Advanced, Expert, and Starter: the Game Levels Explained

Games are supposed to be fun, right? Of course! But, learning a new game can often be confusing and frustrating--especially if the game has lots of complex rules. Here at Wizards of the Coast we've come up with a way to make learning the game just as fun as playing the game itself!

Pick up a booster pack of cards from one of our trading card games (TCGs) and you'll probably notice a little oval graphic with one of the following words: advanced, expert, or starter. These symbols rate our products based on the level of game knowledge and strategy required to play. The level ratings allow new players to find cards that fit their experience level so that they can learn the complexity of the game in stages.

By starting at this level, a new player learns enough of the game to have fun without being overwhelmed by all the strategies and more complex rules. We strongly recommended that new players begin at the starter-level.

Once a player has a firm grasp of a game's basic rules, he or she can then move on to the advanced-level, adding more rules and strategies to the game.

Finally, the expert-level is for experienced players who want to explore the highest level of strategy possible. Currently, at this time, there is no expert-level for the Harry Potter trading card game.

You might also see these level ratings attached to articles on our website. In these circumstances, the rating symbols indicate what level of player the article is intended for, and what depth of strategy is involved. The article ratings are equivalent to the game product ratings. So, if you are a starter-level player in a specific game, the starter-level articles are a good choice for you. If you are playing at an advanced level, reading articles with the same rating will help you learn new strategies, and so on.

Reading an article with a rating above the level where you are playing is fine, too! You might find that reading these more advanced articles increases your skills in the game, and allows you to play at a more advanced level. The ratings are merely guidelines to help you find the most appropriate products and articles for you. It is our hope that these level ratings will help end the frustration that many players feel when learning a new game, and help keep things fun!