughness unless otherwise specified. Tokens are often used to represent large armies or swarms of creatures, and they can be very effective in certain strategies.
Creatures
Creatures are the most basic type of card in Magic: The Gathering. They represent living beings or constructs that can attack and defend your life total. Creatures have power and toughness, which determine their offensive and defensive abilities. Creatures can also have abilities, which can give them additional effects or special abilities.
Equipment
Equipment is a type of card that can be attached to creatures to improve their abilities. Equipment can provide creatures with bonuses to power, toughness, or abilities. Equipment can be very powerful, and it can help to turn a weak creature into a powerful threat.
Here is a table summarizing the key differences between tokens and creatures:
| Tokens | Creatures | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Temporary | Permanent |
| Abilities | None unless specified | Can have abilities |
| Power/Toughness | 0/0 unless specified | Varies |
| Cost | Usually free | Varies |
Spells and Abilities: Essential Cards for Control and Damage
Essential Cards for Mana Ramp
Establish a strong mana base to fuel your spells and abilities with efficient mana ramp cards like Llanowar Elves, Sol Ring, and Arcane Signet. These cards accelerate your mana production, enabling you to play higher-cost spells earlier and gain an advantage over your opponents.
Essential Cards for Card Draw
Replenish your hand size and maintain consistency with cards that draw additional cards. Consider including cards like Brainstorm, Divination, and Ponder in your deck. These cards filter through your deck, providing you with options and strategic advantages.
Essential Cards for Removal and Counterspells
Disrupt your opponents’ plans and eliminate threats with removal and counterspell cards. Swords to Plowshares, Lightning Bolt, and Cancel effectively remove creatures and instants/sorceries, respectively. Counterspells such as Mana Leak and Spell Pierce hinder your opponents’ spellcasting, giving you an edge in the game.
Essential Cards for Damage
Deal direct damage to your opponents or their creatures with cards designed to inflict pain. Lightning Strike, Shock, and Fireball are classic choices that offer reliable and efficient damage output. Consider incorporating cards like Lava Spike and Boros Charm to enhance your burn damage strategy and cripple your opponents’ life total.
| Card | Cost | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Lightning Strike | R | Deals 3 damage to target creature or player. |
| Shock | 1R | Deals 2 damage to target creature or player. |
| Fireball | XR | Deals X damage to target creature or player, where X is the number of mana spent casting it. |
| Lava Spike | R | Deals 1 damage to target creature or player. If you control a Mountain, Lava Spike deals 3 damage instead. |
| Boros Charm | RW | Choose one: Deal 4 damage to target creature or player; or prevent all combat damage that would be dealt this turn; or give all creatures you control +1/+0 and haste until end of turn. |
Planeswalkers: Unlocking Legendary Powers
Planeswalkers are enigmatic and influential figures in the Magic: The Gathering multiverse. They possess the ability to travel between planes, harness vast magical powers, and shape the destinies of worlds. Their inclusion in decks brings a unique blend of power and strategy to the game.
Planeswalker Types
There are several types of planeswalkers, each with its own strengths and abilities:
- Loyalists: Aligned with specific factions or colors of mana.
- Gatewatch: A group of planeswalkers united to protect the multiverse from threats.
- Elders: Ancient and powerful planeswalkers who have witnessed countless events.
- Avatars: Manifestations of powerful beings or concepts.
- Origin Walkers: Planeswalkers who have gained their powers through specific events or rituals.
5 Notable Planeswalkers
Here are five notable planeswalkers who have made a significant impact on the Magic: The Gathering universe:
| Planeswalker | Abilities |
|---|---|
| Gideon Jura | Combat efficiency, creature summoning, and protective auras. |
| Jace Beleren | Mind manipulation, card manipulation, and Counterspells. |
| Liliana Vess | Creature summoning, discard effects, and graveyard manipulation. |
| Nissa Revane | Creature and land manipulation, resource acceleration, and elemental summoning. |
| Teferi, Time Raveler | Time manipulation, counterspells, and card draw. |
Strategic Value
Planeswalkers are powerful forces in Magic: The Gathering. They provide constant effects on the battlefield, can protect themselves and other cards, and can potentially win games on their own. By understanding how to use planeswalkers effectively, players can gain a significant advantage over their opponents.
Artifacts and Enchantments: Equipping Your Deck for Success
Artifacts
Artifacts are non-creature permanents that can provide a wide range of benefits to your deck. They can grant abilities to your creatures, generate mana, draw cards, or even win the game outright. Some of the most popular artifacts include:
- Sol Ring: A powerful mana rock that can accelerate your mana production.
- Sword of Feast and Famine: A potent equipment that can give your creatures lifelink and first strike.
- Torpor Orb: An enchantment artifact that stops opponents from playing creatures with enter the battlefield (ETB) triggers.
Enchantments
Enchantments are another type of non-creature permanent that can enhance your deck’s capabilities. They can enchant creatures, lands, or even other enchantments, providing them with additional abilities or bonuses.
- Aura of Silence: A powerful enchantment that shuts down all activated abilities.
- Land Tax: An enchantment that allows you to search for basic lands and put them into your hand.
- Counterspell: A versatile enchantment that can counter any noncreature spell.
Equipment
Equipment is a type of artifact that can be attached to creatures to grant them additional abilities. Equipment can provide a variety of benefits, such as increased power and toughness, evasion abilities, or keyword abilities. Some popular examples of equipment include:
| Name | Effect |
|---|---|
| Sword of Fire and Ice | Gives your creature +4/+4, first strike, and haste. |
| Lightning Greaves | Makes your creature hexproof and gives it haste. |
| Helm of the Host | Creates a copy of your creature each time it enters the battlefield. |
Sideboards: Adapting Your Strategy to Different Opponents
Sideboards are a crucial part of any Magic: The Gathering deck. They allow you to adapt your strategy to different opponents and situations. Here are some tips for building and using your sideboard effectively:
1. Know the Metagame
The first step to building a sideboard is to know the metagame. This means knowing which decks are most popular and what strategies they use. This will help you identify the cards that you need to include in your sideboard to combat these decks.
2. Build a Flexible Sideboard
Your sideboard should be flexible enough to handle a variety of opponents. This means including a mix of cards that can be used against different decks and strategies.
3. Sideboard for the Matchup
When you’re sideboarding, it’s important to consider the matchup you’re facing. Some cards will be more effective against certain decks than others.
4. Don’t Sideboard Too Much
It’s tempting to sideboard a lot of cards, but it’s important to restrain yourself. Sideboarding too much can weaken your main deck and make it less effective.
5. Playtest Your Sideboard
Once you’ve built your sideboard, it’s important to playtest it against different decks. This will help you identify any weaknesses or areas that need improvement.
6. Be Prepared to Change Your Sideboard
The metagame is constantly changing, so it’s important to be prepared to change your sideboard accordingly. If you see new decks or strategies emerging, you may need to adjust your sideboard to combat them.
7. Sideboarding for Control Decks
Control decks typically have a wide range of removal spells and counterspells. When sideboarding against control decks, you’ll want to include cards that can help you protect your creatures and permanents from removal. You may also want to include cards that can win the game quickly, such as burn spells or creatures with evasion.
| Card | Function |
|---|---|
| Negate | Counterspell |
| Spell Pierce | Counterspell |
| Mystical Dispute | Counterspell |
| Absorb | Counterspell |
| Mana Leak | Counterspell |
Dice, Counters, and Tokens: Essential Accessories for Gameplay
Dice
Dice are primarily used to determine random outcomes in the game, such as damage dealt or life gained. Six-sided dice (D6) are the most common, but other die types (D4, D8, D10, D12, D20) may also be used in some cards.
Counters
Counters are used to represent various effects, such as +1/+1 counters for boosting creatures or poison counters for damaging opponents. They can be any type of small object, such as beads, dice, or coins.
Tokens
Tokens are used to represent creatures, artifacts, or other permanents that are created during gameplay. They are typically small cardboard cards with the appropriate mana cost and abilities printed on them.
Types of Tokens
| Type | Description | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Creature tokens | Represent creature permanents. | ||||||||||||||
| Artifact tokens | Represent artifact permanents. | ||||||||||||||
| Land tokens | Represent land permanents. | ||||||||||||||
| Planeswalker tokens | Represent planeswalker permanents. | ||||||||||||||
| Treasure tokens | Represent treasure artifact permanents. | ||||||||||||||
| Food tokens | Represent food artifact permanents. | ||||||||||||||
| Clue tokens | Represent clue artifact permanents. | ||||||||||||||
| Emblem tokens | Represent emblem permanents. |
| Type | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Mana Stones | Represent mana in the game |
| Dice | Generate random numbers |
Playmat and Sleeves: Enhancing Your Gaming Experience
Playmat: Protect Your Cards in Style
A playmat provides a dedicated surface for card games, shielding your cards from scratches and spills. Choose from a variety of designs and materials to match your aesthetic preferences.
Sleeves: Preserve Your Investment
Sleeves envelop individual cards, protecting them from wear and tear during shuffling and handling. Consider using sturdy, transparent sleeves to showcase your cards while safeguarding their condition.
Benefits of Playmats and Sleeves
- Protect cards from damage
- Enhance card handling and shuffling
- Improve visibility and readability
- Add aesthetic appeal to your gaming setup
Choosing the Right Playmat
When selecting a playmat, consider factors such as size, material, and design. Opt for a playmat that comfortably accommodates your play area and provides ample room for card placement.
Selecting the Ideal Sleeves
Choose sleeves based on their size, opacity, and thickness. Sleeve sizes vary based on card format (e.g., Standard, Modern). Transparent sleeves allow for easy card identification, while opaque sleeves offer privacy for hidden information.
Table: Sleeve Sizes
| Card Format | Sleeve Size |
|---|---|
| Standard | 66 x 91 mm |
| Modern | 63 x 88 mm |
| Commander | 66 x 91 mm |
Conclusion
Investing in a playmat and sleeves elevates your Magic: The Gathering experience by safeguarding your cards and enhancing gameplay. Take the time to choose the right equipment to protect your valuable collection and bring your gaming sessions to the next level.
Best Equipment in Magic: The Gathering
Magic: The Gathering (MTG) is a collectible card game that has been around for over 30 years. Over time, thousands of cards have been released, including a wide variety of equipment cards. Equipment cards can be attached to creatures to give them additional abilities or stats. Some of the best equipment cards in MTG can completely change the course of a game.
Here are some of the best equipment cards in MTG:
- Sword of Feast and Famine
- Batterskull
- Jitte
- Sword of Fire and Ice
- Lightning Greaves
