Sought after cards for a new player: Trade, Save, or Play
Economics forum
Posted on June 25, 2016, 9:16 p.m. by IcyLightning
Figured this was a good place for this topic since it relates to the possibility of trading.
Just to preface, I'm semi newish to paper MTG, so my collection is still building up, meaning I don't have that many in demand cards, but since I only really play casually right now it doesn't really influence me at all in my playing. I have however gotten several Fetches and other sought after cards, such as Kor Haven, Polluted Delta and Flooded Strand, just from random packs.
Since I play casually, and don't really have plans right now to invest enough to really play competitively in Modern, I don't really use these cards, they're just sitting in a binder, especially since most of my decks top out around $50, and I don't have a full playset to play anyways.
My question is this: should I trade these cards away in exchange for multiple cheaper cards I've been wanting for decks that'll I actually play, but aren't really sought after or have potential to rise in price, or should I save these more expensive cards on the off chance I get invested in Modern (since it is something I want to do eventually when I have enough cards or capital to do so) or just save until they raise in price (if they will, don't know enough to really speculate, but I assume Fetches won't for at least awhile since there was so much KTK distributed).
tldr: Expensive cards for a new player? Trade, save, or play?
That came our wrong. The only thing you should trade them for is stuff you really want.
Sorry, long day for me.
June 25, 2016 9:24 p.m.
IcyLightning says... #4
Yeah I understand that generally trading staples for cheap rares isn't something you want to do, the problem is there aren't too many cards I'm super interested in that are over like $10. But I'll definitely keep it in my mind
June 25, 2016 9:37 p.m.
Its up to you they arent going to like jump in price so holding on to them is solely in case you will play them in the future otherwise just trade them if there are cards you really want
June 25, 2016 9:38 p.m.
TheAnnihilator says... #6
This is a hard one, mostly because the cards involved are not just Modern staples, but ETERNAL staples. They see play in plenty of other formats. While I typically err on the side of trading for cards you will play, even at a potential future loss, I would advise you hold onto fetchlands. If there's a possibility that you will ever play any non- Standard format (fetches are even an EDH staple), then future you will very much regret trading these away.
June 25, 2016 9:39 p.m.
ducttapedeckbox says... #7
I would hold them unless there are cards you really want. Fetches are never bad to have. More chances than not I think you'll end up eventually wanting more expensive cards, and going from a $20 card to 20 $1 cards is infinitely easier than 20 $1 cards to a $20 card.
June 25, 2016 9:40 p.m.
I cracked a R/B fetch and traded it for edh deck pieces. I have yet to regret it because I don't run that color combination much (one grixis edh out of about 20 decks).
If it had been Flooded Strand I would have regretted it by now. However, I also would have been less likely to trade that one. The R/G, R/W, and R/U all would have been a tough call. Even G/W, G/B, or B/W would have made me hesitate.
June 25, 2016 9:48 p.m.
IcyLightning says... #9
Okay so general consensus is hold on to them. I kind if figured, I know they see play pretty much everwhere, I just wanted to get some input.
June 25, 2016 9:59 p.m.
Now that Kor Haven, I might sell that one off, unless it is an Expedition.
June 25, 2016 10:23 p.m.
IcyLightning says... #11
It is an expedition. I have other rares and mythics worth trading and selling, but only a few that are really more eternal like mentioned
June 25, 2016 10:26 p.m.
aeonstoremyliver says... #12
Yeah fetch lands are the bees knees. I've traded a Scalding Tarn (I don't play 
in Modern or Legacy) for a Liliana of the Veil when both were the same price.
Khans fetches and Expeditions are reprints, but they'll hold and probably increase in value over time, unlike most Standard staples. See Bonfire of the Damned, once $50.00 in Standard, for reference. So, hold onto them.
June 26, 2016 12:06 a.m.
Either keep them or trade only to someone who will under value their cards. So you trade your $15 fetch for $20-30 in smaller value cards. Some people will do trades in this fashion. You will feel less bad about future value loss, as you would gain cards that you will play now.
June 26, 2016 2:38 a.m.
GeminiSpartanX says... #14
I agree with pskinn01. If you have cards you dont use and come across a trade thats overvalued in your favor with cards you will use, it will help you feel better about making the trade, and it's still technically gaining you some portion of value.
June 26, 2016 2:44 p.m.
IcyLightning says... #15
It's definitely something I'll keep in mind, because I know that a lot of people are willing to undervalue cheap rares and such, so if I encounter a good enough trade to warrant it I'll consider it, but until then I'll think I will take everyone's general advice and hold on to them. Thank you everyone for chiming in
Atony1400 says... #2
I would hold them. Personally, I only have 3 fetches, and the only way I would trade them is for things you truly want.
June 25, 2016 9:23 p.m.