The Best New Cards From Thunder Junction, and More!
Thunder Blaster - Pew Pew
If you can recall a time when Wizards released a single set of cards every three to four months, then brace yourself. This month, we’re receiving a full set with two additional sheets of cards. The inclusion of non-Standard legal cards is nothing new in this case, other than a nice way of sliding reprints into the equation.
Opinions on incorporating
On one hand, it's a preferable solution compared to the backlash from
Whether you long for the simpler times in the hobby or you’re thrilled with the new selection of cards for your collection, one thing’s for sure: printing presses aren't slowing down. For now, let’s delve into the recent Secret Lair.
Secret Lair - Sheldon's Spellbook
In tribute to Sheldon Menery, revered as the godfather of Commander, we’re presented with Sheldon's Spellbook. This set of cards serves as an exemplary example of what Secret Lairs can and should aspire to be, designed with a theme in mind. Notably, 50% of the proceeds from each sale will be donated to the American Cancer Society.
Front and center is
The fluctuating price of this EDH staple is closely tied to its reprint history in recent years. With the impending circulation of this edition, one can anticipate a price adjustment, likely settling closer to the $40 mark.
Another high-value inclusion in this release is
However, my take would be that its price will continue to increase until a more pronounced and accessible reprint comes into play. Despite its niche utility, Inkshield fills a slot where it remains irreplaceable.
Completing my list for this product is
However, it's worth noting that such assumptions have stemmed from different IP cards rather than direct associations with the game itself. Consequently, there is a strong likelihood that community enthusiasm for both the Secret Lair and the included cards will fuel a gradual price increase over an extended period.
| Teferi's Protection (1691) | ||
| Inkshield | ||
| Sheldon, the Commander - Ruhan of the Fomori |
Cateran Summons You
Put away the spyglass and grab your ten-gallon hat. The
Leading the charge is
Secondly, its starting MV of one allows for some shenanigans, such as utilizing
The parallels between the two cards are evident in their pricing and their impact on the game. While Hydroid Krasis boasted a higher price pre-release, it stabilized in the following weeks around the $18 mark. I predict that Goldvein Hydra will maintain a similar price until after its release, after which it will likely climb until a reprint is provided in a subsequent set. The card's simple naming makes it easy to fit into different planes, but its most probable reprint location would be a Masters-style set or a Commander deck in the future.
| Final Showdown | ||
| Final Showdown (Extended Art) | ||
| Goldvein Hydra | ||
| Goldvein Hydra (Extended Art) |
What Was That Headline?
Mindbreak Trap’s playability is primarily associated with Vintage and Legacy, but is not limited to just those formats. An effective combo-killing measure that doesn't demand mana investment can tip the scales between victory and defeat.
However, with a single reprint now in existence, speculation looms regarding the timing of its next circulation. Personal anticipation for this card is that it will be ripe for a reprint in either a Secret Lair or in the upcoming
Serving as a direct upgrade to
| Mindbreak Trap | ||
| Mindbreak Trap (Textured Foil) | ||
| Mana Drain | ||
| Mana Drain (Textured Foil) |
Don't Turn Me Into Marketable Plushies
As a remedy for the failure that was
Banking on the word Lotus in its name but falling short in value delivery, we encounter
This pattern of thought reflects the card's price trajectory as well. The word Lotus has inflated the initial projections towards the $90 range, but the card swiftly declined to a $25 average and continues to drop. The final price will probably settle in the ballpark of $15 to $20 within the next 2-3 weeks post-release unless a combo breakthrough becomes apparent.
Currently averaging around $11.50, Tarnation Vista is beginning to stabilize in price. In scenarios when land exceeds expectations in decks, consistently generating four mana each turn, I can envision its value climbing toward the $15 mark. Conversely, if it merely serves as a versatile land that occasionally taps for one or two mana, its price will likely hover closer to $5.
| Lotus Ring | ||
| Lotus Ring (Extended Art) | ||
| Lotus Ring (Showcase) | ||
| Tarnation Vista | ||
| Tarnation Vista (Showcase) | ||
| Tarnation Vista (Extended Art) |
Commander or Standard?
To wrap up, Outlaws of Thunder Junction presents plenty of interesting cards, both in the main set and the additional bonus sheets. While the set is skewed toward Commander due to the abundance of legendary creatures, each new set shakes up the metagame.
One aspect that caught my attention during my research for this article was the price patterns observed in Enchanted Tales. If similar correlations between cards and prices manifest for the Breaking News cards, then this week might be the optimal time to make purchases. However, when looking at Multiverse Legends, their pattern was closer to an initial high followed by a modest ~10% decrease. Either way, I'm curious how the set will be received when we get our hands on it.
Join me again next time as we delve into some secrets.
Further Reading:
Matt Grzechnik
Matt Grzechnik started playing Magic with the release of Dragon's Maze. Since then he has tried and experimented with all of the formats before discovering his love for EDH and Pauper. Piloting the same Jund deck for the last 10 years, he now tries to both understand and break Sealed as a format.