New players

Basics

Start here for turn structure, card types, and the most important zones.

Turn Flow

  • Untap → Upkeep → Draw (ready your cards, then handle upkeep triggers, then draw).
  • Main phase: play a land and cast sorceries/creatures.
  • Combat: declare attackers, then blockers, then damage.
  • Second main phase, then end step and cleanup.

Card Types

  • Lands: one per turn, make mana.
  • Creatures: attack and block.
  • Instants: can be cast with priority any time.
  • Sorceries: cast in main phase when the stack is empty.
  • Enchantments/Artifacts: permanents that stay on the battlefield.

Zones

  • Library → Hand → Stack → Battlefield → Graveyard.
  • Exile is a separate zone, usually hard to retrieve from.
  • Tokens live on the battlefield and disappear when they leave.

Core Terms

Tap

Rotate a card sideways to show it is used this turn.

Untap

Return a card to upright; it is ready to use again.

Permanent

A card that stays on the battlefield (creature, land, artifact, enchantment).

Spell

A card cast from hand that goes on the stack (not a land).

Want more? Open the full keyword glossary for deeper rules text.

Open Glossary
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