Local game stores are becoming increasingly difficult to find as the world increasingly shifts to digital stores. Luckily for those who live in remote areas or whose favorite store has closed, Magic the Gathering has a thriving online player base across many platforms.
Many popular platforms bring the (excuse the pun) magic from the table to the internet. Each offers a variety of game modes and features, making some more attractive than others.
Player preferences are based primarily on three criteria:
- Game modes (e.g. Standard, Commander, Two-Headed Giant)
- Accessibility (installation, setup, costs)
- User experience (interface, gameplay automation, matchmaking)
With that in mind, here are the best ways to play Magic the Gathering (MTG) online:
The best Magic: The Gathering online games
Recognitions
Tabletop simulator
While Tabletop simulator Just because virtually any tabletop game can be played doesn't mean it's easy. MTG can be imported Tabletop simulator but requires an enormous amount of work for every player involved.
- Players must create or find a table suitable for MTG in the Steam Workshop.
- Decks must be created with assets for each card and imported into the game.
- The process of finding a game is left up to the player, an option that is mostly suitable for games among friends
- Costs $19.99 for each player
XMage
When XMage works, it is one of the best clients to play MTG online. Unfortunately, XMage is riddled with problems both inside and outside of the game. Players often mention that they were unable to download the client due to website errors or other game-breaking errors.
- Modern interface, considered the successor of co*ckatiel
- Completely free
- Rare updates – new sets are usually introduced within a month of release
- If there are bugs, they can take months to fix
- During a good patch, XMage is considered the platform of choice, but such patches are becoming increasingly rare
4. co*ckatiel
co*ckatiel was launched in 2010 and was the community's first attempt to digitize Magic. Wizard of the Coast Magic: The Gathering online was the primary platform for players who wanted to play Magic over the Internet. But for many, paper For players, paying for an additional digital card collection was simply not affordable.
co*ckatiel was launched with the promise of providing a completely free-to-play Magic experience online, a promise that has continued to this day.
Advantages:
- Complete map library
- Complete control over gameplay makes it easy to undo or fix mistakes
- In-game chat for communication
- Can play any type of game mode
- Free to use and does not require card payment
Disadvantages:
- No automated actions – It is important that all players are familiar with the rules and mechanics
- Disputes over how cards are resolved are common
- Complicated to set up, not an easy download and play process
- With barebones, the quality of the experience is entirely up to the players
- Due to the smaller player pool, finding games can be difficult
Over time, the technology and capabilities of the Internet have also evolved. While co*ckatiel still receives support and occasional updates, the interface is dated, and the client feels like an early 2000s chat room. Set up and keep playing co*ckatiel has gotten easier over the years, but can still be daunting for some players.
3. Magic: The Gathering online
In 2002 Wizards of the Coast started Magic: The Gathering Online, which could be considered a pioneer of online card games. Despite being heavily criticized for its in-game economy and numerous bugs, MTGO has managed to stay alive despite facing many competitors over its two-decade lifespan.
not how co*ckatieloffers MTGO Gameplay automationThat is, instead of arguing with your opponents, you can blame the computer for everything (and you will). At any point, MTGO can be described as a flawed but complete experience. For those who don't mind the costs associated with a digital collection, there is no more comprehensive platform to play Magic online.
Advantages:
- Complete map library
- Official Wizards of the Coast product
- Players own their cards as digital assets and can trade and sell them
- Can play any game mode
- Automated actions Simplify the gameplay process and ease the burden on players
Disadvantages:
- It can be very difficult to purchase or rent digital maps to use them expensive
- The client tends to lag in later game phases
- Many errors with card interactions or with the customer themselves
- The customer feels very outdated
- Only in English
- For Windows only
Unfortunately, MTGO is only available in English and on Windows PCs. This significantly reduces the accessibility factor, lowering our overall rating for MTGO.
2. Magic: The Gathering Arena
Since its launch in 2018 Magic: The Gathering Arena is the reigning champion when it comes to the most optimized MTG experience on the market. Arena is a huge improvement over MTGO, Wizards of the Coast's first child. The user interface has been modernized and the game rules engine has been redeveloped from the ground up and is written to allow endless development.
Advantages:
- By far the most streamlined Gaming experience – all phases, spells and triggers are automated
- Play for free – Cards can be earned using in-game currency, but can also be purchased with real money
- The most polished all options
- Ranking system, matchmaking, automated events
- Official Wizards of the Coast product
- Translated in eight different languages
- Easy to download and jump straight into the games
- Tutorial and in-game instructions
Disadvantages:
- Does not contain the full map libraryonly around 10,000 cards out of over 26,000 (since Ixalan)
- Game modes such as Commander and Two-Headed Giant are not available
- It is not possible to trade or sell cards. Cards can only be obtained by purchasing packages or using a wildcard system.
Despite having a smaller card library and only five game modes (four of which are similar to, but not entirely identical to, the MTG game modes on paper), Arena deserves its place at number 2. For people new to Magic, is Arena the right place. While other options are primarily aimed at people already familiar with MTG, Arena offers a tutorial, helpful tooltips, and beginner decks to familiarize beginners with various mechanics.
1. Magic table
Magic table is the new kid on the block (or at least on this list). During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the future of paper MTG was unclear. Magic tableformerly known as VirtualEDHwas quickly developed to keep the Commander game mode alive (since Commander had limited online support at the time).
Within a few months of its founding Magic table joined Wizards of the Coast and was able to expand support to all formats. Magic table Maintains the authentic paper MTG experience using a mobile phone or webcam and a good old tabletop surface. Over time, the developers have added features to the app that create a kind of “Paper Magic 2.0” feel.
Advantages:
- The most authentic Paper Magic the Gathering experience online
- Use all physical cards that belong to you (including proxies)
- A type of augmented reality experience as card images can be read by the customer
- Official Wizards of the Coast product
- Supports all game modes
- User-friendly interface
- Free
Disadvantages:
- Requires a webcam or phone and space to set up a suitable play area
- No integrated matchmaking system. Finding games and game groups requires some work from the player
- Some of the popular Discord groups require a subscription to use their matchmaking services
- Gameplay via a webcam can do it easier to cheat
Although designed as a temporary solution to paper MTG due to social distancing, Magic table is still a popular choice for players around the world to play MTG online. No other app captures the “dining table with your friends” aspect. Magic: The Gathering very similar Magic table does.
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