I think Wizards secretly likes speculators and the price increases that follow from things like this.
Think about it, a few weeks ago, Nourishing Shoal was a card with NO reprint cache. It was like a Long-Forgotten Gohei, if Wizards were to reprint it, it gets scoffed at and people will question why they're wasting valuable slots on worthless cards that nobody wants. But now, the tables have turned, as long as the card has a higher price tag on the secondary market, its reprint cache has increased right along with its price tag. As far as Wizards is concerned, the only thing relevant to them that happened as a result of this speculation and price spike is that they get to add another card to the file of potential targets for reprint. Nourishing Shoal is now a card that they can reprint anywhere they want and it's a card that can help sell a set, because there is a perceived card of value in there. Speculators and the secondary market leading to price spikes does one thing for Wizards: Make chase cards for future reprinting, which means that selling future sets is easier for Wizards. They love having a long list of cards that they can reprint and make people "happy" and want to crack product to try to open. Now this isn't a Snapcaster Mage or a Blood Moon or an Oblivion Stone, of course, but it's nice to have a $7 card that when reprinted becomes a $3 or $4, and serves that all-import purpose of being a card that you're "ok" with opening, because it helps to pay for the cost of the pack.
What I'm trying to say is, I dunno if I was clear or not, but succinctly: Wizards perceives this as nothing but a good thing for their bottom line. When cards go up in value, it makes them more valuable to Wizards as reprint prospects as well.
Of course, my PERSONAL OPINION on this matter is that someday if Wizards isn't careful, it will lead to a weary market that is sick of the ever-increasing tide of price hikes and the barrier to entry in non-rotating formats just gets higher and higheer, and it could lead to a bubble crash type of thing. Wizards can't let it get too out of hand and just assume that all price spikes are good for them forever, because there has to be a balance somewhere and if they don't manage it correctly, it will crash in the end. I don't know and don't have any suggestions on HOW they should manage it going forward, and maybe they already know this and are working towards it and have it all figured out, but I just know that right now price spikes are essentially a net positive for Wizards, but that they won't always be.
Forgive me that I'm not very good at expressing myself and I might be stupid so I hope what I said made sense haha
I think modern will eventually overtake legacy. I know it wasn't modern's stated purpose but with legacy being virtually unsupported, it's only a matter of time. If that is the case, idk how WotC hopes to control secondary market prices. Reprints don't really work because it causes instability in the secondary market, but neither does speculators buying tons of spec cards.
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Modern GB Rock U Flooding Merfolk RUG Delver Midrange WU Monks UW Tempo Geist GW Bogle GW Liege UR Tron B Vampires
Affinity Legacy
Fish
Goblins
Burn
Reanimator
Dredge
Affinity EDH W Akroma GBW Ghave BRU Thrax GR Ruric I advocate for the elimination of the combo archetype in Modern. I believe it is degenerate and unfun by its very nature and will always limit design space and cause unnecessary bans.
This guy is nothing in Modern, unless you want to do sheninigans with a Collected Company deck. It is just a bad blood moon. Sell them both and buy a real moon.
so, the fetches, they aren't really going to rise all that much before they rotate right? I was thinking of trading some of the ones I don't need, get a 3rd Snappy, maybeeven finish my playset
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Project Booster Fun makes it less fun to open a booster.
so, the fetches, they aren't really going to rise all that much before they rotate right? I was thinking of trading some of the ones I don't need, get a 3rd Snappy, maybeeven finish my playset
Fetches should be stable for a while. Snaps are going to keep rising. People laughed when others said they can see Snap being a $100 card. Well, when the best blue card in the format is played in all the best decks, who knows what the ceiling is?
I will dump my playset when they hit $150, as I think the ceiling for Snap is just sub Goyf prices.
so, the fetches, they aren't really going to rise all that much before they rotate right? I was thinking of trading some of the ones I don't need, get a 3rd Snappy, maybeeven finish my playset
A bit tough to say. An extremely consistent pattern for valuable cards in Standard is that after the rotation of the PREVIOUS block, valuable cards will start to increase. They tend to top out at about March, then will steadily decline until rotation happens.
However, the new Standard rotation changes things considerably, particularly in regards to the timing of the increases and falls. My guess is that it'll top out when Theros rotation happens, and then we'll see them start to decline.
the card itself really isn't worth the card board its printed on...does it serve a purpose? Sure its a blue 1 drop that might not be a 1/1. I would not put it in a list and expect to win a PTQ or GP though.
So here's a question, who's buying these cards at spiked prices? In my mind, the two main types of players are competitive types who attend events, and the non-competitive types who can afford to pimp out EDH decks. In both cases, money isn't really an object because it's what they are willing to pay to play.
For example, does anyone know who's buying Blood Moon at $50? I listed and sold mine, but I don't know the kind of person who bought it.
I'm buying them, because I want to play with them. I'm not that competitive, I just don't care that the card used to be 20 bucks a few months ago.
The cost of waiting for a price drop is more than the cost of not playing with them until then and the months if not years of enjoyment I'll get by using them until that moment where it becomes a bad buy.
People are clamoring for a serum visions re-print are confusing, if you're playing serum-less twin or something, you're doing it wrong.
I'm buying them, because I want to play with them. I'm not that competitive, I just don't care that the card used to be 20 bucks a few months ago.
The cost of waiting for a price drop is more than the cost of not playing with them until then and the months if not years of enjoyment I'll get by using them until that moment where it becomes a bad buy.
People are clamoring for a serum visions re-print are confusing, if you're playing serum-less twin or something, you're doing it wrong.
It makes me wonder as well. Are they really not buying into Twin because of a $12 card? Yes, it's overpriced. And...?
It reminds me of those who are not going to play Jund because of $12 Blackcleave Cliffs. Is a $12 card REALLY preventing you from playing Jund? That's kind of sad.
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Legacy - Sneak Show, BR Reanimator, Miracles, UW Stoneblade
Premodern - Trix, RecSur, Enchantress, Reanimator, Elves https://www.facebook.com/groups/PremodernUSA/ Modern - Neobrand, Hogaak Vine, Elves
Standard - Mono Red (6-2 and 5-3 in 2 McQ)
Draft - (I wish I had more time for limited...)
Commander - Norin the Wary, Grimgrin, Adun Oakenshield (taking forever to build) (dead format for me)
I'm buying them, because I want to play with them. I'm not that competitive, I just don't care that the card used to be 20 bucks a few months ago.
The cost of waiting for a price drop is more than the cost of not playing with them until then and the months if not years of enjoyment I'll get by using them until that moment where it becomes a bad buy.
People are clamoring for a serum visions re-print are confusing, if you're playing serum-less twin or something, you're doing it wrong.
It makes me wonder as well. Are they really not buying into Twin because of a $12 card? Yes, it's overpriced. And...?
It reminds me of those who are not going to play Jund because of $12 Blackcleave Cliffs. Is a $12 card REALLY preventing you from playing Jund? That's kind of sad.
Haha that is actually pretty funny.
$1000 for 4 Liliana and 4 Goyf is OK but 80 for lands? Hell no
I think people get hung up by not wanting to overpay for a common, its a principals thing, but its ruining the fun of having a complete deck and getting to participate.
Yeah a reprint is 'likely soon' that drops the cards to pennies again, but jeez. I dunno, one price of cardboard or another.
I know one thing, these out of control price spikes of modern have not only put me off buying product/singles but also playing.
Wotc have shown they really have no idea how to handle a secondary market that isn't hindered by the reserve list. Their carefully laid out plans just simply can't keep up and it's very depressing to watch. The speculators are always on step ahead spiking seemingly random cards that stop the average player trying out new and interesting things.
I'll be playing what I've accumulated casually from time to time but my passion for the game has been utterly sapped seeing 100%, 300%, 3000% price spikes. I know I'm just one guy but surely others are being turned away from the game for similar reasons?
Although I agree it's an issue, I don't think it's yet fair to say Wizards has no idea what they are doing. Set releases and reprints are about a year behind the current Magic economy, and the worst of the spikes and speculations have occurred in the last 6 months. As long as Wizards learns from this and does something in the next year, then their management is fine. The problem will arise if, based on these recent spikes, they continue to hold off on reprints in Modern Masters style products or elsewhere in their sets. There are just so many creative things they can do to alleviate this issue that I am unwilling to believe they won't try them in the next year. Forum users could probably come up with a dozen ways to do this just 15 minutes.
For instance, Wizards could easily just seed one Modern staple reprint into booster packs for a new set release, and just do that as a supply injection for spiked cards. You would still have to be at least 6 months ahead on this, but that's better than 2 years between MM releases.
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Think about it, a few weeks ago, Nourishing Shoal was a card with NO reprint cache. It was like a Long-Forgotten Gohei, if Wizards were to reprint it, it gets scoffed at and people will question why they're wasting valuable slots on worthless cards that nobody wants. But now, the tables have turned, as long as the card has a higher price tag on the secondary market, its reprint cache has increased right along with its price tag. As far as Wizards is concerned, the only thing relevant to them that happened as a result of this speculation and price spike is that they get to add another card to the file of potential targets for reprint. Nourishing Shoal is now a card that they can reprint anywhere they want and it's a card that can help sell a set, because there is a perceived card of value in there. Speculators and the secondary market leading to price spikes does one thing for Wizards: Make chase cards for future reprinting, which means that selling future sets is easier for Wizards. They love having a long list of cards that they can reprint and make people "happy" and want to crack product to try to open. Now this isn't a Snapcaster Mage or a Blood Moon or an Oblivion Stone, of course, but it's nice to have a $7 card that when reprinted becomes a $3 or $4, and serves that all-import purpose of being a card that you're "ok" with opening, because it helps to pay for the cost of the pack.
What I'm trying to say is, I dunno if I was clear or not, but succinctly: Wizards perceives this as nothing but a good thing for their bottom line. When cards go up in value, it makes them more valuable to Wizards as reprint prospects as well.
Of course, my PERSONAL OPINION on this matter is that someday if Wizards isn't careful, it will lead to a weary market that is sick of the ever-increasing tide of price hikes and the barrier to entry in non-rotating formats just gets higher and higheer, and it could lead to a bubble crash type of thing. Wizards can't let it get too out of hand and just assume that all price spikes are good for them forever, because there has to be a balance somewhere and if they don't manage it correctly, it will crash in the end. I don't know and don't have any suggestions on HOW they should manage it going forward, and maybe they already know this and are working towards it and have it all figured out, but I just know that right now price spikes are essentially a net positive for Wizards, but that they won't always be.
Forgive me that I'm not very good at expressing myself and I might be stupid so I hope what I said made sense haha
GB Rock
U Flooding Merfolk
RUG Delver Midrange
WU Monks
UW Tempo Geist
GW Bogle
GW Liege
UR Tron
B Vampires
Affinity
Legacy
Fish
Goblins
Burn
Reanimator
Dredge
Affinity
EDH
W Akroma
GBW Ghave
BRU Thrax
GR Ruric
I advocate for the elimination of the combo archetype in Modern. I believe it is degenerate and unfun by its very nature and will always limit design space and cause unnecessary bans.
DECKS:
UB Faeries [Midrange/Tempo]
RWUGB Affinity[Aggro]
FAERIES TOO STRONK!!!1111
- Fae Prophecy, 201
5678Fetches should be stable for a while. Snaps are going to keep rising. People laughed when others said they can see Snap being a $100 card. Well, when the best blue card in the format is played in all the best decks, who knows what the ceiling is?
I will dump my playset when they hit $150, as I think the ceiling for Snap is just sub Goyf prices.
However, the new Standard rotation changes things considerably, particularly in regards to the timing of the increases and falls. My guess is that it'll top out when Theros rotation happens, and then we'll see them start to decline.
Thanks for the advice on the Brimaz, bought em with store credit.
Death and Taxes
Pauper
UB Teachings
Tortured Existence
Murasa Tron
Modern
Pod (RIP)
Bloom(RIP)
Merfolk
Counter-Cat
Colorless Eldrazi Stompy
If anyone actually wants this card there's still copies on Ebay for a dollar or less.
'78 CB750F, '09 CBR600RR
Well MM2 Bob is going for like $45 right now, so why would you buy it if you think it's going to drop to $40?
He is seeing minimal play right now so this is likely as low as he will go anytime in the near future.
― Anthony Bourdain, Kitchen Confidential
I will always firmly stand by the belief that Magic is a game first and a collectable second.
I was just ballparking $40, I see him on Amazon and the like, currently, in the range from 40-45. I have no idea where he will go in the future.
Minimal play? He is a 4 of in of the best decks(Jund) atm, I wouldn't call that minimal.
Never ask me for Stock advice....
Oh god. I'm so, so sorry. But hey, at least you've used up all your bad investment luck!
And it was to my brother, whom I could beat up and take it back from....
It's an option.
For example, does anyone know who's buying Blood Moon at $50? I listed and sold mine, but I don't know the kind of person who bought it.
EDH - Obzedat, Ghost Council of VALUETOWN BW
Modern - Rack Disruption BR
My Trading Post
The cost of waiting for a price drop is more than the cost of not playing with them until then and the months if not years of enjoyment I'll get by using them until that moment where it becomes a bad buy.
People are clamoring for a serum visions re-print are confusing, if you're playing serum-less twin or something, you're doing it wrong.
It makes me wonder as well. Are they really not buying into Twin because of a $12 card? Yes, it's overpriced. And...?
It reminds me of those who are not going to play Jund because of $12 Blackcleave Cliffs. Is a $12 card REALLY preventing you from playing Jund? That's kind of sad.
Premodern - Trix, RecSur, Enchantress, Reanimator, Elves https://www.facebook.com/groups/PremodernUSA/
Modern - Neobrand, Hogaak Vine, Elves
Standard - Mono Red (6-2 and 5-3 in 2 McQ)
Draft - (I wish I had more time for limited...)
Commander -
Norin the Wary, Grimgrin, Adun Oakenshield (taking forever to build)(dead format for me)Haha that is actually pretty funny.
$1000 for 4 Liliana and 4 Goyf is OK but 80 for lands? Hell no
Yeah a reprint is 'likely soon' that drops the cards to pennies again, but jeez. I dunno, one price of cardboard or another.
Edit says: Oh, I forgot about Wanderwine Hub.
Greetings,
Kathal
Modern/Legacy
either funpolice (Delver, Deathcloud, UW Control) or the fun decks (especially those ft. Griselbrand)
Although I agree it's an issue, I don't think it's yet fair to say Wizards has no idea what they are doing. Set releases and reprints are about a year behind the current Magic economy, and the worst of the spikes and speculations have occurred in the last 6 months. As long as Wizards learns from this and does something in the next year, then their management is fine. The problem will arise if, based on these recent spikes, they continue to hold off on reprints in Modern Masters style products or elsewhere in their sets. There are just so many creative things they can do to alleviate this issue that I am unwilling to believe they won't try them in the next year. Forum users could probably come up with a dozen ways to do this just 15 minutes.
For instance, Wizards could easily just seed one Modern staple reprint into booster packs for a new set release, and just do that as a supply injection for spiked cards. You would still have to be at least 6 months ahead on this, but that's better than 2 years between MM releases.