You are standing in front of the Magic: The Gathering section and hesitating between the different booster boxes. Play Booster? Collector Booster? Prices vary threefold, and the contents seem mysterious. No need to panic: this guide explains everything about the current types of Magic boosters.
Good news: Wizards of the Coast simplified its lineup in February 2024. Gone is the confusion between Draft Boosters, Set Boosters and Collector Boosters. Today there are only two main types: the Play Booster (standard) and the Collector Booster (premium). Let us look at each in detail.
The evolution of Magic boosters
To understand the current lineup, a brief look back is in order. Magic has gone through several booster eras, each with its own logic.
The Draft Booster era (1993-2024)
The Draft Booster was Magic's original format since its creation in 1993. For 30 years, it was THE default booster.
Typical contents (15 cards):
- 10 common cards
- 3 uncommon cards
- 1 rare or mythic rare
- 1 basic land
Characteristics:
- Designed for Draft and Sealed (Limited formats)
- Color balance designed for gameplay
- About 1 rare per booster
- Accessible price
End of life: The Draft Booster was discontinued in February 2024 with the release of Murders at Karlov Manor. You can still find Draft Boosters for older sets (Wilds of Eldraine, Lost Caverns of Ixalan, etc.), but no new expansion will produce them.
The arrival of Set Boosters (2020-2024)
In September 2020, with Zendikar Rising, Wizards introduced Set Boosters. The idea: create a booster designed for the pleasure of opening rather than for Draft.
Set Booster innovations:
- 12-14 cards with a "narrative" structure (from least exciting to most exciting)
- More rares on average: 1.34 rares per booster vs 1 for Draft
- Guaranteed foil in every booster
- Access to "The List": reprints of historical cards
- Possibility of multiple rares in the same booster
Set Boosters became extremely popular. So much so that stores often had stock issues: everyone wanted Set Boosters rather than Draft Boosters.
End of life: Set Boosters were also discontinued in February 2024. Their concept was merged with Draft Boosters to create Play Boosters.
Theme Boosters (2018-2022)
Theme Boosters contained 35 cards of a single color. Designed for new players who wanted to strengthen their mono-color deck.
End of life: Replaced by Jumpstart Boosters, more fun and directly playable.
Current boosters
Since February 2024, the Magic lineup has been simplified. Here is what you will find in stores.
Play Booster – The new standard
The Play Booster was born from the merger of Draft Boosters and Set Boosters. Launched with Murders at Karlov Manor (February 2024), it is now THE default Magic booster.
Contents (14 cards):
| Slot | Contents |
|---|---|
| 1-6 | 6 Common cards |
| 7 | Common OR special card (12.5% chance) |
| 8-10 | 3 Uncommon cards |
| 11 | Wildcard (all rarities possible) |
| 12 | Guaranteed rare or mythic rare |
| 13 | Basic land (or full-art) |
| 14 | FOIL Wildcard (all rarities) |
What this means in practice:
- 1 rare: in 58% of boosters
- 2 rares: in 37% of boosters
- 3+ rares: in 5% of boosters
- Average: 1.45 rares per booster
Indicative price: 5-7€ per single booster
Display (box):
- 36 boosters for sets released between Murders at Karlov Manor (February 2024) and Foundations (end of 2024)
- 30 boosters since Aetherdrift (February 2025), current new standard
- Display price: 140-180€ (36 boosters) / 120-150€ (30 boosters)
Usable in Draft: Yes! That is even its primary function. The color and rarity balance is designed for Limited.
On the crossover side, the Display Marvel's Spider-Man - English - Magic The Gathering (87,00€) and the Display Avatar The Last Airbender - French - Magic The Gathering (168,00€) feature exclusive frames and illustrations highly sought after by collectors.
Nos displays Play Booster Magic
Collector Booster – The premium option
The Collector Booster has existed since Throne of Eldraine (2019). It is the high-end product for collectors and rare card hunters.
Contents (15 cards):
- 5+ guaranteed rares or mythic rares (often 6-7)
- 12-13 foil cards
- Exclusive cards: Extended Art, Borderless, Showcase
- Possibility of serialized cards (numbered /500, /250, etc.)
- Special treatments depending on the expansion (Textured Foil, Galaxy Foil...)
Indicative price: 25-35€ per single booster
Display:
- 12 boosters per box
- Display price: 200-400€ depending on the expansion
Usable in Draft: Not recommended. The rarity imbalance makes Draft chaotic, and the cost is prohibitive.
Jumpstart Booster – The ready-to-play option
The Jumpstart format, introduced in 2020, offers a unique approach: thematic half-decks ready to play.
Contents (20 cards):
- A cohesive themed half-deck
- At least 1 guaranteed rare
- Lands included
How to play: Shuffle 2 Jumpstart boosters together = 1 playable 40-card deck immediately. No need to build, no need to know deckbuilding rules.
Ideal for:
- Complete beginners
- Quick games with friends
- Discovering Magic without investment
- "Pick-up and play" events
Full comparison table
Here is a summary to help you choose:
| Criterion | Play Booster | Collector Booster |
|---|---|---|
| Price/booster | 5-7€ | 25-35€ |
| Cards/booster | 14 | 15 |
| Guaranteed rares | 1 (average 1.45) | 5+ |
| Guaranteed foils | 1 | 12-13 |
| Usable in Draft | Yes | Not recommended |
| Exclusive cards | No | Extended Art, Borderless, Showcase |
| Boosters/display | 30 (current standard) | 12 |
| Display price | 120-180€ | 200-400€ |
| Target audience | Players, fun opening | Collectors, hit-hunters |
Which booster to choose based on your profile?
The best booster depends on what you are looking for. Here is our guide by profile.
You play Draft or Sealed
→ Play Booster
It is the only logical choice. Play Boosters are designed for Limited: color balance, rarity distribution designed for gameplay. And the price stays accessible for regular Draft evenings.
You collect
To start a sealed collection, take a look at the Bundle Lorwyn Eclipsed - English - Magic The Gathering (47,00€): a complete Bundle with 9 boosters and official accessories, perfect to keep sealed.
→ Collector Booster
If you are looking for the rarest and most beautiful versions, Collector Booster is the answer. It is the only way to obtain certain cards: Extended Art, Borderless alt-art, Showcase treatments, and the famous serialized numbered cards.
You open for the fun of it
The Bundle Avatar The Last Airbender - English - Magic The Gathering (57,00€) is an excellent compromise: 9 Play boosters, one Collector Booster and themed accessories for a memorable opening session.
→ Play Booster
The Play Booster inherited the excitement of the old Set Boosters: wildcards, guaranteed foil, possibility of multiple rares... All for an optimal fun-to-price ratio. You will get the thrill of opening without breaking the bank.
You are new to Magic
→ Jumpstart Booster
2 boosters = 1 playable deck immediately. Perfect for learning the basics without worrying about deckbuilding. Once comfortable, you can move on to Play Boosters.
You are looking for specific cards
→ Buying singles
Let us be honest: opening boosters to find a specific card is playing the lottery. If you need a particular card for your deck, buy it directly on the secondary market. It is almost always cheaper.
The shift to 30-booster boxes
A major structural change hit Play Boosters.
Since Aetherdrift (February 2025), Play Booster displays shifted from 36 to 30 boosters. Wizards applied a proportional price adjustment.
Practical impact:
- Sealed: 30 boosters = 5 players (instead of 6 with 36 boosters)
- Draft: Extra boosters needed for an 8-player pod
- EV (Expected Value): Fewer rares per box (43-44 vs 52 on average)
Collector Booster displays remain at 12 boosters.
Profitability: myth or reality?
The question everyone asks: can you "recoup" your boosters?
Play Booster: the reality of the numbers
- Average price of a standard rare: 0.50-2€
- Average price of a mythic: 5-15€
- Chance of opening a "hit" (>20€): about 5%
- Verdict: Rarely profitable in pure value, but guaranteed fun
Collector Booster: maximum variance
- More chances of "hits" thanks to exclusive cards
- A single Extended Art or Borderless card can pay for the booster
- But also a lot of bulk foil worth very little
- Verdict: Very high variance, potential for gain BUT also significant loss
The truth
Opening boosters = hobby, not investment. If you want pure profitability, buy cards individually. If you enjoy the excitement of opening, the thrill of discovery, then set yourself an "entertainment" budget and have fun!
Tip: Never spend more than you are prepared to "lose" for the pleasure.
Boosters Magic à l'unité
How to maximize your openings
A few tips to get the most out of your boosters:
Before buying
- Check set prices on TCGPlayer or Cardmarket
- Identify the "chase cards" (highly sought-after cards)
- Calculate the average EV (Expected Value) of the box
- Compare with the direct purchase price of the cards you want
During opening
- Sleeve immediately any valuable cards
- Handle cards by the edges
- Keep food and drinks away
- Take photos/videos if you are opening premium
After opening
- Inventory your cards (mobile app)
- Separate bulk / playable / valuable
- Sell or trade quickly if the price is high (prices often drop after release)
- Store properly to preserve value
FAQ – Frequently asked questions
Do Draft Boosters still exist?
Not for new sets. Draft Boosters were replaced by Play Boosters in February 2024 with Murders at Karlov Manor. You can still find Draft Boosters for older sets (Wilds of Eldraine, Lost Caverns of Ixalan, etc.) while stock lasts.
Can you draft with Collector Boosters?
Technically yes, but it is not recommended. The rarity imbalance (5+ rares per booster) makes Draft chaotic and unbalanced. Not to mention the prohibitive cost: ~100€ per player for a 3-booster draft.
How many rares in a Play Booster display?
On average:
- 36-booster display (sets from Murders at Karlov Manor to Foundations): 36 × 1.45 = ~52 rares
- 30-booster display (since Aetherdrift): 30 × 1.45 = ~43-44 rares
Including approximately 1 mythic every 7-8 rares.
Will Set Boosters return?
No. Wizards of the Coast has confirmed that the Play Booster is the permanent solution. It combines the advantages of Draft Boosters (Limited playability) and Set Boosters (opening excitement, more rares).
What is the difference between rare and mythic rare?
- Rare (gold symbol): About 1 guaranteed rare per booster
- Mythic rare (orange symbol): About 1 mythic every 7-8 rares
Mythic rares are generally more powerful, iconic or sought-after cards. Their increased scarcity raises their price on the secondary market.
Why are Collector Boosters so expensive?
The price reflects the premium contents:
- 5+ guaranteed rares/mythics (vs 1 in a Play Booster)
- Exclusive treatments (Extended Art, Borderless, Showcase)
- 12-13 foils per booster
- Possibility of ultra-rare serialized cards
It is a niche product for collectors who want the rarest versions.
Which display to start with in Magic?
For a beginner, we recommend a Starter Kit or Jumpstart Boosters instead. If you absolutely want a display, choose a Play Booster from a recent set — you will have enough to build several decks and discover the mechanics.
Conclusion
The choice of booster really depends on your profile:
- Play Booster: For the majority of players. Draft, fun opening, controlled budget.
- Collector Booster: For collectors. Exclusive cards, premium foils, hit potential.
- Jumpstart: To start out. Ready to play in 2 seconds.
Do not forget: opening boosters is above all a pleasure. If you are looking for specific cards, buying singles will always be more economical. But nothing replaces the excitement of discovering what is hiding in the next booster!
At MizouTCG, we offer a wide selection of Magic displays and boosters for all budgets. Happy opening!
Tous nos produits Magic: The Gathering
