Checking in With the MTG Warhammer 40k Set, Three Years Later
40K can offer us insight into the future of pricing from a set with a limited print with cards that only appear in that set, and are tied to the franchise.
Licensing for these products makes them significantly more difficult to reprint, without being reskinned or revisiting the plane.
Notably the majority of cards in this set have retained value because of Commander, scarcity, and being part of an equally collectable franchise. Supply of these cards was absorbed in a relatively short amount of time, while demand seems to have only grown.
Sealed Decks
Warhammer 40K not only brought us a series of otherworldly commanders, but also two variations of these decks. In addition to standard print versions, we saw the first Collectors Edition Commander decks with a complete 100-card surge foil treatment, alongside a higher price point.
Originally listing for close to $250, the Necron Dynasties deck was and remains the most expensive deck in the cycle, finding a stable price above $500.
The standard edition of Necron Dynasties was initially listed around $70, but currently is almost $300.
While they have both gained roughly $250 in value, the standard edition has multiplied its value over four times, and the collector’s edition has only doubled. You could also compare starting prices for each, as both sit at $200 over their initial price points.
Initially starting at $190 The Ruinous Powers Collectors Edition has seen the least amount of growth, with copies available from $260. With standard printings growing for their initial $70 to their current $165, they’ve still shown significant growth in the past three years.
The contrast in growth demonstrates the difference in the power level of the preconstructed decks, but also speaks to their desirability as collector items. This level of growth would be considered uncommon for a standard offering preconstructed deck. Being tied to another collectible franchise and in limited supply has clearly created a valuable product.
Singles
Cards that see play across archetypes and fill unique roles tend to retain value relatively well; cards with few printings that do these things tend to be expensive. Ghyrson is no exception. With a $29 price tag on standard printings and $100 on surge foils, Ghyrson is currently the most expensive card in both standard printing and surge foil.
Celestine currently sits at $20 for non-foil and $40 for the surge foil.
Reprints
Thanks to a fantastic art style and execution, the reprints from this set have held considerable value. Initially we saw low prices, but these were absorbed relatively quickly and the price grew and actually stabilized above some of its other versions. Darkness currently sits at roughly $14 for standard printings and $20 for surge foil versions.
Conclusion
The cards that are currently available only in this set will continue to grow, stabilizing at higher than average price points for similar effects. This is only likely to change with reprints, or reskins, of these cards. There being so many cards in this set, and them being specific to a franchise, makes both unlikely.
The combination of all of these things have combined to make 40k a financial success.
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Bill Bingham
Bill Bingham has spent the past decade in the throws of competitive play, travelling, and managing a collection. With expansive knowledge and deep ties to the community, he looks to share this insight. In his time away from the game, he is utilizing these problem solving skills, learning, creating, or cooking.
