How to Start Magic: The Gathering in 2026 – Which Box to Buy

Magic: The Gathering has never been easier to start – and never more confusing to shop for. Play Boosters, Collector Boosters, Bundles, Commander decks, Beginner Boxes: this guide explains what each one is for, so you buy the box that matches how you actually want to play. Everything linked below is sealed, English, and ships tracked from our shop in Križevci, Croatia, to the whole EU with no customs fees.

If you have never played: start with a Beginner Box

A Beginner Box contains two ready-to-play decks and a guided first game, so two people can learn the rules together in one evening without anyone having to teach. Our pick for fans of the show is the Avatar: The Last Airbender Beginner Box. For clubs, schools or families buying more than one, the Marvel Super Heroes Beginner Box display holds three.

If your friends already play: get a Commander deck

Commander is the format most groups play at the kitchen table: four players, 100-card decks, one legendary "commander" leading each deck. A preconstructed Commander deck (a "precon") is a complete, balanced deck you can play the same day – no deckbuilding, no extra purchases. Pick the one whose theme you like; they are designed to be played against each other.

Tip: a precon fits in a Dragon Shield Double Shell deck box with room for sleeves – see our Double Shell and the sleeves collection.

If you want to open packs: Play Booster display or Bundle?

A Play Booster display (30 or 36 packs) is the cheapest price per pack and is what you buy for a draft night – eight players, three packs each, build a deck from what you open. The current set is Reality Fracture.

A Bundle is the gift-sized option: nine Play Boosters, a set of basic lands, a spindown life counter and a storage box. See the Reality Fracture Bundle or the Aetherdrift Bundle.

A Collector Booster box is for collectors and Commander players chasing foil and alternate-art versions of specific cards. It is the wrong product for drafting – the packs are built for rarity, not for play.

Sleeves, storage and a playmat

Cards worth keeping deserve a sleeve. Start with one box of matte sleeves per deck; double-sleeve your favourites with Perfect Fit inner sleeves. Our MTG accessories beginner guide walks through sizes and brands.

Buying MTG in Croatia and the EU

We are a small hobby shop in Križevci. Orders ship tracked across Croatia, the EU and worldwide; in Croatia you can also pick up in the shop (Mon–Fri 16–20, Sat 9–14) or choose a BOX NOW locker. Pre-orders show their expected ship date in the product title, and you can cancel for a full refund until they ship. Browse everything in our Magic: The Gathering collection.

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