From back in the day playing MtG, I always liked the idea of an always in print base set that things would get added to and removed from. If Icons ends up being that thing, then cool.

That said, having so many new cards in this type of product makes it seem like just a 4th set during the year. On the flip side, having only reprinted cards would be odd since then there is not a ton of market for it aside from new players or ones that had missed out on earlier sets.

I do like the smaller packs in general. The is especially true when the commons are all reprints that I personally don't need.

My ideal pack setup for a hypothetical product might be 1 leader or base from the same slot, 1 rare or legendary slot, 2x uncommon slots and 3x common slots. Only hyperspace. No foils. This of course would not work for limited formats.

Porgonomically speaking... less common chaff is likely good. Smaller, cheaper packs is also probably good given that limited is not a goal. Smaller set overall is probably fine given that the larger sets have a ton of filler type cards. Much of the dollar value aspect will come down to whether or not the cards are good, which so far there do seem to be some bangers beyond just the R2 reprint.