Expensive Cards that Aren’t Worth it in Casual Commander | Save your Money!

The Commander's Quarters is your Magic the Gathering source that helps you Command Your Budget! Today Eddie joins Mitch to talk about Expensive Cards that Aren’t Worth it in Casual Commander!
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[@Jakk3113]

I sold my imperial seal for $400 10 years ago, I got it from a $1.99 portal 3 kingdoms pack back in 1999. 😂

[@curtisnielsen1399]

I have seen so many cars I bought between 2004 and 2013 when I played more the prices skyrocketed. Maybe even just to like $8, but I started when fifth dawn was released and bought lots of artifact boosters from there, mirrodin, and darksteel. Skullclamps were in like every booster. Now I have dozens worth $8 a pop.

[@jumpsteady1777]

Cards are expensive for reasons, make sure that reason is relevant to you. But I don't like the argument of "low chance to draw it". The idea is to slowly upgrade all the cards you want. If you've upgraded 28 cards, now there's a huge chance to draw the cards you've bought...if you evaluate every card as "I'll rarely draw it" you'll never get anything good. Let's say the average casual commander game goes 8 turns and you use 2 card draw effects. Open hand + 8 draw for turns + Let's say you drew 4 cards. 19 cards. You could fundamentally say you have a 20% chance to see a given card each game now. Which actually is a reasonably good chance. If we are going to focus on a single card.

[@kdash2657]

I just proxy everything thats 30 bucks or more. I know my limit is still high but I have one at least lol.

[@blankspace178]

Not judging you, just asking, do you ever plan on playing in an official tournament? If so, investing in a handful of mid-cost cards is worth it. Spending $120 on a fetchland set will open up tons of plays for you, or you can buy one Mana Crypt, same advantage.

[@rene5871]

BROKE

[@kozad86]

I feel like I’m playing against a cheater when there’s proxies at the table, ngl. I can’t justify my feelings other than I was willing to invest in the cards while the other person wasn’t. 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@rene5871]

yeah poor people gotta ruin it for everybody who actually put in the work and bought real cards. Also, personal question: I didn't wanna spend 5k on a timetwister and I never play tournaments. Does the 30th anniversary count as a proxy in your mind?@@kozad86

[@DocHudson420]

@@kozad86you spent tons of money to buy a piece of a cardboard to play a game. There’s nothing wrong with not wanting to drop hundreds of dollars to buy some paper with text on it…

[@ImadeGodmybitch]

Thank you Mitch and Co. for showing us that you don't need to win the lottery in order to play this format, because honestly that how I felt at first from watching channels like the Command Zone and IHYD where they always seem to play the really expensive "staples" like Dockside Extortionists, Mana Crypts and "fetch lands" et cetera. I don't make new decks very often, so I allow myself a bit more leeway in terms of budget, but I try to keep it under $100. My only deck that went over that budget when I bought it was my sliver deck (around $140 dollars or thereabouts) and that is honestly a lot cheaper than what it would've cost before, because this was after Commander Masters that had a lot of sliver reprints which brought their prices down significantly.

[@johnnoreau3570]

Fetches aren’t even expensive. I’ve got half of them in playset. Misty rain forests were $17 a piece. When I bought my scalding tarns they were $75+. They’re roughly $20 If your budget is $100. Couldn’t you take that same $100 and buy a playset of an expensive fetch or at least a few in the colors you play? Everyone says fetches are expensive but they really aren’t when compared to other cards. I pulled a borderless ancient copper dragon. That sits between 60-80 dollars easily. If I had a choice between fetch’s or that. I’d say fetch’s are quite a bit more reasonable wouldn’t you?

[@ImadeGodmybitch]

@@johnnoreau3570 Expensive is a relative term. I realize comparatively fetches aren't as expensive as say Alpha dual lands, or even cards like Mana Crypt and Grim Monolith, but the only reason I allow for $100 or under is 1.) I'm not making a new deck every other week (or even every month) so I feel okay investing a little extra. And 2 .) Sometimes there are cards I want to get for a deck that are in the higher price ranges ($10 or a little more). So I feel a $100 ceiling is sufficient for keeping to an overall budget while allowing some room to splurge here and there. I mean investing in some fetches over some time may be worth looking into, but we'll see. Right now the next deck I want to make is K'rrik, Son of Yawgmoth.

[@Jlizard27]

@@johnnoreau3570this just seems like you trying to flex, not actually trying to be helpful.

[@TheLeander21]

This might sound like an insult but it's not! I really appreciate that the volume of the videos are usually high. I have very bad hearing and a lot of KZbinrs are afraid to make their vids too loud and even if I have my volume at max, I can't hear it well. I can always hear your vids. Thanks!

[@slavetophage1688]

Overwhelming forces is $36 Judge Promo, it also has been updated to only kill "target opponents creatures". Still not worth $36...

[@dominicdemarco871]

Bought Roaming Throne for my Lord of the Nazgûl deck and it was so worth it.

[@Dr.AculaMD]

Went straight into my sliver deck. I agree worth it.

[@izzyskeemy]

​@@Dr.AculaMDI wanted to buy one for my First Sliver this confirms I will

[@Dr.AculaMD]

@@izzyskeemy Can't go wrong with double cascade.

[@izzyskeemy]

@@Dr.AculaMD that's facts ima buy it forsure

[@mrconroy4672]

@@Dr.AculaMDGoing to my sliver deck as well.

[@MrMarbles0Xecution]

Great show! It was interesting hearing you talk about how cards are differently valued between competitive 1v1 versus 4 player.

[@jek15origami]

Love these duo episodes and the dynamic they bring! Thanks for helping out us budget players!

[@Nose4a2]

If you cycle your hand 3 times a turn, you can see your entire deck multiple times in a game

[@karndrogo]

I bought rot hulk for my zombie deck, it was certainly a sad sad mistake for me. My pods typically have more than four players so I get a lot of things back but by the time I manage to get him out it’s either too late or he came in from a mass reanimation spell

[@spitfyre530]

Aesi is my commander from my first precon I ever bought. I have loved and tended this commander for years. It’s an 8 power level now lol

[@mrnixon2287]

mana vault is solid, mirror breaker too. that treasure token can come in handy and cloning non legendary creatures is jam. i understand the money value is a lil hgh for casual games, esp with mana vault, its outside most ppls budgets and can be replaced or proxied easy enough.

[@XionXLR8]

The thing is if you were to put any one individual powerful card in your deck like say mana crypt, it alone won’t make much of a difference. Mainly due to variance in 100 card singleton. It’s once you begin fill the deck with these cards and mulligan accordingly is when the differences become noticeable.

[@Shoyro]

I got all of the Swords of X and Y to go into my Knight deck. I won't remove any of them as that is a theme deck.

[@1FooFighter2]

Who’s your commander if I may ask ?

[@bradhunt3562]

​@@1FooFighter2 probably Gwyn, drawing cards on easy double strikers and killing dorks I reckon it's fine

[@Shoyro]

@1FooFighter2 it is Syr Gwen. The deck is bladed equipment and Knight Puritan (as in Tribal but 100% of all creatures are knights)

[@MetalPheonix]

I'm surprised for Overwhelming forces, that you didn't bring up Decree of Pain. Talking about overpriced cards, there should also be some mentions of other cards with similar effects. I personally won't proxy a card, but i'm not really opposed to others that do. I possess a box of 12 decks that don't have a price limit, I just upgrade them whenever I see a new card that I want for it. But I also have a box that has decks that have different price limits, 2, 5, 15, 25, 37, 50, and most recently a deck where everything had to be 2 dollars or less.

[@writingresearch]

Pretty sure Xenk was part of the secret lair and Thember was the secret bonus card. I bought two of them and coincidentally it's the only secret lair I've ever purchased. I'll also point out Wizards recently announced they weren't planning on doing any universes within cards anymore because 'people didn't want them' in their polling.

[@christhompson8003]

Overwhelming forcrs - if you really need that card get "decree of pain instead" same mana cost but hits all creatures and draws cards. It also has a cycle incase you just need to take out one creature

[@700Ezalb]

Tarnished Citadel might be worth it in a Darien, King of Kjeldor deck or something similar

[@user-kt2db1ep7e]

Always choose 3 when playing chalice in casual edh. Statistically, it will shut down the largest number of cards that way.

[@monkeyturds789]

Just noticed the card Idolized in the new set is $8ish and there's Angelic Exaltation, Which does the same-ish thing, for $.10. I feel the $7 savings is worth the 2 additional mana

[@alilhard]

For Tarnished citadel there is at least 2 decks I know of that really really want it, and it's not for the mana fixing lol

[@MentalCrusader]

6:22 I can't find any instants and sorceries that allow me to cast a spell from my graveyard in mono blue for only two mana and instant speed

[@alovely4478]

There is a sorcery, flood of recollection

[@MentalCrusader]

@@alovely4478 It's not instant speed though

[@jayjayhooksch1]

I generally agree that expensive cards usually aren't worth it in commander because your odds of seeing a 1-of in a given game are low, but I don't think that argument holds up for the fetchlands, or most lands for that matter; You will see lands more frequently than other card types because you will mulligan hands that don't contain them. For that reason I think lands should be given a little bit more leeway when it comes to budget considerations. Especially fetchlands since they offer so much utility from mana fixing to tutoring non-lands (Mystic Sanctuary, Witch's cottage etc) and even filling your graveyard for value (Threshold, Delve, Descend, Revolt etc).

[@nicholasromero2084]

I have an esper casual edh deck and I say fetchlands are still really worth it. Does their concept of casual equates to budget-friendly?

[@jacobguy3343]

I bought a doubling season for myself for christmas in december for my Gimbal deck i have never drew it lol

[@nicholasjohnson2304]

My limit on cards is about $5 per before I just proxy them. I still like supporting card shops but I also don’t want to pay $500 bucks to play casual

[@anniati174]

I spent $20 on sword of body and mind green/blue the damage makes the opponent mill 10 cards plus creates a 2/2 green wolf token.

[@curtisnielsen1399]

I have the same feeling about cards on whether it will really improve the deck that much, but with cards like $2.50 - $10. Never bought a single over $20 and only like 2 over $10. My favorite deck which i am less stingy with (likely most expensive), Moxfield values at $160 if bought from TCG

[@syctheofsymphogear4290]

Well, i have an Grixis Ninjtsu Deck, where i play Thassas Oracle and i have won 1 Time with her, just because of Mirror March

[@jerryskinner6119]

2:10 Theres an 8% chance in your first turn every game that youll see your expensive card in commander. I am okay with those odds.

[@ohnosmoarlulcatz]

The cards tend to be expensive because of their potentially game breaking effects. Smothering Tithe, Land Tax, and Rhystic Study are are valuable because of the multiple turn value that they can generate. I consider the Swords on similar terms. They have multiple turn effects that can completely change the balance of the game. The same goes for those tutor cards that are essentially ways to either have multiple copies or a way to thin the deck. The main reason why you shouldn't have them in casual commander is mainly because of the power levels of the decks. I feel this is what makes aristocrat style decks so powerful in casual as well. Most decks just aren't fitted with reliable ways to counter them either.

[@thecreed926]

Gotta disagree with you in sorin, imperious blood Lord. Turn 3 cheating a 4 cmc or higher vampire is the ideal play. Late game it's a turn where you can cheat out a big vampire still. Also really good when you're vampires have good etb like Nirvana revnant, nirkropolis regent, patron if the vein, or Olivia crimson bride. Its worth it's quick death too just to progress your board stare for less mana that I think it's worth it if you want to splurge. If you're on a budget then I get it for sure. But if it's the 1 expensive card in your vampire deck, it's worth it.

[@Basaraassassin]

Sword of fire and ice is a top tier in any boros/equipment deck , they lack draw so this is really important for our boros decks.

[@jameskirkland6916]

Ereitte of the charmed apple is looking great in budget land

[@johnnoreau3570]

14:08 I just run vampiric. Sure it was like $40 but worth it when necessary

[@honeybeeees6666]

Please help, my Chulane deck now has an average card cost of $15.60 even including basic lands, and it just keeps getting worse every time i buy a pack. Send help!

[@CajunJynx]

Solid proxies are like $4 each. All my RL cards cost me less than $30 combined.

[@davidreeves4165]

Mirror breaker puts in a LOT of work in my slimefoot and squee deck... 100% worth it

[@DemonicTutor666]

As edh is purely casual, I just proxy anything more than 4 bucks. I get very high-quality proxies that look legit and do not care at all what my opponents think because they won't know anyway. That being said, i will never play a deck that is leagues ahead of everything else at the table unless they want me to. Limiting yourself to a budget is great, but dont price limit yourself on cards. Just proxy! Play the cards you want to be playing.

[@gilliganallmighty3]

When you cast Demonic Consultation, name Demonic Consultation. Nothing says you can't name a card to get a copy of its self.

[@Jeldert]

Rot hulk is amazing. Just gonna put this out there.

[@TheSushiandme]

Lol i bought 90% of all these cards in the pass 3 months 😂😂😂

[@krunchyapples]

I've just never understood why snapcaster is so expensive when a card like archaeomancer mage exists. Also when the fukc did Aesi get that high??!?

[@wadewilson5712]

the over priced cards you can just proxcy but have a limit , for me its 3 cards not counting lands like triomes and such

[@kozad86]

That looks suspiciously like a Skinny Puppy logo on that cap.

[@dasgepunktet2426]

100%.

[@jslrnzrbntn]

Title made me click instantly

[@ImOutYonder]

Overwhelming forces is just a shittier decree of pain

[@crusnik_0014]

Not me spending 80.00 usd on a meathook massacre extended art foil.😅

[@CajunJynx]

*Casually looks at my pet deck filled with full art/extended art and foils*

[@helmkekitsune813]

Am I the only one watching this to build a shopping list?

[@Brandon-Is-Not-Fooled]

The chances you draw those 0-1cmc mana rocks or mana dorks in your opening hand or when you need it to get that 1 or even 2 turn ahead advantage and that will give you a win in the end is pretty slim to none, in Cdeh or edh commander. Almost seems silly to spend that much for such little odds.

[@paull.9884]

Allied fetch prices should tank with MH3

[@user-if1gh4xl5h]

only if people continue to buy the set for 2+ years. until recently, mh2 was the best selling set of all time. that set was purposely juiced, so the set kept selling on the chase cards, and wotc kept the printers running.

[@jaykay3784]

While they are very well reasoned arguments, I wonder if they're just trying to drive us away from these cards so they can build their own decks for cheap. 😮 I'm just kidding 🎉 This is great info.😂

[@jakeythehobo3034]

Is the guy on the left Corpse Husband?

[@mitchcieslak9476]

mana vault is stupid, id take a gilded lotus over it any day of the week

[@Fighting_irish493]

I’m sorry asie is very good in commander

[@bryanprillaman1857]

I don’t like proxies. But I don’t assume you are a bad person because you use proxies. I will assume you are a bad person if you use counterfeits

[@zeleros4027]

This video is essentially just saying cards have alternatives to them or don't fit into commander very well.. Not a whole lot is actually discussed here, and it's really lame. I think it's quite evident by the first card you brought up. You picked a random card from a long time ago that isn't even that powerful in commander just to say that cards are sometimes expensive because they haven't been reprinted. You discount the sword cycle because they don't completely stop removal as if that is all there is to it. What kind of logic is that? Is protection overall a bad mechanic because it doesn't stop all board clears? You use similarly weak logic for fetch lands. Fetches aren't worth it because their best targets are also expensive? You don't have to fetch specifically a triome or shock land. You can still pull all sorts of lands from the deck, like the new surveil lands, and still fix your mana more efficiently. Yes, there are alternative options, but your commentary is empty and pointless. Your comment's on Aesi amount to it's generic and boring. What a joke. You could have taken a handful of cards and really talked about why using them isn't necessary and then discussed alternatives and why those could potentially be better. Instead you both made a nearly 44 minute video rambling off a bunch of expensive cards and saying nothing meaningful about them.

[@somebodyelse7451]

Get a job. Put in the overtime and buy the real thing.

[@gorgon0905]

Is Eddie your boyfriend? 😊

[@jargeentoo]

“Casual” commander doesn’t exist, soooooo... yeah.

[@magwaaf]

Lmao no, I'm not making my deck suck intentionally