People complaining, going on and on, about how they can't find this for a decent price, haven't actually been looking.
I'm telling you, right now, that some LGS's have sold preorders at MSRP, and that there STILL online retailers, right now, listing FTV:20 at MSRP.
You have to do the work, and find them.
I find this hard to believe. There might be a pre-order on some weird site that just thinks it's like any other product, that they can just order stock, but my guess is you won't actually get the product. I'm just guessing, maybe you know some super secret place.
So as my Brother-in-Law stated (he and my daughter own a LGS) if they were to throw Force-of-Will and Thoughtseize in this set...it would be bonkers crazy expensive to even try and own one of these sets.
There would be murders and robberies if FTV 20 had Jace the mind Sculptor, Force of Will, and Thoughtseize.
You know, seeing a post with someone asking about how they handle these on MTGO made me realize, the answer to this is allow people to pre-order them for one day at $40 a piece. Any the stores get in after the pre-order deliveries, they can sell at whatever price they want. They then print based off of the pre-orders. I know from Wizard's perspective, it's not ideal, but from a consumer perspective, it is. In the end, Wizards would make more money.
This is my opinion, and since I'm not a store owner you can dismiss it if you like, but here's what I would do.
If I am a small store getting an allocation of 10 FTV, I would sell 2 on ebay for $100-150 before spoilers, price ranging on other listings. Once spoilers are out, sell 2 more at the new normal price while honoring the cheaper pre-orders that I've already committed to. Set one more aside as a 1st place prize for an upcoming event. For the remaining 5 I would allow in-store pre-orders from my regular customers only (be it someone who shows up regularly to FNMs or someone who is always coming to my store to buy product but might not participate in the events) at MSRP, limit 1 per customer. If any are left come release, it's marked up and first come first serve.
If I'm a bigger store with an allocation of 20 then I'd sell 3 on ebay for pre-spoiler prices, 6 for post spoiler prices, set 1 aside for prize support for an upcoming event, and leave the remaining 10 open for pre-orders from my regulars, again limit 1 per customer.
I think the best answer is setting aside a portion of your inventory of a product for profit online and a portion to reward regular customers with a good deal.
So the store owner can sell to their friends? The people that live in the store? Or both? There is no good solution to this really. Even giving them away as prizes can stink a bit, because then just the local pros show up and get them most likely. That said, giving them out as prizes at special events is probably the best idea.
What do you mean moving in 4 color direction? As I stated before there are some, but they're rare and they don't stick around. Thragtusk doesn't need to many hate cards or any at all considering how aggro centric this meta would be without it.
Why would WotC print a card that goes directly against the set they've created? It's not just a hate card for a single card that some colors have issues with. You're talking about a card that is hate against the core characteristic of the set.
I think you really underestimate how powerful of a card Price can be too. You're talking about a card that can easily deal 6-8 damage on turn 4 and still have two mana open at instant speed. How you think that makes some things only better and doesn't invalidate other is staggering.
4 or more colors only becomes a thing if fetches are reprinted in Theros.
You guys amaze me with your game knowledge, hence why I posted this, I knew I wouldn't be disappointed. I've only been playing since January, so my speculation is out of nowhere, but I'd LOVE to see totem armor as a specific enchantment type to come back.
"What seeds are there for Theros block? Well, I can't tell you, but if you look close, you may be able to find them. For certain, they aren't quite as in-your-face as basic land types on the Ravnica shocklands, but they are there."
Just here to agree. Came to the forum to see what people were saying after seeing them, and I found exactly what I expected. Every single one is lackluster. Usually the promo card on at least 2 of them is something that could see play.
Let's not forget Gift of Orzhova and Unflinching Courage, which both work well with the card regardless of which you draw first. Either the auras hit another creature and help the wurm get big, or they go on the wurm and help give him evasion.
Vampire Nighthawk is also a nice companion, swinging in and letting you play a 4/4 wurm on turn 4 while keeping up Doom Blade mana or something similar. As noted above, Tithe Drinker is similar (but probably not as good since it's so fragile). This card with Tavern Swindler, however...is just hilarious
Seems to me this will at least see sideboard play if bant hexproof remains a thing, for the mirror match. Mirror match seasaw would be won with this guy coming in as some stupidly large creature.
Not a huge fan of completely spelled out combos. Kind of makes Magic feel like a choose your own adventure book. TCG on rails. I can come up with more if you want.
On a related note, why all the hate for a cards art? You're powerless to change it. I guess I just don't see a reason to get up in arms over something so pointless. It could have a depiction of Muk for all I care. Doesn't change the way the card works.
I think people expect the promos to be better than the original, or at least hope it to be. Usually they are. I LOVE the cackler promo and can't wait to pick up a set, it looks like the same style as the Sire of Insanity demon. Farseek was great, avacyn, most gameday cards, etc. This one just clearly isn't in most people's eyes. The original is ominous and terrifying looking, this new one looks cartoony. I am not worked up over ONE card, I am just more worried about the trend towards this style.
I'm not quitting magic because of this card, lol, and I don't think anyone else is that worked up. I just think when they make a promo, it should look good, and most people agree that is not good. It's a discussion.
I find this hard to believe. There might be a pre-order on some weird site that just thinks it's like any other product, that they can just order stock, but my guess is you won't actually get the product. I'm just guessing, maybe you know some super secret place.
There would be murders and robberies if FTV 20 had Jace the mind Sculptor, Force of Will, and Thoughtseize.
So the store owner can sell to their friends? The people that live in the store? Or both? There is no good solution to this really. Even giving them away as prizes can stink a bit, because then just the local pros show up and get them most likely. That said, giving them out as prizes at special events is probably the best idea.
4 or more colors only becomes a thing if fetches are reprinted in Theros.
http://www.wizards.com/magic/magazine/article.aspx?x=mtg/daily/ld/255
Seems to me this will at least see sideboard play if bant hexproof remains a thing, for the mirror match. Mirror match seasaw would be won with this guy coming in as some stupidly large creature.
I think people expect the promos to be better than the original, or at least hope it to be. Usually they are. I LOVE the cackler promo and can't wait to pick up a set, it looks like the same style as the Sire of Insanity demon. Farseek was great, avacyn, most gameday cards, etc. This one just clearly isn't in most people's eyes. The original is ominous and terrifying looking, this new one looks cartoony. I am not worked up over ONE card, I am just more worried about the trend towards this style.
I'm not quitting magic because of this card, lol, and I don't think anyone else is that worked up. I just think when they make a promo, it should look good, and most people agree that is not good. It's a discussion.
Are we allowed to speculate here? My guess for Gruul would be Zhur-Taa Druid. Just makes sense form past promos, they like mana dorks as promos.
I figure at least one more charm, maybe two more sorceries, and then a promo special uncommon land?