The article highlights last-minute Christmas deals on Magic: The Gathering products, cybersecurity software, gaming accessories, and tech gadgets available on Amazon and TCGPlayer, emphasizing timely delivery for holiday gifting and significant discounts on sealed MTG products, gaming headsets, and Apple AirPods Pro.
The article highlights various last-minute holiday deals on tech and gaming products, including a significant discount on the Apple iPad Air with the M3 chip, gaming laptops, monitors, graphics cards, and collectible items like LEGO sets and Pokémon cards, offering substantial savings ahead of Christmas.
Wizards of the Coast announced significant bans across multiple Magic: The Gathering formats, including banning Vivi Ornitier in Standard to curb deck dominance, along with bans on Proft’s Eidetic Memory, Screaming Nemesis, and others to promote diversity and balance. Additionally, they banned Entomb and Nadu in Legacy, and re-banned High Tide in Pauper due to problematic gameplay. Several pre-bans were also issued in Historic and Brawl, reflecting a focus on maintaining format health. The next bans are scheduled for February 9th, with hopes for a more balanced metagame.
Wizards of the Coast is considering changing the rules for Hybrid Mana cards in Commander from an 'and' to an 'or', which could significantly expand deckbuilding options and increase the playability of nearly 500 cards, though the proposal is still under feedback and not finalized.
Vivi Ornitier, a popular and dominant card in MTG's Standard format, is experiencing a significant price decline due to speculation about an upcoming ban by Wizards of the Coast, with market reactions intensifying after an official statement suggesting potential action in November. Despite the price drop, the card retains value through its popularity in Commander and other formats, providing a safety net if banned.
The Stellar Sights Bonus Sheet for MTG's Edge of Eternities introduces a highly sought-after reprint of Ancient Tomb, a powerful land card, while other reprints like Terrain Generator and Sunken Citadel are less exciting, and some, like Echoing Deeps and Dust Bowl, are considered disappointments due to their low value and niche relevance. The artwork is praised, but overall, the set offers a mix of high-impact and mediocre reprints.
Recent bans in Magic: The Gathering's Standard format aimed to curb problematic strategies, but new threats like Tinybones Joins Up and persistent decks like Orzhov Pixie and Dimir Midrange are emerging as dominant forces, indicating the bans may not fully resolve the meta's issues and could lead to ongoing shifts in deck strategies.
A major Magic: The Gathering ban announcement is expected to target cards like Cori-Steel Cutter and Monstrous Rage in Standard and Pioneer, with potential restrictions on Lurrus and Stock Up in Vintage, while other formats like Legacy and Pauper are unlikely to see changes.
Today's deals focus on trading card game preorders, including Marvel's Spider-Man and Final Fantasy MTG sets, with available discounts on TCGPlayer and exclusive merchandise. Pokémon TCG products are currently overpriced at retail, but cheaper on secondary markets, with recent market shifts affecting card values. Additionally, there are discounts on JavaScript and web development books, and a promotional offer for Peacock TV subscriptions.
Leaked cards from the upcoming Final Fantasy MTG set, especially Golbez, have caused a surge in market activity, with Golbez's powerful abilities and potential synergies making it a popular choice among players. The card Mirko, Obsessive Theorist, is also gaining attention as a promising speculative investment due to increased sales driven by Golbez leaks, though its price has not yet spiked significantly.
The new MTG set, Foundations (FDN), features a mix of 50% reprints and 50% new cards, with no new mechanics, offering a stable environment for players. The review categorizes cards based on their power and utility in limited play, ranging from unbeatable bombs to unplayable options. The set includes multicolor, artifact, and land cards, with detailed ratings and insights into their potential impact in gameplay. A draft guide is forthcoming to assist players in navigating the set effectively.
The recent MTG Marvel Secret Lair Superdrop has introduced new bonus cards themed around Groot, sparking excitement and potential high prices due to their rarity. Among these, the Abundant Groot card, a Marvel crossover, is expected to be particularly valuable due to its scarcity and high demand. The collector number suggests more unseen bonus cards may exist, adding to the intrigue and potential market value.
The upcoming Secret Lair Equinox Superdrop 2024 features Laura Plansker’s Diabolical Dioramas, showcasing creepy yet mesmerizing artwork for MTG Commander staples like Aura Shards, Fiend Artisan, and Gravebreaker Lamia. The unique artwork and potential inclusions like Nethroi, Apex of Death, have garnered positive player reactions, with the total reprint value of nearly $18 making it a standout among Secret Lair releases.
The upcoming MTG Secret Lair featuring artwork by Phoebe Wahl offers stunning visuals but disappointing card choices with low reprint values, including Swords to Plowshares, Dockside Chef, Faerie Artisans, Alela, and Door of Destinies, with a combined value of under $10. Despite the appealing artwork, players are disappointed by the lack of value and questionable card selections, making it a less lucrative option compared to other Secret Lair drops.
The upcoming MTG Secret Lair Superdrop, Equinox Superdrop 2024, features a tarot card theme with four cards representing different suits in the Minor Arcana, designed by artist Rovina Cai. The cards include Arcane Signet, Sword of the Animist, Aether Vial, and Inalla, Archmage Ritualist, each with unique artwork. While the reprint value may not be high, the captivating art has garnered positive player reactions, although some have expressed concerns about the readability of the font and frame for gameplay.