So, the Increasing Ambition thread spawned a small debate as to whether Commander drives some of the card prices..
I thought the debate was interesting, but the mods feel it should be in a different place, so that place is here.
Lets talk about Commander Driven Prices.
Examples were given, of both sides, of staples that are high in price (that are used elsewhere), to some that haven't risen so much.
Part of this I feel is due to the color restriction of the decks. A card that is only used in 20% of the format just isn't going to rise as much as others.
The true staples of this format are in the colorless cards, there are a few colored cards that make it up there, but I'm going to start with the top most used cards, found in Scoeri's list: http://forums.mtgsalvation.com/showthread.php?t=388001
No one will argue that most of these cards aren't powerful on their own and used in other formats, but $4.15 for a witness? $8.19 for simulacrum? $3.16 for a Coalition Relic.
Having played commander for quite a while now, just when the popularity started to rise, I got to see the prices driven up as the popularity rose.
I have to say that yes, Commander can drive prices... It's just that the things driven will be the universally useful cards first, like artifacts, and witness, and tutors...
To answer the OP of the Increasing Ambition thread though, no, I wouldn't stock up on Increasing Ambitions. It's rather comparable to Diabolic Tutor, and that's around 50 cents. Dollar rare for it seems about right, especially since people will have a comparable alternate they can get for a lot cheaper.
Look at Hallowed Burial... I bought one of them a year and a half ago for $0.50 and now it goes for $3.00 or so it looks like. It has almost no purpose for any format except for commander. Sure that isn't a huge example but outside of commander it has had no reason to inflate.
I think the best way to see the impact of commander is to look at the price change of the cards that are not used in any other format. Those cards are the ones that show the impact of commander.
EDIT: then look at the foil market.... there are a lot of cards that are only used for commander and the foils for some of those cards are off the wall.
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There are several cards like this that are not played in any other format that are high in price. For reference, pauper drives prices as well. There are some commons that are pretty high in price because of that format, and it is less played.
Solemn Simulacrum is not really one of those though. It is legal in standard and although it may not be played, or it may be (I don't keep up with standard), just that it is legal in the format will increase the price of it a bit. Some of the cards you have on that list are obviously expensive for other reasons. Sensei's Divining Top is high because of legacy. There may be some influence in price because of Commander, but it is not the primary influence. If a card is played in a competative format where there are tournaments and prizes, then that is most likely the cause of the price.
Speaking of Doubling Season. Is it even played in Commander to begin with? I have a feeling that Doubling Season has more to do with the larger casual crowd (of which Commander may have been a smaller subset). The price doubled a fair bit in 2005 itself before Commander actually took off at a format.
Besides, it doesn't actually do much in Commander in itself -- even with the birth of planeswalkers, it is not one of those green cards which you would randomly throw in your deck without consciously trying to abuse a tokens / counters subtheme.
Speaking of Doubling Season. Is it even played in Commander to begin with? I have a feeling that Doubling Season has more to do with the larger casual crowd (of which Commander may have been a smaller subset). The price doubled a fair bit in 2005 itself before Commander actually took off at a format.
Besides, it doesn't actually do much in Commander in itself -- even with the birth of planeswalkers, it is not one of those green cards which you would randomly throw in your deck without consciously trying to abuse a tokens / counters subtheme.
Doubling Season secret errata:
If an effect would put one or more tokens onto the battlefield under your control, it puts twice that many of those tokens onto the battlefield instead.
If an effect would place one or more counters on a permanent you control, it places twice that many of those counters on that permanent instead.
If an effect would increase the market price of Doubling Season, double that price increase instead.
Commander's market effect on prices exists, but does not apply universally. I find it is negligible on Standard legal, non-foil cards.
On cards that are not standard legal, it can certainly have an effect. However, Commander's market pressure is small enough that it certainly won't override the Standard market pressure, or a currently drafted set's supply pressure.
As of late, Doubling Season is played in Ghave mostly. But token decks existed before the release of those decks and all of them wanted Doubling Season. It is also a consideration when you play G/W that it will double the counters the plainswalkers come in with, making it a bomb combo with Elspeth, Knight-Errant in that you can use her ultimate as soon as you play her.
Akroma's Memorial saw play in the same decks and in brown decks like Karn.
Cabal Coffers seems high for an uncommon and really isn't played in any other format currently.
Gaea's Cradle is absurdly expensive and it is a rare addition in legacy, but most green decks in EDH want it.
Also, rockondon, that point seems pretty null when considering that no format really drives up prices on a large percent based on the total number of cards. How many cards from the new set will be worth anything because of standard? 4 or 5 maybe. There are actually more Commander playable cards in DKA than standard playable imo. Legacy may be an exception, but that is only due to legacy not doing anything prior to SCG creating the tournament scene. Once the cards all of a sudden came in demand, then there was a rush and all of the cards jumped mostly at once. Now though, there are very few new cards that are Legacy playable. Top is one of those "recent" cards that increased in cost because of Legacy but those are few and far between.
Speaking of Doubling Season. Is it even played in Commander to begin with? I have a feeling that Doubling Season has more to do with the larger casual crowd (of which Commander may have been a smaller subset). The price doubled a fair bit in 2005 itself before Commander actually took off at a format.
This.
I think we all agree that commander does drive up prices.
The argument is whether or not it drives prices up significantly.
And this.
Were my points in the other thread. Any demand will drive up prices. I just doubt that it's all that noticeable compared to other formats which have (a) a bigger playerbase, and (b) can require up to 4 copies of a given card per person, rather than just 1.
Of course Commander can drive up the price of something like Sol Ring, which is only otherwise usable as a 1-of in Vintage, the least-played (I think) of the traditional formats. So a new format like Commander, where it also can only be used as a 1-of, and should be in nearly every decklist, could very well double the demand (or more!) in this card.
I agree that it seems Doubling Season gets most of its price from casual play. I don't see it very often in Commander lists... it may be the cornerstone of some decks, but it's not a card like Sol Ring which is in EVERY decklist. Correlation doesn't imply causation. If you're trying to convince me that a $25 card is $25 because of Commander, then do so. But just telling me it's $25, and people use it in Commander sometimes, doesn't cut it. Call me a skeptic.
Solemn Simulacrum shot up due to being in standard and in the Wolf Run deck. It even reached over $10 when Wolf Run started out. Before then it was only around $5.
Eternal Witness - The regular one has not changed prices at all while the FNM version is going up alot. Modern format (Pod,Jund) could possibly be the cause for the jump.
No one will argue that most of these cards aren't powerful on their own and used in other formats, but $4.15 for a witness? $8.19 for simulacrum? $3.16 for a Coalition Relic.
To be fair, you should probably check to see if some of these cards aren't played elsewhere first. Witness sees play in Modern and Legacy-Solemn Simulacrum is played in T2 right now, and is an all-star there. 3.16 might be the list price for relic, but few people value them there at all. If you really want to be outraged, check out the price on Akroma's Memorial.
Yes, Commander is a format that has gotten more expensive due to it's popularity. But the price spikes are pretty far between, unless the card is already played heavily elsewhere, or is purely for pimping purposes. Foil Rhys The Redeemed. Foil Spin into Myth. Those cards are outrageous-Solemn for 8 is reasonable.
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As of late, Doubling Season is played in Ghave mostly. But token decks existed before the release of those decks and all of them wanted Doubling Season. It is also a consideration when you play G/W that it will double the counters the plainswalkers come in with, making it a bomb combo with Elspeth, Knight-Errant in that you can use her ultimate as soon as you play her.
I am not talking about cards that are just good in a small subset of decklists -- I am talking about cards which you will certainly consider for inclusion if able. Doubling Season is really one of those cards that can be really good in certain decks or next to useless in decks it isn't really good in.
As for activating Elspeth's ultimate as soon as she is played? I have played against a player who did that (multiplayer game but we were the remaining survivors) and I can assure you that it isn't nearly as scary as you'd think it'd be really.
I am not talking about cards that are just good in a small subset of decklists -- I am talking about cards which you will certainly consider for inclusion if able. Doubling Season is really one of those cards that can be really good in certain decks or next to useless in decks it isn't really good in.
As for activating Elspeth's ultimate as soon as she is played? I have played against a player who did that (multiplayer game but we were the remaining survivors) and I can assure you that it isn't nearly as scary as you'd think it'd be really.
Why does it matter if it is not used univerally? If that is the reason for the cost increase, that is the reason.
Sol Ring would probably be higher if it wasn't printed in every precon deck.
Why does it matter if it is not used univerally? If that is the reason for the cost increase, that is the reason.
Sol Ring would probably be higher if it wasn't printed in every precon deck.
I don't think you get the argument here. The premise of your argument is: - PREMISE 1: Doubling Season's price has rose dramatically over the years PREMISE 2: Doubling Season is played in certain Commander archtypes but may not be universally played CONCLUSION: Doubling Season's price has rose dramatically over the years because of Commander
Now, lets modify the premise a little: - PREMISE 1: Gold prices has rose dramatically over the years PREMISE 2: Gold is used in certain forms of dentistry CONCLUSION: Gold prices has rose dramatically over the years because of certain forms of dentistry
No, it's nothing like that because your simile argument is obviously false. You can substitute my use of the word commander in the conclusion that you wrote out for me for the many different decks that are played in commander, but it serves the same purpose. The sole reason for the rise in price of Doubling Season is commander. That it is not played in every deck is meaningless. The demand for it is higher than the supply of it, thus price increase. Seems simple to me.
It may also be important to note that you make a misleading premise 2 in the first argument or that you leave out a third premise. The missing part is;
Premise 3: Doubling Season is played in no other format except for Commander.
No, it's nothing like that because your simile argument is obviously false. You can substitute my use of the word commander in the conclusion that you wrote out for me for the many different decks that are played in commander, but it serves the same purpose. The sole reason for the rise in price of Doubling Season is commander. That it is not played in every deck is meaningless. The demand for it is higher than the supply of it, thus price increase. Seems simple to me.
I have no doubt that the price of Doubling Season did go up because of Commander but I doubt that it is the sole -- or even a significant -- reason for the rise in price. To be honest, I don't remember seeing many Doubling Seasons played where I am from and I can assure you that it is not for the lack of cash with ABUR Duals floating around in the meta. As for demand being greater than supply, I wasn't aware that there was a shortage of Ravnica cards floating around nor were there any abnormal increased demand for Doubling Season.
I'd argue that Doubling Season rose for the very same reason that Glimpse the Unthinkable is a USD12 card -- the kitchen table crowd (which may include casual token decks) which runs Doubling Season. But sure, lets examine your premise rationally: -
Premise 3: Doubling Season is played in no other format except for Commander.
Ironically, despite not seeing Doubling Season in many Commander decks, I see many of them at kitchen tables. Yes, casual kitchen table Magic exists and while it may not be an official format, it does drive demand more than you think.
I'm not sure where you're playing, but around here - central Florida - there are several competitive token decks, and ALL of them use Doubling Season. I usually see at least 1 deck with one at any EDH tournament I attend.
There are also several people in my play area that would like to play Doubling Season but cannot get them. To some it is cost, but to others it is just that they are not in the area. I also use one myself.
And although my views are subjective, so are your views. One area is not indicative of all area's.
Also speaking subjectively, all kitchen table casual groups I have ever know, cost was an issue. That is why they are kitchen table a lot of times.
And although my views are subjective, so are your views. One area is not indicative of all area's.
The difference is, the burden of proof is on you to support your claims that the increase in Doubling Season prices are because of EDH. The only argument you brought up so far is: -
The difference is, the burden of proof is on you to support your claims that the increase in Doubling Season prices are because of EDH. The only argument you brought up so far is: -
...which is not much of an argument for us to go on
That is not the only argument I have brought up and you know it because you wrote it out. I gave examples of the decks in EDH that like Doubling Season. I gave the argument that if the card is played in no other format, then it stands to reason that it is this format that has caused it.
This is not something that can be solved with pure factual evidence as it doesn't exist for an argument of this nature. I have shown some evidence though.
Also, by the entire "burden of proof" thing when it comes to prices of magic cards, I would like to see anyone prove that any specific format was the sole cause of a price hike. It isn't something that is "provable" in the strictest sense.
Look at Hallowed Burial... I bought one of them a year and a half ago for $0.50 and now it goes for $3.00 or so it looks like. It has almost no purpose for any format except for commander. Sure that isn't a huge example but outside of commander it has had no reason to inflate.
I think the best way to see the impact of commander is to look at the price change of the cards that are not used in any other format. Those cards are the ones that show the impact of commander.
Commander product was announced in December, just a little over a year ago, and then released in June.
While EDH popularity was already established at that point (hence Wizards accepting it and supporting it) I thin we can all safely say that EDH popularity continued to rise since then, as newer players could enter the format.
While correlation does not indicate causation, I think ISB had a good idea in looking at cards that are not used elsewhere. While we cannot say for certain that Hallowed Burial's price increase is due solely to EDH, I think its a stretch to say EDH has not impacted it. Add to this that it is one of many in a realm of white wraths, and is a specific color, it would not be a stretch to point that other more universal cards may have also been affected, to a larger degree as to their higher utility.
To be fair, you should probably check to see if some of these cards aren't played elsewhere first. Witness sees play in Modern and Legacy-Solemn Simulacrum is played in T2 right now, and is an all-star there. 3.16 might be the list price for relic, but few people value them there at all. If you really want to be outraged, check out the price on Akroma's Memorial.
Prior to the EDH popularity explosion, Solemn Simulacrum was less than $3 a pop, It quickly doubled. Wolf Run is impacting it now, but it had already hit a rather large price spike before then. http://www.blackborder.com/cgi-bin/prices/ex_prodshow.cgi?prodid=18309&sid=kgWQ2IyPfd
Following the trend, you can see an increase in Simulacrum prices around August/September, this correlates to the Innistrad release (although pre dates it a bit?). However, the price before then was already at $8, long before Wolf Run was even released to the public.
Eternal Witness is indeed played in Modern. When modern was officially adopted this past spring, many cards jumped in value overnight, among them shocklands, bob, etc... Following this price trend... not witness. It was already $4 a pop.
I remember from way back a site that would let you track prices better than this one, and over a long period of time, but I can't find it. Found these on a google search, but if anyone knows a better site, let me know. To track changes from Commander's popularity, you'd really have to go back about 2 years or so...
Maybe? It's hard to say, Commander really gained a lot of popularity the year preceding the official announcement. It would be more conclusive if we had more data.
That said, I always remember Doubling Season as being up there. Mainly because its a good card, splashy, and a lot of fun.
I thought the debate was interesting, but the mods feel it should be in a different place, so that place is here.
Lets talk about Commander Driven Prices.
Examples were given, of both sides, of staples that are high in price (that are used elsewhere), to some that haven't risen so much.
Part of this I feel is due to the color restriction of the decks. A card that is only used in 20% of the format just isn't going to rise as much as others.
The true staples of this format are in the colorless cards, there are a few colored cards that make it up there, but I'm going to start with the top most used cards, found in Scoeri's list:
http://forums.mtgsalvation.com/showthread.php?t=388001
1 Lightning Greaves - 2.18
1 Sensei's Divining Top - 12.91
1 Strip Mine - 3.71
1 Demonic Tutor - 11.46
1 Solemn Simulacrum - 8.19
1 Reliquary Tower - 3.57
1 Eternal Witness - 4.15
1 Darksteel Ingot - 0.58
1 Oblivion Stone - 2.88
1 Expedition Map - 0.17
1 Coalition Relic - 3.16
1 Gauntlet Of Power - 7.13
1 Phyrexian Arena - 3.07
1 Skullclamp - 2.48
No one will argue that most of these cards aren't powerful on their own and used in other formats, but $4.15 for a witness? $8.19 for simulacrum? $3.16 for a Coalition Relic.
Having played commander for quite a while now, just when the popularity started to rise, I got to see the prices driven up as the popularity rose.
I have to say that yes, Commander can drive prices... It's just that the things driven will be the universally useful cards first, like artifacts, and witness, and tutors...
To answer the OP of the Increasing Ambition thread though, no, I wouldn't stock up on Increasing Ambitions. It's rather comparable to Diabolic Tutor, and that's around 50 cents. Dollar rare for it seems about right, especially since people will have a comparable alternate they can get for a lot cheaper.
Retired EDH - Tibor and Lumia | [PR]Nemata |Ramirez dePietro | [C]Edric | Riku | Jenara | Lazav | Heliod | Daxos | Roon | Kozilek
I think the best way to see the impact of commander is to look at the price change of the cards that are not used in any other format. Those cards are the ones that show the impact of commander.
EDIT: then look at the foil market.... there are a lot of cards that are only used for commander and the foils for some of those cards are off the wall.
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Doubling Season - $25 - Not played in any other format.
Akroma's Memorial - $15 - Not played in any other format.
There are several cards like this that are not played in any other format that are high in price. For reference, pauper drives prices as well. There are some commons that are pretty high in price because of that format, and it is less played.
Solemn Simulacrum is not really one of those though. It is legal in standard and although it may not be played, or it may be (I don't keep up with standard), just that it is legal in the format will increase the price of it a bit. Some of the cards you have on that list are obviously expensive for other reasons. Sensei's Divining Top is high because of legacy. There may be some influence in price because of Commander, but it is not the primary influence. If a card is played in a competative format where there are tournaments and prizes, then that is most likely the cause of the price.
Besides, it doesn't actually do much in Commander in itself -- even with the birth of planeswalkers, it is not one of those green cards which you would randomly throw in your deck without consciously trying to abuse a tokens / counters subtheme.
The argument is whether or not it drives prices up significantly.
And in my opinion, aside from some colorless cards and a few staple colored cards, commander doesn't drive up prices all that much.
My G Yisan, the Bard of Death G deck.
My BUGWR Hermit druid BUGWR deck.
Doubling Season secret errata:
If an effect would put one or more tokens onto the battlefield under your control, it puts twice that many of those tokens onto the battlefield instead.
If an effect would place one or more counters on a permanent you control, it places twice that many of those counters on that permanent instead.
If an effect would increase the market price of Doubling Season, double that price increase instead.
On cards that are not standard legal, it can certainly have an effect. However, Commander's market pressure is small enough that it certainly won't override the Standard market pressure, or a currently drafted set's supply pressure.
Akroma's Memorial saw play in the same decks and in brown decks like Karn.
Cabal Coffers seems high for an uncommon and really isn't played in any other format currently.
Gaea's Cradle is absurdly expensive and it is a rare addition in legacy, but most green decks in EDH want it.
Also, rockondon, that point seems pretty null when considering that no format really drives up prices on a large percent based on the total number of cards. How many cards from the new set will be worth anything because of standard? 4 or 5 maybe. There are actually more Commander playable cards in DKA than standard playable imo. Legacy may be an exception, but that is only due to legacy not doing anything prior to SCG creating the tournament scene. Once the cards all of a sudden came in demand, then there was a rush and all of the cards jumped mostly at once. Now though, there are very few new cards that are Legacy playable. Top is one of those "recent" cards that increased in cost because of Legacy but those are few and far between.
This.
And this.
Were my points in the other thread. Any demand will drive up prices. I just doubt that it's all that noticeable compared to other formats which have (a) a bigger playerbase, and (b) can require up to 4 copies of a given card per person, rather than just 1.
Of course Commander can drive up the price of something like Sol Ring, which is only otherwise usable as a 1-of in Vintage, the least-played (I think) of the traditional formats. So a new format like Commander, where it also can only be used as a 1-of, and should be in nearly every decklist, could very well double the demand (or more!) in this card.
I agree that it seems Doubling Season gets most of its price from casual play. I don't see it very often in Commander lists... it may be the cornerstone of some decks, but it's not a card like Sol Ring which is in EVERY decklist. Correlation doesn't imply causation. If you're trying to convince me that a $25 card is $25 because of Commander, then do so. But just telling me it's $25, and people use it in Commander sometimes, doesn't cut it. Call me a skeptic.
Eternal Witness - The regular one has not changed prices at all while the FNM version is going up alot. Modern format (Pod,Jund) could possibly be the cause for the jump.
To be fair, you should probably check to see if some of these cards aren't played elsewhere first. Witness sees play in Modern and Legacy-Solemn Simulacrum is played in T2 right now, and is an all-star there. 3.16 might be the list price for relic, but few people value them there at all. If you really want to be outraged, check out the price on Akroma's Memorial.
Yes, Commander is a format that has gotten more expensive due to it's popularity. But the price spikes are pretty far between, unless the card is already played heavily elsewhere, or is purely for pimping purposes. Foil Rhys The Redeemed. Foil Spin into Myth. Those cards are outrageous-Solemn for 8 is reasonable.
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I am not talking about cards that are just good in a small subset of decklists -- I am talking about cards which you will certainly consider for inclusion if able. Doubling Season is really one of those cards that can be really good in certain decks or next to useless in decks it isn't really good in.
As for activating Elspeth's ultimate as soon as she is played? I have played against a player who did that (multiplayer game but we were the remaining survivors) and I can assure you that it isn't nearly as scary as you'd think it'd be really.
Why does it matter if it is not used univerally? If that is the reason for the cost increase, that is the reason.
Sol Ring would probably be higher if it wasn't printed in every precon deck.
I don't think you get the argument here. The premise of your argument is: -
PREMISE 1: Doubling Season's price has rose dramatically over the years
PREMISE 2: Doubling Season is played in certain Commander archtypes but may not be universally played
CONCLUSION: Doubling Season's price has rose dramatically over the years because of Commander
Now, lets modify the premise a little: -
PREMISE 1: Gold prices has rose dramatically over the years
PREMISE 2: Gold is used in certain forms of dentistry
CONCLUSION: Gold prices has rose dramatically over the years because of certain forms of dentistry
It may also be important to note that you make a misleading premise 2 in the first argument or that you leave out a third premise. The missing part is;
Premise 3: Doubling Season is played in no other format except for Commander.
I have no doubt that the price of Doubling Season did go up because of Commander but I doubt that it is the sole -- or even a significant -- reason for the rise in price. To be honest, I don't remember seeing many Doubling Seasons played where I am from and I can assure you that it is not for the lack of cash with ABUR Duals floating around in the meta. As for demand being greater than supply, I wasn't aware that there was a shortage of Ravnica cards floating around nor were there any abnormal increased demand for Doubling Season.
I'd argue that Doubling Season rose for the very same reason that Glimpse the Unthinkable is a USD12 card -- the kitchen table crowd (which may include casual token decks) which runs Doubling Season. But sure, lets examine your premise rationally: -
This is an assertion; it is not an argument nor evidence.
Ironically, despite not seeing Doubling Season in many Commander decks, I see many of them at kitchen tables. Yes, casual kitchen table Magic exists and while it may not be an official format, it does drive demand more than you think.
And although my views are subjective, so are your views. One area is not indicative of all area's.
Also speaking subjectively, all kitchen table casual groups I have ever know, cost was an issue. That is why they are kitchen table a lot of times.
The difference is, the burden of proof is on you to support your claims that the increase in Doubling Season prices are because of EDH. The only argument you brought up so far is: -
...which is not much of an argument for us to go on
That is not the only argument I have brought up and you know it because you wrote it out. I gave examples of the decks in EDH that like Doubling Season. I gave the argument that if the card is played in no other format, then it stands to reason that it is this format that has caused it.
This is not something that can be solved with pure factual evidence as it doesn't exist for an argument of this nature. I have shown some evidence though.
Also, by the entire "burden of proof" thing when it comes to prices of magic cards, I would like to see anyone prove that any specific format was the sole cause of a price hike. It isn't something that is "provable" in the strictest sense.
Commander product was announced in December, just a little over a year ago, and then released in June.
While EDH popularity was already established at that point (hence Wizards accepting it and supporting it) I thin we can all safely say that EDH popularity continued to rise since then, as newer players could enter the format.
Tracking the price of Hallowed Burial over the last year
(at: http://www.blackborder.com/cgi-bin/prices/ex_prodshow.cgi?prodid=41448&sid=kgWQ2IyPfd)
shows a steady rise in price from July onwards.
While correlation does not indicate causation, I think ISB had a good idea in looking at cards that are not used elsewhere. While we cannot say for certain that Hallowed Burial's price increase is due solely to EDH, I think its a stretch to say EDH has not impacted it. Add to this that it is one of many in a realm of white wraths, and is a specific color, it would not be a stretch to point that other more universal cards may have also been affected, to a larger degree as to their higher utility.
Prior to the EDH popularity explosion, Solemn Simulacrum was less than $3 a pop, It quickly doubled. Wolf Run is impacting it now, but it had already hit a rather large price spike before then.
http://www.blackborder.com/cgi-bin/prices/ex_prodshow.cgi?prodid=18309&sid=kgWQ2IyPfd
Following the trend, you can see an increase in Simulacrum prices around August/September, this correlates to the Innistrad release (although pre dates it a bit?). However, the price before then was already at $8, long before Wolf Run was even released to the public.
Eternal Witness is indeed played in Modern. When modern was officially adopted this past spring, many cards jumped in value overnight, among them shocklands, bob, etc... Following this price trend... not witness. It was already $4 a pop.
Coalition Relic has something wonky going on with the prices, but I can't really tell.
http://www.blackborder.com/cgi-bin/prices/ex_prodshow.cgi?prodid=24843&sid=kgWQ2IyPfd
I remember from way back a site that would let you track prices better than this one, and over a long period of time, but I can't find it. Found these on a google search, but if anyone knows a better site, let me know. To track changes from Commander's popularity, you'd really have to go back about 2 years or so...
Retired EDH - Tibor and Lumia | [PR]Nemata |Ramirez dePietro | [C]Edric | Riku | Jenara | Lazav | Heliod | Daxos | Roon | Kozilek
Doubling Season:
http://www.blackborder.com/cgi-bin/prices/ex_prodshow.cgi?prodid=21070&sid=kgWQ2IyPfd
Absolutely no growth whatsoever. Myth busted?
Maybe? It's hard to say, Commander really gained a lot of popularity the year preceding the official announcement. It would be more conclusive if we had more data.
That said, I always remember Doubling Season as being up there. Mainly because its a good card, splashy, and a lot of fun.
Retired EDH - Tibor and Lumia | [PR]Nemata |Ramirez dePietro | [C]Edric | Riku | Jenara | Lazav | Heliod | Daxos | Roon | Kozilek
Experimental Kraj