Best Recent Set

ramsfan1 · 01-27-2018, 01:06 PM

So I dont play and only collect when I am caught up on my football cards and have not bought packs in a while so what is the best set still available at retail right now?
Thanks.

ThoseBackPages · 01-27-2018, 04:31 PM

Guardians Rising

ramsfan1 · 01-27-2018, 04:56 PM

Really. Why? Card values I would guess.

ramsfan1 · 01-27-2018, 04:58 PM

I'm sorry.
I just noticed I didnt say which game. MTG sets are what I was asking about.

ThoseBackPages · 01-27-2018, 05:30 PM

ahhh ok. no clue as i dont play MTG, sorry

swowannabe · 01-28-2018, 04:58 PM

Depends on what you mean by "best"!

I'll only look at the Standard-legal sets as they are the widely-accepted definition of "recent".

Kaladesh - The oldest set, it's also packed with goodies. The quality of the rares both in playability and value is there. Most importantly, for me at least, is the presence of Masterpieces. They're basically ~1 in every 3 boxes and they're really awesome cards. Don't purchase a set just because of masterpieces, but they sure help with the excitement factor since any pack could be incredible. Kaladesh has very good flavor, too. It's a sort-of steampunk flavor, with an Indian subtheme. Not Native Americans, Indians. From India. Native Americans will make their appearance later...

Pros: Good value, good playability, good power, good draft environment.
Cons: Will rotate out of Standard in April I believe.

Aether Revolt - The small set behind Kaladesh. It was largely a flop on just about every level. There are a few key cards, namely Fatal Push which is an uncommon worth $8-9. The draft environment sucked really bad. But it has masterpieces. There are a few important powerful cards (Fatal Push, Walking Ballista, Heart of Kiran) and yeah.

Pros: Masterpieces?
Cons: Everything.

Amonkhet - Egyptian theme! Draft enviornment was pretty fast, but a vast improvement over Aether Revolt. Some OK cards, namely Hazoret I think. The cards in general are OK, nothing super great, nothing super awful. Has Masterpieces. An all around solid set.

Pros: Quality.
Cons: Draft environment is not as good.

Hour of Devastation - Awesome set. Great cards, though the overall value is dependent completely upon getting a Scarab God, which is about 1:2 boxes on average. Draft environment was amazing. Has masterpieces! Overall a really good set.

Pros: Value, quality, amazing draft, masterpieces.
Cons: Small set.

Ixalan- Most recent big set. Pirates, Dinosaurs, Vampires, and Merfolk. It's a tribal set. There are some OK cards here. The draft environment was horrible. No masterpieces to save anything. Still a fun set, but the value and whatnot just isn't there.

Pros: Pirates and Dinosaurs!
Cons: Everything.

Rivals of Ixalan - Most recent set, released a few weeks ago. More pirates, more dinosaurs, more vampires, and more merfolk. Some decent cards, no real clear picture as to what will make it into Standard or not. Value is inflated due to a new set, though prices are settling. OK draft environment so far, but it maybe just hasn't gotten stale. Who knows.

Pros: Brand new. Pirates. Dinos!
Cons: New.

Others to consider:

Modern Masters 2017 - Tons of value here. Expensive though. Modern staples galore.

Iconic Masters - No value. Not worth the $140. MSRP is $210 or something. Just goes to show how horrible the set is. People can't set it on fire fast enough to make bogus insurance claims to not lose their asses. Complete whiff of a set. Stay. Away.

Hope that helps.

My personal picks:

Open for Fun: Hour of Devastation or Amonkhet
Open for Value: Kaladesh
Draft: Hour of Devastation

DaaaaBears · 01-28-2018, 06:35 PM

If you're just collecting and don't play, I'd personally do MM17 - Just keep in mind with every masters type set that releases, there are risks of reprints dropping values on cards, so just be careful - I wouldn't purchase any standard anything for collecting unless you REALLY want a card - MM17 has some awesome cards in it

You won't find it at retail though

I forgot to add: MM17 is what sports guys like the most or did when I sold it!! Nice cards and foils can get you excited

swowannabe · 01-29-2018, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaaaaBears

If you're just collecting and don't play, I'd personally do MM17 - Just keep in mind with every masters type set that releases, there are risks of reprints dropping values on cards, so just be careful - I wouldn't purchase any standard anything for collecting unless you REALLY want a card - MM17 has some awesome cards in it

You won't find it at retail though

I forgot to add: MM17 is what sports guys like the most or did when I sold it!! Nice cards and foils can get you excited

Yep, would definitely give the thumbs up to this recommendation. MM17 just has tons of value.

ramsfan1 · 01-29-2018, 08:29 PM

Thanks folks.

rizzeedizzee · 01-30-2018, 12:50 PM

+1 for MM17. Look at MM17 side by side with MM13 - MM17 is more loaded, and MM13 is a $500 box now. In fact, the market is already starting to realize this, as you could get a box of MM17 for $200 until even a couple of months ago, but now it's $250 and up and I don't see it stopping it's upward climb.

Other than that, the regular releases all suffer from overproduction and no real home run cards, other than Scarab God in Amonkhet and Chandra in Kaladesh. I'd go with Kaladesh - best masterpieces overall (of course they're only one per every three boxes on average, and some are duds) plus a chance at a great mythic and still some good rares.

rizzeedizzee · 01-30-2018, 02:39 PM

Just to emphasize - masterpieces are one per three boxes, not, as was said by another poster, one per three cases in the applicable sets.

Also, I think Iconic Masters, although no question a disappointment versus expectations, is a decent open if you can get it for $140 or so. The issue with it was according to folks who opened a ton, roughly 75% of boxes all tended to be meh in value where you'd be lucky to recoup $75-100 in retail value, but one in every 4 or 5 were completely loaded, such that you'd get double your money back in value.

I'm also still seeing Eternal Masters boxes at the $200 level, and that makes it a pretty decent price based on your likely ROI.

If you want to go back a bit, Scars of Mirrodin still can be had for $200 or so and is a great set with a bunch of $10+ rares and a chance to get Mox Opal, which has been shooting up in value.

Rorschach · 02-13-2018, 04:11 PM

I'd rather pay $250 for MM17 than $140 for IM or $200 for EM. Dem fetch lands...

rizzeedizzee · 02-16-2018, 02:31 PM

Forget about Eternal Masters at $200 now that JTMS has been unbanned - those shot up to roughly $250 overnight, making them a bad buy due to lack of good rares to balance out the only three chase mythics.

Scars also is now more like $225 a box due to Mox Opal and all the hype Blackcleave Cliffs got in pro tour decks a couple of weeks ago. Still possibly a good buy at that price though.

Also, some older boxes are going to have a decent value now that pauper format is becoming a thing. Judgment and Torment in particular.

DaaaaBears · 02-16-2018, 05:18 PM

Man, JTMS getting unbanned has really got everyone in a frenzy lol it's going to be short lived though as he will definitely be getting reprinted in M25 - I just hope this isn't the only good thing about the next masters set though - there are rumblings going on about how M25 was already printed when IMA was released, so that's why they unbanned Jace - I dunno

01-27-2018, 01:06 PM	#1
ramsfan1 Member Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: St.Peters,MO. Posts: 38	Best Recent Set So I dont play and only collect when I am caught up on my football cards and have not bought packs in a while so what is the best set still available at retail right now? Thanks.

01-27-2018, 04:31 PM	#2
ThoseBackPages Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Long Island Posts: 91,389 ThoseBackPages	Guardians Rising __________________ Pumpers Paradise #YouCryIBuy Four things that we cannot change each others minds about: Politics, Religion, Third Party Grading, and 2021 Bowman's Best Rookie Cards

01-27-2018, 05:30 PM	#5
ThoseBackPages Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Long Island Posts: 91,389 ThoseBackPages	ahhh ok. no clue as i dont play MTG, sorry __________________ Pumpers Paradise #YouCryIBuy Four things that we cannot change each others minds about: Politics, Religion, Third Party Grading, and 2021 Bowman's Best Rookie Cards

01-28-2018, 04:58 PM	#6
swowannabe Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: St. Paul, MN Posts: 630	Depends on what you mean by "best"! I'll only look at the Standard-legal sets as they are the widely-accepted definition of "recent". Kaladesh - The oldest set, it's also packed with goodies. The quality of the rares both in playability and value is there. Most importantly, for me at least, is the presence of Masterpieces. They're basically ~1 in every 3 boxes and they're really awesome cards. Don't purchase a set just because of masterpieces, but they sure help with the excitement factor since any pack could be incredible. Kaladesh has very good flavor, too. It's a sort-of steampunk flavor, with an Indian subtheme. Not Native Americans, Indians. From India. Native Americans will make their appearance later... Pros: Good value, good playability, good power, good draft environment. Cons: Will rotate out of Standard in April I believe. Aether Revolt - The small set behind Kaladesh. It was largely a flop on just about every level. There are a few key cards, namely Fatal Push which is an uncommon worth $8-9. The draft environment sucked really bad. But it has masterpieces. There are a few important powerful cards (Fatal Push, Walking Ballista, Heart of Kiran) and yeah. Pros: Masterpieces? Cons: Everything. Amonkhet - Egyptian theme! Draft enviornment was pretty fast, but a vast improvement over Aether Revolt. Some OK cards, namely Hazoret I think. The cards in general are OK, nothing super great, nothing super awful. Has Masterpieces. An all around solid set. Pros: Quality. Cons: Draft environment is not as good. Hour of Devastation - Awesome set. Great cards, though the overall value is dependent completely upon getting a Scarab God, which is about 1:2 boxes on average. Draft environment was amazing. Has masterpieces! Overall a really good set. Pros: Value, quality, amazing draft, masterpieces. Cons: Small set. Ixalan- Most recent big set. Pirates, Dinosaurs, Vampires, and Merfolk. It's a tribal set. There are some OK cards here. The draft environment was horrible. No masterpieces to save anything. Still a fun set, but the value and whatnot just isn't there. Pros: Pirates and Dinosaurs! Cons: Everything. Rivals of Ixalan - Most recent set, released a few weeks ago. More pirates, more dinosaurs, more vampires, and more merfolk. Some decent cards, no real clear picture as to what will make it into Standard or not. Value is inflated due to a new set, though prices are settling. OK draft environment so far, but it maybe just hasn't gotten stale. Who knows. Pros: Brand new. Pirates. Dinos! Cons: New. Others to consider: Modern Masters 2017 - Tons of value here. Expensive though. Modern staples galore. Iconic Masters - No value. Not worth the $140. MSRP is $210 or something. Just goes to show how horrible the set is. People can't set it on fire fast enough to make bogus insurance claims to not lose their asses. Complete whiff of a set. Stay. Away. Hope that helps. My personal picks: Open for Fun: Hour of Devastation or Amonkhet Open for Value: Kaladesh Draft: Hour of Devastation __________________ 2015 A&G -=MEGAN KALMOE=- SUPER COLLECTOR PLEASE PM me with any hits of hers, especially printing plates and other 1/1's. Last edited by swowannabe; 02-05-2018 at 01:33 PM. Reason: Boxes, not cases!

01-28-2018, 06:35 PM	#7
DaaaaBears Member Join Date: May 2017 Posts: 874	If you're just collecting and don't play, I'd personally do MM17 - Just keep in mind with every masters type set that releases, there are risks of reprints dropping values on cards, so just be careful - I wouldn't purchase any standard anything for collecting unless you REALLY want a card - MM17 has some awesome cards in it You won't find it at retail though I forgot to add: MM17 is what sports guys like the most or did when I sold it!! Nice cards and foils can get you excited Last edited by DaaaaBears; 01-28-2018 at 06:44 PM.

01-27-2018, 04:56 PM	#3
ramsfan1 Member Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: St.Peters,MO. Posts: 38	Really. Why? Card values I would guess.

01-27-2018, 04:58 PM	#4
ramsfan1 Member Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: St.Peters,MO. Posts: 38	I'm sorry. I just noticed I didnt say which game. MTG sets are what I was asking about.

01-29-2018, 08:29 PM	#9
ramsfan1 Member Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: St.Peters,MO. Posts: 38	Thanks folks.

01-30-2018, 12:50 PM	#10
rizzeedizzee Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 428	+1 for MM17. Look at MM17 side by side with MM13 - MM17 is more loaded, and MM13 is a $500 box now. In fact, the market is already starting to realize this, as you could get a box of MM17 for $200 until even a couple of months ago, but now it's $250 and up and I don't see it stopping it's upward climb. Other than that, the regular releases all suffer from overproduction and no real home run cards, other than Scarab God in Amonkhet and Chandra in Kaladesh. I'd go with Kaladesh - best masterpieces overall (of course they're only one per every three boxes on average, and some are duds) plus a chance at a great mythic and still some good rares.

01-30-2018, 02:39 PM	#11
rizzeedizzee Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 428	Just to emphasize - masterpieces are one per three boxes, not, as was said by another poster, one per three cases in the applicable sets. Also, I think Iconic Masters, although no question a disappointment versus expectations, is a decent open if you can get it for $140 or so. The issue with it was according to folks who opened a ton, roughly 75% of boxes all tended to be meh in value where you'd be lucky to recoup $75-100 in retail value, but one in every 4 or 5 were completely loaded, such that you'd get double your money back in value. I'm also still seeing Eternal Masters boxes at the $200 level, and that makes it a pretty decent price based on your likely ROI. If you want to go back a bit, Scars of Mirrodin still can be had for $200 or so and is a great set with a bunch of $10+ rares and a chance to get Mox Opal, which has been shooting up in value.

02-13-2018, 04:11 PM	#12
Rorschach Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: LA Posts: 416 Johnnyleo	I'd rather pay $250 for MM17 than $140 for IM or $200 for EM. Dem fetch lands...

02-16-2018, 02:31 PM	#13
rizzeedizzee Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 428	Forget about Eternal Masters at $200 now that JTMS has been unbanned - those shot up to roughly $250 overnight, making them a bad buy due to lack of good rares to balance out the only three chase mythics. Scars also is now more like $225 a box due to Mox Opal and all the hype Blackcleave Cliffs got in pro tour decks a couple of weeks ago. Still possibly a good buy at that price though. Also, some older boxes are going to have a decent value now that pauper format is becoming a thing. Judgment and Torment in particular.

02-16-2018, 05:18 PM	#14
DaaaaBears Member Join Date: May 2017 Posts: 874	Man, JTMS getting unbanned has really got everyone in a frenzy lol it's going to be short lived though as he will definitely be getting reprinted in M25 - I just hope this isn't the only good thing about the next masters set though - there are rumblings going on about how M25 was already printed when IMA was released, so that's why they unbanned Jace - I dunno