Welcome to the Magic Market Index. This article series documents the price changes of cards in print. This article will track how cards go from release to its time out of Standard, and as long as deemed necessary for non-Standard sets, as well as offer insight into what cards to invest in and what to ignore. The Magic market is a dangerous place, and this article is here to help guide players and speculators through the murky waters to greater returns.
This article will be updated once a week on Wednesdays. This will give time to let the market adapt to changes in the meta and the market, as well as being late enough in the week that it is not completely unreliable prior to going into the Magic: the Gathering weekend events.
Currently, this article series is tracking Khans of Tarkir Block (Khans of Tarkir, Fate Reforged, and Dragons of Tarkir), Magic Origins, and Battle for Zendikar Block (Battle for Zendikar). There are no current plans to track any promo sets or other non-set releases. If it can be opened in a pack, it will be covered.
A few things about the market before getting to the values and analysis. Sets in Standard follow a standard pattern in terms of value, in that they start out high during the pre-release and the first week or two of its release. Some cards spike during the first Star City Games Open Series, the first tournament that is Standard-legal and showcases several pros' work at breaking the set. Then comes the Pro Tour if it is Standard, which shows the results of the many of the best players in Magic deciding on the best. Both of these tournaments will rise certain cards, and the rest of the set will lower due to three factors. Magic: the Gathering Online set redemptions, Limited play, and product being opened for non-limited play. The market gets flooded and prices go down. This continues until a few weeks after the next set starts this cycle, and then the previous set starts rising in value and continue until the a few weeks before the set starts to rotate when only cards that see play in non-rotating formats will drop in value. This means the best time to invest is after the Pro Tour, but before the next set comes out. The worst times are at the beginning and end of its time in Standard and when the set stops being played in Limited.
Another aspect is always invest in dual lands as soon as possible. Having a good manabase will always serve a player better than having the "best" card in the set. Invest in dual lands, then desired cards, and then speculation. Also, when speculating, realize that demand is more important than profit margin. Having 200 copies of a card that spikes is not immediate value, as one has to unload that value. Stores will only buy so many of a card that spikes. Lastly, if a card spikes, that is not a sign that one should immediately buy in. Sometimes the card is a flash in the pan and crashes in value. Look at a card and determine if the card has both potential to be playable and rise.
With that, it is time to discuss the price changes and what to look at.
Battle for Zendikar
| Name | Change for 10/07 to 11/04 | Change for 10/28 to 11/07 | Price for 11/04 | Price for 10/28 | Price for 10/21 | Price for 10/14 |
Price for 10/7 |
Set Summary
Battle for Zendikar is following the standard pattern that every set goes through. The only real significant difference is the drop is deeper than most and not as many upticks, which is more to due with how much was opened and drafted rather than being a so called "bad set". Opening a box of this set is not worth it at all. If cracking packs is your desire, go for either ends of the Khans block. |
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| Gideon, Ally of Zendikar | $2.22 | $2.77 | $37.22 | $39.99 | $41.03 | $36.00 | $35.00 | ||||
| Ulamog, the Ceaseless Hunger | $4.81 | $0.58 | $13.92 | $13.34 | $14.99 | $15.99 | $18.73 | ||||
| Drana, Liberator of Malakir | $7.53 | $1.28 | $12.06 | $13.34 | $15.39 | $17.99 | $19.59 | ||||
| Ob Nixilis Reignited | $7.10 | $1.04 | $9.90 | $10.94 | $12.97 | $14.98 | $17.00 | ||||
| Sunken Hollow | $2.75 | $0.57 | $7.00 | $7.57 | $8.13 | $8.76 | $9.75 | ||||
| Undergrowth Champion | $9.84 | $1.05 | $6.94 | $7.99 | $10.10 | $12.73 | $16.78 | ||||
| Kiora, Master of the Depths | $8.09 | $0.86 | $6.83 | $7.69 | $9.03 | $11.00 | $14.92 | ||||
| Dragonmaster Outcast | $2.02 | $0.23 | $6.42 | $6.65 | $6.71 | $5.00 | $4.40 | ||||
| Prairie Stream | $2.84 | $0.60 | $6.16 | $6.76 | $7.49 | $8.06 | $9.00 | ||||
| Oblivion Sower | $0.55 | $0.51 | $5.99 | $6.50 | $6.95 | $5.92 | $5.44 | ||||
| Canopy Vista | $3.10 | $0.56 | $5.89 | $6.45 | $7.00 | $7.98 | $8.99 | ||||
| Cinder Glade | $1.96 | $0.44 | $5.79 | $6.23 | $6.87 | $7.29 | $7.75 | ||||
| Shambling Vent | $1.53 | $0.31 | $5.70 | $6.01 | $6.54 | $6.65 | $7.23 | ||||
| Smoldering Marsh | $2.25 | $0.45 | $4.50 | $4.95 | $5.41 | $6.00 | $6.75 | ||||
| Ruinous Path | $3.97 | $0.54 | $3.02 | $3.56 | $4.32 | $5.11 | $6.99 | ||||
| Omnath, Locus of Rage | $2.42 | $0.19 | $2.83 | $3.02 | $3.49 | $4.12 | $5.25 | ||||
| Void Winnower | $1.69 | $0.21 | $2.79 | $3.00 | $3.43 | $3.75 | $4.48 | ||||
| Radiant Flames | $0.30 | $0.25 | $2.75 | $3.00 | $3.09 | $2.58 | $2.45 | ||||
| Quarantine Field | $1.87 | $0.26 | $2.58 | $2.84 | $3.22 | $3.65 | $4.45 | ||||
| Greenwarden of Murasa | $3.07 | $0.28 | $2.53 | $2.81 | $3.49 | $4.25 | $5.60 | ||||
| Lumbering Falls | $2.28 | $0.28 | $2.51 | $2.79 | $3.22 | $3.90 | $4.79 | ||||
| Scatter to the Winds | $0.98 | $0.36 | $2.39 | $2.75 | $3.15 | $3.34 | $3.37 | ||||
| Bring to Light | $4.22 | $0.58 | $2.38 | $2.96 | $4.08 | $5.12 | $6.60 | ||||
| Sire of Stagnation | $3.96 | $0.47 | $2.03 | $2.50 | $3.24 | $4.30 | $5.99 |
Zendikar Expeditions
| Name | Change for 10/14 to 11/04 | Change for 10/28 to 11/07 | Price for 11/04 | Price for 10/28 | Price for 10/21 | Price for 10/14 |
Price for 10/7 |
Set Summary
The fetchlands are already starting to gain value. The price overall will start increasing because demand to crack boxes is going down, making Expeditions worth more.if demand holds the same or increases. |
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| Scalding Tarn | $21.81 | $0.76 | $228.59 | $227.83 | $239.48 | $250.40 | - | ||||
| Misty Rainforest | $10.75 | $12.37 | $214.24 | $201.87 | $219.48 | $224.99 | - | ||||
| Polluted Delta | $19.64 | $5.75 | $210.35 | $204.60 | $224.44 | $229.99 | - | ||||
| Flooded Strand | $31.03 | $4.48 | $183.96 | $188.44 | $209.93 | $214.99 | - | ||||
| Verdant Catacombs | $5.84 | $3.83 | $153.88 | $150.05 | $150.00 | $159.72 | - | ||||
| Bloodstained Mire | $2.61 | $0.61 | $110.60 | $109.99 | $111.24 | $113.21 | - | ||||
| Arid Mesa | $13.34 | $4.21 | $105.65 | $101.44 | $107.92 | $118.99 | - | ||||
| Steam Vents | $14.43 | $0.47 | $99.97 | $100.44 | $108.99 | $114.40 | - | ||||
| Windswept Heath | $5.25 | $0.50 | $98.74 | $99.24 | $100.00 | $103.99 | - | ||||
| Marsh Flats | $7.26 | $2.31 | $97.69 | $100.00 | $99.99 | $104.95 | - | ||||
| Wooded Foothills | $5.18 | $0.18 | $94.67 | $94.49 | $99.74 | $99.85 | - | ||||
| Hallowed Fountain | $8.12 | $1.36 | $77.87 | $79.23 | $81.61 | $85.99 | - | ||||
| Watery Grave | $4.96 | $0.11 | $74.99 | $75.10 | $77.94 | $79.95 | - | ||||
| Breeding Pool | $6.82 | $1.39 | $73.14 | $74.53 | $78.49 | $79.96 | - | ||||
| Stomping Ground | $8.49 | $1.87 | $71.00 | $72.87 | $75.00 | $79.49 | - | ||||
| Overgrown Tomb | $7.26 | $3.04 | $69.96 | $73.00 | $73.99 | $77.22 | - | ||||
| Godless Shrine | $7.13 | $2.64 | $67.86 | $70.50 | $73.36 | $74.99 | - | ||||
| Sacred Foundry | $8.27 | $0.58 | $65.70 | $66.28 | $69.95 | $73.97 | - | ||||
| Blood Crypt | $5.05 | $0.15 | $59.91 | $59.76 | $61.24 | $64.96 | - | ||||
| Sunken Hollow | $7.53 | $4.55 | $59.54 | $54.99 | $57.23 | $52.01 | - | ||||
| Prairie Stream | $3.89 | $0.00 | $58.89 | $58.89 | $55.24 | $55.00 | - | ||||
| Temple Garden | $4.00 | $0.01 | $57.00 | $56.99 | $58.75 | $61.00 | - | ||||
| Canopy Vista | $0.81 | $0.97 | $48.96 | $49.93 | $49.96 | $49.77 | - | ||||
| Cinder Glade | $1.67 | $0.06 | $45.00 | $44.94 | $46.40 | $46.67 | - | ||||
| Smoldering Marsh | $0.06 | $0.03 | $44.95 | $44.98 | $44.96 | $45.01 | - |
Magic Origins
| Name | Change for 10/07 to 11/04 | Change for 10/28 to 11/07 | Price for 11/04 | Price for 10/28 | Price for 10/21 | Price for 10/14 |
Price for 10/7 |
Set Summary
Jace continues to reign supreme as the most expensive card in Standard. Those thinking there will be a ban on Jace are deluding both themselves or others in attempt to get them cheaper. Jace is powerful but no more format-warping than other all-stars like Pack Rat, Thoughtseize, and Siege Rhino. Standard survived under those and it will survive under Jace. |
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| Jace, Vryn's Prodigy | $3.97 | $0.81 | $73.96 | $73.15 | $74.98 | $73.60 | $69.99 | ||||
| Nissa, Vastwood Seer | $2.21 | $0.08 | $25.94 | $26.02 | $25.30 | $24.22 | $23.73 | ||||
| Liliana, Heretical Healer | $8.50 | $0.21 | $24.97 | $25.18 | $24.98 | $16.50 | $16.47 | ||||
| Hangarback Walker | $1.48 | $0.27 | $14.31 | $14.58 | $14.73 | $14.25 | $15.79 | ||||
| Chandra, Fire of Kaladesh | $0.21 | $0.08 | $8.00 | $8.08 | $8.23 | $8.00 | $8.21 | ||||
| Abbot of Keral Keep | $0.49 | $0.02 | $7.48 | $7.50 | $7.49 | $7.25 | $6.99 | ||||
| Archangel of Tithes | $0.54 | $0.02 | $6.45 | $6.47 | $6.73 | $6.65 | $6.99 | ||||
| Kytheon, Hero of Akros | $1.89 | $0.19 | $5.94 | $6.13 | $6.58 | $7.02 | $7.83 | ||||
| Exquisite Firecraft | $1.03 | $0.26 | $4.99 | $5.25 | $5.55 | $5.82 | $6.02 | ||||
| Languish | $0.15 | $0.07 | $3.89 | $3.96 | $3.99 | $4.05 | $4.04 | ||||
| Managorger Hydra | $0.50 | $0.04 | $3.25 | $3.29 | $3.25 | $3.04 | $2.75 | ||||
| Day's Undoing | $1.06 | $0.24 | $3.10 | $3.34 | $3.51 | $3.79 | $4.16 | ||||
| Alhammarret's Archive | $0.32 | $0.12 | $3.03 | $3.15 | $3.25 | $3.27 | $3.35 | ||||
| Goblin Piledriver | $0.93 | $0.16 | $2.83 | $2.99 | $3.23 | $3.43 | $3.76 | ||||
| Sword of the Animist | $0.23 | $0.11 | $2.76 | $2.87 | $2.95 | $2.99 | $2.99 | ||||
| Starfield of Nyx | $0.80 | $0.04 | $2.62 | $2.66 | $2.85 | $3.12 | $3.42 | ||||
| Demonic Pact | $0.76 | $0.11 | $2.49 | $2.60 | $2.74 | $2.93 | $3.25 | ||||
| Pyromancer's Goggles | $0.88 | $0.10 | $2.49 | $2.59 | $2.82 | $3.10 | $3.37 | ||||
| Woodland Bellower | $0.91 | $0.13 | $2.30 | $2.43 | $2.65 | $2.87 | $3.21 |
Dragons of Tarkir
| Name | Change for 10/07 to 11/04 | Change for 10/28 to 11/07 | Price for 11/04 | Price for 10/28 | Price for 10/21 | Price for 10/14 |
Price for 10/7 |
Set Summary
Dragons took a hit this week, but this is still one of the best sets to buy packs from. A lot of the rares are playable and worth money, and there are several playable commons and uncommons. |
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| Dragonlord Ojutai | $9.45 | $1.30 | $26.20 | $27.50 | $28.13 | $29.49 | $16.75 | ||||
| Deathmist Raptor | $1.38 | $0.47 | $22.36 | $22.83 | $23.04 | $21.98 | $20.98 | ||||
| Den Protecter | $5.66 | $0.37 | $15.82 | $16.19 | $16.00 | $15.69 | $10.16 | ||||
| Atarka's Command | $1.36 | $0.24 | $15.35 | $15.59 | $15.64 | $14.88 | $13.99 | ||||
| Kolaghan's Command | $2.09 | $0.21 | $12.50 | $12.71 | $12.49 | $11.07 | $10.41 | ||||
| Narset Transcendent | $2.25 | $0.02 | $10.79 | $10.81 | $9.00 | $8.67 | $8.54 | ||||
| Dragonlord Atarka | $0.56 | $0.21 | $9.47 | $9.26 | $10.82 | $10.21 | $10.03 | ||||
| Dragonlord Dromoka | $1.60 | $0.09 | $9.10 | $9.19 | $9.22 | $8.38 | $7.50 | ||||
| Collected Company | $0.75 | $0.13 | $8.00 | $8.13 | $8.78 | $8.99 | $8.75 | ||||
| Shaman of Forgotten Ways | $0.05 | $0.07 | $7.98 | $8.05 | $8.10 | $8.00 | $8.03 | ||||
| Dromoka's Command | $3.39 | $0.22 | $7.72 | $7.94 | $7.99 | $7.25 | $4.33 | ||||
| Sarkhan Unbroken | $0.01 | $0.01 | $6.99 | $7.00 | $7.14 | $7.11 | $7.00 | ||||
| Thunderbreak Regent | $1.14 | $0.16 | $6.13 | $6.29 | $6.23 | $5.35 | $4.99 | ||||
| Dragonlord Silumgar | $0.03 | $0.01 | $5.12 | $5.13 | $5.25 | $5.19 | $5.15 | ||||
| Ojutai's Command | $1.65 | $0.08 | $4.49 | $4.57 | $4.66 | $3.37 | $2.84 | ||||
| Zurgo Bellstriker | $1.95 | $0.10 | $4.49 | $4.59 | $4.49 | $3.67 | $2.54 | ||||
| Secure the Wastes | $1.62 | $0.24 | $4.11 | $3.87 | $3.02 | $2.59 | $2.49 | ||||
| Dragonlord Kolaghan | $0.26 | $0.03 | $3.77 | $3.80 | $3.76 | $3.57 | $3.51 | ||||
| Haven of the Spirit Dragon | $0.19 | $0.08 | $3.43 | $3.51 | $3.68 | $3.70 | $3.62 | ||||
| Dragon Whisperer | $0.16 | $0.18 | $3.00 | $3.18 | $3.32 | $3.25 | $3.16 | ||||
| Hidden Dragonslayer | - | $0.00 | $3.00 | $3.00 | $2.83 | - | - | ||||
| Silkwrap | - | - | $2.25 | - | - | - | - | ||||
| Descent of Dragons | $0.07 | $0.00 | $2.09 | $2.09 | $2.15 | $2.15 | $2.16 |
Fate Reforged
| Name | Change for 10/07 to 11/04 | Change for 10/28 to 11/07 | Price for 11/04 | Price for 10/28 | Price for 10/21 | Price for 10/14 |
Price for 10/7 |
Set Summary
Warden of the First Tree should be a card to look at. It is seeing a lot of play and could easily go to five or six dollars. Also, Ugin passed the $30 mark. |
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| Ugin, the Spirit Dragon | $4.44 | $2.52 | $30.83 | $28.31 | $27.95 | $27.32 | $26.39 | ||||
| Monastery Mentor | $0.15 | $0.01 | $16.61 | $16.60 | $16.43 | $16.15 | $16.46 | ||||
| Soulfire Grand Master | $2.70 | $0.01 | $11.50 | $11.49 | $10.99 | $9.13 | $8.80 | ||||
| Tasigur, the Golden Fang | $2.51 | $0.11 | $3.99 | $4.10 | $4.56 | $5.22 | $6.50 | ||||
| Warden of the First Tree | $0.20 | $0.76 | $3.74 | $2.98 | $3.39 | $3.41 | $3.54 | ||||
| Wild Slash | - | $0.04 | $2.75 | $2.79 | $2.44 | - | - | ||||
| Whisperwood Elemental | $1.80 | $1.07 | $2.73 | $3.80 | $3.77 | $3.87 | $4.53 | ||||
| Brutal Hordechief | $0.19 | $0.01 | $2.50 | $2.49 | $2.46 | $2.38 | $2.31 |
Khans of Tarkir
| Name | Change for 10/07 to 11/04 | Change for 10/28 to 11/07 | Price for 11/04 | Price for 10/28 | Price for 10/21 | Price for 10/14 |
Price for 10/7 |
Set Summary
The fetchlands took a hit, and the set overall is cooling off. All the fetchlands aside from the one that most recently got reprinted are over $20. |
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| Polluted Delta | $1.69 | $0.55 | $25.92 | $26.47 | $26.51 | $24.81 | $24.23 | ||||
| Flooded Strand | $4.06 | $0.10 | $23.90 | $24.00 | $24.11 | $20.89 | $19.84 | ||||
| Wooded Foothills | $6.06 | $0.18 | $23.81 | $23.99 | $23.95 | $19.75 | $17.75 | ||||
| Bloodstained Mire | $6.42 | $0.58 | $21.37 | $21.95 | $21.04 | $17.20 | $14.95 | ||||
| Windswept Heath | $1.66 | $0.09 | $14.16 | $14.25 | $14.03 | $13.80 | $12.50 | ||||
| Sorin, Solemn Visitor | $1.38 | $0.23 | $9.92 | $9.69 | $9.29 | $8.99 | $8.54 | ||||
| Anafenza, the Foremost | $1.75 | $0.27 | $8.25 | $8.52 | $8.54 | $7.85 | $6.50 | ||||
| Wingmate Roc | $2.69 | $0.13 | $6.29 | $6.42 | $6.97 | $4.95 | $3.60 | ||||
| Sarkhan, the Dragonspeaker | $0.02 | $0.24 | $5.24 | $5.48 | $5.59 | $5.23 | $5.22 | ||||
| Dig Through Time | $0.59 | $0.19 | $4.72 | $4.91 | $5.09 | $5.20 | $5.31 | ||||
| See the Unwritten | $2.92 | $0.66 | $4.22 | $4.88 | $5.50 | $6.47 | $7.14 | ||||
| Hardened Scales | $1.53 | $0.19 | $3.99 | $4.18 | $4.92 | $5.25 | $5.52 | ||||
| Siege Rhino | $0.12 | $0.09 | $3.71 | $3.80 | $3.93 | $3.66 | $3.59 | ||||
| Monastery Swiftspear | $0.03 | $0.06 | $3.46 | $3.52 | $3.60 | $3.50 | $3.43 | ||||
| Crackling Doom | - | $0.19 | $3.29 | $3.48 | $3.59 | - | - | ||||
| Bloodsoaked Champion | - | $0.01 | $3.12 | $3.13 | $3.26 | - | - | ||||
| Mantis Rider | - | $0.17 | $2.70 | $2.87 | $3.01 | $2.25 | - | ||||
| Rattleclaw Mystic | $0.11 | $0.10 | $2.60 | $2.70 | $2.84 | $2.87 | $2.71 | ||||
| Clever Impersonator | $0.04 | $0.05 | $2.45 | $2.50 | $2.58 | $2.55 | $2.49 |
Overall Summary
Standard is shifting from Dark Jeskai and more towards G/W/x variants like Abzan, Bant Tokens, and G/W Megamorph. Look out for the staples in G/W deck to go up in the near future. Dark Jeskai is still one of the best decks of the format, but it is not the dominant deck at all.
The values in Standard are lower, but they will rise soon, just like the moon. Speaking of the moon, time to start speculating on what will be reprinted in Shadows over Innistrad. Flashback has a strong chance of coming back, as is noted by Jace, Vryn's Prodigy second ability. Whether this denotes a return of Snapcaster Mage is up in the air, but it be a treat if they did not try to trick with whether they will put Snapcaster in Shadows over Innistrad. It is doubtful many if any of the legendary Angels will be reprinted, but it seems likely a legendary Werewolf will be printed as that was one of the things most saddened about what was otherwise a great set.
Cards to Watch:
Knight of the White Orchid ($1.85) This card is seeing play in Bant decks and when the fetchlands rotate, this card will be the only way to get the Battle for Zendikar dual lands.
Surge of Righteousness ($0.41) This card is in every sideboard with white mana. Helps against Jeskai, Atarka Red, and many other problematic red or black creatures. This could easily get to be a $2 uncommon.
Cards to Avoid:
Shrine of the Forsaken God ($0.63) This card will not see play outside of EDH and the G/r Eldrazi Ramp deck. Tron does not want it because if they have six other lands, there is a good chance Tron has the Urzatron assembled or is already losing.
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Posted Nov 5, 2015Really, everybody is wondering where the prices will stabilize to before making the big purchase, and it appears that it has come close to its plateau. Time will tell if the prices (of most cards) will continue to decrease, but I agree with what you said - less packs opened means less Expeditions available, so we may be witnessing some of the lowest prices right now.
Cheers!
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Posted Nov 5, 2015Overall, the Expeditions was a poorly executed gimmick, but not a bad gimmick in my opinion.. I would not mind stuff like this, like the oops all Fetchland box in Fate Reforged or the God packs in Journey into Nyx, just not for every set.