KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 3 — Go out and touch grass is the new “get a life”, but instead of grass maybe your inner gamer might want to visit Lalaport mall this weekend for Spellbinder 2026.

No, there will be no rabbits fished out of hats or cursing ex-boyfriends.

Spellbinder 2026, which is running from October 1-4 is about encouraging those interested in tabletop gaming as well as popular card games and even Dungeons and Dragons to hang out, play and learn.

A big highlight will, of course, be Magic:The Gathering (also known as MTG) so if you’re new to the game or just want to hang out, this is a nice, relaxed setting for it.

Getting there

You will first need to get to the fourth floor, the easiest and closest escalator being the one that directly faces the back of Animate KL.

There’s a front table but there’s no gatekeeping here — you can just waltz in and check out what’s happening at the booths.

While the MTG merch and interesting displays are in the back, you can check out booths selling dice and other tabletop gaming paraphernalia.

An interesting display would be a custom built model of KLCC, built Warhammer-style but for the less ambitious, you can learn to paint your own little Warhammer models instead.

Fun and easy

Truth be told, I haven’t played Magic in nearly two decades so I got a fast refresher course in the game, got beaten in my first game and somehow randomly pulled a US$20 (RM83) card.

The people staffing the event were very nice and approachable, so feel free to ask as many questions as you like.

Just don’t ask if they have Pokémon cards. Not the place, folks.

Besides M:TG and Warhammer, you can also check out vendors selling comics at the venue.

Ladies-only gaming

Tabletop and TCG is a male-dominated gaming space but for aspiring women gamers who would like to try playing MTG, there’s good news.

The Mana Coven, a women-centric MTG group is hosting Starlight Sanctuary — a cover fee of RM35 gets you a booster pack and fun times learning how to play MTG in the Commander format.

So if you need a little bit of Magic in the form of cardboard or want a little change in routine, Spellbinder might introduce you to a new hobby or like minded enthusiasts.