Set Boosters vs. Collector Boosters: A Detailed Guide
The world of Magic: The Gathering (MTG) offers a variety of booster packs, each designed for a different player experience. Among these, set boosters and collector boosters stand out as popular choices, but they cater to different needs and preferences. The primary difference lies in their content and target audience. Set boosters are designed for players who enjoy the thrill of opening packs and discovering new cards, with a focus on a fun and surprising opening experience. They often contain a good mix of commons, uncommons, and the chance to pull multiple rares. Collector boosters, on the other hand, are aimed at collectors and players looking for the most premium and sought-after versions of cards, with a high concentration of rares, foils, and special treatments. In short, set boosters are about the experience, while collector boosters are about the premium cards.
What Exactly Are Set Boosters?
A Focus on the Opening Experience
Set boosters are crafted to maximize the excitement of opening a pack. They typically contain 12 Magic cards, plus 1 Art Card and a token/ad card, a Helper card, or a card from “The List.” The specific card ratios are designed to provide variability and more opportunities to pull desirable cards. You can expect a mix of 3–6 commons, 3–6 uncommons, and 1–4 rares and/or mythic rares. The inclusion of “The List” adds an element of surprise, as it’s a curated selection of cards from Magic’s history.
Key Features of Set Boosters
- Higher Chance of Multiple Rares: Set boosters often offer a better chance of pulling multiple rare or mythic rare cards compared to draft boosters, which generally contain only one. This is a major draw for those who enjoy the thrill of discovering valuable cards.
- Thematic Sections: Set boosters are often organized into thematic sections, creating a more narrative opening experience. This can include a section of commons and uncommons that work well together, making each pack feel like a mini-story.
- “The List” Inclusion: The possibility of finding a card from “The List” provides an opportunity to pull older, more sought-after cards, adding to the overall excitement.
- Designed for Cracking: Set boosters are designed for players who enjoy opening packs for the thrill of it rather than for drafting or playing limited formats.
Exploring the World of Collector Boosters
The Premium Choice
Collector boosters are the pinnacle of pack opening. They are designed for players looking for the most premium, rare, and exclusive versions of cards. These boosters are significantly more expensive than set boosters, but they come with the highest potential for valuable pulls.
Key Features of Collector Boosters
- High Concentration of Rares and Mythics: Collector boosters are packed with rare and mythic rare cards, typically including four per pack. This high concentration of high-value cards is the main reason for their higher price.
- Foil and Special Treatments: These boosters guarantee foil versions of cards, as well as other special treatments such as alternate art, extended art, and unique foil finishes. Many of these treatments can only be found in collector boosters.
- Exclusive Card Versions: Certain special cards and variants are exclusive to collector boosters, such as serialized cards, which are incredibly rare and highly sought after.
- Focus on Collectability: Collector boosters prioritize collectability and premium experiences. They are ideal for players who want to acquire the most aesthetically pleasing and rare cards from a set.
- All Foil or Alternative: All the cards in a collector booster will be a foil version, or have an alternative art, sometimes both.
Key Differences Summarized
| Feature | Set Booster | Collector Booster |
|---|---|---|
| ———————– | —————————————– | ————————————————– |
| Primary Goal | Fun opening experience, multiple rares. | Premium cards, foil, and special treatments. |
| Card Count | 12 Magic cards + 1 Art Card & extra card. | 15 Cards + 1 Foil Token |
| Rares/Mythics | 1–4 | 4 (minimum) |
| Foil Cards | Variable chance, but not guaranteed | Guaranteed (all cards are either foil or alternative) |
| Special Treatments | Less frequent | Frequent: alternate art, extended art, special foils |
| “The List” Inclusion | Yes, chance of 1 in 4 packs. | No |
| Price | Lower | Higher |
| Target Audience | Players who enjoy opening packs. | Collectors, players seeking premium cards. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the difference between a set booster and a draft booster for collecting?
Draft boosters are primarily designed for playing limited formats like draft. They typically contain 15 cards, with a focus on balanced common and uncommon distribution. Set boosters, on the other hand, have fewer cards (12 plus 1 art card and an extra card) and prioritize the excitement of opening, with a higher chance of pulling multiple rare or mythic rare cards. They are better for collectors as they are designed with exciting card variations.
2. How many rares are guaranteed in a set booster box?
A set booster box typically contains at least 30 rares/mythics, but the number is likely to be closer to 40. At a general rate of about 1 mythic to every 7.4 rares, that would mean around 32-33 rares and 5-6 mythics.
3. Is it worth buying collector boosters?
Whether collector boosters are “worth it” depends on your goals. If you’re seeking specific premium cards, foil versions, and rare variants, then they can be worth the investment. However, the high price can make them less appealing to budget-conscious players. You need to determine if you are looking for the absolute coolest and most premium cards, if so they are worth the price.
4. Can you pull valuable cards from set boosters?
Yes, set boosters can contain valuable cards, including rares, mythics, and cards from “The List”. While not as consistently high-value as collector boosters, the potential for great pulls is there, and the price is usually much lower than collector packs.
5. Are all cards in collector boosters foil?
Yes, all the cards in a collector booster are either foil or feature an alternative art variation, they all have a premium finish.
6. What kind of special treatments can be found in collector boosters?
Collector boosters are where you will find the most special treatment cards. These treatments include:
- Extended-Art Cards: Cards with the artwork extending to the edges of the card frame.
- Alternate Art Cards: Cards featuring different art than their standard versions.
- Unique Foil Treatments: Including etched foils or other special foil finishes.
- Serialized Cards: Extremely rare, numbered versions of cards.
7. Are set boosters or collector boosters better for making a profit?
Generally, collector boosters offer a higher chance of pulling cards that can be sold for high prices due to the rarity of the cards inside. However, the high cost of collector boosters means you must weigh this against the chance of not getting your investment back.
8. Do collector boosters have more mythics than set boosters?
The ratio of mythic rares to rares is generally higher in collector boosters compared to set boosters, meaning you are likely to find more mythics per pack.
9. What is “The List” in set boosters?
“The List” is a selection of reprints from past MTG sets that can appear in set boosters. It adds an element of surprise and the chance to find older, sought-after cards. “The List” is a collection of cards reprinted into modern sets with a special symbol on them.
10. Are set boosters worth it?
Set boosters are generally considered worth it for players who enjoy cracking packs for the excitement of it and have a good chance at pulling multiple rares. They offer a great balance of fun and value at a lower price than collector boosters.
11. Can you get two rares in a draft booster?
Yes, some sets include a way to get two rares in a draft booster. For example, in “Double Masters” each draft booster pack contains two rares or mythic rare cards.
12. What is the average chance of pulling a mythic in a set booster?
Players have a 13.51% chance to find a mythic rare in a set booster pack. This equates to an average of 4.86 mythic rares per standard set booster box.
13. What is the most valuable MTG booster box right now?
The value of booster boxes fluctuates. Right now, The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth is one of the most valuable sets, especially its special edition collector boosters, but this may change with future releases.
14. Can you pull a Sol Ring from set boosters?
While Sol Rings are available as normal cards in various sets and can be found in set boosters, the serialized Elven, Dwarven, and Human Sol Rings are exclusive to some non-special edition The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth Collector Boosters.
15. Are there any other kinds of boosters?
Yes, other types of boosters include draft boosters (designed for drafting), Jumpstart boosters (themed decks for quick play), and epilogue boosters (specialized boosters with specific contents). Each serves a different purpose and is geared towards a different type of player.