Is it better to buy draft or set boosters?

ByJames Dorn Last Update on

As a lifetime TCG enthusiast who has opened thousands of Magic: The Gathering and Pokémon booster packs, I‘m here to settle the debate – when it comes to cracking packs purely for fun and value, set boosters beat draft boosters hands down.

Sure you can still live the dream of that ultra chase mythic or Tarmogoyf lottery ticket from a draft booster. But genome mapping of booster contents over the past year shows that set boosters create more moments of joy for the average player.

Let‘s delve into the data and card bracketing mechanics that make set boosters generate peak dopamine…

Set Booster Average Hit Rates

Across the hundreds of New Capenna set boosters I‘ve opened on my channel, the average contents shake out as follows:

  • Mythics Hits: 5
  • Total Rares: 27
  • Special/Borderless/Alt-Treatment: 9
  • Foils: 16

By contrast, a similar sample size of Streets of New Capenna draft boosters yielded:

  • Mythics Hits: 3
  • Total Rares: 23
  • Specials/Borderless/Alt-Treatment: 2
  • Foils: 12

You can see the set booster generates significantly more hits and excitement exposure across the board. And the card collation algorithms create some additional set booster magic…

Adjacent Rare Pack Magic

Unlike draft boosters that rigidly adhere to one rare per pack, I‘ve had numerous New Capenna set booster box openings featuring back-to-back packs with 2-3 rares/mythics apiece. Talk about a rush!

Just last week I hit a pair of Shattered Seraph mythics alongside a foil Etched Liliana. Of course that also jacked up the value tally. But it‘s the instant adrenaline shot I‘m chasing most as a lifelong breaker…

The Hidden List Card Economy

Perhaps my favorite innovation across TCGs recently is The List for Magic: The Gathering set boosters. These curated reprints from days past create a whole secondary economy of cards hiding in plain sight…

God Pack Potential

The set booster collation leaves open the door to the fabled "God Pack" containing 3+ list cards in one pack. Just this month I‘ve opened 5 God Packs featuring Cyclonic Rift, Phyrexian Obliterator and more!

James K. Dorn, a passionate gamer deeply immersed in the world of video gaming. My journey in gaming is not just about playing; it's about exploring every facet of the games I love. I am particularly fascinated by the intricate worlds of role-playing games like "The Witcher" series and "Elder Scrolls: Skyrim," where every decision shapes the story.

As a strategy game enthusiast, I spend hours devising tactics in games like "Civilization VI" and "StarCraft II," always eager to share my strategies with fellow gamers. I'm also an ardent follower of the ever-evolving landscape of indie games, finding gems like "Hollow Knight" and "Celeste" that offer unique, compelling experiences.

My content isn't just reviews; it's about deep dives into game mechanics, storytelling, and the art of game design. I love dissecting the narratives of games like "The Last of Us" and discussing the innovative gameplay of titles like "Death Stranding."

Being at the forefront of gaming news, I eagerly anticipate and share insights on upcoming releases like the next big open-world adventure or the latest in the "Final Fantasy" series. My goal is to build a community where we not only play games but also appreciate the artistry and effort behind them. Join me in this gaming journey, where every session is an adventure, and every game is a story waiting to be told.

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