One of the defining traits of an intermediate Magic player is the ability to look beyond the cards in their own hand and evaluate the battlefield as a whole. Reading the board is not just about counting power and toughness—it’s about interpreting intent, predicting danger, and identifying when to act and when to hold back. The better you read the board, the more efficiently you’ll use your resources and the more likely you’ll stay ahead of your opponents.

Combat decisions, for example, are often more nuanced than they appear. Swinging in with your biggest creature may seem like the obvious play, but what if your opponent has open mana and a full grip of cards? What if another opponent is clearly building toward a win, but you’ve left yourself open to retaliation? Sometimes the smartest attack is no attack at all—just developing your board or bluffing interaction can buy you a turn or even shift aggression toward someone else.

Removal spells are another critical tool, but too often they’re used impulsively. It’s tempting to cast your Path to Exile or Hero's Downfall the moment a scary card hits the battlefield. But context matters. Is the threat attacking you, or is it aimed at another player? Is it worth spending your only removal now, or will a bigger threat emerge in a few turns? Holding up removal for the right target—and the right moment—can change the outcome of a game.

In multiplayer formats, this becomes even more complex. Targeting the wrong threat can sour alliances or make you the new problem. Sometimes, the threat isn’t even on the battlefield—it’s the card draw engine, the land ramping far ahead of everyone else, or the combo player holding two untapped lands and a grin.

Board reading is ultimately a skill of observation and patience. Watch how your opponents sequence their turns. Track who’s consistently drawing extra cards, holding back mana, or declining to attack. Every small decision reveals part of a bigger plan. And if you can see the whole board clearly, you’ll always be one step ahead.