Everything You Need To Know About Magic: The Gathering

[@TolarianCommunityCollege]

New Shuffle Up & Play alert! I teach Crim to love playing Green Commander Decks? Watch here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eZ3VhmBmiZynhbc

[@chessazertyarno]

you said april fools four times, does that mean i don't have to memorize the entire video?

[@asimovvomisa4040]

9:25 - 9:30 Editor missed the chance to realise the "Mind Goblin" joke that was missed in an earlier play of Commander .... just saying

[@dino6080]

😥😥😥😥😥😥

[@_JackNapier]

Hey Professor, Can you do me a favor? Can you tell me how to better navigate your playlists? I'm trying to find which ones would help me with my MTG Arena Historical, Alchemy, Standard decks but all of the information is kind of all over the place so I'm not sure where to look. If not, I CHALLENGE THEE TO AN ARENA MATCH!!! *so long as you don't use merfolk for at least 1/2-3 game. . .I hate merfolk* 🃏🤣🤣🤣✌️

[@gabrielamaro1470]

Sometimes the greatest humor comes from laying things out exactly as they are.

[@Cyberium]

Oh yeah, just look at politics 🤪

[@mikeholler3251]

This should be top comment.

[@edhdeckbuilding]

he did this in an absolutely perfect way.

[@kevinschoneck224]

Been out of the game for a few years (2019). Got the urge to buy some cards the other day at the comic store…this is pretty much exactly how I felt catching up on 5 years of Magic. Both me and the comic store are now an anachronism.

[@Kazkorai]

Reading the card explains the card

[@youcantryrpgs]

I hate when content creators make a fake video with a clickbait title for April 1st. The Professor actually did it right by making an informative and 100% true video that MTG players only wish was a joke. Kudos to the channel for rolling out this instant classic!

[@JakeTSloan]

The craziest part of this video is how I was able to follow it with zero issues and understood it all, which made me question my own life really.

[@Xenabeans]

That's what shocked me- I understood every bit and has me really questioning when did the game get this bizarre.

[@wafflehaxxx]

If anyone shows up with an attractions deck I will simply concede. I'm not playing against it.

[@marekvincibr5884]

@@wafflehaxxx You are the weakest link.

[@clasherking4528]

​@@marekvincibr5884 That is not all together true..... I would insta scoop as well

[@relaxwithgraysen123]

@@wafflehaxxxI hope no one plays with you

[@BIasphemer]

Me and my friends started playing this last christmas. All my friends wanted to try the game at some point prior, but were turned off by its complexity. So, my christmas present to everyone last year was to spend my down time at my night shift job reading up on the rules for about a month. This video quite correctly describes my despair. Thank you for validating my suffering.

[@tvanddy]

If this was a Spice8Rack video it would be 37 hours long and contain the lore of every single card ever printed

[@MrTroxel]

Can we actually get Spice on that? That sounds pretty good

[@parkerheal7049]

Spice would also upload a video about the Implications of Cards reprinted with/without Flavor text and how it’s connected to Eugenics too though 😂😭

[@MagnusArchitectOfFate]

I’m afraid it’s going to be 80 hours if they’re talking about lore of every single card. And if we include Universes Beyond… oh no…

[@3N3MYKN1GHT]

And a musical number

[@parkerheal7049]

@@MagnusArchitectOfFate “You see, the phrasing on the Doctor Who Card “Everyone Lives!” Is actually a interesting counter stance to teferi’s and teferis protection as they’re both time altering beings and Have done good and bad things. Does that make Davros Like Yawgmoth? I’ll leave that up to YOUUUUU!” I can hear him now

[@Torsav]

Im 38 and have played since 97. While i am aware of all these facets, listening to it all is overwhelming. I can't imagine trying to wrap my head around all of this.

[@DevStarkiller]

Started in '01. If I was just learning about Magic in 2024, I wouldn't play it.

[@christiankoll1528]

Similar time line here; I remember the transitory phase of being excited to teach friends the game, then apprehensive, now if I meet someone who is interested in playing I'm kinda like: "are you sure?"

[@PrimeKeroHS]

I used to play Magic 2012-2013. Monsterless Blue White Sphinx's revelation deck after the dude that won worlds. Fast forward to 2024, watching this video mentioned so much stuff I'd never even heard of, holy moly. Attractions? Stickers? Dungeon cards? Companions? Food decks? What? LOL.

[@EE7A]

this shit is bonkers man. i started playing back when unlimited was released (back in jr high, im 41 now). it was already a complicated game for a 12 year old. i cant even fathom trying to pick this up now. i wouldnt even know what to buy, let alone trying to make sense of the game itself. every other week when a new set is released, i usually find myself saying "yeah, imma just buy a few more old school cards to add to the collection, yall have fun though". 😂👍🏻

[@1enediyne]

I feel the same way, I started playing in ‘94. The idea that I can’t play with cards I’ve invested in pisses me off.

[@OctopusWilson]

You forgot Doctor's companion! Which is not a companion, rather Doctor's companion is a Partner that partners with a non-Partner legendary of a specific creature type

[@tthien93]

He also forgot friends forever, which is a special partner companion out of 5 different cards

[@dwmlue9299]

He also forgot Friends Forever, which is Partner, but only Friends who are Friends Forever can be Partners with each other. But not all Friends Forever who are Friends can Partner with each other, because some Friends who have entirely different names and art are the exact same person. And everyone knows you can't be your own Friend. That's just sad.

[@TheDevlain]

It's even worse than that. Is a partner that partners with a non-Partner legendary of a specific COMBINATION of creature types. "Doctor's Companion only works with creatures whose creature types are exactly (and not anything in addition to) Time Lord Doctor" So changelings are Time Lord Doctors but can't be a partner of a Doctor's companion since they are Time Lord Doctors Mutant Ninja Turtles. We can say that changelings are kinda overqualified for the job of "Doctor Companion's Partner" ^^'

[@wombatgirl997]

And the Time Lord creature type! Time lords are neither time nor are they lords, however they are time lords.

[@tagagakhagsd]

​@@wombatgirl997 And a Time Lord is obviously not a Noble

[@steventyler18]

I took a break from magic about a year ago after a decade of playing. I have not / will not / cannot take a break from your videos. I appreciate you, Thank you for your time 🙃

[@ilshail153]

Prof using every last bit of his English degree to create the most descriptive overview of magic while simultaneously providing the most confusing, hard to follow showcase of every single card mechanic and refusing to stop to elaborate on any of it to add to the experience What a perfect guide for april fool's day, now I can finally play mtg!

[@allennewhausen2541]

You forgot to mention that there's a thing called "foil" cards, which are just like non-foil Magic cards, except they can *also* get you disqualified from tournaments.

[@matthewbreytenbach4483]

Why can those get you disqualified? They're just fancy looking

[@allennewhausen2541]

@@matthewbreytenbach4483 And curled. If they bend enough that a judge can tell the difference, well, that's a marked deck and therefore illegal.

[@matthewbreytenbach4483]

@@allennewhausen2541 Huh, that sounds lame.

[@danthewafflelord3059]

​@matthewbreytenbach4483 it got REALLY bad when Nexus of Fate was legal in Standard. Normally a Flashy and Mana-Costly Extra Turn Spell wouldn't usually be relevant, but for the Standard Meta at the time it was. And it. Was. EVERYWHERE. Once a Turbo Fog deck was pioneered in the format utilizing it to abuse the extra turns, demand for it shot up. Only problem was it was exclusively available as a promotional Foil, which caused all the above problems with curling up. The Judges couldn't just disqualify everybody using it b/c the card was everywhere, so they literally started taking Basic Land cards and scribbling "Nexus of Fate" in sharpie on them to use as Tournament-Legal replacements. Shit was wild

[@keremmadran]

15 minutes is Professor levels of commiting to the bit

[@Tornven2003]

I feel like we all need a pop up of the prof (much like the old clip helper in Microsoft products from before 2006) for whenever players wish to learn as new players or current players learning mechanics that they are unfamiliar with. Either via your PC as an add on or an app on your phone. I'd definitely download it. Also I've ordered the new double academic Deck box! Pure excited for it!!

[@Dskinny23]

How did you order it? I can't find them online, but random shops I can't verify or way marked up.

[@donovanberserk4993]

Reading the card explains the card

[@IslarfPokemon]

Now you don't have to answer a "many magic the gathering players" question ever again

[@berzerk130]

no magic the gathering player will ever ask a question again

[@Quicksilver1227]

1 year later - 200 new keywords wonderful and fantabulous!

[@ImmortalLorient]

We all know Magic players don't ask questions, they just complain about stuff. XD

[@reks334]

I can't believe he forgot to mention my favourite mechanic daybound

[@Jolfgard]

"Modern includes every non-silver-bordered card released after a certain date. For any exceptions, just refer to the banlist of the format."

[@wafflehaxxx]

Oh good to know, I'm sleeving up my black border Unfinity deck as we speak, looking forward to bringing it to my local FNM and playing some modern!

[@elisabeth5111]

Loved this. Despite the humor this video fully encapsulates my frustration as a returning magic player lol

[@CasualCoreK]

5:20 oh come on, Professor, who would EVER play a deck with double-faced cards in clear sleeves?

[@Mrtfarrugia]

🙋‍♂️ it was worth a shot.

[@hoplaaaa]

Someone actually did that ? (I don't follow the competitive scene so excuse my ignorance 😛)

[@THR0WTHEKNIFE]

​@@hoplaaaathey are referancing a shuffle up and play with one more mana where one guy did exactly that

[@hoplaaaa]

@@THR0WTHEKNIFE Oh ok 🙂 thank you for the information

[@CasualCoreK]

Yeah it was hilarious in the moment, I think it was the Shuffle Up and Misplay that went up just the other week

[@NoobestGamerEU]

"Or only have text available in Italian" - Me, and Italian "What's the problem with that?" - One of the best videos I've seen this year! Great vid Prof, keep up the good work!

[@bizarrum]

Seeing this video was fun and hurtful at the same time. Good played, professor.

[@brandongriest44]

The SASS! I love it, it also highlights how absolutely ludicrous it's getting

[@yaginku]

Cards then: Seraphine Angel 3WW Creature - Angel (4/4) Flying; Whenever a creature comes into play under your control, you gain 1 life. Cards now: Doge, Concerned Canine Legendary Creature - Dog Warrior Advisor (1/6) Meme 6 Whenever you boop a snoot, hemack up to 6 of your feninas. If you do, all Gargoyles with stickers on them gain snark. Totally not shoehorned for Commander - All dogs you control get +3/+3 and have Protection from Treasures.

[@nictushazeldine3167]

As someone who hasn't actually played the game for real since OG Mirrodin... Casually keeping up with things from afar for the past almost two decades has been a goddamn acid trip.

[@greyborg3846]

I was literally just discussing with a friend yesterday how mtg is essentially tcg Smash Bros now.

[@MorotsmuffinsPrime]

Thanks, Professor! I've been wanting to get into magic for about 15 years, and I feel like I'm almost ready to start playing now that I've watched this video!

[@yeffwy]

Goodness, I love the Prof’s brand of petty. Goals.

[@untitledphysicist3205]

NGL, this video actually made me sick. I’t made me realize that if I didn’t already play magic, I would have no interest in picking it up as a new hobby if I were to look into it as a new player. It actually makes me pretty sad.

[@therealax6]

I used to play back around 2000, then forgot all about it for like 20 years and came back to Arena right around the start of the pandemic. It's been a lot of fun and I'm happy to have picked it back up. It's not as unfriendly as you think!

[@the-four-seven]

Same. The first minute of the video actually made me sigh heavily having it all summed up like that for me. Depressing.

[@autumn38]

just started playing magic back in september of last year happy to say i love the game and want to learn more even if it means i need to learn... ALOT

[@sleepteam]

@@therealax6 Yes, it is.

[@SJNaka101]

It's really not that big of a deal. You play games and learn the mechanics as you go. I been playing magic for about 13 years and I still don't know even close to everything. My buddies and I regularly have to look up weird interactions in our casual commander games, even when we've been playing with a set of decks for months. Idk, it's part of the fun of the game. There's always something new to learn, something novel to experience. Some of my favorite moments in games are actually when we are arguing over how something is supposed to work and then we have to consult judge google. And like, everyone else has to learn all the same shit and barely anyone is actually motivated to study or some shit, so we're all in the same boat just learning from the ocean of things to learn in the game as we go.

[@mdot137]

So, yes, 10/10 a solid and well done video. However, after several minutes of this, my smile faded and my shoulders dropped. Morose my heart then became. The things you mention are conversations I've had with my brothers constantly over the past few years about how overwhelming MtG has become. Tbh, this feeling makes me want to hang up my spell slinging hat and find a way to move on from this product of Wizards even though there are delightful memories attached to it. Decisions decisions, as it twere. Gratitude for the well done content, as ever, Professor. ✨

[@dollpartsstudios]

Thank you for making complicated content as straightforward and concise as possible. It was funny too.

[@ADPRadio]

I both laughed and died a little inside. Well played Professor.

[@Luxorcist]

Sounds pretty simple, i think ill start playing tomorrow! Thanks Prof!

[@haym6391]

The consistent undertone of sarcasm and overt irony here is fantastic, and I will have this video in my sideboard to send for further "education" on the matter 😂

[@duydavidnguyen]

I'm loving how accurate and humorous this is for the current Magic but still easy to follow

[@Heatherlynn1972Vid]

4:00 *crying in friends forever and doctor’s companion*

[@randythemagicguy7679]

I love that how even though this is tongue and cheek and for April fools, it is also extremely comprehensive

[@jarzz3601]

did not know the junkyard was part of the command zone you learn something new everyday

[@db8988]

I asked a judge in a legacy tournament what happens when I bounce an opponent's attraction and they were not happy having to look up the answer to that question.

[@jarzz3601]

@@db8988 I'm interested now what does happen?

[@wombatgirl997]

The command zone is getting really dang full these days. Between your commander your commanders partner your companion (but not your doctors companion because that would be your partner) your background your conspiracies your emblems your attractions your schemes your vanguard identity your planes and your contraptions there's hardly room to sit down! Oh, and if you're one of the five people who play Oathbreaker you need to make room for your commander's signature spell!

[@db8988]

​@@jarzz3601Goes face up to the junkyard/command zone, same as destroying. CR 717.6

[@BlueTemplar15]

When I think that I was joking about AWOL soon being printed black-bordered for years, all the while not being aware about Junkyard... xD

[@shadetree1175]

Those of you who didn’t play magic in the 90’s missed out. The good old days!

[@therealax6]

I played in school in like 2001-2002, took a long break (almost 20 years) and came back to Arena around the onset of the pandemic. Honestly, I'm having more fun nowadays.

[@g.mendes0482]

Many Magic: The Gathering players don’t ask questions anymore… they just come to class at TCC

[@TheInfiniteSheldon]

The big thing people need to know is how much it costs to put together a Top 8 Deck in each format, and the average cost for keeping it competitive as the meta changes.

[@pjlights164]

Wow, I knew it was April Fools but I did not expect this!!! 10/10 This is gold.

[@_underscore_9271]

Man, that commander explanation reminds me of the first commander deck I ever built, I put together a "throne of the god-pharaoh" deck because I thought any legendary card was a valid commander

[@torch-bearer9129]

Ironically Walmart is where I learned and played magic for years in the employee break room.

[@misterdoctor9693]

We are always reminded to support our LGS and not buy from Walmart. I never considered what if Walmart IS your LGS.

[@lxUn1c0]

Thank you for all your hard work in putting together this video. Now, when people ask me why I stopped putting in the effort to keep up with MTG, I can save my breath and just send them a link!

[@Reruro]

Prof this is by far one of the best bits you've done in awhile, incredible, 11/10, supremely funny.

[@decisionparalysis7856]

Top notch video, good to see you are not selling out like so many others do, I know it is difficult. The game has just totally gone south, as much as I love it I can't defend all the changes. We have reached the point of no turning back for so many things, but we can voice our opinion for some things to stop before it is just completely ruined. I think that although the game has been warped, we can still learn some valuable lessons from it, why art and direction matter, consistency to formula. Kind of hoping for a true card game to hit the market, something that can live up to ours, so many come close but don't hit the mark, nothing comes close to mtg.

[@Xoulrath_]

It's Commander: The Gathering now, but aside from the title being wrong, great video. 😂

[@jspring9588]

Thank Prof....Ive spent the last month watching your channel, creating an Arena account, learning how to play this game. about to buy a commnader deck...and then this video...IM going back to Yu-gi-oh

[@zachcarney3910]

Wow. I haven't bought cards or even played in a while exactly because of some things you've mentioned. Thanks for calling them out!

[@nightmarepenguin2370]

As someone who has competitively played the big 3, (+ a few other smaller games and studied game design,) you have no idea how good you have it...

[@domd6789]

This is a perfect video to show just why people arnt getting into the game in a hilarious way. Hats off to you Prof, an excellent video if I’ve ever seen one.

[@xpoppyseedx336x]

This made me smile. Thank you so much prof, I’ve been watching you for like just about 10 years now, got to meet you at a gp and I still say to this day that you’re my favorite mtg content creator. Please keep on doing what you do. I appreciate you.

[@ErreErregon]

Everything? Finally the banding video!

[@takura187]

I used to play in the late 90's.. Wanting to play now and have no idea how lol

[@envies_ephemeres]

Best. Primer. Ever. 😅 Truth is so often funnier than fiction. Stay amazing, Prof!

[@Birbbato]

Love that you didn’t even go over Mutate, Backup, or all the different legends of the same character but they don’t do the same thing or count for the legendary rule.

[@ryanyancy5127]

City’s Blessing: “Am I nothing to you?”

[@jamesgriffin6657]

day night cycle would like a word

[@jojosantovenia]

I was thinking about playing in person, thank you, you changed my mind.

[@gamingtime1365]

Thanks I was wondering what that magic thing was my friends talk about

[@nathaeladalyah9681]

I was wondering how you would be able to fit all that in 15 minutes. There was a lot that you left out, but you made a fantabulous point.

[@landale3993]

If you think he missed something, it's probably in the rulebook. He did cover it a little quickly, but it shouldn't be too hard to find what you're looking for.

[@nathaeladalyah9681]

@@landale3993 It's only 200 pages

[@KingRarecrazy]

It took 59 seconds to make a veteran like me want to quit. This video is amazing

[@Cypher1032]

I actually didn't know how Attractins worked, so thank you for teaching me! Now I know everything I need to know to play Magic: The Gathering!

[@seanpkrueger]

Just as Richard Garfield envisioned, glory to his name.

[@marconator360]

That intro alone hurt so freaking much XD Damn prof, always know how to hit the spot. Great shot as usual!

[@marcoea]

I miss when MTG did not include cartoons, TV show, movies, 15 versions of same card and other stuff that impossible to collect. Great video sir.

[@JasonOshinko]

So, you miss 1994?

[@MistaHoward]

"You may live to see man-made horrors beyond your comprehension." -Richard Garfield

[@retro.7673]

Man you had to upload this on April first! How am I supposed to know if it’s a joke or not!

[@adamnielson42]

Watch 10 seconds and you can find out.

[@TolarianCommunityCollege]

Or can you?

[@adamnielson42]

😮​@@TolarianCommunityCollege

[@Damn_Cat]

​@@adamnielson42I mean the answer is at 12:31, but yeah, this is satirical and not a joke

[@adamnielson42]

@@TolarianCommunityCollege 😨 woah

[@LeetMasterAce]

All of this summed up in a 20 minute video, especially the portion about the Magic 30th Anniversary Edition real fake cards, really hits hard.

[@itsthereavvv1568]

i wish there is a encyclopedia about terminology of magic

[@dendostar5436]

It’s sealed inside the Lament Configuration.

[@tommasozaccomer6493]

You can find it in the mtg fandom site

[@BlueTemplar15]

There was. Was already up to 7 volumes in 2002 !

[@DennysDriveThru]

As a new player... I might be in over my head a bit. So much information to take in, thank you for the help to get new players started.

[@Zeyga]

That first minute of this video hurt my soul. RIP Magic's integrity.

[@SarumanTheStupid]

Put a sticker on it!

[@JasonOshinko]

Did Magic lose its integrity when Arabian Nights was printed, or when Albert Einstein's face appeared on a card?

[@Zeyga]

@@JasonOshinko indeed it did not, for those were the exceptions to the rule. The cards that you point out, out of all the cards printed at the time, were printed as nods and homages rather than product placement and appeasing Hasbro. Unfortunately this only strengthens the point that there is no integrity.

[@adamhixon]

As a returning player after a 10 plus year hiatus, this was the most useful and informative video I have found about the current state of MTG.

[@zackpumpkinhead8882]

First, it's the goblins. Then, it's the elves. And the next thing you know, the HUMANS are studying quantum computing! What's Dominaria coming to??? This is the planeswalkers' doing for certain.

[@Quicksilver1227]

but first lets return to ravinica again

[@octopusrpg]

I know Magic has been like this for years, but that intro still makes me feel like I'm having a stroke

[@RhysticStudies]

2:11 lmfaoooooooooooooooooooooooooo

[@RhysticStudies]

unfortunately this video is the funniest video i have ever seen

[@isaakhyde8327]

FINALLY a MTG tutorial that only mentions the bear necessities you need to sit down and play

[@sharktrap267]

Surrak punch bears.

[@weshverified]

“Despite how confusing it is to try and figure out just what a Magic card does, many people still try their best…” You know it’s bad when you get called out in an April Fool’s video.

[@TelesphoreArt]

This started as an April fools joke, and turned into a comedic therapy session from a lifelong fan. Your feelings are valid my friend. From a newb 😂

[@yukoncorneliusthelegendhim9751]

i love the tune at the end of the vid. big time 80s-90s vibes . so nostalgic.

[@jakeb.2708]

Years from now, someone will Chatbot 13.2, "what do I need to know about Magic: Gatherings" and it'll spit this link out. The person will weep as the machines laugh and play Alchemy together.

[@MrEcliptor]

When you paused after saying “wonderful” you stared deep into my soul. 😅

[@MaiHead92]

Funny thing is that this video could've been released on any other day and still be accurate.

[@michaelsnyder9546]

Didn't realize when this was posted 😂

[@_Adobo]

Another Pokemon knockoff. It won’t last

[@RafaNunes491]

You are joking right?

[@jakedixonmusic]

I just started getting into Magic. Thanks for this amazing and comprehensive video!

[@jakedixonmusic]

and Fantabulous

[@Cm91489]

Huh I wonder why I can’t get people into this

[@drunkenwarbee3505]

You forgot to mention that some printed cards (foils) can cause headaches for some people (at least me).

[@Jammonstrald]

and that they curl and are darker prints making them harder to see the art and look objectively worse in every way to a non-foil version but somehow people pay more for them (usually).

[@NicolasNelson-lq4je]

Not me staring to play again last month after not playing since 2015... I never thought I'd be so lost in coming back.

[@camoyuki]

I got into magic with the doctor who precons, and it has been quite an adventure having to learn about all these different mechanics whenever I came across something I didn't understand, like attractions and stickers XD

[@burgherozzo]

Nice comprehensive guide! Thanks Prof!

[@swordstochansey]

"He's out of line, but he's right!". I might not always agree with the Professor, but he nailed it! In the recent years, it's a joke how many tokens, counters, extra cards you need for everything. I was playing standard a few months ago and I needed a second deckbox just for tokens!

[@rubbersoulman5533]

"You're gonna need a way to keep track of your life" It took my a second to register the visuals and what that was supposed to mean

[@psuguy221]

I just love Prof. he always keeps it real for the community. Love the accountability and his expectation that wizards do better for us.

[@gabbypolitsch9992]

This video is so upsetting. You really got me by introducing it with universes beyond lol, happy april fools

[@MTGUnpacked]

Perfect video to show your friends and family if they ask why they should learn to play Magic! And if they can't grasp these simple and logical rules, maybe they should play an easier game like Yugioh instead😅

[@dr.badguyreviews6785]

Oof, I think that first 40secs took 40 years off my life, Prof xD well done

[@chrispomeroy8020]

Love this! It really reminded me of your old man magic videos you made with your dad.

[@ff0213]

This video deserves a Standing Ovation - its technically correct, the best kind of correct

[@NathanielJordan23]

I wish I'd had this kind of video when I was starting out. Thanks Prof!

[@neatnotgoodgaming701]

I DID PROF!!! The day I saw your video about the box I went and drove a good ways to get one!

[@rosenbaummilton7720]

Was expecting a detailed summary of layers, but i think this is funnier