Sphere of Influence: August 30, 2024

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

The Modern ban hammer has landed on Nadu, Winged Wisdom and Grief, opening up Modern to any number of oppressed strategies and clearing the way for The One Ring to, once again, rule them all. Here are a few neglected Modern role-players to grab as the meta finds its footing.

Archmage’s Charm

This previous Modern staple from the original Modern Horizons spent a fair amount of time at a less-than-affordable price, hitting a high of $35 before slowly trending towards $3-$4, where it sat until Outlaws of Thunder Junction included the card in its “Breaking News” subset. Now, players can pick up this versatile blue tool for only $1.

Normally, I’d expect the price to hold, but due to this week’s Modern shake-ups, it’s unclear whether Archmage’s Charm will be making a comeback. Flame of Anor and Drown in the Loch seem to have largely taken those toolbox-y spots in current decks shaped by Nadu, Winged Wisdom. This week is an excellent window within which to grab a Charm-ing playset for pittance.

Supreme Verdict

With Nadu and Grief gone, we may see a shift back towards Azorius Control to match the power Dimir Control has been exhibiting, even without Grief in rotation: Psychic Frog is the new hotness, putting in major work alongside Murktide Regent. Azorius has a few unique tools, though, most notable Teferi, Time Raveler and Solitude. Supreme Verdict, though, is what ties the room together and enables Azorius Control to take down aggro strategies in style or clear up a few pesky Psychic Frogs without fear of countering.

There is a bit of a catch. Sink Into Stupor has been making the rounds, and because of how it's worded, the card can hit Supreme Verdict just fine—so can Reprieve and Remand, for what it’s worth, though those are less likely to be spotted too often out in the wild. Still, even just for Commander, Supreme Verdict is efficient at what it does; the least flashy tools still get the job done.

Mishra’s Bauble

Here’s a card that, to the uninitiated, looks like the most innocuous threat to ever exist in Magic: the Gathering. Modern players know the truth. A playset of Mishra’s Baubles can power up any Dragon’s Rage Channeler or Monastery Swiftspear, or fill a graveyard for a cheap Murktide Regent, drawing a few cards in the process. (Personally, I love the “beginning of the next turn’s upkeep” clause so much, allowing for sneaky draws to get around things like Narset, Parter of Veils). Fittingly, having appeared originally in Coldsnap, each Bauble would set you back almost $10 at the height of its popularity. It took a few reprints to get the price down to $2, where it is now. Take advantage before its appearance in The Brothers’ War falls too distantly in the past, especially given just how many decks this card can slot into.

Rock Ban

To fellow Modern players, what decks do you want to dust off now that these latest bannings have occurred? Do you think Amulet of Vigor/Primeval Titan is about to make a huge comeback? Share your thoughts!