Are Theme Boosters Randomized? Understanding Magic: The Gathering’s Themed Packs
The short answer is: Yes, theme boosters are randomized, but with a key caveat. While they don’t provide the same completely random experience as draft boosters, they aren’t fixed either. Theme boosters are designed around a specific theme, which might be a color, a two-color guild, a creature type, or another set-specific concept. The cards within a theme booster will always align with this overarching theme, but the specific cards and their rarities are still randomly determined within those thematic parameters. This means you won’t find a card that is completely unrelated to the booster’s theme.
What is a Theme Booster?
Theme boosters are designed for players who want to expand their collections with a particular strategy or flavor in mind. Introduced initially with Guilds of Ravnica, these packs offer a larger card count than traditional draft boosters, all focused on a single theme. This theme can be as broad as a color (like a blue theme booster) or as specific as a creature type (such as a Werewolf theme booster from Midnight Hunt).
The defining characteristic of theme boosters is their focus. Instead of the broad spectrum of cards found in a draft booster, theme boosters provide a curated selection, making it easier for players to collect cards relevant to the decks they enjoy playing or building. This makes them a great option for players who want to focus their collection and build towards certain strategies.
How Theme Boosters Differ from Draft and Set Boosters
Understanding the differences between various types of booster packs is crucial. Draft boosters are designed for limited formats like drafting and sealed. They contain 15 cards, usually including one rare or mythic rare and a mix of commons and uncommons. Set boosters, on the other hand, are tailored for a more enjoyable opening experience and are generally more valuable. They contain 12 playable cards, plus an art card and a token card, and have a higher chance of containing multiple rares, foils, or other special cards.
Theme boosters fall somewhere in the middle, combining a larger number of cards (typically 35) with a specific theme. They don’t include art cards or tokens like Set Boosters but provide more cards focused on the designated theme. Unlike Set Boosters which have many unique card slots, Theme Boosters generally maintain a higher count of commons/uncommons with the possibility of including one or two rares.
The Randomization Factor
The randomization within a theme booster comes from how the cards are selected from the set based on its designated theme. For example, if a theme booster is focused on “White,” all of the cards will be white or related to white strategies (multicolored cards that are primarily white). However, which specific common, uncommon, or rare card you receive is still determined randomly within that pool of cards.
Why Buy Theme Boosters?
Theme Boosters have their purpose in the market, despite being not as popular as other boosters. Their primary appeal lies in their ability to help players expand a particular area of their collection quickly. If you’re looking to build a specific deck or collect cards of a particular color or type, theme boosters can be a cost-effective way to get a good starting point.
However, if you’re seeking maximum value from each booster (such as more valuable cards), then set or collector boosters would be a better investment due to their greater chance at getting rares and special cards.
FAQs About Theme Boosters
1. Do all MTG theme boosters have the same number of cards?
While theme boosters usually contain 35 cards, plus one token or ad card, the exact number may vary depending on the set they are from. Always check the product description when purchasing. For example, some theme boosters include a “helper” card, which would increase the total card count to 37.
2. Are theme boosters guaranteed to have rares?
Most theme boosters have a high chance to contain at least one rare or mythic rare card. For most sets since Throne of Eldraine, nine out of ten Theme Boosters had one rare, and one out of ten had two rares.
3. Are theme boosters always based on color?
No. While color is a common theme, theme boosters can also be built around creature types (like werewolves in Midnight Hunt) or other mechanics and themes specific to each Magic: The Gathering set.
4. What is the difference between a theme booster and a theme deck?
A theme deck is a pre-constructed 60-card deck with a fixed list of cards designed to be playable straight out of the box. Theme boosters are randomized packs of 35+ cards that are aligned with a specific theme. Theme decks are not randomized and will always have the same cards.
5. Are theme boosters good for building a deck?
Theme boosters can be a great starting point, especially for players who want to focus on a specific color or theme. They are more efficient at getting related cards than draft or set boosters but will still require additional cards to form a full deck.
6. Can I get foil cards in theme boosters?
While not as common as set boosters, you can get foil cards in theme boosters. However, they’re not as prevalent.
7. Are there any special cards in theme boosters?
Generally speaking, theme boosters are not known for having “special” cards, like those that are found in Set and Collector Boosters. They mostly focus on getting a large amount of cards from a set that align with a specific theme.
8. Are theme boosters worth the money?
It depends on what you’re looking for. If you want to build a collection with a specific theme in mind, theme boosters offer value in that direction. However, if you want the thrill of pulling valuable rares, set or collector boosters might be a better choice.
9. How does the randomization of theme boosters compare to draft boosters?
Draft boosters are more randomized overall, with a broader range of card combinations from the set. Theme boosters have a narrower scope, focusing on a specific theme, but still feature randomness within that theme.
10. Do theme boosters have tokens or art cards?
Unlike set boosters, theme boosters usually do not include art cards or tokens. They mainly focus on providing more playable cards related to the theme.
11. Can theme boosters increase in value over time?
Like any sealed MTG product, theme boosters can increase in value as they become scarcer. However, the increase is usually not as significant as with draft or collector boosters.
12. What is the best way to get specific cards?
If you need specific cards for a deck, the most efficient way is to buy those cards individually. Booster packs, even theme boosters, are not guaranteed to give you the cards you need.
13. Are theme boosters good for beginners?
Yes, theme boosters are often a good choice for beginners who are trying to collect cards of a particular color or learn about a particular set’s mechanics. They are a great way to experiment and expand a collection.
14. Do theme boosters have the same distribution of rarities as draft boosters?
No. While both types of boosters contain common, uncommon, rare, and sometimes mythic rare cards, the distribution is different. Draft boosters generally have 1 rare per pack while theme boosters might sometimes have 2. Theme boosters will also include more commons and uncommons compared to draft boosters to reach their larger pack size.
15. Can theme boosters help with drafting?
No. Theme boosters are not meant for drafting, as they provide only cards from a very narrow range of a set. Draft boosters are specifically designed to provide a balanced draft experience.
Conclusion
Theme boosters offer a unique experience within the realm of Magic: The Gathering booster packs. While they feature a degree of randomization, it’s crucial to remember that they are tied to a specific theme. They are a great option for players who know what kind of cards they are seeking and are looking to efficiently build a collection around specific colors, creature types, or other specific elements from the set. Understanding this can significantly enhance the way you approach buying and utilizing these packs, helping you maximize your Magic: The Gathering experience.