This is a big ol’ set, so rather than bore you with some long contrived introduction, let’s get to work. I’m mainly concerned with the potential changes in value that may occur, but since the majority of MTGO players acquire cards by drafting, I’ll toss in my two cents about Limited here and there.
All Is Dust
This powerful new board sweeper has become very popular on paper, and its popularity should continue online. The Planeswalker deck that took the Star City Games 5k by storm is popular and is very unhappy to see this card. As a Mythic, it is probably priced on the low end of its potential range around $10. If it seems a lot of main deck play, it could creep up to $15, or potentially even $20 if the Planeswalker deck becomes a real bogeyman.
Not much to be said. Any appeal this card has would likely be casual-only. Bulk rare.
It looked light Polymorph decks could consider playing this card, although recent events have not supported that theory. Regardless, the card has massive casual appeal, tournament potential, and let’s be honest – everyone loves an enchantment that craps out tiny squishy Crab-People. The fact that Intro Packs are basically irrelevant to MTGO means that $8+ is correct for this card. It will drop to around $5 if it sees no competitive play, but if it ends up in a Tier 1 deck, it will surely remain high, potentially even $10. $10 seems a bit aggressive, but is not out of the question.
The bane of rare-drafters everywhere. Bulk.
I cannot keep copies of Bear Umbra in stock in my store (I sell paper cards at a brick & mortar store if you were not aware), but they are seeing no competitive play whatsoever. It has potential and plenty of casual appeal, so they’re correctly priced at $1.
You’ll most likely just be casting this into your bulk rare box. Great for EDH and casual formats, but not really worth more than a buck.
The good news is, if you open one, you’re in great shape to win your draft. Otherwise, you’re basically out of luck. Another garbage rare.
This one’s tough to price, but I’m changing my mind on this card. I originally thought it would be a stud in competitive Control decks, but playing with it really underwhelmed me. Mid-range rares tend to sink quicker on MTGO than on paper, so I’d be selling this at $4, not buying. As soon as it shows up in a Tier 1 contender, snap up every cheap copy you can find, but it remains to be seen whether this will see play before Alara rotates. I’m selling this now, but I’m keeping it on a watch list.
I’m consumed with the LSV-eqsue desire to make bad puns today. I blame the weather and my Intermittent-Net. Actually, Vapors is far from a bulk rare – it will probably see play, but it hasn’t quite found a home yet. At $6, it is priced for play. That means if it doesn’t get sleeved up for tournaments, it will drop like a rock. I’d hold at $6, but I wouldn’t buy any more. It’s unlikely they’ll shoot much higher. First-pick this every time, since it’s still worth some money and is an absolute house in Limited.
Lords are always popular with the Tribal crowd, so he has a definite bottom price. Luckily for those players, he’s at that price – $1.50. He has almost nowhere to go but up, but it is uncertain if he will. Merfolk lack the power needed to compete in Standard, but a card this efficient will surely find a home somewhere. I’m buying, but not aggressively.
She’s only $1.50 because she’s new, and she’s an Angel. Buying them now would be deadly, since they’re a bulk rare in the making. G/W strategies in Limited will adore her, since they can ramp her out with ease. Draft highly, and hope you win.
Finally, a card that’s got a huge price disparity between digital and physical! This card is the real deal, people, and its $5 price tag shows it. They’re still only $2 on paper for some reason, but it’s just a matter of time before someone puts this card to good use. It’s far more complex and agile than it looks. I’m not buying too aggressively at $5, but there are positive odds that it stays at the price or drifts slightly higher.
I drafted this last night and never even drew it. It’s disastrous to your collection’s value, but it can be an utter blowout when played at the right time. Bulk rare, but draftable.
Friend and MTGO player Zoness drafted with me last night and was about 15 seconds from picking this and Crab Umbra. That’s the only time you’ll ever even consider this awful piece of digital dog crap.
She’s priced correctly at $1 because she’s a big, fun Vampire with very little constructed appeal. Consensus first pick in Draft, and just a notch above bulk.
Look at your man. Now look at me. Back at your man. Back at me. Echo Mage is the man your man wishes he was and you wish your man was Echo Mage, but he’s not. He’s him. This card’s not worth anything, but can do some work in Limited.
It’s colorless, bomby, easy to cast in most Limited decks, and played as a 2-of in a Tier 1 deck. $4 seems about right, but if the Mythic deck ever considers running more copies (it won’t), it could see $5. Hold, and probably a high Limited pick.
Another card that’s debuting lower than its paper counterpart, Temple’s $5 price tag is all hype and conjecture. Casual players have discovered the hilarity that are Summoning Trap and Polymorph, so the appeal of casting Eldrazi with, you know, mana, is diminishing daily. I will go out on a limb here and say that this card’s got some value to lose.
The centerpiece of the aforementoned Polymorph decks should be worth more than $11. The price is tempered by the fact that it’s a prerelease foil, but this is the new cheat-me-out target of choice. Besides, who doesn’t love ancient flying calamari? Deeee-lish! Moderate Buy.
Anyone got any Goo-Gone? This card is friggin’ awful.
Problem with cards like this? There’s not much to say except “yup, he’s absurd”. $50 is about right, but even 3 blocks of Mythics later, we’re not quite sure how to price them. Jace, the Mind Sculptor is setting new precedents daily, so Gideon might not be done. I never speculate on cards like this, so if you need them to play, buy them.
A gigantic waste of money, but a real beater in Drafts. He can make you money by making big guys, and that’s about it.
Tried to make a Standard deck with this card. Then I sobered up and tore every copy I owned in half and used it to wipe my ass. Sigh
I’m just going to copy and paste what I wrote about Drana here: “She’s priced correctly at $1 because she’s a big, fun Vampire with very little constructed appeal. Consensus first pick in Draft, and just a notch above bulk.” Too bad they don’t pay writers by the word much anymore. I may or may not have opened a pack in my sealed pool with two copies of this card. Went x-2 anyway. I’m awful.
You may know Kung Fu, but you don’t know how to draft if you are plcking this stinker highly. Unplug yourself from the matrix and read some Limited strategy. Bulk!
Hedron-Field Purists
I have a hard time guessing if this will be good in Limited because I snap-kill them when I see them. They’ve got no constructed appeal whatsoever and are most assuredly bulk rares.
I hate to say this, but this is a notch above bulk for a Mythic. Casual appeal aside, the only people who play this are EDH players. Seems utterly hilarious with Sneak Attack in Legacy, but that deck’s already awful! Sell.
Another day, another bulk rare. It can be good in R/G decks with tons of cheap Spawners, but accelerating out a fattie can sometimes be just as good.
Luke, I am your father. And I’m telling you to draft this card highly. Really highly. First pick, every time, windmill slam it. Or I’ll cut off your hand.
Nooooooooooooooo! Let’s face it kids, Rise of the Eldrazi is still Magic, and you’re still probably not casting a TWELVE-DROP in Limited. Ditch this ugly bastard and play a real card. Bulk.
This guy needs a bitchin’ nickname. I’m taking suggestions. First person to suggest Trogdor gets put up against the wall and shot. Priced higher than most cards in the set at $14, he’s worth every cent. It wouldn’t surprise me to see red-heavy Boros decks use this as well as Mono-Red. I don’t think he’ll go much higher, and he might even drop to $10, but anticipating double digits for the forseeable future seems appropriate.
To Be Continued
Check in next time to see what I think about the rest of Rise of the Eldrazi. I’ll give you a preview of some of the coming analysis. You get to guess the card! Ready? Here it is: “Bulk Rare. Not worth the cardboard it’s printed on.”
See ya!
Kelly
How does Gideon compare to Jace TMS? Will they end up the same, or does Jace go up now again since ZZW is going to be drafted lightly?
I just thought I’d drop a note and say that I pay attention to your predictions, sometimes following them when deciding when to pick up cards. Keep ‘em coming! It’s hard to know what to think about middle cards like Consuming Vapors, Eldrazi Conscription, Devastating Summons, Eldrazi Temple, etc. It’s useful to hear your reasoning on why you think they’re good pickups or not.
thanks that was useful and made me feel I didnt sell my all is dust for too cheap at 10tix
Gideon wont go as high as Jace because Jace is good in all formats, even legacy. Also, decks are likely to run 3-4 jace but decks that run gideon run 3 at most, more likely 1-2. Gideon is also not playable in legacy and probably not in extended.