The Lorwyn Eclipsed Commander precons have been a slam dunk within the MTG community. For fans of -1/-1 counter synergies and Elemental value engines, both EDH decks offer a strong array of new designs and potent reprints.
Still, not every strong potential inclusion was fortunate enough to earn a reprint in either deck. As a result, numerous cards have already spiked. Now, Cavalier of Flame appears to be the next card in line for a major price increase.
MTG Cavalier of Flame
For five mana, Cavalier of Flame provides a decent amount of value. Getting to sculpt your hand when this creature enters is powerful on its own, and things only get better when you factor in the creature’s death trigger.
In an EDH setting, there are a variety of ways to get even more value out of these abilities. One approach is to play Cavalier of Flame in a Borborygmos Enraged or Yuma, Proud Protector shell that emphasizes filling your graveyard with lands. Similarly, there are legends like Captain Howler, Sea Scourge that pay you off for discarding cards, profiting from both of the Cavalier’s abilities. Where this Elemental is at its absolute best, though, is in decks like Calamity, Galloping Inferno that can make token copies of it, getting multiple enters and death triggers out of the deal. Yet, despite all of this utility, Cavalier of Flame still only appears in 16,000 decks according to EDHREC.
Fortunately, thanks to the release of the Dance of the Elements precon, Cavalier of Flame has another premium Commander option. Being able to Evoke Cavalier of Flame with Ashling, the Limitless helps you utilize both beneficial triggers right away. Then, you’ll get your token copy as a reward, pulling you further ahead.
While the secondary Commander, Mass of Mysteries, doesn’t help you maximize Cavalier’s death trigger via Myriad, any sacrifice outlet creates an elite engine. Plus, Cavalier of Flame’s ability to grant Haste to your Elementals on command makes Mass of Mysteries have a more immediate impact.
The Spike
Thanks to these new Commanders adding to Cavalier of Flame’s versatility, the Elemental Knight has seen its demand rise considerably. More players initially became interested in Cavalier of Flame after Ashling was leaked, causing its price tag to rise. Once the full decklist for the Dance of the Elements precon was previewed, its value propelled upward even more. At the time of writing, Core Set 2020 Cavalier of Flame’s average near-mint market price is $7.18, up 354% from its low of $1.58 over the last month.
For anyone hoping for a better deal, you may be out of luck for the time being. Besides the initial Core Set 2020 printing, the only other traditional variant available comes from The List. The cheapest listing for The List versions of Cavalier of Flame is $10.98, even higher than the Core Set 2020 option.
The Future
As is the case with most precon-based spikes, it’s hard to imagine Cavalier of Flame’s price continuing its path upward forever. It’s only a matter of time before players focus their attention on new legendary build-arounds from upcoming sets. In fact, even though TMNT MTG doesn’t officially release until March, a large percentage of the rare and mythic legends from the set have already been leaked. Add on the EDH legends that have been previewed like Leonardo, the Balance, and players may start focusing on new Commanders in short order.
Nonetheless, in the short-term, Cavalier of Flame has shown no signs of slowing down. Considering that other upgrades to the Dance of the Elements precon like Flamekin Harbinger have yet to have their prices drop post-spike, Cavalier of Flame will likely follow suit.
Ultimately, though, it’s impossible to predict the future. We’ll just have to wait and see how things play out in the coming weeks.
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