Table Of Content
Format
While formats like Commander are primarily known for casual, multiplayer fun, the main competitive circuit focuses on other formats. In competitive MTG, you'll be battling in formats that rotate by season, most commonly Standard, Pioneer, or Modern. Make sure to familiarise yourself with the current format and get comfortable with the rules.
The Best Cards Rule
Forget playing cards just because they look cool or you like the art. To succeed, you must be willing to sleeve up the competitive decks MTG pros rely on. The reason top-tier lists look similar is simple: those cards are objectively superior. Your goal is to maximise your chance of winning, and that means choosing power over personal preference.
Sideboards
In casual games, you usually just run your deck. In competitive play, you’ll be assisted by a 15-card sideboard as your secret weapon.
The sideboard is crucial for "matchup correction”. As competitive matches are always played Best-of-Three, after the first game you are allowed to swap cards between your main deck and your sideboard.
This way, you can bring your starting deck, as well as powerful "hate cards" specifically designed to dismantle your opponent's strategy whatever that is (e.g., graveyard hate against a dredge deck).
Mastering your sideboarding is as important as mastering your main deck - ideally, you should have a strategy in place for all the top meta decks.
Tournament Etiquette
Tournament rules are strict, a lot stricter than playing with your friends. While in casual play you might overlook simple actions like an important trigger, this won’t fly in competitions - it can lead to formal Warnings or even a Game Loss.
Always be precise - clearly communicate every game action even if it seems obvious (remember, your opponent won’t always know your deck down to the finest details). State when you're casting a spell, when you're passing priority, and when you're moving to the next phase.
Another thing that might take a beginner by surprise is shuffling. Before every game, you are required to thoroughly shuffle your deck, then have your opponent shuffle it as well. This is standard procedure to ensure game integrity.
From RCQs to World Championships - The Roadmap
No, you won’t be able to start off with the World Championship! When you’re just starting out, you’ll need to test your skills at the lowest level - the RCQs. Have a look below for a full roadmap so you can know what to expect:
Regional Championship Qualifiers (RCQs)
These are your entry point! An RCQ Magic: The Gathering event is typically an open-to-all tournament held at a local game store or as part of a larger "Destination Qualifier."
The immediate goal here is to win your Magic RCQ (or, in some regions, be a top finisher) to secure an invitation to the next level: the Regional Championship (RC).
Regional Championships (RCs)
These are high-stakes, invitation-only events run by regional organisers. They gather the top players from vast geographic areas (like the US, Europe, or Japan/Korea) for a gruelling, often two-day competition.
Top finishers at an RC usually earn an invitation to the Pro Tour (the next big step). In many regions, the winner (and sometimes a finalist) could also potentially earn a highly coveted, direct invitation to the Magic: The Gathering World Championship!
Pro Tour
The Pro Tour is one of the highest tiers of competitive play. If you’re here, you’re one of the elite.
These major tournaments are held throughout the year, often alongside major events like MagicCon. Consistent, stellar performance across multiple Pro Tours, or an outright Top 8 finish at a single event, guarantees your qualificatioms for the final stage.
Magic: The Gathering World Championship
This is the absolute pinnacle of professional play. It is an exclusive, invitation-only event where only the best-of-the-best compete for a massive prize pool and the right to hold the World Champion title. This is the dream!
How To Succeed In Competitive MTG Events
As you can see, the road to the highest tiers of competition isn’t short. Your success will also have nothing to do with luck, and everything to do with preparation, practice, and a winning mindset.
The good news is - we’ve been where you are. A young MTG enthusiast wanting to test their skills and see how far they can get. As experienced players and competitors ourselves, here’s what we’d do if we were to start all over again:
Research the Meta
The absolute first step when transitioning from casual play to competitions is researching the Metagame, or Meta - that is, the collective of the most successful, highly-tuned decks currently dominating tournaments in your chosen format.
You won’t be able to simply play your favourite cards anymore - you need to play decks that can win. Browse online tierlists and find a deck that is Tier 1 or Tier 2 (a known, proven winner), or even a deck explicitly designed to crush those winners. "Homebrews" rarely succeed at the RCQ Magic: The Gathering level or higher.
You’ll also need to understand the banned and restricted lists, the top archetypes, and the common strategies of the environment.
| Missing key cards from your best competition deck? Browse our MTG singles collection and fill in the gaps of your strategy. |
Follow Past Results
Competitive strategy for MTG very much follows the old adage of “Don’t reinvent the wheel”. Look into past results and scout for any valuable info such as the top 8 or top 16 lineup. This shows you what is winning now and what you need to be ready to play against.
Follow MTG Content Creators
You don't have to figure everything out on your own! One of the best resources available is the vast network of professional players and dedicated analysts who produce MTG content.
Look for creators who have verifiable, strong tournament results - they know what they're talking about. Tune into YouTube channels, listen to podcasts, or seek out "deck-techs" and interviews. These resources provide invaluable insights into why certain decks are successful, how to approach difficult matchups, and what subtle plays separate good players from great ones.
Practice, Practice, Practice!
Researching and learning is great, but there really is no substitute for repetition. Play as many games as you can to internalise your deck and anticipate your opponent's moves, and test against the most popular decks in the format. Get comfortable with every card, every strength, and every weakness of your chosen 75 cards. Every game you play will help you identify the best lines of play under pressure.
Create a Sideboard Guide
Don't rely on guesswork mid-tournament! To make the most of your sideboard, write down a definitive guide detailing exactly which cards you take out and which you bring in against the top 5-10 decks in the format. This eliminates mental load during the event and helps you make the right calls.
Keep It Social
This is a competitive grind, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun. Having friends to travel with, share wins (and losses), and decompress with makes the experience immensely more enjoyable! You might even get to explore some great cities along the way.
No Win? No Problem
It’s almost certain that your first few competitive events won't end in a win. That’s totally fine! Stay calm and don't tilt - mistakes are part of the process after all.
Learn to accept defeat, take time to decompress, and then get back to preparing. Ask yourself what worked and what didn't, and iron out your strategy for the future.
Thistle Tavern Weekly Schedule
Room and table bookings are available for your own games | Chat to us in store or find details at thistletavern.com
Classic Constructed
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Where To Start With Competitive MTG?
The best place to kick off your competitive career is always your local game store!
At Thistle Tavern, we are dedicated to hosting top-tier RCQs and other competitive MTG events in a welcoming community environment, offering you a direct shot at qualifying for the Regional Championships. Check out our event schedule today and take your first step on the road to the Pro Tour!
Get the gear you need for your next competition at Thistle Tavern!
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