Pack to Moat, week 3

Hello Everyone!

I was able to get a pretty good amount of trading in this week between Wednesday night Magic and FNM. This project is moving at a fairly quick pace, and I actually feel like I will get pretty far. A lot of people at toys have been saying I'm wasting my time because they weren't able to get there themselves, but I think I am doing fairly well systematically... Anyways, of to the trades!

February 15th, 2012

My:
Thalia, Guardian of Thraben (4.49)

His:
Clifftop Retreat (2.75)
2x Rootbound Crag (3.1, 6.2)

Net: +4.46

I decided today that I was going to build a base of dual lands. Previously I traded for an Isolated Chapel, and I couldn't even put it in the sleeve of my binder it went that quickly. Now there is obviously a hierarchy of dual lands, but all of them are in some demand, so I should be able to move them easily.

My:
Rootbound Crag (3.1)

His:
Stoneforge Mystic (7.35)

Net: +4.25

He said he really didn't want his Stoneforge anymore because he doesn't play legacy, and he valued it at 5. Getting into the Legacy market is huge for this project as it opens you up to a lot more potential trade partners, and Stoneblade is T1 right now.

My:
Olivia Voldaren (8.48)
Ghoultree (1)

His:
2x Copperline Gorge (7.01, 14.02)

Net: +4.54

This is how the conversation started with this guy who watched others help me along: "Hey, whats your most valuable card in there?" I can work with that attitude, especially when it turns out acquiring that Olivia was a mistake. Remember, just because it's valuable does not mean it's liquid (Seachrome Coast). Copperline Gorge, on the other hand, should be too easy to move as it was the fireball deck, got 1st and 2nd at the PT, and is also in the Frites deck that just won our WNM. Their value has gone up a whole dollar (at the time of writing - Thursday) since yesterday, which is a very quick ascension.

My:
Curse of Misfortunes (0.40)
Executioner's Hood (0.09)
Secrets of the Dead (0.21)

His:
Helvault (1.22)
FOIL Headless Skaab (0.35)
Ravenous Demon (0.49)

Net: +1.36

This is one of those trades where Andrew wanted to get rid of his bulk, but make me do work at the same time, haha. These aren't really serious trades, but hey! Profit is profit, and the pack to Moat is all about the grind.

February 17th

My:
Birthing Pod (4.62)

His:
Geralf's Messenger (5.7)

Net: +1.08

I was very eager to pick up a Geralf's Messenger because I knew it would be a very popular card. I know I didn't gain much value, but I wanted to diversify here. Having 1 Geralf's Messenger and 1 Birthing Pod felt better to me than just having 2 Birthing Pods

My:
Geralf's Messenger (5.7)

His:
2x Slagstorm (4.51, 9.02)

Net: +3.32

And look! As soon as I got the Messenger I had an offer on the table for it! Slagstorm is the premium sweeper right now being playing in Wolf Run, Chapin Control (from worlds), and Big Red.

My:
2x Slagstorm (4.51, 9.02)

His:
2x Inferno Titan (4.79, 9.58)

Net: +0.56

This was an awkward trade because the only thing he had were 3 Inferno Titans and a Cemetery Reaper, and the only thing he wanted were Slagstorms.... Regardless Inferno Titan is played in Wolf Run and in Frites, so they should be moveable.

My:
Honor of the Pure (2.11)

His:
Mayor of Avabruck (3.16)

Net: +1.05

This trade I'm not sure if is actually good for me or not. While Mayor may be worth more, it's not really likely to move all too quickly. With any luck someone will be looking to build a casual Werewolves deck, at which point Mayor is very important.

8 trades
Week 3 Net: +20.62

FNM was a little disappointing for me, and frankly by this point I'm not surprised. All of the trades over the past 3 weeks have all been within the 4 walls of Toys N Things and there is an established community there. While I have done multiple trades with 2 or 3 people, by this point I have already passed the binder off to almost everyone in the store. Therefor, next week I will be most likely going to a different store for FNM to access fresh binders to help accelerate this project. I will also be keeper a more keen eye out for local 1Ks and other various special events to help ramp up the binder. SCG Providence is in 2.5 months, so I expect by that weekend I will be able to present the binder to Matt for the Moat.

That's all I have for today! Once again, if you want to do an online trade (mail cards to each other) I would love the help! Until next time, stay classy!

Ryan Lackie
Ryan.Lackie92@gmail.com
@ThingsILack
ThingsILack on mtgo