Weekly Winners 2019 - 26

Spoiler season for Core Set 2020 has ended, and the entire set is known. For a "lower powerlevel" core set, we've seen some amazing cards. However, we also see cards spiking from the aftermath of Modern Horizons. So, just in time for FNM, I'll now tell you about the cards that will be the talk of the town tonight!

 

#1 Yixlid Jailer $4.95 (+597%)

 

With all the Core Set 2020 violence going on, I didn't expect to see Yixlid Jailer spike. It is mainly spiking because of, you probably already guessed it, all the Hogaak, Arisen Necropolis decks running wild in Modern. If you want to stand a chance in Modern tournaments, you either have to play Hogaak Bridgevine or make sure you're able to beat the deck. The spike on Yixlid Jailer is an immediate result of this, since its unique ability hoses most cards in the graveyard based deck.

There is, in my opinion, something to consider though: is it better than for example Leyline of the Void, Rest in Peace, or Surgical Extraction? If you've resolved these cards, even when destroyed later, they have at least achieved something: exiled cards from the graveyard. Yixlid Jailer may hit most cards, but if it's removed, your opponent's graveyard is still filled with goodies. Being a Wizard and a Zombie might give it some extra appeal, since those are popular tribals, but I don't see this being a big upside in Modern.

It seems like the card was mentioned during one of the Star City Games VS Live! matches with Bridgevine by Ross Merriam and Todd Anderson. But to be honest, I don't see this price sticking.

Yixlid Jailer	CardKingdom $1.79	TCGPlayer $4.95
Rest in Peace	CardKingdom $9.99	TCGPlayer $8.94
Leyline of the Void	CardKingdom $16.99	TCGPlayer $17.84

 

#2 Aria of Flame $6.50 (+531%)

 

The Modern Horizons rare has found a home in Izzet Phoenix decks in Modern, but also sees (mainly sideboard) play in Modern storm decks.

Sure, your opponent will get 10 life, but it's not that hard to offset this. Let's do a little of math! Once Aria of Flame is on the battlefield each spell played after is going to do a little bit more damage. The first spell will do 1 damage, but the second one will do 2, etc. Adding this up: 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 = 10 damage in only four spells, meaning you've already made up for the 10 life. Since your game plan is to play three spells anyway to get Arclight Phoenix into play, it is actually worthwhile, and don't forget that each additional spell is going to hurt much more. Aria of Flame has shown to be a powerful card, and is replacing Pyromancer Ascension in these decks.

Last week Gerry Thompson posted an article titles "Izzet Phoenix Isn't dead", with Tariq Patel responding with a sideboard guide on Twitter, sparking extra interest into the archetype.

In Modern storm decks, Past in Flames decks to be more specific, Aria of Flame mostly comes out of the sideboard to get around graveyard hate.

Pyromancer Ascension	CardKingdom $5.49	TCGPlayer $5.79
Arclight Phoenix	CardKingdom $22.99	TCGPlayer $20.49
Aria of Flame	CardKingdom $7.99	TCGPlayer $6.50

 

#3 Sigarda's Aid $7.35 (+387%)

 

Now here's a spike based on a card in Core Set 2020: Colossus Hammer. That's a big hammer for only , but unfortunately it does cost a whopping to equip. And that's exactly where Sigarda's Aid comes in to bring that cost down a bit.

In a magical Christmas-land we could have the following game sequence:

• T1: Plains, Kor Duelist
• T2: Plains, Sigarda's Aid, Colossus Hammer, equip to the Kor and swing for 22.

It's a fun little combo, but outside of casual play, I don't think we'll see this competitively. Not too long ago, we already saw a spike from Magnetic Theft, and his price went up a bit again because of this.

 

Kor Duelist	CardKingdom $0.35	TCGPlayer $0.24
Magnetic Theft	CardKingdom $4.99	TCGPlayer $5.12
Sigarda's Aid	CardKingdom $4.99	TCGPlayer $7.35
Colossus Hammer	CardKingdom $0.49	TCGPlayer $0.46

 

Cheap Pickups

Please note: for our 'record low' we consider the price of the card over the past 7 years. Many cards have been even cheaper (a) decade(s) ago. Also note: some cards are still going down, and might be even cheaper pickups next week.

 

Lightning Bolt | Currently $17.16 | Foil: $25.93

 

Hear me out here! I agree that $17 for a Lightning Bolt doesn't seem like a cheap pickup, but I was actually kind of surprised that the price for a full art bolt is this low. Not only that, the foil versions are only slightly more expensive. I know that when this card was announced a lot of people were really excited, so this may actually be a decent time to pick some up.

 

Tarmogoyf | As low as $48, market price below $40.

 

Goyf again? Yes, goyf again. I can't get over how low these cards are going. Every time I think they must have reached their lowest point, they go a little bit lower. So if you wanted to get these, you can, but they might even dip more since they've fallen out of favor.

Tarmogoyf	CardKingdom $54.99	TCGPlayer $74.58
Tarmogoyf	CardKingdom $44.99	TCGPlayer $49.98
Tarmogoyf	CardKingdom $44.99	TCGPlayer $47.99

 

Upward trends

Just a few cards I noticed are upward trending, and may (or may not) continue this trend in the future. Just to give you a headsup and check your collection.

Ghostway

 

Reforge the Soul

 

Kindred Discovery

 

Sol Ring

 

Ghostway	CardKingdom $19.99	TCGPlayer $12.99
Reforge the Soul	CardKingdom $7.49	TCGPlayer $5.48
Kindred Discovery	CardKingdom $19.99	TCGPlayer $15.00
Sol Ring	CardKingdom $4.99	TCGPlayer $5.22