It sounds like you need a partner who enjoys gaming, whether it's board games or MTG or something else. Once you've established that common interest (or at least establish that she's open to trying games if she isn't a fan already), suggest you play some games together (board games, card games, escape rooms, video games, whatever).
Once you've done those, you can move onto MTG. If she isn't familiar with MTG already, just introduce it as another game -- you can even say it's your favorite. At that point, it'll be just another game, and you can gradually (over the course of a few days/weeks) explain why you like it so much and how you're a collector.
Even if she isn't into it, she'll respect it if she enjoyed all the other games and will see it's something you enjoy.
Btw, I think it's a false assumption that women don't enjoy competitive games. They just don't always enjoy the same competitive games that men do. Every woman in my life (my wife, my sister, my mom, my best friend) all enjoy various types of competitive games -- start there and build on that.
Thank you both for your insights. If I were to buy preconstructed decks and/or single cards online, where are some reliable places to go for that? I'd like to avoid scams/fake cards.
I played MTG about 25 years ago, but fell out of touch with it. I'd like to get back in and want to know the best way to build a couple good decks.
Having played Pokemon Card Game – and bought pre-built theme decks there – I feel like my strategy "if I could do it over" would be to buy a booster box first, then buy a starter kit/core deck based on the strengths of the cards I get (instead of getting a starter kit/core deck first, then hoping I am lucky enough that the rare cards I pull fit those decks).
1) Does this seem logical for MTG?
2) If not, what's a better approach?
3) If so, what booster box/packs would you recommend? Just get the latest edition or no?
EDIT: I'd like to play pickup games with friends but also play in local tournaments one day -- I'm blessed to now live in a city with a great gaming community.
Once you've done those, you can move onto MTG. If she isn't familiar with MTG already, just introduce it as another game -- you can even say it's your favorite. At that point, it'll be just another game, and you can gradually (over the course of a few days/weeks) explain why you like it so much and how you're a collector.
Even if she isn't into it, she'll respect it if she enjoyed all the other games and will see it's something you enjoy.
Btw, I think it's a false assumption that women don't enjoy competitive games. They just don't always enjoy the same competitive games that men do. Every woman in my life (my wife, my sister, my mom, my best friend) all enjoy various types of competitive games -- start there and build on that.
Having played Pokemon Card Game – and bought pre-built theme decks there – I feel like my strategy "if I could do it over" would be to buy a booster box first, then buy a starter kit/core deck based on the strengths of the cards I get (instead of getting a starter kit/core deck first, then hoping I am lucky enough that the rare cards I pull fit those decks).
1) Does this seem logical for MTG?
2) If not, what's a better approach?
3) If so, what booster box/packs would you recommend? Just get the latest edition or no?
EDIT: I'd like to play pickup games with friends but also play in local tournaments one day -- I'm blessed to now live in a city with a great gaming community.
Thank you!