Collecting strategies

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Archived from groups: rec.games.trading-cards.magic.misc (More info?)

I've toyed with Magic for several years now. I've decided to get serious
about collecting. With the Onslaught block rotating out at year's end, I've
decided to focus on 8E and Mirrodin block cards.

With Darksteel, boosters quickly became a waste of money as I simply ended
up with tons of commons. Instead, I switched to buying singles to fill in
the gaps for my commons and uncommons and buying rares only as needed for
specific decks.

I've collected enough Mirrodin to reach the same point as far as boosters
are concerned but I have almost no 8E. Considering the size of the set,
should I purchase boosters or just buy my cards outright?

--
Gravity: it's not just a good idea, it's the law.

 

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Archived from groups: rec.games.trading-cards.magic.misc (More info?)

"Zaxx" <bogus@cox.net> writes:
> I've toyed with Magic for several years now. I've decided to get
> serious about collecting. With the Onslaught block rotating out at
> year's end, I've decided to focus on 8E and Mirrodin block cards.
>
> With Darksteel, boosters quickly became a waste of money as I simply
> ended up with tons of commons. Instead, I switched to buying singles
> to fill in the gaps for my commons and uncommons and buying rares
> only as needed for specific decks.
>
> I've collected enough Mirrodin to reach the same point as far as
> boosters are concerned but I have almost no 8E. Considering the size
> of the set, should I purchase boosters or just buy my cards
> outright?

Well, the size of 8th is slightly larger than the size of Mirrodin.

8th: Commons: 110
Uncommons: 110
Rares: 110
Basic Land: 20
---------- ---
Total: 350

Mir: Commons: 110
Rares: 88
Uncommons: 88
Basic Land: 20
---------- ---
Total: 306

Dst: Commons: 55
Rares: 55
Uncommons: 55
---------- ---
Total: 165

(Sources: http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=mtgcom/daily/rb76
http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=magic/expansion/8e
http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=magic/expansion/mirrodin
http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=magic/expansion/darksteel)

So, I suggest that you follow whatever strategy worked for collecting
Mirrodin. I would guess that you would want to buy a bunch of boosters
and then pick up the singles that you don't have after that... But
that's just a guess.

As for my strategy: I'm much more of a player than a collector, so I
collect most of my product by going to Sealed Deck events (primarily
Prereleases), as you get to play with the cards first, and don't just
open & file them away. However, there aren't many 8E Sealed
tournaments around. If you happen to be in the Worcester, MA area, I'm
running one on the 30th (Email me if you're interested). If you don't,
check around with your local card shop or tournament organizer. If you
can find at least 8 people who want to play an 8th Sealed tournament,
most places I suspect would be willing to run one for you.

--
Peter C.
"I'll be in my locker shortly."
-- wschudy

 

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Archived from groups: rec.games.trading-cards.magic.misc (More info?)

Peter Cooper Jr. wrote:

> As for my strategy: I'm much more of a player than a collector,

Me too but there's not enough casual Magic around here for me to get my fix.
That means FNM and I'd like to win at least a game or two while I'm there.
Know what I mean?

> so I collect most of my product by going to Sealed Deck events (primarily
> Prereleases), as you get to play with the cards first, and don't just
> open & file them away.

There's none of that going on right now. What with regionals coming up, the
local shops are catering to the crowd and doing only constructed type 2
games.

> If you can find at least 8 people who want to play an 8th Sealed
tournament,
> most places I suspect would be willing to run one for you.

I'll keep that in mind.

P.S. Thanks for the invite. Being in Kansas, I'll have to pass but if I'm
ever out that way, I'll look you up.

--
Gravity: it's not just a good idea, it's the law.

 

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Archived from groups: rec.games.trading-cards.magic.misc (More info?)

Zaxx wrote:

>
> I've collected enough Mirrodin to reach the same point as far as boosters
> are concerned but I have almost no 8E. Considering the size of the set,
> should I purchase boosters or just buy my cards outright?

I still like buying boosters. I get nice suprises on the rares
that might send me in directions I wouldn't have chosen otherwise.
I also get interesting challenges in not having the "perfect" card for
a theme. In general I find that no card is critical so I'd rather
get random rares cheap than specific ones overpriced. Sometimes it
does feel hard to compete with this strategy against those who hand
pick their decks, but, oh well, I'm spending less than them! I play
for fun and I've seen too many go into an obsession mode once they
start buying singles for design.

OTOH, some days it seems like I'm the only guy without Isochrons
and Plat Angels...

 

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Sorcier wrote:

> I still like buying boosters. I get nice suprises on the rares
> that might send me in directions I wouldn't have chosen otherwise.

Booster were fun until I found myself with 12 of one card or another and not
a single copy of something I really wanted.

> I also get interesting challenges in not having the "perfect" card for
> a theme. In general I find that no card is critical so I'd rather
> get random rares cheap than specific ones overpriced.

Pricing is certainly an issue. I've yet to buy any of the really hot cards.
I just can't see coughing up $20 for a Chrome Mox or an Arcbound Ravager.
However, $15 in boosters will get me 5 random rares and 70 other cards I
have no use for. Or I could shop wisely and end up with four Pulse of the
Fields/Forge.

> OTOH, some days it seems like I'm the only guy without Isochrons
> and Plat Angels...

LOL! That would be me *every* day. ;-)

--
Gravity: it's not just a good idea, it's the law.

 

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Archived from groups: rec.games.trading-cards.magic.misc (More info?)

Peter Cooper Jr. wrote:
>
> As for my strategy: I'm much more of a player than a collector,

Likewise.

> so I
> collect most of my product by going to Sealed Deck events (primarily
> Prereleases), as you get to play with the cards first, and don't just
> open & file them away. However, there aren't many 8E Sealed
> tournaments around.

For a while we were having a booster draft a month as part of FNM.
(We probably still are, but my free time has shrunk.) The
organizer would usually include one booster each of 8th, generally
with the other two boosters being the two most recent
sets. (Occasionally we'd do a block, and occassionally a weird
combo when store supplies were low. Try doing 8th, Scourge,
Mirrodin sometime!)

> If you happen to be in the Worcester, MA area, I'm
> running one on the 30th (Email me if you're interested). If you don't,
> check around with your local card shop or tournament organizer. If you
> can find at least 8 people who want to play an 8th Sealed tournament,
> most places I suspect would be willing to run one for you.

Seriously consider drafts too.
They'll let you fish for and target specific cards or at least
card types or themes you'd like. I built up a lot of my cleric and
elf stock that way.

 

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Archived from groups: rec.games.trading-cards.magic.misc (More info?)

"Zaxx" <bogus@cox.net> wrote in message
news:c5hf83$1p7rk$1@ID-225757.news.uni-berlin.de...
> I've toyed with Magic for several years now. I've decided to get serious
> about collecting. With the Onslaught block rotating out at year's end,
I've
> decided to focus on 8E and Mirrodin block cards.
>
> With Darksteel, boosters quickly became a waste of money as I simply ended
> up with tons of commons. Instead, I switched to buying singles to fill in
> the gaps for my commons and uncommons and buying rares only as needed for
> specific decks.
>
> I've collected enough Mirrodin to reach the same point as far as boosters
> are concerned but I have almost no 8E. Considering the size of the set,
> should I purchase boosters or just buy my cards outright?
>
> --
> Gravity: it's not just a good idea, it's the law.
>
>

That would depend on how you like to collect....is the chase better than the
catch? Opening a booster and getting that one card you've been dying for is
a great feeling, but if you would just like to get a complete set to oooh
and aww over try searching for " magic the gathering complete set" on
certain online auction sites.

Good luck hunting!

Greg "Live for the chase!" B.

 

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Archived from groups: rec.games.trading-cards.magic.misc (More info?)

Greg Bristol wrote:

> That would depend on how you like to collect....is the chase better
> than the catch?

I'm much more into cackling madly as I leaf through my binder. ;-)

--
Gravity: it's not just a good idea, it's the law.

 

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Archived from groups: rec.games.trading-cards.magic.misc (More info?)

"Zaxx" <bogus@cox.net> wrote in message
news:c5i3c4$1vhiq$1@ID-225757.news.uni-berlin.de...
> Greg Bristol wrote:
>
> > That would depend on how you like to collect....is the chase better
> > than the catch?
>
> I'm much more into cackling madly as I leaf through my binder. ;-)
>
> --
> Gravity: it's not just a good idea, it's the law.
>
>

And here my wife thought I was the only one that did that..... (Grin)

 

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Archived from groups: rec.games.trading-cards.magic.misc (More info?)

Greg Bristol wrote:

>> I'm much more into cackling madly as I leaf through my binder. ;-)
>
> And here my wife thought I was the only one that did that..... (Grin)

You can tell her that's not so but she won't believe you. ;-)

--
Gravity: it's not just a good idea, it's the law.