Category Archives: James Chillcott

MTG Fast Finance Podcast: Episode 89 (Oct 12th/17)

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: Oct 12th, 2017

Segment 1: Top Card Spikes of the Week

Charmed Griffin

Charmed Griffin (MM, Foil Uncommon)
Start: $.75
Finish: $5.00
Gain: +$4.25 (+567%)

Quicksilver Fountain (MRD, Rare)
Start: $1.00
Finish: $5.00
Gain: +$4.00 (+400%)

Longtusk Cub (KLD, Foil Uncommon)
Start: $2.25
Finish: $7.50
Gain: +5.25 (+233%)

Hunting Grounds (CMA, Foil Rare)
Start: $9.00
Finish: $25.00
Gain: +16.00 (+178%)

Fiery Justice (MM, Rare)
Start: $3.00
Finish: $7.00
Gain: +$4.00 (+133%)

Aether Flash (7th, Foil Rare)
Start: $6.00
Finish: $13.00
Gain: +$7.00 (+117%)

Memory Jar (URL, Foil Rare)
Start: $185.00
Finish: $400.00
Gain: +$215.00 (+116%)

Search for Azcanta (IXL, Rare)
Start: $7.00
Finish: $15.00
Gain: +$8.00 (+114%)

Nicol Bolas (LEG, Rare)
Start: $27.00
Finish: $55.00
Gain: +$28.00 (+104%)

Vraska’s Contempt (CON, Foil Rare)
Start: $5.00
Finish: $10.00
Gain: +$5.00 (+100%)

Segment 2: Picks of the Week

James’ Picks:

Thought-Knot Seer

  1. Thought-Knot Seer (OGW, Rare)
  • The Call: Confidence Level 8: $7.00 to $20.00 (+13.00/185%) 6-18+ months)

2. Sigarda’s Aid (EMN, Foil Rare)

  • The Call: Confidence Level 8: $3.50 to $10.00 (+6.50/+185%, 12-18+ months)

3. Aetherflux Reservoir (KLD, Foil Rare)

  • The Call: Confidence Level 8: $5.00 to $15.00 (+10.00/+200%, 6-12+ months)

Travis Picks:

Assemble the Legion

Duskwatch Recruiter

  1. Assemble the Legion (GTC, Rare)
  • The Call: Confidence Level 9: $6.00 to $15.00 (+9.00/+150%, 6-12+ months)

2. Phyrexian Metamorph (NPH, Rare)

  • The Call: Confidence Level 8: $9.00 to $20.00 (+11.00/+122%, 0-12+ months)

Disclosure: Travis and James may own, or intend to own, speculative copies of the above cards.

Segment 3: Metagame Week in Review

The Standard meta at the World Championships was the topic of the week, as the crew reviewed the continual narrowing of the meta into Red, Energy and UBx Control strategies.

Segment 4: Topic of the Week

Travis and James took a deep dive on the state of Magic: The Gathering branding and how it might impact the future of the game.

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.

MTG Fast Finance Podcast: Episode 88 (Oct 5th/17)

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: Oct 5th, 2017

Segment 1: Top Card Spikes of the Week

Volrath's Shapeshifter

Volrath’s Shapeshifter (STR, Rare)
Start: $.80
Finish: $22.00
Gain: +$21.20 (+2650%)

Rishadan Footpad (MM, Uncommon)
Start: $0.50
Finish: $8.50
Gain: +$8.00 (+1600%)

Approach of the Second Sun (AMK, Rare)
Start: $.75
Finish: $3.00
Gain: +2.25 (+300%)

Diachan, Artful Beauty (CMA, Foil Rare)
Start: $7.00
Finish: $22.00
Gain: +15.00 (+214%)

Rishadan Brigand (MM, Rare)
Start: $7.00
Finish: $20.00
Gain: +$13.00 (+185%)

Heroic Intervention (AER, Foil Rare)
Start: $5.00
Finish: $14.00
Gain: +$9.00 (+180%)

Deathgorge Scavenger (IXL, Rare)
Start: $2.00
Finish: $5.50
Gain: +$3.50 (+175%)

Rishadan Cutpurse (MM, Foil Common)
Start: $8.00
Finish: $22.00
Gain: +$14.00 (+175%)

Hostage Taker (IXL, Rare)
Start: $7.00
Finish: $18.00
Gain: +$11.00 (+157%)

Mirari’s Wake (CON, Foil Rare)
Start: $35.00
Finish: $80.00
Gain: +$45.00 (+129%)

Segment 2: Picks of the Week

James’ Picks:

Thought-Knot Seer

  1. Thought-Knot Seer (OGW, Rare)
  • The Call: Confidence Level 8: $7.00 to $20.00 (+13.00/185%) 6-18+ months)

2. Sigarda’s Aid (EMN, Foil Rare)

  • The Call: Confidence Level 8: $3.50 to $10.00 (+6.50/+185%, 12-18+ months)

3. Eldritch Evolution (EMN, Foil Rare)

  • The Call: Confidence Level 8: $5.00 to $15.00 (+10.00/+200%, 6-12+ months)

Travis Picks:

Assemble the Legion

Duskwatch Recruiter

  1. Assemble the Legion (GTC, Rare)
  • The Call: Confidence Level 9: $6.00 to $15.00 (+9.00/+150%, 6-12+ months)

2. Phyrexian Metamorph (NPH, Rare)

  • The Call: Confidence Level 8: $9.00 to $20.00 (+11.00/+122%, 0-12+ months)

Disclosure: Travis and James may own, or intend to own, speculative copies of the above cards.

Segment 3: Metagame Week in Review

The guys talked over the most recent Standard results, pointing out the dominance of Walking Ballista, Hostage Taker and The Scarab God.

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.

MTG Fast Finance Podcast: Episode 87 (Sep 29th/17)

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 29, 2017

Segment 1: Top Card Spikes of the Week

Thran Lens

Thran Lens (UZL, Foil Rare)
Start: $1.50
Finish: $17.00
Gain: +$15.50 (+1033%)

Archenemy Schemes (Archenemy)
Start: $1.00
Finish: $5.00
Gain: +$4.00 (+400%)

Pangosaur (MM, Foil Rare)
Start: $1.00
Finish: $3.00
Gain: +2.00 (+200%)

Time of Need (COK, Foil Rare)
Start: $5.00
Finish: $15.00
Gain: +10.00 (+200%)

Morphling (UZS, Rare)
Start: $5.00
Finish: $13.00
Gain: +$8.00 (+160%)

Duress (DCI Arena Foil Promo)
Start: $25.00
Finish: $65.00
Gain: +$40.00 (+160%)

Phyrexian Reclamation (URL, Foil Uncommon)
Start: $38.00
Finish: $95.00
Gain: +$57.00 (+100%)

Hateflayer (EVN, Rare)
Start: $1.25
Finish: $3.00
Gain: +$1.75 (+140%)

Blasphemous Act (INN, Foil Rare)
Start: $9.00
Finish: $20.00
Gain: +$11.00 (+122%)

Living Wish (JUD, Rare)
Start: $3.50
Finish: $7.00
Gain: +$3.50 (+100%)

Segment 2: Picks of the Week

James’ Picks:

Paradox Engine

  1. Paradox Engine (Masterpiece Series Foil)
  • The Call: Confidence Level 8: $45.00 to $80.00 (+35.00/78%) 6-18+ months)

2. Rishkar’s Expertise (Aether Revolt, Foil Rare)

  • The Call: Confidence Level 8: $2.50 to $10.00 (+7.50/+300%, 12-18+ months)

3. Lifecrafter’s Bestiary (Aether Revolt, Foil Rare)

  • The Call: Confidence Level 8: $3.00 to $10.00 (+7.00/+233%, 6-12+ months)

Travis Picks:

Verdurous Gearhulk

Duskwatch Recruiter

  1. Verdurous Gearhulk (KLD, Foil Mythic)
  • The Call: Confidence Level 9: $7.00 to $20.00 (+13.00/+185%, 6-12+ months)

2. Torrential Gearhulk (KLD, Mythic)

  • The Call: Confidence Level 8: $15.00 to $30.00 (+15.00/+100%, 0-12+ months)

Disclosure: Travis and James may own, or intend to own, speculative copies of the above cards.

Segment 3: Metagame Week in Review

The guys took a peek at some early online results for the developing Standard metagame and discussed where things may go from here.

Segment 4: Topic of the Week

The guys plowed through a grab bag of user questions.

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.

MTG Fast Finance Podcast: Episode 86 (Sep 22nd/17): Ixalan Review with Todd Stevens

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 22, 2017

Segment 1: Top Card Spikes of the Week

Coat of Arms

Coat of Arms (7th, Foil Rare)
Start: $100.00
Finish: $500.00
Gain: +$400.00 (+400%)

Morphling (Judge Promo, Foil)
Start: $25.00
Finish: $90.00
Gain: +$65.00 (+260%)

Chronozoa (Planar Chaos, Foil Rare)
Start: $6.00
Finish: $17.00
Gain: +11.00 (+183%)

Cryptic Gateway (ONS, Foil Rare)
Start: $22.00
Finish: $56.00
Gain: +34.00 (+155%)

Carnage Tyrant (IXL, Foil Mythic)
Start: $11.00
Finish: $26.00
Gain: +$15.00 (+136%)

Aether Flash (7th, Foil Rare)
Start: $5.00
Finish: $10.00
Gain: +$5.00 (+100%)

Maelstrom Nexus (Alara Reborn, Foil Mythic)
Start: $30.00
Finish: $60.00
Gain: +$30.00 (+100%)

Segment 2: Picks of the Week

James’ Picks:

Gideon of the Trials

  1. Gideon of the Trials (AMK, Foil Mythic)
  • The Call: Confidence Level 8: $25.00 to $50.00 (+25.00/100%) 6-18+ months)

2. Spell Queller (EMN, Foil Rare)

  • The Call: Confidence Level 8: $12.00 to $25.00 (+13.00/+108%, 6-12+ months)

3. Obelisk of Urd (M15, Foil Rare)

  • The Call: Confidence Level 8: $8.00 to $15.00 (+7.00/+88%, 6-12+ months)

Travis Picks:

Cyclonic Rift

Duskwatch Recruiter

  1. Cyclonic Rift (EMA, Foil Rare)
  • The Call: Confidence Level 9: $13.00 to $25.00 (+12.00/+92%, 6-12+ months)

2. Phyrexian Arena (CSP2, Foil Rare)

  • The Call: Confidence Level 8: $15.00 to $35.00 (+20.00/+133%, 0-12+ months)

Todd Stevens Pick:

Samut, the Tested

1. Samut the Tested ( Foil Rare)

  • The Call: Confidence Level 8: $3.50 to $10.00 (+6.50/+185%, 0-12+ months)

Disclosure: Travis, Todd and James may own, or intend to own, speculative copies of the above cards.

Segment 3: Metagame Week in Review

The guys went over the results of SCG Open: Louisville, a Modern tournament where Jeskai Control took the top two slots. Spell Queller and Traverse the Ulvenwald were mentioned as relevant forward looking specs.

Segment 4: Topic of the Week

Current SCG Tour leader Todd Stevens joined the crew to break down the best and worst cards and specs from the newly released Ixalan set, including notes on Standard, Modern and EDH cards.

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.