The Magic Market Index: Set Review of Shadows Over Innistrad

 

 Shadows over Innistrad came out with this past prerelease weekend. This article will review the cards in the set. If a card is not mentioned on the list, it is bulk quality of common and uncommons. All rares, mythic rares, and notable uncommons/commons are reviewed. This review will focus mostly on Standard, but other formats will be considered in the evaluations.

 

This set's prices are generally at their peaks, and values will go down as more product is opened. This is the same for every set before and most likely after. Only buy cards that are most likely going to go up or cards you need for day one of their release. Usually, it is best to wait until after the first two Star City Games events to determine what is really good. Remember, last set had Kozilek's Return at around $25 and Kalitas, Traitor of Ghet at around $7 going into the prerelease.   

 

There are some cards that have potential to grow in value as noted in the comments. Note that a card being marked as worth investing in does not mean that this investment should be done right away. It's best to wait until release for that.

 

With that out of the way, it is time to investigate the value of this set. and see what clues are offered for new Standard and other formats.

 

Shadows Over Innistrad

Name   Price for 3/29 Price for 3/31   Price Change    Invest?   Comments
Altered Ego $0.92 $0.88 $0.04 Y This card seems like it should be interesting, 
Always Watching $1.16 $1.15 $0.01 Y

This card has some great potential, so keep an eye on it.
Angel of Deliverance $0.38 $0.37 $0.01 N A strong effect for a high cost and a lot of set-up.
Anguished Unmaking $5.39 $5.41 $0.02 N This is a slightly better Utter End and that card did not see that much play. Three mana is much less than four, though, so keep an eye on its performance.
Archangel Avacyn $25.06 $27.46 $2.40 N Never trust expensive mythics from the beginning of a set's release. This card is strong, but not $25 strong.
Arlinn Kord $27.50 $27.95 $0.45 N This is a strong planeswalker, but not overwhelming. It should drop to $20 or so in a few weeks unless R/G makes a lot of noise.
Asylum Visitor $3.31 $3.27 $0.04 N This card has an interesting effect and might do well if B/R Vampire Madness is a top tier deck.
Avacyn's Judgment $2.41 $2.19 $0.22 N This is a solid card, but not worth too much.
Behold the Beyond $2.20 $2.12 $0.08 Y This will be in almost every black Commander deck, so it will be worth something
Brain in a Jar $1.29 $1.29 $0.00 Y The effect is unique enough that it could be part of a combo deck.  
Burn from Within $0.99 $0.89 $0.10 N The classic X burn spell with only a minor upside. It will fare no better than previous such iterations. 
Bygone Bishop $0.95 $1.02 $0.07 N Unless the investigate deck becomes something, begone with this bygone.
Call the Bloodline $0.30 $0.29 $0.01 Y This is interesting in the B/R Vampire Madness deck.
Catalog $0.14 $0.15 $0.01 Y

Finally, an instant draw spell that is not complete garbage File this card under "about time" and keep your copies. 
Choked Estuary $4.85 $4.76 $0.09 Y Go after the dual lands first. This is no exception. 
Compelling Deterrence $0.23 $0.22 $0.01 N This card is one of the cards to keep from the bulk stacks. This card is solid in the U/B Zombie deck.
Confirm Suspicions $0.59 $0.49 $0.10 N

If the clue deck takes off, this is a decent counterspell, but three-mana counterspells are much better even with this spell's upside.
Confront the Unknown $0.14 $0.15 $0.01 N If the clue deck takes off, this is an amazing pump spell in it.
Corrupted Grafstone $1.16 $0.99 $0.17 Y This is one of the most interesting cards in the set. It will see play in almost every Commander deck.
Cryptolith Rite $5.96 $5.49 $0.47 Y This card could definitely see play. It worth getting a few copies.
Dead Weight $0.17 $0.17 $0.00 N A fine removal spell that will pull its weight in the game rather than the market. 
Deathcap Cultivator $1.93 $1.95 $0.02 N It is a great ramp creature that is not going to be the new two mana ramp creature with upside.
Declaration in Stone $3.61 $3.97 $0.36 Y This is the closest Standard is going to get to Path to Exile.
Descend upon the Sinful $3.42 $3.40 $0.02 N This is a six-mana Wrath of God that exiles instead destroying. That is fine, and the ability to get a 4/4 angel with delirium is a nice bonus.
Devils' Playground $0.74 $0.68 $0.06 N It is well-costed for what it does, but what does well is not good.
Diregraf Colossus $3.47 $3.25 $0.22 Y This is one of best reasons to play Zombies in Standard.
Drogskol Cavalry $0.45 $0.44 $0.01 N Too expensive, but a good card once on the battlefield in a spirit deck. Calling it niche may be too mainstream for it.
Drownyard Temple $1.96 $1.89 $0.07 Y This is a card to look into. Being able to come back from the graveyard is a nice ability.
Drunau Corpse Trawler $0.24 $0.24 $0.00 N Not a bad card, but feels weak for four mana and not a compelling reason to get into U/B Zombies.
Duskwatch Recruiter $0.72 $0.60 $0.12 Y This is a solid card in the G/R Werewolf deck.
Eerie Interlude $1.62 $1.48 $0.14 Y This is a better Ghostway. Mass exile effects are always good and can lead to broken things.
Elusive Tormentor $0.93 $0.93 $0.00 N Interesting, but that's all.
Engulf the Shore $0.93 $0.85 $0.08 Y This is interesting in a blue-based control deck. It is not going to be expensive, but it could be a two to three dollar card.
Epiphany at the Drownyard $2.71 $2.71 $0.00 N This is an interesting card, but it is in the same boat at Steam Augury: Heading upstream.
Erdwal Illuminator $0.24 $0.24 $0.00 N If the clue deck becomes a thing, this is great card in it.
Essence Flux $0.24 $0.24 $0.00 N A great card that will never worth anything more than half a dollar.
Ever After $1.21 $0.99 $0.22 N Interesting card that could see play in a potential reanimator deck.
Falkenrath Gorger $2.84 $2.77 $0.07 Y This is the reason B/R Vampire Madness could be a thing. This is not Goblin Guide, but it is very powerful and will be in demand as long as Vampires are playable.
Fevered Visions $1.23 $1.19 $0.04 N This will find a home somewhere, but it will not be worth too much. Maybe the U/R Prowess deck will use it.
Fiery Temper $0.21 $0.20 $0.01 Y As long as B/R Vampire Madness and discard effects are in standard, this card is basically Lightning Bolt. It will not be worth a lot, but it will be worth keeping these from the bulk piles.
Flameblade Angel $0.49 $0.46 $0.03 N This card is really good if it lands, but a six-mana 4/4 that pings an opponent for one is not going to hit the table soon enough to matter.
Fleeting Memories $0.24 $0.24 $0.00 N Interesting in a mill deck, but that is all. It could go well with Sphinx's Tutelage.
Foreboding Ruins $4.73 $4.67 $0.06 Y Go after the dual lands first. This is no exception.
Forgotten Creation $1.33 $0.99 $0.34 N The ability is a little overrated, but it is a good creature that might see play somewhere.
Fork in the Road $0.15 $0.16 $0.01 N This is almost completely worse than Ruin in Their Wake. It is only good for enabling delirium.
Forsaken Sanctuary $0.22 $0.22 $0.00 Y The enemy creature-lands are better, but if you do not have them, these are okay.
Fortified Village $4.76 $4.64 $0.12 Y Go after the dual lands first. This is no exception.
Foul Orchard $0.23 $0.22 $0.01 Y The enemy creature-lands are better, but if you do not have them, these are okay.
From Under the Floorboards $1.62 $1.49 $0.13 Y This is a Sphinx's Revelation type card except it can actually finish a game by itself. Zombie's Revelation?
Game Trail $4.94 $4.87 $0.07 Y Go after the dual lands first. This is no exception.
Geier Reach Bandit $2.54 $1.95 $0.59 Y This is the best red werewolf in the set, so it's a decent if risky speculation target.
Geistblast $0.48 $0.45 $0.03 N This card looks like a blast to do something stupid, but right now it is in betwen not bulk and playable.
Geralf's Masterpiece $2.61 $2.54 $0.07 N Not a real masterpiece, as it probably only good in decks that want as few card in hand, which is not normal for blue.
Gibbering Fiend $0.27 $0.26 $0.01 N A good, aggressive red creature that could see play.
Goldnight Castigator $4.72 $4.72 $0.00 N Unless the format is not that aggressive, this is not great. It might be a good sideboard card against control for red.
Graf Mole $0.23 $0.24 $0.01 N If the clue deck gets going, this is a good reward for sacrificing them.

Groundskeeper

 $0.21 $0.20 $0.01 Y This card interesting and could make something out of a G/R Molten Vortex or the G/B Lands decks.
Hanweir Militia Captain $1.75 $1.78 $0.03 N Good in a white Human deck, but that relies on white Humans being good in this meta.
Harness the Storm $1.07 $0.95 $0.12 N The effect is interesting and unique, but not really worth the effort.
Heir of Falkenrath $0.62 $0.59 $0.03 Y Another great vampire in the B/R Vampire Madness deck.
Hermit of the Natterknolls $0.36 $0.41 $0.05 Y The second best werewolf in the set.
Highland Lake $0.22 $0.22 $0.00 Y The enemy creature-lands are better, but if you do not have them, these are okay.
Howlpack Resurgence $0.50 $0.47 $0.03 N This could be good in the aggressive G/R Werewolf deck.  
Incorrigible Youths $0.39 $0.38 $0.01 N Another great Vampire in the B/R Vampire Madness deck.
Indulgent Aristocrat $0.31 $0.30 $0.01 Y This could be quite good in a Vampire deck.  
Inexorable Blob $1.32 $1.27 $0.05 N This card seems fine, but it does not fit in any deck outside of a non tribal green aggro deck, which is not apparent if there is one.
Invasive Surgery $0.40 $0.39 $0.01 N Even if you can reach delirium, this effect is not that great because the better cards that you want to counter are instants.
Invocation of Saint Traft $1.49 $1.40 $0.09 N

Invocation, I served with Saint Traft. I knew Saint Traft. Saint Traft was a friend of mine. Invocation, you're no Saint Traft.
Jace, Unraveler of Secrets $19.94 $19.11 $0.83 Y

This is the third best planeswalker. It's pretty good, but not at its current price point.
Just the Wind $0.16 $0.16 $0.00 N This is not bulk, as Unsummon is always a fine card.
Kindly Stranger $0.24 $0.23 $0.01 N This is a cute card effect that kind of acts as removal.
Lambholt Pacifist $0.36 $0.42 $0.06 N This is a fine werewolf, but there are better ones. It could see play, though. 
Liliana's Indignation $0.14 $0.16 $0.02 N This has a combo waiting to happen. Not a meta-changing one, but interesting.
Markov Dreadknight $0.46 $0.44 $0.02 N This is good in the B/R Vampire Madness deck as much as Sorin, Grim Nemesis.
Mindwrack Demon $4.48 $6.49 $2.01 Y This card fuels the U/B Reanimator deck, which means it has potential beyond being the best beater in the format.
Moonlight Hunt $0.24 $0.25 $0.01 N A good removal spell in the G/R Werewolf deck. However, do not hunt down this card for value, as you will be left in the dark.  
Murderous Compulsion $0.14 $0.15 $0.01 N This card has some interesting potential. Keep your copies of it, as it's a cheaper Assassinate with madness. Also, Brian Kibler posed for the card. That makes the card 100% more sexy.
Nahiri, the Harbinger $14.74 $14.25 $0.49 N The weakest of the planeswalkers is still quite playable. Unless she finds a home, she will not maintain her value and drop to around $10.
Nephalia Moondrakes $0.41 $0.39 $0.02 N

One of the worst rares in the set and it's not outright unplayable. It says something about Shadows over Innistrad that even its worst rares might have some fringe playability.
Niblis of Dusk $0.16 $0.15 $0.01 N Could be played in a U/R Prowess deck, as it has flying.
Odric, Lunarch Marshal $1.33 $1.28 $0.05 Y Concerted Effort saw play, and this is a at has a good body attached to the effect. It has some real potential.
Olivia, Mobilized for War $15.07 $15.26
$0.21 Y The best vampire in the set that is not a planeswalker. This is why Drana, Liberator of Malakir spiked.  
Olivia's Bloodsworn $0.32 $0.32 $0.00 N A solid vampire for the B/R Vampire Madness deck.
Open the Armory $0.44 $0.44 $0.00 Y This is a good search effect that will see play in multiple formats, and will increase over time.
Pick the Brain $0.25 $0.25 $0.00 Y

If you can reach delirium, this is really good. It eliminates the card disadvantage problem with most extraction effects by hitting their hand as well as their library.
Pious Evangel $0.24 $0.23 $0.01 N For three mana, it is not a typical soul sister, and the Rally deck is not in Standard anymore.
Port Town $4.94 $4.78 $0.16 Y Go after the dual lands first. This is no exception.
Prized Amalgam $2.56 $2.46 $0.10 N It is an interesting card design, but because it has little combo potential, it's just a value creature which the decks that want a return from the graveyard effect are going to shamble away from.
Pyre Hound $0.14 $0.14 $0.00 N This card is not lighting any fires for a new deck but it could be used in the U/R Prowess deck.
Rattlechains $1.12 $1.10 $0.02 Y If the Spirit deck becomes a thing, this card could see some play.  
Relentless Dead $17.63 $17.76 $0.13 N Hello, reason to be in Zombies. Overpriced for now, but will be good.  
Rise from the Tides $0.31 $0.31 $0.00 N Has combo potential written all over the card.  
Rush of Adrenaline $0.14 $0.14 $0.00 N A decent pump spell for red aggro decks.
Sage of Ancient Lore $0.99 $0.96 $0.03 Y This is the best green werewolf in the set, so it's a decent if risky speculation target.
Scourge Wolf $1.65 $1.62 $0.03 N This card feels like it should be good, but double strike is rarely an effect that is good by itself.
Seasons Past $3.03 $2.99 $0.04 Y This card has a unique effect and is a lot of value. That is a good indicator of a card having value.
Second Harvest $1.17 $0.99 $0.18 Y Token doubling effects are almost in demand and are often quite breakable.  This has very good market potential.
Sigarda, Heron's Grace $5.29 $5.03 $0.26 N This is not Sigarda, Host of Herons and this will not see play. It is not a bad card for casual and Commander, but it won't be very relevant in Standard.
Silverfur Partisan $2.18 $2.17 $0.01 N This is a fine card that does something interesting, so it is not unplayable and without value. It will be a niche card in a niche deck, so demand for it will be low.
Sin Prodder $7.22 $6.99 $0.23 Y This is one of the better cards in the set, and while it is a little overpriced, it is not by much.
Sinister Concoction $0.26 $0.25 $0.01 N This is a neat card that is not worth bulking out.
Skin Invasion $0.84 $0.93 $0.09 N This is a fun card, but its lack of good application should get under your skin.
Slayer's Plate $1.50 $1.28 $0.22 N This is an interesting piece of equipment, but not terribly playable outside of the R/W Equipment deck.
Sorin, Grim Nemesis $19.26 $19.13 $0.13 Y This is the second best planeswalker, and it probably worth around $15 to $20.
Soul Swallower $0.52 $0.52 $0.00 N This effect is too slow to be competitive.
Startled Awake $3.57 $3.47 $0.10 N This card is awesome, but is too slow to be of any use to in competitive Magic.
Stitched Mangler $0.17 $0.16 $0.01

Y

 This is might see play in Bant Collected Company decks, so save the ones you get.
Stone Quarry $0.23 $0.22 $0.01 Y The enemy creature-lands are better, but if you do not have them, these are okay.
Strength of Arms $0.14 $0.15 $0.01 N This a good pump spell in the clue deck.
Tamiyo's Journal $0.61 $0.58 $0.03 N This is a great card in the clue deck.
Thalia's Lieutenant $2.39 $2.44 $0.05 Y This is the reason there is a Human deck.
The Gitrog Monster $8.38 $8.34 $0.04 Y This is one of the most interesting cards in the set. It is a "build around me" that has potential in other formats.
Thing in the Ice $14.50 $13.52 $0.98 Y This is one of the best cards in the set, and while it is a bit overpriced, it will worth it
Tireless Tracker $1.95 $1.93 $0.02 Y This is the reason the clue deck is even possible.
To the Slaughter $2.74 $2.75 $0.01 Y This is an amazing sacrifice effect that will see play.  
Traverse the Ulvenwald $4.40 $4.35 $0.05 Y This is a good card that can see play in competitive Magic, which means it has value.
Triskaidekaphobia $0.98 $0.89 $0.09 N This card is a fun win condition that is dripping with flavor. While it will not be worth more than $13, you should keep a baker's dozen of it.
Ulvenwald Hydra $3.49 $3.49 $0.00 Y Another green hydra. Another two dollar casual mythic.
Village Messenger $0.35 $0.35 $0.00 Y This is a solid red one-drop that could see play outside of Werewolf decks. Having evasion makes it slightly better than Reckless Waif.
Welcome to the Fold $0.93 $0.87 $0.06 Y This is a better Exert Influence.
Westvale Abbey $7.07 $19.95 $12.88 N This is overpriced for now, but it's a good card.  
Wolf of Devil's Breach $1.84 $1.83 $0.01 N This is a bad five-drop, which means it is almost unplayable unless the G/R Aggro deck finds need for it.
Woodland Stream $0.24 $0.23 $0.01 Y The enemy creature-lands are better, but if you do not have them, these are okay.

 

 

 Set Overview

 

This set is not quite as good as the original Innistrad, but it is dripping in flavor and looks solid. The set has some value, with potential for more value later down the road. The lack of a high-value reprinted is sad, but the lack of Expeditions is also a blessing. Overall, the set is good and a welcomed breath of excitement. Be sure to get the dual lands and trade off your high valued mythic rares, as most of them will drop when the set is officially released. Buying a box of this set is not a bad investment as far as buying boxes go, but that's rarely good. This does at least have a solid chance of making your money back. There's no "lottery" card like the Expeditions in Battle for Zendikar block or Jace, Vryn's Prodigy in Magic Origins.

 

 

 

Cards to Go After

 

Always Watching
Asylum Visitor
Choked Estuary
Corrupted Grafstone
Declaration in Stone
Diregraf Colossus
Foreboding Ruins
Fortified Village
Game Trail

Port Town
Thalia's Lieutenant
To the Slaughter

 

 

Cards to Avoid Going After

 

Archangel Avacyn
Arlinn Kord
Goldnight Castigator
Jace, Unraveler of Secrets
Nahiri, the Harbinger
Relentless Dead
Sigarda, Heron's Grace
Westvale Abbey

 

 

If you have any disagreements, comments, suggestions, or questions, feel free to post. 

 

I hope you had good luck at your prereleases.  Pull well, play well, and trade even better.

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