Ikoria’s Mighty Monsters: Unpacking the Box Toppers
What are the Ikoria box toppers? Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths features a unique set of 18 promo box toppers. These aren’t your typical bonus cards; each booster box comes with a single-card Box Topper pack containing a foil Godzilla Series Monster card. These cards are alternate-art versions of existing Ikoria creatures, reskinned with iconic Godzilla characters and names. This makes them highly sought after by both Magic: The Gathering (MTG) collectors and fans of the legendary kaiju franchise. The combination of a highly popular franchise with the gameplay and lore of Magic makes them a true treasure for any player. There are a total of 18 unique Godzilla cards, with 15 available in English and 3 additional cards available in Japanese boosters.
Unveiling the Godzilla Series: A Closer Look
Box Topper Basics
Box toppers are special Magic cards included in sealed booster boxes as an extra incentive for purchasing a full box. They are similar to Buy-a-Box promos, providing a bonus card that often boasts alternate art, frame styles, or premium treatments. Ikoria’s box toppers took this concept to another level by incorporating the iconic Godzilla characters into the very fabric of the set. These cards do not replace a card within the pack but are bonus cards included in the sealed box purchase.
The Godzilla Connection
Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths already had a focus on giant monsters, making the Godzilla partnership a natural fit. The 18 box toppers are not simply reprints but are alternate-art cards that take on the names and appearances of various Godzilla series monsters. The list includes some fan favorites such as Godzilla, King of the Monsters (Zilortha, Strength Incarnate), Mothra, Supersonic Queen (Luminous Broodmoth), and Spacegodzilla, Death Corona (Void Beckoner).
Rarity and Collectability
These cards are all printed in foil, making them immediately desirable. The fact that 3 of the 18 are only available in Japanese booster boxes, further amplifies their collectability. This disparity in availability creates increased demand and adds to their value in the secondary market. The unique art, combined with the rarity makes these cards especially enticing to collectors.
Functionality and Play
While the box toppers are collected more for their art and novelty, these are still playable cards from the set. They can be utilized in decks and bring a unique feel with their different art and Godzilla name. For Commander enthusiasts, these also serve as eye-catching commander cards.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How many Godzilla box topper cards are there in total?
There are a total of 18 Godzilla Series Monster box topper cards in Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths. 15 are available in English and 3 are exclusive to Japanese booster boxes.
2. Are the Ikoria box toppers only available in foil?
Yes, all the Ikoria Godzilla box toppers are printed in foil.
3. Are the Godzilla cards only available as box toppers?
Yes, the Godzilla Series Monster cards are exclusively available as box toppers included with sealed booster boxes. You cannot find them within the booster packs themselves, except for in Japanese booster boxes where they also appear as normal cards.
4. What is the difference between the English and Japanese Ikoria box toppers?
The main difference is that three of the Godzilla cards are exclusive to the Japanese booster boxes while the remaining fifteen are available in both English and Japanese. This makes collecting a complete set very challenging.
5. Do all Ikoria booster boxes have a box topper?
Yes, every sealed Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths booster box contains one Box Topper pack that houses a single foil Godzilla Series Monster card.
6. Can you get Godzilla box toppers in Ikoria collector boosters?
No, Ikoria Collector Boosters do not contain the Godzilla Series box toppers. They are exclusive to the standard booster box. Collector boosters focus on foil cards and more premium alternate art versions of cards in the set.
7. Are the Godzilla cards from Ikoria legal in standard play?
Yes, the Ikoria set cards, including the reskinned Godzilla cards, are legal in standard formats when the set was legal in the standard format. As of writing they are now only legal in non-standard formats such as commander and legacy.
8. How rare are the Japanese exclusive Godzilla box toppers?
The Japanese exclusive Godzilla box toppers are considerably rarer than their English counterparts due to their limited print availability in the Japanese market. Their rarity contributes to their value among collectors.
9. What are the most popular Ikoria Godzilla box topper cards?
Some of the most popular Godzilla box toppers include: Godzilla, King of the Monsters (Zilortha, Strength Incarnate), Mothra, Supersonic Queen (Luminous Broodmoth), and Spacegodzilla, Death Corona (Void Beckoner) due to their iconic nature.
10. Are the Ikoria Godzilla box toppers worth anything?
Yes, many of the Ikoria Godzilla box toppers have considerable value, especially the rarer cards and well-known Godzilla names. Prices can vary widely based on card condition, market demand and scarcity.
11. Are any box toppers printed as surge foils?
No, the Ikoria Godzilla box toppers are only available in traditional foil and they are not printed in the Surge Foil version. Only more recent sets have surge foil box toppers.
12. Besides box toppers, can I find other Godzilla cards in Ikoria?
Yes, the Godzilla characters also appear as a variant on some Ikoria cards that are available in packs, specifically in Japanese booster boxes. Each Godzilla card is also a variant art for one of the creatures in Ikoria.
13. Do draft booster boxes or set booster boxes have Ikoria box toppers?
Only the Ikoria Draft Booster Box contains the Godzilla Series box toppers. The set boosters for Ikoria do not include these special cards as part of their packaging.
14. What is the best way to acquire an Ikoria Godzilla box topper?
The most reliable way to acquire an Ikoria Godzilla box topper is by purchasing a sealed Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths booster box. They can also be bought individually on the secondary market from retailers.
15. Why are box toppers so popular?
Box toppers are popular because they provide added value to the purchase of a sealed booster box. These cards often feature desirable alternate art, unique frames, and premium finishes, making them attractive to both collectors and players. The novelty of the Godzilla versions further amplifies their collectibility and desirability.
In conclusion, the Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths Godzilla box toppers are a fascinating blend of Magic: The Gathering and the iconic monster franchise. They are a unique and sought-after collectible that will no doubt continue to draw interest in the coming years.