card rarity methodology
Economics forum
Posted on June 18, 2018, 2:39 p.m. by Stellar_Cartographer
Can you think of a way to objectively rank cards by rarity across all editions? Price obviously comes to mind but there are also, obviously, other factors that contribute to price. So is there a way to adjust for that and just assess card rarity, without official numbers?
Questonderer says... #3
I mean, you could try looking at a bunch of lists and forming an aggregate perspective but I'm sure it'll be subjective.
June 18, 2018 8:46 p.m.
Not to mention, changes in rarity. Mortician Beetle was originally printed as rare, but its reprint is at common. Additionally, the requirements for the rarity of something move. Planeswalkers started as rare, but the moment mythic started existing, they were upshifted to mythic. Cards with multiple printings usually have multiple rarities. Lightning Bolt is either a common or an uncommon, depending on the set.
Power level is also not a consideration. Why is Rampant Growth a common, but Thunderherd Migration strictly worse and uncommon? Additionally, power level is deceptive - Ancient Stirrings is a powerful common from zendikar block that commands a 5 dolar price tag, just because it sees play in 1 modern deck, despite not doing much on the surface.
Price is highly subjective too. Force of Will was originally an uncommon and used to be in the triple digits until it was reprinted as a mythic.
x12721 says... #2
Not without lots of custom variables and user feedback, as a large part of such a list would be subjective.
June 18, 2018 2:49 p.m.