MTG: Introducing the ‘Play Booster’ – The Future of Draft!
There’s a new booster in town, and it’s taking the best parts of Magic and combining them to make play even better.
Hello, Praetors and Planeswalkers! Of all the things players enjoy about Magic, one of the most exciting is cracking packs. While buying singles is the best way to get the cards you need, there’s something extra exciting about letting fate take the wheel. Plus, if you’re really lucky, you’ll pull a card worth MUCH more than the pack you bought!
These days, there are three styles of booster packs: Draft, Set, and Collector. However, Draft boosters are really ONLY good for drafting. If you aren’t doing that, what’s the point? On the other hand, the list cards in Set boosters are locked out of Draft packs. That means that Draft packs drastically undersell, and the Limited experience feels a bit underwhelming. If only there were a better way! Well, now there is; introducing the Play Booster, the future of the Magic Limited experience.
What’s a Play Booster?
Play Boosters combine all the draft potential of Draft Boosters with the rarity chances of a Set Booster. As you can see from the chart, you’ll always get at least six Commons and one Foil of varying rarity. From there, it’s a grab bag as to what you’ll get. You may only receive one Rare card, or you could snag up to four! This variety will add more punch to drafting, and make Limited a more enticing format for players who want the shiniest cards. You’ll also notice there are only 14 cards now, plus a token or art card. While that might seem like a loss, the overall increased value of the packs more than make up for the lower pick rounds.
How Will This Effect Price?
Play Boosters will be priced the same as Set Boosters, so the price of standard drafts may go up. The same is true for Play Booster cases, since the number of packs is increasing to 36 from 24. However, this increased price also reflects the increased value of each pack. With a potential for four powerful rares in each pack, the likelihood of a pack outstripping its price is much higher. Whatever is lost in the price increase is gained in the increased value.
Will This Make Limited More Competitive?
Yes and no. According to Mark Rosewater, the increase in rare bombs WILL increase the power of standard drafts. However, the team at Wizards is working to make comparable cards and answers in lower rarity cards, to keep the format fair and balanced. As with all Limited games, luck is still a factor, but WotC is working hard to make sure that an unlucky pull doesn’t immediately doom you. While the new format will certainly present a learning curve, the Design Team will be working to adapt and make sure the format stays positive and fair.
When are Play Boosters Premiering?
The first set to include Play Boosters will be Murders at Karlov Manor, premiering in early 2024. The next two sets will have the same three-booster format, but going forward into 2024 and beyond, all sets will follow the two-booster system: Play for playing and Collector for collecting.
