MTG Guides

MTG Goad, Monarch, Initiative and Parley guide image showing a tense Commander table with political deals, a monarch’s crown, dungeon magic, voting, tempting offers, and multiplayer strategy.

MTG Goad, Monarch, Initiative & Parley Guide

Goad, monarch, initiative and their multiplayer cousins were built specifically for tables with more than two players. Learn exactly how each one works, including who decides what when several players...

MTG Rampage, Bushido, Flanking, Provoke, Banding and Horsemanship guide image showing an old-school fantasy battlefield with warriors, cavalry, forced blocks, combat formations, and retired Magic combat mechanics.

MTG Rampage, Bushido, Flanking & Provoke Guide

Rampage, bushido, flanking, provoke, banding and horsemanship are some of Magic's oldest and most retired combat mechanics. Learn exactly how each one works, including banding, the most complex ability ever...

MTG Shadow, Fear, Intimidate, Skulk and Landwalk guide image showing ground-based evasion creatures rushing past blockers with dark magic, stealth, fear effects, and Commander combat mechanics.

MTG Shadow, Fear, Intimidate, Skulk & Landwalk ...

Not all evasion in MTG is flying. Shadow, fear, intimidate, skulk and landwalk restrict who can block on the ground — each in a different way. Learn exactly how each...

MTG Scry, Surveil, Explore and Connive guide image showing a blue mage controlling a magical deck, shaping future draws with card selection, clues, counters, tokens, and discovery effects.

MTG Scry, Surveil, Explore & Connive Guide

Scry, surveil, explore and their cousins all let you shape your draws or your board — but each does it through a different zone and a different choice. Learn exactly...

MTG Devour, Amass, Graft, Evolve and Adapt guide image showing a massive creature growing stronger with glowing +1/+1 counters, magical energy, evolving monsters, armies, and Commander counter mechanics.

MTG Devour, Amass, Graft, Evolve & Adapt Guide

Eight MTG mechanics grow a creature with +1/+1 counters, but each earns them a completely different way — from sacrificing allies to simply waiting a turn. Learn exactly how each...

MTG Exalted, Battalion, Mentor and Myriad guide image showing a massive fantasy battlefield with warriors charging, a lone heroic attacker, army combat, dragons, and Commander combat mechanics.

MTG Exalted, Battalion, Mentor & Myriad Guide

Some MTG mechanics reward attacking with one creature, others reward attacking with a crowd, and one lets a single creature attack the whole table. Learn exactly how exalted, battalion, mentor,...