By James Chillcott (@MTGCritic)

One of the most common misconceptions about folks involved in MTGFinance is that we are constantly manipulating the market and feeding players misinformation to help fuel achievement of our personal goals.

It has occurred to us at MTGPrice that though we dole out a good deal of advice, most of you ultimately have very little insight into when and why our writing team actually puts our money where our collective mouths are pointing. As such running this weekly series breaking down what we’ve been buying and selling each week and why. These lists are meant to be both complete and transparent, leaving off only cards we bought for personal use without hope of profit. We’ll also try to provide some insight into our thinking behind the specs, and whether we are aiming for a short (<1 month), mid (1-12 month), or long (1 year+) term flip. Here’s what we we’ve been up to this week:

Buying Period: June 29th – July 5th, 2015

Note: All cards NM unless otherwise noted. All sell prices are net of fees unless noted.

James Chillcott (@MTGCritic)

BOUGHT

So I finally landed the Big Kahuna Burger of collections this weekend, paying $14K for a collection that looks like it will end up being worth north of $30K. I’m going to be turning the handling of this collection into a new mid-term article series, providing transparency into the world of collection flipping, so keep an eye out for that on Friday this week. As such, for the first time in a long while, I didn’t purchase any singles this week, opting out entirely from the very tasty Origins pre-order opportunities to focus on the collection. I’ll be covering off potentially undervalued cards from the new set on Wednesday this week in the latest installment of Digging for Dollars. 

SOLD (Pucatrade)

• 1x Shared Animosity  @ $7.01 ($2 cost)
• 2x Mindbreak Trap @ $6.79 ($2 cost)

Just a few odds and ends I moved through Pucatrade this week.

Guo Heng Chin (@theguoheng)

Guo says:

All those below were acquired at GP Singapore.

BOUGHT

• 2x Wurmcoil Engine (Prerelease promo) at $11/per: I bought it from a friend, hence the exceptionally low price. Vendors were selling it at around this price too at the Grand Prix. These are Wurmcoils 2 and 3 for my RG Tron.
• 2x Painter’s Servant at $10/per: In my previous weekly purchases update (https://blog.mtgprice.com/2015/06/22/mtgfinance-what-were-buyingselling-this-week-june-2115/), I mentioned that I acquired a Painter’s Servant to try out it’s synergy with Ugin, the Spirit Dragon in this funky Tron build that surfaced in Tokyo a while back: http://www.mtgtop8.com/event?e=9272&d=253286&f=MO. I bought 2 more Painter’s Servants at the GP to tinker around with the ‘combo’. It’s a purely casual win-more synergy and under no circumstances should be brought to a competitive event. It’s helluva fun though. I may try and integrate the Ugin-Painter’s Servant combo into my EDH decks because I am a fun guy to play with.
• 2x Karn Liberated (MMA2015) at $33/per:  I got these slightly lower than the fair trade price from a vendor due to plain luck, something I rarely attribute good deals to but in this case, it probably was a stroke of luck. Most of the vendors at the GP kept their displayed cards in perfect fit sleeves and marked the price of individual cards on the perfect fit sleeve using marker pen. The vendor I approached dug up the second copy of Karn from their box, which was why it wasn’t in a perfect fit sleeve. She then proceeded to scribble a ’49SGD’ on the back of Karn Liberated himself, before realising that the second copy of Karn was unsleeved. It turned out that it was their last copy of Karn as well. So she agreed to give me a bit of a discount on the total purchase (the original price of the Karns were $36 each) and gave me on of the foils in my purchase for free (foil Conspiracy Silent Arbiter).
• 1x Foil Unburial Rites (Japanese) at $6/per: I‘ve read multiple accounts that UW Gifts Tron is an extremely fun deck to play, so I gave it a shot while testing for GP Singapore as I was lacking the expensive components of RG Tron. They were not exaggerating at all. While the deck is not exactly tier one, the deck was immensely satisfying to pilot. There is an incredible number of permutations of Gifts pile you could play around with and the deck could attack from a multitude of angles. I’ve decided to keep Gifts Tron as a permanent deck in my Modern repertoire and so I’ve begun the arduous quest of foiling it out.
• 1x Iona, Shield of Emeria at $10/per:  For my Gifts Tron. I didn’t have an Iona as she was quite pricey prior to her Modern Masters 2015 reprint and I was replacing her with Sundering Titan, which was not as good as I thought it would be. GPs are good place to get deals from vendors as the $10 Iona testified.
• 1x Emrakul, the Aeons Torn (Prerelease Promo) at $28/per: Another piece of RG Tron sorted out. Now to wait for a Grove of the Burnwillows reprint and I’ll be able to RG Tron-stomp my opponents. In the mean time I’ll experiment with the Mono-G Tron that showed up in a Modern daily a while back.
• 19x Snow-Covered Mountains, 3x Snow-Covered Swamps, 1x Snow-Covered Forest at $0.74 per: Another acquisition for a Modern archetype I’ve been itching to try: Skred Red. Modern cards are not easy to find in Malaysia, and could be quite expensive. GP Singapore was a great opportunity for me to grab the Modern cards I need to complete certain decks. The Snow-Covered Swamps and Forest were for EDH.
• 1x Snow-Covered Island @ $1.48 per: Another missing piece for Gifts Tron, for those rare situations where I am so desperate for a second blue source I Gifts up a Snow-Covered Island.
• 2x Magus of the Tabernacle at $0.37/per: From reader and fellow mtgfinance enthusiast Daryl (@mtgProjectZer0). Sometime ago I mentioned that I was attempting to brew a Modern incarnation of MUD. One of the version I toyed with splashed white for Ghostly Prison and Ethersworn Canonist. Taking a bit of inspiration off a Mono-White Stax deck posted here http://puremtgo.com/articles/mono-white-stax-legacy-modern a while back, I thought Magus of the Tabernacle may be a good addition. Thanks Daryl!

 

Note: The rest of the guys were quiet this week.

So there you have it. Now what were you guys buying and selling this week and why?

James Chillcott is the CEO of ShelfLife.net, The Future of Collecting, Senior Partner at Advoca, a designer, adventurer, toy fanatic and an avid Magic player and collector since 1994.

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By James Chillcott (@MTGCritic)

This week finds us in the throes of optimism over the potential of a several interesting new cards from the Magic Origins spoiler list. Compared to previous core sets, the final edition in the longstanding series looks set to add significantly more playable Modern cards to our collective deck design toolbox. Many of this week’s spikes derive directly from the unlocking of previously hidden potential, now freshly revealed due to these hot new slices of cardboard. Let’s see what we’re working with:

5 Winners of the Week

1. Gilt-Leaf Palace (Lorwyn, Rare): $2.00 to $14.99 (+750%)

Gilt-Leaf Palace is just the latest in a long line of undervalued rare lands that spend a long time in the bulk bins before one day being yanked out by a spike that reveals their true potential. In this case it was the reveal of this card in Magic Origins that finally sealed the deal:

So far I’m finding it hard to believe that Green/Black Elves is going to be definitively better than the CoCo/CoC mono-green version we have now.  Regardless, I have this silly rule about taking profits when I’m up 500%+ so I’ll be selling or trading off my small stash of this niche land shortly.

Verdict: Sell/Trade

Format(s): Modern/Casual

2. Auntie’s Hovel (Lorwyn, Rare): $3.04 to $14.99 (493%)

This land is up for similar reasons to Gilt-Leaf Palace, as the spoiling of Goblin Piledriver for Magic Origins now leaves the door open for a potential Tier 1 or 2 Modern deck that might want to splash black for discard, relevant black goblins or other tools. For those that don’t recall just how dangerous this card is, prepare to take a lesson from Goblin Rabblemaster playing with his new pal in Standard for a few months.

Also similarly, the land is unproven, the profit taking potential is high, and I see no reason to cling to more than a playset until it hits a Top 8 table.

Verdict: Sell/Trade

Format(s): Modern/Casual

 

3. Quicken (M14/Eventide, Rare): $0.99 to $3.49 (+350%)

In the case of Quicken, it is the possibility of casting an end of turn Timetwister leading into an insane combo and/or aggro turn that has people excited about the best swipe at a modern Power 9 card since Treasure Cruise and Dig Through Time. Here’s the culprit:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now, keep in mind that the last three or four attempts at printing a less broken TimeTwister haven’t really gotten us anywhere. That being said, the reduction of the casting cost vs. prior versions to 2U should not be underestimated, as it means the card can be reliably cast in the early game to refill a hand that has been intentionally emptied before the opponent has had the chance to do much of anything.  I’m definitely from the camp that thinks someone will bust this card sooner or later, and I also feel relatively certain Quicken is one of the better ways to unlock it’s power, since it’s a cheap cantrip with relatively little downside. Quicken’s spike is a big one, but I think it’s going to be tough to scrape together more than a few bucks in profit per playset, so if I were holding these (and I’m not), I’d be fine with continuing to hold for 3-6 months to see what develops.

Format(s): Modern/Legacy/EDH/Casual

Verdict: Hold

 

4. Legion Loyalist (Gatecrash, Rare): $1.99 to $5.99  (+200%)

This is also spiking on the premise of a new Modern goblin deck. In this case Loyalist is being targeted as one of the most reliable ways of ensuring that Goblin Piledriver gets in for an impressive chunk of damage since it makes blocking profitably quite difficult for your opponent. It’s a pretty recent rare, with quite a few copies still floating around, so I’m inclined to sell or trade any spares, while holding back a playset to play with in case Goblins pays off as a serious contender in the format.

Format(s): Modern

Verdict: Sell/Trade

 

5. Warren Instigator (Zendikar, Rare): $10.00 to $20.00 (+100%)

Along with the other two cards above, Warren Instigator was targeted in a widespread buyout because of the Piledriver reprinting. The idea here is that Warren Instigator is a solid 2-drop in the deck that can help gets more threats into the red zone as fast as possible. As a double up that can easily yield $20+ per set right now after fees and expenses, I think getting out is a fine move, though there may be some additional upside to this card if and when the deck proves itself.

Format(s): Modern

Verdict: Sell

 

Most of the cards that have lost the most this week are also Magic Origins related, but in this case we’re talking about cards whose prices are dropping back to reality after the initial wave of hype wears off.

3 Top Losers of the Week

1. Kytheon, Hero of Akros (Origins, Mythic): $25.00 to $17.00 (-47%)

The verdict is still out on whether Kytheon/Gideon is just another useless Savannah Lions in Standard, or a multi-faceted tool for aggressive decks to lock up the game. Regardless, I expect most of the planeswalkers to drop down towards $12-15 once the set is actually opened, with a couple of spikes later appearing as people win a major tournament or two with 1-2 of them. (For the record, my money is actually on Nissa as the breakout ‘walker.)

Verdict: Buy Under $15

 

2. Languish (Origins, Rare): $8 to 5.75 (-40%)

Languish is all set to be a major player in Standard for the next year or so, but as with most “sweeper” spells, it is already falling back towards the $3-5 range that they usually hold as rare cards. I won’t be buying my copies until they hit $4, and you probably shouldn’t either.

Format(s): Standard

Verdict: Buy below $4

 

3. Liliana, Heretical Healer: $25.00 to $19.00 (-32%)

Liliana is in the same boat as the other Planeswalkers, but I do think she has the best chance of seeing play in Modern in some kind of low casting cost creature recursion and attrition build. Because there’s no existing build where she really slots in, I’m not in a rush to get my hands on her, and I may not jump in at all until I see a solid top table result appear.

Verdict: Hold Off For Results

James Chillcott is the CEO of ShelfLife.net, The Future of Collecting, Senior Partner at Advoca, a designer, adventurer, toy fanatic and an avid Magic player and collector since 1994.

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By James Chillcott (@MTGCritic)

7 Winners of the Week

A month after the release of Modern Masters 2015 we find ourselves in one of the most frenzied periods of MTGFinance in recent memory. Despite the perception that MM2 was intended to reduce the cost of Modern cards, the true end result was to spike a plethora of cards that weren’t included in the set. 

1. Lantern of Insight (Fifth Dawn, Uncommon): $2.00 to $4.99 (+150%)

The Lantern of Insight deck came out of nowhere to Top 16 GP Charlotte, was immediately dismissed as random, and then gave everyone pause as top pros started chiming in that it seemed to be a legitimate Tier 2 contender in Modern. Without an Ensnaring Bridge on the table, the deck doesn’t do much, but it actually wins games by locking opponents out of their win conditions via top deck control. The deck needs another top table appearance to earn another spike, and it’s pretty unlikely many of us were sitting on copies in anticipation, but it might be worth a trip to your bulk bins anyway to mine a few free dollars.

Verdict: Sell/Trade

Format(s): Modern

2. Nettle Sentinel (Eventide, Common): $3.18 to $1.64 (+94%)

Elves just won GP Charlotte, and put another copy in the Top 4. The long time Legacy contender is freshly sexy in Modern on the back of Collected Company helping it to overwhelm or combo out opponents. As a key 4-of common from an older set, it’s no surprise that Nettle Sentinel is seeing some growth. If you have some lying around, feel free to out them as $4-5 is likely the peak price for the time being.

Format(s): Modern/Legacy

Verdict: Sell

3. Nourishing Shoal (Betrayers of Kamigawa, Rare): $7.99 to $15.48  (+94%)

Another fresh twist on an existing deck is the most recent Goryo’s Vengeance/Through the Breach/Griselbrand combo iteration. In this version the pilot discards a Worldspine Wurm or a Borborygmos to add further fuel to the Griselbrand engine and keep drawing cards. To be clear this brings the total spike up to about 3000% since this card was 50 cents up until just lately. Another great reason to check back stock but otherwise I’d steer clear for now.

Format(s): Modern

Verdict: Sell/Trade

4. Ancient Stirrings (ROE, Uncommon): $2.00 to $3.49 (+75%)

Red-Green Tron is another recent Modern tournament winner, so it follows that this 4-of would be enjoying a spike. The various tron decks have demonstrated time and again that they are one of the most consistent ramp strategies in the format, but I wouldn’t expect this banner uncommon to go much past $5 since it has no other home in the format.

Format(s): Modern

Verdict: Sell/Trade

5. Dictate of Erebos (M15, Rare): $.89 to $1.40 (+57%)

I’ve got a few sets of Japanese foils of this card tucked away from when it’s base price inevitably hits $4-5. It has the slimmest of chances of finding a home in some random Modern deck down the road, but mostly this is an outsider play on it’s casual/EDH playability. It found a home in a winning MTGO deck lately as a 1-2 of in Black/Green, but I don’t expect to see it rise much more before it rotates out, when it should be back in the $.50 to $1 range.

Format(s): Modern

Verdict: Hold/Trade

6. Glimmervoid (Mirrodin, Rare): $12.49 to $18.99

Affinity continues to be the Tier 1 Modern deck that never seems to win a tournament. With Glimmervoid and Arcbound Ravager last printed in Modern Masters 2013, and the deck still performing adequately, it figures that both of these archetype staples would be gaining. I figure this card has at least another $5 to gain, so I’m not in a hurry to out mine just yet.

Format(s): Modern

Verdict: Hold

7. Melira, Sylvok Outcast (New Phyrexia, Rare): $2.39 to $3.52 (+47%)

When Birthing Pod was banned, this combo enabler’s price took a nosedive, but with Collected Company reinvigorating the toolbox style of creature combo decks, she’s seeing a resurgence. With continued use, she can see further gains, so I intend to hold until $5-6 at least.

 

3 Top Losers of the Week

1. Shorecrasher Elemental (DTK, Mythic): $2.82 to $2.38 (-16%)

Those hoping for a resurgence of the blue devotion strategy in Standard have been disappointed as mid-range strategies revolving around Den Protector and Deathmist Raptor dominate the metagame. I’ve already got a few sets tucked away and will likely acquire more if it drops below $2, a fairly tasty price for a mythic rare with potential in casual and an outside chance at Modern down the road.

Format(s): Modern/Tiny Leaders/Casual

Verdict: Buy below $2

2. Dragonlord Silumgar (DTK, Mythic): $10.63 to $9.32 (-12%)

Silumgar has hit peak supply and as a card usually only played as a 1-2 of in a single deck, it’s slipping a bit along with other Standard staples. Price oscillation is likely to be within a fairly tight range so hold or trade/sell out as your needs require.

Verdict: Hold

3. Den Protector: $9.07 to $8.08 (-11%)

Make no mistake. This price shift has nothing to do with card power or play levels, and everything to do with the usual summer doldrums for Standard cards and the intense focus on the Modern format lately.  If it manages to fall below $5 there may be an opportunity, but otherwise, look to trade out during peaking interest this fall.

Verdict: Hold

James Chillcott is the CEO of ShelfLife.net, The Future of Collecting, Senior Partner at Advoca, a designer, adventurer, toy fanatic and an avid Magic player and collector since 1994.

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