In the past, Magic: The Gathering Theme Boosters have simply been assemblages of cards from a related set grouped by color. As an example, with the release of MTG’s Throne of Eldraine set, players could purchase white Throne of Eldraine Theme Boosters in order to obtain 35 white cards from the set, one of which was guaranteed to be a rare or mythic rare.
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With the Theros: Beyond Death Theme Boosters, fans can expect something very similar, but there is a slight twist. Namely, there are 10 Theros: Beyond Death rare cards, which are pictured below, that can only be found in Theme Boosters. These cards have a chance to appear in a Theme Booster’s rare slot, and Wizards of the Coast states that they are “aimed at newer players looking to collect cards in that specific theme.”
Furthermore, there is indication that unique Theme Booster rares will be the standard moving forward, and fans should thus expect them to show up in Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths Theme Boosters and beyond. This means that the number of cards that are legal in Magic: The Gathering’s Standard format but cannot be obtained in Draft Boosters is only going to increase, and this may be of concern to some fans.
Indeed, placing Standard-legal cards in Magic: The Gathering products that players will not be drafting with has the potential to create issues with scarcity. While the extent of this problem will largely depend on how viable the unique Theme Booster rares are in competitive play, it is worth considering. Fortunately, it seems unlikely that the Theros: Beyond Death Theme Booster rares will make a major splash in constructed play, but it remains to be seen how these cards are handled moving forward.
Magic: The Gathering’s Theros: Beyond Death set releases January 24, 2020.
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Source: Wizards of the Coast
