Next Level Magic: A Guide to Mastering the Magic the Gathering™ Card Game

by Patrick Chapin

Next Level Magic is a comprehensive course on realizing your goals in playing Magic the Gathering.

Genres: Nonfiction, Games, Magic, Gaming

417 pages, Paperback

Reviews

[John R. · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love Magic, I've been playing the game since 1993 and to this day I remember Christmas that year when my grandmother got me a box of Arabian. I've also done my share of tournament play and was a member of a team when I was actively playing. With that information out there I would like to say that I consider myself a competent Magic player and was really just looking for that little boost.

Unfortunately the author of this book spent more time listing out every single pro Magic player than he did on the actual subject of the card game. I really want to search my kindle and see exactly how many time he name drops Gabriel Nassif, Mark Herberholz, Mike Long, David Mills, Shuhei Nakamura, Tomoharu Saito, Jon Finkel, Mike Flores, etc. I get it you know a lot of famous magic players, good for you.

I feel like I spent more time reading (or rather skipping past the names of) player names than I did actual magic strategy and theory.

[Kevin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent enough analysis of some of the ideas about becoming a successful competitve master level plyaer, but I found this book a little TOO general at times. Perhaps it's because it talks a lot about cards that were important at the time of writing, but which I haven't really seen, as I started back into the hobby after this book was released. Also, I felt that there isn't anything here I couldn't have learned (and probably already have read) in online articles. Still, it's always good to get another perspective.

[Brandon Pierson]

This book(or graphic novel) was an in depth guide about MTG gameplay theory, and strategy. It has a good balance of visuals, versus text, to give readers a visual aid while reading. This book attack the game at all angles, and while that is a daunting task, Patrick Chapin has the experience to do that. Anyone wanting to get better at MTG should read this, or if you like similar games, since game theory is universal.

[Danii Nebot · Rating 2 out of 5]

As much as I love getting insight from one of the game's most insightful minds (mr. Chapin, "the innovator") the truth is this feels more like a collection of Magic articles than a honest book. Also, the chapters dealing with limited, focused in Shards of Alara block, are obviously horribly outdated.

Just skip this one and go read Next Level Decibuilding!

[linuxmuso · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chapin definitively hits the mark on all aspects in playing the game of Magic. I will be using this book in the future as a good resource when my game needs a little more pep in it's step. Well worth the buy!

[William Orellana santamaria · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book deals with very general ideas on game strategy. I liked it. As many cards mentioned are part of legacy or modern decks, it was at times confusing. All in all, it is a good read for Magic the gathering noobs like myself.

[Lyle Carating · Rating 3 out of 5]

pretty solid book. would recommend it more to people who are entering any competitive gaming scene, not just magic. also includes a lot of cool history about previous mtg pro tours, which is pretty cool if you're interested in what was successful in the past.

[Michael Koppelman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awesome and mind-opening.