Magic: The Gathering Introduces God Packs and Phases Out ‘Junk’ Foils from Booster Packs

Magic: The Gathering is gearing up for some significant changes to its booster packs in 2027.

In a recent blog update, the communications director shared details about a major overhaul set to kick off with Nauctis: The Sunken Realm next year. The standout feature of this update is the introduction of “God Packs” across all MTG multiverse sets, with one in every 1,000 booster packs and one in every 300 collector boosters being a God Pack.

For those who might not be familiar, a Booster Pack (previously called a Play Booster) is the standard pack you can pick up at stores. Each pack contains 14 playable cards, guaranteed to include at least one foil card and one rare or mythic rare. These packs are designed for players looking to engage with the game, often used in events like drafts.

Collector Boosters, on the other hand, are pricier packs that also contain 14 cards but come with a guarantee of five or more rares or mythic rares, along with several foil cards. These are aimed at collectors who prioritize building their collections and increasing their chances of snagging rare cards.

The concept of a God Pack, which originated in the Pokémon TCG, refers to a pack where every card is rare or better. Introduced in 2019, God Packs are still incredibly rare, but their allure has grown, especially as players share their finds on social media. This buzz, combined with the Pokémon TCG’s surge in popularity among collectors, has led to a frenzy that has made the game increasingly inaccessible for newcomers.

Naturally, MTG is now following suit, and initial reactions to this news have raised concerns about its potential impact on the game. Currently, it’s relatively easy to start playing Magic, with packs available at reasonable prices without the need for lotteries or exorbitant costs. While it would take a lot to push Magic into the same territory as Pokémon, this move feels a bit unsettling given the current state of its competitor.

Some players have expressed that this change seems like a cash grab, making a strategic card game feel even more like gambling, especially as many aspects of gaming are trending in that direction.

Regarding drafts, Wizards of the Coast has considered the implications. Many players are apprehensive about facing someone with a God Pack or pulling one themselves, as deck-building typically requires a balanced mix of commons and uncommons. Fortunately, at official tournament events, special rules will apply, allowing the player who opens a God Pack to receive an additional pack at no cost, with local shops having the discretion to implement this.

But God Packs aren’t the only change on the horizon. Starting next year, foil commons and uncommons will no longer be included in Booster Packs. Additionally, Collector Boosters will see the removal of two commons and one uncommon from the foil slots, resulting in three fewer cards per pack.

Why the changes? It seems to be influenced by content creators:

How does removing cards enhance the excitement of opening Collector Boosters? Honestly, it doesn’t. However, many who open these packs tend to skip over those cards. This trend is evident in numerous Collector Booster opening videos, where that section is often fast-forwarded. The decision to remove these cards isn’t about reducing the experience; it’s about creating space—both in terms of printing capacity and player psychology—for cards that generate genuine excitement.

As a casual player rather than a collector, I find much of this unsettling! There are some positive changes, like the fact that special Japan Showcase cards will no longer be exclusive to Collector Boosters, and the chances of finding foil rares and mythics in booster packs will increase. I do enjoy the thrill of opening a pack and discovering something shiny. However, the loss of foil commons and uncommons is disappointing! Even if they’re considered “junk” foils, I still get a kick out of seeing them and often try to include foil versions in my decks.

I’m also cautious about any shifts that might lead to the chaotic state of the Pokémon TCG, especially if the goal is to cater to content creators rather than genuinely improve the game. I’m open to the possibility that these changes could be harmless or even beneficial, but we won’t truly understand their effects until several months into next year. At least this is preferable to packs becoming more expensive.

Wizards of the Coast is inviting feedback through its official Discord for anyone who feels strongly about these developments.