Magic Academy
- For the column on Magicthegathering.com, see Magic Academy (column).
Magic Academy is a WPN supported event that replaced the Magic Open House for the release of Magic: The Gathering Foundations.[1][2][3] Deemed a success, and starting with Aetherdrift, the program was extended for the foreseeable future of tentpole sets.[4][5]
Description
Magic Academy offers extra resources. It is a two-part series where new players are invited to join in. Both events are supported with video content that is played for participants beforehand, as well as learn-to-play brochures, sticker sheets, and Magic Teacher pins by Pinfinity AR. LGS's are encouraged to give Magic Teacher pins to experienced players acting as mentors or their staff members, as new players should be able to seek guidance from anyone wearing this pin at the store.
Magic Academy: Learn to Play
"Magic Academy: Learn to Play" takes Welcome Decks and additional material support to create a new player experience. Brand-new players can learn how to play with a video demo, handy brochure, and pocket reference cards they can continue to use during games. Then, players will be paired up to play friendly games.[6]
At the end of this event, players who purchase a product will receive a gift-with-purchase promo card while supplies last.
Magic Academy: Deck Building
"Magic Academy: Deck Building" guides players through deckbuilding and their first foray into Limited format play. Players have to purchase six Play Boosters (or leftover Prerelease Packs if available) to build their deck from so it prepares them for Prerelease.[7]
Players will sort out their cards into piles, identify the cards they want to build around, and then build their first 40-card deck. Before event organizers split players into pairs for casual one-on-one matches, a deck review phase is included where new players show their deck to experienced staff or players who can provide advice to those building a deck for the first time.
Gift-with-Purchase promo
| Date | Set | Promo | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-11 | Magic: The Gathering Foundations | Darksteel Colossus | Borderless, foil |
| 2025-02 | Aetherdrift | Same | |
| 2025-04 | Tarkir: Dragonstorm | Dragon's Hoard Wastes |
Retro frame Full-art Dragon's Eye |
| 2025-06 | Final Fantasy | Dragon's Hoard | Retro frame |
| 2025-08 | Edge of Eternities | Trinket Mage[8] | Retro frame |
| 2025-09 | Marvel's Spider-Man | Mary Jane Watson[9] | Alternate art |
References
- ↑ WPN (August 6, 2024). "Dates & Details for Magic: The Gathering Foundations". Wizards Play Network.
- ↑ WPN (August 19, 2024). "Honing New Player Acquisition Strategies with Magic: The Gathering Foundations". Wizards Play Network.
- ↑ Wizards of the Coast (October 28, 2024). "Magic Academy and More: Where and How to Play Magic: The Gathering Foundations". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ WPN (December 10, 2024). "Dates & Details for Aetherdrift". Wizards Play Network.
- ↑ Design by Humans (June 13, 2024). "Where and How to Play Aetherdrift". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ WPN (August 20, 2024). "Magic Academy: Learn to Play". Wizards Play Network.
- ↑ WPN (August 20, 2024). "Magic Academy: Deck Building". Wizards Play Network.
- ↑ Wizards of the Coast (July 9, 2025). "Where and How to Play Edge of Eternities". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Wizards of the Coast (September 5, 2025). "Where to Play Magic: The Gathering® - Marvel's Spider-Man". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.