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Magic: The Gathering |OT|
- Thread starter The Technomancer
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Okay, yeah, if you and your buddies wanted to draft or something then buying a box is cool. But if you just wanted to spend 100 dollars on m13 cards you're much better off buying singles and stuff than blindly buying a box and hoping to get your value back because as it is now, doesn't look like there will be many chase cards at all.
Yes yes we know, us foolish peons opening boxes are idiots blah blah. Some of us enjoy opening boosters. It's not just about getting specific playsets of cards for competitive play or collections, its enjoyable to open a pack not knowing what you might get.
Good point about eBay, way too many scammers online and the lack of protection for sellers is a big red flag. For smaller stuff, I wouldn't mind, but big money old stuff is crazy risky. But I'd still try to deal with someone reputable on the MTGS forums over the LGS unless they're giving me fair value; have had nothing but positive experiences there.
I wouldn't buy a box of M13. The return per pack is probably atrocious. There are, what, 2 chase rares and maybe 4 chase mythics out of what's been spoiled so far? The commons/uncommons are quite good, though, and if you're going to draft with them that also adds value.
I wouldn't buy a box of M13. The return per pack is probably atrocious. There are, what, 2 chase rares and maybe 4 chase mythics out of what's been spoiled so far? The commons/uncommons are quite good, though, and if you're going to draft with them that also adds value.
Nothing wrong with opening boosters, I love that feeling as much as anyone else. Just saying there are more cost effective ways to satisfy both needs. I think the intro packs this time around are a good deal. You get a foil monocolored legend and they're all pretty damn sweet not to mention all of them fit into fun tribal strategies for EDH or something but you also get 2 boosters to satisfy that itch.
m13 just doesn't look to have much value. 4 out of the 6 planeswalkers are reprints and even out of the new ones only Ajani will probably maintain a decent value. Half the other mythics are reprints as well and of the brand new mythics only the Baneslayer Dragon might have value.
echoshifting
Banned
Yeah pretty much. The value of individual cards is a secondary concern...especially since this is the first core set since I got back into the game. I feel like I'm missing a lot of staples, and those I have are typically old white bordered versions. I intentionally avoided stocking up on 2012 knowing I'd be buying a box of M13. I don't even have very many of the duals yet.
Not that any of that matters too much. I'd get a box either way, because it's fun. If I open half of it and am underwhelmed, I'll just set the rest aside for drafts.
I get where you're coming from but have you even tried considering the alternative? 100 dollars goes a LONG way for singles. You mention you don't have many of the m10 style duals, if you pre-ordered a playset (4x of each dual land for a total of 20 dual lands) off of SCG it'd cost you 54 dollars. Opening up 36 boosters you'll probably get one of each, maybe a second of a specific combination. There's a lot of garbage rares in this set that aren't even worth the cost of the pack they came from. That is, it would've been more valuable if you didn't open the pack rather than opening it up and getting a garbage rare that nobody wants.
echoshifting
Banned
Yes, I have considered the alternatives, thank you, and I will keep them in mind. I didn't really want to get into a big debate about my pack buying habits. I only asked if anyone had a lead on a good deal. Call me dumb, call me crazy, but that's all I'm gonna say on the subject.
Plus the smell of cards from a freshly opened booster is a nostalgia kick. Takes me back to the mid 90's just starting to play, opening boosters and not knowing any of the cards in the set, inspecting every single one and being amazed at shitty vanilla cards like 7/7's.
I've actually slowed way down on buying boosters though, getting most of my cards from playing drafts since I tend to almost always make top 4 so I walk away with a decent selection of rares.
I've actually slowed way down on buying boosters though, getting most of my cards from playing drafts since I tend to almost always make top 4 so I walk away with a decent selection of rares.
SystemShark
Member
Where have you guys had the best success ordering singles from? Channelfireball, Starcity or equivalent?
And is shipping pretty expensive?
Thanks.
Nah, it's okay man. I'm not gonna disrespect anyone else on how they want to spend their money, just wanted to point out alternatives just so you can make a clear-cut, informed decision based on all the information there is. The joy of opening packs is real and definitely is something that is very addictive.
If you do go with a box I would definitely say try to draft or played sealed with them with your friends. This way not only do you get your cards but you get to have fun with them in a limited environment where even those janky, worthless rares can be good. My group does this sometimes and we just give all the cards back to whoever bought the box.
Yeah in some ways I miss the old days of being in the dark. Not knowing cards until you went to the prerelease and opening packs was an awesome feeling. Now we get spoiled before the set is out and I'm usually like "Yawn, weak limited, weak standard."
But yeah, drafting is my go to format since I get to crack open packs and am skilled enough to usually top 4/8 enough to either make money off the draft or at least recoup the costs of it that night.
SCG is probably the best online retailer just because their quantity and quality of cards is really unmatched as well as the customer service is top notch. Because of this they command a slight premium sometimes (mostly for chase mythics/rares, less noticeable on smaller stuff) but it's worth it just for the ease of mind. I have used Trollandtoad before on prices of cards where the condition didn't matter since their prices are usually a little cheaper. ABUgames is also nice, sometimes cards can be found for cheaper but also sometimes they're a bit more expensive so shop around and compare before making an order from there. Shipping on singles is fairly inexpensive, usually a dollar or two for orders less than 100 cards.
I've always stuck with starcity because I've used them for so long and I like the layout of their site. They also tend to be very quick with getting the cards out. However you can find cheaper prices elsewhere and I hate the bullshit they pull at starcity events, asking ridiculous prices on cards because they've blocked all other vendors from attending so they can get away with gouging players.
This right here. There's a rush of excitement to see what your buddies are opening around you and what you will end up with too. It's fun to see the disappointed faces to the happy ones lol.
My own reasoning for not buying much singles anymore is because my mtg group is pretty casual for the most part. They don't put as much research as I do, so if they lose, they say I just got some card off of a winning deck online. Sticking to opening packs in front of them or drafting with them kinda handicaps myself. Don't get me wrong, I still want certain singles though lol, but with Avacyn, I've pretty lucky and have probably gotten more than my money back with the cards I've opened in packs.
I'm in Canada and use http://www.facetofacegames.com/ they are pretty much the best online source in Canada.
The Technomancer
card-carrying scientician
Not many people on here use them but I've been using CardKingdom for singles for almost six years now with no problems.
SystemShark
Member
Thanks to you both. Starcity does have a decent layout and prices are not bad.
Another question, is there a Drowned Catacomb equivalent for White/Black? All I can find that isn't crazy expensive is Tainted Plain.
Isolated Chapel from Innistrad is the equivalent but is fairly pricey because it's only had one printing (compared to 3 printings for Drowned Catacomb with the 4th printing being m13) and is in competitive standard decks right now.
The Technomancer
card-carrying scientician
Yup, you want Isolated Chapel. That's the direct equivalent. Did you mean W/B lands in general?
SystemShark
Member
That was the equivalent I was looking for. Still pretty pricey.
And Sinitar, I'm now assuming Starcity doesn't ship to Canada if you are using a Canadian dealer. Facetoface seems way more expensive then Starcity. Although, from what I can tell on the site, they do ship internationally.
Any reason you use facetoface?
And Sinitar, I'm now assuming Starcity doesn't ship to Canada if you are using a Canadian dealer. Facetoface seems way more expensive then Starcity. Although, from what I can tell on the site, they do ship internationally.
Any reason you use facetoface?
I'm working on a pre-Boros White Weenie/Red Aggression deck in anticipation for Return to Ravnica. Once I get some more Avacyn/M13 when it comes out it should start looking more solid. The idea is to get smaller dudes out first to block/push the aggro, then slide in the angels (and using Moonsilver Spear) to flying awesome victory.
I have a lot of fun with it.
I have a lot of fun with it.
Little Old Man
Member
I was thinking of putting together a quick and simple elf deck from the cards I have, possibly buying a few singles to complete it. Most is still standard, though a few aren't, in particular the Leatherback. Any similarly cheap powerful cards in standard that could replace it?
4x Llanowar Elves
4x Gladecover Scout
2x Elvish Archdruid
2x Leatherback Baloth
2x Ezuri, Renegade Leader
3x Ezuris Archers
3x Acidic Slime
4x Rampant Growth
3x Titanic Growth
2x Leyline of Vitality
2x Lure
23/24x land.
So basically a mana ramp deck, with cards such as TG, Archdruid, and Ezuri to boost stats quickly. Good starting point? What else should I add in/take out given I'm still a fair number short of 60 cards?
4x Llanowar Elves
4x Gladecover Scout
2x Elvish Archdruid
2x Leatherback Baloth
2x Ezuri, Renegade Leader
3x Ezuris Archers
3x Acidic Slime
4x Rampant Growth
3x Titanic Growth
2x Leyline of Vitality
2x Lure
23/24x land.
So basically a mana ramp deck, with cards such as TG, Archdruid, and Ezuri to boost stats quickly. Good starting point? What else should I add in/take out given I'm still a fair number short of 60 cards?
Zaraki_Kenpachi
Member
I'd definitely have 4 archdruid, it's pretty much a must. Have 4 green suns. The only non-elf I used was primeval titan to thin the deck and I had hardly any pump spells, they just were desirable. I've tried splashing white only for gavony township which can be good for weenies also. If there's more I remember I'll let you know.
I'm from Toronto and have ordered from ChannelFireball, Starcity, and Troll & Toad. All are reliable sites, but I use CFB mostly now since they have a nice store layout and are consistently lower-priced for singles pre-orders than the competition. Shipping is roughly $3-$4; you can do a test on CFB's site and get a quote. I've never once been charged duties despite my orders regularly exceeding the $20 limit.
Looking at Facetoface's site, they seem to price singles slightly higher than average across the board, and don't stock singles as well as the US sites. I can't imagine they charge much less for shipping, and I've seen Quebec dealers charge tax on eBay, so they're not giving me compelling reasons to order from them. One benefit might be that you'll receive your cards quicker, though that depends on your proximity to QC and their own turnaround speeds for orders.
Another Canadian alternative is www.RancoredElf.com - this guy actively follows market trends and will price accordingly, but he doesn't really maintain stock. I've never ordered from him personally, but he has a good rep around the MTGS forums.
Looking at Facetoface's site, they seem to price singles slightly higher than average across the board, and don't stock singles as well as the US sites. I can't imagine they charge much less for shipping, and I've seen Quebec dealers charge tax on eBay, so they're not giving me compelling reasons to order from them. One benefit might be that you'll receive your cards quicker, though that depends on your proximity to QC and their own turnaround speeds for orders.
Another Canadian alternative is www.RancoredElf.com - this guy actively follows market trends and will price accordingly, but he doesn't really maintain stock. I've never ordered from him personally, but he has a good rep around the MTGS forums.
Shipping for singles within canada is .99 at F2F fyi.
Zaraki_Kenpachi
Member
Well they just use tcgplayer, it's really not anything to do with magiccards.info.
I use Magic Assistant, to keep track of my collection and plan my decks. There are tons of different programs out there, though, both locally and web-based.
Well, yeah, I just find the search function way easier to use
WanderingWind
Mecklemore Is My Favorite Wrapper
Hell no you can't do that. Unless he had another card that allowed him to do so.
Hah, no that would be the most broken thing ever if you could do that. lol
narcosis219
Member
If your creature had "Sacrifice a creature: X", then yes, that is a completely legal move. You can sac the creature itself.
No, you can only sacrificing when dictated by another card or effect.
That does remind me of a play I made when I first started playing. I had some terrible black deck with some creature that (I think) could sacrifice itself to give another creature a +1/+2 counter. Not knowing how things actually worked, I proceeded to do this with every creature I played from then on in that game, thinking that now all my guys could do it. I ended up with a giant guy that eventually won it, but neither of us questioned the play.
WanderingWind
Mecklemore Is My Favorite Wrapper
So....just bought a motherfucking house.
Anybody want to buy a shit ton of cards?
Anybody want to buy a shit ton of cards?
I don't think I can afford the stuff you have that I want.
But dear god do I want to buy some cards from you
But congrats, regardless
WanderingWind
Mecklemore Is My Favorite Wrapper
I don't think I can afford the stuff you have that I want.
But dear god do I want to buy some cards from you
But congrats, regardless
Thanks! I'm scared shitless! Weeee!
Do they charge tax on orders? If not, might go to them for small purchases.
divisionbyzorro
Member
Oh hey. I totally just sold my house. High five!
WanderingWind
Mecklemore Is My Favorite Wrapper
Nice! I'm going from a 2 bedroom apartment on the beach to a 5 bedroom, 2 story house. My monthly payments are going up 600 bucks a month and that's it.
Still, scary as sheeeeiiiittt.
WanderingWind
Mecklemore Is My Favorite Wrapper
Thanks. Anytime any of you are in the area, feel free to stop by! I'll throw the coffee on for you Haly.
siddx, you can sleep in the garage.
Nope doesn't look like it.
PM me a list of what you got!
WanderingWind
Mecklemore Is My Favorite Wrapper
PM me a list of what you got!
Bro. You know me. Is it in Standard? I have a playset.
Zaraki_Kenpachi
Member
I see I'm not cool enough to be invited to the WW sleepover. :'(
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