How Many Jumpstart Decks Are There? A Comprehensive Guide

The world of Magic: The Gathering (MTG) is vast and ever-evolving, and one of its most unique offerings is the Jumpstart format. For those unfamiliar, Jumpstart is designed to provide a quick and easy way to play by combining two pre-constructed, themed booster packs to form a 40-card deck. This format cuts out the usual deck-building hassle and allows players to jump straight into the action. However, the question arises: exactly how many different Jumpstart decks are possible? The answer is a staggering over 14,000 unique 40-card deck combinations, arising from the game’s structure which we will explore in detail.

Understanding the Jumpstart Structure

To grasp why there are so many possible decks, we need to understand how Jumpstart is constructed. The core of the format lies within its booster packs, which are not like typical MTG boosters. Here’s a breakdown:

• Themes and Variations: Jumpstart revolves around 46 different themes, each representing a particular strategy or creature type. These themes aren’t just a single set of cards; they have 121 distinct variations.
• Predetermined Decklists: Each of these 121 variations has a specific, pre-determined 20-card decklist. This means each time you open a specific pack variation, you will receive the same 20 cards.
• Deck Creation: To play a game, a player opens two Jumpstart packs, removes the explainer cards, and shuffles the remaining cards together. This forms a 40-card deck. This is where the impressive deck diversity originates.

Why 14,000+ Decks?

The math behind the sheer number of possible deck combinations is simple yet powerful. Given there are 121 unique packs, each of them can be paired with any of the other 121 packs. This would seem to result in 121 x 121 which is 14,641 unique deck combinations. However, as the order of the packs drawn doesn’t matter, this can be halved (for example, an “Angel” and a “Garruk” themed deck is exactly the same as the “Garruk” and “Angel” deck). So, to avoid duplicates, it should be calculated as 121 choose 2, plus the 121 pairings where you open the same deck twice (where the result is 121 x 120 /2 + 121). This calculation results in 7,381 unique combinations. It must be noted, that this is based on the original Jumpstart set. Depending on the set in question, there may be differences to the total unique possible deck pairings.

The crucial point is that every combination of two different packs will lead to a unique deck composition, and opening two of the same packs will also provide a unique deck (though one would assume a less diverse one). This is what allows for a huge range of variety and replayability with the Jumpstart format.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Jumpstart

Here are 15 frequently asked questions to deepen your understanding of Jumpstart and its unique mechanics:

General Questions

1. What is a Jumpstart booster pack?
   • A Jumpstart booster pack is a special MTG pack containing 20 cards. Unlike regular boosters, it features a pre-determined decklist based on one of 46 themes with 121 total variations. Each pack includes a themed basic land.
2. How many cards are in a Jumpstart deck?
   • A Jumpstart deck contains 40 cards. It’s created by combining the contents of two Jumpstart booster packs.
3. How many lands are in a Jumpstart pack?
   • Each Jumpstart pack includes 7 or 8 land cards, with one being a basic land featuring art that matches the pack’s theme. The rest are spells.
4. Are Jumpstart cards legal in other formats?
   • Yes, Jumpstart cards are typically legal in other MTG formats like Standard, Pioneer, Modern, and Commander, if they are in a set that was released alongside that standard legal set. For example, Jumpstart 2022 cards are legal in any format with the same legality as Dominaria United.

Jumpstart Sets and Variations

5. How many themes are there in Jumpstart?
   • There are 46 different themes in a Jumpstart set, each focusing on a specific mechanic or creature type. These themes range from the familiar to the unique.
6. How many variations are there for each Jumpstart theme?
   • While there are 46 themes, there are 121 pack variations in total. Common themes are represented four times, rare themes twice, and mythic themes only once, each with a different card list.
7. Are all Jumpstart packs the same?
   • No. While the packs follow the 46 themes, their contents vary based on their pack variation (of which there are 121). Each pack features one of these 121 possible card lists.
8. Are Jumpstart boosters random?
   • Each pack is pre-determined, not randomly assembled. When you open a pack, you are guaranteed to receive the specific set of 20 cards associated with that variant. The choice of booster pack itself however is random.

Gameplay and Value

9. Can you mix Jumpstart sets?
   • Absolutely! Jumpstart packs from different sets are compatible with each other. This lets you create even more diverse and unexpected decks.
10. Is Jumpstart a good way to start playing Magic?
    • Yes, Jumpstart is an excellent way for beginners to learn MTG. It bypasses the complexities of deck building and allows new players to quickly dive into the game.
11. How many rares are in a Jumpstart booster?
    • Each Jumpstart booster contains at least one rare card, and one in three packs include an extra rare card.
12. Is it worth buying a Jumpstart booster box?
    • The value of a Jumpstart booster box depends on your personal preferences. It offers a fun and accessible way to play MTG, and can also yield valuable singles. It’s generally seen as good value for its intended purpose.
13. How many boosters are in a Jumpstart box?
    • A Jumpstart booster box contains 24 booster packs.

Rarity and Card Distribution

14. How many mythics are in Jumpstart?
    • The number of mythic cards varies, each mythic card only being represented once among the 121 pack variations. A booster box will, on average, contain 32 rare or mythic cards.
15. Are there Commander staples in Jumpstart?
    • While some Jumpstart cards can be used in Commander decks, they’re generally not focused on that format. The aim of Jumpstart is to quickly play games, not to specifically target commander.

Conclusion

Jumpstart is an innovative and enjoyable way to experience Magic: The Gathering. With over 14,000 possible deck combinations (with the original set), it offers incredible replayability and a diverse array of play experiences. Whether you are a new player looking for a quick start, or an experienced veteran seeking a fun and casual format, Jumpstart has something for everyone. Hopefully, this article has shed some light on the possibilities the Jumpstart format provides and answered your question “How many jumpstart decks are there?”.