Can You Get Mythics in Theme Boosters? A Deep Dive
Yes, you can absolutely get mythic rares in Theme Boosters. While they are not guaranteed, these packs offer a chance to pull the highly sought-after mythic rarity cards, alongside their rare counterparts. This makes them a popular, albeit slightly unpredictable option for players looking to add specific themed cards, and potentially some powerful, high-rarity additions to their collections. Let’s explore this further.
Understanding Theme Boosters
Theme Boosters are a unique type of booster pack in Magic: The Gathering (MTG), designed around a specific color or theme. Unlike standard draft boosters that aim for balanced limited play, theme boosters contain a larger number of cards (typically 35) focused on a particular strategy, like vampires, elves, or a specific color. This makes them attractive to players looking to build or enhance particular decks.
How Theme Boosters are Composed
Theme Boosters typically include a variable amount of commons and uncommons, plus 1 or 2 rares or mythic rares from a given color or theme. This slightly random allocation of high-rarity cards is part of their appeal. Unlike draft boosters, which have a more rigid structure, theme boosters prioritize thematic consistency and an increased number of cards.
Starting with the Throne of Eldraine set, the distribution of rares and mythics within theme boosters changed. Prior to this change, each booster had only one rare. Starting with Throne of Eldraine, nine out of ten theme boosters had one rare, and one out of ten contained two rares. Those two rare slots can be any combination of rares and mythic rares.
Mythic Rare Probability
The exact odds of pulling a mythic rare in a theme booster are not always explicitly stated, but it’s generally accepted that they mirror the rarity distribution seen in standard sets. This means that there is approximately a 1 in 8 chance that the rare card in your theme booster is actually a mythic rare, if there is only one rare in the booster. So, while most boosters contain just a rare, there’s a notable chance to get a mythic instead, or as the second rare. It’s not a frequent occurence, but it does happen.
Theme Boosters vs. Other Booster Types
To really understand theme boosters, it’s important to see how they compare to other booster packs, like draft boosters and set boosters.
Draft Boosters
Draft boosters are the original format, with the goal to support Limited play (drafting). They contain 15 cards with a fixed distribution, including 1 basic land, 10 commons, 3 uncommons, and 1 rare or mythic rare. The key difference is that draft boosters are not based around a theme and have a more limited number of total cards. Draft boosters are generally preferred for players interested in playing Limited game formats.
Set Boosters
Set boosters, on the other hand, are designed for opening, similar to theme boosters, and aim to provide a more exciting experience, often containing more rares and special treatments than draft boosters. A set booster contains 12 cards with the potential for up to 4 rare or mythic cards. They often have a higher price point than draft boosters, reflecting their potential for more valuable cards.
Why Choose Theme Boosters?
The primary draw of a theme booster is its focus on a specific theme or color. For players building a particular deck, the guaranteed cards relating to the theme can be very useful. They also offer a good balance, as they have a higher quantity of cards than draft boosters, but cost less than set boosters, and provide a good value proposition for the chance of getting a mythic rare along with the theme-appropriate cards.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions about theme boosters to help further clarify their role and value within MTG.
1. Are theme boosters randomized?
Yes, theme boosters are randomized, though they are based on a specific theme or color. This means while the cards will fall under a certain umbrella (such as “Vampires” or “Red”), the specific common, uncommon, rare, and mythic rare cards you get will vary.
2. How many cards are in a Theme Booster?
Theme boosters contain 35 cards, plus one token or ad card, and 1 helper card.
3. How many rares are in a theme booster?
Most theme boosters contain 1 rare or mythic rare card, however, one in ten boosters has two.
4. Are theme boosters worth buying?
Whether theme boosters are “worth it” depends on your goals. If you are specifically seeking cards of a certain theme, then the high quantity of relevant cards makes them a good choice. The chance of a mythic rare also increases their appeal.
5. Can you pull a mythic in every theme booster?
No, you cannot pull a mythic in every theme booster. The ratio of mythic rares to rares is usually about 1:8. You only have about a 1/10 chance to have 2 rare slots, and then a 1/8 chance to have the rare be a mythic rare card.
6. Is it better to buy theme boosters or draft boosters?
It depends on your needs. If you plan to draft or play limited, draft boosters are better. If you want to build a specific deck from a theme, and get more cards from a single booster, then theme boosters are better.
7. What is the difference between a Theme Booster and a Set Booster?
Set boosters offer a more diverse and potentially valuable pull of cards, while theme boosters concentrate on specific themes, offering many cards from that theme. Set boosters are usually more expensive, and may contain more than one rare or mythic rare.
8. Can theme boosters have two mythic rares?
While it’s theoretically possible due to the distribution rules that 1/10 theme boosters get 2 rares/mythics, it’s extremely unlikely to get two mythic rares in a single theme booster. It’s far more likely to see two rares or a rare and a mythic.
9. Are the cards in theme boosters the same across all boxes?
No, the cards within theme boosters are randomized. While all of the cards in a theme booster will fall into a given color or theme, their exact contents will be different from booster to booster and from box to box.
10. What is the average number of mythics in a theme booster box?
Since there are 10 theme boosters in a box, and each has a roughly 1/8 chance to contain a mythic, it’s fair to say that you’ll see about 1.25 mythics on average in a theme booster box. But the exact number can still vary.
11. Can theme boosters contain any card from a set?
No, theme boosters contain cards based on their specific theme. For example, a vampire-themed booster will contain cards that are related to the vampire type or strategy.
12. Are there specific theme boosters for each set?
Generally, yes. Wizards of the Coast creates theme boosters for most main sets, however there might be variations depending on the set.
13. How do theme booster costs compare to draft or set boosters?
Theme boosters are often priced between the cost of draft boosters and set boosters, generally making them a cost-effective middle ground.
14. What is the expected value of a theme booster?
The value of a theme booster can vary based on the cards included within the theme, but it’s generally seen as a good option for those wanting a lot of theme-related cards and the chance of a mythic.
15. Can theme boosters be used for drafting?
No, theme boosters are not designed for draft play. They have too many cards and too much of a bias towards specific themes. Draft boosters are the appropriate product for drafting.
Conclusion
Theme boosters are a useful, cost-effective, and entertaining product for Magic players. While they might not be the best option for every type of player, the ability to target a particular theme and get a large quantity of cards, along with the chance to pull a mythic rare, makes them a popular choice for many. By understanding their purpose and probability, you can make informed decisions about incorporating them into your MTG collection and playing experience.