Sphere of Influence: November 22, 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.

Less than a year ago, many of the below cards were carrying inflated price tags and forcing Pioneer players to shell out a pretty penny for their power. No more! Give thanks for the following powerful Pioneer selections at a relatively achievable value.

Fable of the Mirror-Breaker

All it took was an aggressive rejiggering of the Modern meta and a rotation out of Standard to sink Fable of the Mirror-Breaker’s price from $20 to $7 in just under a year. But we did it, people! This card does a whole lot of things, and well, so it’s no surprise it has been in high demand since its printing in Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty in every place it was legal. Grab one for your Pioneer decks now to start grinding value like the format’s going out of style.

Unlicensed Hearse

More of a utility player than a dominating force, Unlicensed Hearse spiked hard after its release in Streets of New Capenna and has been on a steady decline ever since. For only $1.50, you can pick up one of your own and start exiling your opponent’s graveyards in Pioneer. You may only need one - the card is strong in sideboards and midrange strategies but can feel a bit clunky at times, especially in multiples.

Liliana of the Veil

Arguably, Liliana of the Veil is not “cheap” because its original Innistrad printing is priced at $25 and its reprint in Dominaria United sits at $15. But, as a proud Boomer Jund aficionado, I remember when this fabulous planeswalker fetched at least a $75 price tag, and I remain amazed at how Wizards of the Coast has outdone even this most sinister of ‘walkers, to the point where it’s virtually unplayable in Modern. Pioneer has become a happy home for her, though, and well worth the price of admission for posterity alone.

Shark Typhoon

What looked like a meme card at first has become a solid Azorius Control staple in Pioneer. And, why not? It can become a massive flying shark cantrip at instant speed or a big-mana win-con if the game grinds itself to the bitter end. Thanks to numerous reprints, one can be yours for only $1, down from $15.

Kroxa, Titan of Death’s Hunger

When Grief

and Fury

were legal in Modern, Kroxa, Titan of Death’s Hunger saw a lot of play and commanded a $25 price tag, escaping its way into our hearts and out of our wallets. The situation today wildly differs from only nine months ago, when Rakdos Scam dominated the meta, and Kroxa has enjoyed a nice dip in price thanks to a reprint in March of the Machine: Multiverse Legends. The original Theros Beyond Death version can be yours for only $2 now. And if, like me, you're wild about the Secret Lair printing in the style of Kaldheim, you can snag one for $10 and bling out your Pioneer deck.

Pioneering Technology

What are you playing in Pioneer these days? In particular, are there new cards in Foundations that have pushed you in a particular direction? I’m not super familiar with that meta and would love to learn more from y’all!