Flesh And Blood vs MTG - Which Game Should You Get Into?

Skill vs. Randomnes

Many players (us included!) argue that FaB is the more skill-intensive game. Since card utility is high, the decisions made each turn, such as what to use as resources, what to attack with, and what to keep for defence, have immediate and lasting strategic impacts. Stronger, more prepared FaB players tend to consistently outperform less skilled opponents due to the high skill ceiling.

Don’t get us wrong - playing MTG certainly demands deep strategy and knowledge of its immense card pool, but the game flow does involve a bit of randomness. While the game rewards excellent play, "mana screw" or "mana flood" can occasionally make the game feel unsatisfying and inconsistent.

Playstyles Archetypes

FaB's playstyle variety is built around a distinct Hero + Class + Talent model. Choosing a hero dictates a specific style of play, such as an aggressive Warrior or a controlling Guardian. The mechanics are hero-specific, ensuring varied approaches from the moment you select your champion.

MTG’s variety, on the other hand, comes from its huge, 30-year-spanning card pool. Players can build broad archetypes like Aggro, Control, or Combo that transcend specific classes, providing a wide array of deck-building options across multiple formats.

Entry Costs

For new players, the cost of entry is obviously a major factor.

FaB is a newer game, and while certain high-value, collectable cards can inflate the secondary market price, the company has actively tried to lower the barrier. Products like Armory Decks (ready-to-play, 60-card decks) are specifically designed to offer an easy entry point for a reasonable price, providing a clear path for upgrading the deck over time.

MTG, with its long history and large player base, has a wide range of costs. Some decks can be built even on a very low budget, while competitive or rare singleton formats can become incredibly expensive due to the secondary market and card rarity.

Magic: The Gathering’s next expansion is set to release January 2026 - keep your eyes peeled for new products at Thistle Tavern!

IP & Branding

Magic: The Gathering has vast, established mainstream recognition and has embraced many cross-IP collaborations, drawing in fans from various franchises including Lord of the Rings, Avatar: The Last Airbender and even Doctor Who.

FaB, on the other hand, doesn’t have any broad external franchises to draw from, meaning it must sell itself purely on the strength of its compelling mechanics and community.

Organised Play

The core philosophy of FaB is in the name: “Flesh and Blood”. The creators have deliberately avoided developing a major online client, instead prioritising face-to-face play. To play this game, you’ll have to find a local group (like the ones we host at Thistle Tavern), as you won’t be able to try it out online.

MTG, on the other hand, comes with both a vibrant in-person community as well as a powerful digital client, MTG Arena, where you can play and compete online.

Card Availability

As a newer game with smaller initial product print runs, certain FaB cards can become notably expensive or scarce on the secondary market. MTG has a vastly larger supply - while certain rare cards remain highly-priced, the sheer volume of cards and reprints often guarantees that you can find competitive options even on a limited budget.