MTG Fast Finance is our weekly podcast covering the flurry of weekly financial activity in the world of Magic: The Gathering. MFF provides a fast, fun and useful sixty minute format. Follow along with our seasoned hosts as they walk you through this week’s big price movements, their picks of the week, metagame analysis and a rotating weekly topic.

Show Notes: Sep 16th, 2016

Segment 1: Top Movers of the Week

Note: Price movements reflect posted NM prices, and may not represent prices players have paid.

Dwarven Recruiter (Odyssey)
Start: $0.40
Finish: $3.00
Gain: +$2.60 (+650%)

Amulet of Vigor (Worldwake, Foil)
Start: $13.00
Finish: $24.00
Gain: +$11.00 (+85%)

Life from the Loam (Ravnica, Foil)
Start: $50.00
Finish: $85.00
Gain: +$30.00 (+70%)

Brushland (7th)
Start: $11.00
Finish: $18.00
Gain: +$7.00 (+63%)

Treachery (Urza’s Destiny)
Start: $16.00
Finish: $24.00
Gain: +$8.00 (+50%)

Engineered Explosives (Modern Masters, Foil)
Start: $60.00
Finish: $89.00
Gain: +$37.00 (+48%)

Segment 2: Cards to Watch

James Picks:

1. Treachery (Urza’s Destiny) Confidence Level 8: $20 to $30 (+50%, 0-12+ months) Card has already plateaued a few times this year, but we aren’t ever getting a more powerful control magic effect than this, the card is on the reserved list and further gains are inevitable.
2. Aether Vial (Masterpiece Foil, Kaladesh) Confidence Level 7: $90 to $150 (+67%, 12+ months) One of the more popular cards in the series, a constant 4-of in both Modern and Legacy, and one that features open ended synergy with future creature decks. This pick is dependent on the card finding a low at this price in Oct/Nov, but James likes anything under $100 for them.
3. Thought-Knot Seer (Foil, Oath of the Gatewatch) Confidence Level 8: $20 to $30 (+50%, 6-12+ months) This is a repeat of a call James made in Episode 29, when the card was at $15. As a 4-of foil rare played in both Modern and Legacy in Tier 1.5+ decks, this has more to give.

Travis Picks:

1. Rest in Peace, Return to Ravnica, Confidence Level 8: $4 to $10 (+150%, 0-6+ months)

Disclosure: Travis and James may own speculative copies of the above cards.

Segment 3: Metagame Week in Review

This week the guys broke down some of the very interesting decks that showed up in Paris at the Bazaar of Moxen Legacy tournament (195 players).

The Top 8 included updated versions of Dredge, Death & Taxes and a very innovative RUG Opposition brew. Notable

Segment 4: Topic of the Week

The impact of the Masterpiece Series and the greatly exaggerated death of MTGFinance.

The guys break down the financial impact of the Masterpiece Series on the Expected Value of cards in Kaladesh, the expected methodology for investing in Standard cards and examine the possibility that hype driven features like Expeditions and Masterpiece actually increase the cost of Magic: The Gathering by design.

MTG Fast Finance is our weekly podcast covering the flurry of weekly financial activity in the world of Magic: The Gathering. MFF provides a fast, fun and useful sixty minute format. Follow along with our seasoned hosts as they walk you through this week’s big price movements, their picks of the week, metagame analysis and a rotating weekly topic.

Show Notes: Aug 18th, 2016

Segment 1: Top Movers of the Week

Note: Price movements reflect posted NM prices, and may not represent prices players have paid.

Greater Gargadon (Time Spiral)
Start: $4.00
Finish: $16.00
Gain: +$12.00 (+300%)

Collective Defiance (Eldritch Moon)
Start: $1.50
Finish: $5.00
Gain: +$3.50 (+233%)

Aluren (Tempest)
Start: $15.00
Finish: $45.00
Gain: +$30.00 (+200%)

Conflagrate (Time Spiral)
Start: $3.00
Finish: $7.00
Gain: +$4.00 (+133%)

Bridge from Below (Future Sight)
Start: $10.00
Finish: $20.00
Gain: +$10.00 (+100%)

Golgari Grave-Troll (Foil, Ravnica)
Start: $38.00
Finish: $75.00
Gain: +$37.00 (+98%)

Bloodghast (Zendikar)
Start: $22.00
Finish: $32.00
Gain: +$10.00 (+43%)

Segment 2: Cards to Watch

James Picks:

1. Selfless Spirit (Eldritch Moon) Confidence Level 7: $8 to $15 (+88%, 0-12+ months)Card may have a future in Modern as a 4-of in one of a couple of decks. Like this pick a lot more closer to $5, but willing to take on a few sets now.
2. Wasteland Strangler (Foil, Battle for Zendikar) Confidence Level 6: $2.5 to $10 (+300%, 24+ months) Card keeps showing up in decks despite the banning of Eye of Ugin. Eg: http://www.hareruyamtg.com/en/k/kD13518S/
3. Thought-Knot Seer (Foil, Oath of the Gatewatch) Confidence Level 8: $15 to $30 (+100%, 12+ months) Between Modern and Legacy play this constant 4-of should be able to get above $30 within the next couple of years.

Travis Picks:

1. Rest in Peace, Return to Ravnica, Confidence Level 8: $4 to $10 (+150%, 0-6+ months)
2. Council’s Judgement, Conspiracy, Confidence Level 7: $5 to $10 (+100%, 6-12+ months)

Disclosure: Travis and James may own speculative copies of the above cards.

Segment 3: Metagame Week in Review

This past weekend saw three big Standard tournaments: GP Portland and GP  Rimni, as well as the SCG Classic in Syracuse. Bant Collected Company continued to be a major force, despite not making as strong a showing at Pro Tour Eldritch Moon. Izzet Thermo-Alchemist finished first at the SCG event.

The SCG Modern Open in Syracuse was won by the latest strain of Dredge deck, featuring Golgari Grave-Troll, Bridge from Below, Greater Gargadon, Prized Alamgam and Conflagrate, all cards on the move.

Segment 4: Topic of the Week

Conspiracy: Take the Crown previews kicked off this week, with a plethora of worthy reprints including Serum Visions, Inquisition of Kozilek, Burning Wish, Phyrexian Arena, Wild Pair and Exotic Orchard. The guys theorized that IoK and Serum Visions would be most likely to rebound from a likely price decline  a bit down the road. Burgeoning foils are likely to be lovely and should see some increase in demand.

Of the new cards, Sanctum Prelate, Daretti, Ingenious Iconoclast , Arcane Savant and Leovold, Emissary of Trest have caused the most buzz so far.