Sphere of Influence: January 17, 2025

Welcome to Sphere of Influence, a pre-FNM look at some potential movers and shakers that are worth picking up before their prices increase.

Modern has seen a major shake-up since announcing its bans a few weeks ago. Here are a few cheap pickups to conquer the new meta.

Chthonian Nightmare

Not only is this Recurring Nightmare remix a powerhouse in Commander, but it has plenty of uses in Modern toolbox creature decks, particularly in Mardu. It's insane that the card still hovers around $1; absent a reprint in this coming year, I'd fully expect the card to start its steady incline in price.

Leyline Binding

Here's a card that was far too expensive for far too long, given it requires a fair amount of finesse to get going. Paying more than $10 always felt wrong, but its current price of $2 falls within a more acceptable range. Couple this with the fact that the Surveil lands make achieving Domain far simpler, and you've got the makings of a return to Modern staple-dom.

Grist, the Hunger Tide

We did it! Everyone's favorite Insect planeswalker has become a bulk mythic rare, and I could not be more psyched. Grist represents a heck of a toolbox for any deck that even remotely cares about tokens or graveyard shenanigans, and it's fetchable off Green Sun's Zenith, to boot. Grab one, or many!

Kozilek's Return

This board wipe offers some unexpected flexibility to what are often very straightforward strategies - plus, its recursive element costs zero mana and is unlikely to kill your own creatures. Because it was printed at mythic rare, it's probably worth grabbing one at $2.50 now before supply dwindles any more.

Modern Age

Are you excited for an updated Modern metagame? What deck are you going to pull out of retirement now that Boros Energy isn't dominating everything? Let me know!