MTG Market Experiences Price Spikes with the Release of New Card Sets

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ICARO Media Group
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23/10/2023 21h21

Much to the excitement and astonishment of Magic: The Gathering (MTG) players, the current MTG scene is filled with a flurry of activities. From the highly anticipated Doctor Who Commander decks to the Fallout First Look, and soon the release of The Lost Caverns of Ixalan, the constant stream of new content has made it challenging for players to keep up with the latest developments.

However, the complexity of the game goes beyond the beautiful artwork and intricate mechanics of each card. MTG cards are part of a vast interconnected network of powerful combinations and commander support, leaving players with a wide range of strategic possibilities. As a result, even the smallest spoiler or detail can have far-reaching implications, often causing significant price fluctuations in the market.

One such example is the rising cost of Energy cards. Energy, a mechanic introduced in Aether Revolt, has recently gained renewed attention due to MTG's upcoming Universes Beyond crossover with Fallout. During a surprise First Look livestream, it was revealed that one of the four preconstructed Fallout decks would feature Energy as a key component. As a result, there has been a surge of interest in past Energy staples, leading to substantial price increases.

Gonti's Aether Heart, considered the most valuable Energy card from Aether Revolt, has seen its price more than double. Originally priced at around $1.50, it now sells for around $3.22, with predictions of further price growth. Another sought-after Energy card, Aetherworks Marvel, has experienced an even more dramatic price hike. Once valued at just $1, it now commands a price of approximately $5.07.

In addition to the Energy frenzy, the release of the Throne of Eldraine expansion introduced a powerful card called Up the Beanstalk. This unassuming uncommon card quickly became a staple across various formats, including Standard, Modern, Pioneer, and Commander. As expected, its price has skyrocketed, climbing from a modest $0.50 to nearly $5. However, due to its uncommon status, the continuous supply from booster packs may eventually stabilize its market value.

The impact of Up the Beanstalk reaches beyond its individual price surge. Its usage in Modern has caused a notable spike in demand for other cards as well. Particularly, Evoke Elementals have become highly sought after, allowing players to cheat out expensive spells. Commandeer, after a recent reprint in Commander Masters, experienced a short-lived drop in price to $4-5, but it has now resurged to around $22, erasing the effect of the reprint entirely.

Amidst these fluctuations, the recently released Doctor Who Commander decks have also contributed to market movements. Suspend cards, which have lacked support for some time, have seen a surge in popularity due to the new Time Travel mechanic introduced in the Timey-Wimey deck. This has led to increased demand and price spikes for cards like Rousing Refrain, which saw an astonishing price increase of nearly 600% within a few days, rising from $1.40 to $8.30.

Other cards with Suspend, such as Chronomantic Escape, have also experienced significant price increases, jumping from $.50 to $4.42. These cards have become essential components in decks utilizing Suspend mechanics and synergize well with cards like Everybody Lives!

As players eagerly anticipate the release of The Lost Caverns of Ixalan, the next set in the MTG series, the market is bracing for more price spikes. The spoiler season for the set is set to begin on October 24th with the Debut Stream, followed by the full spoiler release until November 2nd. Players and collectors alike are eagerly awaiting the reveal of new and intriguing cards that may cause further market fluctuations.

Stay tuned for updates on all the new and exciting cards coming our way as we cover the latest news during the spoiler season of The Lost Caverns of Ixalan.

The views expressed in this article do not reflect the opinion of ICARO, or any of its affiliates.

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