Now that prerelease weekend is behind us, The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth MTG set is just days away from its first full release. Technically, many Local Game Stores can already sell the set’s products, however, big box stores are having to wait their turn. Considering these stores typically have plenty of supply, the hype for the set’s release hasn’t gone anywhere just yet. This is despite the fact that it’s already legal in Modern.
In case you’ve not been keeping up with all the details, much of the hype surrounding The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth is thanks to one single card. Within one English Collector Booster, somewhere in the world, there is a special edition of The One Ring. In a rather apt celebration of the set, this card is a one-of-one serialized variant with unique art and text.
On par with the rarest MTG cards ever printed, this prized collectible has enamored players since its announcement. As you might expect, this fervor isn’t just because of the new art and shiny shiny foiling technique. Instead, this serialized copy of The One Ring is understandably expected to be tremendously expensive. In fact, it already is, with current offers for the card reaching a staggering €2,000,000 already!
Since €2,000,000 ($2,183,048) is obviously an insane amount of money, many MTG players can’t wait to start cracking packs. Unfortunately, however, thanks to all the hype to do this, opening Collector Boosters isn’t as easy as it usually is. This is thanks to the price of these packs and boxes absolutely exploding over recent weeks. So much so, in fact, that many casual players may be completely priced out!
Costly Collector Boosters
For better and for worse, MTG doesn’t have a typical retail structure when it comes to selling products. Rather than having MSRPs (Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price) for each product and card, stores are seemingly left to determine their own price. This often causes prices to be based on supply and demand, rather than a fixed profit margin.
On one hand, this sales structure can be incredibly useful for new players, as it can reduce prices over time. This has certainly been the case for Streets of New Capenna Draft Booster Boxes which are now worth around $78. On the other hand, however, should demand outweigh a store’s supply, prices of products can absolutely explode. As we mentioned before, this can be incredibly detrimental as new players can be effectively priced out.
Unfortunately, this is exactly what is happening to The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth. Due to all the players hoping to get their hands on the serialized The One Ring, Collector Booster prices have come absurd. Currently, on TCGplayer, a Collector Booster Box of The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth is worth around $455. Sadly, this immense price isn’t just a random outlier. Prices on Amazon, for instance, are fairly consistent, being $443 at the time of writing.
Looking back at TCGplayer price history, the effects of supply and demand are obvious here. For example, back in late May, Collector Booster boxes were only worth $354. Since this date (May 27th), the bounty on The One Ring has absolutely exploded. Jumping first to $190,000, then $500,000, and later $1,000,000, interest in The One Ring has soared. Subsequently, so has the price of Collector Boosters, as players understandably want to find this card!
Gauche Gift Bundles
Thankfully, not every Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth product has become so worryingly expensive. Draft Booster boxes, for instance, are still selling for around $162. While this is good news for those who actually want to play the set, unfortunately, there is another expensive outlier. This is the upcoming The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth Gift Bundle, which releases later in July.
On the surface, this Gift Bundle isn’t much to write home about. After all, the only difference between it and the regular Bundle is the inclusion of a Collector Booster. For better or worse, however, this Collector Booster can contain the one-of-one copy of The One Ring.
In theory, this Gift Bundle Collector Booster is just as likely to contain The One Ring as any other pack. Sounds Wizards have seeded The One Ring, however, then the Gift Bundle is the perfect place to put it. Offering a tremendous marketing opportunity, as well as higher odds that the card is found, it’s incredibly understandable why Wizards would hide The One Ring in a Gift Booster.
Once MTG fans pointed out this possibility, the price of Gift Edition bundles absolutely exploded. Previously, these bundles were selling for $100, which was rather compelling considering their contents. Over the past few days, however, players have seemingly been buying out every Gift Bundle they can find.
Capitalizing on the demand for this upcoming product, prices have steadily been increasing. At first, prices crept up from $100 by a dollar or two, however, as supply dwindled, prices shot up. On TCGplayer, the most recent sales of The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth Gift Bundles have been for around $300!
Painful Pricing
Considering its name, the Gift Bundle should be the ideal present for a Lord of the Rings and MTG fan. At $300 per box, however, this product is completely unfit for the purpose laid out by its name. While this would be problematic enough for any traditional MTG set, it’s an even greater problem for Tales of Middle-earth.
As a Universes Beyond crossover set, The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth is tailored toward new MTG players. Due to this, it’s incredibly important that information about products is as clear as possible. Thankfully, most products, like the aptly named Draft and Collector, automatically do this. The Gift Bundle, however, is currently a complete misnomer, due to the price point. In theory, this could turn away plenty of prospective purchasers who would otherwise be interested.
Unfortunately, since the Gift Bundle could contain The One Ring, not much can be done about the problematic pricing. After all, due to the chance being there, hopeful collectors are evidently going to snap up the stock they can. In theory, it is possible that prices could fall before the product’s release on July 7th. For this to happen, however, The One Ring would need to be found and posted online to quell the excitement.
Due to the dismal odds of finding The One Ring, there’s no guarantee this is going to happen. What we do know for sure, however, is that The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth Gift Bundle is selling like hotcakes. Due to this sales success, Wizards may consider the product a major win, even if it is theoretically detrimental for new players.
Read More: MTG Missed These Core Lord of the Rings Details!
