This has probably already been asked a bunch of times, so sorry if the question is annoying. I just recently started playing Magic with some friends and I was wondering what would be the best way to expand my card collection. I don't think I'm quite at the point where I should be buying singles, even though I've been told it's generally the optimal thing to do. I already own a Shadows Over Innistrad Deckbuilder's Toolkit and I went to my local game store and bought a $5 randomized card pack with 200 cards from recent sets (no lands, all black cause that's my fav of the 5 colors, and only commons/uncommons). I was thinking maybe a fat pack would be a good choice? I could use some extra lands and boosters are always nice cause I want some more rares xD. But even then, I'm not sure which Fat Pack I'd buy. Journey into Nyx seems sooooo cool and I love the constellation mechanic so maybe that one. Or maybe I'll go back to my game store and buy a green or white 200 card pack--both of which are tied for my 2nd fav color--despite the fact that I won't get any rares. What do you guys think???
Fat packs ("bundle" these days) are pretty good for getting lands and a pile of cards from a set when you don't have much interest in what specific cards you get.
Considering the time of year, you could also consider the Gift Pack (or ask for one as a gift!). This year's box contains 5 foil basic lands, foil Kari Zev, Skyship Raider, foil Metalwork Colossus, 1 pack from each of the 3 most recent sets (Ixalan, Hour of Devastation, and Amonkhet), a spindown d20, and an Hour of Devastation poster. MSRP $19.99.
The older "Gift Box" had 5 packs and the older "Holiday Gift Box" had 4 packs, each of a single set. They also each had one specific alternate art card, 20 basic lands, and the box itself was designed for card storage (including dividers and stickers for labeling).
Another good way to expand your collection without paying too much money at once is to participate in Limited events, like prereleases and Draft tournaments. First, you get to keep all the cards from your Limited pool. Second, you can win more boosters if you build/play well enough. Third, many frequent participants of such events will simply give away the commons and uncommons of their pools, because they already have those in abundance. And fourth, you get to play on a more level playing field, since everybody has to build their decks from the boosters they are given, instead of bringing a constrcuted one to the event. And of course, you get to play with lots of other people.
If you have a good LGS nearby they often have a lot of land packs just floating around as well if you need a cheap way to boost your land counts for deck building. Also, in terms of going to limited events to get play out of sealed products, I'd recommend sealed over draft simply because you don't have the make the choice between giving up on a great rare card because the pool you were drafting is in the wrong colors. I've had to pass up a Vraska, Relic Seeker because of the fact I was running Blue Red pirates, was on the last pack, and it had a card I needed to fill out the curve at 4 cmc. I did better at the draft, but losing a valuable card due to draft needs can be an frustrating.
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1. (Ravnica Allegiance): You can't keep a good esper control deck down... Or Wilderness Reclamation... or Gates...
2. (War of the Spark): Guys, I know what we need! We need a cycle of really idiotic flavor text victory cards! Jace's Triumph...
3. (War of the Spark): Lets make the format with control have even more control!
There is an Ixalan Deckbuilders toolkit at many of the Big Box stores right now for ~$20 which contains 4 standard legal packs along with lands, commons and uncommons to help you build your collection. Amazon link
Another choice are the Booster Battlepacks which contain 2 boosters and two "intro 30 card decks" for approximately $10 Amazon battlepack example
I would have just taken the Vraska. I try to avoid drafting value over a better deck but sometimes you just gotta take that expensive card.
agreed. the only question to make it debatable would be how many packs you can win. if 1st place was anything less than 5 packs you take the card. more than 5 packs you have to question how good your deck will be and what your chances are to win 1st place. even still by taking her she would have paid for your draft. this isnt the pro tour so sometimes the right call is taking $. besides, you still would of had 13 more chances to draft a 4 drop for your deck.
for the op, a lot of the popular mtg online shops like star city games offer their own versions of deck builder kits. they usually have multiple options as well depending on the amount of cards you want. if you are just playing for fun this could be a good way to get a good variety of cards to start building with.
I would have just taken the Vraska. I try to avoid drafting value over a better deck but sometimes you just gotta take that expensive card.
agreed. the only question to make it debatable would be how many packs you can win. if 1st place was anything less than 5 packs you take the card. more than 5 packs you have to question how good your deck will be and what your chances are to win 1st place. even still by taking her she would have paid for your draft. this isnt the pro tour so sometimes the right call is taking $. besides, you still would of had 13 more chances to draft a 4 drop for your deck.
for the op, a lot of the popular mtg online shops like star city games offer their own versions of deck builder kits. they usually have multiple options as well depending on the amount of cards you want. if you are just playing for fun this could be a good way to get a good variety of cards to start building with.
I guess it is an easy choice for me because I have never gotten 1st in draft. Regular standard? Sure. But not draft. I have been playing magic for many years but I only recently started drafting, so I go for value if the card is over a certain amount. If its just a 5$ card and I cant use it in my draft deck, I will pass it.
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Considering the time of year, you could also consider the Gift Pack (or ask for one as a gift!). This year's box contains 5 foil basic lands, foil Kari Zev, Skyship Raider, foil Metalwork Colossus, 1 pack from each of the 3 most recent sets (Ixalan, Hour of Devastation, and Amonkhet), a spindown d20, and an Hour of Devastation poster. MSRP $19.99.
The older "Gift Box" had 5 packs and the older "Holiday Gift Box" had 4 packs, each of a single set. They also each had one specific alternate art card, 20 basic lands, and the box itself was designed for card storage (including dividers and stickers for labeling).
Two Score, Minus Two or: A Stargate Tail
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"Everything's better with pirates." - Lodge
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"Any sufficiently analyzed magic is indistinguishable from science."
(Girl Genius - Fairy Tale Theater Break - Cinderella, end of volume 8)
1. (Ravnica Allegiance): You can't keep a good esper control deck down... Or Wilderness Reclamation... or Gates...
2. (War of the Spark): Guys, I know what we need! We need a cycle of really idiotic flavor text victory cards! Jace's Triumph...
3. (War of the Spark): Lets make the format with control have even more control!
Amazon link
Another choice are the Booster Battlepacks which contain 2 boosters and two "intro 30 card decks" for approximately $10
Amazon battlepack example
agreed. the only question to make it debatable would be how many packs you can win. if 1st place was anything less than 5 packs you take the card. more than 5 packs you have to question how good your deck will be and what your chances are to win 1st place. even still by taking her she would have paid for your draft. this isnt the pro tour so sometimes the right call is taking $. besides, you still would of had 13 more chances to draft a 4 drop for your deck.
for the op, a lot of the popular mtg online shops like star city games offer their own versions of deck builder kits. they usually have multiple options as well depending on the amount of cards you want. if you are just playing for fun this could be a good way to get a good variety of cards to start building with.
I guess it is an easy choice for me because I have never gotten 1st in draft. Regular standard? Sure. But not draft. I have been playing magic for many years but I only recently started drafting, so I go for value if the card is over a certain amount. If its just a 5$ card and I cant use it in my draft deck, I will pass it.