Cheap and Gothic
Once again, we start the year with another Remastered set, continuing a three-year streak. Innistrad Remastered doesn't stray too far from the formula established by its predecessors; it’s a blend of reprinted cards alongside new treatments. While I can appreciate an influx of certain previously scarce reprints hitting the market, the set overall offers little substance or standout features. Much of the main set feels underwhelming compared to the presale hypes surrounding the Borderless and Showcase Treatments.
That said, the appeal of Remastered sets is focused more on nostalgia and the draft experience rather than monetary value. However, many of the set’s highlights - such as Snapcaster Mage, Griselbrand, and Liliana of the Veil - have already been reprinted in recent years. As a result, their inclusion here feels less impactful, as prior reprints have already diminished their overall value.
Art of Terror
The Showcase cards represent a strong design space in this set, offering quality reprints and alternative art to some previously scarce cards. The Showcase style closely resembles the Duskmourn Bundle Movie Posters, adhering to the same horror aesthetic. These cards pair well with the legendary creatures in the set, which is no surprise given that’s where the majority of the financial hitters are hiding.
At the top of the list is Emrakul, the Promised End, with a presale price exceeding $100 due to reprint scarcity. Originally printed in a single Standard set and later as part of a limited Secret Lair run, the card’s value has fluctuated relative to its performance in Modern. With three new versions now available, the Showcase edition is poised to maintain its value as the preferred premium version.
Meanwhile, Edgar Markov is a fresh reprint and the prime Vampire typal commander. Previously the card's only downside was its high price of entry which averaged $107 before the reprint announcement. Following the news, the price on this legend has already adjusted to around $70. Edgar also serves as the set's poster boy, boasting the only serialized card of the set, limited to just 500 copies. The Showcase version is reminiscent of the Judge Promo version, which will likely retain a similar premium value, ranging from $100-$120.
Upgrades, People, Upgrades
The Borderless treatment is also quite flashy, offering refreshed takes on some of the heavy hitters from the previous Innistrad-based sets. While the artwork on these cards isn’t as experimental as the Showcase designs, it captures the gothic horror essence of the set. For many players, these Borderless cards will be the preferred option for upgrading their existing copies, adding a touch of visual flair to their decks.
One card that has surprised me with how much it has grown in value is Cryptolith Rite, which displays a stark contrast between the US and EU marketplaces. In Europe, the card has seen a very light lift in value over time, with copies trending around six euro, while the American retailers have it closer to $15. Over the last five years, Cryptolith Rite has increased significantly in value, being propelled by EDH play and lack of reprints. For me, the card always tended to be a bit slow, demanding a wider board to shine, making sweeper effects more rewarding for opponents.
An unexpected choice for the Borderless treatment is the Cultivator Colossus, now featuring haunting new artwork. While this card also has a strong appeal in EDH, its wider relevance is limited. Prior to the release of Bloomburrow, it was a staple in the Modern Amulet Combo deck, however, demand for Cultivator Colossus has been inconsistent. The card wasn’t highly sought after until supply began to dry up over the last year. With that in mind, I would advise against holding onto copies if opened; instead, sell them while demand is relatively high.
Cost of Escalation
Two more cards from the set have caught my attention. The first is Gisela, the Broken Blade, which has seen an unreasonably sharp price increase over the last five years. Once averaging around $10, its price has climbed as high as $30, despite limited play outside of EDH. I believe the spike has been driven by a combination of factors, from a lack of reprints and its inclusion in the 99 of many Giada, Font of Hope decks, which have popularized Angel typal in recent years. Regardless, Gisela the Broken Blade is a welcomed reprint, as it will start to bring its overall price down and introduce more players to the Meld mechanic.
Another great addition to the set is the inclusion of Hermit Druid. Banned in Legacy and primarily played in EDH, Hermit Druid serves as an engine for moving cards from your deck into the graveyard. Utilized mainly in graveyard-based strategies, it has seen a resurgence in price over the last two years, climbing rather quickly to $21. Given the continuous support for graveyard-focused cards, Hermit Druid will grow in price as it remains one of the best options for efficiently fueling such strategies. After the set’s release, it will probably take a small dive towards $15 before bouncing back and slowly increasing in subsequent years.
Return or Rerun
Innistrad Remastered is an odd product. It assumes to bank most of its sale potential purely on the nostalgia players feel for the original Innistrad set and setting. However, it fails to deliver value beyond cards that have only received limited printings in the past. One can’t help feeling that the set is missing an element akin to the Shock Lands from Ravnica Remastered.
With that in mind, players who enjoy this kind of drafting experience will find themselves right at home with this set. For the rest of us who are not convinced whether this product is something that we want to sink money into or speculate on, I would give it a quick pass. There simply isn’t enough here to compel me to speculate on singles or long-term value from the sealed boxes.
Join me next month as we explore why red paint makes you go faster in Aetherdrift.
Further Reading:
Price Movements After the Modern Bans and Unbans
