<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Unfinished Business" href="#" target="_blank">Unfinished Business</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://gatherer.wizards.com/search?artistName=eq~Ramza_Psyru" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ramza Psyru</a></em></p>
<h2>Recruitment Process</h2>
<p>Hello, and welcome to a special edition of <em>Beyond the Multiverse</em>. This week we're tackling something rather odd. It's a deck that's got a short story to it that was basically my brain being obsessed over it. Basically, we're taking on a Commander deck for the Pride Event this month. To sum it up, it's essentially any two legendary creatures can be your commander(s) as though they had the Partner mechanic. I thought I'd take this opportunity to tackle a deck for the event in case it's something you want to do.</p>
<p>That said, let's get into it.</p>
<h2>Assemble the Turks!</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Reno and Rude"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Elena, Turk Recruit"></div></div>
<p>We're talking about the Turks, which is an informal name for the Investigation Sector of the General Affairs Department, a branch of the Shinra Company from <em>Final Fantasy VII.</em> To put it in basics, they're spies and assassins who also look out for potential new recruits into the SOLDIER program. They're very much akin to an intelligence agency. Reno, Rude, and Elena are three of the members.</p>
<p>With Reno/Rude (and will henceforth be known as such for simplicity), they do their best iteration of the notorious <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ragavan, Nimble Pilferer" href="#" target="_blank">Ragavan, Nimble Pilferer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Unfortunately, you have to sacrifice a creature or an artifact, and there's no dash mechanic to "protect" them. Elena, on the other hand, recurs historic permanents and gets bigger for each one cast.</p>
<p>If you're not doing the Pride Event (perhaps you're playing this deck later this year, for example), there's a number of Orzhov options you can use. Perhaps <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tymna the Weaver|fca|18" href="#" target="_blank">Tymna the Weaver</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> on her own.</p>
<p>However, we're going to try and use Reno/Rude to the best of our ability while Elena sits back, act as both utility and part-time win-con.</p>
<h2>An Orientation, If You Will</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Hildibrand Manderville"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sarah Jane Smith"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Bloodforged Battle-Axe|pip|226"></div></div>
<p>Crucially, we need to have stuff to sacrifice to Reno/Rude's ability. Firstly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sarah Jane Smith" href="#" target="_blank">Sarah Jane Smith</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> drops Clue tokens when we cast historic spells. Meanwhile, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hildibrand Manderville" href="#" target="_blank">Hildibrand Manderville</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and the token he makes, are great sacrifice fodder. Moreover, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="General&#039;s Enforcer|pip|217" href="#" target="_blank">General&#039;s Enforcer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> protects the Turks, makes a token, and hits graveyards. Secondly, if we can connect with it enough times, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bloodforged Battle-Axe|pip|226" href="#" target="_blank">Bloodforged Battle-Axe</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will make a lot of copies of itself. Thirdly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Astrid Peth" href="#" target="_blank">Astrid Peth</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> makes tokens when she enters or attacks. However, she is frail, so take care where she attacks.</p>
<p>Further, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lotho, Corrupt Shirriff" href="#" target="_blank">Lotho, Corrupt Shirriff</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> nets us Treasure tokens when someone casts multiple spells a turn. Similarly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Pitiless Plunderer|fic|281" href="#" target="_blank">Pitiless Plunderer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> makes two when we lose a creature we control. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Black Market Connections" href="#" target="_blank">Black Market Connections</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> does everything: if you pay six life, you get a Treasure, draw a card, and make a creature token to sacrifice. That said, that life loss is brutal long-term, so you're probably better off removing the Treasure. Looking at the cards I mentioned so far, I can notice a subtle pattern.</p>
<h2>Shinra Armory</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Biotransference"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sword of Truth and Justice|sld|1867"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Pip-Boy 3000"></div></div>
<p>Going an artifact sub-theme will ensure that the Turks will gain maximum benefit. Artifacts are historic, so Elena will recur them and count for her trigger. They're also the best stuff to sacrifice to get Reno's/Rude's trigger, and the various Equipment will make our smaller creatures more menacing.</p>
<p>Firstly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dalek Squadron" href="#" target="_blank">Dalek Squadron</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> makes tokens that get sacrificed at end of combat. However, why not get rid of one of them to trigger Reno/Rude? Meanwhile, both <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Canoptek Scarab Swarm" href="#" target="_blank">Canoptek Scarab Swarm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Death in Heaven" href="#" target="_blank">Death in Heaven</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are graveyard hate that make fodder for them. Secondly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Biotransference" href="#" target="_blank">Biotransference</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> nets us tokens and turns every creature we have into an artifact, meaning options to sacrifice.</p>
<p>However, we're working with a lot of creatures with tiny stats, so let's buff them. The Swords of X and Y cycle (of which half are in the <em>Universes Beyond</em> card pool) is a great start. Of note is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sword of Truth and Justice||sld|1867" href="#" target="_blank">Sword of Truth and Justice</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which gives the equipped creature a permanent +2/+2. Meanwhile, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Pip-Boy 3000" href="#" target="_blank">Pip-Boy 3000</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> provides a lot of utility, including pumping the equipped creature. Finally, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Umezawa&#039;s Jitte|sld|1865" href="#" target="_blank">Umezawa&#039;s Jitte</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is very good, doing a lot of stuff just from doing any damage rather than just hitting out opponent.</p>
<p>It's worth noting that the best creature to equip these to is Reno/Rude, since they'll die to a breeze. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Astrid Peth" href="#" target="_blank">Astrid Peth</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is another good target as well for the same reason. That said, the others aren't bad targets, either. The reason is because we want to get swinging, chipping away at our opponents while getting value from our stuff. That last sentence is a hint as to what the overall archetype of the deck will likely be. I might have even given it away when I mentioned <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tymna the Weaver|fca|18" href="#" target="_blank">Tymna the Weaver</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<h2>Elena and Reno and Rude Commander Deck List</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Going Universes Beyond - The Turks (Pride Event)" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Elena, Turk Recruit
*1 Reno and Rude
[/Commander]
[Creatures]
*1 Al Bhed Salvagers
*1 Astrid Peth
*1 Bastion Protector
*1 Canoptek Scarab Swarm
*1 Canoptek Spyder
*1 Canoptek Wraith
*1 Company Commander
*1 Dalek Squadron
*1 Gaius van Baelsar
*1 General&#039;s Enforcer
*1 Gix, Yawgmoth Praetor
*1 Hildibrand Manderville // Gentleman&#039;s Rise
*1 Judge Magister Gabranth
*1 Loran of the Third Path
*1 Lotho, Corrupt Shirriff
*1 Mangara, the Diplomat
*1 Morbid Opportunist
*1 Pitiless Plunderer
*1 Sarah Jane Smith
*1 Solemn Simulacrum
*1 Sun Titan
[/Creatures]
[Enchantments]
*1 Biotransference
*1 Black Market Connections
*1 Death in Heaven
[/Enchantments]
[Instants]
*1 Anguished Unmaking
*1 Clever Concealment
*1 Crush Contraband
*1 Deadly Dispute
*1 Despark
*1 Dismember
*1 Flawless Maneuver
*1 Galadriel&#039;s Dismissal
*1 Lethal Scheme
*1 Path to Exile
*1 Stroke of Midnight
*1 Swords to Plowshares
*1 Utter End
[/Instants]
[Sorceries]
*1 Austere Command
*1 Cut a Deal
*1 Damn
*1 Toxic Deluge
*1 Unfinished Business
[/Sorceries]
[Artifacts]
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Bloodforged Battle-Axe
*1 Brotherhood Regalia
*1 Genji Glove
*1 Hedron Archive
*1 Lightning Greaves
*1 Mind Stone
*1 Pip-Boy 3000
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Swiftfoot Boots
*1 Sword of Feast and Famine
*1 Sword of Hearth and Home
*1 Sword of Light and Shadow
*1 Sword of Truth and Justice
*1 Sword of War and Peace
*1 Sword of the Animist
*1 Tome of Legends
*1 Umezawa&#039;s Jitte
*1 Wayfarer&#039;s Bauble
[/Artifacts]
[Lands]
*1 Abstergo Entertainment
*1 Ash Barrens
*1 Buried Ruin
*1 Command Beacon
*1 Command Tower
*1 Desolate Mire
*1 Evolving Wilds
*1 Fetid Heath
*1 Insomnia, Crown City
*1 Isolated Chapel
*1 Myriad Landscape
*1 Path of Ancestry
*9 Plains
*1 Scoured Barrens
*1 Shineshadow Snarl
*1 Silent Clearing
*1 Sunlit Marsh
*9 Swamp
*1 Tainted Field
*1 Temple of Silence
*1 Terramorphic Expanse
[/Lands]"></span></div>
<h2>The Briefing</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Gix, Yawgmoth Praetor|fca|35"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Galadriel&#039;s Dismissal"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Tome of Legends|fic|369"></div></div>
<p>The name of the game with this list is to go on the aggressive while having enough fodder for Reno/Rude's trigger. In addition, cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gix, Yawgmoth Praetor|fca|35" href="#" target="_blank">Gix, Yawgmoth Praetor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> helps with this. He'll provide card draw, and incentive for our opponents to go elsewhere. In a similar vein, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Canoptek Spyder" href="#" target="_blank">Canoptek Spyder</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> draws us cards when an artifact enters our board. Meanwhile, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Brotherhood Regalia" href="#" target="_blank">Brotherhood Regalia</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will ensure that Reno/Rude can slip through a horde of tokens and connect.</p>
<p>However, going on the aggressive makes us more vulnerable to board wipes. Fortunately, white gives us access to some counters to this. Firstly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Galadriel&#039;s Dismissal" href="#" target="_blank">Galadriel&#039;s Dismissal</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> serves as one of the best for our purposes. On the other hand, it can also serve as a way to clear blockers for a massive attack. Secondly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Clever Concealment|fic|236" href="#" target="_blank">Clever Concealment</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> easily protects our stuff. Moreover, if we have enough creatures out, we can take advantage of the convoke cost. Speaking of free spells, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Flawless Maneuver|sld|1728" href="#" target="_blank">Flawless Maneuver</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can be cast for free if either commander is out.</p>
<p>With the Turks being so cheap to cast, we can take advantage of a few cards to further our plan. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tome of Legends|fic|369" href="#" target="_blank">Tome of Legends</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will accrue counters quickly, which we can turn into a steady source of card draw. Meanwhile, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bastion Protector|fic|233" href="#" target="_blank">Bastion Protector</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will protect the Turks while they carry out their respective tasks. Finally, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Genji Glove" href="#" target="_blank">Genji Glove</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> not only allows for certain creatures to take advantage of the double strike (like Reno/Rude), but also gives us an extra combat step to reap more value.</p>
<h2>Missions Beyond This Universe</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Esper Sentinel"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Breena, the Demagogue"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Cathars&#039; Crusade"></div></div>
<p>Our in-universe options mostly consist of staples we could run. If you're looking for an alternate commander to the Turks, look no further than <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Breena, the Demagogue" href="#" target="_blank">Breena, the Demagogue</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. The card can be confusing, so allow me to break it down for you. Say you attack while you have Breena out. Her trigger will go off, and it'll check life totals. If that player has more life than another opponent (not you), you get the trigger. Keep in mind that an opponent can also get Breena's trigger, so there's incentive not to attack you. Those counters will add up very fast, making you into a threat very quickly.</p>
<p>For this section, I'm going to assume that you're going to switch the Turks out for Breena (it'd be good to keep them in the 99 anyway). That said, other options include <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Esper Sentinel" href="#" target="_blank">Esper Sentinel</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dusk Legion Duelist" href="#" target="_blank">Dusk Legion Duelist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> for more card draw. Meanwhile, while <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Necropolis Regent" href="#" target="_blank">Necropolis Regent</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> has a heavy black mana requirement, it'll also pump your board each time they connect.</p>
<p>With Breena now at the helm, we want to buff our little guys as much as we can. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Generous Pup" href="#" target="_blank">Generous Pup</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is not just an adorable pooch, but it can pump the whole team, possibly each turn. Meanwhile, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Drana, Liberator of Malakir" href="#" target="_blank">Drana, Liberator of Malakir</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can put counters on our board when she connects. It's worth noting that she has first strike, so you get said counters onto the other attacking creatures before they deal their damage. Finally, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Felidar Retreat" href="#" target="_blank">Felidar Retreat</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will make our creatures bigger with each land we play.</p>
<p>I do want to take a moment to address <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cathars&#039; Crusade" href="#" target="_blank">Cathars&#039; Crusade</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. It's easily one of the best cards to add in-universe, but the amount of counters being added, especially when multiple come in at once (say, a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Martial Coup" href="#" target="_blank">Martial Coup</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>) will make heads spin. I avoid it for this reason, but you're welcome to run the card if you can manage it.</p>
<h2>Mission Accomplished</h2>
<p>In conclusion, this an approach in Orzhov colors I can get behind. Like I said, I built this deck specifically for the Pride Event this month, but it won't take much to change the command zone. When you go to play in a pod of random people, be sure to utilize Rule 0 to see if they let you use the Turks as the commanders. If not, there's plenty to choose from. There's even one in the 99 of the decklist I posted. Tune in next week where I tackle what will be a small taste of my ambitions for the <em>Final Fantasy </em>set.</p>


The Turks of Final Fantasy - Pride Event Commander Deck

Building a Mono-Red Reanimator Deck with Clive, Ifrit's Dominant

Building Sin, Spira's Punishment With No Nonland Permanents

<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Together Forever|fic|257" href="#" target="_blank">Together Forever</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.artstation.com/fgq" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Yuu Fujiki</a></em></p>
<p>I don't consider myself an investigative journalist by any means, but there's been something on my mind I'd like to talk about. I'd gone online digging around to find out how much Booster Boxes costed in 2020. No, I'm not suddenly interested in Booster Boxes for no reason. With the recent release of the estimated cost of <em>Final Fantasy</em> sealed product, a lot of us are worried that there might have been a sudden hike in prices disproportionate to the natural growth of the game.</p>
<p>I say "worried" because angry isn't the right energy for this. There are certainly many reasons that people in this hobby could jump on the hate train about any slight change to this game, but I think the vast majority of players, not just haters, are reacting negatively to the price of <em>Final Fantasy</em>. It's not just saltiness for the sake of saltiness, but real concern across the entire fanbase.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Yidaro, Wandering Monster|prm|80921"></div></div>
<p>The question really comes down to: are we going to be paying too much for this hobby? This brings me back to my lack of investigative training: how much did a Collector's Booster Box cost in the past, and has it drastically changed? This is surprisingly hard to figure out, from the hours I've spent trying to find this out online.</p>
<h2>What is MSRP?</h2>
<p>Way back in 2019, <em>Wizards of the Coast</em> (WOTC) stopped using MSRP on their products, which is the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price. It basically means, in a vacuum, this is what WOTC would like the product to cost for consumers.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Hansk, Slayer Zealot|sld|144"></div></div>
<p>I'm not here to discuss what a move like this means to WOTC, or even speculate on their reasons for putting this kind of policy into place, but it's important nonetheless to demonstrate how this would affect the market for consumers. And it does explain why the information I was looking for is hard to find.</p>
<h2>The Effect of MSRP</h2>
<p>MSRP, from the manufacturer, doesn't factor in how various thing might drive up retailer costs, and thus consumer's cost. Demand, accessibility, scarcity, and profit margins of the retailers might drive up this price. Hype also plays a huge role on this too, because it translates into demand, which translates into potentially higher prices initially and presales.</p>
<p>WOTC brought back MSRP in 2024 with the release of <em>Foundations</em>. which should give us a clear number to judge WOTC's responsibility for the cost of their sets. Unfortunately, while spooking around the internet for a few hours, I found it extremely difficult to find those release day prices.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ancient Copper Dragon"></div></div>
<p>The closest I found was a Reddit post claiming they looked on 401 Games to compare the cost. I used the same site and will use this as my reference. I understand this might not be the most accurate, but it's still worth demonstrating. A <em>Foundations</em> Collector Booster box was priced at $356.95 (Converted from CAD to USD) and a <em>Final Fantasy</em> Collector Booster box is priced at $606.83. I double checked it, and that's a difference of roughly $250.</p>
<h2>Premium Like <em>Modern Horizons</em></h2>
<p>Some of the grumbles I've seen online explaining this price hike is that Universe Beyond (UB) sets are meant to be luxury sets, like <em>Modern Horizons</em>. This is confusing because <em>Final Fantasy</em> is going to be a Standard-legal set. So it would need to be Standard accessible, right?</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rhystic Study|sld|478"></div></div>
<p>I also looked up <em>Modern Horizons 3</em>'s Collector Booster box price and it came to $428.34. That's still a roughly $178 difference. That's concerning. I'm not oblivious to the fact that these prices for <em>Final Fantasy</em> are inflated in the way they often are with preorders, but the difference is still too stark. I'm sure the prices will come down with the flood of the market, but likely not 100+ dollars.</p>
<h2>Cost of Popular IPs In <em>Magic</em></h2>
<p>I'll be completely upfront that I'm not in a position to know whether WOTC has a legitimate reason for the price hikes. We have no idea how much it truly costs WOTC to get a popular IP like Final Fantasy and how much it might be overcharging to prepare for bigger IPs in the future. It's possible they just raised prices because they thought they could get away with doing so - just for the profit. We just don't know.</p>
<p>Something more important to note here is the duality of bringing in new players into this hobby and retaining them. The struggle here is that as the prices for this hobby go up with Universes Beyond sets, it both disillusions those enfranchised in the game to keep playing and might gatekeep new players because of initial costs to play.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Zethi, Arcane Blademaster|sld|432"></div></div>
<p>New players will likely involve themselves with this hobby by buying the products that brought them in, which makes a larger barrier to entry at this price point. If the sets become increasingly more pricey to maintain, it might not bring players. It's hard to see the break point.</p>
<p>The balancing effect of this is unknown to us. Maybe the cost is worth it, maybe it's the best WOTC can manage while providing prospective and enfranchised players with new content. Even giving WOTC the benefit of the doubt, it's hard to say. It's understandable that we'd see the hike in price and get afraid that it'll destroy something we all love.</p>
<h2>The Elephant in the Room</h2>
<p>Either way, Standard is going to suffer from this. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkzXtoG_bZE&amp;ab_channel=TolarianCommunityCollege" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tolarian Community College</a> made a great video that discusses what this might do to Standard. It points out the fact that this will be the new normal for the format because all Universes Beyond prices will be like this moving forward. It's a higher price point than Modern, while being Standard playable cards.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Abaddon the Despoiler"></div></div>
<p>Universes Beyond is planned to be half of all future sets going forward, so this is a price hike on half of all Magic product. Look at what happened to cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Orcish Bowmasters" href="#" target="_blank">Orcish Bowmasters</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The One Ring" href="#" target="_blank">The One Ring</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> did to other formats because of their single printing in LOTR. Imagine that, but for Standard sets.</p>
<p>Reprints need to be normalized for Universes Beyond cards. Universes Within, or something? I don't even know if this will be enough. I'm not sure I know what can solve this problem. Maybe UB can't be Standard-legal or UB can't be half of all sets.</p>
<h2>FOMO</h2>
<p>I've just been speculating on how much it will cost financially, but are we going to buy this stuff? Of course. <em>Magic</em> has a loyal fanbase. We love set releases and new cards. All over my Bluesky is hype about how incredibly designed and satisfying these <em>Final Fantasy</em> cards are. What WOTC refuses to do is to give us bad product. That's why it's been a huge hobby for a lot of people for a long time.</p>
<p>This is tough when we see others cracking packs and opening product like this. Commander is a friendly enough format that sitting out of one set won't warp your play experience, at least for just one set. But it's hard not to want the <em>Final Fantasy</em> product and the future <em>Avatar: The Last Airbender</em> product line, and everything that comes after.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards side-by-side"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Slicer, Hired Muscle"></div></div>
<p>Players are in a tough environment to not to feel pressured into these new and better sets with cards that are incredibly pushed and powerful. The power creep in these sets is important. It gets harder and harder to know how to spend the little money we have for our hobby.</p>
<p>This isn't a criticism of <em>Wizards of the Coast</em>, but an observations of the nature of new sets and cost of those sets. I've seen people online lamenting their inability to afford to participate in this set because of the sudden hikes in price. This feeling adds to the fear that I spoke about again and again - the fear of not being able to participate in a hobby you love.</p>
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<p>Is this kind of marketing potentially harmful? I'm not saying people should feel entitled to things we do as a hobby, but practices like chance and FOMO are psychological techniques that have proven taxing to deal with socially. I don't mean to pressure ethics here, but it's worth considering how these practices might affect the health of the fanbase.</p>
<h2>Is This Universes Beyond's Fault</h2>
<p>As a fan of Universes Beyond, I'm in a weird position. I see a lot people looking for something to blame about what's happening here. I want to navigate this carefully. We're in a position where the thing we want is what's causing us strife. If no one wanted <em>Final Fantasy</em> there would be no problem with the cost, but that's not the case.</p>
<p>In 2020, with the release of the Godzilla alternate cards and the Walking Dead Universes Beyond Secret Lair, I doubt WOTC or the fans had any idea it would take off as much as it did. I cannot understate, however, how making UB Standard legal, after initially promising that it wouldn't be, has made opting out of UB impossible for those who had been doing so this far.</p>
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<p>This makes the need of <em>Final Fantasy</em> more important than the want. Players who want to remain competitive will have to pay premium on top of premium. It's tough, and I'm conflicted. UB poses a real financial threat to the hobby, but it's simply because of how much people want these IPs in the first place. I don't want to understate or ignore this. I'd like to give you a simple answer to this situation, but it's just not simple.</p>
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
<p>I can give you one thing though: a request. <em>Wizards of the Coast</em>, we're looking for transparency. I'd like to understand your choices about these prices and some acknowledgement of the fear a lot of players are experiencing. If we could better understand where you're coming from with this choice, I'm sure we could come to some kind of calm.</p>
<p>I highly doubt that WOTC isn't considering players when they make choices. If the push for Modern and Standard and the Commander Brackets and ban list is an indication of anything, it's that they want to listen and make as many people happy, while still being able to produce this game profitably.</p>
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<p>Maybe that's a bit too kind, but hey, I'm an optimist. If there were any points I missed, or any pieces of research you'd like to send my way, I appreciate it. I'm <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/strixhavendropout.bsky.social" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@strixhavendropout on Blue Sky</a>.</p>


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