Looking Back

Hapless Researcher card art

2023 is nearly in the books; it is time to take a look back at the year in Magic.

Keeping with recent trends, Wizards released a ton of product in 2023. Ignoring the digital-only releases on Arena, the main pack-based releases this year were:

- Dominaria Remastered (compilation set)

- Phyrexia: All Will Be One

- March of the Machine

- March of the Machine: Aftermath

- Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle Earth (modern legal, but not standard)

- Commander Masters (compilation set)

- Wilds of Eldraine

- Doctor Who (commander decks & collector's packs only)

- Lost Caverns of Ixalan

Except for Tales of Middle Earth, I largely ignored these, collecting some singles but not playing much. I am overwhelmed by the pace of releases and getting tired of trying to keep up (mentally and financially).

According to Card Market, here are the most-sold singles in 2023:

10. Faerie Mastermind

9. Skrelv, Defector Mite

8. Orcish Bowmasters

7. The Mycosynth Gardens

6. Venerated Rotpriest

5. Kami of Whispered Hopes

4. The One Ring (Borderless)

3. Haywire Mite

2. Up the Beanstalk

1. Lorien Revealed [and] Troll of Khazad-dum

It is interesting that 6–10 are all rares, but then the top five (really six cards) feature three uncommons, two commons, and one mythic. And four of the cards are from the Lord of the Rings set.

Personally, my year in Magic centered on the reduction of my collection. That took forever but was worth it (I think/hope). On the blog, I did the standard smattering of posts, looking at various things to include rules, artists, some favorite tribal types, lands, and 'card talk'—a new series I quite enjoyed. While I'm not quite in a sustainable structure, I'm trending that way.

My Arena stats for the year:

What will next year hold? More on that tomorrow.