Magic Goes (Back) to MSRP . . . Sorta

Treasure token card art

In the beginning [of Magic], there were MSRPs ("Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price"). This price was printed on the pack or starter deck directly, so it was clear to consumers what Wizards expected vendors to charge. Of course, a given store didn't have to follow that, but if one was marking things up, people would know immediately.

In 2019, Wizards stopped offering MSRP for the reasons they listed in this article. That led, not surprisingly, to price variation and frustrated customers.

In 2024, Wizards announced a return to listing MSRP for Magic products. That article lists suggested prices for Foundations, Innistrad Remastered, and Aetherdrift. And subsequent releases get their own "Collecting _____" articles that include MSRP. Three other examples of recent and upcoming sets:

Final Fantasy:

MSRPs for Magic: The Gathering—FINAL FANTASY will be set as follows:

• Play Booster: $6.99
• Collector Booster: $37.99
• Commander Deck: $69.99
• Collector's Edition Commander Deck: $149.99
• Bundle: $69.99
• Gift Bundle: $89.99
• Starter Kit: $19.99

Edge of Eternities:

MSRPs for Edge of Eternities will be set as follows:

• Play Booster: $5.49
• Collector Booster: $24.99
• Commander Deck: $44.99
• Bundle: $53.99

Marvel's Spider-man:

MSRPs for Magic: The Gathering | Marvel's Spider-Man will be set as follows:

• Play Booster: $6.99
• Collector Booster: $37.99
• Bundle: $69.99
• Scene Box: $41.99

A few observations:

- Intellectual Property sets (called "Universes Beyond") cost much more; one pack is 27% more than a 'in-world' Magic release; Bundles are 32% more. As I've said previously, there is an upward trend in Magic doing IP-based sets; perhaps profit margin is one reason why.

- Though MSRPs are back, that has not stopped vendors from upcharging from the outset. Or scalpers from buying up stock from [say] Target and upcharging online. (In one local game store, I saw Final Fantasy Commander Decks selling for $90 today.) It is exasperating.

- From my prior point, do your research before buying. TCGPlayer is a good place to check for market value of a given product, regardless of MSRP. Sometimes product value swings in consumers' favor. If you know where to look.

There are two points to remember as you navigate this world:

- Buying singles is always the cheapest way to collect.

- A given product is only worth the value people are willing to pay to get it. Be patient, shop around, and don't give into the hysteria. Or scalpers.

Magic Goes to Space

This month, I'll post somewhat random reflections on Magic. Today: Magic in space.

Ten days ago, the latest Magic set, Edge of Eternities (EOE), was released. This is the first time Wizards released a futuristic sci-fi set [I don't count Doctor Who], and as you'd expect, this one focuses on space. I won't do a full set review here, but will highlight some new card subtypes or abilities featured.

Spacecraft

A new type of artifact, spacecraft require 'charging' (the game ability word is "station"), whereby you tap creatures to put counters on the artifact, and once it has a certain number, it becomes an artifact creature (enabling it to attack/etc.). Some spacecraft have abilities that benefit your side before they become creatures (see Lumen-Class Frigate below). There are 22 spacecraft in this set.

Planets

A new type of land, planets enter tapped. They have basic mana-producing capabilities, but like spacecraft, they can be 'charged' to trigger a better ability. There are five planets in this set.

Warp

Warp is an ability. It offers a different casting cost to cast the card from your hand; if you do, it goes into exile during the end step, and can be cast later from exile for its normal cost. Warp is away to temporarily benefit from an ability earlier in the game, but have it as an option to return later.

Ignoring the mechanics themselves for a moment, my mind immediately goes to the future of the game. Introducing spacecraft and planets sets up Wizards for more forays into other Intellectual Properties. Will we see a Star Wars Magic set at some point? Or Star Trek, or Babylon 5, or [pick your sci-fi show of choice]? 

Coming back to the mechanics, does the flavor or spirit of the mechanics introduced here lend itself to such forays into other IPs? In other words, would playing a Star Destroyer but then having to charge it before it can attack fit with the Star Wars theme? I'm not sure. But I think/hope Wizards does plan such things in advance, because once you introduce a card subtype, it is very hard to alter it. As they have made pushing boundaries and exploring more IPs a stated goal, my mind immediately reads into new abilities and sees if they hint at what is to come.