The age-old question in the Magic: The Gathering community: “Can you draft with Set Boosters?” has been floating around for a while. While the simple answer is “yes,” the reality is a bit more nuanced. As we explored in a previous article, Set Boosters aren’t designed for drafting, unlike their Draft Booster counterparts. But that doesn’t mean it’s impossible, or even always a bad idea, depending on your goals. Let’s delve deeper.
Why Set Boosters Aren’t Ideal for Traditional Draft
- Card Distribution: Set Boosters contain 12 cards, compared to the 15 in Draft Boosters. This means fewer overall cards per pack, potentially leading to shallower card pools and less strategic depth in your draft.
- Fewer Uncommons: Uncommons are crucial for limited play, often providing the backbone of many archetypes. Set Boosters have fewer guaranteed uncommons, making it harder to reliably build around specific strategies.
- Focus on Excitement, Not Balance: Set Boosters are designed to deliver exciting pulls, including multiple rares, foils, and showcase cards. This can lead to highly variable pack contents, making it difficult to balance the draft environment. Some players might open multiple bombs, while others get mostly unplayables.
However, There’s More to the Story…
While Set Boosters present challenges for traditional drafting, they also offer some unique opportunities:
- The “Chaos Draft” Variant: Set Boosters can be perfect for a more casual, unpredictable “chaos draft” experience. The variability of the packs can lead to unexpected and hilarious game scenarios. If your playgroup is more interested in fun and surprises than hyper-competitive play, Set Boosters can be a great choice.
- Lower Cost (Sometimes): Depending on your local game store and current sales, Set Boosters can sometimes be slightly cheaper than Draft Boosters. If budget is a major concern, drafting with Set Boosters might be a viable option, especially for casual play.
- Unique Card Experiences: Set Boosters often contain cards and variants not found in Draft Boosters, such as extended-art rares. This can add an extra layer of excitement to the draft, even if the overall balance is less than ideal.
Adapting the Draft Format for Set Boosters
If you’re determined to draft with Set Boosters, here are some ways to adapt the format:
- Increase the Number of Packs: Consider having each player open four or even five Set Boosters instead of the traditional three. This will increase the overall card pool and mitigate the issue of fewer cards per pack.
- Adjust the Number of Players: Smaller pod sizes (e.g., 4-6 players) might work better with Set Boosters, as there will be less competition for a smaller pool of “good” cards.
- House Rules: Implement house rules to address the imbalance. For example, you could allow players to “re-draft” a certain number of cards, or you could seed the packs with additional uncommons.
The Verdict
While Draft Boosters remain the ideal choice for a balanced and competitive draft experience, Set Boosters can offer a unique and enjoyable alternative, especially for casual playgroups. The key is to understand their limitations and adapt the draft format accordingly. If you’re looking for a wild and unpredictable draft with lots of exciting pulls, Set Boosters might be worth a try. Just be prepared for a different kind of experience!