Top Picks From the Karlov Manor Commander Decks

Four Detectives

Commander: Murders at Karlov Manor introduces four new Commander decks, each reflecting upon a theme from the main set. Comprising of 45 new cards and a diverse selection of reprints, the product maintains a familiar formula established in recent set releases. Despite the less than astonishing value, the decks remain balanced in terms of pricing, giving them ~15% variance currently, depending on the retailer.

When it comes to gameplay dynamics, no single deck overtakes the others, as each deck presents a unique set of strengths and weaknesses. From my perspective, the Revenant Recon deck stands out slightly as providing a robust structure and components tailored for a reanimator strategy, incorporating valuable support pieces and premium removal options.

Double Jeopardy

Exploring some of the noteworthy reprints in the set, let's delve into Fiendish Duo, a card that has consistently evaded reprinting since its debut. A staple in Commander decks, particularly to players emphasizing a damage-based strategy in red, Fiendish Duo is finally reaching more affordable prices. Though its attachment to a creature makes it less resilient than its enchantment counterparts, the recent reprint has pushed its price down to around $31 from the original Game Night 2019 version's peak of $41. With Commander deck copies currently averaging under $4, now might be the opportune moment to acquire a few copies before they rebound in price.

Continuing the trend of Simic cards as engines, Koma, Cosmos Serpent, originally from Kaldheim, had a single set print run, causing its market price to hover around $13. The reprint has significantly lowered the price to $4, providing a window for potential stability before a gradual increase over time. Koma's current appeal lies in its position as one of the top-end cards in Pioneer decks focused around Atraxa, Grand Unifier, establishing consistent token generation and control options.

Fiendish Duo	CardKingdom $2.99	TCGPlayer $3.00
Koma, Cosmos Serpent	CardKingdom $4.49	TCGPlayer $3.76

Dead Weight in White

Recent efforts to bolster white's standing in Commander continue with Unexplained Absence and Trouble in Pairs. Both cards offer scalable value relative to opponents, but are hindered by their own restrictions. Unexplained Absence, a removal card, gains value with more players in the game, yet exposes players to potential card advantage for opponents via face-down cards which could be better or worse than the removed threat. Currently priced at $7, its ceiling is likely closer to $12-$17.

Meanwhile, Trouble in Pairs serves as a creatively powered-up version of Smuggler's Share, demands the player keep count during the game while offering a means to contend with opponents who may be gaining more value on their turns. Priced at $22, its popularity may be temporary, given its limited impact unless opponents are actively gaining advantage.

Unexplained Absence	CardKingdom $5.99	TCGPlayer $7.32
Unexplained Absence (Extended Art)	CardKingdom $6.49	TCGPlayer $6.45
Trouble in Pairs	CardKingdom $25.99	TCGPlayer $29.59
Trouble in Pairs (Extended Art)	CardKingdom $25.99	TCGPlayer $35.00

Clues with a Punch

My honorable mention goes to an underrated card in the set, Merchant of Truth, which combines resource generation on an evasive body with a secondary use for Clue tokens on the battlefield. Though not a flashy game-ender, it’s a nice inclusion in decks embracing the aristocrat theme. Currently priced under $1 and on a downward trend, this combo piece may see a spark in interest after some testing and play, potentially rising to a $5 average.

Merchant of Truth	CardKingdom $1.29	TCGPlayer $0.99
Merchant of Truth (Extended Art)	CardKingdom $2.49	TCGPlayer $1.20

Pennies on the Dollar

The Commander series excels in making staple cards more accessible through ongoing reprints. This was shown in the past year with cards like Toxic Deluge now hitting $7 despite wide Legacy play and a previous high of $40. Jeska's Will, Reanimate, and Necromancy, previously higher-priced cards, have found their way onto the chopping block with this release. While this benefits players, it also raises concerns about potential value loss for other cards. With higher-priced reprints becoming commonplace, there is a growing need for players to invest in deck upgrades to safeguard against value depreciation.

With the release of this product, the distinction between a recommendation for seasoned or new players becomes blurred. Some decks contain several notable cards that would make for fine pickups for either playing or disassembly, leaving a lasting impression in the sea of products and the imminent Commander-specific release.

Toxic Deluge	CardKingdom $7.99	TCGPlayer $7.08
Jeska's Will	CardKingdom $19.99	TCGPlayer $16.99
Reanimate	CardKingdom $11.99	TCGPlayer $9.99
Necromancy	CardKingdom $9.49	TCGPlayer $7.50

Join me again next time as we cast instant spells at sorcery speed in the Winter Superdrop 2024.

Further Reading:

Hidden Gems for Voja, Jaws of the Conclave

Top Picks For Murders at Karlov Manor

New Cards for Commander From Murders at Karlov Manor