How Many Packs for Sealed MTG?
Sealed Magic the Gathering is one of the most challenging and exciting ways to enjoy the game. Unlike Constructed formats that let you build and test decks (and as such, require deep wallets at the highest level), Sealed MTG is a pure test of deckbuilding skill and game knowledge.
If you want to experience the fun for yourself, you’ll need to understand the rules, including how many packs for Sealed MTG you need for each player.
The official rules demand 6 packs per player, allowing you to create decks of 40 cards. There are more nuances to consider, including casual play, land usage, and special event packs that you’ll also want to learn.
We’ll cover everything about Sealed in this guide. If you want to find packs, including pre-orders for new sealed Magic the Gathering releases, we have all the products you need here at Danireon!
What is Sealed Magic the Gathering (MTG)?
Sealed MTG is one of many rule sets for playing and enjoying the game. It is a “Limited” format instead of “Constructed," meaning you create your deck before playing.
How many packs for sealed MTG do you need? The format gives each player 6 packs to choose from.
Each player then chooses 40 cards. With draft boosters, this gives you 84 playable cards to choose from (minus the default land in each pack). You can then fill your deck with as many basic lands as you need.
At most Friday Night Magic events, you even get to keep your booster packs after opening them, so you can take your Sealed pack wins and use them later in Constructed formats.
Sealed isn’t the only Limited format; it is sometimes confused with Draft. The difference is that Draft has players choose which cards they want from every pack, while Sealed separates the packs.
Why You Might Want to Try Playing This Format
When you first start learning how to get into Magic the Gathering, the game can be overwhelming. There are many cards, strategies, and meta decks to track.
While Constructed MTG is a fantastic way for beginners to learn the game, especially with pre-built decks, it can eventually become a race to the top regarding spending.
Conversely, Sealed limits the card pool, ensuring players compete based on gameplay knowledge and deck-building prowess. It’s also perfect for pop-up events or nights spent with friends–you don’t need to bring your deck from home to get started!
It Levels the Playing Field for All Players
The difference is astonishing when you compare how many packs for sealed MTG each player gets with the entire card pool.
Rather than facing off against $1,000 decks with several chase mythics and frustrating dual land cards, everyone is limited by the luck of their packs. Even if a player does stumble upon a powerful meta card, there’s no guarantee you’ll be able to pair it with their best combos.
For example, Nurturing Pixie (OTJ-020) will be much less oppressive without This Town Ain’t Big Enough (OTJ-074) buffing it up.
Sealed Turns a Stale Meta Into a New Challenge
It isn’t just about breaking up popular meta combos–you also have to consider that every player is now far less comfortable with their deck.
If you play Overlord of the Hauntwoods (DSK-395) with Zur or another enchantment buff deck enough times, you’ll know exactly what your power spikes are. But if you instead have completely different sorceries and instants centered around it, you may end up with a brand new tempo.
This keeps the game fresh in your mind. Rather than thinking “Ugh, not another Screaming Nemesis (DSK-157)”, you’ll be curious as to how your opponent can pull off a viable strategy without cards like Manifold Mouse (BLB-318) buffing it up.
You can later take these fresh mindsets about the game into your Constructed gameplay, helping you become an overall better player.
Sealed Showcases Deck-Building Skills
Speaking of how to get better at Magic the Gathering, there’s perhaps no better way to improve your skills than by playing Limited formats like Sealed.
Constructed formats are fantastic for learning the game–you can buy a starter deck or look up card lists online and practice one specific strategy.
But to become a well-rounded player, you need to know every card in your preferred format. Sealed helps you speed-run this process by giving you 6 new packs and building a viable strategy.
So maybe you pull 30 red cards of your 84…but the 10 green cards you found have much more synergy with one another. Do you then create a green-red deck, or is there another color that meshes better?
And how should you distribute your land cards? You’ll usually want at least 17, but finding a specific number for your Sealed decks will help you master the mana curve.
Control, milling, playing around with gold and multi-color decks, opting for aggressive builds–Sealed offers it all. Plus, the environment is perfect for experimenting, as losing with a Limited deck feels less disappointing than a Constructed deck you’ve been editing for months.
It's Perfect for Pre-Release and Casual Events
Sealed gameplay is everywhere at Friday Night Magic and other card shop events. It requires zero preparation to play–you only need a set amount of booster packs for each player.
The game is even more fun at pre-release events when most cards haven’t leaked yet. No one knows the best meta decks, and you can even open packs together and marvel at the new mechanics.
In our years running a card shop, we’ve also found that Sealed provides the best casual gameplay experience–there’s far less optimization and competitiveness. Even the best Constructed players love playing Sealed to mix things up and help newer people learn the ins and outs of Magic.
How Many Packs for Sealed MTG?
If you’re planning on hosting an event, you’ll need to know how many packs for Sealed MTG to provide.
The Standard Number of Packs for a Sealed Deck
The official Wizards of the Coast rules require 6 booster packs of 15 cards each per player. Minus the default land card, this offers players 84 options to create a 40-card minimum deck.
This usually offers you around 2 to 3 rare or mythic cards per color, which gives you several choices for building a coherent strategy.
Variations Based on Set Type or Special Events
The 6-pack requirement is a rule for a reason. 5-pack decks are usually insufficient to create a viable strategy without luck, while 7-pack decks provide too many options.
However, 6-pack Sealed isn’t the only option.
There’s Jumpstart, which sees you open just two total packs. It’s the fastest Limited format possible, as you just need time to set up your land cards, and the complete chaos it brings is plenty of fun.
Two-Headed Giant Sealed is another fun variation. It puts players in pairs, having you open 8 total packs together to build two separate 40-card decks.
If you’re a fan of Commander, there’s a Sealed variant for you too. Collections like the Commander Masters Set Booster Pack contain cards specific to the format, allowing you to play Sealed with 60-card decks and high chances of powerful Commander units.
Some sets may have specific rules for Limited formats to increase fun. For example, Modern Horizons 2 would often be played with extra packs to account for complex card combos.
Do Mythic Editions and Collector Boosters Count?
Sealed formats are usually played with Draft boosters, the official term for standardized booster packs. Other packs, including Mythic Editions and Collector boosters, can throw the balance out of whack.
Many collector boosters have variable amounts of cards, higher pull rates for rares, and other changes that affect distribution. Theme boosters are usually centered around specific colors or cards, and can create situations without counterplay to the most popular decks.
If you’re just playing with friends in a casual setting, there’s nothing wrong with using alternative boosters. But if you want to emphasize balance, Draft boosters are your best bet.
Tips on Getting Started With Sealed MTG
Now that you know how many packs for Sealed MTG, let’s show you how to get started!
What You’ll Need to Play
The list of what you’ll need to play Sealed is surprisingly concise. You need 6 Draft boosters per player, and a healthy collection of basic lands (we recommend around 25 of each color per player).
You can also pick up Magic the Gathering accessories like card sleeves, deck boxes, and token counters for the gameplay.
In all, you should already have most of the products you need to play Sealed MTG if you’ve been playing Constructed in any capacity–the only big purchase is getting your hands on some new Draft boosters.
Basic Strategy for Building Your Deck
Once you start opening cards, you’ll have a set amount of time to construct your collection into a cohesive and viable strategy.
If it’s your first time playing Sealed, this step can be complicated–but don’t worry, experimentation is part of the fun!
We recommend first separating your cards by color, including the presence of colorless and multicolor cards. Then take time to identify your win condition cards (sometimes called “bombs”), singling out any that can win you a game practically by themselves.
You should separate your removal and buff cards (usually your spells, instants, and enchantments.
With those cards laid out, you’ll start pruning your deck to build around potential win conditions. You may have one impressive red bomb that wins you the game, but if all of your removal is black or blue, you’ll need to adjust your strategy accordingly.
We recommend leaning for a creature to spell ratio of around 15 to 8, or just shy of double. With at least a few removal cards and enough creatures, you’ll have a basic foundation that ensures you don’t get wiped out in your first few turns.
Take some time to identify your mana curve too–you’ll want to balance your lands by color and aim for anywhere from 15 to 20 lands for most Sealed decks.
Common Mistakes to Avoid in Sealed
There are a handful of mistakes you’ll want to avoid unless the stars align for your deck.
First, avoid decks with over 40 cards. The more cards you add, the harder it is to hit your game-winning strategies.
You also don’t need to prioritize rare and mythic MTG rarity symbols; uncommon and common cards often get the job done even more effectively.
Unlike Constructed, don’t try to overindex in combo plays. It can be harder to get smooth interactions, so prioritize creatures and spells that work well independently.
Finally, ensure your deck follows a proper mana curve–add in some 1- and 2-cost plays to keep your tempo rolling.
Buy Sealed MTG Packs or Pre-Release Kits at Danireon and Experience the Thrill Firsthand!
Sealed is one of the most exciting ways to play Magic. All you need to get started is to find a reliable card shop with MTG cards for sale, ideally with booster boxes so you have enough packs for your players.
In Canada and North America, there’s no better place to visit than Danireon! We have sealed products from all the latest sets, including Magic the Gathering pre-order cards for Limited gameplay during release events.
Our commitment to fast shipping, friendly service, and competitive pricing makes us a fan favorite of MTG players everywhere.
In addition to booster packs, we sell individual cards, Magic the Gathering commander decks, and accessories like card sleeves that fit standard MTG card sizes to help you enjoy all that MTG offers.
Parting Thoughts on How Many Packs for Sealed MTG
If you’re ready to level the playing field, MTG Sealed is precisely what you want. Unlike Constructed formats, you build Sealed decks from just 6 booster packs–creating opportunities for fresh, non-meta gameplay.
Newcomers can enjoy the fun of Magic without needing a gigantic collection, while veteran players love the challenge of adapting to a new setup.
All you need to get started are booster boxes, which you’ll find here at Danireon! We offer quality customer service and lightning-fast shipping across Canada and North America.
Between our friendly team and a free Discord community, you’ll be able to learn all about the game and have fun while doing so. Visit us today for the cards you need to host your next Sealed event!
