1.0.01 Notation:
------

  Magic uses distinctive symbols for mana of various colors and for
  self-tap costs.  To represent these symbols in text, the following
  conventions are used:

  G: One green mana
  R: One red mana
  W: One white mana
  B: One black mana
  U: One blue mana
  S: One mana from a snow source
  T: The tap symbol
  Q: The untap symbol
  1: One generic or colorless mana - and so on for 2,3,4...
  X,Y,Z: The symbols for variable mana costs

  Note the use of B for Black and U for blUe.  These symbols are combined
  in the same way as on the cards.  So, Seething Song produces RRRRR;
  Savra, Queen of the Golgari costs 2BG; Vitu-Ghazi, the City-Tree's
  ability costs 2GW, T.  Usually the symbols are written within braces
  (e.g. {2}{G}{W}) to emphasise that they represent the symbols
  on the cards.  This is especially useful for split-mana symbols
  (e.g. {R/G}{R/G} on the Guildpact card Gruul Guildmage).

1.0.02 Structure:
------

  This FAQ is divided into three parts, each with a different focus.
  This introduction is attached to the first part.

  Part 1:

    The first part deals with newcomers to the game.  There are a few
    very common types of question that new players often need answers to;
    this part tries to answer them.  The questions are phrased in very
    general terms, so you may have to read through to find an answer.

    The first part also contains important information about posting to
    the newsgroup and other places to find answers.

  Part 2:

    The second part deals with players returning to the game or only
    playing now and again.  Returning players will often need to know
    what has changed, so this part lists major changes to the rules and
    the cards.

  Part 3:

    The third part deals with complex situations for which the outcome
    is unintuitive or for which the outcome has changed because of
    rules changes.  This goes into some depth and assumes familiarity
    with the rulebook.


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