Zendikar Rising Pre-Release Bundles: Are they Worth It?

TL:DR version

• Jace Pack Bundle - Yes, if you're one to spend at least $50 on virtual booster packs.
  
• Nahiri Play Bundle - Maybe. The value is there, but if you draft a lot, you probably already have a ton of gems to get all of this for free anyway.
  
• Both Bundles Combined - Maybe. It depends if you need the Play bundle or not based on your drafting experience and gems banked.
  

This week starts preview season for the new Magic: The Gathering set Zendikar Rising.

As with past sets, WotC have released pre-release bundles on Arena prior to the new set launching. Are they a good deal or not?

Just like with the previous bundles, they are offering a bundle purchase of both bundles and throwing in another pet. I will go into depth on each bundle separately, and then discuss both bundles combined at the end.

Pricing and value information is all found on my main Arena site. All values shown are as of 8/31/20.

Jace Pack Bundle: $49.99

What's in it?

The Jace Pack Bundle is the same as past pack bundles, with a slight discount on bulk packs plus some fun extras thrown in for "free".

• 50x Zendikar Rising booster packs - $54.24
• 1 x Jace, Mirror Mage card - $debatable, still working on values for individual cards
• Jace, Mirror Mage card style - $2.19
• Mind Mage sleeve - $4.30

From this we can see there is $60.72 worth of value here. If  you don't care about the cosmetics, you still get a small discount on booster packs as well as the single inclusion of the Jace, Mirror Mage card, still totaling at least $54.24 in value.

Is this a good buy?

Yes, if you're one who buys at least 50 virtual booster packs for real world money.

Nahiri Play Bundle: $49.99

What's in it?

The Nahiri Play Bundle appears to be keeping it's increased value that was raised in the M21 Play bundle by adding more draft tokens. This is a good trend to see.

• Mastery Pass - $19.86
• 3x Player Draft tokens - $28.17
• 1x Sealed token - $11.68
• 1x Nahiri, Heir of the Ancients card - $debatable, still working on values for individual cards
• Nahiri, Heir of the Ancients card style - $2.19
• Stoneblade sleeve - $4.30

From this we can see there is $66.20 worth of value here. If  you don't care about the cosmetics, you're still coming out ahead with $59.71 in value if you were going to be purchasing these items anyway.

Who is this bundle for?

I see this bundle targeted to those who don't have a lot of gems or are just starting out in the world of drafting.

I would think that if you draft a lot, and you're one to purchase the draft tokens with gems, then you are typically able to keep the gem rewards going, even on a bad run of luck. That said, you are probably someone who has enough gems saved up to get the Mastery pass and draft for free from your previous set's gem winnings. If this is you, then this is probably not a bundle you need.

Is this a good buy?

Yes, if you're one who buys the mastery pass and draft tokens each set release.
No, if you already have enough gems banked from the previous set release.

Buy Both Bundles: $99.98

Buy both bundles and they will throw in the pet Rock, made from the Hedrons of Zendikar.

Pet values are still steady at $18.77, so this would bring your total value of $145.69 if you bought both bundles.

I question the pets existence still, since with heavy daily play I am still seeing less and less of them being used anymore. It's almost as if players are tired of them. If you buy both bundles anyway, it's basically a free inclusion, so no harm done.

Are both bundles worth it?

If you are planning to buy the pack bundle already, and want the play bundle too, then this is an excellent buy.

If you only want the booster packs and dont need the draft tokens or mastery pass, or you can get those for free with your gems, then don't bother with the play bundle.

In Conclusion...
I hope you found this helpful and informative and it helps with your purchasing decisions.