Magic Deck Vortex: Shopping for Magic Players.

We all know someone that plays Magic. And we all know that buying for Magic players, speaking from my own friends and family’s perspective when they are looking for me, is no easy task. As the gift giver, you have to know a few things about their style of playing and collecting, what they have, what they need, and etc. While all of this seems like a tough task, I’m going to break it down for you and offer you a wide range of gift ideas from cheap to overly expensive. Whether this is for Christmas, another celebrated Holiday or just someone’s birthday, this should help significantly.

Knowing the player you are shopping for is of utmost importance. Asking them a simple, “What would you like, specifically?” question will never get you in trouble. If they didn’t get specific on their list or original request, they probably wanted you to ask them anyway. If you still can’t get a simple answer out of them, or are buying gifts as a surprise, try and figure out what kind of player they are. Below is a breakdown of each player type. This breakdown should assist in picking out items from those presented in this article.

New Players
A new player will typically have a very small collection and will be extremely receptive to cheap cards and gifts. When I say cheap gifts I mean like bundles of commons and uncommon cards. You can typically find them at online stores for as low as five or ten dollars. If that proves to be troublesome, and the links I will be providing later aren’t going to work for you, keep reading. I will be specifying which items are best geared towards which player type. New Players aren’t someone you want to spend a big lump of money on given that they may not be all in the game yet. However, accessories and unique gifts may be OK depending on what it is.

Tournament Players
If the player you are buying goes out to a hobby shop once a week, they are most likely a tournament player. However, most tournament players will be very open about where they are going and how they did. So figuring out this type of player shouldn’t be too difficult. Tournament Players will be receptive to new packs, playsets of certain chase rares, accessories, literature and unique gifts. Be careful though, as some tournament players aren’t your collector types and thus aren’t going to enjoy certain items. Thus, I will make another category for those.

Collectors
When a player has a small portion (or maybe large portion) of their room occupied with binders and boxes, they are most likely a collector. In my case, I have two bookshelves loaded with a binder for every set since the beginning, shelves dedicated to CCG Magazines, boxes of commons, extra uncommons, lands, and I even save booster boxes back to (I think) Masques. Oh, and a spot on my desk for the last two blocks of Magic (that’s six binders right now). Anyway, collectors are going to be most receptive to unique gifts, literature and rarities. It’s most likely that this person has already purchased a case (6 boxes) of all the latest sets and doesn’t need any booster backs or a bulk of commons (unless, of course, it is Time Spiral).

Casual Players
Note that some casual players are also collectors and/or tournament players. Casual players have most likely been playing for a number of years but don’t have quite the ‘collector’ status. These types of players are the easiest to buy for, as they will be receptive to boosters, theme packs, theme decks, unique gifts, literature, and many other different gifts. I could have left this category out, but I felt it was needed, as there is a sect of this player type that doesn’t fit into either collector or tournament players.

Moving along, I will mention an item, describe it, possibly link to it on the net and then provide a list of the applicable player types that it would be good for. The subject matter of this article will be split into two articles. The first will be low to mid range priced items. The second will be high priced items and miscellaneous ideas. Combining both into one proved to be to monotonous.

In an effort to keep this semi-organized, I will begin the list with some cheaper items and move up to the more expensive items. Please note that these prices are approximate. The retailers and online stores that I link to may change their prices at any given time. Also, these may not be the cheapest prices available. I have scoured the net trying to find these items for you to peruse, but I can't guarantee I found all of the best prices, or even ALL of the gift ideas. I do think I found most of them, though.

Note: I might make tangents that reach outside of the price order in an effort to keep this as organized as possible.

Wholesale Rares & Instant Collections:
Instant collections are ideal for newer players as it gives them a base of cards to work with that they didn't have before. Part of the fun of playing Magic is finding card interactions yourself while building decks.

No matter what you buy, an Instant Collection is Totally Ideal for ALL new players.
TARGET: New Players – Instant Collections, Casual Players – Bulk Rares

400 Count+ and bigger Foldable Card Boxes
These cardboard storage boxes are handy for almost any player to store their cards whether it is commons, lands, uncommons or even rares! They actually come is all shapes and sizes and range in price. Usually buying a few of these will be good and it won't even put a dent into your wallet (if you are buying the smaller ones). The larger ones can get up to $20.00 each. I personally use the huge boxes for my commons and lands.
Price: $1.00 to $5.00 (even up to $20.00 for larger ones)
Link: Here.
TARGET: ALL - Especially Collectors

Ultra-Pro Deck Boxes
These handy deck boxes come in a variety of colors and are great for players to put their decks in or just extra rares up for trade. Ultra-Pro are the cheaper deck boxes. Of course, there are the more expensive ION deck boxes that hold up to 85 cards and come lined with armored nylon and a flap held shut by a powerful magnetic lock. Those are a lot more expensive.
Price: $1.95 and up – ION deck boxes are $7.99
Link: Here. (Ultra Pro)
Link: Here. (Ion).
TARGET: ALL -- Especially Casual and Tournament players

Gaming Tokens
Tokens are ideal for any player. Many of the cards in Magic: the Gathering generate tokens, come into play with tokens, etc. and thus having actual tokens to represent these items is prime. It beats using your pocket change.

If anyone can find a booster box of Double-Sided Tokens available anywhere, please let me know as I would personally like to buy it. That aside, tokens are a great gift for any type of Magic Player. Most players prefer the card sized tokens, but would equally love the circle shaped tokens provided by DPS.
TARGET: ALL

Card Sleeves - Typically 60 Count Packs
This little sleeves protect cards from wear and tear while playing. While there are good and bad sleeves, they all come in a variety of colors. Some even have pictorials on them. Be weary of buying the cheap kind though as they won't do a good job at what they are supposed to do. Most players can enjoy the sleeves, except for stubborn collectors and casual players like myself.
Price: $2.99 to $5.99
Link: Almost any online MTG retailer
TARGET: Tournament Players mainly, although they work for the other types too.

Magic Booster Packs
Recent sets’ booster packs are around $3.99 each. For under $25 you can typically get six of them. For those that don’t know, booster packs contain 1 rare, 3 uncommons and the rest commons.

The best deal for your money is buying Time Spiral boosters as they run the chance of getting up to three rares if you consider the Timeshifted card (that’s for another time). Some of the packs are more valuable (or HOT) to the receiving Magic player. And thus, the Hot and Cold Booster Packs are as follows:

Point here: You can’t go wrong if you buy them Time Spiral packs. Older sets, like pre-Odyssey will go for a higher price. Particularly Anything from Urza's Block to Alpha. I wouldn't recommend spending anything more than $10.00 for a pack, as your chance of opening something really expensive in it is like .01%.
Price: $3.99 each
Link: Any online store or hobby retailer.*Beware the corporate hobby shops and bookstores who charge a little more.
TARGET: NEW, TOURNAMENT and CASUAL.

Tournament Packs
The only tournament packs I am going to recommend at this time are those for Time Spiral. They typically run around $10.00 and include lands, rares, and a premium card. For those extreme collectors, they even have a Pro Player card... Plus they are easier to wrap than boosters.
Price: $9.99
Link: Variety of online stores
TARGET: ALL -- even Collectors in some cases

Heavy Duty 3”+ Ring Binders & Other Special Binders
Binders are important to anyone who has been playing the game for longer for a year. Binders are a much more organized way of keeping track of your card collection. I personally have a binder for every set, and in some cases (like Time Spiral) have multiple binders for one set. Note: If you are going to buy binders for your Magic friend, be sure to also buy them the nine-pocket pages provided by Ultra-Pro.

Binders aren't exactly a 'high priority' gift, but are a nice gift to pair with card boxes and other Magic gifts mentioned on this page.
TARGET: COLLECTOR & CASUAL

Dice Collections
Buying your Magic friend a collection of dice will be a nice addition to their Magic Accessories. You see, most players who can't afford real tokens (like those mentioned above) or life counters use dice instead. Finding a dice collection with some style is the best idea if you are thinking of getting this. The link below gives you some options.
Price: $4.50 and up
Link: Here.
Target: Casual and Tournament

Life Counters with Magic Art
Life Counters are stylish ways of keeping track of life. Finding one with Magic Art on it is even cooler. The link below will show a variety of different Life Counters with art. Buying the most expensive one isn't an absolute must. In fact, I will recommend not spending a lot of one life counter unless you know the Magic Player is gung-ho into that particular card, art or artist.
Price: $4.95 to $29.95
Link: Here.
TARGET: NEW, CASUAL and TOURNAMENT

Magic Themed Novels
This type of gift doesn’t really apply to any of the player types mentioned before. It does apply to anyone gung-ho about the stories behind Magic. The latest novel is about Time Spiral and you can typically pick it up for under $10.00. Note that a novel is included in all Fat Packs (to be talked about later) so you might find buying a Fat Pack is a better use of your gift money.
Price: around $10.00
Link: Here.
TARGET: CASUAL, maybe COLLECTOR

Cases, Bags and other Transports...
Cases, bags and other such means of transporting Magic cards and gear are a luxury not all Magic Players enjoy. Mind you, not all of them would really want something like this, but if they are currently using their school backpack as a transport device, the following options might not be a bad idea.

There are many other cases and such available around the world, but the three above are a good start.
TARGET: NEW & CASUAL, possibly TOURNAMENT and COLLECTOR

Ultra-Pro 9 Pocket Pages (100 Page Boxes)
This type of gift is something most people wouldn't think of, but that is an excellent gift. Any player can use these as long as they keep their cards in binders. One of these boxes will usually last them two or three binders.
Price: $9.95 to $12.35
Link: Variety of online stores and hobby shops
TARGET: ALL - as long as they own binders too.

Playmats
Playmats are ideal for your eccentric Magic Player. Something sticky on the table? Just lay that playmat over it to protect your cards! There are a number of playmats out there, ranging in price from $10.99 to $30.00. Magic Arsenal has some cheaper ones that are made of cloth. Troll and Toad also has a collection of them of a variety of materials.
Price: $10.99 to $30.00
Link: Here.
Link: Here.
TARGET: CASUAL, NEW, TOURNAMENT

Magic Apparel

Some players love to sport the game to the hilt, and these items will let them maximize this. Below are shirts, fanny packs, and more!

I can't say I personally would be excited to own one of these, but as mentioned previously, I'm sure there are those that would.
TARGET: CASUAL, TOURNAMENT ... or any Gung-ho!

Black Sorting Tray for Cards

This kind of gift is really for hard core players. It's a card sorting tray with 18 angled slots to help you separate your cards in many ways. It's even ergonomic!
Price: $19.99
Link: Here.
TARGET: COLLECTOR, CASUAL, maybe even Tournament

Fat Packs
Typically, a fat pack is available for every Magic: the Gathering set of late. The most impressive one is the Time Spiral Fat Pack, but a Coldsnap Fat Pack is cool too. Fat Packs typically contain a player guide, six booster packs, one novel, 40 basic lands, a life counter and one premium card. Some of the Fat Packs differ.
Price: $27.49 to $35.00
Link: Various places although Star City Games and Amazon have decent prices.
TARGET: ALL

Well, that wraps up this session of 'shopping for magic players'. Know that this isn't a 100% complete list of the not-so-expensive items. Anything I missed, I will highlight next time. And thus, join me next time as I wrap up this short series and include some of the more expensive gift ideas for Magic: the Gathering players.

In the meantime, I hope I have offered you some insight on gift ideas. Maybe even a few of you found something you really want and can tell everyone who’s buying for you about it! If you have any suggestions that you would me to include in the follow-up to this article, please post it in the forum.