Hey – thanks for the single tips. That’s exactly what I’ve been looking for. I recently traded a Tundra for a binder. I assessed I’d be able to flip the binder and buy back a Tundra with some credit to spare. Turns out I was right. After buying a new Tundra back, I should have about $70 to play with. So these are great tips!

And where can I get the Bag of Chips?? =)

Thanks Jacob! I try to do these periodically, so have a look at my archives to see other examples of a 3 month or 12 month perspective. Most of my speculating is from a top down, economy wide perspective. I want to be riding the big trends and buying when cards are ‘on sale’. It’s a bit boring and slow, but it’s easier to implement than trying to catch the hottest spec from a GP or PT result.

Thanks Alexander! I’m a big picture kind of guy and I’m trying to apply what I’ve learned over the last couple of years. It couldn’t happen with out the feedback of the forums and the comments.

As always, Sylvain and I are basically on the same page.

I’d add Prismatic Omen as one that is flying a bit below the radar right now.

Thanks for pitching in!

Well, I would stick to the most played cards, but try to diversity by set and archetype. Diversifying by set means that you won’t suffer if there’s a flashback draft that nukes the value of your portfolio. Diversifying by archetype means you can ride out changes in the metagame.

First and foremost I would begin with the Zendikar fetch lands, but you want to be buying these on the dips. Typically this occurs in the weeks after a new set is released.

So, after the fetch lands, I will buy Scapeshift, Dark Confidant, Vendilion Clique, Inkmoth Nexus, Goblin Guide, Horizon Canopy and Grove of the Burnwillows, to name a few. The trick is to identify a good time and a good price to buy these at. Of the above cards, only Scapeshift and Dark Confidant (MMA version at the moment) present good value. The rest are almost worth selling.

Note, many of the ISD block mythics will probably see gains for playability in Modern and due to Redemption. Look to cards like Griselbrand, Liliana of the Veil, Olivia Voldaren, Geist of Saint Traft, and Huntmaster of the Fells. Cards like Vexing Devil, Restoration Angel, and Thalia might also see gains come Modern season.

Hope this helps! I don’t try to do anything fancy, just focus on the most played cards and try to buy them when they are on sale.

– Goryo’s vengeance

– Scapeshift

– Valakut

– Kiki-Jiki

– Most, if not all, of the MMA played cards that have been seen in any Modern deck (Kiki, Gifts ungiven, Aether Vial, Summoner’s Pact…)

– Nettle Sentinel

– Linvala

– Emrakul

– Bag of chips Chicken-Herbes de Provence flavor

– Manamorphose

– Master of the Pearl Trident (under 1 Tix, as it is rising now…)

– Coralhelm Commander

– Deathrite Shaman, Thundermaw Hellkite, Olivia Voldaren might be considered as well I think

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Providing a clear plan of action, qualified with facts and stats, makes this article’s suggestions very approachable. These actions are easily implemented with expectations laid out.

Thank you very much for this quality morning read.