Eternal Magic on Sale
Written by Shortfatfriend, aka Jay
Hello Durdlemaniacs! I entered Magic's eternal formats on a meager budget. I got into Modern when Wizards of the Coast (WotC) first announced it as format. There was no way I could afford a deck with Thoughtseize, Liliana of the Veil, and Tarmogoyf.
As I slowly grew my collection, I watched great Legacy players every Sunday via Star City Games (SCG) tournament streams on Twitch. I wanted a piece of that sweet Legacy-staple action; WotC puts them on sale; pay attention when they do. My article series is about knowing what and how to buy cards with a focus on reprints.
Legacy
Multiple decks use Retrofitter Foundry. In 2022; it set players back $40 each as it was a mainstay in Urza's Saga's toolbox. It was reprinted in the Aetherdrift Commander deck and its price has plummetted to less than $2.
Retrofitter Foundry Decks
- Stiflenought
- UW Standstill
- Ninjas
- Pox
- My buddy Tony has tried reworking Pox for the past three to four years. I sent him this list to find the missing piece needed to bring into Magic's modern era.
- MonoW Initiative
- I love Initiative Stompy. A few years ago, my friends and I started a Legacy group. Many newer players struggled to acquire Reserved List cards and kept track of decklists that don’t any. MonoW Initiative is on my Archedeckt for those seeking a decklist sans Reserved List.
- Hogaak
- A graveyard-based strategy that isn't Reanimator or Oops! All Spells. Hogaak, Arisen Necropolis it is currently on sale. The Aetherdrift reprint also dropped the price. Mystery Booster 2 offered a white-border, rage-inducing version, which I love.
- Iconic Masters: $5.88
- Aetherdrift: $0.87
- A graveyard-based strategy that isn't Reanimator or Oops! All Spells. Hogaak, Arisen Necropolis it is currently on sale. The Aetherdrift reprint also dropped the price. Mystery Booster 2 offered a white-border, rage-inducing version, which I love.
Cards to Watch
- Dryad Arbor went from $15 to $4 but is trending up.
- Wasteland from Tempest remains $33. The new Mystery Booster 2 version is $14.
- Special Guest version of Chrome Mox has not dropped in price as much as I anticipated; down 10% while I was hoping for 20-30%.
To get into Legacy on sale, know what cards to avoid until they are reprinted, which typically lowers prices. I tried to build Death and Taxes (DnT) but knew a Rishadan Port reprint was coming. I picked up Stoneforge Mystics while waiting, but held off for that at-the-time $115 Rishadan Port. Rishadan Port dropped to an all-time low, and Stoneforge Mystic shot up.
The Do Not Buy List
- Ancient Tomb is on my shortlist. It's most reprint was in Lord of the Rings as an alt-art version.
- Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth sees play in Legacy, Modern, and Pioneer but its due for a reprint.
- Candelabra of Tawnos is at an all time high but its price has been all over the place. It's Reserved List, so there's no reprint on the horizon, but with so much price movement, steer clear unless needed to play Mystic Forge Combo.
Until next time, Excelsior!
No Reserve List Legacy Lists
About the Author
Shortfatfriend was introduced to Magic during Legends and excited for The Dark. His favorite cards were The Hive, Living Wall, and Preacher. He played casual “cards I own,” where the only rule was no attacking for the first hour.
Shortfatfriend stopped playing after The Dark until Duel of the Planeswalkers on the Xbox brought him roaring back. He is a Legacy community builder with his loving group Eternal Thirst and has instilled the Legacy bug in two of his three kids. He once won a game of Magic, or so the rumor goes.
Featured image: Bazaar Trader by Matt Cavotta