As a Magic: The Gathering player, I have often wondered whether going first is an advantage or disadvantage. The answer to this question is not as straightforward as it may seem.
While going first provides certain benefits, going second has its own unique advantages.
In this article, I will explore the topic of going first in MTG and provide insights into the various factors that determine whether it is better to go first or second.
The Importance of Going First
Mana and Resource Dynamics
Strategic Considerations
Card Advantage and Drawing
Formats and Their Unique AspectsPlaying the GameAdvanced Tactics and Pro Insights Common Misconceptions and Mistakes Frequently Asked Questions
Key Takeaways – Is It Better To Go First In MTG
- Going first in MTG provides certain advantages, but going second has its own unique benefits.
- The decision to go first or second depends on various factors, including the deck you are playing, the format you are playing in, and your opponent’s strategy.
- To make an informed decision, you need to understand the mana and resource dynamics of the game, as well as the strategic considerations and card advantage and drawing mechanics.
The Importance of Going First
As a seasoned MTG player, I know that the decision to go first or second can have a significant impact on the outcome of a game. In this section, I will discuss the importance of going first and how it affects the game.
Statistical Edge
Statistically speaking, there is an advantage to going first in MTG. According to a Reddit post I found, the player going first wins approximately 55% of the time. This is a significant advantage, especially in a competitive setting where every percentage point matters.
Board State and Tempo
Going first also gives the player an advantage in terms of board state and tempo.
By going first, the player can establish their board presence before their opponent has a chance to respond. This can give them an early advantage in terms of tempo, allowing them to dictate the pace of the game.
Additionally, going first can also give the player an advantage in terms of card advantage.
By playing first, the player has the opportunity to play their first land and potentially play a one-drop creature before their opponent has a chance to respond. This can give them an early advantage in terms of card advantage, allowing them to maintain control of the board.
Mana and Resource Dynamics
Mana Advantage
One of the most significant advantages of going first in MTG is the mana advantage.
As the first player, I start with one more card in hand, which means I have a better chance of having a playable card on my first turn. Additionally, I get to play a land first, which means I can start building my mana base and ramping up to play more powerful spells earlier in the game.
Having a mana advantage can be critical in MTG.
It can mean the difference between being able to play a powerful spell on turn four instead of turn five. It can also give me an edge in tempo, allowing me to play more spells per turn than my opponent.
Consistency in Land Drops
Another advantage of going first is the consistency in land drops.
As the first player, I get to play a land first, which means I have a better chance of hitting my land drops on time.
This consistency allows me to play my spells on curve, which can be critical in MTG.
It’s worth noting that going first doesn’t guarantee that I will hit all my land drops on time. However, it does increase the chances of me doing so.
It’s also worth noting that the number of basic lands I have in my deck can impact the consistency of my land drops. If I have too few basic lands, I may struggle to hit my land drops on time, even if I go first.
Strategic Considerations
When it comes to playing Magic: The Gathering (MTG), one of the most debated topics is whether it’s better to go first or second.
As an experienced MTG player, I can say that the answer is not always straightforward. It depends on various strategic considerations that you need to keep in mind.
Aggro vs. Control
One of the most crucial factors to consider is the type of deck you’re playing.
Aggro decks, which rely on quick and aggressive attacks, typically benefit more from going first. This is because they can establish board presence early on and put pressure on their opponent.
On the other hand, control decks, which focus on defense and disruption, may prefer to go second. This is because they have more time to react to their opponent’s plays and can potentially gain an advantage by drawing more cards.
Deck Construction and First Play Impact
Another important factor to consider is the impact of going first on your deck’s construction and first play.
If your deck relies heavily on a specific card or combo, going first can give you an advantage by allowing you to play it before your opponent can disrupt it.
Similarly, if your deck has a high mana curve, going first can give you an advantage by allowing you to play your more expensive cards earlier.
However, going first also has some disadvantages.
For example, you’ll have one less card in your opening hand, which can limit your options. Additionally, if you don’t have a strong first play, going first can put you at a disadvantage by giving your opponent the opportunity to play a stronger card or establish board presence before you can.
Card Advantage and Drawing
When it comes to Magic: The Gathering, card advantage is a crucial aspect of the game. Having more cards than your opponent can give you a significant edge, and it’s a key reason why drawing cards is so important.
In this section, I’ll explore the relationship between card advantage and drawing, and whether going first or second affects your chances of getting ahead.
Card Draw Mechanics
Drawing cards is how players gain access to new spells, creatures, and other resources to use against their opponents.
There are many ways to draw cards in MTG, including spells like “Divination” and “Read the Bones,” abilities like “Explore,” and creature abilities like “Tireless Tracker.”
Drawing cards is so important that many decks are built around maximizing their card draw potential.
One of the most significant ways that card draw mechanics impact the game is through the “draw a card” ability.
This ability is found on many cards, and it allows players to draw an additional card during their turn.
The player who goes second gets to draw a card during their first turn, which can help offset the advantage of going first.
The Impact of Drawing First
So, does going first or second impact your chances of drawing more cards and gaining card advantage?
The answer is not straightforward.
While going first means you miss out on the first draw step, it also means you get to play the first land and potentially get ahead on board presence.
On the other hand, going second means you get to draw a card during your first turn, which can help you catch up if you fall behind.
To better understand the impact of drawing first, let’s take a look at some data.
According to a Reddit thread on the topic, the player who goes first wins about 55% of the time. This suggests that going first does provide a slight advantage, but it’s not a game-breaking one.
Formats and Their Unique Aspects
When it comes to MTG, there are several different formats that players can choose from. Each format has its own unique aspects that make it stand out from the others.
In this section, I will discuss the limited and constructed formats and their unique aspects.
Limited Formats
Limited formats are great for players who want to test their skills in deck building and drafting.
There are two types of limited formats: draft and sealed. In a draft, players open booster packs and take turns picking cards until they have enough to build a deck. In a sealed format, players are given a set number of booster packs and must build a deck using only the cards they open.
One unique aspect of limited formats is that players don’t get to choose whether they go first or second. Instead, a coin is flipped or a die is rolled to determine who goes first. This adds an element of chance to the game and can make each game feel more exciting.
Constructed Formats
Constructed formats are great for players who want to build and fine-tune their decks. There are several different constructed formats, including Modern, Legacy, Vintage, and EDH.
In a constructed format, players build a deck using cards from their own collection or from a set list of cards.
One unique aspect of constructed formats is that players get to choose whether they go first or second. This can be a strategic advantage, as going first allows you to play your cards before your opponent has a chance to respond.
However, going second gives you an extra card and can help you catch up if you fall behind.
Table Summary
| Format | Limited/Constructed | Unique Aspect |
|---|---|---|
| Draft | Limited | Coin flip to determine who goes first |
| Sealed | Limited | Coin flip to determine who goes first |
| Modern | Constructed | Choose whether to go first or second |
| Legacy | Constructed | Choose whether to go first or second |
| Vintage | Constructed | Choose whether to go first or second |
| EDH | Constructed | Choose whether to go first or second |
Playing the Game – Is It Better To Go First In MTG
As a Magic: The Gathering player, understanding the game’s mechanics is crucial to success. In this section, I will cover two important aspects of playing the game: understanding priority and navigating the mulligan.
Understanding Priority
Priority is a fundamental concept in Magic: The Gathering. It determines who has the right to cast spells or activate abilities at any given time.
In a match, priority alternates between players, starting with the player going first.
When a player has priority, they can choose to cast a spell, activate an ability, or pass priority to their opponent. If both players pass priority consecutively, the top spell or ability on the stack resolves.
It’s important to note that priority is not the same as turn order. The player going first skips their draw step, while the player going second draws a card. This is to balance out the advantage of going first.
Mulligans are a common occurrence in Magic: The Gathering. When a player draws their opening hand and decides to mulligan, they shuffle their hand back into their deck and draw a new hand with one fewer card.
Knowing when to mulligan can be tricky. Mulliganing too often can put a player at a significant disadvantage, while keeping a bad hand can be equally detrimental.
One strategy is to evaluate the hand based on the number of lands and spells it contains. A hand with too few lands or too many spells may not be worth keeping.
However, this is not always the case, and each situation is unique.
Useful tables for evaluating mulligans and priority can be found in the official Magic: The Gathering rules and on various online resources.
Advanced Tactics and Pro Insights
As I have discussed earlier, going first in MTG can be advantageous in terms of tempo and card advantage. However, there are certain situations where going second can be more beneficial, especially in control mirrors and mana battles.
Control Mirrors and Mana Battles
In control mirrors, where both players are playing control decks, going second can be advantageous. This is because it allows the player to respond to their opponent’s plays and gain a card advantage.
Similarly, going second can also be advantageous in mana battles. Here, both players are trying to control the board and gain an advantage through mana.
Going second allows the player to respond to their opponent’s plays and gain a tempo advantage.
Maximizing the First-Mover Advantage
As I have mentioned earlier, going first can be advantageous in terms of tempo and card advantage. However, it is important to maximize this advantage by playing aggressively and efficiently.
This means playing your most impactful cards early on and putting pressure on your opponent to react to your plays.
One way to maximize the first-mover advantage is to play a low-curve aggro deck that focuses on playing cheap, efficient creatures and spells.
This puts pressure on your opponent from the very beginning of the game and forces them to react to your plays.
Another way to maximize the first-mover advantage is to play a midrange deck that focuses on playing powerful, high-impact creatures and spells.
This allows you to establish a board presence early on and put pressure on your opponent to deal with your threats.
Common Misconceptions and Mistakes
As someone who has played Magic: The Gathering for years, I have heard many misconceptions and seen many mistakes made when it comes to the question of whether it is better to go first or second. Here are a few common ones:
Mistake: Assuming that going first always gives you an advantage
While it’s true that going first can be advantageous, it’s not always the case. If you have a bad hand, going first can actually put you at a disadvantage.
You may not have the mana or cards you need to make a strong start, while your opponent can take advantage of the extra card they get by going second.
Misconception: Shuffling your deck more will give you a better chance of going first
This is a common misconception that I have seen new players make.
While shuffling your deck is important for ensuring consistency, it has no effect on whether you go first or second. The decision is made randomly by flipping a coin or rolling a die.
Mistake: Focusing too much on going first and not enough on consistency
While going first can be an advantage, it’s not the only factor that determines who will win a game of Magic.
Consistency is key, and having a deck that can reliably execute its game plan is more important than whether you go first or second.
Misconception: Control decks always want to go second
While control decks can benefit from the extra card that comes with going second, it’s not always the case that they want to go second.
Control decks often rely on counterspells and board wipes to maintain control of the game, and going first can give them more opportunities to disrupt their opponent’s game plan.
Mistake: Overvaluing counterspells and board wipes
While counterspells and board wipes can be powerful tools in a game of Magic, overvaluing them can lead to mistakes.
Counterspells are useless if you don’t have the mana to cast them, and board wipes can leave you vulnerable if your opponent has a strong follow-up play.
It’s important to use these tools strategically and not rely on them too heavily.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the statistical advantages of playing first in Magic: The Gathering?
Playing first in MTG provides a slight statistical advantage. According to a Reddit post, the player going first has about a 51% chance of winning the match overall. However, the advantage is not significant enough to guarantee a win.
How does the first-turn draw rule affect gameplay in MTG?
In MTG, the player who goes first does not draw a card on their first turn. This rule is in place to balance the advantage of playing first.
The player who goes second does draw a card on their first turn. This rule can affect gameplay strategies and deck building decisions.
What strategies should be considered when deciding to play first or second in MTG?
The decision to play first or second in MTG can depend on the type of deck being played and the opponent’s deck.
Aggressive decks may prefer to play first to apply early pressure, while control decks may prefer to play second to have access to more cards.
Additionally, the decision can depend on the specific cards in hand and the overall game plan.
How does going first impact win rates in competitive Magic: The Gathering play?
In competitive MTG play, going first can have a significant impact on win rates. According to MTG Arena data, the player going first has a higher win rate in best-of-one matches. However, in best-of-three matches, the advantage is not as significant.
What are the pros and cons of going first in MTG multiplayer games?
In MTG multiplayer games, going first can be advantageous or disadvantageous depending on the game’s format and rules.
For example, in Two-Headed Giant format, going first can provide a significant advantage. However, in Free-for-All format, going first can make the player a target for other players.
In MTG Commander format, does the starting player draw a card on their first turn?
In MTG Commander format, the starting player does draw a card on their first turn. This rule is in place to balance the disadvantage of starting with a singleton deck.
| Format | Starting Player Draw |
|---|---|
| MTG | No |
| MTG Arena | No |
| Two-Headed Giant | No |
| Free-for-All | Yes |
| Commander | Yes |
Table: Starting Player Draw Rules by MTG Format.
Overall, the decision to play first or second in MTG can depend on various factors, and there is no one-size-fits-all strategy.
Players should consider their deck, their opponent’s deck, and the specific game situation when deciding to play first or second.
