TechMagic The Gathering is the best game to try with family this Christmas, here's whyIf you're looking for something new to try at Christmas this year, Magic The Gathering could be just the thing for you and your loved ones - and it's easier than everdailystarBookmarkShareTechByLloyd CoombesGames Writer17:26, 10 DEC 2024Updated17:41, 10 DEC 2024BookmarkGo on, you know you want toPicture the scene - it's Christmas Day, dinner's done, and you're given the choice between Monopoly and Scrabble yet again. Sure, we've covered a bunch of board games to mix things up, but there's one that I can wholeheartedly recommend above all others - Magic The Gathering. Here's why you should give it a chance this Christmas. READ MORE: GTA 6 Trailer 2 release date update as ex-Rockstar developer gives surprising insight READ MORE: PS Plus December 2024 Extra games predictions as fans expect Hogwarts Legacy and exclusive Are there dragons in Scrabble? Didn't think so I'll be honest, I'm relatively new to Magic. I started playing a year or so ago, and it's become a great way to catch up with friends, summoning monsters like dragons and the like to tackle each other. Are there dragons in Scrabble? There weren't last time I played, I must admit, but the joy of Magic The Gathering is that it brings in a whole host of high fantasy without needing a whole lot of imagination like, say, Dungeons and Dragons. It doesn't hurt that the game is now packed with cultural touchstones, with themed sets around Lord of the Rings, Fallout, Warhammer 40K, and more - with Marvel and Final Fantasy coming in 2025. Don't let the fact it's been around since 1993 put you off either - Magic's sets rotate, and many cards get reprinted to help prices from spiralling. A new Foundation Foundations' Beginner Box is a great way to get started with Magic The Gathering For a long time, Magic's starter sets were straightforward - you buy a set, get two decks, and you and a pal can sling spells at each other. Now, manufacturer Wizards of the Coast has mixed things up with the Foundations Beginner Box. This set includes mini-decks that can be swapped and combined to make new decks, meaning there are dozens of combinations. That helps players get used to the five colours of Magic, each with their own playstyle. For example, Red is aggressive, Green is focused on big creatures, and by having that flexibility to try each, players can start to build an understanding of what they enjoy playing. Commander? I hardly know 'er You too can look this good while losing at a game of Magic Helping players find their personality is a great way to start setting a path to Commander, too. Foundations teaches players to play Magic, but Commander is a sort of "hop, skip, and a jump" from there, with larger decks and life totals, as well as a particular card that acts as the titular boss of the deck. Not only does that allow for some fun deckbuilding opportunities, but it also means each deck can play completely differently from another. That's particularly fun because Commander is a multiplayer format, meaning you can play with more than just one opponent. I've spent hundreds of hours this year sat around a table negotiating alliances, planning betrayals, and more often than not, hanging my head in shame after I'm eliminated first. Still, it's Magic's most popular format right now, and there are dozens of preconstructed decks you can purchase to get started. Long distance battles Arena is a great way to play Magic with friends and family further away In-person Magic The Gathering is great, but what if you can't make it to a regular game night? That's where Arena comes in, the free-to-play Magic game for PC and mobile. Not only is the tutorial a fantastic way to learn to play, even solo, but the game is really generous with free packs and even entire decks to help you get started. Naturally you can spend more money to add to your collection, but being able to start building a deck from scratch without spending a penny is great. I wholeheartedly recommend giving Magic The Gathering a go, even if it's just via the Beginner Box this Christmas. Who knows, your family might turn up with cards of their own next year. Buy Magic The Gathering here For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters. Story SavedYou can find this story in My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.More On