How to Prepare for Your First MTG Prerelease Event
Jumping into your first Magic: The Gathering (MTG) Prerelease event is an exciting experience for any player. Prereleases offer a unique chance to play with brand-new cards before they're officially released, in a friendly, laid-back environment. Whether you're a new player or just new to Prereleases, these events are perfect for everyone, regardless of skill level.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through what to expect at your first Prerelease, what to bring, and how to prepare so you can fully enjoy the experience. Don’t worry if you’re unfamiliar with the cards—everyone is in the same boat, and it’s all part of the fun!
From building your deck to making new friends, Prerelease events are one of the best ways to immerse yourself in the Magic community. Let's get ready to dive in!
What to Expect
At a Prerelease event, you’ll receive a Prerelease Kit containing booster packs, a special promo card, and other goodies. Your goal is to build a 40-card deck using the cards you open. Here's a breakdown of what to expect throughout the event:
Deck Building: After you receive your kit, you’ll have time to open your packs and build your deck. You'll need to create a 40-card deck using only the cards you open in the packs and basic lands (which will be provided).
Rounds: Gamers XP Prerelease events run for a maximum of four rounds. These rounds are played in a Swiss-style format, meaning you’ll be paired with players who have similar records after each round. This ensures a balanced and fun experience for all participants.
Prizes: Depending on the event, prizes can vary. Typically, Gamers XP offers pack-per-win events for Prerelease, where you’ll earn booster packs based on your performance.
What to Bring
When preparing for your first MTG Prerelease event, there are a few essential items you’ll want to have on hand to ensure you’re ready for an enjoyable experience. Luckily, you don’t need much to get started:
Deck box and sleeves: While you’ll be constructing a deck at the event using new cards, it’s a good idea to bring a deck box and card sleeves to protect your cards, especially since you'll be using brand-new ones straight from your packs.
Life counters: Having a way to keep track of life totals is important. You can bring dice, a notepad, or use a life-tracking app on your phone.
Pen and notepad: In addition to tracking life totals, it’s helpful to have a notepad for writing down any key rules or abilities during games.
Don’t worry about bringing basic lands—Gamers XP provides basic lands for all players at our Prerelease events, so you won’t need to pack those. And we sell everything on the list above, so we can get you all squared away if you still need the basics!
How to Build Your Deck
Building a deck from your Prerelease Kit can be an exciting challenge, but there are a few tips to keep in mind to make the process smoother:
Focus on Two Colors
At a Prerelease, it’s common to build your deck using two colors. While you might be tempted to stretch into three or more colors, sticking to two ensures that your mana base is consistent and that you can reliably cast your spells. Check the cards you’ve opened for two colors that stand out, whether through synergy, powerful creatures, or strong removal spells.
Aim for 17 Lands
Once you’ve picked your two colors, aim to include around 17 lands in your deck. This is a good rule of thumb for ensuring that you can consistently draw enough mana to cast your spells. Gamers XP will provide the basic lands you need, so don’t worry about running out of the necessary mana sources.
Creatures and Spells
When constructing your deck, a solid rule to follow is to aim for around 15-18 creatures and 5-8 non-creature spells. Creatures help you establish a board presence and apply pressure to your opponent, while non-creature spells can help control the game with removal or utility effects. Prioritize creatures with a good power/toughness ratio and spells that can directly impact the game.
Mana Curve Matters
One of the most critical aspects of deck-building is your mana curve. This refers to the balance of cards across different mana costs. Ideally, you want a good number of lower-cost spells (1-3 mana) to ensure you can get on the board early, as well as a few more powerful, higher-cost spells to close out the game later. Striking a good balance between early plays and late-game power is key to success.
Play to Your Strengths
At a Prerelease, you won’t always open the most ideal cards or colors, but that’s part of the fun! Look for cards that synergize well together or that fit into your strategy. Whether you’re going aggressive with lots of creatures or controlling with removal and card advantage, play to the strengths of the cards you open.
Game Play Tips and Etiquette
Once your deck is built and the event begins, it’s time to start playing! Here are a few tips to help you during your games, especially if you’re newer to the game:
Be Mindful of Time
Each round has a time limit, so it’s important to keep an eye on how quickly you’re playing. Avoid overthinking every move, and try to play at a reasonable pace to ensure you and your opponent have enough time to finish the match. If you’re unsure about a rule or a card interaction, don’t be afraid to call a judge—they’re there to help.
Pay Attention to Triggers
Magic: The Gathering can have a lot of triggers and abilities that happen automatically (like lifegain when a creature dies or drawing a card at the beginning of your turn). Try to be mindful of any abilities or effects you need to keep track of during the game. You can use dice or counters to help remind you of ongoing effects.
Communicate Clearly
Good communication is essential in Magic. Always clearly declare your phases (like “I’m moving to combat” or “I’m ending my turn”) and verbally indicate what actions you’re taking, especially when attacking or casting spells. This keeps the game flowing smoothly and avoids misunderstandings.
Be Respectful
Prerelease events are a casual and friendly environment, so good sportsmanship is key. Be respectful to your opponents, win or lose, and remember that everyone is there to have a fun time. If you're paired with a new player, take the opportunity to help them understand the game better, and don’t be afraid to ask for help yourself if you need it.
Have Fun!
Most importantly, remember that Prerelease events are meant to be fun! Whether you're a competitive player or just starting out, the main goal is to enjoy the experience of playing with brand-new cards, meeting other players, and trying out fresh strategies. Winning packs and prizes is always exciting, but don’t forget to enjoy the thrill of discovering what new cards are in your pool and the stories that emerge from your matches.
No matter how your games go, you’re sure to walk away with new cards, new experiences, and maybe even some new friends.
