The Best New Cards From Thunder Junction, and More!

Thunder Blaster - Pew Pew

If you can recall a time when Wizards released a single set of cards every three to four months, then brace yourself. This month, we’re receiving a full set with two additional sheets of cards. The inclusion of non-Standard legal cards is nothing new in this case, other than a nice way of sliding reprints into the equation.

Opinions on incorporating Outlaws of Thunder Junction: The Big Score into the Play Boosters vary depending on who you ask.

On one hand, it's a preferable solution compared to the backlash from March of the Machine: The Aftermath around this time last year. On the other hand, it complicates the pull rates from boosters, alters the dynamic of sealed formats, and impacts the value of these Standard-legal playables.

Whether you long for the simpler times in the hobby or you’re thrilled with the new selection of cards for your collection, one thing’s for sure: printing presses aren't slowing down. For now, let’s delve into the recent Secret Lair.

Secret Lair - Sheldon's Spellbook

In tribute to Sheldon Menery, revered as the godfather of Commander, we’re presented with Sheldon's Spellbook. This set of cards serves as an exemplary example of what Secret Lairs can and should aspire to be, designed with a theme in mind. Notably, 50% of the proceeds from each sale will be donated to the American Cancer Society.

Front and center is Teferi's Protection (1691), commanding attention both in terms of price and power within this product. Currently experiencing a resurgence in value, climbing back up to $41 from a recent dip to $20, this marks the second Secret Lair reprint for the card. 

The fluctuating price of this EDH staple is closely tied to its reprint history in recent years. With the impending circulation of this edition, one can anticipate a price adjustment, likely settling closer to the $40 mark.

Another high-value inclusion in this release is Inkshield, a distinct card that has been kept under the radar since its debut in 2021, remaining untouched by reprints since. With its average price doubling over the past year to $21, the reprint is poised to experience a slight dip in value.

However, my take would be that its price will continue to increase until a more pronounced and accessible reprint comes into play. Despite its niche utility, Inkshield fills a slot where it remains irreplaceable.

Completing my list for this product is Sheldon, the Commander - Ruhan of the Fomori, a reskin of Ruhan of the Fomori, holding a modest average of $2.60. Speculating the price movement of this card is challenging. Historically, reskinned versions of Legendary creatures lacking in demand have tended to average similar prices to their original counterparts. 

However, it's worth noting that such assumptions have stemmed from different IP cards rather than direct associations with the game itself. Consequently, there is a strong likelihood that community enthusiasm for both the Secret Lair and the included cards will fuel a gradual price increase over an extended period.

Teferi's Protection (1691)	CardKingdom	TCGPlayer $38.95
Inkshield	CardKingdom	TCGPlayer $18.95
Sheldon, the Commander - Ruhan of the Fomori	CardKingdom	TCGPlayer $9.59

Cateran Summons You

Put away the spyglass and grab your ten-gallon hat. The Outlaws of Thunder Junction have arrived, bringing some old villains back into the spotlight. With a mashup of familiar characters mirroring March of the Machine and new ways of escalating spells, there are some standout cards available for multiple format use.

Leading the charge is Final Showdown. Several factors make this card special. Firstly, the instant advantage over the sorcery needs to be both considered and appreciated. There aren't many cards in white that can wipe the board at any moment. Fated Retribution offers one such effect, but demands seven mana upfront, albeit with the added benefit of scrying. Thus, Final Showdown’s reduced cost, coupled with the option to pay extra for nullifying defensive keywords and saving our creature, adds considerable versatility. 

Secondly, its starting MV of one allows for some shenanigans, such as utilizing Sunforger to fetch and discount the spell’s cost. While not the most practical application, it could prove handy in specific situations.

Goldvein Hydra enhances the power level for the investment made. With three strong keywords and a lasting impact in the form of Treasures, this card shines brightly. However, it may also falter. While there isn't currently a deck in the Standard metagame where it would fit, the card is highly adaptable for midrange or aggressive strategies with green. Consequently, I anticipate seeing Goldvein Hydra played in more than one deck, much like Hydroid Krasis has influenced Standard gameplay.

The parallels between the two cards are evident in their pricing and their impact on the game. While Hydroid Krasis boasted a higher price pre-release, it stabilized in the following weeks around the $18 mark. I predict that Goldvein Hydra will maintain a similar price until after its release, after which it will likely climb until a reprint is provided in a subsequent set. The card's simple naming makes it easy to fit into different planes, but its most probable reprint location would be a Masters-style set or a Commander deck in the future.

Final Showdown	CardKingdom $14.99	TCGPlayer $13.46
Final Showdown (Extended Art)	CardKingdom $16.99	TCGPlayer $20.94
Goldvein Hydra	CardKingdom $15.99	TCGPlayer $16.54
Goldvein Hydra (Extended Art)	CardKingdom $22.99	TCGPlayer $19.87

What Was That Headline?

Outlaws of Thunder Junction: Breaking News is the first bonus sheet included in the Play boosters. Sporting a unique art style akin to the previous Wilds of Eldraine: Enchanting Tales sheet or the March of the Machine: Multiverse Legends, each booster contains at least one Breaking News card. These additions aim to offer sought-after reprints as well as enhance the sealed play experience. Notably, the drop in price here is more pronounced compared to the case of Enchanted Tales. Drawing from that, the previous sheet has slowly gained value since last year but hit its all-time lowest price during the prerelease weekend. So, with fewer value cards included and prices potentially being the lowest within the next few days, now might be an opportune time to pre-purchase desired cards.

Mindbreak Trap is perhaps the most surprising and welcomed reprint in the bonus sheet. Previously only printed in the original Zendikar set, the price has spiraled out of control over the last two years, peaking at an all-time high of $77 before the reprint announcement. The new frame holds a modest $40 average in comparison.

Mindbreak Trap’s playability is primarily associated with Vintage and Legacy, but is not limited to just those formats. An effective combo-killing measure that doesn't demand mana investment can tip the scales between victory and defeat.

However, with a single reprint now in existence, speculation looms regarding the timing of its next circulation. Personal anticipation for this card is that it will be ripe for a reprint in either a Secret Lair or in the upcoming Modern Horizons 3.

Serving as a direct upgrade to Counterspell stands Mana Drain. In this case, there isn't a much better option when paying mana for interruption. Part of what keeps Mana Drain’s price in check is its format legality. Banned in Legacy and not legal in Modern, the card's primary play occurs in Commander, where it is a high-level staple. While some of the more readily available printings average around $55, the Breaking News variant is currently available for $35. This presents a good entry-level point before the card settles around the $50 mark, aligning with other printings from Masters sets and Commander Legends.

Mindbreak Trap	CardKingdom $32.99	TCGPlayer $35.00
Mindbreak Trap (Textured Foil)	CardKingdom	TCGPlayer
Mana Drain	CardKingdom $32.99	TCGPlayer $39.32
Mana Drain (Textured Foil)	CardKingdom	TCGPlayer

Don't Turn Me Into Marketable Plushies

As a remedy for the failure that was March of the Machine: The Aftermath, Outlaws of Thunder Junction: The Big Score emerges as a Standard-legal bonus sheet included in both of the available boosters, albeit at different rates. Breaking down the odds, Big Score cards appear roughly 18% of the time in Play Boosters. While not common, my take on this is that plenty of these cards will slot seamlessly into Commander and potentially Modern without any major issues. Standard, on the other hand, is anybody's guess until the big rotation change coming in August with Bloomburrow.

Banking on the word Lotus in its name but falling short in value delivery, we encounter Lotus Ring. This new Equipment pumps creatures and allows us to sacrifice them for mana. Comparing its stats and ability to existing cards proves challenging due to the limited number of artifacts granting vigilance and a stat boost, with Pre-War Formalwear serving as the closest comparison. The true advantage lies in the ability to sacrifice the creature for mana, offset by the Equip cost. Notably, when combined with Puresteel Paladin or Koll, the Forgemaster, it performs quite well. However, envisioning a wide range of decks that can effectively utilize or exploit the ring's effect proves difficult.

This pattern of thought reflects the card's price trajectory as well. The word Lotus has inflated the initial projections towards the $90 range, but the card swiftly declined to a $25 average and continues to drop. The final price will probably settle in the ballpark of $15 to $20 within the next 2-3 weeks post-release unless a combo breakthrough becomes apparent.

Tarnation Vista is a card that I'm most curious about in terms of power and place in decks. As a mono-color land with options, tapping for WUBRG at best with some conditions, it presents as a mix between Cascading Cataracts and Meteor Crater. Neither of the aforementioned lands are exactly staples or ones you immediately consider when constructing a deck. However, factoring in playing with three or more colors and having access to single-colored mana available, it becomes a significant upside.

Currently averaging around $11.50, Tarnation Vista is beginning to stabilize in price. In scenarios when land exceeds expectations in decks, consistently generating four mana each turn, I can envision its value climbing toward the $15 mark. Conversely, if it merely serves as a versatile land that occasionally taps for one or two mana, its price will likely hover closer to $5.

Lotus Ring	CardKingdom $15.99	TCGPlayer $13.60
Lotus Ring (Extended Art)	CardKingdom $23.99	TCGPlayer $33.92
Lotus Ring (Showcase)	CardKingdom	TCGPlayer $28.21
Tarnation Vista	CardKingdom $6.49	TCGPlayer $6.29
Tarnation Vista (Showcase)	CardKingdom	TCGPlayer $13.33
Tarnation Vista (Extended Art)	CardKingdom $12.99	TCGPlayer $15.31

Commander or Standard?

To wrap up, Outlaws of Thunder Junction presents plenty of interesting cards, both in the main set and the additional bonus sheets. While the set is skewed toward Commander due to the abundance of legendary creatures, each new set shakes up the metagame.

One aspect that caught my attention during my research for this article was the price patterns observed in Enchanted Tales. If similar correlations between cards and prices manifest for the Breaking News cards, then this week might be the optimal time to make purchases. However, when looking at Multiverse Legends, their pattern was closer to an initial high followed by a modest ~10% decrease. Either way, I'm curious how the set will be received when we get our hands on it.

Join me again next time as we delve into some secrets.

Further Reading:

cEDH Staple Prices Are Booming

Hidden Gems for Obeka

Will Outlaws of Thunder Junction Affect Modern?