Rotation happened a week ago, but the prices have been on the downturn. We know that the dip in prices for cards that are rotating starts about six months before the actual date, and the data bears that out.
So with rotation in the rearview mirror, let’s talk about a few cards with Commander appeal that are at their lowest point in a while, and if they are going to go lower or if we should be buying now.
As always, two caveats: First, reprint risk is very real on these. We’re a couple years old, we’re out of Standard, and any/all of these on a Special Guest, Secret Lair, or other reprint avenue is ranging from ‘eventually, sure’ to a lock. I’ve chosen popular cards and those are the most likely to gather attention and wallets. So be aware.
Second, keep in mind that EDHREC is not a perfect data source. It’s only the folks who have bothered to fill out their decks online. I don’t have any decks on there, as an example. It definitely misses a lot of the casual players, so while it’s useful data, it’s not ironclad nor infallible.
Sheoldred, the Apocalypse (pack nonfoil $60, 172k decks) – Let’s take a beat and look at the chart for Sheoldred in pack nonfoil over the last year:
Between incipient rotation and Standard being as aggressive as possible over the last nine months, Sheoldred has been left out of being four-ofs all over the place. Doesn’t stop her from being one of the best cards at a Commander game, since there are plenty of decks optimized to draw boatloads of cards at a moment’s notice.
As much as I want to buy in on Sheoldred, I don’t think she’s done falling. I also can’t choose between the many premium versions available, though if you’re looking for a deal, the Phyrexian-language one is the cheapest of all. Reprints on this seem inevitable, but even so, this is a backbreaker of a card and if you need copies for decks, get them with my blessing. We might hit $50 or even $40 for this before the reprint.
Silverback Elder (nonfoil $5, 57k decks) – Triple green is hard to do but this is a card that gets out of hand quickly. All you have to do is cast creatures, and you either gain lands or you’re Disenchanting all over the place. Both are good, and worth doing. This is just one of the mose useful cards to have around, and if you can cast it, this is a card they don’t bother reprinting and it’s $10 by next summer.
Leaf-Crowned Elder (nonfoil $2.50, 51k decks) – A little bit of a flier here, but with us heading back to Lorwyn soon these might be one of the elves that dodge reprints in SPG or Commander decks. Wizards generally prefers to give new toys, rather than use reprints lots of the old ones, because new cards means more boosters sold. It will happen that Elf decks get popular again, and when it does, you’ll want to have a whole stack of these ready to sell to the eager pointy-eared players.
Loran of the Third Path (FIC foils $19, 196k decks) – This is so much fun to use in Commander, it shouldn’t be legal. First, you get value just on the cast, blowing up something annoying. But then the politics come into play, and you get to decide who is worthy of getting a card with you. My personal favorite move is ‘attack this person, and I’ll give you a card’ which just feels right.
We’ve got the Final Fantasy reprint foil to chase here, and even if you don’t like PSOne-level CGI, we’ve learned to never underestimate FF collectors or those who like a waifu.
Haywire Mite (foil $1.50, 111k decks) – We get more and more ways to search up 1-drops, and while Urza’s Saga is among the most busted of these, what really puts it over the top is that this exiles instead of destroys. Can’t hit creatures, but get that The One Ring out of here! This will be a Secret Lair inclusion, but until then, this feels like a card that ends up as a $5 foil. Get yours now.
Tocasia’s Welcome (FEA $5, 102k decks) – There’s a lot of variations on this theme in Magic, but as an enchantment, you can get this into play and have it stay easier, furthering the snowball. Keep in mind tokens count, and you can do this for other players’ turns too. Don’t restrict yourself when there’s no real reason to do so.
Gwenna, Eyes of Gaea (FEA $7, 79k) – The push for five-color goodness means that this sort of enabler gets better and better. I don’t see this as a big Elf piece, as most Elf decks don’t have high-power cards that would untap Gwenna, but more of a standout in decks with lots of colors and a desire to jump ahead in mana. The FEA is the most special version out there, so enjoy.
Conduit of Worlds (FEA $7, 170k) – We’re seeing Crucible decks all over the place, and this goes right into those. We’ve gotten several cards that want to play lands from the yard, and this allows you to do more from the yard if you don’t do anything from the hand.
Solphim, Mayhem Dominus (Oil-Slick Foil $38 ,115k as commander and card) – Every pinger, every bit of incidental damage, all of it adds up fast when this is around, and given the different versions, I like the unique art here best. It didn’t fall much in special versions at rotation, but it’s still a good pickup.
Faerie Mastermind (pack nonfoil $10, 195k) – Another card with the sort of graph we’re looking for, plus the already-present Commander appeal.
No need to explain how good this is, but it’s up to you if you want to go after the regular nonfoils at $10 or the FEAs at $17. I think the regulars will hit $20 way before the FEA gets as high as $40, but if some combo pops up, it won’t matter at all. Pack foils are just about the same price as nonfoils, so that might be the right play. No wrong answers here! Remember that at its peak this year, pack nonfoils were going for $25+, so we’re getting in at the right time regardless.
Breach the Multiverse (FEA $7, 125k) – The less special versions aren’t that much cheaper, and so I’d say go for the FEA ones. This is a combo and a half, and I know there were decks using this in Standard, though not always to strong effect. This goes wild in Commander, just watch out for the Etali decks.
Ozolith, the Shattered Spire (FEA $11, 146k) – We’ve gotten several sweet versions of the original Ozolith, and this should get some too. Until then, though, since the FEA is close in price to the regulars, get a little special and stock up.
Cliff (@WordOfCommander at Twitter and BlueSky) has been writing for MTGPrice since 2013, and is an eager Commander player, Draft enthusiast, and Cube fanatic. A high school science teacher by day, he’s also the co-host of the MTG Fast Finance podcast. If you’re ever at a GP and you see a giant flashing ‘CUBE DRAFT’ sign, go over, say hi, and be ready to draft.