Assistance with MTGO Economics
Economics forum
Posted on June 29, 2015, 11:11 p.m. by CanadianShinobi
As many of the T/O Regulars know, and for those of you who don't, I play Magic using MTGO. One fun fact is that MTGO often has cards at lower prices than its paper counterpart. Enter everyone's favourite Modern creature: Tarmogoyf.
As it stands, the MM 2015 version of this card is currently sitting around at 50 dollars each. I have just enough in my collection to sell off and buy a playset of Tarmogoyfs. The trade off is that I will be sitting with nothing to play online, unless the MM 2015 version increases in price.
Basically, I would like your opinions on whether I should take this opportunity to invest in this card and then slowly rebuild my collection, or simply sell the playset off should (or when) the price rises again.
TheAnnihilator says... #3
It's easier to get 4x Tarmogoyfs over time than it is to rebuild a collection over time. My 2 cents.
Also, I will say you will probably get more from playing with the cards you own for the next year or whatever than whatever money you'd make over time in a Goyf investment -- even if they're $50ea.
June 29, 2015 11:27 p.m.
CanadianShinobi says... #4
Well I should clarify, it's all the valuable cards which as of right now are Standard material.
June 29, 2015 11:30 p.m.
NoPantsParade says... #5
I'd definitely trade in the standard stuff for Tarmogoofs.
June 29, 2015 11:33 p.m.
Well, if you don't mind not playing Standard for a while, then go for it. Tarmogoyfs aren't going down anytime soon.
June 29, 2015 11:36 p.m.
TheAnnihilator says... #7
As long as you retain some Modern/Legacy stuff, I'd definitely trade the Standard stuff it in for Goyfs, no question.
The whole Standard thing is a pretty big factor. xD
June 29, 2015 11:40 p.m.
Named_Tawyny says... #9
Do it. And then enjoy playing Origins limited for a while. =)
June 30, 2015 8:35 a.m.
SpartanCEL says... #10
Always try to trade standard stuff for modern stuff. Unless you plan on grinding standard, thats how you do it!
June 30, 2015 11 a.m.
PasorofMuppets says... #11
Is not being able to play magic for a while worth a mild return of investment? Why not use that money/tix to pick up a cheaper modern deck instead, like Merfolk? Based on Merfolk's current paper performance and price trajectory, I don't see those cards going anywhere but up.
Keep in mind the highest the first MM goyf ever got was slightly above 100 tix, and that was months and months after it was released.
June 30, 2015 11:16 a.m.
CanadianShinobi says... #12
TheHorse the nice thing about goyf though is I can either use it or turn it in later. I just dumped standard stuff for it, so it's no big loss. I'm in a bit of a slump anyway. Even if the goyfs give me a minimal return in the near future they'll still give me my investment back should I decide what I want to build.
June 30, 2015 11:53 a.m.
PasorofMuppets says... #13
I guess I value playing magic more, but when I have a deck on modo I'm hitting up 1-2 DEs a day and I wouldn't ever sell my collection for some cards to sit on and not be able to play.
I also think that the significance between standard and non-standard is not as great digitally, because of how tight spreads are and how easy it is to move cards as opposed to paper magic, unless the cards aren't being used of course.
June 30, 2015 12:04 p.m.
CanadianShinobi says... #14
TheHorse Oh I'm still perfectly capable of playing Magic. I just recently invested in Standard to give it a go. Had some fun with it, but I'm a Modern player through and through. But I saw that goyf was low enough for the Standard collection to cover it. And Goyf is something I've always sorta wanted anyway. My main goal was always to build a Modern Sultai deck. It's done now, I managed to get the MM 1 Goyf, so that should retain a little more value should I decide to abandon the Sultai idea.
As I stated, I'm in a slump right now. Magic isn't bringing me the joy it normally does.
June 30, 2015 12:15 p.m.
PasorofMuppets says... #15
Oh, it was my understanding that you had to sell your collection get the goyfs. Never mind.
June 30, 2015 12:19 p.m.
TheAnnihilator says... #16
TheHorse He'll still have a collection of modern/legacy cards to play with, just nothing for Standard (because they'd be magically turned into Goyfs). So, it's not like he can't play magic if he does this, he just can't play Standard.
In fact, I don't play Standard simply by choice -- Modern is better IMO.
June 30, 2015 12:23 p.m.
TheAnnihilator says... #17
Sorry, my page didn't refresh. Ignore that comment! xD
JWiley129 says... #2
This seems awful "all-or-nothing" should you be selling your entire collection for 4x Tarmogoyf. The price will go up, that's for certain, but I don't think I would go down that route.
It's ultimately your decision, but I would recommend not doing so.
June 29, 2015 11:18 p.m.