So I barely know anything about MTG but I want to get cards for myself and a couple friends. What's the easiest way to get into this? (I know there's the video game but I wanna go real cards). I see there are two deck starter kits which seem cool, maybe I get one of those for each of us and then some booster packs? Like $30 per person is what I'm going for. Are the starter decks balanced against each other? Is there other stuff I should know?
Oh this wasn't on my radar, I'll check it out
Awesome! I love it. The best way to play is with a small number of decks that you grow slowly. Some people try and hoover up massive numbers of decks and understand their power by just reading the card list, but the real joy of the game is mastering the limited hand you're dealt. I've been playing since launch in 2018 and my most played deck by far is the very first one I opened. It has capacity for insane combos (though it's not really that strong) that I feel like only I can pull off because I know the whole thing like the back of my hand. The dynamism of the card design really drives high-impact, swingy plays that unfold more often the more you understand the tools at your disposal.
Entering my fifth year of play I only have 17 decks (which is really not that many compared to what I see people online or at tournaments, with 100+), and I've only spent about $250 on decks. It's a super affordable and accessible game and your experience is actually improved by not dumping a bunch into it.
Every deck also has a procedurally generated name that can vary from cool to weird to absurdly funny. The whole thing gives every deck an extremely strong sense of individual character. My friends and I know each other's decks by name and what to expect (as much as anything in this game can be predicted) when playing them.