Magic: The Gathering in Bishkek

Welcome to the heart of Kyrgyzstan’s Magic: The Gathering scene! While Bishkek may not have local game stores or dedicated MTG shops, we have something even more valuable: a passionate, welcoming community of players who are always ready to shuffle up and play.

The MTG Community in Bishkek

The MTG scene in Bishkek thrives through grassroots organization and player dedication. Our community might be small by global standards, but we’re mighty in spirit and always growing. Whether you’re a seasoned planeswalker or just discovering the multiverse, you’ll find a home here.

Where to Find Us

Valley Dasher Board Games Community Our main hub for board gaming enthusiasts, including Magic players. Join us for casual games, tournaments, and meetups. Join Valley Dasher on Telegram (MTG KKИ Thread)

Commander KG (EDH/Commander Group) Dedicated to the most popular casual format in Magic. If you love singleton decks, politics at the table, and epic multiplayer battles, this is your place. Telegram: @commanderKG

Bishkek MTG Discord Community Connect with players, organize games, share deck tech, and stay updated on upcoming events. Join our Discord Server

Finding Cards in Bishkek

Here’s the truth: Bishkek doesn’t have a local game store (LGS) or dedicated MTG shops. But don’t let that discourage you! Our community has developed its own ecosystem for trading, buying, and selling cards.

How to Get Cards:

Join our Telegram or Discord communities
Introduce yourself and say hi
Ask if anyone has the cards you’re looking for
Arrange meetups to trade or purchase

Many community members have extensive collections and are happy to trade or sell cards. Some players also order online and organize group shipments to save on costs.

Formats We Play

Our community embraces format diversity, so there’s always something for everyone:

Commander/EDH - The most popular format in our community. Casual, social, and endlessly replayable. Perfect for longer game sessions and making friends.

Standard - Stay current with the latest sets and rotate your strategies with the evolving metagame.

Pioneer - Nonrotating format that balances power level with accessibility. Great for players who want their decks to stay relevant.

Modern - High-powered eternal format for those who love combo decks and lightning-fast gameplay. Played occasionally by some of our members.

Pre-Modern - For nostalgia lovers and old-school players who appreciate Magic’s early years.

Pauper - The most budget-friendly format where only commons are legal. Perfect for testing your deck-building skills without breaking the bank.

New to Magic: The Gathering?

Welcome! Magic is one of the world’s best strategy games, and you’ve picked a great time and place to start. Here’s your roadmap to becoming a planeswalker:

Step 1: Learn the Basics with MTG Arena

Download MTG Arena (available on PC, Mac, iOS, and Android)

MTG Arena is the official digital version of Magic: The Gathering. It’s completely free to start and includes:

Interactive tutorial that teaches you the rules
Practice games against AI
Free starter decks
Daily quests that reward you with new cards

Spend a few hours going through the tutorial and playing some practice matches. This will give you a solid foundation in the game’s mechanics.

Step 2: Explore Different Formats

As you play Arena, you’ll discover different ways to play Magic. Try a few games in different formats to see what appeals to you:

Standard - Great for beginners, focuses on recent cards
Explorer - Arena’s version of Pioneer with a broader card pool
Historic - Arena’s eternal format, closest to Modern gameplay

Step 3: Connect with the Community

Once you’ve got the basics down and know which format interests you most:

Join our Telegram chat or @commanderKG
Join our Discord server
Introduce yourself! Tell us you’re new and mention which formats you’re interested in
Ask about getting a starter deck

Pro tip: Many experienced players have spare decks they’re willing to lend or give to newcomers. Our community loves helping new players get started, so don’t be shy about asking!

Step 4: Attend Your First Game

Once you’ve made contact, arrange to meet up for casual games. Most new players start with:

Commander/EDH - Great for learning in a multiplayer, social setting
Standard or Pioneer - Good for learning competitive 1v1 play
Pauper - Budget-friendly way to try different strategies

Don’t worry about having the perfect deck or knowing every rule. Everyone was new once, and our community is here to help you learn and improve.

Why Play Magic in Bishkek?

Tight-knit community where everyone knows each other
Format diversity - try everything from competitive Standard to casual Commander
Welcoming atmosphere for players of all skill levels
Active online presence with multiple platforms to connect
Regular meetups and organized play
Helpful veterans who love teaching new players

No local game store? That just means we’ve built something more personal. When you play Magic in Bishkek, you’re not just another customer - you’re part of a community.

Get Started Today

Ready to join Kyrgyzstan’s MTG scene? Here’s what to do right now:

Download MTG Arena and complete the tutorial
Join our Telegram or Discord communities
Say hello and introduce yourself
Ask about upcoming game nights
Show up, shuffle up, and play!

We can’t wait to see you at the table. Welcome to Magic: The Gathering in Bishkek!

Community Gallery

Check out our community in action! Here are some snapshots from our game nights, tournaments, and casual meetups.

Looking for players in other parts of Kyrgyzstan? Ask in our community channels - we might be able to connect you with players in your area.