Are set boosters worth it? Yes, for the right player

Set boosters have carved out a nice niche for themselves between the optimized draft gameplay of traditional booster packs, and the blinged-out collector focus of premium alternatives. By increasing the frequency of multiple rares, foils, and special card treatments over draft packs – while keeping the price point reasonable – set boosters deliver an excitement-first opening experience with surprisingly solid underlying value. They are absolutely worth it for more casual Commander players and collectors enamored by the variance and surprise factor booster openings provide. Even the spike-iest of drafters may sneak a few set booster displays into their next TCGPlayer order after weighing the numbers. Let‘s break down why!

Set Boosters vs Draft Boosters vs Collector Boosters – An Overview

Set boosters differ from draft boosters in a few key ways, generally sacrificing some limited power and card quantity for more consistently interesting openings:

As you can see, set boosters shave off a couple commons to allow room for more repeated themes and art treatments in exchange. And they do so while maintaining a reasonable price point much closer to draft‘s. This is because collector boosters ratchet up the guaranteed rares, foils, and reprint equity down to just one or two marquee cards. So in the Venn diagram comprising cost, variety, and value – set boosters can offer collectors and casual players excellent overlap.

"Are Set Boosters Worth It?" – Crunching The Numbers on Value

But enough comparing and contrasting – on to answering the golden question! When determining if any sealed Magic product is "worth" the retail cost, the two key factors are:

• Expected Value (EV) – What is the average monetary value of the cards you open?
• Intangibles – How much is excitement, surprise, enjoyment, etc. worth to you?

Let‘s explore the first point by looking at the per pack and box EV of recent premier sets with set boosters using publicly available box opening data:

Based on market rates, set booster boxes are outperforming their MSRP. And the strong EV is buoyed by the increased chances of opening more than one rare, shiny foil versions of cards, full art basics, and thematic reprints. This supplementary value simply can‘t be represented in a financial calculation, but it demonstrates why the reinvention of the booster pack resonates. Value and enjoyment in harmony.

Who Should Buy Set Boosters?

So now that we‘ve determined set boosters can enrich the cracking experience while avoiding feel bad bulk boxes – who is the target demographic here? Should even the most hardened of drafters make room for them in their collection ritual?

Casual & Commander Players

Commander players will find plenty to dig into across themes, reprints, and blinged out staples for the beloved format. The singleton nature makes redundancy less of an issue.

Budget Collectors & Bling Lovers

Special card treatments, borderless variants, alt-arts create exciting ripping and reveal moments without damaging the wallet like premium sets.

Variance Maximalists

Removing some uniformity of pack contents allows additional surprise that supplement-focused players will adore. Less drafting fodder increases pull dynamism.

So while deep dive limited grinders may still prefer picking every card in a draft booster – set boosters expand the booster experience to engage players more enamored by the lottery Ticket sensation of cracking packs. And the value provided through increased rates of meaningful pulls backs up the intrinsically fun variance at the core of TCG collecting.

The Verdict – Should You Buy Set Boosters?

While tabletop Magic always presents a mosaic of correct paths to enjoyment based on play style, collecting desires, and budget – I can comfortably recommend set boosters to casual Commander aficionados, art-focused collectors, and Timmy types looking to open value across themes. They reinvent the iconic booster pack to focus more on exciting moments, surprising pulls, and displaying the set themes and stories – backed up by solid monetary expectations.

At current retail rates they deliver enjoyable openings with room for upside. Even the most curmudgeonly of drafters is bound to grin now and then upon seeing a sweet invocation treatment or shiny foil Walker slowly revealed across their next TCGPlayer unboxing.

So when asking "Are set boosters worth it?", while mileage may vary – I believe sampling their delights can enrich any Magic player‘s expanding collection. Just beware of their insidious habit forming properties! Now if you‘ll excuse me, I have a fresh case of double masters 2022 set boosters calling my name…