I started at the end of Urza's. The golden age for me is Invasion/Odyssey block. Better flavor, better storylines, and better balance than anything recently. I feel that you had to be a bit more creative back then as opposed to now. It also helps that the game was fresher to me then.
There's a thread like this 2-3 times a week and if it's not a poster asking the question, it's someone like the author who's "just getting back into the game" after a layoff. The answer always boils down to money - Wizards can make more money with the way they are currently developing/marketing cards vs. the way it was being done prior. The target audience for Magic has expanded a bit since 6th Edition.
The ability to make more money now compared to the past does not necessarily mean the game has actually improved.
Im glad Primeval got the axe. It was the one of the bigger blunders wizards has made in recent times and never really should have been printed how it is. This plus the return of Kokusho is a good day for EDH
Still normal supply and demand at work. Stores have strong influence the pre-release period though.
Pretty much this.
Stores control the pre release prices as well as the prices potentially to until the set rotates from standard. After that, its player demand based on available supply.
This, this, and this. Both are cheap to acquire, provide consistent card draw and in the case of the Demon, a stick to boot. Necrologia and Ad Nauseam can also be viable and affordable options, especially if you have some lifegain included in the deck.
I'm thinking of this as more of a "receives more hate than it deserves", but I've seen some people get downright upset when Venser's Journal hits the board. Nothing about that card screams "DANGER!" to me.
The ability to make more money now compared to the past does not necessarily mean the game has actually improved.
Stores control the pre release prices as well as the prices potentially to until the set rotates from standard. After that, its player demand based on available supply.
(takes bow. leaves thread.)
Radiate
This, this, and this. Both are cheap to acquire, provide consistent card draw and in the case of the Demon, a stick to boot. Necrologia and Ad Nauseam can also be viable and affordable options, especially if you have some lifegain included in the deck.