What to get Commander Decks or a Booster Box
Economics forum
Posted on July 2, 2015, 3:24 p.m. by monark07
I am being tasked to get some MTG stuff as a gift.
So the choice is pretty much getting a bunch of the 2014 Commander Decks or a Booster Box of Origins. And the cap is like a $100.
Also most of the people who are gonna use it are new to the game. So not really sure what would be a better gift to them.
They have had played with some stater decks for a while. Some have tried creating their own brews. But nothing really substantial.
So i was thinking either getting them to draft and practice a bit or got with the commander sets as some of them asked about learning commander.
July 2, 2015 3:46 p.m.
HolyFalcon says... #4
AH, I thought you meant "haven't really even played before" new. In that case, it depends on how many people. The c14's are like 30$ each, with some reaching into 40 and 50. If there's around 4 or 5, I say go for the box.
July 2, 2015 3:47 p.m.
Coinman1863 says... #5
For me personally if there is one person, I would go for the box as a gift. But if there is more than one person who is readily available to play, I would go for the commander decks as they are definitely more of a group activity than a booster box. But if you can get 8 people together, then do a draft, or if you only got 4 people, so 8 pack sealed.
But really its up to you to field what you think is best for the person whom you are giving the gift to.
July 2, 2015 3:53 p.m.
Thanks for the input, I was thinking of giving something that would at least last them longer.
I may go with the Commander Decks as the booster box could be substituted by attending local store draft events or even the up coming pre-release. May give them more experience as well as they get to play with more people.
Thanks!
July 2, 2015 5:33 p.m.
There are like 4 of them who are gonna play together. readily available to play and pretty much with the same level of experience.
July 2, 2015 5:43 p.m.
HolyFalcon says... #8
Might be hard finding four c14 decks for under 100, but I bet it's possible. good luck on finding them!
July 2, 2015 5:51 p.m.
this might work for what you are looking for, all 5 commander decks for $100+10 for shipping
https://www.massdrop.com/buy/commander-2014
July 2, 2015 8:56 p.m.
HolyFalcon says... #10
Is that drop still happening? If I'd have known that I'd have gotten that a while back...
July 2, 2015 8:58 p.m.
Named_Tawyny says... #13
At that pricepoint, I'd either go with the booster box (kids LOVE cracking packs!) or, and I know this wasn't one of your suggestions, Duel Deck - Anthology.
It's 8 premade decks (some with some really good cards) that are all playable against each other and fun to play.
July 3, 2015 3:17 p.m.
Coinman1863 says... #14
Thats not too bad either, I use it to help new kids learn how to play while also teaching them more complex interactions about the game with hours of fun.
Just so you know, the Goblin and Elf decks seem to be the best ones from the box in my testing.
July 3, 2015 4:53 p.m.
ComradeJim270 says... #15
I'd be careful just getting the 2014 commander decks since there's a clear disparity in their power level. Whoever ends up with the blue one probably won't have much fun; my LGS is nearly giving it away because nobody wants it.
The red 2014 (Made from Scratch) and green 2014 (Guided by Nature) are pretty solid. Maybe look into the 2013 sets online so it's a better matchup, because the rest of the 2014 decks will struggle a little bit with those two.
Do a little research... but if you get the ones with similar power levels, I'm sure everyone will have a blast with the commander decks!
July 4, 2015 5:04 p.m.
Thanks! Yeah was reading a bit about the 2014 ones and the blue deck looks like nobody wants them. Its almost always on sale wherever i looked so it made me think. May get the 2013 ones instead.
HolyFalcon says... #2
Get some more starter level items. Commander can be complicating, especially if the players have never played actual Magic before. Fat packs are IMO one of the best starter items out there, giving them lands, cards, and some boxes for the cards. You can find them really cheap from Troll & Toad.
July 2, 2015 3:30 p.m.