Magic: The Gathering (MTG) has once again stirred the waters of the card trading world with the release of its Universes Beyond: Assassin’s Creed set. This new addition has caused an unprecedented spike in the price of Thunder Junction Commander Olivia, Opulent Outlaw, increasing by a staggering 1000 percent.
The Price Surge
Before the release of the Assassin’s Creed set, the non-foil version of Olivia, Opulent Outlaw was relatively affordable, priced at around $1.70. However, following the new set’s release, the price has soared to $19. This significant price hike highlights the often unpredictable nature of MTG’s card market, where card values can fluctuate dramatically based on new releases and emerging synergies.
The Ezio Auditore Effect
The primary catalyst for this price surge is the introduction of the Ezio Auditore da Firenze card in the Assassin’s Creed set. This card, designed around the popular Assassin’s Creed character, has brought new dynamics to MTG gameplay, particularly with its strong synergy with Olivia, Opulent Outlaw. Ezio Auditore da Firenze is an Assassin-matters card, and Olivia’s ability to generate treasure tokens aligns perfectly with Ezio’s freerunning mechanic, allowing players to deploy more Assassins at a reduced cost.
Out of the 2,902 Ezio decks recorded on EDHREC, Olivia, Opulent Outlaw appears in 1,558 of them. This high inclusion rate underscores the card’s popularity and effectiveness in these new deck configurations, driving up demand significantly.
Scarcity and Demand
The surge in Olivia’s price is not solely due to her synergy with Ezio. The scarcity of the non-foil version of Olivia plays a crucial role. This version is exclusively available in Collector Boosters, making it much rarer than other cards. The limited availability combined with high demand has created a perfect storm for the price spike.
Historical Context
MTG’s card market is known for its volatility. Similar instances have occurred in the past. For instance, the release of Thunder Junction earlier this year led to a 500 percent increase in the price of Cerulean Wisps after a new infinite combo was discovered. Additionally, the release of Baldur’s Gate 3 caused a spike in the price of the MTG card for Karlach, driven by fan enthusiasm for the character.
Final Thoughts
The release of Magic: The Gathering’s Assassin’s Creed set has once again demonstrated the dynamic nature of the card trading market. The synergy between Ezio Auditore da Firenze and Olivia, Opulent Outlaw has not only enriched gameplay strategies but also caused a significant market shift.