Sphere of Influence: March 14, 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.

Magic's deluge of new sets can be overwhelming, but one upside is that there exist far more opportunities for reprints, which has driven down the price of some previously expensive Commander goodies. Here are a few now worth their weight in sheckles:

Retrofitter Foundry - $1.50

Previously priced in the double digits by a healthy margin, Retrofitter Foundry finally received a reprint in Aetherdrift Commander after its lone printing in Commander 2018. The card can be a house in any scenario involving infinite mana, but for the rest of us, it's a goofy token generator that spent much of its existence outside the reach of budget-conscious players. No more.

A single additional appearance drove its price almost to the floor, meaning scarcity, not demand, was the main issue. I've loved it in my Pia Nalaar, Consul of Revival deck, where it turns Thopters into chunkier 4/4 blockers; these sorts of corner-case playstyles are what the card was made for.

Rot Hulk - $2

Scarcity was truly the only driver of this card's $30 price tag, as it's clearly built as a casual Zombies-matter card and not as much else. But, for some time, its only appearance was as part of the Game Night product, where it sat as a white whale. Mystery Booster 2 and Aetherdrift Commander changed all that, and now budget Zombie enthusiasts can rejoice in gaining a nice if not clumsy top-end. Just don't let too many opponents die before you cast it.

Cryptbreaker - $1

Here's another Zombie card that held an inflated price for too long - though not quite as egregiously high as Rot Hulk - that has, mercifully, received a reprint in Aetherdrift Commander and become almost a bulk rare. Great news, especially since Cryptbreaker has some utility even outside of Zombie decks due to its cheap mana value and ability to tap itself as one of the Zombies required to draw cards. The reprint also arrives with superior artwork whose focus is more on the Zombies, less the tombstones obscuring 'em.

Conjurer's Closet - $1

A handful of printings kept the price of Conjurer's Closet from spiraling out of control, but it still sat north of $10 despite its high mana value and limited usefulness outside of blink decks. (I'm sure the fact that it's colorless had something to do with that.)

Now, thanks to back-to-back appearances in Innistrad Remastered and Aetherdrift Commander, its $1 price tracks with its utility and power level. Expect to encounter it in the most blink-happy 99s, but not much elsewhere unless it's powering up some jank - as it should be.

Bootleggers' Stash - $0.50

Hard to believe this card was once the chase mythic in Streets of New Capenna, largely for its synergy with Korvold, Fae-Cursed King. The card never quite found its footing, and its new bulk price more accurately reflects its playability. It's definitely worth grabbing one for cheap just in case another Commander comes along with explosive Treasure potential.

Print-and-Repeat

Are there other recently reprinted cards you have your eye on? Any uses for Retrofitter Foundry you've enjoyed outside of combo? Let me know!