I wrote about this a few weeks ago too, and the issue isn't just because there is a set rotation, but because people need to cast spells. Once scars lands go, and the standard format is goign to be innistrad block +M13 and Set 1 of new block, there's no question that the enemy duals are goign to be a fixture. That's the formula. What do people need to cast their spells. Manlands/fetchlands provided tons of competition for scars lands, and now that they're gone, scars lands are by far the best option for standard players. When next year rolls around, Unless we see new duals that trump the value of the innistrad lands, they'll be a key player in deck construction around states time next year.

Mike,

Thank you so much for the compliment! I really enjoyed writing this last one. I have an idea already for next week's article; hopefully I can find some good examples! Wouldn't be here without your vote of confidence 🙂

Sig

You definitely make a valid point. This lands trend does not always hold up. As @Chosler88 pointed out, this is partly due to the expanding player base driven by Innistrad, which drives demand of other Standard playables. Taking a step back, part of the article's purpose is to encourage readers to think more creatively in this manner in order to think of good speculation targets as a format rotates.

In general, lands are solid cards to pick up because there is normally a consistent demand while strong in a respective format. That being said, I intend to purchase Innistrad lands as they decline throughout this block's release, ready to sell for profit when Scars block rotates.

Good point. I also want to point out that's it hard to compare this year to years past, as far as card valuations go. The massive influx of new players in Innistrad (and that's more total players, not just new ones) has pushed up prices on all the Scars cards because there is simply not enough supply. This is a bit different than where we were a year ago, when the level of players stayed basically stagnant through set rotation.

Good point. I also want to point out that's it hard to compare this year to years past, as far as card valuations go. The massive influx of new players in Innistrad (and that's more total players, not just new ones) has pushed up prices on all the Scars cards because there is simply not enough supply. This is a bit different than where we were a year ago, when the level of players stayed basically stagnant through set rotation.

That said, I don't think your land theory totally holds up. It was true for the Scars lands, but only 1 of the 5 manlands held that trend – the others all continued to stay low. And don't get me started about the oversaturation of the M10 lands! Even the fetches didn't really show a price spike at set rotation – it was other factors that made those go up and down.

I'm not sure that's a hard and fast rule, though it certainly held true this time – it took until INN for SOM cards to start really peaking in value, and that is usually always true. One day there are hundreds of Wurmcoils floating around, and the next day they're impossible to find. So yeah, some cards from the last block always jump with the next one rotates in, but it's not always (or usually) the lands.

Regardless, awesome article, your stuff gets better and better.

Thank you very much for your support. Lands are definitely great go-to cards for safer investments; especially lands that see plenty of play but are still in the 2-3$ range. That will be my price target!

As for Snapcaster Mage, I definitely am keeping this guy on my radar, but I struggle to buy at 20$. If we see a Stoneforge Mystic-like dip, I will definitely grab a set. Let me know if that happens any time soon!

Sig

Carl,

Thanks for the kind words! They Titans were definitely a prime example of opportunities based on the Standard metagame. Also agree that there is still some room on the Innistrad cards to drop a bit before it's time to buy aggressively! Please keep reading 🙂

Sig