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Is it Better to Buy Packs or Singles in MTG? A Comprehensive Guide

The age-old question for Magic: The Gathering (MTG) players: is it better to buy packs or singles? The direct answer, overwhelmingly, is: if you are trying to build a specific deck, buying singles is almost always the better option. While cracking packs is undeniably fun and exciting, it’s a gamble. You’re relying on the random chance of finding the specific cards you need, a strategy that is often inefficient and costly. On the other hand, buying singles allows you to acquire exactly the cards you want, when you want them, without relying on luck. This makes it the most economical and time-effective method for building competitive decks or completing specific collections. Let’s delve deeper into why this is the case and explore some common questions surrounding this debate.

Why Singles Are Generally the Better Choice

The fundamental difference between buying packs and singles lies in the concept of expected value. A booster pack, whether it’s a draft booster or a set booster, contains a random selection of cards. While you might get lucky and pull a valuable rare or mythic, the odds are often stacked against you finding the exact cards you need. In contrast, buying singles offers a guaranteed return: you pay a fixed price for the exact cards you want.

The Gamble of Booster Packs

Opening booster packs is a form of entertainment in itself. The thrill of the unknown, the anticipation of pulling a valuable card, and the joy of expanding your collection are all valid reasons to buy packs. However, from a purely pragmatic perspective, the process is rarely cost-effective.

Low odds for specific cards: The probability of finding a particular rare or mythic rare card in a booster is quite low. The vast majority of packs will contain common and uncommon cards, many of which you may already own or not need.
Chasing specific cards: When you’re trying to obtain a particular card, opening packs is essentially gambling. You may end up spending significantly more than the card’s market value before you actually pull the card.
Variable value: Booster packs can have significant value fluctuations depending on the set, time, and secondary market demand. It makes it difficult to predict the return of your investment.
Duplicates: Opening packs inevitably leads to a large quantity of duplicates. This can be frustrating, especially if you are only seeking a few cards to complete a deck or collection.

The Efficiency of Buying Singles

Buying singles provides a significantly more efficient way to collect specific cards.

Targeted acquisition: With singles, you purchase exactly what you need. This ensures that each dollar you spend goes towards your goal.
Predictable cost: Singles have a fixed price in the secondary market. This allows you to accurately budget for your deck-building needs.
No waste: You avoid the common problem of purchasing a large quantity of cards that you don’t want or need. This reduces the amount of excess cards and clutter.
Faster deck building: You can acquire the specific cards you need immediately, allowing you to build and play your desired deck without delay.

Booster Types: Draft vs. Set

While buying singles is usually optimal, understanding the different types of boosters can help you navigate the world of MTG packs if you choose to engage in that aspect of the game.

Draft Boosters

Draft boosters are designed for draft and sealed limited formats. They contain a fixed distribution of card rarities that is suited for drafting. Generally, Draft boosters offer fewer opportunities for multiple rares compared to Set boosters and are primarily intended to provide the resources to play limited. They are usually lower in price, but are also less likely to contain sought-after cards.

Set Boosters

Set boosters are designed for players who enjoy opening packs. They are more likely to contain multiple rare and/or mythic cards, foils, and special showcase versions of cards. These boosters are typically more expensive than Draft boosters due to their enhanced content. Set boosters generally contain slightly more value than Draft Boosters, but this value is not guaranteed. Set boosters are designed more for the experience of opening packs, and are not as well-suited for limited formats.

When Might Buying Packs Be Justified?

While buying singles is usually the best approach, there are a few instances where buying packs could be acceptable.

Entertainment Value: If you enjoy the experience of opening packs and aren’t focused on acquiring specific cards, buying packs can be a fun activity.
Limited Formats: If you regularly play in draft or sealed events, buying packs is unavoidable as they are the building blocks of these game formats.
Collection Building: For some collectors, the randomness of pack openings is part of the fun. If you’re a casual player not focused on building particular decks, packs can be a good source of general collection expansion.
Hype and New Sets: When a new set is released, opening a few packs can be a good way to discover new cards and gauge what might be valuable. However, relying on this for obtaining specific cards will often prove more expensive in the long run.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Are booster boxes worth it?

Booster boxes are a large purchase, and like single packs, they are not a sure-fire way to get the specific card you want. While they can offer some cost savings per pack, the risk remains. Buying singles remains more efficient for targeting specific cards. Booster boxes can be a fun experience but it’s important to understand that the value you get is based on the luck of the draw.

2. Are Epilogue Boosters worth it?

Epilogue boosters typically contain fewer cards compared to standard boosters. Unless you have a strong preference for the specific cards in the set or enjoy the experience of opening packs, they are not a good value proposition.

3. What are the most valuable MTG cards?

Some of the most valuable MTG cards include the Black Lotus, which is famously expensive and rare. Other highly sought-after cards are from the “Power Nine”. These cards often appreciate in value, however these are only a small fraction of the entire collection, and even those cards are only valuable if they are in good condition.

4. Can you build a deck with just a booster box?

A single booster box will rarely provide enough cards to create a well-functioning deck, especially if you are looking for competitive play. You’ll need multiples of key cards, which is unlikely from one box. While you may be able to create a casual deck with one box, competitive decks need several duplicates.

5. What’s the difference between set and draft boosters?

Set boosters are designed for opening and include more potentially valuable cards, like multiple rares and foils. Draft boosters are structured for drafting and sealed games, with a specific distribution of common, uncommon and rare cards meant to support this.

6. Do set boosters have more rares?

Set boosters can have multiple rare and/or mythic rare cards, up to four in some instances. They are also more likely to have foil cards or cards from “the list.” Draft Boosters generally have only one rare.

7. Do sealed booster boxes go up in value?

Sealed booster boxes can increase in value over time due to collector interest and the potential for valuable cards within. The increase in value will be highly set-dependent and is not a guarantee. It’s essential to research the potential of a specific box before purchasing for investment purposes.

8. Are unopened Magic cards worth anything?

Unopened packs do hold potential value due to the possibility of containing rare cards. However, the actual value of any given pack is based on chance. They are only as valuable as the chance that they contain a valuable card.

9. How can you tell if a booster pack has a rare card?

You cannot tell if a booster pack has a rare card without opening it. There is no way to determine its contents by examining the packaging itself. Once opened, the rarity symbol (a black or white star) on the card indicates that it is at least a rare.

10. Is buying a single booster pack worth it?

Buying a single booster pack is generally not worth it if you are trying to build a specific deck. However, it can be a fun treat if you enjoy the thrill of opening packs and don’t care too much about the results.

11. What is the rarest MTG card?

The Black Lotus is widely considered the rarest and most valuable MTG card. Its price can exceed $500,000 depending on the card’s condition and print run.

12. Is the Black Lotus banned?

The Black Lotus is banned in most official MTG tournament formats, except for Vintage, where it’s limited to one copy per deck.

13. Why buy booster boxes?

People buy booster boxes for a variety of reasons, primarily: the experience of opening a lot of packs, a method of growing their general collection, and playing limited formats. They are not a good method to get specific cards in an efficient and affordable way.

14. What MTG card did Post Malone buy?

Post Malone purchased a Black Lotus for $800,000, making it the most expensive MTG card at the time.

15. Are MTG LotR collector boosters worth it?

While MTG Lord of the Rings Collector Boosters have a higher potential for value due to special printings, buying individual packs is still a gamble. Singles are still generally a better option, unless you are specifically collecting those special printings.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the decision between buying packs and singles comes down to your specific goals and preferences. If you are a competitive player or are looking to build a particular deck, buying singles is the clear winner. If you enjoy the thrill of the unknown and like to collect without a specific focus, opening booster packs can be a fun alternative, but be aware that it is not the most efficient or cost effective method. By understanding the different options, you can make informed choices that best suit your MTG journey.

Is it better to buy packs or singles MTG?