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yellowbird
Guest
My son (10 years old) was given a deck of magic the gathering cards by his cool older cousin - apparently it’s a game that’s been around for awhile. Any harm in letting him play?
- Status
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Baelor
Guest
Some the cards may be scary to younger children. That would be my only concern.
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Razanir
Guest
I recommend a mono-white deck. White cards are probably the least scary AND can make a pretty good deck on their own
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WoundedIcon
Guest
Yeah, some of the cards can be a bit dark so you might want to filter those out. It’s generally the black colored ones that are that way.
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yellowbird
Guest
He doesn’t scare too easily - has older brothers and sisters … impossible to shelter, ya know?! I guess I wondered if the game was creepy - occult sort of thing because of the title? Is he going to be playing this today, and denoucing his Catholic faith for a coven tomrrow.
I joke of course -
sort of.
So it’s just a game in your opinion? The cousin said everybody plays it - really popular at his college and totally harmless unless you skip classes to play and screw up your GPA. Which doesn’t apply to my 10 year old.
I joke of course -
sort of.
So it’s just a game in your opinion? The cousin said everybody plays it - really popular at his college and totally harmless unless you skip classes to play and screw up your GPA. Which doesn’t apply to my 10 year old.
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Mike_from_NJ
Guest
As someone who has played the game for some time, I hope I can help you out.
What is it?
It’s a strategy game featuring collectible cards. Each person takes cards and organizes them into decks. In a game one person will pit their deck against another person’s deck, making various moves to try and win.
What is it not?
It is not a role-playing game. The cards are much like chess pieces. The player doesn’t act out anything.
It is not a gambling game. Back when the game first started some people played for “ante”, each player putting up one card that they give to the other if they lose. It’s similar to when kids would play marbles.
Are there storylines and are they suitable for children?
There are storylines in the game. Some cards have what’s known as “flavor text” which doesn’t influence the game but helps tell the story. There are novels that come out around the same time, but only a small percentage of players actually read them.
As far as the suitability of the storylines, you should at least be cautioned. Every year or so they begin a new storyline in a different setting. Sometimes the good guys win. In the storyline before the one going on now, it was about a land filled with gothic horrors like werewolves, vampires, and zombies. In the end several angels ally with the humans to fight back and win. But in the storyline the year before it was set in a technological world that in the end succumbs to a dark, corrupting influence.
In short, sometimes the bad guys win.
Does it teach kids witchcraft in real life?
No, in the same way that Operation doesn’t teach you be a surgeon.
Is there art in the game that children may find disturbing?
Possibly, but it would depend on the child. The cards themselves don’t seem to depict acts of violence, but sometimes can show the aftereffects of violence. Blood, skulls, and the like appear often enough.
Some of the artwork can be creepy in nature.
The game features many types of creatures, many of which you’ll find in things like Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter. It also features demons.
Here are some of them. Also, Here are some of the angels I mentioned earlier.
The game does not feature any sex or nudity, but does sometimes feature art of scantily-clad women (on the level you might see on the cover of Maxim or Self magazines).
Are there any other positive aspects to the game?
There are enough complexities to the game to encourage very strategic thinking, even at a young age. It encourages planning, and even is helpful in basic math. Also the game is constant interaction with other people, which is something you won’t get in things like video games.
Are there any other negative aspects to the game?
The game constantly marches on. Your son will likely tire of playing just the cards his cousin gave and will want more, which means you’ll be spending some money on this if he continues.
In the end, I think you’ll want to look things over based on what you know about your boy. I’ve seen kids as young as 8 play (including my Catholic nephew). But I think you’re correct in making sure to ask around first before letting him play. You don’t want to go counter to your faith or morals. If you have any questions for me, please don’t hesitate to ask.
What is it?
It’s a strategy game featuring collectible cards. Each person takes cards and organizes them into decks. In a game one person will pit their deck against another person’s deck, making various moves to try and win.
What is it not?
It is not a role-playing game. The cards are much like chess pieces. The player doesn’t act out anything.
It is not a gambling game. Back when the game first started some people played for “ante”, each player putting up one card that they give to the other if they lose. It’s similar to when kids would play marbles.
Are there storylines and are they suitable for children?
There are storylines in the game. Some cards have what’s known as “flavor text” which doesn’t influence the game but helps tell the story. There are novels that come out around the same time, but only a small percentage of players actually read them.
As far as the suitability of the storylines, you should at least be cautioned. Every year or so they begin a new storyline in a different setting. Sometimes the good guys win. In the storyline before the one going on now, it was about a land filled with gothic horrors like werewolves, vampires, and zombies. In the end several angels ally with the humans to fight back and win. But in the storyline the year before it was set in a technological world that in the end succumbs to a dark, corrupting influence.
In short, sometimes the bad guys win.
Does it teach kids witchcraft in real life?
No, in the same way that Operation doesn’t teach you be a surgeon.
Is there art in the game that children may find disturbing?
Possibly, but it would depend on the child. The cards themselves don’t seem to depict acts of violence, but sometimes can show the aftereffects of violence. Blood, skulls, and the like appear often enough.
Some of the artwork can be creepy in nature.
The game features many types of creatures, many of which you’ll find in things like Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter. It also features demons.
Here are some of them. Also, Here are some of the angels I mentioned earlier.
The game does not feature any sex or nudity, but does sometimes feature art of scantily-clad women (on the level you might see on the cover of Maxim or Self magazines).
Are there any other positive aspects to the game?
There are enough complexities to the game to encourage very strategic thinking, even at a young age. It encourages planning, and even is helpful in basic math. Also the game is constant interaction with other people, which is something you won’t get in things like video games.
Are there any other negative aspects to the game?
The game constantly marches on. Your son will likely tire of playing just the cards his cousin gave and will want more, which means you’ll be spending some money on this if he continues.
In the end, I think you’ll want to look things over based on what you know about your boy. I’ve seen kids as young as 8 play (including my Catholic nephew). But I think you’re correct in making sure to ask around first before letting him play. You don’t want to go counter to your faith or morals. If you have any questions for me, please don’t hesitate to ask.
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yellowbird
Guest
Hi Mike from NJ!As someone who has played the game for some time, I hope I can help you out.
What is it?
It’s a strategy game featuring collectible cards. Each person takes cards and organizes them into decks. In a game one person will pit their deck against another person’s deck, making various moves to try and win.
What is it not?
It is not a role-playing game. The cards are much like chess pieces. The player doesn’t act out anything.
It is not a gambling game. Back when the game first started some people played for “ante”, each player putting up one card that they give to the other if they lose. It’s similar to when kids would play marbles.
Are there storylines and are they suitable for children?
There are storylines in the game. Some cards have what’s known as “flavor text” which doesn’t influence the game but helps tell the story. There are novels that come out around the same time, but only a small percentage of players actually read them.
As far as the suitability of the storylines, you should at least be cautioned. Every year or so they begin a new storyline in a different setting. Sometimes the good guys win. In the storyline before the one going on now, it was about a land filled with gothic horrors like werewolves, vampires, and zombies. In the end several angels ally with the humans to fight back and win. But in the storyline the year before it was set in a technological world that in the end succumbs to a dark, corrupting influence.
In short, sometimes the bad guys win.
Does it teach kids witchcraft in real life?
No, in the same way that Operation doesn’t teach you be a surgeon.
Is there art in the game that children may find disturbing?
Possibly, but it would depend on the child. The cards themselves don’t seem to depict acts of violence, but sometimes can show the aftereffects of violence. Blood, skulls, and the like appear often enough.
Some of the artwork can be creepy in nature.
The game features many types of creatures, many of which you’ll find in things like Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter. It also features demons.
Here are some of them. Also, Here are some of the angels I mentioned earlier.
The game does not feature any sex or nudity, but does sometimes feature art of scantily-clad women (on the level you might see on the cover of Maxim or Self magazines).
Are there any other positive aspects to the game?
There are enough complexities to the game to encourage very strategic thinking, even at a young age. It encourages planning, and even is helpful in basic math. Also the game is constant interaction with other people, which is something you won’t get in things like video games.
Are there any other negative aspects to the game?
The game constantly marches on. Your son will likely tire of playing just the cards his cousin gave and will want more, which means you’ll be spending some money on this if he continues.
In the end, I think you’ll want to look things over based on what you know about your boy. I’ve seen kids as young as 8 play (including my Catholic nephew). But I think you’re correct in making sure to ask around first before letting him play. You don’t want to go counter to your faith or morals. If you have any questions for me, please don’t hesitate to ask.
This is incredibly helpful - thank you so much!!!
Happy New Year!
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Pelly
Guest
It seems like that the game holds danger.
Somebody even was murdered for his card collection.
Somebody even was murdered for his card collection.
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Razanir
Guest
Also referencing this post from the same site.
First off, I highly doubt MtG started as a new way to teach math. Second, she cites ONE EXAMPLE. And an extreme example at that. I know stats fairly well, and this screams bias. On a side note, learning about pagan gods hardly seems horrible, at least on its own. Like it or not, Greek mythology, Egyptian mythology, Norse mythology, and all the other mythologies out there are important parts of history.
And don’t even get me started on why D&D isn’t as bad as people say it is. In response to some myths about D&D (in particular that it teaches actual magic words), a Born Again company released DragonRaid. It gives you Bible verses to memorize to use in the game for similar magical effects. This (to me at least) is even worse than people think D&D is. Instead of saying “I cast fireball” to sling a fireball at an enemy, you recite ACTUAL BIBLE VERSES to create MAGICAL effects. And this is supposedly the moral version
Also, she comments on people wanting to go to Hogwarts and actually trying to get to Platform 9-3/4. Well how many kids do you suppose jumped into wardrobes hoping to reach Narnia? And I think we can all agree that Narnia is actually a good series morally. (Lewis was Anglican, much to Tolkien’s dismay. Tolkien converted him from atheism, and hoped Lewis would become Catholic)
She condemns all books involving magic at all. I can make an argument ad absurdum refuting this blanket condemnation. The Witch of Endor. The Bible contains witchcraft. This isn’t to say that no books containing magic are bad, but that you at least cannot condemn a book just for having magic in it.
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Baelor
Guest
As you state, the site has no moral authority and presents no concrete arguments against the game. One may determine this simply by reading the article.
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Razanir
Guest
I forgot to mention something:
The closest the cards get to occult symbols, contrary to what the blog says, is 5 colors circles arranged in a pentagon. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/a/aa/Magic_the_gathering-card_back.jpg
The closest the cards get to occult symbols, contrary to what the blog says, is 5 colors circles arranged in a pentagon. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/a/aa/Magic_the_gathering-card_back.jpg
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yellowbird
Guest
I am going to put stock in opinions of people who’ve actually played the game - especially other Catholics - not some website that warns against all sorts of things that I’m OK with like Harry Potter, and Magic Tree House books. Has the writer ever played the game? I doubt it.
I know that every child is different - but my 10 year old is very bright and totally understands the difference between real and fantasy.
Someone suggested he start with a white deck. I asked my son and he said he has a green deck made up of elves (from the cousin), a white & blue deck (from the cousin) and a red & black deck from his 20 year old brother. His favorite card is a dragon. He showed me a picture - not creepy at all - just a dragon.
I know that every child is different - but my 10 year old is very bright and totally understands the difference between real and fantasy.
Someone suggested he start with a white deck. I asked my son and he said he has a green deck made up of elves (from the cousin), a white & blue deck (from the cousin) and a red & black deck from his 20 year old brother. His favorite card is a dragon. He showed me a picture - not creepy at all - just a dragon.
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VeritasLuxMea
Guest
I played the game for 10 years, on and off.
First let me say that it’s an excellent game.
Is there anything to worry about? Not really, but as with anything, it depends what you mean by that.
Will it draw a child into a coven? No. Let me put it this way: there are three “witches” in Shakespeare’s MacBeth. The chance that a child joins a coven as a result of playing Magic: the Gathering is probably the same as the chance he’ll join a coven because he read Shakespeare. I.E., 0%.
What about the Ouija board? Will playing M:TG make a child want to use a Ouija board? No. I mean… just… no. There’s not really any logical connection there, besides some sort of vague conception of “supernatural.” However, heck, Superman could be said to be “supernatural.” The important thing to remember is that all of these things are FICTIONAL. That includes the Ouija board. The Ouija board possesses no powers whatsoever. There is ZERO credible evidence beyond mere anecdotes to suggest it does.
I am not addressing the original poster, but everyone in general: I suggest that parents who are worried about their children using a Ouija board stop feeding into this hysteria by thinking the Ouija board has “powers,” there is no point in pretending it does.You only make this silly superstition attractive by doing so!
What about the pentagram mentioned earlier? Obviously, it’s not really a pentagram, as there are no lines to connect it. But yes, those dots are arranged in such a way. That is for 2 reasons: 1 - because there are 5 colors in the game, and this is the most common way to arrange 5 dots in a single shape. Reason 2 - because the way these symbols are arranged is a reminder of certain aspects of the game. All the colors are arranged like that for a reason. If anyone would like me to elaborate further, I would be happy to do so. Finally, although this is not a pentagram, I stress that the pentagram is not an evil symbol per se. It is a common human symbol. It was used in the days of early Christianity, as well as in many other religions for various purposes.
yellowbird:
There is really nothing to worry about AT ALL as long as this is true.
And as a guy who played the game for 10 years in the past (no longer play, but I know it inside and outside), I would be happy to answer any specific questions that should arise if you would like me to do so.
First let me say that it’s an excellent game.
Is there anything to worry about? Not really, but as with anything, it depends what you mean by that.
Will it draw a child into a coven? No. Let me put it this way: there are three “witches” in Shakespeare’s MacBeth. The chance that a child joins a coven as a result of playing Magic: the Gathering is probably the same as the chance he’ll join a coven because he read Shakespeare. I.E., 0%.
What about the Ouija board? Will playing M:TG make a child want to use a Ouija board? No. I mean… just… no. There’s not really any logical connection there, besides some sort of vague conception of “supernatural.” However, heck, Superman could be said to be “supernatural.” The important thing to remember is that all of these things are FICTIONAL. That includes the Ouija board. The Ouija board possesses no powers whatsoever. There is ZERO credible evidence beyond mere anecdotes to suggest it does.
I am not addressing the original poster, but everyone in general: I suggest that parents who are worried about their children using a Ouija board stop feeding into this hysteria by thinking the Ouija board has “powers,” there is no point in pretending it does.You only make this silly superstition attractive by doing so!
What about the pentagram mentioned earlier? Obviously, it’s not really a pentagram, as there are no lines to connect it. But yes, those dots are arranged in such a way. That is for 2 reasons: 1 - because there are 5 colors in the game, and this is the most common way to arrange 5 dots in a single shape. Reason 2 - because the way these symbols are arranged is a reminder of certain aspects of the game. All the colors are arranged like that for a reason. If anyone would like me to elaborate further, I would be happy to do so. Finally, although this is not a pentagram, I stress that the pentagram is not an evil symbol per se. It is a common human symbol. It was used in the days of early Christianity, as well as in many other religions for various purposes.
This right here is THE most important thing.
There is really nothing to worry about AT ALL as long as this is true.
And as a guy who played the game for 10 years in the past (no longer play, but I know it inside and outside), I would be happy to answer any specific questions that should arise if you would like me to do so.
L
Lost_Wanderer
Guest
What’s this? A thread about M:tG and nobody thought to invite me!!! D8< I will not stand for this!!! DX dragon roars and transforms
I will also add though that the game is wholly rich in flavor but it’s also disappointing that it’s the finest cases of gameplay and flavor kicking each other where it hurts. Think of the bug exploits people use when they play Skyrim.
P.S.
I consider your son lucky that that he’s started playing now. At the end of this month, the worldwide Prerelease of the next set is coming! Ask his cousins if they’re going there and if he could tag along. I had my first one just last October, very awesome experience.
I second this. Trading cards are definitely a hobby that doubles as a small investment. My guess is your son should start casual and make sure he goes to places where there aren’t any cutthroat competitive types around. I know from personal experience that dealing with an environment full of high-rollers can be very taxing (especially for a young child).
I will also add though that the game is wholly rich in flavor but it’s also disappointing that it’s the finest cases of gameplay and flavor kicking each other where it hurts. Think of the bug exploits people use when they play Skyrim.
P.S.
I consider your son lucky that that he’s started playing now. At the end of this month, the worldwide Prerelease of the next set is coming!
Ask his cousins if they’re going there and if he could tag along. I had my first one just last October, very awesome experience.
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Lost_Wanderer
Guest
Whoa! Three decks at once? Forget lucky, this guy is BLESSED for a starter.Someone suggested he start with a white deck. I asked my son and he said he has a green deck made up of elves (from the cousin), a white & blue deck (from the cousin) and a red & black deck from his 20 year old brother. His favorite card is a dragon. He showed me a picture - not creepy at all - just a dragon.
By the by, I’m very fond of dragons in the game. Care to name the one your son has?
P.S.
The moment I saw the words Women of Grace, I forgot about clicking it. Why EWTN invests in that borderline fundamentalist program is beyond me. If they don’t tone down on sensationalism and alarmism, I’ll be among those asking them to get pulled.
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yellowbird
Guest
Ultvara Hellkite is the dragon he likes.Whoa! Three decks at once? Forget lucky, this guy is BLESSED for a starter.
By the by, I’m very fond of dragons in the game. Care to name the one your son has?
.
And yes, he does have quite the starter pack. Cousin and brother totally hooked him up!
Apparently there are places in our town where he can play others - not tournaments (cousin said he’s not ready for that intensity) but just games and my son is super excited about that. Husband is going to take him - something fun they can do together.
I agree that website Women of Grace seems extreme - so much that I mistakenly thought it was a fundamentalist Protestant group.
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yellowbird
Guest
Thank you very much!
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James1990
Guest
Well I first started playing the game when I was 7. I’m 22 now and I think I’m fine! Really the dangers of Magic the gathering would be I would say as dangerous as the TV for a 10 year old.
Actually, for MTG if the kid knows that it is just a game/fantasy it should be ok… but just keep an eye ok as you never know what new themes might come up or what old cards are out there that have a bad influence. I remember there being almost nipples shown in some very rare few cards
Same as the TV sometimes… but there its portrayed as normal/ desirable. I’m talking about sex. drugs. alcohol. cigarettes. Ok I may be going off topic now but you get my point
So overall for MTG i think it gets a PG rating from me.
Actually, for MTG if the kid knows that it is just a game/fantasy it should be ok… but just keep an eye ok as you never know what new themes might come up or what old cards are out there that have a bad influence. I remember there being almost nipples shown in some very rare few cards
Same as the TV sometimes
… but there its portrayed as normal/ desirable. I’m talking about sex. drugs. alcohol. cigarettes. Ok I may be going off topic now but you get my pointSo overall for MTG i think it gets a PG rating from me.
J
Joe_5859
Guest
It’s been probably 15 years since I played the game with any regularity. It’s basically a strategy card game with “magic” as the window dressing. It has about as much to do with real world occult practices as Harry Potter.
The one warning I would give is that the cost can add up fast. If you want to get better and better cards, you have to buy more and more. I was fortunate in that all the people I regularly played with had roughly the same number of cards I did and from the same edition. So it was always a pretty level playing field.
The one warning I would give is that the cost can add up fast.
If you want to get better and better cards, you have to buy more and more. I was fortunate in that all the people I regularly played with had roughly the same number of cards I did and from the same edition. So it was always a pretty level playing field.- Status