Magic is expensive. It’s taxing, events are unlikely to provide fruitful returns on your investment, and keeping up with new set releases can really hurt your wallet. However, it’s also the greatest game and one of the best hobbies for making friends and lasting memories.
Many readers of my articles have commented or reached out with appreciation as I have helped them enter the Highlander format, purchasing budget decks or staples to pair with their Modern and Pioneer collections. Despite all this, I understand that it’s a daunting task to approach an eternal format and concerns over what and how to spend money can be difficult to overcome.
So here’s my guide on how to get a running start on your entrance to Highlander! For context, my personal collection is quite limited, and I have leveraged some or all of these tactics to remain competitive and relevant in a volatile landscape.
Make friends!
Magic is a big game, and Highlander is a community-driven format. Making friends with people at your local game store who are entrenched in the game can be a godsend. Don’t be friendly just to borrow cards and take advantage of people’s niceness, but it doesn’t hurt to reach out before an event to ask if something’s spare. Most of the time, having your already close friends vouch for you will help, as a lot of people know a lot of people and the degrees of separation between you and a grinder or collector are never as many as you think.
Buy nonsense, not staples!
Chances are, a player who owns fetchlands owns more than one copy of each. Eternal staples like Force of Will are four-of’s in their formats, so there are usually plenty to go around. Borrowing staples that are too expensive to “just buy” is going to be easier than borrowing random cards for your pet brew.
Buying cheap cards that you expect people not to own, or not be willing to dig out of their chaff piles under their desks, will go a long way to improving your chances of getting a 75 together. Asking to borrow 3 blue fetchlands and a Force of Will is going to yield more results than asking to borrow a Search for Azcanta, a Tyrant’s Scorn and a Bomat Courier, it’s as simple as that.
Tit for tat!
A core part of borrowing cards is establishing healthy relationships, especially if you do it consistently while you build up your own collection. Lend out cards you own and aren’t using. Buy people a drink or a lunch here and there. Kindness and appreciation can be expressed with words, but actions speak a lot louder.
Be mindful and respectful!
Lending cards, especially expensive cards, is nerve-wracking. Some people are more comfortable than others, either through exposure or faith.
Don’t expect things to go your way, simply because you’re nice or polite. Bring replacement cards for the ones you’re missing. Be prepared to offer collateral. And if someone says “no” to your request, that is a complete sentence and should be respected. There is no room for entitlement when you’re the one pushing the issue.
Good luck!
Hopefully this is helpful to some of you, whether you’re gleaning insights or ideas. The 7PH Discord is a great place to make new friends and ask for cards before a big event, and I’m sure the community will welcome you with open arms.
Good luck, and I’ll see you at the next event!
