Weekly Winners 2020 - 17

Well, I did not intend to let this article be a Companion special, but apparently that's what it turned out to be. Ikoria was released a few weeks ago and the metagame is slowly taking shape. However, it seems that these new "constructed commanders" are warping formats around them. Let's take a look at how the prices have changed the past week.

 

#1 Uba Mask $5.35 (+515%)

 

During the worldwide Covid-19 crisis, everyone is trying to find a way to be safe from the virus. One of the most used attributes by people is wearing a mask. Apparently, not just physically, but also in their decks. Uba Mask has jumped over 500%, which puts it above $5. So mind you that the absolute dollar difference isn't that much.

The reason is that it combo's well with Drannith Magistrate. When you have both in play, each player no longer draws cards, but exiles them face up instead. However, Drannith Magistrate prohibits your opponents from playing cards from anyway but their hand. So while this does not lock your opponents out completely, since they can still play cards that currently are in their hand, you make sure they will never draw new ones to play.

Since Uba Mask is a colorless artifact, it's easy to put into any deck that can play Drannith Magistrate.

Uba Mask	CardKingdom $2.99	TCGPlayer $5.35
Drannith Magistrate	CardKingdom $6.49	TCGPlayer $6.89

 

#2 Gyruda, Doom of Depths $10.44 (+503%)

 

Ah, companions! We've seen quite the discussions online where people claim this is a mistake made by Wizards, because a companion usually represents a known 8th card in your opening hand. Gyruda is definitely making some waves in multiple formats, most notably Standard and Legacy. When Gyruda enters the battlefield, each players puts the top four cards of their library into their graveyard. You can choose a creature with an even converted mana cost among them, and put it onto the battlefield under your control.

The combo in both formats revolve around the same principle: ramp out Gyruda and try to flip a copy- or flicker effect so you can do it all again. Spark Double, for example, has found its way in both formats since it can copy Gyruda and "ignore" the Legendary rule. In Legacy you can also find Dack's Duplicate, giving the new creature haste, and when you hit more copy effects, you can copy Dack's Duplicate, making all next copies have haste as well.

Just keep going until you've flooded the board with 6/6 (or bigger) creatures, and hope your opponent doesn't have an answer. Another, less common, win strategy is to keep going until you've milled out your opponent and pass the turn.

Something to keep in mind, is that Gyruda's ability does not care about graveyard hate like Leyline of the Void. Sure, the flipped cards will get exiled, but you still get to choose one to put into play.

 

#3 Yorion, Sky Nomad $5.00 (+205%)

 

Another companion in the top 3 this week. Yorion, Sky Nomad was probably one of the underestimated cards when Ikoria was spoiled, but it's clear that it may have a place in Pioneer, Modern, and Standard. Having a flicker ability at the ready it pretty good when you play cards with strong enter the battlefield effects.

In Pioneer we see that card in white weenie decks, playing cards like Daxos, Blessed by the Sun and Reflector Mage. In Standard we see it being played in Fires of Invention decks. You can play your first powerful spell for free, then play Yorion as your second spell for free, exiling your Fires for the rest of the turn, and having your mana available for other spells. Also returning an Agent of Treachery to the battlefield is always a strong play.

Fires of Invention	CardKingdom $0.29	TCGPlayer $0.93
Reflector Mage	CardKingdom $0.79	TCGPlayer $0.71
Daxos, Blessed by the Sun	CardKingdom $0.25	TCGPlayer $0.32
Yorion, Sky Nomad	CardKingdom $3.49	TCGPlayer $5.00

 

#4 Lurrus of the Dream-Den $24.99 (+182%)

 

Let's do a fourth card quickly, and guess what? It's a companion! By now it must be pretty clear that the Companion mechanic has a huge impact and warps formats. Lurrus is being used in Modern, Pioneer, Legacy, and Standard. Being able to re-play one of your cards from your graveyard every turn it extremely powerful.

The most notable combo is currently with Mishra's Bauble to use as draw engine.

Mishra's Bauble	CardKingdom $7.49	TCGPlayer $9.96
Lurrus of the Dream-Den	CardKingdom $18.99	TCGPlayer $24.99

 

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.

 

K'rrik, Son of Yawgmoth $6.42 - Record low and going down

 

Questing Beast $11.99 - Record low and somewhat stable

 

Leovold, Emissary of Trest $5.18 - Record low and going down

 

Leovold, Emissary of Trest	CardKingdom $6.99	TCGPlayer $5.18
K'rrik, Son of Yawgmoth	CardKingdom $5.99	TCGPlayer $6.42
Questing Beast	CardKingdom $14.99	TCGPlayer $12.00