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As expected, it is time for the Magic 2015 set review. Normally, I am not one to become excited about core sets, but this one looks fantastic. I have heard very few bad initial thoughts about the set, and that is rare—we may have a set to please the masses. The fact that the set appeals to so many people does mean that the total price the set singles can be worth is also a bit more spread out than usual. We can see this already in the average price of the higher-end cards, as they are slightly lower to accommodate how many midrange cards there are. This will continue on through redemption, which makes calling a card’s price more difficult. There will, of course, be the usual spikes when an undervalued rare or mythic is first discovered, and that seems to be the key to this set. Most cards that, in a vacuum, seem underpriced due to casual or fringe playability may take longer to catch on this time around, but that also opens up the window to jump in on these cards for the long haul. As I have done in the past, I am going to glance over bulk in the set; I will focus a little more on long-term picks this time around, but most of those will also be relegated to a later article.
Aggressive Mining – Bulk
Ajani Steadfast – Maybe I am overvaluing what this card can do, but that +1 ability not only puts him to 5 counters immediately, but it provides protection by giving your creatures vigilance to also have blockers. Beyond that, even two or three creatures can suddenly create a huge life swing, and that is just one ability. The ultimate is fairly subpar, but it’s also easy to achieve, and the -2—or -1—certainly plays well with other ’Walkers. The only problem I see here is that you want him in a deck with a lot of creatures, but also potentially Planeswalkers. Normally, this would not be ideal, but with the number of ’Walkers we currently have that create tokens or creatures, it is certainly feasible. I would expect him to remain in the $10 to $15 range, but I would not be surprised to see him spike if Super Friends rears its ugly head.
Ancient Silverback – Bulk
Avacyn, Guardian Angel – As great as this card seems for casual play, it is unlikely to see much if any Standard play, and given the set, it will take a while to make it to much above bulk. This is a perfect example of the category of cards I was talking about: those that have great long-term value with a large window in which to acquire them.
Avarice Amulet – Bulk
Pain lands (Battlefield Forge, Yavimaya Coast, etc.)– I expect these to act much like the core lands we had two years ago. In terms of printings, there are about the same number, and they seem to be equally playable. Expect these to range from $2 to $10 based on the format at the time.
Burning Anger – Bulk
Chasm Skulk – This card is asking to be played in Eternal formats. If it starts any traction, expect the number to rise; Standard playability alone will not be enough to raise the price.
Chief Engineer – This has almost exactly the same story as Chasm Skulk except that I believe Modern will be more of a factor, therefore raising the potential ceiling.
Chord of Calling – This card still has high demand, and even with a reprint, I expect it to settle between $8 and $10. Standard-wise, it may have a chance at times to be higher given that the originals are hard to find, and this may fit into a variety of decks. This is no Mutavault or Thoughtseize, but given the environment, it certainly could hit $15 or more.
Crucible of Fire – This is bulk for now, but it’s a great long-term pickup.
Cruel Sadist – Bulk
Garruk, Apex Predator – I love this card, but no matter how good it is, this is not likely to hold $20 or more. It is probably a two-of in the decks that want it, and I hope to have some more on that down the road, but regardless, it will probably end up in the $10 to $15 range if it sees play—and lower if it does not.
Goblin Kaboomist – I am reserving my opinion on this card until next week, but for now, it is bulk. I have heard few people talk well of it, but I feel it may be more relevant than people are giving it credit for.
Goblin Rabblemaster – This is another one of those cards that I would instantly identify as too cheap at $1, but unless Goblins is going to make a Standard comeback, that is probably about as high as it will go for now.
Grindclock – Bulk
Haunted Plate Mail – Bulk
Hoarding Dragon – Bulk
Hornet Nest – Bulk
Hornet Queen – Bulk—or slightly above
Hushwing Gryff – As much as I want this card to be $10 or more, the reality is that, much like Spirit of the Labyrinth, it will probably end up in the $1 to $2 range. The set being so good really hurts cards like this that would normally shoulder most of the midrange value. If it breaks the cycle and sees play, I would not be surprised to see it hit $3 to $5, but that seems to be a lot to ask.
Indulgent Tormentor – Here’s another card that will probably end up just above bulk. It’s potentially playable, but I think there are better options.
Jace, the Living Guildpact – I have high hopes for this guy, but now is not the time to jump in. If these drop to $5 or below, I will be picking them up aggressively.
Jalira, Master Polymorphist – She’s bulk, but she’s great for long-term value.
Kalonian Twingrove – This is yet another card that I would expect to be a few dollars but that will probably be relegated to bulk. There have been talks of this card being playable—and Nissa, Worldwaker as well—as the rest of the shell for mono-green may support that. Even with the playability, this card is unlikely to move much, just as with Reverent Hunter when it was first released.
Kurkesh, Onakke Ancient – Here’s another great long-term hold that will be bulk for now.
Life's Legacy – I think this card will see more play than most believe it deserves, but that still will not keep it much above $1.
Mass Calcify – Bulk
Master of Predicaments – Bulk
Mercurial Pretender – Bulk
Necromancer's Stockpile – I really hope this card sees play, but it currently feels slightly overpriced. Expect long-term value to make it to $5 or more.
Nissa, Worldwaker – As with most of the set, I really enjoy this card, but even if she does see play, she is unlikely to hold $20. I can see a fair and average price for her being between $10 and $15.
Ob Nixilis, Unshackled – This card singlehandedly makes me want to create a Commander deck, but unfortunately, it is unlikely to be much above bulk for now.
Perilous Vault – I believe this card is undervalued—not necessarily on current price, but on playability. I believe this has more than one home in the upcoming format, and given that it is mythic, that could easily mean the price may double. For what this does and the rarity, I feel comfortable trading for these now.
Phyrexian Revoker – This card is clearly good and has already proven itself to be Eternal-playable, which will probably keep it just above bulk unless there become major Standard applications.
Phytotitan – Bulk
Polymorphist's Jest – This is bulk or slightly above.
Preeminent Captain – This card seems very playable to me and was one I mentioned last week when I was talking about the new environment. I would not be surprised to see this card hold steady at $2 to $3 if the playability is there. After Standard, expect a slow rise back to $5.
Resolute Archangel – Bulk
Return to the Ranks – This is another card I am keeping an eye on before I pass judgment, but I expect it to settle to $1 or $2 before it rises.
Shield of the Avatar – Bulk
Siege Dragon – Bulk
Sliver Hive – This is the one card I want to be more than it is but that I know will probably not be. This card is insane for what it does, and it may make Slivers playable for a few months. If that holds true, the price may hold or even go up slightly, but given how niche the card is, I expect it to drop out of favor, giving you plenty of time to pick them up as long-term holds.
Sliver Hivelord – There is, deep within, a thirteen-year old me who remembers opening his first Sliver in Legions; it had been many years before that since such an event had occurred. Last year, I was able to experience that again, and this year will be no exception. This Sliver lord, no matter if it sees an ounce of play, will remain above $10, and if, for some reason, he falls far below that, buy in because you will never have a problem moving such playable meat hooks.
Soul Cycle (Soul of Theros, Soul of Innistrad, etc.)– No, these are not Titans. Does that mean they will have no impact on the format? I do not believe people truly understand what may be coming. This cycle with Jace, the Living Guildpact is further evidence that the graveyard is about to matter in a big way, and we should be prepared for that. Currently, Soul of New Phyrexia is the only one breaking $5, and that seems completely incorrect. At least two of these will have a major impact on the format, but I suspect that, much like the Titans, they may all have their heyday—some bigger than others—but these cards are meant to be iconic; they are the souls from each plane! I expect each to be above $5 at some point, meaning I would stray away from New Phyrexia for now, but the ones that are currently nearly bulk mythics seem like obvious buys, and those slightly above are great to obtain in trade.
Spirit Bonds – I really like the fact that this card not only protects you from Wrath effects, but it also does not force you to overcommit to them. I feel that this and a few other white cards have to be close to pushing mono-white or W/x over the edge soon. At $1, I don’t like buying in, but if you would play such a deck, it may not be a bad idea to grab your set as soon as you can.
Stain the Mind – This, like Slaughter Games, is a card that I wanted to be worth so much more than it is. The reality that is Slaughter Games saw plenty of play and still did not see any huge spikes, and I do not expect that here either.
Stormtide Leviathan – Bulk
The Chain Veil – Of all of the cards in this set, this one has certainly brought the combo player out in everyone. The card is certainly fun and may be competitively playable—though probably not. Regardless of its implications in Standard, this card will always be worth money, and after Standard pushes it out, I expect it to be one of the cards that rises most rapidly.
Waste Not – This card feels like the one that has the hardest to fall. I do not know if it will truly hit bulk just because it is the players-created card, but it will certainly be close after the initial hype wears off.
Yisan, the Wanderer Bard – I really like this card, and I certainly understand that it is no Birthing Pod, but that does not mean it still cannot give you value. Landing this early allows you to continue ramping for a few turns with mana creatures, forcing a removal spell immediately. The stats are not terrible given the mana cost, and the ability is not limited to your turn, which, in my opinion, means it at least deserves a look. Currently, he is riding just above bulk, and I will probably trade for any copies I see, but if it drops any lower, I may consider buying in, as it seems that his ability would make for a good commander down the road.
Whew! Another one down! This set looks fantastic, and for once, I do not feel that much is extremely out of place price-wise either. That wraps it up for this week, and as always, please leave any comments below, including your opinions on the set or individual cards.
Ryan Bushard
