Best Intro Deck Sets for Magic the Gathering: Core Sets and Starter Packs
This guide highlights five essential Magic: The Gathering intro decks designed for new players and collectors seeking ready-to-play options. Each product combines a 60-card deck with boosters to expand your collection, offering a straightforward entry into MTG’s multiplayer formats. Below you’ll find quick details, image previews, and features to compare at a glance.
| Product | Brand | Included | Booster Packs | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lightforce Intro Deck | Magic: The Gathering | 60-card deck | 2 booster packs | Classic M14-era starter |
| Bestial Strength Intro Deck | Wizards of the Coast | 60-card deck | 2 booster packs | Core Set 2014 theme |
| Arbiter of the Ideal Intro Pack | Magic: The Gathering | 60-card deck | 2 booster packs | Blue intro focus |
| Phytotitan Intro Pack | Magic: The Gathering | 60-card deck | 2 booster packs | Green/White Convoke potential |
| Golgari Growth Intro Pack | Magic: The Gathering | 60-card deck | 2 booster packs | Return to Ravnica theme |
Lightforce Intro Deck
The Lightforce Intro Deck provides a 60-card base alongside two 15-card booster packs, delivering a balanced starting point for new players. The deck focuses on straightforward play patterns and reliable mana ramp, making it easy to grasp game flow while still offering potential upgrade paths as skills improve. The included boosters present chances for rare cards and diversification of your collection, supporting casual and beginner tournament play.
Bestial Strength Intro Deck
The Bestial Strength Intro Deck centers on a green-beast motif, pairing a 60-card main deck with two 15-card boosters. This option emphasizes creature-based synergy and natural mana development, enabling players to pressure opponents quickly with robust stompy creatures. The boosters extend card variety, allowing for deck tweaks or a shift toward more aggro or midrange strategies as familiarity grows.
Arbiter of the Ideal Intro Pack
The Arbiter of the Ideal Intro Pack features a blue-themed 60-card deck with two booster packs. This option tends to emphasize card draw, counterspells, and tempo plays, offering a classroom-friendly path to learning rule interactions and strategic planning. The included boosters broaden tactical options and potential premium cards for future deck builds.
Phytotitan Intro Pack
The Phytotitan Intro Pack centers on a green-white Convoke strategy, offering a 60-card deck with two booster packs. Convoke enables faster mana payments by tapping creatures, potentially accelerating you into larger spells sooner. The set highlights green creatures with synergy boosts and mass-pump options, useful for players exploring tribal and token-based builds. The boosters add more options for expanding your deck’s reach and power.
Golgari Growth Intro Pack
The Golgari Growth Intro Pack combines a black-green theme with a 60-card deck and two booster packs. This set emphasizes graveyard interactions and resilient midrange threats, offering a solid foundation for players who enjoy resource recycling and value-based plays. The boosters introduce additional duals and seasonal cards that can help broaden deck construction options for tribal or reanimator-style builds.
Buying Guide
- Purpose and play style: Choose based on whether you prefer creature-focused aggression (Bestial Strength, Phytotitan) or control/tempo (Arbiter of the Ideal).
- Deck completeness: All listed options include a 60-card deck and boosters, but consider which colors and mechanics you want to explore first (green-white Convoke, blue control, black-green ramp, etc.).
- Upgrade potential: Booster packs provide valuable cards to improve future decks; evaluate how boosters align with your longer-term collection goals.
- Value and reusability: Intro packs are designed for new players; consider whether your priority is a quick-start experience or long-term growth through premium reprints and rare cards.
- Format suitability: Intro packs typically align with casual and beginner-friendly formats; assess whether you plan to engage in limited formats or evolve into standard play as you grow.
- Collector considerations: Some boosters contain rare or mythic cards; if you’re into collecting, factor potential upside from booster contents, including foils or foiled versions.
- Inventory planning: If you’re starting a group, ensure multiple players have compatible decks to foster balanced, enjoyable games.
These five intro deck options provide foundational experiences across classic MTG color pairs and mechanics. Each offers a straightforward entry point, expandable through booster packs, and supports gradual skill development without requiring deep prior knowledge of complex rules.