Thursday, April 09, 2015

Project: Zer0 Speculation - Which Dual Land Cycle in MM2015?

We know that every expansion set would more or less include a cycle of mana fixers; be it in a variation of dual lands or some sort of utility lands. So for Modern Masters 2015, it's no different. There will be some sort of mana-fixers that will be reprinted. However, question is, which one?


Shadowmoor - Eventide land cycle seems to be a very likely candidate; the fact that it's a very attractive target is because it is used in Modern as a 1-2 off in certain decks. It is also hovering in a price range between $20 - $30, which is likely to be the most expensive cycle of lands in Modern so far. Shocklands and Fetchlands saw their dip in prices to below $20 in average, despite having saw more play and demand. Sure, it is because both shocks and onslaught fetchland cycle saw a reprint, which drove the prices down as it is for the moment, but it would go up eventually. Okay, I digress. But, the point here is that since this land cycle is used in Modern format and it's fetching a relatively high price tag. It seems to be a good target for reprint to keep the lands affordable.


I was talking a few people on topic of which dual land cycle they would expect the land cycle from Shadowmoor - Eventide block. Little did this set actually came across their mind. Actually, Future Sight land cycles (both rare and uncommon cycles) did not come across my mind as only 2 of the 5 land cards saw heavy modern play, namingly in RG Tron and Boggle decks, Tolaria West in Bloom Titan and Dryad Arbor in GW hatebears, Boggles and maybe variants of Abzan decks. 
However, do note and be aware that this land cycle does exist in Modern. While I personally would think that the Shadowmoor - Eventide cycle would have a better chance of seeing reprint, I wouldn't be surprised that some of the lands in this cycle see reprint as a separate rare by itself. Keep in mind that Dakmor Salvage was reprinted in Modern Masters back in 2013 as an exclusion of any cycles, so seeing Dryad Arbor and Tolaria West reprints without being incorporated as part of the land cycle of the set is not surprising.

Notable Mentions:

Fetchland Cycles (ZEN): Highly doubt so. The onslaught cycle saw reprint in Khans of Tarkir, so these will see reprint soon but not in a supplement set. It would most likely be in Magic: Origins or in the Battle for Zendikar set.

Worldwake Manlands: There is a slim chance for this to see reprint, but I would think that this suits better in the Battle for Zendikar Set or maybe future sets which somewhat utilizes lands, like another Zendikar plane storyline. Then again, if this is reprinted, it wouldn't be exactly surprising. Just that I won't expect to see this reprinted in Modern Masters 2015.

Tuesday, April 07, 2015

What I bought and why? [23 march 2015 - 7th April 2015]

A pretty short update for this. I just think I want to log down what I have bought and the reason for buying it.

Cards purchased
Prices per piece
4x Anafenza, the Foremost (Foil) 
$18.00
1x Wooded Foothills
$12.00
11x Rest in Peace
$2.00 
1x Anger of the Gods
Trade with Gaea's Revenge 

Anafenza, the Foremost is a bomb in 2 formats; Tiny Leaders and EDH. She is also seeing some play in certain variants of Abzan decks. This is more for a long-term holding rather than a quick buy/sell. I would think that getting it to  be around $30 due to casual and Tiny Leaders demand would not be far-fetched by next year.

Wooded Foothills is pretty self-explanatory. Fetchlands are the best bet to buy in for any eternal formats. I'll expect it to stay at around the $30-$40 range since its a reprint.

Rest in Peace is meant to be a long-term holding card. It's like Stony Silence, which has spiked to $4-$5 recently and it's all due to Affinty and Tron decks in the Modern meta. Similarly, we can expect Rest in Peace to slowly and eventually, rise up to that price when the meta calls and when the time is right. 

Anger of the Gods is a much better card to hold as compared to Gaea's Revenge.

Monday, April 06, 2015

Project: Zer0 Speculation - Noble Hierach, Linvala, Elesh Norn in MM2015?


Noble Hierarch.... an overpriced mana dork.. Don't get me wrong! I love this card and honestly speaking, she is one of the most powerful mana dork after Deathrite Shaman.. But, at the price tag more than most other more useful utility spells and creatures... I'm a bit skeptical with the current price tag (as of writing) to be its right price tag for the card. I did write an article explaining how ironic and exaggerated some card prices are and on that topic, I did mention in comparison of this to Snapcaster Mage, Deathrite Shaman and Cryptic Command. Now that I've made my point, which is exactly why a reprint would be great for this card. 


Linvala is a great card which has seen play in certain builds running white. With the recent release of Siege Rhinos, most Abzan decks would run the latter over her now. Hence, I won't expect the price to be that high after reprints. Even without it, the reduction of usage will eventually lead to the decline in the demand. Still, Linvala was still used in the Format and honestly, I think that a reprint of Linvala is definitely a welcome by many.
There we have it; the grand-empress. Since FRITES took off in standard, she has been taking down decks on her own. Modern saw her presence in Gifts decks and sometimes Legacy maybe I think. Overall, I love this card a lot and I first witnessed her power in EDH, and then gradually in Modern, when I acquired my second copy. Elesh Norn is not exactly a modern staple, but she is definitely a modern powerhouse in the right decks.