New players entering Magic: The Gathering Arena often find that several popular game modes are locked behind introductory tutorials. Among these restricted options is Brawl, a fan-favorite Commander-style format that features custom deck building around legendary creatures. Understanding the step-by-step requirements for unlocking this mode helps beginners transition quickly from introductory matches to full gameplay freedom.
Completing the New Player Onboarding
The primary method to gain access to Brawl involves finishing the initial tutorial tutorials and tutorials known as the Spark Rank. New players must progress through basic AI matches and complete the Color Challenge events to demonstrate familiarity with the core mechanics.
As you win matches against initial opponents and advance your rank to Bronze, the game client gradually unlocks main play queues. Completing these early tutorials ensures that you receive valuable starter cards and pack rewards essential for building your first collection.
Bypassing the Tutorial via Account Settings
For veteran players creating a secondary account, repeating the full tutorial sequence can feel tedious and time-consuming. Fortunately, MTG Arena provides an alternative menu option that immediately opens all restricted game modes.
By navigating to the main settings wheel and opening the account tab, players can select the option to unlock all play modes. Keep in mind that skipping the tutorial directly may cause you to forfeit a few beginner-specific quest rewards.
Understanding Brawl Deck Building Requirements
Once unlocked, players can access both Standard Brawl and open format Brawl options directly from the play menu. These modes require constructing a singleton deck consisting of exactly one commander card alongside complementary spells and lands.
Because every non-land card in your deck must match the color identity of your designated commander, building a strategy requires careful planning. Preparing a legal list beforehand ensures a smooth entry into your first match without unexpected deck validation errors.
Troubleshooting UI Locks and Missing Modes
Occasionally, players who complete the tutorial may still see a small padlock symbol over the Brawl icon in the interface. Restarting the client or playing a few unranked games in the general play queue typically resolves this temporary display bug.
If the mode remains grayed out after several matches, checking for pending system updates or re-verifying account status in the settings menu is recommended. Following these steps guarantees full access to the operational queue so you can enjoy regular Brawl battles.
