A simple guide to beginner products, accessories, and first purchases for card games, roleplaying games, miniatures, and hobby gaming.

You do not need to buy everything at once. Most games have beginner-friendly products that are designed to get you playing quickly.

This guide explains the best first product for each type of game and the basic accessories that make playing easier.

THE SIMPLE RULE

Start With the Product That Lets You Play

For most games, the best first purchase is not a random booster pack or a pile of accessories. It is usually a starter deck, intro deck, structure deck, starter set, or beginner box.

Once you know you enjoy the game, then you can upgrade.

Trading Card Game Starter Guide

Pokémon

Best first product:
Starter deck, battle deck, league battle deck, or beginner battle product.

Useful accessories:
Sleeves, deck box, damage counters or dice, playmat, binder if collecting.

Best for:
Families, younger players, collectors, and new card game players.

Staff note:
If the player is very new, start with a beginner-level deck before jumping into competitive upgrades.

Disney Lorcana

Best first product:
Starter deck.

Useful accessories:
Sleeves, deck box, lore tracker or dice, playmat, binder if collecting.

Best for:
Disney fans, families, casual players, and new TCG players.

Staff note:
Starter decks are usually the cleanest way to learn the flow of the game.

Magic: The Gathering

Best first product:
Starter kit for learning the basics, or a Commander preconstructed deck for casual multiplayer play.

Useful accessories:
Sleeves, deck box, dice, tokens, playmat, trade binder if collecting or trading.

Best for:
Players who want deep strategy, deck building, fantasy themes, collecting, and long-term hobby depth.

Staff note:
Ask whether the player wants to play casually, competitively, or with friends. The best first product changes depending on the format.

Yu-Gi-Oh!

Best first product:
Structure deck.

Useful accessories:
Sleeves, deck box, playmat, dice, trade binder.

Best for:
Players who like fast gameplay, anime, combos, and technical card interactions.

Staff note:
Yu-Gi-Oh! can be complex, so starting with a structured product is much easier than building from random packs.

One Piece Card Game

Best first product:
Starter deck.

Useful accessories:
Sleeves, deck box, dice, playmat, binder if collecting.

Best for:
Anime fans, competitive TCG players, and people looking for a modern card game.

Staff note:
Starter decks give players a playable foundation before upgrading with singles.

Star Wars Unlimited

Best first product:
Starter set or preconstructed deck.

Useful accessories:
Sleeves, deck box, damage counters or dice, playmat.

Best for:
Star Wars fans, strategy players, collectors, and newer TCG players.

Staff note:
This is a strong option for players who want a newer game with recognizable characters.

Flesh and Blood

Best first product:
Blitz deck, armory deck, or other intro-focused hero deck.

Useful accessories:
Sleeves, deck box, dice, playmat.

Best for:
Players who enjoy skill-based one-on-one strategy and competitive improvement.

Staff note:
Flesh and Blood rewards practice. Start with a hero deck before investing heavily into upgrades.

Riftbound

Best first product:
Starter deck, intro deck, or recommended beginner product for the current release.

Useful accessories:
Sleeves, deck box, dice or counters, playmat.

Best for:
Players who want to join a newer game and learn alongside the local community.

Staff note:
Because newer games evolve quickly, ask staff which current product is the best first purchase.

TTRPG Starter Guide

Dungeons & Dragons

Best first product:
Starter set, essentials kit, or Player’s Handbook depending on the player’s goals.

Useful accessories:
Dice set, notebook, pencil, character sheet, miniature or token if using maps.

Best for:
Storytelling, teamwork, creativity, social play, and fantasy adventure.

Staff note:
New players do not need every book. Start with the basics and add books later if you enjoy the game.

Miniatures and Hobby Starter Guide

Warhammer

Best first product:
Starter box, combat patrol, spearhead-style box, or a small force recommended by staff.

Useful accessories:
Plastic clippers, hobby knife with care, plastic glue or super glue depending on the model, primer, paints, brushes, dice, measuring tape, and storage.

Best for:
Players who want a mix of collecting, building, painting, lore, and tactical gameplay.

Staff note:
Do not buy a full army all at once unless you are sure. Start with a smaller project and build from there.

Kill Team

Best first product:
Kill Team starter set, team box, or a small skirmish force.

Useful accessories:
Clippers, glue, paints, brushes, dice, measuring tools, tokens, and storage.

Best for:
Players who want miniatures gameplay with fewer models than a full army.

Staff note:
Kill Team is often a better first step than a large army because the model count is smaller.

Universal TCG Accessories

Sleeves

Protect your cards while playing. Most players sleeve any deck they plan to use regularly.

Deck Box

Keeps your deck together and protected.

Dice or Counters

Used for damage, tokens, life totals, counters, and tracking game effects.

Playmat

Gives you a clean surface to play on and helps protect cards.

Binder

Best for collectors, traders, and players organizing valuable cards.

Storage Box

Useful once your collection starts growing.

What Not to Buy First

Do not start with random packs only

Opening packs is fun, but it is usually not the best way to build your first playable deck.

Do not overbuy accessories

Start with sleeves and a deck box. Add more once you know what you actually need.

Do not buy a full army immediately

For miniatures games, start small. Build and paint a few models before committing to a large project.

Do not chase competitive upgrades too early

Learn the game first. Once you know what you enjoy, upgrades will make more sense.

Best First Purchase by Player Type

For a child or family member

Start with Pokémon, Lorcana, a board game, or a beginner-friendly starter product.

For a casual card game player

Start with a starter deck, structure deck, or Commander preconstructed deck.

For a competitive-minded player

Start with an intro product, then ask staff which singles or upgrades are currently recommended.

For a creative hobbyist

Start with a small model kit, paint set, or beginner miniatures box.

For a storytelling-focused player

Start with a Dungeons & Dragons starter set and dice.