So at a recent GP I was able to turn my binder of mostly jank into £/$120 of store credit with the vendor. Having got what I actually wanted/ needed from them I still had around £/$80 left which I was told I should put into a Taiga for my EDH deck.
Having thought about it I decided against it because it would make my deck too expensive and instead of just playing and having a good time I would be constantly worrying, without cause, that people would be thinking of taking it/ the deck.
TLDR: Have you ever not included a card in a deck or not purchased a card because you think that it was too much of a risk and would dampen your enjoyment?
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EDH BRGKresh the BloodbraidedBRG, A box of lands and ideas.
Modern: RG Titanshift. A deck made of cards too stupid for EDH.
Retired: Lots. More than I feel you should suffer through or I should type out.
I once put all my most expensive cards in a single deck that lacked any kind of synergy for lulz. The cheapest card was like $40. I think the value of the deck was at least 8K. Also all my cards are single-sleeved, which I understand some people think is insane.
I see a lot of similarly valuable cards in trade binders and stuff at my LGSs, and I don't think I seen any theft issues firsthand since high school (some jerk stole my rith the awakener, if you can imagine). I think a very tiny minority of players would even consider theft. I'm probably a little too relaxed considering the value of my collection, but I've never had any problems.
Definitely I wouldn't stress over a single dual land. But of course the risk is all relative - if you're on a tighter budget I'm sure it'd seem like a much bigger deal. I do tend to think the magic community - at least around here - is very trustworthy though.
I double sleeve and use Satin Deck Tower deck boxes and watch the decks like a hawk. I don't go out of my way to find dual lands and so forth, though, to place into my Commander decks. Most decks I own are $100-$300 in value. They are just things. I'm aware of their value and I respect other people' property. I loan out decks on occasion and borrow from others on occasion and respect other people's property as they do my own. In that respect and the replay value is the true value of the deck that I enjoy through experiencing the deck.
Theft is real, but we can take steps to avoid that. Observation.
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I have been playing MTG since '95. I consistently shuffle off any valuble cards because I play commander aka casual magic. I had a 5 colour rocking 10 original dual lands, and you know what, it didnt make a difference. Ive even kent that one out, but you gotta be smart about it. Not just some Tom, Dick or Harry in a store. The only card I ever had taken was a chronicles Nicol Bolas...
Having 3 opponents (if they are any good) will police the table and money cards dont make that much a difference vs proper threat assesment and correct plays.
That being said, yes some of the broken 200$+ cards allowed in commander CAN ruin/run away a game some of the time. But you got to ask yourself is it worth it? If Taiga is for an investment (it wont be any cheaper later) then by all means get one. But if its to sport a one of in a deck is it worth the $$? My answer would be no. Try Cinder Glade. Play for fun, its just cardboard.
It can get to be a problem for sure. I have a $25,000 EDH cube (Power 9, Expeditions, the works) and while it's great fun to play, it's not something I am comfortable just bringing to a card store and sitting down with 3 random people to draft it.
I did try it once by letting one or two randoms join into a game when some people I trusted vouched for them, the look on peoples face when they crack a pack and they are staring at a Mox Emerald, an Expedition Scalding Tarn, etc is priceless.
I have decks with cards like Mishra's Workshop, i'm not terribly worried about theft but I do keep an extremely close eye on my cards. I also tell people that a riffle shuffle on my deck will be hazardous to their health. If you are going to stress over it I suggest getting Stomping Grounds instead of the abur dual.
When I was much younger and had very few decks to maintain, yes I did worry about this.
Now that I have so many decks although, I have some specifically designed to have a lower price-threshold that I don't mind taking out more frequently, or lending out.
I keep decks with a higher value in specific sleeves (triple) to help reduce possible theft, and keep them in different deck boxes instead of the long 1996 storage boxes I keep my bulk decks in. This way, if there is an unknown party or someone I may not trust, I simply don't have to take out the decks of variable value.
I don't have the value present in any of my decks to justify that sort of concern. The most value I have in a deck is probably $200-300 tops. I dont double sleeve (this thread is the first I've heard of it, although I probably would if I thought I had a deck that justified it), and I don't play with people I don't trust.
I'm also not likely to shell out $80+ for a card just to fine tune. I personally set a $20 per card limit, partly because I'm poor, and partly because I can't justify the expense. From a flavour/inidividuality perspective, I also prefer that my decks remain purley 'mine'. What I mean by that is that I'm more likely to put silly jank or not shell out for premium deck options in the pursuit of a theme, or even an avenue of play that I'd like to take each deck down. TL:DR for this paragraph is that expensive cards don't necessarily mean more fun.
So at a recent GP I was able to turn my binder of mostly jank into £/$120 of store credit with the vendor. Having got what I actually wanted/ needed from them I still had around £/$80 left which I was told I should put into a Taiga for my EDH deck.
Having thought about it I decided against it because it would make my deck too expensive and instead of just playing and having a good time I would be constantly worrying, without cause, that people would be thinking of taking it/ the deck.
TLDR: Have you ever not included a card in a deck or not purchased a card because you think that it was too much of a risk and would dampen your enjoyment?
I do but I guess for different reasons than a lot of people here. For me its about the 75% philosophy but its also about protection of an investment. There might come a time that I want to get rid of just about any card in my collection. Maybe I have a mortgage to pay and am on dire straights. I don't want to lose my ass on my collection because of the play condition of the top dollar cards. I don't really like sleeves all that much. I mean, I have plenty of decks in sleeves because I know I will keep them for a long time and the value/competitive level of the deck justifies the protection, but I'd rather play without sleeves if I can. IMO, if I'm not willing to protect the entire deck then I'm not going out of my way to sleeve up 100x 1$ cards so I can protect 1 $25 card in the deck. At that point I'll just go without the $25 card simply so I don't feel bad not protecting my investment.
When I say investment, I mostly mean money but there is some emotional value there as well. Before people get up in arms about "You shouldn't expect any of your cards to be worth anything", know that I agree but am also poor enough that I have to respect that they do hold value and at any time I might need (yes, literally need) to get that monetary back out of them. Obtaining some of these cards is a sacrifice enough that it would be unwise to not protect my play set of Grim Flayers or Thoughtseizes.
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Loaned out a deck that was not at all valuable, but when I got it back it was missing a card. Didn't realize until later, and it wasn't anyone's fault since he had been Praetor's Grasp'd and everyone just forgot. It wasn't hard for me to replace it but now I always count cards when I get a deck back. I feel bad about it, it seems like I'm suspecting them of stealing every time even though it's already saved me another misplaced card (same sleeves).
If the deck isn't particularly valuable outside the taiga I wouldn't stress about it as taiga is a lesser dual land especially in comparison to blue duals. Though this is coming from the guy that played a fully powered vintage deck at a GP Vegas vintage side event with FBB sea's and foils to boot.
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"Yawgmoth," Freyalise whispered as she set the bomb, "now you will pay for your treachery."
I have (currently) 29 decks. While they have some value cards here and there, they're so few and far between that it would take some serious effort to find value, rifling through all of them. Not to mention that I don't go out to events that often, and never take all of my decks obviously. Since I have so many decks, I tend to not use that much money on a single card for a single deck - think the most I've ever used on a single card was 15e for a Doubling Season (back when it was even that cheap).
Of course, some of my cards have a fair bit more value by now just by virtue of having been playing for bit over a decade. But the average price of my decks is pretty low, as I tend to avoid 'obvious staples', really expensive lands, and go instead for the junk rare jank.
...so basically, if someone manages to steal from me, I'll congratulate them for finding the worst cheapscate in the event to steal from.
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X Hope of Ghirapur Swordpile W Ghosty Blinky Anafenza U Nezahal- Big, Blue and HERE! B Gonti Can Afford It R Etali, Primal 'Whatjusthappened?' G Polukranos Wants More Mana WU The Exalted Vizier Temmet WB Home, Athreos WR Basandra, Recursive Aggression WG Karametra, Momma of Lands UB Wrexial Eats Your Brains UR Arjun, the Mad Flame UG The Fable of Prime Speaker BR Hellbent, Malfegor Style BG Jarad, Death is Served RG Running Thromok WUB Varina and ALL the Zombies WUBYennett, the Odd Pain-Train WUR Zedruu the Furyhearted WUG Arcades' Strategy, Shmategy, Sausage and Spam WBR A Case of Mathas' Persistent F*ckery WBRLicia's League of Legendary Lifegain Layabouts WBG The Karador Advantage PackageWRG Gahiji Rattlesnake Collection UBR Jeleva... does... things UBG Damia's Just Deserts URG Yasova's Has More Power Than Sense BRG Wasitora, Bad Kitty WUBRBreya, Eggs, Breya'd Eggs WUBG Tymna and Kydele, Extended Borrowing WURG Kynaios and Tiro, Landfall Impersonations WBRG Saskia Pet Card EnchantressUBRG Yidris of the Chi-Ting Corporation WUBRG Tazri's Amazing Allies
To be honest I am more concerned with somebody just picking up the whole deck and walking off with it. Admittedly this is because the sentimental value of the deck is Far higher than it perhaps should be. I would also like to say that, like most people here, my interactions with the MTG community as a whole has been overwhelmingly positive and there isn't anyone at my LGS that I wouldn't be happy to play.
For me the overwhelming feeling would simply be that if i damaged or lost the card. I would be less likely to play the one card which holds most of the value of my former collection and I would therefore be less likely to play with it and enjoy it. Instead I got a foil Stomping Ground and Demonic Tutor which I think I will enjoy playing with more.
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EDH BRGKresh the BloodbraidedBRG, A box of lands and ideas.
Modern: RG Titanshift. A deck made of cards too stupid for EDH.
Retired: Lots. More than I feel you should suffer through or I should type out.
To be honest I am more concerned with somebody just picking up the whole deck and walking off with it. Admittedly this is because the sentimental value of the deck is Far higher than it perhaps should be. I would also like to say that, like most people here, my interactions with the MTG community as a whole has been overwhelmingly positive and there isn't anyone at my LGS that I wouldn't be happy to play.
For me the overwhelming feeling would simply be that if i damaged or lost the card. I would be less likely to play the one card which holds most of the value of my former collection and I would therefore be less likely to play with it and enjoy it. Instead I got a foil Stomping Ground and Demonic Tutor which I think I will enjoy playing with more.
This makes less sense to me. You're still putting the same value into your deck presumably, except that getting foil means you could have gotten the same cards for cheaper and had your deck be just as good. At least with a Taiga you aren't needlessly putting more value into the deck for no functional purpose.
Seems like, if you want to keep value low to deter theft, but still want your deck to not suck, first thing I'd do is avoid foil cards.
To be honest I am more concerned with somebody just picking up the whole deck and walking off with it. Admittedly this is because the sentimental value of the deck is Far higher than it perhaps should be. I would also like to say that, like most people here, my interactions with the MTG community as a whole has been overwhelmingly positive and there isn't anyone at my LGS that I wouldn't be happy to play.
For me the overwhelming feeling would simply be that if i damaged or lost the card. I would be less likely to play the one card which holds most of the value of my former collection and I would therefore be less likely to play with it and enjoy it. Instead I got a foil Stomping Ground and Demonic Tutor which I think I will enjoy playing with more.
This makes less sense to me. You're still putting the same value into your deck presumably, except that getting foil means you could have gotten the same cards for cheaper and had your deck be just as good. At least with a Taiga you aren't needlessly putting more value into the deck for no functional purpose.
Seems like, if you want to keep value low to deter theft, but still want your deck to not suck, first thing I'd do is avoid foil cards.
Agreed re foil. When it comes to pragmatism, I'd much prefer to spend credit or money on a quantity of cards rather than one or two shiny cards.
I also get the sentimental value thing. While some of my decks are designed to work as finely tuned machines, most are labours of love, whether they hold financial value or not. My favourite deck is a Lazav, Dimir Mastermind ninja deck which I call 'High House Shadow' - its built on the theme of some of my favourite characters in my favourite series of books, the malazan book of the fallen by Steven Erikson. It does have most of my high value lands, likeVolrath's Stronghold, Ravnica Shocklands etc, but I would definitely rue more the sentimental loss than anything else.
I proxy my true valued cards. Reason is the fact that my deck has been stolen and so has my friends (While my friend did not get his deck back, the guy who stole mine had made an honest mistake and returned it (we both had the same deck box)
But regardless I still proxy my expensive card just in case someone does steal my deck (Chances are not likely though as my LGS has a small group of people, we usually have someone (we trust) watching your stuff when you go get food and as for me. I tend to guard my stuff while i am playing.)
So i have never not bought a card due to price or power, but i do proxy ones i feel should not be brought to the store just in case.
Yes and no, it really depends on the venue. My local LGS has a fairly good reputation (i.e I'm not aware of any theft occurring there). However, if I were to attend a GP (for instance) I would be considerably more worried about my cards (regardless of value). I make a habit of checking my decks once I return home (to account for all cards) and also do not telegraph the value of a card or deck unless asked. Another thing is that I switch up what decks I bring with me each week (limiting myself to 2-3).
Another thing that I would like to mention, which is a bit tangential, are trade binders. Unless you're going to actively trade at your LGS (or where ever) do NOT bring it, don't leave it in your car, etc. I came to an epiphany about a year ago after discussing trade binders. I realized there was no reason to hold on to so much value that wasn't seeing play. I traded / sold off all the cards in the binder worth over $2. I made a pact with myself that unless a card was actively being played it had no place in my collection (i.e. decks). It was a rather uplifting decision.
Iv'e been playing since 2013 on and off only got serious at the end of last year. I have one edh deck and it's worth about 700 bucks or so. I don't really care about how expensive my deck is I just buy what I need. I'm building another deck atm but I only have about half of it done. When it is done I think it'll be worth about 650.
Another thing that I would like to mention, which is a bit tangential, are trade binders. Unless you're going to actively trade at your LGS (or where ever) do NOT bring it, don't leave it in your car, etc. I came to an epiphany about a year ago after discussing trade binders. I realized there was no reason to hold on to so much value that wasn't seeing play. I traded / sold off all the cards in the binder worth over $2. I made a pact with myself that unless a card was actively being played it had no place in my collection (i.e. decks). It was a rather uplifting decision.
Just my 2 cents.
This is an interesting point. Tbh my folder is full of jank atm, so good luck to the sucker who nabs it when I'm not looking, but nonetheless, it does bring into question why the hell I'm holding onto it all. Most of them are 'maybe one day' cards, and I should really clear it out and move on. One less thing to worry about going into a store. Which is good, because I'm terribly unmindful in store, I'm well known for losing my keys and not being able to leave.
and at any time I might need (yes, literally need)
If there is any time a chance you NEED money that is placed in a luxury item, that is a bad position to be in. Just don't: if you can't afford to spent the money don't spent it. I also don't run cards over 20 euros due to monetary limits; it's the way it is. But getting into a situation where you have to find a buyer in such a low liquidy investment that is called "tradeable collectables" is a bad situation to be in.
I was mostly refering to cards that I had obtained when they were super cheap and then spiked out of nowhere. There are other times I have obtained expensive cards as a gift or just a windfall. I don't make it a habit of sacrificing my bills to afford MTG but that doesn't mean that I don't occasionally wind up with some really expensive goodies either through saving up or savvy trading.
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Let me start by saying my brother in law can be absent minded...that being said he left his deckbox with modern merfolk in it at the LGS for like two weeks before he finally thought of calling the store after scouring the house. The deck was fine and nothing was missing, the owner watches out for stuff like that as do the more entrenched players in the community. He also left his deck box on the table at a GP and started getting up...luckily his opponent was kind enough and paid enough attention to run him down and give it back to him.
I've lent $20 cards out several times, or whole decks valued well over the cost of a taiga, just for a night because I know the people.
Be mindful of your stuff and play with people you trust. The fear of loss almost always outweighs the actual threat of loss in most of these cases.
That being said, I have an incredibly hard time holding onto a card after it hits $100 usd...I almost always move them save for a few format staples because I enjoy the larger tournaments so much.
I kinda started thinking about this not too long ago since my Kozilek deck is worth... lets just say alot, alpha/beta cards, almost foiled out.
And just that deck alone is not only worth to me alot moneywise but im emotionally invested in it. I've had it since 2012 i think (yeah, not that long compared to other people but i have trouble to stick to certain decks), and its just so much TIME invested into it, it would suck if it got stolen or if i suddenly forgot it somewhere. It came to a point where i started doubting people that i've known for years, that they would take it or some cards and bail, but then i realised that it has reached a certain point and i have to rethink and stop, stupid and crazy thoughts but im unnecessarily concerned about most things and it does not help me at all.
So, i came to the conclusion that pimping out decks is kinda stupid, i mean i could sell that thing and buy a car, several months of rents etc but no, i got a deck in my backpack thats worth alot of money because i enjoy the deck, the game and what it gives me. And im not even including other decks into that figure.
So yeah, pimping out decks is... not smart safety wise but its so much fun, a fun little project! Building and tinkering with it for years.
My tradebinder tho isn't that stacked, it has some expensive tradeable cards, nothing more or less but im careful with it.
Oh yeah, and in my Kozilek deck i have, as i said various Alpha/beta cards but i actually leave my Alpha Mana Vault at home atm, i play with a revised one -if im not mistaken- in its place.
But to get to the point, to be honest, i don't think a taiga effects you THAT much. And it seems you didn't mention what the overall value of your deck is, this is a big part of it as well, like ppl say: foils kinda screams that the deck is worth something.
Having thought about it I decided against it because it would make my deck too expensive and instead of just playing and having a good time I would be constantly worrying, without cause, that people would be thinking of taking it/ the deck.
TLDR: Have you ever not included a card in a deck or not purchased a card because you think that it was too much of a risk and would dampen your enjoyment?
BRGKresh the BloodbraidedBRG, A box of lands and ideas.
Modern:
RG Titanshift. A deck made of cards too stupid for EDH.
Retired: Lots. More than I feel you should suffer through or I should type out.
I see a lot of similarly valuable cards in trade binders and stuff at my LGSs, and I don't think I seen any theft issues firsthand since high school (some jerk stole my rith the awakener, if you can imagine). I think a very tiny minority of players would even consider theft. I'm probably a little too relaxed considering the value of my collection, but I've never had any problems.
Definitely I wouldn't stress over a single dual land. But of course the risk is all relative - if you're on a tighter budget I'm sure it'd seem like a much bigger deal. I do tend to think the magic community - at least around here - is very trustworthy though.
EDH Primers
Phelddagrif - Zirilan
EDH
Thrasios+Bruse - Pang - Sasaya - Wydwen - Feather - Rona - Toshiro - Sylvia+Khorvath - Geth - QMarchesa - Firesong - Athreos - Arixmethes - Isperia - Etali - Silas+Sidar - Saskia - Virtus+Gorm - Kynaios - Naban - Aryel - Mizzix - Kazuul - Tymna+Kraum - Sidar+Tymna - Ayli - Gwendlyn - Phelddagrif 4 - Liliana - Kaervek - Phelddagrif 3 - Mairsil - Scarab - Child - Phenax - Shirei - Thada - Depala - Circu - Kytheon - GrenzoHR - Phelddagrif - Reyhan+Kraum - Toshiro - Varolz - Nin - Ojutai - Tasigur - Zedruu - Uril - Edric - Wort - Zurgo - Nahiri - Grenzo - Kozilek - Yisan - Ink-Treader - Yisan - Brago - Sidisi - Toshiro - Alexi - Sygg - Brimaz - Sek'Kuar - Marchesa - Vish Kal - Iroas - Phelddagrif - Ephara - Derevi - Glissa - Wanderer - Saffi - Melek - Xiahou Dun - Lazav - Lin Sivvi - Zirilan - Glissa
PDH - Drake - Graverobber - Izzet GM - Tallowisp - Symbiote Brawl - Feather - Ugin - Jace - Scarab - Angrath - Vraska - Kumena Oathbreaker - Wrenn&6
Theft is real, but we can take steps to avoid that. Observation.
Modern
Commander
Cube
<a href="http://www.mtgsalvation.com/forums/the-game/the-cube-forum/cube-lists/588020-unpowered-themed-enchantment-an-enchanted-evening">An Enchanted Evening Cube </a>
Having 3 opponents (if they are any good) will police the table and money cards dont make that much a difference vs proper threat assesment and correct plays.
That being said, yes some of the broken 200$+ cards allowed in commander CAN ruin/run away a game some of the time. But you got to ask yourself is it worth it? If Taiga is for an investment (it wont be any cheaper later) then by all means get one. But if its to sport a one of in a deck is it worth the $$? My answer would be no. Try Cinder Glade. Play for fun, its just cardboard.
I did try it once by letting one or two randoms join into a game when some people I trusted vouched for them, the look on peoples face when they crack a pack and they are staring at a Mox Emerald, an Expedition Scalding Tarn, etc is priceless.
My Collection & Tradelist
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CUBE TUTOR
amazingly epic sig courtesy of DarkNightCavalier at Heroes of the Planes.
Now that I have so many decks although, I have some specifically designed to have a lower price-threshold that I don't mind taking out more frequently, or lending out.
I keep decks with a higher value in specific sleeves (triple) to help reduce possible theft, and keep them in different deck boxes instead of the long 1996 storage boxes I keep my bulk decks in. This way, if there is an unknown party or someone I may not trust, I simply don't have to take out the decks of variable value.
Links to my most current deck lists;
Primary EDH; Rakka Mar Token Perfection, Crosis Mnemonic Betrayal, Cromat Villainous, Judith Gravestorm, Rakdos Empty Storm, Exava Artifacts, Bant Trash, & Fumiko Voltron!
EDH kept at home; Ruzzian Isset & Rakdos LoR!
EDH (nostalgic/pimp/retired) in storage;
Latulla Burns, Akroma Smash, Jeska Voltron, Rakdos Storm, Bladewing Darghans, Lyzolda Worldgorger, Xantcha Steals your Heart, Jori Storm, Wydwen Permission, Gwendlyn Paradox, Jeleva Warps, & Sigarda Brick!
Legacy Showanimator and High Tide!
I'm also not likely to shell out $80+ for a card just to fine tune. I personally set a $20 per card limit, partly because I'm poor, and partly because I can't justify the expense. From a flavour/inidividuality perspective, I also prefer that my decks remain purley 'mine'. What I mean by that is that I'm more likely to put silly jank or not shell out for premium deck options in the pursuit of a theme, or even an avenue of play that I'd like to take each deck down. TL:DR for this paragraph is that expensive cards don't necessarily mean more fun.
I do but I guess for different reasons than a lot of people here. For me its about the 75% philosophy but its also about protection of an investment. There might come a time that I want to get rid of just about any card in my collection. Maybe I have a mortgage to pay and am on dire straights. I don't want to lose my ass on my collection because of the play condition of the top dollar cards. I don't really like sleeves all that much. I mean, I have plenty of decks in sleeves because I know I will keep them for a long time and the value/competitive level of the deck justifies the protection, but I'd rather play without sleeves if I can. IMO, if I'm not willing to protect the entire deck then I'm not going out of my way to sleeve up 100x 1$ cards so I can protect 1 $25 card in the deck. At that point I'll just go without the $25 card simply so I don't feel bad not protecting my investment.
When I say investment, I mostly mean money but there is some emotional value there as well. Before people get up in arms about "You shouldn't expect any of your cards to be worth anything", know that I agree but am also poor enough that I have to respect that they do hold value and at any time I might need (yes, literally need) to get that monetary back out of them. Obtaining some of these cards is a sacrifice enough that it would be unwise to not protect my play set of Grim Flayers or Thoughtseizes.
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cEDH: [G(U/R) Animar] - [(U/B)(G/W) Redless Wheels] - [(G/U)(W/B) Redless Pod] - [(B/G)W Ghave Metapod]
Currently Playing:
Retired
Of course, some of my cards have a fair bit more value by now just by virtue of having been playing for bit over a decade. But the average price of my decks is pretty low, as I tend to avoid 'obvious staples', really expensive lands, and go instead for the junk rare jank.
...so basically, if someone manages to steal from me, I'll congratulate them for finding the worst cheapscate in the event to steal from.
To be honest I am more concerned with somebody just picking up the whole deck and walking off with it. Admittedly this is because the sentimental value of the deck is Far higher than it perhaps should be. I would also like to say that, like most people here, my interactions with the MTG community as a whole has been overwhelmingly positive and there isn't anyone at my LGS that I wouldn't be happy to play.
For me the overwhelming feeling would simply be that if i damaged or lost the card. I would be less likely to play the one card which holds most of the value of my former collection and I would therefore be less likely to play with it and enjoy it. Instead I got a foil Stomping Ground and Demonic Tutor which I think I will enjoy playing with more.
BRGKresh the BloodbraidedBRG, A box of lands and ideas.
Modern:
RG Titanshift. A deck made of cards too stupid for EDH.
Retired: Lots. More than I feel you should suffer through or I should type out.
Seems like, if you want to keep value low to deter theft, but still want your deck to not suck, first thing I'd do is avoid foil cards.
EDH Primers
Phelddagrif - Zirilan
EDH
Thrasios+Bruse - Pang - Sasaya - Wydwen - Feather - Rona - Toshiro - Sylvia+Khorvath - Geth - QMarchesa - Firesong - Athreos - Arixmethes - Isperia - Etali - Silas+Sidar - Saskia - Virtus+Gorm - Kynaios - Naban - Aryel - Mizzix - Kazuul - Tymna+Kraum - Sidar+Tymna - Ayli - Gwendlyn - Phelddagrif 4 - Liliana - Kaervek - Phelddagrif 3 - Mairsil - Scarab - Child - Phenax - Shirei - Thada - Depala - Circu - Kytheon - GrenzoHR - Phelddagrif - Reyhan+Kraum - Toshiro - Varolz - Nin - Ojutai - Tasigur - Zedruu - Uril - Edric - Wort - Zurgo - Nahiri - Grenzo - Kozilek - Yisan - Ink-Treader - Yisan - Brago - Sidisi - Toshiro - Alexi - Sygg - Brimaz - Sek'Kuar - Marchesa - Vish Kal - Iroas - Phelddagrif - Ephara - Derevi - Glissa - Wanderer - Saffi - Melek - Xiahou Dun - Lazav - Lin Sivvi - Zirilan - Glissa
PDH - Drake - Graverobber - Izzet GM - Tallowisp - Symbiote Brawl - Feather - Ugin - Jace - Scarab - Angrath - Vraska - Kumena Oathbreaker - Wrenn&6
Agreed re foil. When it comes to pragmatism, I'd much prefer to spend credit or money on a quantity of cards rather than one or two shiny cards.
I also get the sentimental value thing. While some of my decks are designed to work as finely tuned machines, most are labours of love, whether they hold financial value or not. My favourite deck is a Lazav, Dimir Mastermind ninja deck which I call 'High House Shadow' - its built on the theme of some of my favourite characters in my favourite series of books, the malazan book of the fallen by Steven Erikson. It does have most of my high value lands, likeVolrath's Stronghold, Ravnica Shocklands etc, but I would definitely rue more the sentimental loss than anything else.
But regardless I still proxy my expensive card just in case someone does steal my deck (Chances are not likely though as my LGS has a small group of people, we usually have someone (we trust) watching your stuff when you go get food and as for me. I tend to guard my stuff while i am playing.)
So i have never not bought a card due to price or power, but i do proxy ones i feel should not be brought to the store just in case.
UB Vela the Night-Clad BUDecklist
WBG Ghave, Guru of Spores GBW
WUBRGThe Ur-DragonWUBRGDecklist
Another thing that I would like to mention, which is a bit tangential, are trade binders. Unless you're going to actively trade at your LGS (or where ever) do NOT bring it, don't leave it in your car, etc. I came to an epiphany about a year ago after discussing trade binders. I realized there was no reason to hold on to so much value that wasn't seeing play. I traded / sold off all the cards in the binder worth over $2. I made a pact with myself that unless a card was actively being played it had no place in my collection (i.e. decks). It was a rather uplifting decision.
Just my 2 cents.
UBBreya's Toybox (Competitive, Combo)WR
RGodzilla, King of the MonstersG
-Retired Decks-
UBLazav, Dimir Mastermind (Competitive, UB Voltron/Control)UB
"Knowledge is such a burden. Release it. Release all your fears to me."
—Ashiok, Nightmare Weaver
Shu Yun, the Silent Tempest WUR Voltron Control
Temmet, Vizier of Naktamun WU Unblockable Mirror Trickery
Ra's al Ghul (Sidar Kondo) and Face-Down Ninjas
Brudiclad, Token Engineer
Vaevictis (VV2) the Dire Lantern
Rona, Disciple of Gix
Tiana the Auror
Hallar
Ulrich the Politician
Zur the Rebel
Scorpion, Locust, Scarab, Egyptian Gods
O-Kagachi, Mathas, Mairsil
"Non-Tribal" Tribal Generals, Eggs
This is an interesting point. Tbh my folder is full of jank atm, so good luck to the sucker who nabs it when I'm not looking, but nonetheless, it does bring into question why the hell I'm holding onto it all. Most of them are 'maybe one day' cards, and I should really clear it out and move on. One less thing to worry about going into a store. Which is good, because I'm terribly unmindful in store, I'm well known for losing my keys and not being able to leave.
I was mostly refering to cards that I had obtained when they were super cheap and then spiked out of nowhere. There are other times I have obtained expensive cards as a gift or just a windfall. I don't make it a habit of sacrificing my bills to afford MTG but that doesn't mean that I don't occasionally wind up with some really expensive goodies either through saving up or savvy trading.
https://pucatrade.com/invite/gift/86097
I've lent $20 cards out several times, or whole decks valued well over the cost of a taiga, just for a night because I know the people.
Be mindful of your stuff and play with people you trust. The fear of loss almost always outweighs the actual threat of loss in most of these cases.
That being said, I have an incredibly hard time holding onto a card after it hits $100 usd...I almost always move them save for a few format staples because I enjoy the larger tournaments so much.
And just that deck alone is not only worth to me alot moneywise but im emotionally invested in it. I've had it since 2012 i think (yeah, not that long compared to other people but i have trouble to stick to certain decks), and its just so much TIME invested into it, it would suck if it got stolen or if i suddenly forgot it somewhere. It came to a point where i started doubting people that i've known for years, that they would take it or some cards and bail, but then i realised that it has reached a certain point and i have to rethink and stop, stupid and crazy thoughts but im unnecessarily concerned about most things and it does not help me at all.
So, i came to the conclusion that pimping out decks is kinda stupid, i mean i could sell that thing and buy a car, several months of rents etc but no, i got a deck in my backpack thats worth alot of money because i enjoy the deck, the game and what it gives me. And im not even including other decks into that figure.
So yeah, pimping out decks is... not smart safety wise but its so much fun, a fun little project! Building and tinkering with it for years.
My tradebinder tho isn't that stacked, it has some expensive tradeable cards, nothing more or less but im careful with it.
Oh yeah, and in my Kozilek deck i have, as i said various Alpha/beta cards but i actually leave my Alpha Mana Vault at home atm, i play with a revised one -if im not mistaken- in its place.
But to get to the point, to be honest, i don't think a taiga effects you THAT much. And it seems you didn't mention what the overall value of your deck is, this is a big part of it as well, like ppl say: foils kinda screams that the deck is worth something.
Who needs Colours?
My most played EDH deck:
X Kozilek, the Great Distortion
UBR Nekusar, the Mindrazer