Magic: The Gathering – Unsanctioned is a board game that was released in 2020 by Wizards of the Coast. It is based on the popular trading card game Magic: The Gathering, which has been around since
Unsanctioned is a standalone game that offers a unique and fun experience for players who enjoy the world of Magic.Game Components of Magic: The Gathering – Unsanctioned
160 Magic cards: Including 16 new cards, 74 reprints, and 10 full-art basic lands (5 foil and 5 non-foil).5 half-decks: Each containing 30 cards, allowing for various deck combinations.Silver-bordered cards: Special cards that can do things other Magic cards don’t, like giving a creature “infinity” power.6-sided dice: Used for various card abilities that involve dice rolling.Instructions booklet: Includes decklists and setup instructions for replayability.
How To Setup Magic: The Gathering – Unsanctioned
To set up the game, players choose two of the five half-decks and shuffle them together to create a unique 60-card deck. Each half-deck includes 12 basic lands to ensure the correct land ratio when combined. This simple setup allows for immediate play with minimal preparation.
Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective
Deck combinations: Players can mix and match the five half-decks to create ten different deck combinations.Silver-bordered cards: These cards have unique and often humorous effects that deviate from standard Magic rules.Host and augment cards: Allow players to combine creatures with augment abilities to form new, powerful creatures.Dice rolling: Some card abilities require rolling a 6-sided die to determine outcomes.Outside assistance: Certain cards involve interacting with people outside the game for input or decisions.Objective: The goal is to reduce your opponent’s life total from 20 to 0, using the unpredictable and fun mechanics of the game.
Player Experience
Unsanctioned offers a fun and casual Magic: The Gathering experience, perfect for players looking to enjoy the game in a more relaxed and humorous way. The game is designed to be easy to pick up, even for new players, and encourages creative and unpredictable gameplay. However, it is limited to two-player games due to the number of cards included.
Pros
Fun and goofy gameplay: Introduces unique and humorous mechanics not seen in standard Magic sets.Easy setup: Simple to start playing right out of the box.Creative combinations: Allows for multiple deck combinations, adding replayability.Casual atmosphere: Ideal for casual players or those new to Magic: The Gathering.
Cons
Limited to two players: The set does not include enough cards to support multi-player games.Some unplayable cards: Certain cards, like “Booster Tutor” and “Enter the Dungeon,” have niche or impractical effects.Limited card pool: With only 160 cards, the game lacks the depth and variety of larger Magic sets.
Personal Thoughts on Magic: The Gathering – Unsanctioned
Magic: The Gathering – Unsanctioned is perfect for players who want to enjoy a light-hearted and entertaining Magic experience. It’s ideal for casual players, those new to the game, or anyone looking for a fun and unpredictable Magic experience. However, it may not satisfy players seeking a more competitive or complex gameplay environment.
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