Magic Monday: Thinkin’ About Jumpstart

Jumpstart is a limited format of playing Magic: The Gathering. It was introduced in 2020 and really removed deck building from the game. It has a quick “shuffle up and play” approach as players open two Jumpstart Boosters and shuffle them together to create a ready-to-play 40-card deck. This format allows players to dive into the game without the need for extensive (and potentially expensive) deck building, making it perfect for both new and experienced players. I’ve been enjoying this mode in MTG Arena, and I love the idea of playing in person, perhaps via an event.

But what are these jumpstart boosters? Well, they are a unique type of Magic: The Gathering booster pack designed specifically for this format. Here’s what sets JumpStart Boosters apart from regular boosters:

Ready-to-Play Decks: Each JumpStart Booster contains 20 cards, including lands, that are pre-packaged to form a playable deck when combined with another booster. This means players can jump straight into a game without the need for extensive deck-building.
Thematic Packs: The cards in a JumpStart Booster are centered around a specific theme, such as “Goblins,” “Angels,” or “Pirates.” This thematic approach adds a fun and strategic element, as players can mix and match themes to create unique decks.
Variety and Replayability: With dozens of different themes available, JumpStart Boosters offer a wide variety of combinations, ensuring that each game can feel fresh and different. This variety also encourages players to try out new strategies and cards they might not have used before.
New-to-Magic Cards: Each JumpStart Booster includes at least one card that is new to the Magic: The Gathering universe. These new cards can add exciting twists and innovations to the game.
Anime-Inspired Art: The latest Foundations Jumpstart Booster Box includes cards with unique anime-inspired art, providing a visually appealing and collectible aspect to the boosters.
East to Learn: JumpStart is designed to be accessible to all levels of players. The simplicity of combining two packs to create a deck makes it easy for newcomers to start playing, while still offering depth and strategy for experienced players.
Quick Play: Since the decks are pre-built and ready to go, JumpStart games are quick to set up and play, making it ideal for casual game nights or introducing friends to Magic: The Gathering.

The upcoming Foundations Jumpstart Booster Box is set to release on November 15, 2024. This booster box contains 24 Jumpstart Boosters, each with 20 Magic cards, including all the lands you need to play. Each booster includes a theme card that provides a decklist and the name of the booster’s theme, allowing for creative deck combinations. There are 46 possible themes in this set, which is a fantastic amount of variation. There is also a chance of getting rare or mythic rare cards in each booster, adding value and excitement to the collection.