Are Epilogue Boosters Worth It? A Deep Dive into the Smallest Magic Packs
The question on many Magic: The Gathering players’ minds is simple: are Epilogue Boosters worth the purchase? The short answer is: it depends heavily on your priorities and what you’re hoping to get out of your booster opening experience. If you are looking for the most value per dollar or enjoy drafting, then Epilogue Boosters are likely not for you. However, if you enjoy the thrill of opening packs and potentially landing a halo foil, they might be worth considering, albeit with some significant caveats. Let’s break down why.
What Makes Epilogue Boosters Different?
The Epilogue Booster, introduced with March of the Machine: The Aftermath, is a unique product in the Magic: The Gathering lineup. Unlike Draft Boosters or Set Boosters, Epilogue Boosters contain only 5 cards each, with a distribution of 1-3 Rare or higher cards and 2-4 Uncommon cards. This smaller card count is the first significant difference. Typically, other booster types offer far more cards per pack, increasing the odds of pulling valuable or desirable cards.
Fewer Cards, Different Goals
The reduced card count in Epilogue Boosters means you’re getting fewer overall cards for your money. This isn’t inherently negative, but it signals that the Epilogue Boosters are designed for a different purpose than building a draft deck or collecting a large number of cards from a set. They’re primarily aimed at players who want a shorter, quicker experience focused on the chance of pulling higher rarity cards or one of the coveted halo foils. This is particularly true considering the significantly lower cost of the epilogue boosters compared to other options, which in turn leads to lower value per card.
The Allure of the Halo Foil
One of the main draws of Epilogue Boosters is the chance of pulling a halo foil. These highly sought-after cards are found in approximately 1 in 6 Epilogue Collector Boosters. While this doesn’t make the standard Epilogue Booster a guaranteed source of these beautiful cards, it does mean there is a chance. This chase element appeals to collectors, but it’s essential to understand that the odds of getting a halo foil aren’t particularly high and, as mentioned, are confined to the Collector version of the Epilogue Booster.
Comparing with Other Booster Types
To truly assess the value of Epilogue Boosters, it’s critical to compare them to alternatives like Set Boosters and Draft Boosters. Set Boosters are generally considered to offer more value per pack due to a higher probability of pulling multiple rares, guaranteed foils, and a more curated experience tailored towards card collection. Draft Boosters, on the other hand, are designed for drafting and sealed play, and while their contents are less focused on value, they still have more cards per pack compared to Epilogue Boosters.
The price differential is what makes this such an interesting question. When comparing the value-per-dollar, the math is typically as follows:
- Draft Booster: ~ $4
- Set Booster: ~ $6
- Epilogue Booster: ~ $3.5
Despite the lower cost, Draft and Set Boosters offer significantly higher expected value due to more cards, and higher overall guaranteed rates for multiple rare cards.
The Bottom Line: Is It Worth It?
So, back to the initial question: are Epilogue Boosters worth it? If you’re a value-conscious player looking for the most cards or rares for your money, then no, Epilogue Boosters are not likely worth it. You are better off purchasing Set Boosters for greater overall value or draft boosters if you have an intention to play with the cards. If you’re primarily interested in the thrill of opening packs, and particularly seeking a halo foil, then the Collector’s version of Epilogue Boosters provide an option, albeit with a low probability.
Ultimately, the “worth” of Epilogue Boosters is subjective and depends on individual preferences. Understand the pros and cons, and then decide whether they fit your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Epilogue Boosters
1. What exactly is in an Epilogue Booster pack?
Each Epilogue Booster contains 5 cards, with a combination of 1-3 cards of rarity Rare or higher and 2-4 Uncommon cards.
2. Can you get halo foils in Epilogue Boosters?
Yes, but only in Epilogue Collector Boosters. Approximately 1 in 6 Collector Boosters contains a halo foil. They are not in regular Epilogue Boosters.
3. Are Epilogue Boosters better than Set Boosters?
In terms of value and card quantity, Set Boosters are generally considered better than Epilogue Boosters. Set Boosters offer a higher chance of pulling multiple rares, guaranteed foils, and are better suited to building a collection.
4. Are Epilogue Boosters better than Draft Boosters?
Draft Boosters are designed for play and typically contain more cards than Epilogue Boosters. If your goal is to draft or seal, Draft Boosters are superior, but if your focus is just opening packs, the epilogue packs can provide an option.
5. Why are Epilogue Boosters so small?
Epilogue Boosters are designed for a quick opening experience and offer a chance of pulling high-rarity cards like halo foils, but with reduced overall card quantity.
6. Is it worth buying an Epilogue Booster box?
The value of an Epilogue Booster Box is low, due to the lower card count and the small expected value. Unless you are aiming specifically for a halo foil or have a large interest in opening a box, it is generally not considered a worthwhile purchase due to the low number of rares expected.
7. What is the difference between Epilogue Boosters and Epilogue Collector Boosters?
Regular Epilogue Boosters have 5 cards and a chance at a rare. Epilogue Collector Boosters also contain 5 cards but have significantly better pull rates for higher rarity cards, and importantly, an approximate 1 in 6 chance at a halo foil card.
8. Are the cards in Epilogue Boosters legal in Standard, Pioneer, and Modern?
Yes, March of the Machine: The Aftermath cards with the MAT set code are legal in Standard, Pioneer, and Modern formats.
9. How many booster packs do you need to draft?
You typically need 3 Booster packs per player for drafting. The standard sanctioned draft requires 8 players.
10. How rare are gilded foils?
Gilded foils are found in Set Boosters, with roughly 3% chance of a gilded common or uncommon and 1% chance of a gilded rare or mythic rare. They are not found in epilogue boosters.
11. Do Epilogue Boosters have more rares than other boosters?
No, Epilogue Boosters have fewer total cards than other boosters and typically only have 1-3 rares per pack.
12. How do you tell if a booster pack has a good card?
Look for the rarity symbol. A black or white star indicates at least a Rare card. Also, check for holographic foil which typically denotes rarer cards. The presence of halo foil should be immediately noticeable due to the unique, swirled foiling pattern.
13. Are Pokémon booster boxes better than Magic the Gathering boxes?
This is subjective. Pokémon and Magic the Gathering cards offer different card designs and rarities. Pokémon Crown Zenith, Hidden Fates and Scarlet & Violet Base Set are popular options. Magic the Gathering booster boxes can be a worthwhile purchase with varying pull rates dependent on the specific set.
14. What are the odds of getting a mythic rare in a Set Booster?
Set boosters have a 1 in 7.4 chance of finding a mythic rare. The average mythic in a standard set booster box is approximately 4.86.
15. Can you get showcase cards in Epilogue Boosters?
Showcase cards can be found in some Draft and Set Boosters, however there are no showcase cards in Epilogue Boosters.