Do Draft Boosters Have Lands? A Comprehensive Guide
The short and direct answer is yes, Draft Boosters do contain a land card. In fact, every Draft Booster pack includes one basic land card, along with a specific distribution of other cards by rarity. This is a key characteristic that defines Draft Boosters and is crucial to how they are used in the Magic: The Gathering drafting format. Understanding this, and related aspects of booster packs, is essential for anyone looking to engage with drafting or even just collecting. Let’s delve deeper into the specifics and answer some common questions.
Understanding the Contents of a Draft Booster
A standard Draft Booster pack contains 16 cards in total: 15 playing cards and a marketing card/token or a Helper card. Out of the 15 playing cards, the distribution is always fixed based on rarity. Here’s the breakdown:
- 1 Basic Land: This is a guaranteed land card from the set.
- 10 Commons: These are the most common cards in the set.
- 3 Uncommons: These cards are less common than commons but more common than rares.
- 1 Rare or Mythic Rare: This is the most sought-after card in the pack, and it will be either a rare or a rarer mythic rare.
The presence of a land card in each pack makes them ideal for the draft format where players construct a deck from the cards they open. The land card is essential, as it ensures players don’t get completely stuck with a deck unable to play its spells.
Why Are Lands Included in Draft Boosters?
The inclusion of a basic land in every Draft Booster is intentional. It stems directly from the design and goal of the Draft format itself. Booster Draft rules allow you to add as much basic land as you want to your deck, and require that the deck be at least 40 cards. This is very important to ensure every player has enough resources to play the game, without necessarily needing to draft lands as spells.
When drafting, players open booster packs, select a card, and pass the remaining cards to the next player. Without the guaranteed land, the decks assembled during the draft could be seriously hampered by the lack of lands. This is why each Draft Booster contains a land card, ensuring that each player can build a functioning deck for the game.
The Significance of Land Cards in Drafting
The need for lands is crucial in Magic: The Gathering. Without a sufficient number of lands, a player can’t cast spells or activate abilities and therefore loses. By including a basic land card in each booster, the game provides a more predictable distribution of resources. While players may still draft some non-basic lands, the guaranteed basic land provides a safety net.
Differences Between Draft Boosters and Other Booster Types
It’s also important to distinguish Draft Boosters from other types of boosters, such as Set Boosters. Here’s a breakdown:
- Draft Boosters: Typically contain 15 cards, including the guaranteed basic land, 10 commons, 3 uncommons and 1 rare/mythic. They are primarily designed for drafting.
- Set Boosters: Usually contain 12 cards and are aimed towards a more exciting experience when opening packs. They have multiple chances for rares and mythics, sometimes even up to 4 in one pack! This makes them geared towards opening and collecting.
This key difference in contents and purpose affects which booster pack is suitable for a particular scenario. Draft Boosters are ideal for drafting while Set Boosters are more about collecting.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify the details about Draft Boosters and their contents:
1. How many land cards are in a Draft Booster?
A: One basic land card is included in every Draft Booster pack.
2. What are the other cards in a Draft Booster besides lands?
A: In addition to a basic land, a Draft Booster contains 10 common cards, 3 uncommon cards, and 1 rare or mythic rare card. It also contains a marketing card, token or Helper card.
3. What is the purpose of a Draft Booster?
A: Draft Boosters are primarily designed for use in the draft format of Magic: The Gathering, where players build a deck by picking cards from opened boosters.
4. Is there a chance to get more than one rare in a Draft Booster?
A: Draft Boosters normally have only one guaranteed rare or mythic rare. There is a small chance of getting a second rare, but this is uncommon.
5. How does the distribution in Draft Boosters compare to Set Boosters?
A: Draft Boosters have a fixed distribution with one guaranteed land, 10 commons, 3 uncommons and a single rare or mythic rare, while Set Boosters have a more varied distribution, with higher chances of multiple rares and mythic rares.
6. Are Draft Boosters random?
A: While the specific cards are randomly selected within their rarity category, the distribution of rarities is fixed in Draft Boosters. This means every pack will have a land, 10 commons, 3 uncommons and a rare or mythic.
7. How many boosters do I need for a draft?
A: Typically, you will need three Draft Boosters per player for a draft.
8. Can I use Draft Boosters for Commander games?
A: Yes, you can draft a Commander deck using Draft Boosters by picking 2 cards at a time from 3 boosters, and then building a 60-card deck by adding lands. It’s an alternative way to enjoy Commander.
9. How many mythic rares should I expect from a Draft Booster box?
A: A Draft Booster box contains 36 packs, and you can expect approximately 5 mythic rares on average in a Draft Booster box.
10. What is a “playset” of cards?
A: A playset refers to four copies of a single card. Players often seek a playset of valuable or useful cards for deck construction.
11. How many lands should I include in a 40 card deck built in draft?
A: The standard recommendation is to use about 17-18 lands in a 40 card deck built after a draft.
12. What is a “secret rare” and can I find them in draft boosters?
A: Secret rares are rare cards, not part of the regular set, that are found in less than 1% of all boosters. They cannot be found in draft boosters.
13. How many rares can you get in Set Boosters?
A: Set Boosters can have 1 to 4 rares or mythic rares per pack. This higher potential for valuable cards is one of the reasons they’re popular for collectors.
14. Is it worth buying a Draft Booster box?
A: Buying a booster box can be more cost-effective than purchasing individual packs. Boxes offer a greater chance at getting rare and valuable cards.
15. Do you keep the cards after a Draft?
A: Yes, players keep all the cards they draft, including the land cards. The cards are typically theirs after the draft is completed.
Conclusion
In summary, Draft Boosters do contain a land, making them suitable for their intended purpose – drafting. The inclusion of this land card, along with a set distribution of common, uncommon, and rare cards, ensures a balanced drafting experience. Understanding the specific contents of a Draft Booster, and how it differs from other booster types, is essential for any Magic: The Gathering player whether you are a drafter or a collector. Whether you are drafting or just looking for some new cards, having a clear understanding of Draft Boosters makes for a better experience.