Once the game loads, a random player is chosen as the first player. Each player then draws their initial hand from their deck.
The first player draws 3 cards, while every other player draws 5. The Upkeep phase of the first player's turn now begins.
The current turn player then moves through the turn phases, buying cards from their sideboard with mana and casting spells to create a powerful game board that will lead to victory. The turn phases are: Upkeep, First Main, Combat, Second Main, and End.
During the Upkeep phase, the current turn player draws a card from their deck and refills their mana pool by tapping any Treasures in their hand or Permanent Treasures on the battlefield.
The First Main phase is where the player can buy cards from their sideboard, cast spells, and play other types of cards. To buy a card, it must be your turn, it must be the First Main phase, you must have priority, and there must not be any card or action currently on the game stack. To buy a card, click on the Buy button, on the lower left hand side of the screen, below the game stack.
The Combat phase is where Creatures can attack and deal damage to opponents or their Creatures. Creatures can attack during the attack phase and deal damage to opponents or their Creatures.
The Second Main phase is where the player can buy cards from their sideboard, cast spells, and play other types of cards.
The End phase is where the current turn player discards any cards in their hand that exceed their maximum hand size.
In order to create a powerful deck to win, you have to build your deck while the game progresses. This is done by purchasing more powerful cards from your sideboard with mana. The sideboard is a secondary collection of cards which start outside the game. When you build your deck, you define what cards are present in your sideboard based on what cards you own in your collection.
In order purchase a card, it must be your turn, it must be either the First Main or Second Main phase, you must have priority, and there must not be any card or action currently on the game stack. To purchase a card, click on the Buy button, on the lower right hand side of the screen, below the game stack. Your
sideboard collection will appear and you may click on any number of cards. The buy cost for each card is printed on the top right of the card. Once you have decided what cards to buy, click the Buy button down the bottom. The interface will then prompt you to pay the total mana cost of all the selected cards. If you cannot pay the mana cost, the purchase is cancelled and no action is taken.
Mana is generated using Treasures in your hand, and Permanent Treasures, which sit on the Battlefield. Treasures in your hand are "spent", meaning they are placed in your Discard once used, while Permanent Treasures persist on the battlefield and can be used each turn.
To cast a card, it must first be in your Hand, you must have priority, and the casting rules for the respective Card Type must be satisfied. Once this is true, you may cast it for free by clicking on it.
Some cards have additional costs that you must pay in order to cast it, such as pay X mana or trash a card. Once a spell is cast, it goes onto the Stack. Each player may then respond to the spell by casting an instant or activating an ability. If they choose not to, priority is passed and the card resolves. Once resolved, it is placed onto the Battlefield.
A common way of winning is by playing Creatures and attacking with them. Normally, Creatures cannot attack or activate abilities on the turn they enter play. This effect is called summoning sickness. A Creature affected by summoning sickness cannot tap, attack, or activate abilities until its controller's next turn. For example, if you play a creature on your turn, it will be affected by summoning sickness and unable to attack or tap during your opponent's turn. But on your next turn, it will be no longer affected by summoning sickness and will be able to attack or tap.
Creatures can attack during the attack phase and deal damage to opponents or their Creatures. For example, if you have a creature with 2 power and your opponent has a creature with 1 toughness, you can attack with your creature and deal 2 damage to your opponent's creature, destroying it. Additionally, if your opponent has no creatures on the battlefield, you can attack them directly and deal damage to their life total.
Players progress through turns until only one player is left alive, and they are declared the winner. If all the players lose at the same time, the game is declared a draw, and Credits are distributed evenly. For example, if you and your opponent both have 5 life remaining and you both cast spells that deal 5 damage to each other at the same time, the game would be declared a draw.
Overall, the key to winning the game is to efficiently manage your resources, such as mana and cards in hand, and make strategic decisions on which cards to play and when to attack. Building a strong deck and understanding the strengths and weaknesses of your opponent's deck can also give you an advantage in the game.
