Weekly Winners 2023 - 46

The Lost Caverns of Ixalan hits the streets today, and we're seeing multiple cards moving because of it. Let's go spelunking!

Like every week, just in time for FNM, I'll tell you about the Magic: the Gathering cards that'll be the talk of the town tonight! Come discuss this week's price movements with us on Discord.

Articles

• Edward explores the dynamics of Magic's finance, emphasizing the increasing appeal of older cards with original borders, especially in light of expanding Universes Beyond collaborations. He offers strategic buying and selling advice, focusing on cards with potential long-term value. Discover his insights in Competitive MTG Finance #4 - More Premodern Picks.
• In Hidden Gems from Fallen Empires Adam delves into the often overlooked set Fallen Empires, highlighting four unique cards that could add unexpected twists to Commander decks. His article unearths potential in cards usually dismissed due to the set's infamy, encouraging creative deck building.
• Matt examines The Lost Caverns of Ixalan, highlighting its refreshing action-adventure theme and the inclusion of Universes Beyond: Jurassic World Collection cards. He delves into specific standout cards and their potential impact on gameplay, particularly in the EDH format, and comments on the new Cavern land type's limited financial significance. Read his detailed analysis in The Lost Caverns of Ixalan and Jurassic World.
• Gregory offers a unique perspective on incorporating Rats into Commander decks, highlighting their potential value growth and strategic play. His article, Powerful Rats for Your Commander Deck, delves into specific Rat cards and combos that could unexpectedly elevate game performance, especially for foil collectors and market-savvy players.

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Onto the Weekly Winners!

#1 Ripples of Potential $19.97 (+648%)

I generally try to stay away from spikes in cards that are released... **checks notes**... today. You have to realize that there's no physical market yet for these cards. Since it releases today, the supply will only start today, and without knowing how much of this card will enter the market, it's also hard to figure out the eventual price. Though what I find fascinating about Ripples is its price trajectory from preview to release. 

Let's look at the regular printing of the card, because the extended art version is pretty linear. When it was previewed, the card started selling for around $30. And it seems like it has actually sold for that price. Then around November 9th it came crashing down. Both the average and market values went down to about $4 to $5. But since November 14th, the market price has been steadily increasing to almost $8, but the average jumped back up to $30 again.

$1.63$1.99

Seems like Ripples of Potential has... potential. And when you read the card you can make a pretty educated guess that it may become a staple in Commander. It does a lot of things for just : Profilerate and then phase out the permanents that you have Proliferated. For example, I definitely see this card in Merfolk typal decks, especially when you have a commander like Kumena, Tyrant of Orazca that tries to put +1/+1 counters on each Merfolk. In this deck Ripples of Potential is both a pump spell and, more importantly, a protection spell. You can now phase out your team in response to a board wipe. But if this is your commander and your strategy, I'd suggest you also have a good look at Wave Goodbye.

There are plenty of Proliferate decks out there that will benefit from this card. It could also be a staple in Super-friends decks. The question is: is it worth $30? There simply isn't enough data, but the card isn't necessarily bound to Ixalan. The set is expected to be opened plenty, and with the rate that Wizards is willing to (re)print cards, I don't expect this card to hold this price.

Ripples of Potential	CardKingdom $8.99	TCGPlayer $29.69
Ripples of Potential (Extended Art)	CardKingdom $12.99	TCGPlayer $19.97
Kumena, Tyrant of Orazca	CardKingdom $5.49	TCGPlayer $7.99
Wave Goodbye	CardKingdom $1.99	TCGPlayer $1.63

#2 Grima, Saruman’s Footman $2.71 (+60%)

Let's talk about this rare from Commander: The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth. It feels like forever since the Lord of the Rings cards came out, but it was only five months ago. Since then a lot of new cards have been printed. Grima costs four mana and can't be blocked. When he deals combat damage to a player, you get to cast the first instant or sorcery spell from the top of their library from exile.

In the past few weeks in Weekly Winners we've talked a lot about cards that care about casting from exile. And thus my first thought was to look in that direction. But there isn't a single Doctor card in the Dimir colors. And, as far as a quick search showed, you can only use Vislor Turlough or Clara Oswald as a Doctor's Companion to get into the right colors to play Grima, Saruman’s Footman.

$0.95

That led me to look further, and I came across a new card from Commander: The Lost Caverns of Ixalan that may have something to do with the price moving up a bit. Don Andres, the Renegade will be released today, and is in the right colors. Don, like the good Pirate he is, really likes to plunder and cares about creatures and spells you control but don't own. Right there we see the interaction with Grima. Grima tries to cast your opponents' spells, meaning that Don Andres will trigger and you get to create two Treasure tokens.

Another card that fits in well with Don's theme is The Beast, Deathless Prince from the Doctor Who sets. The price of this Demon is still pretty stable, and doesn't show any signs of moving. Decadent Dragon may also work well within a deck with Don. 

Grima, Saruman’s Footman	CardKingdom $1.79	TCGPlayer $2.71
Grima, Saruman's Footman (Extended Art)	CardKingdom $4.49	TCGPlayer $2.12
Grima, Saruman's Footman (Showcase Scrolls)	CardKingdom	TCGPlayer $2.88
Don Andres, the Renegade	CardKingdom	TCGPlayer $0.95

#3 Court of Locthwain $3.00 (+51%)

Here is the black card from the Court-cycle from Commander: Wilds of Eldraine. These five enchantments all make you the Monarch when they enter the battlefield, and then have a triggered ability in your upkeep with an extra effect if you're the Monarch. In Court of Locthwain's case, you exile the top card of target opponent's library which you may play for as long as it remains exiled. If you're the Monarch, you get to play one of the exiled cards without paying its mana cost.

Playing spells from other players? Where have I heard that before? It seems like this also is moving up because of Don Andres, the Renegade. Why play a win condition yourself when your opponents probably have them in their decks, right?

Besides the newfound love for this enchantment, we mainly see it appear in decks that care about being the Monarch. Commanders like Starscream, Power Hungry or Queen Marchesa.

Court of Locthwain	CardKingdom $2.79	TCGPlayer $3.00
Starscream, Power Hungry	CardKingdom $2.29	TCGPlayer $1.49
Queen Marchesa	CardKingdom $1.49	TCGPlayer $0.60

Cheap Pickups

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

Triumph of Saint Katherine $5.00 - Moving up!

Triumph of Saint Katherine has been identified by the MTGStocks Premium Penny Stocks feature as a card that has reached its bottom and is starting a consistent uptrend.

Worldly Tutor (Retro Frame) $9.00 - Moving down slowly

Cultivator Colossus $8.13 - Slowly moving down

Triumph of Saint Katherine	CardKingdom	TCGPlayer $5.17
Worldly Tutor (Retro Frame)	CardKingdom $10.99	TCGPlayer $9.00
Cultivator Colossus	CardKingdom $11.99	TCGPlayer $8.02

 

That's it for this week. Make sure to check back next week for more Weekly Winners!