Meeting every Friday after school in Room 249, the “Magic: The Gathering” Club promises attendees a shared sense of community and a shared love for one of the most complex, yet rewarding, games on the market.
While the club formed last year with former staff member Nathan Hoy sponsoring it, this is the first full year of activity for the group and for science teacher Thomas Decker to sponsor the club.
“I love cards. Card games are an amazing way to find and meet people. I also love the mechanics and artwork.” Decker said.
“Magic: The Gathering” is a game that was created in 1993 by Dr. Richard Garfield. Meant as a way to have fun with one’s playgroup in between sessions of “Dungeons and Dragons,” it quickly grew into something greater.
The game consists of a player and his or her opponent (or opponents) battling in a sort of war of attrition, trying to figure out who drew better cards and who used their cards to a greater level of skill. It is not quite like poker and not quite like chess, but it is something in between.
With an estimated count of 500 million players and more than 30,000 unique game pieces to choose from, the game feels daunting. But, it does not have to be.
For new game players, the club has resources and support for building a player’s first deck and learning the fundamentals of gameplay. For more experienced players, the club will be a space to play and to meet like-minded individuals.
“Like playing chess, games like Magic help you to understand relationships and things of the sort in your everyday life, helping you to be able to see things quicker, and easier than before, if that makes sense.” Decker said.