What Is an MTG Booster Pack?
A booster pack is a sealed package containing a randomized selection of Magic: The Gathering cards from a specific set. These packs serve as the primary way new cards enter circulation and have been central to the MTG experience since the game launched in 1993.
The role of booster packs in Magic: The Gathering
Booster packs drive the Magic economy and gameplay experience. They fuel Limited formats like Draft and Sealed, where players build decks from freshly opened packs. They also create the thrill of discovery—each pack might contain a chase rare, a valuable foil, or the perfect card for your deck. For many players, cracking packs is simply part of the fun.
How booster packs differ from boxes
Individual packs offer an affordable entry point for casual purchases, while boxes provide bulk quantities at better per-pack value. Boxes also guarantee factory-sealed authenticity and often include exclusive promo cards. Single packs work well for impulse buys or adding to existing collections, while boxes suit serious collectors and players hosting draft events.
What you get in a single booster
Contents vary by pack type, but every booster guarantees at least one rare or mythic rare card. Modern Play Boosters contain 14 cards including commons, uncommons, a guaranteed rare slot, wildcard slots that can upgrade to additional rares, and a guaranteed foil. You'll also find a chance at art cards and reprints from The List.
Different Types of MTG Booster Packs
Wizards of the Coast overhauled their booster lineup in 2024, replacing multiple pack types with a streamlined system. Here's what you need to know about each option.
Draft Boosters — built for limited format play
Draft Boosters were the original booster format, containing 15 cards balanced for draft gameplay. Each pack included 10 commons, 3 uncommons, 1 rare or mythic, and 1 basic land. Wizards discontinued Draft Boosters in early 2024, though older sets still have them available while supplies last.
Set Boosters — curated for collectors
Set Boosters launched in 2020 to deliver more exciting pack openings. They featured 12 cards with guaranteed foils, art cards, and multiple chances at rares. Set Boosters proved extremely popular—so popular that they significantly outsold Draft Boosters and prompted Wizards to merge both products. They were discontinued alongside Draft Boosters in 2024.
Play Boosters — merging play and collection (2025 change)
Play Boosters debuted with Murders at Karlov Manor in February 2024, combining the best elements of Draft and Set Boosters. Each 14-card pack works for Limited play while delivering collector-friendly features: guaranteed foils, wildcard slots enabling up to four rares per pack, art cards in roughly 35% of packs, and a 12.5% chance at cards from The List. This is now the standard booster for all premier sets.
Collector Boosters — the chase cards and premium foils
Collector Boosters target players hunting premium card versions. Each 15-card pack contains 5-6 rares or mythics, 8-12 foils, and exclusive treatments like extended art, textured foils, serialized cards, and showcase variants. These packs cost considerably more than Play Boosters but offer the highest concentration of valuable cards and chase variants.
Jumpstart Boosters — instant themed gameplay
Jumpstart Boosters offer a unique twist: 20 themed cards that create half a deck. Grab two packs, shuffle them together, and you're ready to play with a 40-card deck. Each pack includes lands and spells built around themes like dinosaurs, vampires, or elemental magic. Recent releases include Foundations Jumpstart and the Avatar: The Last Airbender Jumpstart products.
How to Choose the Right Booster Pack for You
Casual player vs competitive player
Casual players benefit most from Play Boosters or Jumpstart packs. Play Boosters offer variety and excitement with each opening, while Jumpstart delivers instant deck-building fun. Competitive players focused on specific formats should consider buying singles for deck construction, using Play Boosters primarily for draft events where the Limited experience matters most.
Collectors seeking high-value cards
If you're chasing premium versions, serialized cards, or exclusive treatments, Collector Boosters are your best option. They concentrate the highest-value cards into fewer packs. However, if you want specific chase cards, buying singles often proves more cost-effective than gambling on pack openings—even from Collector Boosters.
Which sets are worth buying in 2025
Several 2024-2025 sets stand out. Final Fantasy broke sales records with beloved characters and stunning artwork from series artists. Modern Horizons 3 packed format-staple reprints and new eternal-playable cards. Bloomburrow charmed players with its woodland creature theme. Outlaws of Thunder Junction delivered Magic's first Western setting. Looking ahead, Avatar: The Last Airbender arrives in late 2025, with Spider-Man and Marvel sets generating massive excitement.
MTG Booster Pack Prices & Value
Average cost per pack and what affects price
Play Boosters sit at a moderate price point, while Collector Boosters typically cost two to three times more. Jumpstart packs fall in between. Prices vary based on set popularity, card values within the set, retailer markup, and supply. Special sets like Modern Horizons command premium pricing, while standard releases remain more accessible.
Are booster packs worth it?
Value depends on your goals. For pure card acquisition, buying singles almost always offers better expected value. But booster packs deliver something singles can't: the experience of discovery, the possibility of incredible pulls, and the social joy of opening packs with friends. For drafting, boosters are essential. For collecting, they're part of the hobby's appeal.
Best places to buy MTG booster packs online
TCGPlayer offers price comparisons across verified sellers. Card Kingdom provides reliable service and strong reputation. Amazon carries MTG products but requires attention to seller credibility. Local game stores offer community connection and often host events. Compare prices across retailers, especially for larger purchases, since pricing can vary significantly.
Inside the Pack — Card Breakdown
Typical contents (rares, foils, art cards, tokens)
A Play Booster contains 14 cards: slots 1-6 hold commons, slot 7 splits between common and The List reprints, slots 8-10 guarantee uncommons, slot 11 delivers your rare or mythic, slot 12 provides a land with foil potential, slot 13 offers a non-foil wildcard of any rarity, and slot 14 guarantees a foil wildcard. Art cards appear in roughly one-third of packs.
What makes a pack "Collector" level
Collector Boosters maximize premium content: every card slot skews toward foils, extended art, or showcase treatments. You'll find 5-6 rare or mythic slots, foil-etched cards, textured foils on select mythics, and serialized variants numbered out of limited quantities. These packs exclude commons entirely, focusing on the most desirable card versions.
What is "Booster Fun"?
Booster Fun is Wizards' initiative to include alternate art treatments, showcase frames, and special versions of cards in boosters. Each set features unique treatments—Duskmourn offered Japan Showcase horror art, Bloomburrow featured characters reimagined as woodland animals, and Final Fantasy included artwork from legendary series artists. These variants appear across booster types but concentrate in Collector Boosters.
Storing and Collecting Your Boosters
Tips for collectors keeping packs sealed
Store sealed packs away from heat, humidity, and direct sunlight. Temperature fluctuations can damage cards through the packaging. Many collectors use rigid cases or dedicated storage boxes. Handle packs carefully to avoid creasing the foil wrappers, which diminishes collector value.
Display ideas for sealed booster packs
Sealed packs make attractive displays in acrylic stands, shadow boxes, or dedicated card display cases. Some collectors frame packs from favorite sets or arrange them chronologically to showcase Magic's visual evolution. UV-protective cases help prevent fading if packs will be exposed to light.
Understanding long-term pack value
Most modern sealed packs don't appreciate significantly due to high print runs. Exceptions include sets with exceptional chase cards, crossover IPs with broad appeal, or products that become unexpectedly scarce. Vintage packs from early Magic sets command premium prices, but replicating that success with modern products is unlikely. Collect sealed packs because you enjoy them, not as a primary investment strategy.
FAQ
How much does an MTG booster pack cost?
Play Boosters have a moderate price point, while Collector Boosters cost significantly more. Prices vary by set and retailer, so comparing across sellers helps you find the best deals.
What is the difference between Draft and Set boosters?
Draft Boosters were optimized for Limited play with 15 cards, while Set Boosters focused on collector appeal with 12 curated cards. Both were discontinued in 2024 and replaced by Play Boosters, which combine elements of both.
Which booster pack has the most rare cards?
Collector Boosters contain the most rares, with 5-6 rare or mythic slots per pack. Play Boosters can have 1-4 rares through wildcard slots, but Collector Boosters guarantee higher rare density.
Can you still buy old MTG booster packs?
Yes, older packs remain available through secondary markets, though prices increase as supply decreases. TCGPlayer, eBay, and specialty retailers stock older products. Verify authenticity carefully when purchasing vintage packs.
Are MTG booster packs good for new players?
Jumpstart packs are ideal for beginners since they create ready-to-play decks instantly. Play Boosters work well for building collections, though new players might benefit more from preconstructed decks initially before exploring boosters.