We have the Nationals this weekend alongside SCG Charlotte, so prepare for some great Magic action! Standard is still trying to figure the meta out post Worlds, and Modern is still up for grabs. There was a little bit of everything spiking this week, from reserved list cards (shocking) to Ixalan cards. Let's check out our spikes, this week in Magic!
The top winner this week wasn’t a reserved list card, but it sure looks like one. I mean, a 4/5 for 4 that gives a random non-wall creature an opponent controls forestwalk doesn’t seem like it will be winning a major event anytime soon. I did used to play with this back in my green days, as a 4/5 for 4 WAS good back then. I haven’t found a specific reason for this buy out, but it could be someone collecting Arabian Nights cards.
I’m assuming the buyout of Quicksilver Fountain was because of speculation and not because it was the best Commander card you’re not playing back in week 31. Although I really like the effect that this provides, I don’t see this making any impact in Modern or Legacy. I could be wrong, but this is a bit too slow for any competitive games of Magic.
Papa Nebuchadnezzar himself decided it was time to come out and play. I never got around to building a deck around him, but I think it's definitely on the janky side. He's not even on the reserved list, but that didn't stop the usual people from buying out yet another Legends Commander. I wouldn't count on a huge demand for this at any point, but in regards to being collectible, you can't go wrong.
Sustaining Spirit combos well with Solemnity, but as a creature, this combo is pretty fragile. There are far better ways to combo, so I’m not sure why this card spiked, other than being a random reserved list card. By this time 2019, I could see a majority of reserved list cards in the hands of just a few collectors/investors.
Now this is a reserved list card I can get behind! Didgeridoo was talked about in some circles when minotaur’s started coming back into the limelight. While this doesn’t seem to do anything right now, imagine if they print a sweet minotaur that adds mana? The fact that you don’t have to tap this like many other artifacts or creatures separates this. Keep a close eye on this…
One of the breakout cards of Ixalan is Search for Azcanta. It was very popular during worlds and has been gaining momentum as the days go by. It hasn’t quite made a splash in Modern yet, but I think it’s very close to being playable, especially since control is popular. The unfortunate side of its Modern playability is that it flips into a land, and lands are much easier to destroy than enchantments. Modern aside, it’s an absolute beating in Standard.
Vraska's Contempt went from a potential sideboard card to making some mainboard lists thanks to an abundance of gods in Standard. It can also hit walkers, but that is more of an afterthought in the current meta. Being able to deal with The Scarab God is absolutely critical, as if your opponent untaps with one, it’s usually good game.
Lastly, it’s notable when Standard dual lands spike, as most lands stay pretty stable while they are in Standard. The most recent spike comes as Temur/Sultai energy decks begin to move to the front of the meta. I do like that the mana bases for Standard decks have really come down in price over the last few sets. These fast lands are good enough for Modern play, so picking up a playset of each probably isn’t a bad idea.
Foils of the Week!
Used in mostly group hug Commander decks, foil Charmed Griffin saw some solid gains this week. Although Longtusk Cub sees a ton of play in Standard, players decided to move in on the foil copies. I’ve played Hunting Grounds alongside Lurking Predators, but I sold my foil copies years ago, which is unfortunate. The big winner in foils this week was Memory Jar. I use these often, but never did buy any foils, as they were always out of my price range. I guess that ship has sailed now that they are over $400.
Cheap pickups of the Week!
Standard really hasn’t adopted many Ixalan cards yet, and I think there are a handful of cards that very well could break out either before, or when the next set comes out, providing much needed support. Lookout's Dispersal can be an upgraded Mana Leak but it requires playing pirates. At the moment pirates aren’t played, but if they do, you can bet this card will spike. Burning Sun's Avatar seems too awkward at the moment, but it is a very powerful dinosaur that can make things happen. Speaking of dinosaurs, I play tested with Wakening Sun's Avatar and it was absolutely bonkers every time I had it. There isn’t a dinosaur deck yet, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be. The last dinosaur I want to mention is Rampaging Ferocidon. It sees some play in Ramunap Red, but I think this is playable in Modern!
MTGStocks Mystery Chart of the Week!
Last week’s chart was Glittering Wish, a hilariously good card. This week, a card that has come into and out of the meta for a certain format…
Conversation of the Week!
This week, I want to touch on a sour subject for some people: speculation purchases and vendors/individuals that fail to fulfill orders. It happens more often than you may think. For example, I heard many stories of people that purchased original foil Opt the day it was announced that it was getting reprinted. At least half of them were told that the cards was “out of stock” and it was simply a mistake. The customer gets a refund and the vendor keeps the cards only to sell at a higher price later. The only real way to combat these kinds of tactics is to share information of vendors that engage in this behavior, and to demand the card or cards you ordered, rather than a refund. It’s not always a sure way, but if you’ve ever experienced this, you know that it feels horrible.
The best Commander card you’re not playing!
I absolutely loved drafting Obelisk of Alara, but more so than limited, I loved playing with it in Commander. It does every that you could want from one card. It gives you options and is 100% a fair card. Given a way to untap it, it can quickly get out of hand.
