Market Report (March)

Today we will be looking at the Standard Rares & Mythics Averages of three Standard legal sets from the past month and then speak directly to some impact cards that Dragons of Tarkir have given us so far.

Let's begin with our quick market recap for March.

Theros - This month was a very good one for Standard's current oldest set as it benefited greatly, or possibly entirely, upon the announcement of Shorecrasher Elemental. The triple-blue creature easily thrust Mono-Blue Devotion back into the spotlight and Master of Waves jumped an unbelievable 220.68% from March 6th all the way into the following day.

Master of Waves: Averages (Jan. 16 - Mar. 31)

Source: MTG Stock, mtgstocks.com

This also led to a 27.8% jump on the Mono-Blue God, Thassa, who's price had been heavily stagnated going into spoiler season as few expected any support for mono-colours in the final set of a multi-coloured block.

Thassa, God of the Sea: Averages (Jan. 16 - Mar. 31)

Source: MTG Stock, mtgstocks.com

The set's index (^THS-RM-A) was on trend to fall below the 100 point mark before summer, but this month's gains have seemed to push that back another month of two. The set closed at 107.62 with an intra-month high of 114.10 after Master of Waves and Thassa helped rally for an extra 9 points.

Theros Rares & Mythics Averages (^THS-RM-A)

Source: MTG Investments, Mar. 1 - Mar. 31

Fate Reforged - After celebrating it's two month birthday this month, Fate was given the unfortunate gift of steady declines as chase mythics became the only thing holding up the value of the set.

The index closed the month at 113.37, down 6.1% from the first of the month despite a 19.4% gain on the newest chase mythic: Whisperwood Elemental.

Whisperwood Elemental: Averages (Jan. 16 - Mar. 31)

Source: MTG Stock, mtgstocks.com

The 3-green-green centre of the Green-White Devotion deck saw steady gains and could possibly make it's way up to the $15 mark by mid-April and could climb to more than $17 if there's a strong showing at Pro Tour Dragons.

Fate Reforged Rares & Mythics Averages (^FRF-RM-A)

Source: MTG Investments, Mar. 1 - Mar. 31

Khans of Tarkir - The 2014 Fall set was beat down this month as Fetch-Land prices continued to decline and dragged the index down by 9.4% to finish at 95.92.

Sorin and Siege Rhino also fell by 15.3% and 14.8% respectively as Abzan looked to be falling out of favour at the most recent events leading up to Dragons of Tarkir's release.

Khans of Tarkir Rares & Mythics Averages (^KTK-RM-A)

Source: MTG Investments, Mar. 1 - Mar. 31

Now let's talk about some cards to look out for this month as the second Pro Tour of the year is only a week away.

First off, the set's index opened on March 28th at 124.54 and closed the month up 9 points, or 7.2%, as Thunderbreak Regent looked to have one of the strongest showings at the first Dragons event and jumped 42.1% in the three days after launch.

Thunderbreak Regent: Averages (Mar. 5 - Mar. 31)

Source: MTG Stocks, mtgstocks.com

In my opinion, this is definitely the breakout card for Standard and could be only one good Pro Tour showing away from a $12 price tag in the short term. Definitely not worth picking up at this point as I wouldn't expect a price higher than Tasigur's after Pro Tour Fate. 

Despite being one of the biggest flavour fails of the set, no one can deny that Deathmist Raptor may be one of the strongest constructed cards in the set and his price certainly matches that level of expectation. Setting new highs every day, the 1-green-green creature opened at 15.49 and quickly rose to 15.99 in the three days after.

Those who bought into the Lizard Beast before March 19th stand to make a killing if he continues to climb to prices usually only reserved for Planeswalkers.

Deathmist Raptor: Averages (Mar. 8 - Mar. 31)

Source: MTG Stocks, mtgstocks.com

All around it looks to be a nice start to the new set and looks like we can expect big things in the constructed in the coming weeks, but it remains to be seen how large of an impact this set will have on prices for it's life in Standard.

I'm anxious to hear what you have to say. What do you think of Dragons of Tarkir? What card(s) from the new set will shape Standard in a new way?

Thanks for the support ad happy hunting.

 - Jay