After a surprisingly long spoiler season for a small set, The Hobbit is now fully revealed. For the most part, this set seems fairly low-powered; however, there are a few gems, especially for Commander players. Beyond getting new staples, these players also get to enjoy a fantastic suite of reprints that appear as Box Toppers.
Unfortunately, while there are plenty of high-value Box Toppers that could pay for your pack, overall, it’s a mixed bag. This is especially true for the last batch of Box Topper reprints for The Hobbit, which only offer $45 in value. While this might not sound bad, considering this value is split across seven cards, there are more duds than bombs
MTG Lotho, Corrupt Sheriff
Selling for around $13 at its cheapest, Lotho, Corrupt Sheriff is the most expensive Hobbit Box Topper in this final batch. Sadly, considering a Collector Booster will set you back $38, and any box a whole lot more, this isn’t the most exciting value proposition. That said, given the new art on these Box Toppers, and their rarity, they may all end up being surprisingly expensive.
Beyond their general scarcity, Lotho, in particular, has big money written all over it. Thanks to seeing play in over 278,000 Commander decks, this card is a bona fide staple. Considering Lotho can create a mountain of Treasures for any on-color deck, this insane play rate isn’t a surprise at all.
MTG The Black Gate
Similarly, while it’s not quite as popular, The Black Gate is still a true Commander staple, appearing in 122,000 decks. While this isn’t bad at all, given the utility this land offers, it’s arguably underplayed. Not only can this land enter untapped for minimal life loss, but getting to sneak a creature through is hugely valuable.
Whether you’re running Magar of the Magic Strings, Obeka, Splitter of Seconds, or almost any Commander really, effectively giving a creature unblockable is always huge. Thanks to this, there could easily be heightened demand for this new variant, which could mean big money. Currently, the rather ugly showcase scrolls frame is miraculously $25; however, the original printing is just $9.
MTG Witch-king of Angmar
While it is not a very popular Commander, Witch-king of Angmar is still a very powerful MTG card. Just by existing, this card disincentivises opponents from attacking you, and it’s a pretty capable blocker, too. Thanks to this alone, the card appears in 54,000 decks, which is respectable, even if it’s not a staple.
As if keeping you safe wasn’t enough, this Witch-king also unlocks Discard and Tempted by the Ring synergies. With these in mind, arguably, the card could see a lot more play, especially since it’s not overly expensive. On average, you can pick up a copy of Witch-king of Angmar for just $7, although this new variant is likely to be more expensive.
MTG Raise the Palisade
Following a recent reprint, Raise the Palisade can be picked up for around $4.50 nowadays, which feels like a steal, honestly. Within a focused typal deck, this is effectively a one-sided board bounce, which massively sets your opponents back. With this in mind, it’s no wonder that it sees strong play in around 143,000 Commander decks.
Notably, like Lotho, there’s a strong chance this new reprint will end up selling for a good bit more than usual. Outside of the dubiously attractive showcase scrolls print, this card doesn’t really have a chase variant. Depending on supply, this new Box Topper might just fill that role, but that currently remains to be seen.
MTG Dawn of a New Age
Selling for around $3.50 on average, Dawn of a New Age is a rather odd MTG card. In an ideal world, it can be a constant, albeit slow, source of card draw, providing value throughout an entire game. As useful as this could be, however, the need for creatures limits the card’s potential a fair bit.
Due to this, it’s not hugely surprising that Dawn of a New Age doesn’t see tons of play in Commander. According to EDHREC, only around 36,700 decks run this card, most of which are capable of going wide.
MTG Glamdring
While it does require a lot of support to really work, Glamdring has an insane amount of potential as an MTG card. With a graveyard stacked with instants and sorceries, and a few more in hand, the value this equipment provides is obscene. While it can help Spellslingers decks punch above their weight and cheat out spells, it barely sees any play.
Appearing in just 25,800 decks, according to EDHREC, this equipment is by no means a staple, even in Spellslingers decks. Realistically, most decks just don’t need this card, which, for better or worse, means it’s rather inexpensive. Selling for just $2.50 on average, even this new potentially chase variant is unlikely to break the bank.
MTG Grima, Saruman’s Footman
Curiously, despite not having any more printings than other cards, and seeing more play than some, Grima, Saruman’s Footman is the cheapest Box Topper here. Selling for just $1.33 for its default frame variant, this card is a value dud that you’d hate to see. As a card, however, it’s not too bad, even if it is mostly confined to card-stealing Commander decks.
By guaranteeing you’ll find an instant or sorcery, connecting with Grima, Saruman’s Footman is potentially hugely valuable. It’s also easy, too, since this card is naturally unblockable, so you don’t have to expend any extra resources. Despite this, effects like these are only really good in focused strategy, which limits Grima to appearing in just 47.800 decks.
Stick with us here at mtgrocks.com: the best site for Magic: The Gathering coverage. Be sure to check out our deckbuilder for your next big brew, and our brand new MTG Rocks Podcast!