By Brian Cooper |
Updated on February 17, 2024Magic 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.
In 2024, Magic The Gathering players and collectors will have a fairly large selection to choose from with at least 8 major sets to be released. From standard sets like Murders at Karlov Manor, Duskmourn: House of Horror (which I’m SUPER excited about) and Outlaws of Thunder Junction to supplemental sets like Modern Horizons 3, Universes Beyond: Assassin’s Creed, and the Ravnica: Clue Edition, there is something for everyone.
Contents
- 1 Understanding The Odds of Finding The Best Magic Cards
- 2 Current Releases
- 3 Best MTG Booster Packs For 2024
- 4 Most Valuable Cards Found in MTG Booster Packs in 2024
- 5 Should You Buy MTG Booster Packs or Boxes in 2024?
- 6 Are There Any Vintage MTG Booster Packs Worth Buying in 2024?
- 7 How to Choose the Best MTG Booster Packs
- 8 Wrap Up
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 Murders at Karlov Manor 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:
- Regular Art Card
- Found in only 30% of Play Booster Packs
- Foil-stamped Signature Art Card
- Found in only 5% of Play Booster Packs
- Full-Art Land
- Found in only 33% of Play Booster Packs
- 1 in every Collector Booster Pack
- Traditional Foil
- 1 of any rarity per Play Booster Pack
- The Land card is also Traditional Foil in 20% of Play Booster Packs
- (10-12) in every Collector Booster Pack
- Serialized Cards
- Not available in Play Booster Packs
- Found in Less Than 1% of Collector Booster Packs
- Special Treatments
- Not available in Play Booster Packs
- At Least (2) Extended-Art cards per Collector Booster Pack
- Collector Boosters may also contain a card with a Special New foil treatment
Because every Magic set is different, I 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 Murders at Karlov Manor 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.
Current Releases
As mentioned, there are lots of Magic The Gathering sets being released in 2024 and they all look great! Here are my top picks that I recommend when it comes to finding the best MTG cards for this year.
One note to mention, the packs and boxes below are all currently live and on shelves. I anticipate there will be updates to this list as we move throughout 2024. But as it stands early in the year, the ones below are clear winners and will be for the foreseeable future.
Best MTG Booster Packs For 2024
The Lost Caverns of Ixalan Collector Booster
The allure of the unknown and the promise of adventure make the Lost Caverns of Ixalan Booster Box a treasure trove for players and collectors alike. With a rich mix of potent cards that have already begun to make their mark, this set offers more than just nostalgia for the world of Ixalan—it’s a strong set loaded with cards that are both playable and collectible.
This pack typically costs around $25-$30 and contains 15 cards. It features a mix of Extended-Art and shiny foil cards with every pack including 1 Borderless Jurassic World card (Rare or Land) and 5 cards of rarity Rare or higher. There’s also a chance to find.a possible Cosmium Neon Ink card card (less than 1% of packs contain this card.)
The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-Earth (Universes Beyond) Collector Booster
This pack typically costs around $50 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.)
This Collector Booster was on my list from last year and continues to hold a strong spot even now. The Lord of the Rings franchise continues to be a big seller for Magic: The Gathering and we believe these packs will not go unforgotten in 2024.
Ravnica Remastered Collector Booster
Ravnica has always held a special place in the hearts of the MTG community, and the Ravnica Remastered Collector Booster Box pays homage to this popular plane with a premium twist. These collector boosters are not just a journey through memory lane, they’re a carefully curated selection of cards that have demonstrated their power in gameplay and their value on the market.
Although they didn’t start off very well, Collector Boosters held strong and I’m hearing that the print run was much less than previously thought. Sales are consistent on eBay and feedback from the community remains positive so the outlook for 2024 is very good.
The Ravnica Remastered Collector Booster pack will cost you around $25 and comes with 15 cards, 11 of which are Traditional Foil cards. Each pack contains at least 5 cards of rarity Rare or Mythic and a chance at a Serialized Double Rainbow Foil Retro card (found in only 1% of packs.)
Most Valuable Cards Found in MTG Booster Packs in 2024
It’s pretty early in the year and we have yet to see the full list of Magic sets hit store shelves. There are plenty of potentially great sets coming in the next few months (see below) and I can’t wait to see the big pulls from packs too. Here are some of the most popular and valuable cards that have hit shelves so far in 2024:
Cavern of Souls (Neon Ink Purple) – $150-$250 (The Lost Caverns of Ixalan Collector Booster) – Although not individually numbered, this is one of the hottest cards in the 2024 market. Cavern of Souls is the TOP card collectors are after in Lost Caverns of Ixalan packs and this version is not only tough to find, but expensive.
Roaming Throne – $25-$27 (The Lost Caverns of Ixalan) – The main reason this card is popular is player driven. It would be tough to find a deck this Artifact Creature wouldn’t fit well with, including Commander players. The price has gone up in the last month by nearly double but I expect it to level out in the current range. It’s the second best card in Lost Caverns outside of Cavern of Souls.
Lord of the Rings Serialized Cards – $500+++ (The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth) – IYKYK. If you’re lucky enough to pull a serialized card from the Collector Booster, you’ve pretty much struck gold. I’ve seen a Human Sol Ring (Serialized out of 900) sell for $1,000 and an Elven Sol Ring (Serialized out of 300) sell for over $4,000 just in the last month! Prices vary, depending on the card, but expect any of these VERY HARD TO FIND cards to be easily $500 in today’s market.
Ravnica Remastered Serialized Cards – $100-$300 (Ravnica Remastered) – Although not as pricey as the LOTR’s versions above (at least in general), the Ravnica serialized cards being pulled from Collector Booster packs are bringing some nice money online. A ‘Dreadbore’ serialized card just sold for close to $125, but the large numbers of potential buyers (there were 24 bids alone on this card) tell me the market is definitely strong for these rare cards.
Wizards/Hasbro has taken a page out of the sports collector’s book and they are now reaping the benefits of the popularity around individually numbered cards. They are and continue to be all the rage in Magic for sure.
Should You Buy MTG Booster Packs or Boxes in 2024?
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. Here are some other things to consider:
- 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.
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.
Are There Any Vintage MTG Booster Packs Worth Buying in 2024?
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
This box is continuing it’s comeback and I still think the set will make big moves in price 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 (was $32 last year, now $43), Chromatic Orrery (continues to be in the $28-$29 range), Ugin The Spirit Dragon (was $20 last year, now $26) and the Grim Tutor (was $17 last year, now $20) are just a few of the big cards driving up prices on booster packs.
Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths
Staying with a more recent set, “Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths” (2020) is another set/booster that I think is going to make a move in 2024. Since its release, Ikoria has captured the imagination of players with its Godzilla cards and the introduction of the mutate mechanic, which allows players to build their own towering monsters on the battlefield.
Initially, Ikoria Collector Booster boxes were readily available, with prices hovering around the standard retail level. However, as time has passed and the set has moved out of print, I have begun to see a gradual increase in the value of these boxes. From a price point that was once in the $190’s, I’m now observing a steady climb, with boxes reaching upwards of $230 or more.
The Urza’s Block (Urza’s Saga, Legacy & Destiny)
Among the vintage treasures, the Urza’s series—comprising Urza’s Saga, Urza’s Legacy, and Urza’s Destiny—stands out from many other sets in this era. These sets are known for their powerful and iconic cards, which have left a lasting impact on the game.
If you’re into Magic, you know the cards I’m talking about: Gaea’s Cradle, Grim Monolith, Gilded Drake, Serra’s Sanctum, Yawgmoth’s Will, the original Time Spiral, and my favorite Tolarian Academy to name a few. Simply some of the best cards ever made in the game are found in the Urza’s block.
The current market conditions make it an excellent time to invest in these particular sets as their value is likely to appreciate as the market continues to recover. Prices range from the low $100’s for packs of Urza’s Destiny on up to the low to mid $200’s for packs of Urza’s Saga or Legacy. Still bargains in my view for packs that could contain a $700-$800 Gaea’s Cradle!
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, I 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 2024 – 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 Play Booster Packs instead of Collector Booster Packs: Most Collector Booster packs will run you $20-$30 when they first come out, but Play Booster packs will only be $4-$5. You’ll get better cards with the Collector Boosters but, for your money, you’ll get more packs of Play Boosters for the same amount of money.
- 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 other Booster packs. Although they’re not making them anymore, they are still found in abundance from previous Magic releases and easily found in local game stores.
- Look for packs on sets that are a few months old: Some of the sets released last year (like Wilds of Eldraine, Phyrexia All Will Be One, and The Brothers’ War to name a few) 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 2024 for Less Than $10:
- The Lost Caverns of Ixalan Draft Booster Packs: Less than $4.00 per pack
- Phyrexia: All Will Be One Draft Booster Packs: About $3.00 per pack
- The Brothers’ War 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 2024 to find Serialized Cards:
- Murders at Karlov Manor Collector Booster Packs: $20-$25 per pack
- The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-Earth (Universes Beyond) Collector Booster Packs: Around $50 per pack
- The Lost Caverns of Ixalan Collector Booster Packs: About $25 per pack
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.
Wrap Up
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 2024, there are (and will be!) 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 2024, I continue to recommend the Collector Booster Boxes for the best high end cards, Play Booster Boxes for building decks and any of the older Set Booster Boxes from last years sets 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, Ikoria and the Urza’s 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!
