Do Draft Boosters Have Rares? A Comprehensive Guide
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Yes, draft boosters absolutely contain rare cards. In fact, every draft booster is guaranteed to have at least one rare or mythic rare card. This makes them an exciting purchase for Magic: The Gathering (MTG) players, particularly those who enjoy the thrill of opening packs and potentially finding powerful or valuable cards.
Understanding Draft Booster Contents
Before diving deeper, let’s outline what a standard draft booster pack contains. A typical draft booster pack includes:
- 15 Magic: The Gathering cards
- 1 Marketing card or Token
Out of the 15 Magic cards, the distribution is typically as follows:
- 1 Basic Land Card
- 10 Common Cards
- 3 Uncommon Cards
- 1 Rare or Mythic Rare Card
This fixed distribution ensures a balanced spread of rarities, making them suitable for drafting and limited formats. It’s important to remember that the guaranteed rare or mythic rare card is a cornerstone of the draft booster’s appeal.
Mythic Rare Cards: The Elusive Prize
While every draft booster contains at least one rare or mythic rare, there’s a distinction between the two. Mythic rare cards are even rarer than rare cards, making them highly sought after. The odds of getting a mythic rare in a draft booster are approximately 1 in 7.4 (or around 1 in 8 for older sets). This means that while you’re guaranteed a rare or mythic rare, the odds favor you receiving a standard rare card.
Beyond the Basics: Double Masters and Other Special Cases
Certain sets and special releases have introduced variations to the standard draft booster contents. For example, Double Masters draft boosters each contain two rare or mythic rare cards instead of one. This significantly increases the chances of opening valuable and powerful cards. These special cases are worth paying attention to, as they often offer greater value and excitement for collectors and players alike.
Draft Boosters vs. Set Boosters: Which is Better for Rares?
It is often asked which is better for pulling rares: draft or set boosters? While draft boosters are guaranteed one rare/mythic card, set boosters typically offer slightly more value for collectors, though they come at a higher price. This is because they have the potential to contain multiple rares and mythic rares, sometimes up to 4 in a single pack. However, if your main goal is to draft, then the draft booster is the better option.
Set Booster Rarity Distribution
It’s worth noting that while set boosters can have up to four rares/mythics, it is not guaranteed. The chance for additional rares/mythics is there but a lot of set boosters will only contain one. The distribution is much more variable in set boosters compared to the consistent single rare/mythic in draft boosters. Set boosters are designed for the thrill of opening packs and finding valuable cards, while draft boosters are designed for the structure needed to draft properly.
Factors to Consider: Value vs. Intended Use
When choosing between draft boosters and set boosters, consider what you’re hoping to achieve. Draft boosters provide the balanced rarity distribution needed for drafting, while set boosters might provide a better value proposition for those solely focused on collecting and opening valuable cards.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Rares in Draft Boosters
Here are some frequently asked questions about rare cards in draft boosters to provide additional clarity:
1. What exactly is a ‘rare’ card in Magic: The Gathering?
A rare card is a card with a higher level of scarcity than common or uncommon cards. They usually feature stronger abilities or more unique effects and often feature iconic characters or concepts. Rare cards are designated with a gold expansion symbol on the card.
2. What is a ‘mythic rare’ card?
Mythic rare cards are the rarest tier of cards in Magic: The Gathering, designated with a reddish-orange expansion symbol. They usually have very powerful and game-altering effects and are highly collectible.
3. How many rare cards can you get in a single draft booster?
Normally, you get one rare or mythic rare card in a draft booster. However, in sets like Double Masters, you can get two rare or mythic rare cards.
4. Are mythic rares guaranteed in draft boosters?
No, mythic rares are not guaranteed. While you are guaranteed a rare or mythic rare in each draft booster, the chance of it being a mythic rare is about 1 in every 7.4 packs.
5. Can you pull multiple rares in a booster box?
Yes, you will get multiple rares in a booster box. A draft booster box contains 36 booster packs, each with a guaranteed rare or mythic rare. This means you’ll typically get at least 36 rare or mythic cards in a single box. It is often asked how many mythics can I get from a box? The average number of mythics from a draft booster box is around 5.
6. How many rares are in a standard draft box?
A typical draft booster box contains 36 draft booster packs, each with at least one rare or mythic rare. This means you should expect at least 36 rares or mythic rares in a standard draft box.
7. Do draft boosters have a fixed distribution?
Yes, draft boosters have a fixed distribution based on rarity. This means that the number of commons, uncommons, and the guaranteed rare/mythic card are consistent across all packs.
8. Are draft boosters random?
While the rarity distribution in draft boosters is fixed, the specific cards within each rarity tier are still randomized. This keeps each pack an exciting surprise.
9. Can you find planeswalkers in draft boosters?
Yes, planeswalker cards can be found in draft boosters. However, some very specific versions of planeswalkers, such as borderless planeswalkers, appear in less than 1% of draft boosters.
10. Is it worth buying a draft booster box?
Buying a draft booster box can be a cost-effective option compared to buying individual packs. It also increases your chances of getting valuable or hard-to-find cards.
11. How many draft boosters are needed for a standard draft?
For an eight-player draft, you’ll need 24 draft boosters (three per player).
12. Do draft boosters have box toppers?
Some special releases, like Double Masters, include box topper cards in their draft booster boxes. However, this is not standard for all sets.
13. Do draft boosters contain “secret rare” cards?
The odds of getting a secret rare card are very low. In fact, it’s around 1 in every 72 packs. It’s not a likely thing to happen, even when opening a box.
14. Can you get special cards like “The One Ring” in a draft booster?
Extremely rare serialized cards like “The One Ring” are not found in draft boosters. Such cards are primarily available in specific collector boosters.
15. How do draft boosters compare to Jumpstart boosters?
Draft boosters are designed for the draft format where the contents of packs are used to build decks for games. Jumpstart boosters are designed to provide ready-to-play themed decks. They are not compatible and are used for different purposes.
Conclusion
In summary, draft boosters do indeed contain rare cards, with each pack guaranteeing at least one rare or mythic rare. While the odds of pulling the elusive mythic rare are lower, the excitement of opening a pack and discovering what treasures lie within remains a cornerstone of Magic: The Gathering. Whether you’re drafting, collecting, or simply enjoying the thrill of the reveal, understanding the distribution of rares in draft boosters is essential to your MTG experience.