This won't help with one of your questions, but if you want to get into packs or boxes, I'd HIGHLY recommend regular Topps.
It's a blast to open (talk about bonding!) with so many inserts, base cards and lots of shiny and cool looking stuff.
Panini prizm, topps chrome are also fun and the cards are awesome looking, both all "chrome"
Also consider checking out last year's panini pinnacle. The hobby boxes are very cheap and while the regular cards aren't anything special, the inserts are, especially all the see through ones.
It's a blast to open (talk about bonding!) with so many inserts, base cards and lots of shiny and cool looking stuff.
Panini prizm, topps chrome are also fun and the cards are awesome looking, both all "chrome"
Also consider checking out last year's panini pinnacle. The hobby boxes are very cheap and while the regular cards aren't anything special, the inserts are, especially all the see through ones.