Why Buy Collector Boosters?
Collector boosters are a premium Magic: The Gathering product that contain rare, foil, and alternate art cards. They are designed for collectors who want to bling out their decks or acquire valuable cards. But are collector boosters worth the high price tag? Here‘s a detailed look at what‘s inside and whether they are a good investment.
What Are Collector Boosters?
Collector boosters contain 15 cards compared to the typical 8-10 in draft boosters. They have a higher concentration of foils, alternate art cards, and rare/mythic pulls. Each collector booster contains:
- 1 Foil Rare or Mythic
- 1 Non-Foil Rare or Mythic
- 2 Foil Commons/Uncommons
- 10 Commons/Uncommons (7 foil, 3 non-foil)
- 1 Foil Double-Sided Token
In addition, 30-50% of the uncommons are replaced with rares or mythics in collector boosters. This amps up the value significantly.
Premium Card Treatments
Collector boosters really shine due to the variety of premium card treatments. Here are some examples:
- Galaxy Foil: A cosmic, sparkly foil that is eye-catching.
- Extended Art: The art box is extended, showing more of the gorgeous illustration.
- Borderless: Frameless planeswalkers and rare/mythic cards.
- Etched Foil: A unique etched texture combined with foil.
- Retro Frame: An old-school frame with faded colors.
These treatments create an amazing unboxing experience and chance to get unique cards.
Improved Odds for Rares
You are guaranteed at least 2 rare/mythic pulls per collector booster. But the odds are even better than that. Here are the advertised odds:
- 72.5% chance of a 3rd rare/mythic
- 42.1% chance of a 4th rare/mythic
- 13.8% chance of a 5th rare/mythic
So there is a good possibility of getting 3-5 rares per pack if luck is on your side. The foil rare slot also has a 10% chance of upgrading to a mythic.
Value Comparison to Draft Boosters
A collector booster averages around $20 versus $3-4 for a draft booster. You are paying 4-6x more per pack. But the value inside is significantly higher:
| Metric | Draft Booster | Collector Booster |
|---|---|---|
| Average Rares per Pack | 1 | 3-5 |
| Average Foils per Pack | 1 | 7-8 |
| Chance of Mythic | 1:8 packs | 1:6 packs |
| Average Value | $2-3 | $15-20 |
While the upfront cost is high, collector boosters give you 5-10x the value on average versus draft boosters.
Holding Long Term Value
Collector boosters hold value better long term compared to draft boosters. This is because they contain so many chase cards and premium treatments that drive prices.
For example, the Theros Beyond Death Collector Booster averaged around $275 upon release in 2020. Today it sells for $450+, a 60%+ increase in 2 years.
So if you can get collector boosters near MSRP, they represent a good long term hold. Their high demand from collectors helps maintain value.
Fun Factor
Beyond value, collector boosters provide an extremely fun opening experience. The variety of treatments, increased hits, and chance for something insane gives a rush that draft boosters can‘t match.
Collector boosters make great gifts or personal treats when you want to bask in the glow of back-to-back foil mythics. This fun factor shouldn‘t be overlooked!
Final Verdict
Collector boosters are absolutely worth it for collectors who prioritize rare, foil, and alternate art cards. The value inside exceeds the cost by a good margin. They also hold long term value well.
The downside is the high upfront cost. But if you can afford it, collector boosters provide an unparalleled opening experience and great way to pimp out your collection. Just be smart and buy them at a fair price.