Different Ways to Play MTG and How They Work in 2025

Magic: The Gathering has had a profound impact on the world of games, boasting multiple awards and numerous variants and play styles to its name. It isn’t hard to see why. However, it may seem somewhat intimidating to a newcomer, so which form of Magic: The Gathering would work best for you?

Digital payment methods

We are currently in a golden age of technology, with new developments happening all the time. It truly is an exciting time to be in the space. One area that has undergone significant changes in recent years is the integration of online payment methods. This has massively benefited both players and providers, as it creates a much smoother user experience when making an in-game purchase.

The rise of PayPal has been a big player in this movement, with players using it as their main digital payment method. Online casinos accepting PayPal have forever changed their section of the gaming industry, as it allows players to quickly and easily make safe and secure deposits for their favorite sites.

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This integration has also changed the game for Magic: The Gathering fans, as it allows players to seamlessly purchase a variety of different sets, or, if they are into Magic: The Gathering Arena, they can use the integration to make several different in-game purchases.

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Tabletop

Playing tabletop Magic: The Gathering is, of course, the most classic way to play. Originally released in 1993, it soon became widely popular, winning multiple awards and stealing the hearts of millions of gamers. As of 2023, there are approximately 50 million players.

Of course, since its inception, there have been many different variants released, but the original format has stayed strong, and for good reason. Although online platforms may be more convenient and accessible, nothing beats physically meeting up with a group of like-minded people to indulge in a hobby; this social aspect is a big reason for its continued success.

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Magic: The Gathering Arena

With a much later release of 2019 for Microsoft Windows, 2020 for Mac, and 2021 for IOS and Android, Magic: The Gathering Arena is a free-to-play card game that follows the same rules as the physical card game but allows for a freedom that the original does not.

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With its release on mobile platforms, it has seen a big increase in its player base, a big selling point being the fact that it can be available to the player when and wherever they are. The idea of building up a digital deck can be very appealing to players, as it allows for a large collection without the burden of having to find the space to store all of them, which any player will know can take up a lot of room.

Spelltable

With its release in 2021, Spelltable soon became a big talking point within the industry. Effectively, this is exactly the same as the physical card game, but you no longer have to physically go to a game; with Spelltable, you can join an online community, and through a webcam, play a standard game from the comfort of your own home.

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Licensed MTG sets

The world of licensed Magic: The Gathering sets has expanded massively over time, with sets that appeal to more and more fans. For example, there are Final Fantasy sets, if you want to immersive yourself in that universe and build up a deck of licensed characters. There are also things like Spiderman or Avatar. This focus on the sheer number of different intellectual properties available as MTG sets demonstrates a commitment to player choice and freedom.

The pros and cons of going digital

There are many arguments for and against taking card games online, some valid, some not so much. But overall, your preference on how you like to play is completely down to you and how you best like to interact with the game.

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Of course, online play offers many benefits, such as not having to store masses of cards, as they are all neatly organized on a platform, but for some, the physical collection may be something they enjoy about the game.

The same goes for the simplicity of playing online; it comes with a certain ease of use, with the ability to join a game at a moment’s notice. But equally, some players will enjoy the physical interactions and the more event-style atmosphere that comes with in-person games.

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Risks with online platforms

Of course, there are certain risks when using the Internet, especially when you are investing a lot of time and money. Keeping these accounts safe and secure is a vital part of enjoying a smooth gaming experience.

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One thing you should always do is check that whatever website you’re interacting with has an HTTPS connection. This ensures that all data transmissions to and from said website are encrypted, meaning that all your personal data is much safer, as it’s much harder to intercept.

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Two-factor authentication is something players should definitely consider in order to protect their precious accounts. This requires the user to verify every time they log in to their account, which could be through a text message to their personal number, through a third-party app, or through an email. This means that even if your login details were intercepted by someone, they still wouldn’t be able to access your account.

There are multiple ways to engage with Magic: The Gathering. Fundamentally, they are all rather similar, with small changes in how they operate, but if you know how to play one, picking up a different one isn’t going to be a challenge.

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Which one you prefer to engage with is down to personal preference, whether you prefer the face-to-face interactions that come with the original card game or the more convenient online play of the new variants.