MMA2015 Rarity Changes
Economics forum
Posted on March 15, 2015, 4 p.m. by Serendipitous_Hummingbird
So as we all know, last MMA changed rarities of some cards.
Looking at what changes were made, it seems like changes fit into the following categories:
1) The rarity didn't exist. This covers cards like Tarmogoyf, Dark Confidant, Vedalken Shackles, the Kamigawa dragons, and Vendilion Clique all upgrading to to mythic. Goyf has the flavor of a rare, while the rest feel mythic. This explains why they all got bumped up to mythic, given that during their first printing mythic wasn't a thing.
2) R&D messed up badly. This includes things like AEther Vial getting bumped from uncommon to rare.
3) Limited play. This change consists of adjusting rarities in order to help limited. Mulldrifter becomes an uncommon because it is a house in draft. A lot of uncommons that were rare back in their set became uncommon in order to encourage drafting of a certain mechanic, like suspend, or to push a tribe, like goblins.
4) R&D messed up, thought not Urza Block level. This is the most interesting part. Cards that see a significant amount of constructed play that that get bumped from common to uncommon. In this category we get things like Desperate Ritual and Manamorphose.
So my question is, what changes in rarity do we think will come in MMA2015? Personally I think we are all but guaranteed to get a Serum Visions reprint at uncommon, and I'd be willing to bet that Gitaxian Probe goes along with it. I could see a merfolk lord at uncommon, similar to mad auntie. I could also see Vengine getting downgraded to rare.
Needless to say, this would drastically alter the impact that reprints would have on prices. Will Serum Visions go down if it is reprinted at uncommon? I'm not sure it would go below $4 if that happened.
What do you guys think?
Serendipitous_Hummingbird says... #4
Nah man, "Goyf has the flavor of a rare, while the rest feel like mythic"
It's only mythic because every green deck in legacy and most in modern run 4. WotC can't just tank a 200 dollar card without incurring some serious damage.
March 15, 2015 4:18 p.m.
Serendipitous_Hummingbird says... #7
Yeah.
But things like Serum Visions feel like uncommon to me. I think that comparing it to Desperate Ritual is very valid.
It's also possible that Cranial Plating changes to an uncommon.
Fatestitcher might end up at common. I also wouldn't be surprised to see Voidslime get downgraded alongside Phyrexian Obliterator
The latter two only carry their current price tags ($7.50 and $27) due to lack of supply, not any tier 1-1.5 deck playing them.
So what will happen to expensive cards that get their price from supply rather than demand?
March 15, 2015 4:25 p.m.
I have a friend who has a knack for picking up cards right before they are reprinted. Ex. He just got Emrakul and a playset of Karn for his tron deck.
He recently just picked up some Elesh Norns so she will be reprinted for sure. :)
ChiefBell says... #2
Tarmogoyf feels like a mythic? Really. It's pretty shite in draft.
March 15, 2015 4:11 p.m.