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Portal is a newcomer's gateway into the worlds of Magic: The Gathering. If you have ever wanted to try this most popular fantasy game of the '90s but thought it looked a little too unapproachable, this starter set is probably perfect for you.
Each player in Portal represents a wizard battling for control of a magical plane. Wizards play lands (forests, swamps, mountains, plains, and islands) and then draw power from them to summon creatures and cast spells in an attempt to eliminate their opponents.
The two-person Portal set comes with a pair of pre-constructed decks, a total of 70 cards; one booster pack with 15 additional cards; a play guide to a sample game; a rulebook; and two playmats (one of which is pictured at the bottom of this page) that demonstrate the proper disposition of cards in play.
Beginners to Magic will find no better way to quickly and enjoyably introduce themselves to the game. Rules and terminology are clear and easy to understand, and the almost impenetrable lexicon of nerd-speak that dominates the regular game has been abandoned. For example, "discard pile" is used instead of "graveyard." The rules, in fact, are not even necessary initially, as instructions for a play-by-play sample game are included. Once you have played through the sample game, you do not really have to read the rules, just refer to them as needed.
More experienced players may like the Portal cards too, as many of them are beautifully rendered and can serve as a collector's item or be used to nicely augment existing decks.
For more information about Portal or other Wizards of the Coast games, go to http://www.wizards.com.
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