As we head into 2022, the Magic community has dozens and dozens of products to look forward to. It can be difficult even for veteran players to keep track of every new release, so I can only imagine how confusing it must be for those who don’t play. If you need gift ideas a the Magic the Gathering player, it can be hard to know where to start.
There are typically two kinds of gifts you can get for Magic players: cards and accessories. Of course, getting more cards for Magic players seems obvious, but there are lots of different products to choose between. Some are catered more towards new players, veterans, or collectors. On the other hand, it’s hard to go wrong with accessories. Most Magic players use sleeves, deck boxes, and more, but knowing which brands to get can be its own challenge.
If you’re looking for Magic gifts but need some guidance, then look no further. This article will go through the best gifts at a variety of price points. Whether you’re shopping for someone who has never played or played their whole life, there will be something on this list to up their game.
Table Of Contents:
- Get Gift Ideas from a Magic The Gathering Player You Know
- Check With Your Local Game Store
- Budget Gift Ideas for Magic The Gathering Players
- Mid-Priced Gift Ideas for Magic The Gathering Players
- Expensive Gift Ideas for Magic The Gathering Players
- End Step
Get Gift Ideas From a Magic The Gathering Player You Know
My first piece of advice is to talk directly to the Magic player you’re shopping for. We have plenty of great gift ideas listed below, but every Magic the Gathering player has different needs and preferences.
They might rather have exactly what they’re looking for rather than being surprised. They could even have multiple ideas for you to choose between, so they won’t know exactly what they’re getting.
Of course, you don’t have to be direct with them if you love the mystery of gift-giving. If they talk to you about the game, you could get gift ideas from what they tell you.
You could also look at their collection to see what products they use and get them more of those. Trust me: a Magic player can never have too many sleeves or deck boxes.
Lastly, you could get advice from someone else you know who plays Magic. If you’re shopping for your partner, for example, maybe they have friends or siblings who also play. These people could give you lots of great ideas that are personalized for your loved one.
Check With Your Local Game Store
If the Magic player in your life goes to a specific game store, I highly recommend shopping there. These stores offer a wide variety of products, so you’ll likely be able to find what you’re looking for there.
They’re also where Magic players form communities, meet new players, and most of all play the game. Spending your money at local game stores keeps that service alive.
The staff at these stores are also incredibly knowledgeable and helpful. They’re members of the community just like their customers, and they may know your loved one personally. Asking for their advice, perhaps if they know what specifically your loved one wants or needs, could generate fantastic gift ideas.
Budget Gift Ideas for Magic The Gathering Players
If you want to make sure your present is a surprise, and if you don’t have a local game store, then you’re in luck! The rest of this article will go through some of the best products to bolster any Magic player’s collection.
Starting with some budget options, you can help your loved one keep their cards secure and stylish with these accessories.
Deck Boxes
If you’re looking for a simple and sleek design, consider the BCW Prism. This box will hold 100 double-sleeved cards, but not much else. The Prism is a great option for players with lots of decks, since it doesn’t take up too much space on the shelf.
Another popular deck box is the Ultra Pro Satin Tower. The Satin Tower comes in a variety of styles, from metallic finishes to simple matte colors. It also has a small tray at the bottom for holding dice, counters, or any other small game pieces. These deck boxes have been known to last for years, and they’re one of the best options for shoppers on a budget.
Matte Sleeves
When it comes to card sleeves, my favorite brand without question is Dragon Shield. These sleeves are second to none in durability, shuffle feel, and style.
My first recommendation would be to get Dragon Shield matte sleeves. I’ve used these sleeves for years, and have only wonderful things to say about them. They come in a variety of vibrant and subtle colors, and they offer the best protection for your loved one’s cards.
Art Matte Sleeves
It’s also worth looking at Dragon Shield’s art matte sleeves. They have many designs, from novelties (such as the Statue of Liberty reimagined as a dragon) to gorgeous scenes. If you think your loved one would resonate with one of these designs, rest assured that they offer the same high quality as the regular mattes.
Dual Matte Sleeves
Dragon Shield’s newest product, the dual matte sleeves, are my new favorite sleeves. They’re completely opaque, which is important for high level tournaments, and have an even better shuffle feel than the regular mattes. The color options are somewhat limited right now, but these are the best Dragon Shield has to offer.
As a note for all of these: do NOT buy Japanese-sized sleeves. Magic cards are too big to fit in Japanese-sized sleeves, so make sure you get standard-size.
Mid-Priced Gift Ideas for Magic The Gathering Players
If you’re looking to spend $20-50, there are tons of options no matter how your loved one likes to play the game.
Precon Commander Decks
Commander is the most popular way to play Magic, and the pre-built commander decks are some of the best products available. Each premier set in 2022 will have new decks coming out, so you could get the corresponding deck for a set they’re excited for. You could also get decks from previous years, which they can still play with and are often at discounted prices online.
RELATED: Best Precon Commander Decks
Jumpstart 2022
Jumpstart 2022 is a highly anticpated product coming out in Q4. The original Jumpstart was a huge success, and was well received by new players and veterans alike.
Jumpstart comes in individual packs, which you can shuffle together to create a playable deck. With countless possible combinations, each new Jumpstart deck is unique and provides a new experience.
I would recommend buying at least four packs, that way your loved one and a friend can make Jumpstart decks to play against each other. If you’ve been looking for a way to start playing Magic with them, this would be a great choice!
Challenger Decks
Wizards of the Coast offers preconstructed “Challenger Decks” to introduce players to different formats. If the Magic player in your life wants to play the game in a new way, these would make for great gifts.
In early 2022, a new set of Standard challenger decks will hit store shelves. If you’re looking to pick these up, make sure that you do NOT get any from previous years. The cards that are legal in Standard change every year, so previous decks won’t work. Here’s a list of the previous deck names that you should avoid:
- Azorius Control
- Dimir Rogue
- Mono-Red Aggro
- Mono-Green Stompy
- Allied Fires
- Final Adventure
- Cavalcade Charge
- Flash of Ferocity
- United Assault
- Lightning Aggro
- Deadly Discovery
- Arcane Tempo
- Hazoret Aggro
- Vehicle Rush
- Second Sun Control
Another option would be to get the Pioneer Challenger decks. Pioneer doesn’t change like Standard does, so you can get 2021’s product without worry. They all have staples for the format and are great way to start playing.
Inked Playmats
If you’re still looking to pick up accessories, a great choice would be Inked Playmats. The art on these are stunning, and the quality is second to none. Whether you’re looking for something cute, creepy, or just plain gorgeous, Inked Playmats have you covered. They add a great aesthetic to the gaming table, and would make a great gift for any Magic player.
Expensive Gift Ideas for Magic The Gathering Players
If money isn’t an issue, then getting a booster box is another excellent gift idea. These provide tons of cards, but making sure you get the right one is important.
Draft Booster Box
Players that enjoy limited formats (draft and sealed) would really appreciate getting a draft booster box. This gift would let them have a complete draft with eight people, as well as a few leftover packs. It would also let them play sealed with up to six people.
As someone who loves limited, I know it can be difficult to play often. Normally, draft and sealed games only happen at store events because of how many packs you need. Getting someone a booster box means they can play their favorite format more often.
RELATED: Set Boosters vs Draft Boosters FAQ
Collector Booster Box
It’s right in the name: there’s no better option for collectors than a collector booster box. This box is filled with foils, special treatments, and the rarest cards. If your loved one likes having rare, pretty, or shiny versions of cards, this is a great option.
The downsides of this box are that it doesn’t give you a way to play right out of the box, like draft boosters, and it’s much more expensive. Still, collectors will appreciate the chance to get some new bling.
These boxes have also only been a recent addition to Magic’s product library, so you won’t be able to find one for older sets.
End Step
I hope this article has given you some great gift ideas for any kind of Magic the Gathering player. No matter which option you choose, you can’t go wrong with any of these gifts. Have a Happy, Magical New Year!
