MTG’s Rarest Card is Already Pringled
Magic: the Gathering’s new Lord of the Rings set has been making waves in the gaming community. One of the standout features of the set is the inclusion of The One Ring, a central artifact in the Lord of the Rings IP. This card is unique, with only one copy in existence.
However, in its debut video, the card appears to be curled, raising concerns among players. In this article, we will explore the rarity of the card, player response, the impact of the condition, and its potential value.
The Rarest Card Ever
Magic: the Gathering has never before released a serialized card with only one copy in existence. Serialized cards in the past have shown that rarity often translates to higher prices. Take, for example, the serialized version of Elesh Norn, a powerful card in many decks. Its unique artwork and limited availability make it highly valuable, with prices reaching thousands of dollars.
Considering this, it is expected that The One Ring, with its serialized nature, will have an astronomical price tag. Speculations suggest it may even exceed a million dollars, making it one of the rarest and most expensive cards in the history of the game.
How Expensive is it?
To gain some perspective on the potential value of The One Ring, let’s look at the recent sale of Tyler the Great Warrior, a one-of-a-kind card in the Yu-Gi-Oh community. Despite having some damage, this card fetched an impressive $311,211.
Considering that The One Ring holds a significant place in popular culture due to its association with the Lord of the Rings franchise, it could potentially sell for an even higher price. While it may not carry the same deep meaning within the MTG community, its symbolic representation and limited availability make it a highly desirable collectible.
Is The One Ring Pringled?
During the Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth Debut show by Wizards of the Coast, an array of new cards was unveiled. Among them was The One Ring, showcased in all its glory with stunning foil finishes. However, keen-eyed MTG players immediately noticed that the card appeared to be pringled. Pringling is a term used to describe the curling of foil cards, making them susceptible to playability issues.
In the case of Commander Legends, the curling was so severe that foil cards became unplayable, resembling the shape of a Pringles chip. Pringling is often caused by the differing reactions of cardboard and foil to humidity, resulting in curled cards that can affect gameplay and even lead to marked cards.
Check out our proxy version of The One Ring here.
Player Response
While it’s important to note that we cannot confirm if The One Ring is truly curled based solely on its debut video, the community has expressed concerns regarding the card’s condition. Players have humorously commented on its potential for further curling:
I heard it continues to curl until it can be worn as a ring.
darknessforgives
The One Ring is a slap bracelet.
DigitalDose80
Although players find amusement in the card’s appearance, its value may not be significantly affected by its condition. As demonstrated by the recent sale of Tyler the Great Warrior, a one-of-a-kind Yu-Gi-Oh card with some damage, the condition may not matter for such unique cards. As long as the damage is not severe, the rarity and exclusivity of cards like The One Ring and Tyler the Great Warrior outweigh concerns about condition.
Does Condition Matter?
When it comes to cards like The One Ring, which are the only copies in existence, the condition becomes less crucial. While a curled card may not be ideal for competitive play, many MTG players who acquire this card will likely use it as a collector’s item or a showpiece rather than a playable card.
For those who wish to use The One Ring in their decks, alternative copies are available at a more affordable price. The unique card can be seen as the Magic equivalent of opening Wonka’s Golden Ticket – a coveted item that adds excitement and exclusivity to the game.
Conclusion
The inclusion of The One Ring in Magic: the Gathering’s Lord of the Rings set has generated great excitement among players. As a serialized card with only one copy in existence, it is expected to have an astronomical price tag, potentially surpassing a million dollars. The concerns about its apparent curling in the debut video have led to humorous speculation among players.
However, the condition may not significantly affect its value, as unique cards like The One Ring and Tyler the Great Warrior are sought after primarily for their rarity and exclusivity. Regardless of its condition, The One Ring is sure to become a treasured item among collectors and fans of the game, further adding to the allure and appeal of Magic: the Gathering.
