I want to learn MTG and this Lord of the Rings starter set deal is the perfect Black Friday buy

Black Friday Magic The Gathering Lord of the Rings starter set deal
(Image credit: Wizards of the Coast)

I've been wanting to get into the the world of Magic: The Gathering, and a MTG Lord of the Rings starter set deal has just arrived that promises to be the one to rule them all... or, well, get me into it. As one of the best card games around with so many sets, decks, and builds to choose from, the thought of getting started has sometimes felt akin to Frodo's journey to Mount Doom. Thankfully, this fantastic starter set is tailor-made for new players like me, with two ready-to-play decks and a handy guide on how to play. 

And now's the perfect time to snag it since it's just dropped to a record low new price for just $13.99 (was $35.99). That's a fantastic saving considering it only dropped down to around $17 at Amazon in previous sales. Not only is it great option for if you also want to get stuck into Magic: The Gathering or introduce a friend or family member, it's the ideal offer to snag while you can if you're a fan of Lord of the Rings. After all, the beautiful card art adaption of all things Middle-earth is designed to help you enjoy and get started with MTG, and now you can get it for a lot less than its usual price tag. 

It's easily one of the best Black Friday Magic: The Gathering deals we've seen drop during sales event, with other sets including Doctor Who getting some nice little price reductions over the past few days. But if you're also a big Lord of the Rings fan like me and you're keep to introduce yourself to the world of MTG, the Lord of the Rings starter set deal is an absolute bargain. 

MTG Lord of the Rings Starter Set| $35.99$13.99 at Amazon
Save $22 - Buy it if: 
Don't buy it if: 
Price Check:

MTG Lord of the Rings Starter Set| $35.99 $13.99 at Amazon
Save $22 -  After seeing this set drop down to $17 in previous sales, this is a record new low price for a fantastic set. With beautiful card art based on Tolkien's famed fictional world, it's a great set to learn how to play.

Buy it if: 
✅ If you're looking to learn how to play
✅ You're a Lord of the Rings fan
✅ You want great value for your money

Don't buy it if: 
❌ You want the full set  

Price Check: Best Buy $19.99

Should you buy the MTG Lord of the Rings starter set? 

The Starter Set and a Commander deck for MTG Lord of the Rings on a wooden table, beside a plant and a brass object

(Image credit: Future / Benjamin Abbott)

The starter set is designed to help new players get into the world of Magic: The Gathering and teach you the ropes of how to play. With the added bonus of being themed around Lord of the Rings for Middle-earth fans, it's a very practical set with an easy-to-follow guide. Our very own Tabletop & Merch editor has tried out the sets, and has this to say: 

From Benjamin Abbott, Tabletop & Merch Editor

"Magic: The Gathering starters sets often… well, they leave a lot to be desired. Their decks feel cobbled together for one thing, and they don't explain the basic mechanics well enough for it to be as accessible as it should be. Actually, publisher Wizards of the Coast has admitted that it struggles with these. And then this Lord of the Rings starter set hit shelves. Honestly, looking through it after recently getting the 2022 starter set was surprising. The difference between the two is night and day; the Lord of the Rings version is well-written and easy to understand whereas the 'official' equivalent feels sparse. More importantly, the decks feel hand-crafted. You can't get those card designs anywhere else, and they've been bundled together with a lot more thought. That's because these aren't just cards drawn from previous sets; they're very clearly divided into the Free Peoples and Sauron's army, so each deck comes across as cohesive. Well-thought out. The long and short of this is that newcomers to Magic should definitely give this a go. The gorgeous artwork is just a bonus, of course…"


If you're after more fantastic offers, be sure to check out our roundups of the best Black Friday Gaming deals, Black Friday D&D deals, and Black Friday Lego deals around right now. 

Heather Wald
Senior staff writer

I started out writing for the games section of a student-run website as an undergrad, and continued to write about games in my free time during retail and temp jobs for a number of years. Eventually, I earned an MA in magazine journalism at Cardiff University, and soon after got my first official role in the industry as a content editor for Stuff magazine. After writing about all things tech and games-related, I then did a brief stint as a freelancer before I landed my role as a staff writer here at GamesRadar+. Now I get to write features, previews, and reviews, and when I'm not doing that, you can usually find me lost in any one of the Dragon Age or Mass Effect games, tucking into another delightful indie, or drinking far too much tea for my own good.