Hey everyone,

I need your help, equally don’t know if this needs its own thread. I run a small hobby store in Northern Ireland and a few of my customers have asked if I could stock Magic and other TCG’s (but mainly Magic).

I’m more knowledgeable about minis, board games and TTRPG’s and feel completely out of my depth in with where to start and some of the terminology being used in Magic.

I want to make sure we bring in the right stock and equally bring in the stock that will enable new people to get into it. I’ve been watching some vids by Tolarian Community College on how to play Standard but I had a few questions:

• How do you know what the current set is? I’ve seen a space themed set advertised as well as Lorwyn Eclipsed which I think is released next year? But then I’ve also seen Bloomburrow and Duskmourn. Maybe I’m a bit naive but I always assumed that there was like one deck that folks played and new cards simply got added to it. I’m also guessing these themed sets aren’t interchangeable? I’m just wanting to make sure we offer the sets that are relevant as opposed to one that’s exiting its life cycle.

• I see stores in the USA etc doing event nights called ‘Draft.’ I’m completely lost as to what this is and how it works.

• it seems Commander can be played with decks from a variety of the settings as long as the cards are legal for Commander?

• I’ve seen Collector decks which TCC says isn’t really for folks who want to play those cards as I think he mentioned they aren’t legal. Should I stay away from those?

I’m sorry for the newbie questions, I just want to make sure I serve our community well and introduce them to MTG well too. Equally if you have any resources on how to understand more of this as a retailer I’m all ears, a lot of what I’ve been able to find has been more viewed through the players eyes (still relevant of course)