Draft Boosters vs. Set Boosters: Which is Right for You?
The eternal question for Magic: The Gathering players – Draft Boosters or Set Boosters, which is better? The answer, like many things in Magic, is it depends on what you’re looking for. There isn’t a single “better” option, but rather a choice based on your preferred way to engage with the game.
In short, Draft Boosters are optimized for drafting, which is a specific type of gameplay, whereas Set Boosters are designed for the thrill of opening packs, collecting cards, and experiencing the set’s theme. Let’s delve deeper to help you decide which booster type suits your needs best.
The Case for Draft Boosters
What are Draft Boosters?
Draft Boosters, traditionally, are the backbone of limited formats like Draft and Sealed. Each pack contains 15 cards specifically designed to facilitate a balanced and engaging draft experience. This means a predictable distribution of card rarities:
- 1 Rare or Mythic Rare: The centerpiece of many decks, adding power and excitement.
- 3 Uncommons: Key cards that can shape a strategy or support powerful rares.
- 10 Commons: The building blocks of most decks, providing utility and synergy.
- 1 Basic Land: Essential for mana bases.
- 1 Token/Marketing Card: Not part of the gameplay, but informative or fun.
Why Choose Draft Boosters?
- Designed for Drafting: If you enjoy drafting with friends or at your local game store, Draft Boosters are the only option to do so correctly. The balanced rarity distribution is crucial for building decks on the fly during a draft.
- Sealed Play: When playing in a Sealed tournament, you are usually provided with 6 Draft Boosters, and you build your deck from those cards.
- Predictable Rarity: The consistent ratio of rarities allows players to assess the value of their pulls more clearly. It’s a traditional, tried-and-true format that’s easy to understand.
- Affordable Access to Limited: Draft Boosters tend to be slightly less expensive per pack compared to Set Boosters, providing a more accessible way to participate in limited play.
The Limitations of Draft Boosters
The predictability of Draft Boosters means that, if you are not interested in draft or sealed play, the common cards can feel repetitive. They are also less likely to contain the special treatments or alternate art cards that are often found in Set Boosters.
The Appeal of Set Boosters
What are Set Boosters?
Set Boosters prioritize the experience of opening packs and collecting cards. They have a more random selection of cards (typically 12, though this can change based on the set), often featuring more than one rare or mythic rare and special variants of the cards. They focus on variety, theme, and a more “exciting” pull experience. They usually have a more interesting mix, with things like:
- Multiple Rares/Mythics: It’s possible to open more than one rare, increasing the perceived value of each pack.
- Themed Cards: The cards may follow a theme within a particular set to provide a cohesive opening experience.
- Special Treatments: These packs are much more likely to contain alternate art cards, foil cards, extended art cards, and showcase cards.
- Art Cards: Some Set Boosters contain unique art cards, showcasing the striking artwork of Magic: The Gathering.
Why Choose Set Boosters?
- Higher Chance of Rares: The possibility of opening multiple rares and mythics is a major draw. This leads to a feeling of more “value” and excitement while cracking packs.
- Better for Collectors: If your primary goal is to collect a set’s unique cards, Set Boosters are much more likely to contain those special variants.
- More Exciting Opens: The randomness and potential for higher-value cards create a more engaging and exciting opening experience.
- Thematic Focus: Set Boosters often feel more thematically coherent, allowing players to connect better with the set’s lore and artistic direction.
- Enjoyment of the Hunt: If you are just looking to open packs and enjoy the experience, Set Boosters are the better option.
The Drawbacks of Set Boosters
Set Boosters are not designed for drafting and they do tend to cost slightly more than Draft Boosters. The randomness can also lead to less value on occasion if you don’t open any chase cards.
Conclusion: Choosing the Right Booster for You
The choice between Draft Boosters and Set Boosters hinges on your playstyle and goals.
- If you enjoy playing limited formats like Draft and Sealed, choose Draft Boosters.
- If your focus is on collecting rare cards, experiencing thematic pack openings, and prefer a more thrilling opening experience, choose Set Boosters.
Ultimately, both types of boosters offer unique experiences that cater to different aspects of Magic: The Gathering. Understanding these differences will help you make the best choice for your needs, resulting in more enjoyment of this dynamic game.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can you build a deck with a single set booster?
While you can technically build a deck from a single set booster, it is likely to be disjointed and lack cohesive strategy due to the small number of cards. Set Boosters are not designed for deck construction in the same way as draft boosters. They are best for opening and experiencing the fun of the pull and for collecting specific cards, rather than building a functional deck.
2. How many Draft Boosters do I need to draft?
You typically need three Draft Boosters per player for a standard 8-person draft. You can draft with fewer players, but three boosters each remain the standard. This allows a sufficient card pool to build a deck.
3. What is the difference between a draft pack and a theme booster?
Draft Boosters are designed for limited gameplay (15 cards), whereas Theme Boosters contain a larger selection of cards (typically 35) following a specific theme. Theme Boosters are for collection purposes and not for drafting.
4. Is it worth buying Jumpstart?
The value of Jumpstart packs is both objective and subjective. They offer good single card value, a great teaching tool for beginners, and provide a fun play experience with ready-to-go decks.
5. How many draft boosters do you need for a two-person draft?
For a two-person Winston Draft, you need six draft boosters. The cards are shuffled to create one single stack.
6. Can you build a deck with a single booster box?
A booster box typically contains 36 packs, and opening one box alone usually won’t give you enough of a selection of cards for a fun 60-card deck that has a consistent strategy.
7. Are Jumpstart packs good for beginners?
Yes, Jumpstart packs are specifically designed for beginners, offering an easy, engaging introduction to Magic with pre-built, themed decks.
8. Can you mix Jumpstart sets?
Yes, Jumpstart boosters from different sets are compatible with each other, allowing for diverse deck-building synergies.
9. Are all Jumpstart boosters the same?
No, while all cards within each Jumpstart booster follow a specific theme, these themes have different versions with slightly varying card lists.
10. Why are set boosters better for collectors?
Set boosters are better for collectors because they have a higher chance of containing multiple rares, mythic rares, special treatments, foil cards, extended art cards, and showcase cards.
11. Do draft boosters have rares?
Yes, each Draft Booster includes one rare or mythic rare card, alongside a consistent distribution of commons and uncommons.
12. What is the main difference between draft booster, set booster, and collector booster?
- Draft Boosters are for drafting and sealed gameplay, featuring a standard distribution of cards.
- Set Boosters are for opening packs for fun and collecting, with a more random and diverse selection.
- Collector Boosters are premium products maximized for diversity and value with many high-end collectibles such as rare and foil variants of cards.
13. Are Set Boosters generally considered a better value?
While Set Boosters typically cost more, many players find them to be a better value because of the potential to pull more rares and valuable variants, and for the overall enjoyment of opening. However, this is subjective.
14. Should a deck be perfectly level?
No, decks should not be perfectly level. A slight slope (1/8th-1/4 inch per foot) should be incorporated to encourage water runoff, preventing ponding.
15. Are Jumpstart sets Modern legal?
New cards featured in Jumpstart sets are not legal in Standard, Pioneer, or Modern formats. However, they are legal in Eternal formats such as Legacy, Vintage, Pauper, and Commander.