~ October 2020 - Mid-Month Update ~
Added 2020-10-21 03:05:31 +0000 UTCLots of Information here everyone, take your time and enjoy.
This is the most important post of each month.
To many patrons this is the post they wait for all month.
Patreon Updates - It has been over 6 months since i added the cap on new people signing up. While the internet laughed and thought it was a stunt, this has turned out to be a very good move and i am incredibly happy with everyone and the stability it has added. I have no plans to ever open it back up.
Commander Legends - Release date was moved to November 20th 2020. This is good, so hopefully all the product is available at once and the market stays calm with pricing. I will be offering the Draft 24 Pack Booster boxes at release date. I have locked in the largest supply nationwide i believe at about 4,000 booster boxes. I bet very heavy on this product and i even paid above distributor price to get extras. This item will be offered up to a sealed case quantity. Now that leaks are coming out and spoilers are moving around. It appears this was a very smart move. The bad news is they under printed the Collector boxes and COmmander deck set boxes massively. This is going to cause a HUGE price spike as we approach release date. I will be offering these around release also, but it will be very tight supply and limit 1 or 2. I will have quantity and pricing details around release time.
Flesh and Blood - This game is continuing to skyrocket worldwide. I know many people were confused on why i jumped in with this item when it was brand new. I strongly felt this was something big that was going to be very successful. My instinct was accurate and now Alpha 1st printing boxes are breaking $1,000.00+ a BOX!!!! A lot of patrons made a LOT of money. At the same time...a lot of patrons sold as the price climbed up to $250-$350 a box. As stated before....be very careful on extreme price movements, do NOT sell to early.
Flesh and Blood Variety Kits - It is official another small batch of 1st edition Crucible of war variety kits are coming for mid November. I am not raising or lowering the price. Also we have a very special Holiday Variety kit coming in December with the unlimited print boxes and a special surprise item. This game is the real deal, and im going to also start building positions in the sealed boxes for the future.
Commander 2020 Deck Set - Many patrons have been asking "WHERE IS THE REPRINT!?" and guess what....distributors state no reprint is coming...thats it and it is officially out of print. This is a huge deal since the market price is sitting at $150 and very few stores and people are sitting on these sealed items right now due to the volume of products in 2020. I feel these are severly undervalued if we do NOT get a reprint. I do plan on having a friday night sale on this item as a celebration of the news! lol
Modern Horizions - This item has been out of print now for a couple months and the market is dead silent and flat. I would recomend having exposure to this item as we hit 2021 and Modern horizons 2 comes out. I expect this item to be at $250.00 per box within 18 months.
"Bronze Era" Boxes - This is something that is very important. I feel all these boxes are very underpriced and the market will self-correct in the coming years. Guilds/Alleg/War/M20/M19/Rivals/Ixalan/Dom are still cheap since they have no insert cards and the market is very bearish. Masterpiece era boxes are going to continue to push higher, i know it sounds crazy but i feel BFZ/Kaldesh/Amonkhet boxes will all be $500 a box in the future. The supply is incredibly low for a modern era product.
"Golden Era" Boxes - Old booster boxes that contain RL cards have all skyrocketed and the market has naturally repriced everything now. Im surprised it took this long. I do think these new prices are "Normal". I do not feel this is a bubble or a price drop will occur.
Jumpstart - The first official reprint of jumpstart is supposed to arrive within the next 3 weeks. I am waiting to hear if it is small or large. I firmly do NOT beleive the supply problem is ever going to get fixed on this item. I think it will go out of print at the end of 2021 and prices will stay high. I dont thin i will ever be able to get pallet pricing to offer it cheaply.
Throne of Eldraine - This is the next standard set to go out of print. The market is very negative on this product now and the Collectors Packs/Boxes are all very cheap. I am activly trying to get more of the Throne Collector Blister cases from other stores. I feel Throne is one of the bests modern sets in a long time. I love the product and lore.
Zendikar Rising - This is still on allocation and i am waiting for wizards to allow pallet sized orders. It will be offered on the 79.99 price list when it shows up. Same thing as Jumpstart, i dont expect supply problems to be corrected on the Set booster boxes. Prices will stay elevated. Collector boxes are already out of print, buy them and hold them sealed.
Zendikar Rising Market conditions - Zendikar regular boxes are NOT selling nearly as well as everyone expected. With the death of mass box openers and the "flashy era" here the secondary market for singles has been hammered. I believe in the long term it will reinflate, but it was destroyed stores and people handling the singles. I expect this to continue on ALL NEW STANDARD SETS MOVING FORWARD.
Pokemon - Vintage pokemon sealed product has skyrocketed. Be very careful handling single cards and buying graded cards. The only products i would even consider looking at in Vintage is sealed boxes. This hobby is experiencing record breaking profits and alltime high demand. USE CAUTION. New release pokemon products are still cheap and should continue to perform very well into the future.
Spillover MTG / POKEMON - With mainstream and "influencers" online making money and discussing it everywhere. I do expect we will experience a simliar spillover into Vintage MTG boxes and RL cards at some point in the future. I still firmly standby the 2020 "STAY THE COURSE". I feel everyone should have sealed product and RL single cards for the long term.
Weiss Schwarz - I have continued to increase my positions in Weiss boxes. Moving forward i am up to 120-240 booster boxes per set to keep it in stock longer. This should allow more opportunity for people to buy or try out the game. Believe it or not...keeping Weiss boxes sealed is actually a decent long term play. Some patrons actually do this and have experienced very impressive returns.
Force of Will - FoW continunes to hold strong. No crashes BUT it is also not experiencing huge growth. The game continues to calmly move forward and make net sets. The new FoW set is coming in November and im being told it is very impressive. I have reserved the larest position nationwide in it. around 500-700 boxes. I still believe this game does not get the credit it deserves in 2020. I also think it will be around for a long time.
Final Fantasy TCG - I totally screwed this one up...the sealed boxes are skyrocketing. I discontinued the product a long time ago. Epic fail on my end. I do not have any product and have no plans on bringing it back.
Argent Saga - Might do another variety kit on this game. The company involved was closed for a long time due to Covid-19. So im not sure. I still think its a great game...but not as impressive as Flesh and Blood.
Youtube Channel Updates - I am going to bring back some whiteboard videos since a TON of patrons keep asking me for them lol. While they are the lowest viewed they do serve a unqiue spot on the channel and many people benefit from the financial discussions.
Same thing with the collection buying videos, i had no idea how many people love to run those videos and sort cards while listening to me go through old cards and audit.
I also have plans on bringing back the storytime videos.
State of LGS's - I feel old school LGS business models are fully dead at this point. The only successul store models will need to have social media/youtube presence to actually make a decent living. The "big guys" will continue to thrive and will be fine.
Magic Fest Tournaments - I feel ALL events and tournaments are 100% dead. Even CHannel Fireball is pivoting to Pokemon and starting up with Flesh and Blood. No one cares and they will never come back to pre-2020 levels. Kitchen table and commander/EDH/old school type games are the future.
Magic Arena / MPL - All this "pro-league" famous people...make a career out of it...commentary/League is a "trap". This type of business is being managed so poorly. I dont follow it nor does 99% of the mtg world even take it seriously. It is filled with backroom deals/Bias that is not based on skill. The people involved are highly regulated and filted by wotc and what they can/cannot say. It is a mirage that should be avoided. I feel it is filled with people that will not positivly impact your life or your hobby.
Overall Outlook on everything - I feel the culture and political environment continues to make everyone more aggressive and filled with anxiety. It can be felt everywhere. This has clearly spilled into the hobby world. Unfortaently, wizards has never been good with Public relations and has no open communication with the customer base. I think mtg is going to go through some very turbulent times in the coming year. I think the game will continue to do well and grow. I think the negativity and outrage will expand on-line, but the investors and collectors will quietly stay the course.
We all know at this point in time, anyone who stayed the course and owns sealed product or RL cards made a TON of money in 2020.
It remains INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT to not take the loud voices online as how all 10million+ mtg players feel. The overall data still shows specialty items like Secret lairs/master sets/commander products/collector products are having tremendous demand and record setting sales. Standard box sales have declined, but specialty sales have more than doubled that compensation. This is the only metric that matters to PAPA HASBRO.
I feel anyone who can stay the course, will be rewarded very well long term. Most people will jump ship.
2020
Stay The Course
-Rudy
Comments
I really want to snag two of the commander legends premium
Brewski785
2020-10-30 18:06:27 +0000 UTCYes please keep up the whiteboard videos, I enjoy them! Also hoping I can hop on that 1st edition FaB Crucible in November, missed the last one when I was out and about picking up dinner that night :(
Jalena W
2020-10-24 01:07:01 +0000 UTCIt would be nice if TCGPlayer would invest 5 minutes into fixing their wonky shipping structure...
2020-10-23 22:31:04 +0000 UTCThanks for reminding me I even had the flesh and blood stuff laying around. I meant to crack into it and play with friends, but you know what that's been like.
2020-10-23 22:30:31 +0000 UTCNot sure if anyone has seen this yet but. For you Flesh and Blood fans/product holders..https://sitemap.tcgplayer.com/flesh-and-blood-tcg.xml TADA!!! TCG has flesh and blood all ready to go!
Ian P
2020-10-23 21:05:22 +0000 UTCThis is a great summary of current state of the world. The only thing I am wondering Rudy is what are your thoughts on Double Masters and VIP? The prices seem low and it appears that VIP may be continuing to get restocks. I am seeing prices drop again to $89.99 on some sites. What is the deal?
Greg Jones
2020-10-23 14:54:00 +0000 UTCGreat stuff Rudy, thanks! Staying the course in MtG and digging in with FaB!
Zach-F
2020-10-23 08:31:55 +0000 UTCSuper excited for unlimited FaB. Been wanting to organize a game night to teach friends to play since this game came out but wasn't willing to use the first print run boxes to do it. Thank goodness I didn't open boxes!
2020-10-22 20:59:40 +0000 UTCI had to miss the first FaB special, much to my chagrin, because I was in the middle of buying my first house that week. I missed the second one paying for needed improvements. I love where I live, but I must admit FaB has appreciated much faster than the house...a painful opportunity cost.
GC
2020-10-22 20:33:12 +0000 UTCFaB is nuts... now 2400 a case for WTR and climbing
2020-10-22 17:39:58 +0000 UTCHolding on to my 1st Ed FAB boxes and riding all the way to the Taco Bell value menu
2020-10-22 16:32:41 +0000 UTCi just wanna say i feel special being able to have secured a spot on patreon
2020-10-22 15:29:21 +0000 UTCI just sold a first edition box of flesh and blood for 900! Sold the other a month ago for 450, kinda regret that but im still stoked. Thanks for all that you do man!
2020-10-22 15:08:08 +0000 UTCYou better hide that credit card from yourself, if you know what's good for you :)
Michael C
2020-10-22 02:49:44 +0000 UTCWelcome to Rathe Alpha booster boxes were around $80 when first available.
Michael C
2020-10-22 02:47:31 +0000 UTC*rolls eyes* I wonder who ("This game is the real deal, and im going to also start building positions in the sealed boxes for the future.") Lol <3
Brian
2020-10-21 23:36:31 +0000 UTCI checked very frequently to see whether any patreon spots would open up and one drunken Saturday night a few weeks ago one was open. I jumped on it and have not been happier since! Now I just need to keep my credit card up to date! Thanks Rudy!
Greg Jones
2020-10-21 23:17:13 +0000 UTCI hope the unlimited is ran until everyone who wants a heart/tunic can have a heart/tunic. And when the set rotates it rotates completely. Cause there is nothing worse then needing a cards to be competitive but it's no longer available at a price the average consumer can afford. And 100-5k is to much for most playable cards. With that said I like be the idea of rare versions being the high priced super collectable versions. Alpha to unlimited is an awesome idea
Michael L
2020-10-21 20:59:07 +0000 UTCIt is strange huh? I guess it's truly what separates the few from the many. Because I found Rudy through a rabbit hole unrelated to even Magic cards, short of a few Professor videos before hand. After the Advisement series, the Whiteboard videos, and Card Life, I was dumb founded at how genuinely awesome Rudy is as a human being. I can't believe he actually exists in the Cardboard Community tbh, especially from Magic. Truly, as CHEEZY AND LAME AF as this sounds, Hallmark-ass level lame, but the best investment is that of Rudy in and of himself. I hope to see our community grow on here too, more healthy discussions, brain storms, think tank stuff, who knows. Anyway, peace out and take care 1 & all :]
Brian
2020-10-21 19:55:59 +0000 UTCI would be careful building positions in unlimited rather than 1st edition. I've looked through all their releases, and I don't believe anything is clear cut on unlimited print runs at the moment (maybe Rudy has more info, idk). Especially now with the game growing explosively, I don't think they want to limit their ability to print the first few sets any time soon. If you do want to hold on to unlimited, I think you want to wait a while to park that money.
Gojira
2020-10-21 19:48:28 +0000 UTCA lot of LGS do seem to be adapting. In my area, game stores basically succeed without MTG. Some still carry it, but with the margins being so much higher on other products, I don't think it's their biggest profit-maker. The most successful LGS in my area doesn't carry MTG at all
Gojira
2020-10-21 19:42:18 +0000 UTCChannel Fireball picking up Flesh and Blood was a huge surprise for me! I'm really excited for the future. Like others, I'm disappointed in some of WotC's choices, but I also have really enjoyed some recent MTG sets, especially Throne of Eldraine and Ikoria. I still have a positive outlook, just more picky about what I buy. It's sad that some of the best videos are the least viewed, but it's not surprising. Not only do general viewers probably have different interests than patrons, but the whiteboard is a slightly restrictive type of content. You can't really play it in the background/multi-task with it like box openings. It requires 'active' viewing to get enjoyment out of it.
Gojira
2020-10-21 19:37:59 +0000 UTCA lot of people think good investment skills are simply knowing when to buy low and sell high, but there’s much more to it. One of the biggest skills is having the discipline to say “no” to an investment either because of the risk/reward ratio of the investment,or current liquidity issues. Be proud you’re being wise! Even if that means sitting on the sideline for now and investing in the future.
Steven Vander Hoek
2020-10-21 18:13:42 +0000 UTCExcited about all the FaB! Keep it coming!
2020-10-21 17:43:43 +0000 UTCNot as a regular product offering, but he might sell it in a Friday Night Special. I'd also recommend messaging him and asking. He's been willing to sell me unlisted product that way before.
David Brosseau
2020-10-21 17:03:57 +0000 UTCOne thing to note when thinking about commander 2020 that may slow price jumps is the amount of singles that are on the market due to the ikoria collector packs
2020-10-21 15:35:54 +0000 UTCGreat update, Thanks Rudy!
2020-10-21 13:27:00 +0000 UTCCan anyone remind me how much qe paid for the OG FaB variety kits? Or how much the alpha 1st edition went for on release ?
GhostUnit
2020-10-21 13:22:40 +0000 UTCGreat info much appreciated
Martin S
2020-10-21 13:22:27 +0000 UTCnot sure if rudy will read this but does he sells force of will booster boxes? looking to buy a few to draft with my friends for xmas :D
2020-10-21 13:06:53 +0000 UTCi want to build a large position on the unlimited FaB WTR boxes, but i have one concern. do we have any information yet on how long the print runs will be (1 year? 2 years?)
2020-10-21 13:04:57 +0000 UTCI wouldn't say LGS are completely a dead model, think your CCG-only views are skewing that. Almost all the LGS in Buffalo survived COVID and are going strong/slowly phasing players back in, most of them have other income streams besides MtG/CCGs that require paper players. A lot of them do board games, books, miniature games, geek chic paraphernalia and/or have a coffee shop built in and have adapted to survive. A lot of their patrons seem to give them extra support during tough times, it was great to see. But talking to online friends - a lot of cities are similar, the local gaming communities stepped up to ensure their LGS survival, it's a crucial haven for most gaming communities to have one. Online options will never replace it, or it already would have years ago. $0.02
2020-10-21 12:14:37 +0000 UTCReserved List cards
2020-10-21 12:07:17 +0000 UTCI don't buy that set boosters are in short supply, our LGSes got much more recently and dropped to $109 and even Amazon is at $110. There is plenty to go around out there.
2020-10-21 11:32:48 +0000 UTCWhat are RL cards?
2020-10-21 10:33:07 +0000 UTCI think commander legends might end up being my first purchase from this patreon slot. Really excited for this product despite the negativity/usual WotC shenanigans.
Chris Tam
2020-10-21 10:15:15 +0000 UTCwhiteboard video is great! looking forward to it! stay the course!
Sangmin Lee
2020-10-21 08:52:29 +0000 UTCRudy, if I already bought FAB variety kits, any chance I could just buy the booster boxes? Do you plan to sell only booster boxes monthly ?
William Arce
2020-10-21 07:52:04 +0000 UTCQuite happy I managed to grab that last "1" spot recently for Patreon. Been a real pleasure getting the insight of this community. Hope everyone continues to have a safe 2020!
Vladimir
2020-10-21 07:21:40 +0000 UTCVery exciting. Don't forget yall get the brand name shelving
2020-10-21 06:36:26 +0000 UTCLove the collection buying, story time, white board or any of your long form videos. Just turn the camera on and ramble on end sloppy chalupa man.
2020-10-21 06:13:53 +0000 UTCIt's not just vintage pokémon, evolutions is selling steady at 500 a box and the Japanese equivalent is 2000 a box. A few other xy sets have gone through the roof too
2020-10-21 05:34:13 +0000 UTCGreat update
Matt Vanselow
2020-10-21 05:23:47 +0000 UTCLove these updates!!
Jonathan Morris
2020-10-21 05:00:18 +0000 UTCAlways appreciate you! Thank you for your real life opinions and thoughtful advice. Looking forward to the whiteboard!
2020-10-21 04:35:00 +0000 UTCIf the "FaB unlimited" boxes are just not first editions, any hope of the special being sold separate?
Matthew Boe
2020-10-21 04:34:55 +0000 UTCWhat a great info thread Rudy. Appreciate it sir.
Mr. Batsquatch
2020-10-21 04:23:45 +0000 UTCYou will have a chance again soon 😊
2020-10-21 04:18:02 +0000 UTCWorst case, you can draft forever!
2020-10-21 04:16:41 +0000 UTCI just noticed Heart of Fyendal dissapeared from Ebay. There were 4 listings a couple days ago ranging from $3000 to $4000 each. There are none left. Also, there's just 2 Eye of Ophidia listings remaining, each above $1100. Easy buyout targets.
2020-10-21 04:14:11 +0000 UTCThank you for the thorough and thoughtful post Rudy. I read it in it's entirety and agree with the overall sentiment. Please continue to include whiteboard videos and collection videos as they are partly the main reason I admire your channel.
Joey Morsi
2020-10-21 04:13:27 +0000 UTCAhh, the hot sauce I needed in a 2020 world. Spicy 🌶
Jack Allen
2020-10-21 04:00:11 +0000 UTCMy basement is filling up fast with sealed product and I'm loving it. Going to stay the course for a very long time as I dont care to open any of it. Worst case, cardboard flops and I get a giant Christmas to myself in 20 years opening everything and reminiscing.
2020-10-21 03:59:14 +0000 UTCYes please please bring back any Throne collector's packs that you can! I love that set and would love to be able to a box or two to open during the holidays.
2020-10-21 03:54:31 +0000 UTCVery happy to hear the white board is coming back, hope the pink visor makes an appearance with it. Great information, and with all the leaks for the new Commander Set, looking like a good fresh idea to get into. Not to mention the reprinting of some very old cards. Love the news! Thanks!
2020-10-21 03:49:32 +0000 UTCMy favorite day of the month. Love the post Rudy
2020-10-21 03:45:55 +0000 UTC+1 on whiteboard vids and any financial related vids. Thank you.
2020-10-21 03:37:38 +0000 UTCLove these posts. Thanks so much, Rudy!
MTG Pack A Day
2020-10-21 03:34:40 +0000 UTCGlad to hear the whiteboard videos are coming back. Those are my favorite. The real question is, will the bowtie be coming back?
2020-10-21 03:34:03 +0000 UTCI hadn't touched a magic card since about 1996, but it was a green visored Rudy whiteboard video I watched early this year that got me back in.
Bryan Vukich
2020-10-21 03:33:00 +0000 UTCAmazing Update! Thanks Rudy :D
Matthew McCrae
2020-10-21 03:28:54 +0000 UTCYAS!!! I secured 4 big cases of Ikoria Commander back when the prices were dirt. Here's hoping this investment pays out well now that we have confirmation of no more reprints for it. Also, I'm gonna shift focus to Flesh and Blood. I will try to divide my investment 50/50 between MtG and FaB. The Crucible of War variety kit was fantastic! Thank you very much for the awesome news, Rudy!
2020-10-21 03:28:15 +0000 UTCWhiteboard videos!!! 😃
Jakestaz
2020-10-21 03:27:17 +0000 UTCHardcore info. Thanks 🥰
2020-10-21 03:23:22 +0000 UTCDude the plastic visor gets me EVERY time lmao
Garrett Boldt
2020-10-21 03:23:09 +0000 UTC+1 to more whiteboard vids. I know they don't do as well but I think they have a place in the mix.
2020-10-21 03:22:30 +0000 UTCI too love the whiteboard videos and it adds a cool perspective to me throwing money at cardboard. But man if I'm a timmy then Rudy has gotta be the Alpha Timmy.
Garrett Boldt
2020-10-21 03:22:08 +0000 UTCThanks Rudy!
2020-10-21 03:21:55 +0000 UTCI did thumbs down twice, slapped this post with a sloppy taco, and decided to not wear pants on this post.
2020-10-21 03:21:44 +0000 UTCNew Patreon here that slipped in last month. This is the content I'm here for. Thanks for your hard work Rudy.
Robert Goldthorpe
2020-10-21 03:20:54 +0000 UTCLove the whiteboard videos, and glad they're coming back. I've watched most of them (and pressed thumbs down) at least twice! ;-)
2020-10-21 03:20:30 +0000 UTCThanks for the update
christian gallegos
2020-10-21 03:20:27 +0000 UTCGreat to see a long detailed update. Looking forward to more content and sales. Thanks Rudy
Nicol Bolas
2020-10-21 03:18:06 +0000 UTCThanks for throwing us a floppy taco Rudy! Haha, seriously, thanks for the update!
Robert J Pluskwik
2020-10-21 03:17:11 +0000 UTCi know you had asked in the last survey but any change in mind on offering pokemon products outside of the friday night special?
2020-10-21 03:16:57 +0000 UTCStill kicking myself for skipping on the Flesh and Blood kits
Mike Havermale
2020-10-21 03:15:07 +0000 UTCFor a historical note I believe I was the last person to sign up when I saw that it said one left out of 2500 or whatever I said sure why not
Nathan Rule
2020-10-21 03:12:27 +0000 UTCThanks for answering my question in regards to Weatherlight booster boxes, lol. Makes total sense.
Jeffrey Ho
2020-10-21 03:11:23 +0000 UTCVery nice article and extremely happy to hear that the whiteboard WOLF OF MAGIC videos are on the way back.
2020-10-21 03:11:21 +0000 UTCTremendous update as always. Even though I haven't had the free capital as of late to really invest in MTG like I would like to this is my highlight of the month. Thank you for everything you do Rudy!
Mat McDonough
2020-10-21 03:11:12 +0000 UTC
