Magic: The Gathering's new Foundations Commander decks have returned to major online retailers, including Amazon, following stock shortages that impacted availability since their launch in early October. These five decks were designed to offer an accessible entry point into Magic's most popular multiplayer format, Commander, with each featuring a distinct mono-color strategy and a $30 MSRP.
While the decks are now largely back in stock, some have seen a slight price increase from their initial recommended retail price. For example, the mono-red "Reign of Dragons" deck is available for $35.44 on Amazon, significantly below its TCGplayer market average of $47.68. Similarly, the mono-black "Wretched Ranks" deck is priced at $39.99, aligning with its market rate. The mono-blue "Keen Engineering" deck is currently priced higher at $43.07, though it was previously found below MSRP, with a TCGplayer market price of $30.26.
The standout deal among the replenished stock is the mono-white "Calling All Angels" deck, which is available for its MSRP of $29.99, a considerable $22 less than its current market average of $52.
The five-deck bundle, initially priced at $149.95, is now averaging around $195, an increase of over $45. This brings the average cost per deck to approximately $39, leading to a recommendation to purchase individual decks or wait for potential price drops.
Notably absent from the restocked lineup is the mono-green "Tramplesaurus Rex" deck, which focuses on dinosaurs. This scarcity has driven its price up on the secondary market, with prices reaching as high as $60 on TCGplayer, a cost the article suggests is not worth paying double the original price.
Wizards of the Coast is expected to regularly reprint the Foundations Commander decks, which should help stabilize prices and ensure easier access for players looking to enter the Commander format. Once these reprints occur, the prices for all decks, including the "Tramplesaurus Rex," are anticipated to decrease.
The Foundations series offers distinct playstyles: "Calling All Angels" features Giada, Font of Hope; "Reign of Dragons" is led by Lathliss, Dragon Queen; and "Tramplesaurus Rex" includes Ghalta, Primal Hunger. "Wretched Ranks" is helmed by Ghoulcaller Gisa, focusing on zombies and sacrifice mechanics, while "Keen Engineering" utilizes Sai, Master Thopterist, to focus on artifacts. These decks are designed for cohesion, making them suitable for introducing new players to Magic: The Gathering's Commander format.