Weekly Update (Apr 11): Commander 2021 Decklists

This week much of our biggest finance news is related to Commander 2021 spoilers. Fable of Wolf and Owl shot up more than 300% to $24 thanks to its synergy with Adrix and Nev, Twincasters while Tempt with Reflections increased around 500% to $15 for the same reason. Thousand-Year Storm is also slowly rising, gaining 21% on the week to over $11 thanks to the magecraft mechanic in general and its synergy with Zaffai, Thunder Conductor in specific. Expect more price increases in the coming weeks as players start to build around the new legends from Strixhaven and Commander 2021. If you have some cards in mind that you need to build around a new commander or upgrade one of the precons, it's probably best to pick them up soon because a lot of other players will likely be doing the same which can drive up prices.

One thing players always ask for is more valuable reprints in Commander precon decks. Well, this year's release brought with it two of the most expensive reprints we've ever seen in the series in Hellkite Tyrant (over $30) and Thousand-Year Elixir (nearly $25), both in the Lorehold deck. In general, Wizards seems to cap the value of reprints in Commander decks in the $10-$15 range, so why does one precon have two surprisingly expensive reprints? The answer is that it was probably an accident. Wizards is often designing products months or even years before the release. A year ago Hellkite Tyrant was an $8 card while Thousand-Year Elixir was $10, and even just a couple of months ago both cards were in the $15 range. While it's great to see some expensive reprints in Commander 2021, this seems more like a fluke brought on by recent price increases rather than Wizards intentionally trying to load up Commander 2021 with an unprecedented amount of reprint value. 

Finally, even though Strixhaven hasn't even released yet, attention is already turning to the next Magic set: Modern Horizons II. Rumors are flying around about what might be in the set, and while many of them are probably false, they are still having an impact on prices. One of these rumors is that Modern Horizons II has a new cycle of no mana cost suspend spells in the vein of Crashing Footfalls, Restore Balance and Living End. As a result, As Foretold is on the rise increasing 41% to $15. If the rumors prove to be true, this could just be the start. As Foretold is a unique card, only printed once at mythic, and - by far - the best way to make a deck full of free suspend cards work in Modern. Doubling up to $30 seems very possible if free spell tribal is a hot new deck in Modern post-Modern Horizons II. Modern prices, in general, are on the rise and as we move towards the return to paper Magic, things will likely get even crazier as Modern Horizons II previews start to roll out towards the end of May. 

Biovisionary Punt | Commander Clash Moment #13	The Fish Tank: Sweet and Spicy Viewer Decks (March 29-April 3, 2021)
Biovisionary and three clones. What could go wrong? Read more	What sweet decks did viewers submit this week? Let's find out! Read more

Single Scoop: Wall Aggro (Historic, Magic Arena)	This Week in Legacy: Time for School! Time for School!
Where were you when the walls attacked!?!? Read more	Joe Dyer puts in the work at Strixhaven for Legacy! Read more

Against the Odds: Tergrid Death Cloud (Modern)	Vintage 101: College Days
What are the odds of winning with Tergrid, God of Fright in Modern, backed by Death Cloud? Let's see! Read more	Joe Dyer dives into Strixhaven for Vintage! Read more

Meme or Dream? Abzan Legends (Historic)	Podcast 323: Is Learning Gooded?
This week's Meme or Dream? deck is legendary. Literally. Read more	The crew discusses the need for spectator mode on Magic Arena, some spoiler season punts and a ton of sweet new Strixhaven cards! Read more