Weekly Winners (51)

18 Dec
by Peter

This week I present you a shorter version of the Weekly Winners, because I am on Christmas holiday. Once again, I present you the cards that will be the talk of the town tonight.

 

#1 Ensnaring Bridge +65.9% ($39.99)

Ensnaring Bridge

Ensnaring Bridge spiked hard this week. And not only the 8E printing, but also the 7E and Stronghold printings spiked. All printings fell in price a little after the spike, but all three still show a big increase in price, compared to last week.

The spike seems to be a result of a speculator buyout. The card sees play in both Modern and Legacy, and it has a unique ability. But a $40 pricetag does seem a tad steep for a card that does not see that much play in those formats. It is mainly a sideboard card. There have been rumors though. Some people are brewing a All-In-Red Modern deck that can put down Ensnaring Bridge on turn 1 or 2, while (almost) emptying the hand. Leaving the opponent unable to attack you whilst the bridge remains in play.

How strong these rumors are, I don't know. I do know that an All-In-Red deck reached the top 16 of  the GP Las Vegas. But interestingly enough, it did not run Ensnaring Bridge. Check out all our recent modern decks that run Ensnaring Bridge.   

 

#2 Painful Truths +73.0% ($2.11)

Painful Truths

Painful Truths is popping up in Standard, Modern and Legacy decks. In Standard it is used in a variety of archetypes. Only the very best of the best cards are added in Modern and (especially) Legacy decks. Painful Truths is a card that can give you (at most) 3 cards for 3 mana. In the 'eternal' formats, decks won't often get that far, but drawing 3 cards is pretty strong in the mid-late game. 

In Legacy, some people run Painful Truths in Grixis Pyromancer, filling the slot of Stifle when played in the maindeck. In other cases, it is in the sideboard. With dual lands and Deathrite Shaman you can easily reach 3 different types of mana. Check out the decklist from the Finnish National Champion as an example. 

But, Painful Truths is also a bit risky to play in Legacy. Against fast decks like Storm combo, Sneak & Show or Reanimator, you need to be fast an furious in the first three turns of the game, where Painful Truths gives you mid-late game advantage. Against decks that run Wastelands, you might be in for some trouble, since players tend to attack the lands that produce the type of mana you have least of. There are many circumstances in which Painful Truths is not good enough, or not better than other cards you could play for card advantage.

 

#3 Stoneforge Mystic +4.5% ($26.33)

Stoneforge Mystic

Is Stoneforge Mystic going to be unbanned? It just might. There have been rumors and speculations that Stoneforge Mystic is not as format-warping in the current Modern as it was at the time of banning. Another big reason people started speculating about a possbile unban, is the printing of this card:

Yes, Stoneforge Mystic will be the Grand Prix promo for 2016. And why would Wizards print a card and increase the supply of a card that is banned in Modern? Just for Legacy? Some think not. To learn more about the pros and cons of a possible unban, check out these articles: 

 

Cheap Pickups

Sea Drake

Sea Drake

 

Primeval Titan

Primeval Titan

 

Misdirection

Misdirection

 

Kiki-Jiki, Mirror Breaker

Kiki-Jiki, Mirror Breaker

 

All Is Dust

All Is Dust

 


More from Peter:

Weekly Winners 2021 - 36

Just like last week, the Commander: Innistrad: Midnight Hunt spoilers are the main factor of influence on the markets this week. There are enough cards spoiled for the brewing to commence and we expect a lot more movement in the coming weeks!

Like every week, just in time for (digital) FNM, I'll now tell you about the cards that will be the talk of the (digital) town tonight!

Catalyst Stone Daybreak Ranger Oboro, Palace in the Clouds

Weekly Winners 2021 - 13

This week we saw a lot of interesting movement. Most of it caused by Strixhaven spoilers, but the old frame fetchlands spiked as well.

Like every week, just in time for (digital) FNM, I'll now tell you about the cards that will be the talk of the (digital) town tonight!

Deserted Temple Mox Tantalite Windswept Heath

Weekly Winners 2021 - 12

For the first time since the COVID pandemic hit, our interest page looks like normal for a change! Many (huge) spikes from different sets and eras. I choose to see this as an omen of better times ahead!

Like every week, just in time for (digital) FNM, I'll now tell you about the cards that will be the talk of the (digital) town tonight!

Chain of Smog Illumination Magma Sliver

Weekly Winners 2021 - 10

Somewhat of an odd week. Not really any spikes that has one really obvious or notable reason and of course still a lot of older cards moving up.

Like every week, just in time for (digital) FNM, I'll now tell you about the cards that will be the talk of the (digital) town tonight!

Selective Memory Pearl Medallion Zombie Master

Weekly Winners 2021 - 08

The most interesting week in a long, long time! Maybe I'm a but biased due to my love for Legacy, but this week that format is the biggest driving factor behind the three weekly winners.

Like every week, just in time for (digital) FNM, I'll now tell you about the cards that will be the talk of the (digital) town tonight!

Ethereal Forager Stifle Allosaurus Shepherd

Weekly Winners 2021 - 07

An interesting week, again driven by old card speculation and EDH. But we also have a special edition of Cheap Pickups, with a new way to look at cards that are (still) cheap pickups, but might go up later.

Like every week, just in time for (digital) FNM, I'll now tell you about the cards that will be the talk of the (digital) town tonight!

Shivan Dragon Sapphire Medallion Elvish Champion

Weekly Winners 2021 - 05

A strange and eventful week in the world of finance. Where you'd expect tons of cards to spike due to new brews, we mainly see a new hausse of reserved list cards being bought out. And also non-reserved list cards that happen to be MTG classics.

Like every week, just in time for (digital) FNM, I'll now tell you about the cards that will be the talk of the (digital) town tonight!

Bad Moon Death Cloud Elvish Champion

Weekly Winners 2021 - 04

Kaldheim is ready for release! The coming weeks will be filled with new brews, gameplay and strategy. This week marks the end of this spoiler season, with some interesting movers to report on.

Like every week, just in time for (digital) FNM, I'll now tell you about the cards that will be the talk of the (digital) town tonight!

Desolation Tergrid, God of Fright Coordinated Assault

Weekly Winners 2021 - 02

Kaldheim spoilers are full speed upon us! There has been no shortage of products or spoilers over the past months, but some good old Magic distraction is very welcome!

Like every week, just in time for (digital) FNM, I'll now tell you about the cards that will be the talk of the (digital) town tonight!

Rhys the Exiled Pox Ashnod\'s Altar

Weekly Winners 2021 - 01

After the Kaldheim leaks, the official spoilers have now begun! And one spoiler in particular makes its mark on the Weekly Winners.

Like every week, just in time for (digital) FNM, I'll now tell you about the cards that will be the talk of the (digital) town tonight!

Magus of the Vineyard Into the North Kaervek the Merciless