Magic cards have been part of the trading game scene for three decades now and is considered one of the greatest games ever devised. The thrill of opening MTG booster packs and finding hidden foil gems is unlike any other game on the market.
Whether you’re a long time Magic player or seasoned investor or collector, there has never been a better time to jump into the world of Magic cards, booster boxes and packs. Let’s find out why.
Key Takeaways
- MTG collectors and players have many options when it comes to buying booster packs.
- When you purchase Magic cards, make sure you understand the differences between Draft, Set and Collector Booster packs.
- Commander Masters, The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-Earth (Universes Beyond) and Wilds of Eldraine Collector Boosters will be 3 of the Best MTG booster packs to buy in 2023.
- Serialized cards of Atraxa, Praetors’ Voice and Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite from March of the Machine are some of the most valuable MTG cards from the current 2023 sets.
- Textured Foil versions of Jeweled Lotus and Ulamog, the Ceaseless Hunger from Commander Masters will be two of the most sought after and valuable cards from MTG as well.
- Buy Booster Boxes instead of packs if you like the set and the budget can afford it. It’s way more economical.
- Vintage Magic Booster Packs are great investments right now and we recommend looking into Core Set 2021, Fallen Empires and Revised Edition as solid buys.
In 2023, Magic The Gathering players and collectors will have a fairly large selection to choose from with 10 major sets to be released. From standard sets like Phyrexia: All Will Be One and March of the Machine to supplemental sets like The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-Earth, Dominaria Remastered and Commander Masters, there is something for everyone.
Understanding The Odds of Finding The Best Magic Cards
When buying a pack of Magic cards, it’s important to know the odds of finding different kinds of cards inside. Unlike sports card packs, the odds of finding special Magic cards has never really been published too much or even posted on the packs.
So let’s use the recently released MARCH OF THE MACHINE set as an example. Here’s a breakdown of the odds of finding different cards in the different types of booster packs released by Wizards of the Coast:
- Full Art Basic Lands
- 1 in 33% of Draft Booster Packs
- 1 in 36% of Set Booster Packs
- 1 in every Collector Booster Pack
- Multiverse Legends Card
- 1 in every Draft and Set Booster Pack
- 3 in every Collector Booster Pack
- Extended Art Card
- Not available in Draft and Set Booster Packs
- Between 1-3 in every Collector Booster Pack
- Serialized Cards
- Not available in Draft and Set Booster Packs
- 1 in less than 1% of Collector Booster Packs
- Traditional Foil Cards
- 1 in 33% of Draft Booster Packs
- Randomly inserted in Set Booster Packs (no odds)
- 10-12 in every Collector Booster Pack
- Foil Etched Cards
- Not available in Draft Booster Packs
- Randomly inserted in Set and Collector Booster Packs (no odds)
- Halo Foil Cards
- Not available in Draft and Set Booster Packs
- Randomly inserted in Collector Booster Packs (no odds)
- Double Rainbow Foil Serialized Cards
- Not available in Draft and Set Booster Packs
- 1 in less than 1% of Collector Booster Packs
Because every Magic set is different, we recommend you research each pack and set to understand the odds before purchasing. This way you make sure you are getting the best bang for your buck.
The above cards are just for March of the Machine booster packs so every set will have different odds for different kinds of cards. Some sets may even have unique or exclusive cards only found in those sets and in certain packs.
In addition, each type of MTG Booster Box may have different odds for different cards, as illustrated above. As an example, if you purchase one of the very expensive Collector Booster Packs, you have much lower odds of finding basic cards. But you will definitely have much higher odds of getting special cards, some of which are unique to Collector Booster packs like the Double Rainbow Foil Serialized cards.
On the other hand, the Draft and Set Booster packs (considered to be basic packs) may have higher odds of getting base cards but lower odds (or no chance at all) of receiving some of the higher end cards like the Multiverse Legends Cards.
Current Releases
As mentioned, there are lots of Magic The Gathering sets being released in 2023 and they all look great! Here are our top picks that we recommend when it comes to finding the best MTG cards for this year. Although the Collector Booster packs are more expensive than Draft and Set boosters, you will definitely get the BEST cards out of these packs.
Best MTG Booster Packs For 2023
Commander Masters Collector Booster
- FIRST MASTERS SET FOR COMMANDER—Masters boosters are super-charged packs full of the finest Magic: The Gathering reprints; Commander Masters brings the first Masters packs specifically designed for Commander, Magic’s most popular format
- GET THE BEST OF THE BEST—Collector Boosters are a shortcut to the coolest cards in an already extraordinary set, with packs full of Rare cards, shiny foil cards, and special alt-art, alt-frame cards
- COLLECTOR BOOSTER-EXCLUSIVE TREATMENTS—Collector Boosters are the only boosters where you'll find Extended-Art, Foil-Etched, and possible Textured Foil treatment cards
This pack typically costs around $50 and contains 15 cards. It features a mix of Extended-Art and shiny foil cards with every pack including 5 Borderless cards and 5 cards of rarity Rare or higher. There’s also a chance to find.a possible Textured Foil Borderless card (1 in 25 of packs.)
The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-Earth (Universes Beyond) Collector Booster
- MAGIC MEETS THE LORD OF THE RINGS—Experience the beloved story of The Lord of the Rings through the gorgeous art and thrilling gameplay of the Magic: The Gathering collectible trading card game
- JOIN THE FELLOWSHIP—Immerse yourself in Middle-earth with unique game mechanics and stunning art that draw you into this epic tale
- BEST BOOSTERS FOR COLLECTORS—Collector Boosters are a shortcut to the coolest cards in a set, with packs full of Rare cards, shiny foil cards, and special alt-art, alt-frame cards
This pack typically costs around $35-$40 and contains 15 cards. It features a mix of the best cards in the set including plenty of Rares and Mythics, shiny foils and special alternate art and alternate framed cards. Each pack also contains at least 1 Scene card with Borderless art . There’s also a chance to find Serialized Elven, Dwarven, or Human Sol Ring cards (odds of less than .03% of packs contain one of these.)
Wilds of Eldraine Collector Booster
- A TALE ONLY YOU CAN TELL—Venture into the untamed Wilds of Eldraine, a fairy tale-inspired world in the Magic multiverse, and free the kingdom from a curse of endless slumber.
- BEST BOOSTERS FOR COLLECTORS—Collector Boosters are a shortcut to the coolest cards in a set, with packs full of Rare cards, shiny foil cards, and special alt-art, alt-frame cards
- BEWITCHING BORDERLESS CARDS—Every Collector Booster contains at least 3 Enchanting Tales cards with alt-art that looks right out of a storybook; you may even find some with special anime-inspired art
The Wilds of Eldraine Collector Booster pack costs around $25 and comes with 15 cards. Each pack features 3 Borderless alternate art cards and also contains at least 5 cards of rarity Rare or Mythic. Every collector booster pack contains 10-12 traditional foil cards so the packs are definitely stacked with the best cards in the set.
Most Valuable Cards Found in MTG Booster Packs in 2023
Outside of the very valuable THE ONE RING (1 of 1) card found, which was recently found in a Collector Booster Pack, there are plenty of high priced cards and valuable MTG cards in 2023. Some of those are serialized cards and include:
Atraxa, Praetors’ Voice – Serialized 1 of 500 – $900 (March of Machine) – Individually numbered cards are all the rage and this one is one of the most valuable.
Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite – Serialized 1 of 500 – $800 (March of Machine) – Another numbered serialized card that is bringing big bucks.
Jeweled Lotus Textured Foil – $600 (Commander Masters) – This will be the most sought after Jeweled Lotus version ever printed and prices are strong even prior to the official release date.
Ulamog, the Ceaseless Hunger Textured Foil – $200 (Commander Masters) – The Textured Foil cards were introduced in the Commander Legends set in late 2020 and their popularity continues to grow with the new Commander Masters set. This is one of the best and most valuable.
All of these great cards can be found in the newest booster packs for this year, which are still on shelves at your local game store and online as well. So far 2023 has been a busy year for MTG booster packs and Wizards still has a few sets yet to be released. There’s definitely a lot of excitement and anticipation in the air for what’s to come!
Should You Buy MTG Booster Packs or Boxes in 2023?
When it comes to deciding between MTG Booster Packs or Boxes, there are two things to consider to help you make the decision. Those two important things are budget and whether you really like the set and the cards.
The first thing to decide is whether you like the set, the cards and the mechanics. If you’re more a collector than a player, the artwork and rarity of those cards will play a big role in whether you buy the cards, packs and booster boxes. If you’re a player, the usefulness of the cards in gameplay are huge and will determine if you buy or pass on the set.
As both a player and collector, I tend to look at both the artwork as well as the usefulness of the card in the game. I tend to lean more collector so finding cards that are considered the ‘best’ cards in the set is a high priority.
But budget also plays a big role too. If a set appeals to me and I want to open more than a few packs, I will normally lean towards Set Booster Boxes. Those boxes are great for someone like me that is a player/collector but leans more collector. Buying by the box rather than by the pack in that case is way more economical.
If a Magic set doesn’t appeal to you and the budget is low, stick with buying a few booster packs and singles (if that.) There are many sets I completely pass on because I’m just not a fan. For instance, I passed on Unfinity last year because the set did not appeal to me. I didn’t even buy one pack. If you don’t like the set, move on to something else or wait for new sets to come out.
Are There Any Vintage MTG Booster Packs Worth Buying in 2023?
Vintage Magic packs are not only exciting to open, but appeal to collectors for their value in their sealed state. As the older Magic booster packs get more and more scarce over time, values tend to rise and make them great investments. Additionally, older Magic packs tend to contain tough to find and valuable cards that also appreciate in value as the years go by.
CORE SET 2021 (2020) is starting to make a comeback and I think that set is ready to make a big move over the next few years. I know it’s only a couple of years old so it’s not quite “vintage” but it’s an older out of print set with great cards. Terror of the Peaks ($32), Chromatic Orrery ($28), Ugin The Spirit Dragon ($20) and the Grim Tutor ($17) are just a few of the big cards driving up prices on booster packs.
- GROW YOUR COLLECTION. Your Core Set 2021 booster box has 36 Draft Booster Packs to help fill your deck with classic cards from Magic: The Gathering’s Core Set 2021 (M21).
- MAGIC LIKE YOU REMEMBER IT. Core Set 2021 (M21) gathers iconic cards from MTG’s past and combines them with recent favorites. It’s the perfect set to reconnect with Magic: The Gathering.
- PLAY IN STYLE. Core Set 2021 is filled with beautiful cards and special art treatments, including alternate art, thematic showcase frames, and more.
Going back a little further, FALLEN EMPIRES (1994) is another Booster Pack that has seen a big jump in the last year. Prices have gone from around $8/pack up to over $12/pack in just a few months time and I think supplies are finally getting depleted. I don’t see huge gains coming anytime soon, but Rainbow Vale ($8) and Conch Horn ($5) are still desirable cards helping to push booster pack prices up. Adding vintage unopened Magic Booster Packs to your collection is never a bad idea, especially at this price.
One last Vintage Magic Booster Pack I’ll recommend is REVISED EDITION (1994.) This is one of my all time favorite sets as I first started playing MTG back when these came out. Pack prices are currently a bit off their highs from 1-2 years ago which is why I think the current $270 price tag will one day look cheap. These are getting more and more rare by the month and two words will tell you why…DUAL LANDS!
How to Choose the Best MTG Booster Packs
Choosing the best card packs can be a daunting task. Here are some of the tips and strategies that can help you get the best cards with ease
- Do your research on the cards that you want: Before you buy any Magic cards, we recommend that you investigate the set and find out which booster product has the cards you want to find—whether that’s extended art foil cards, serialized cards or special cards only found in certain booster packs. By doing your research you’ll save yourself time and money as you’ll be able to buy booster packs with a higher likelihood of finding the cards you’re looking for.
- Consider your budget and the price of the booster packs: Knowing how much you have to spend will point you to the packs you can and should buy. Some packs are ‘high end’ and contain the best cards you can find. Those packs tend to be very costly so you need to know if your budget can handle $20+ booster packs. Don’t overspend just to try and find a tough to find card. Sometimes it’s best to use your budget just to buy the card itself.
- Look for booster packs that match your intention: Magic The Gathering Collectors and Players sometimes want different things. As a collector you might want the super expensive Jeweled Lotus Textured Foil for your collection. However, a Magic Player might just want base cards to build their playing decks. Determining your intention for the cards will help you decide which booster packs to buy.
Best MTG Booster Packs to Buy in 2023 – Less Than $10:
When choosing good Magic The Gathering booster packs that are under the $10 price tag, you need to take the following into consideration:
- Choose Set Booster Packs instead of Draft Booster Packs: You get more of the best cards in the set in Set Booster Packs and sometimes packs will contain multiple Rares and Mythics.
- Look for Draft Booster Packs for the best price: If you’re looking to save some money, Draft Booster Packs are normally about $1-$2 cheaper (in general) than Set Booster packs.
- Look for packs on sets that are a few months old: Some of the sets released earlier this year (like Dominaria Remastered) are getting super cheap. As new sets hit the shelves, the older sets tend to go ‘on sale’ so it’s a great time to pick up these older ‘forgotten’ booster packs at a discount.
- My Pick for Best MTG Booster Packs to Buy in 2023 for Less Than $10:
- Dominaria Remastered Draft Booster Packs: Less than $4.00 per pack
- Phyrexia: All Will Be One Draft Booster Packs: Less than $3.00 per pack
- March of the Machine Draft Booster Packs: Less than $3.00 per pack
Best MTG Booster Packs to Buy for Serialized Cards:
When choosing good MTG booster packs for serialized or individually numbered insert cards, here are some things you need to know:
- Serialized cards are normally only found in the higher priced Collector Booster Packs: Investigate each set to ensure you know where to find these special cards.
- The odds of finding a serialized card are low: Less than 1% of packs contain them.
- Look for packs that specifically advertise Serialized cards: Not every set contains them.
- My Pick for Best MTG Booster Packs to Buy in 2023 to find Serialized Cards:
- March of the Machine Collector Booster Packs: $20-$25 per pack
- The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-Earth (Universes Beyond) Collector Booster Packs: $35-40
- Doctor Who (Universes Beyond) Collector Booster Packs: $20-$25 (Coming in October 2023)
Best MTG Cards to Collect for Profit
Buying and selling Magic cards for profit is probably something that not only collectors do but players as well. Some sell for profit while others sell or trade cards to improve their decks and collections. Here’s a few things to keep in mind when looking for these types of cards:
- The best cards to buy/sell/trade for profit are the cards that are limited or have small print runs.
- Look for cards that are popular with players and are known to be strong when it comes to gameplay.
- Watch how the market responds to cards over time. Keeping track of eBay and TCGPlayer to monitor trends will help you learn which Magic cards are the best to buy for profit.
Best MTG Booster Packs To Buy in 2023: FAQs
Q: What types of Magic Cards Are Best to Collect?
Answer: This is a very subjective question as everyone has their own individual preferences when it comes to collecting MTG cards. The Magic cards that are best to collect are the ones that you yourself enjoy. If you’re into rare and mythic foil cards, collect those. If you prefer Etched Foil or Serialized cards, collect those. If you just prefer Black cards or rare Land cards, those are a great option too. Collect what you like and what you can afford.
Q: What Are the Best MTG Booster Packs to Buy?
Answer: The best MTG Booster packs to buy is an individual decision and really comes down to personal preference and budget. If you have a limited budget and just want lots of cards, buy Draft Booster packs as they tend to be the cheapest. If you have a limited budget but want better cards for your collection, then go with Set Booster packs as they tend to have better cards for just slightly more money than Draft booster packs. If you have an unlimited budget and love flashy shiny cards, definitely go with the Collector Booster packs as they’re the best and most expensive MTG packs you can buy.
Q: What Are the Best 2023 Magic The Gathering Cards to Collect?
Answer: This is very subjective but the best 2023 Magic The Gathering cards to collect are Rare or Mythic, Foil, Extended Art or anything that is more limited than a Base Magic card. Anytime Wizards enhances a regular version card by making it more special (whether by foiling, texture, or artwork), that tends to be what collectors want to add to their collections. So if you’re collecting Magic cards, a binder full of these special versions is very desirable.
Wrapping up the Best MTG Booster Pack Conversation…
Although collecting Magic cards doesn’t have a long history like collecting baseball cards, there are still millions of collectors worldwide that enjoy playing and investing in Magic The Gathering. In 2023, there are so many options to choose from, including really cool new sets as well as plenty of vintage MTG booster packs and boxes still on shelves.
Make sure you know what you’re looking for and learn about the odds of finding the best and most valuable Magic cards in each set. For 2023, I still highly recommend the Collector Booster Boxes for the best high end cards, Draft Booster Boxes for building decks and Set Booster Boxes for a mix of high end rares and mythics and base cards to build decks. And if you’re adventurous, try and get your hands on some vintage packs like Core Set 2021, Fallen Empires and Revised Edition for long term value.
I hope you enjoyed the post. Share it online if you would and keep checking back for some great content all about Magic and Trading Card Games. And don’t forget, keep on investing in Magic! Later!
