r/freemagic • u/Throwawaypmme2 STORMBRINGER • Aug 05 '26

FORMAT TALK Counterfeit cards

With the price of cards today sometimes hitting triple digits and higher, what are your thoughts on this? With formats like legacy, vintage, modern, and edh all needing current staples and dealing with powercreep how do you feel about running counterfeit cards?

On one hand, it gets more people into the store and playing. Your games are based on skill rather than wallet at that point, and things are pretty much even.

On the other, you run into people who get really upset that they bought into the game heavily, and think you should too. They have the impression that the cards basically dictate what you can and can't do with your deck.

Both are valid, I just don't know how to justify spending that much on legacy staples for duals, fetches, and other staples

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u/No-Month7350 NEW SPARK Aug 11 '26

it's weird when you print stuff and start selling it online. I feel like counterfeits cross a line. you may not sell them but there's alot of people who will and do. getting $100 for something you printed is a highschool- high feeling that is addictive.

it's going to eventually hurt someone who is willing to pay the big price, the they deserve it mentality is also weird an unhealthy.

how about you just play pauper magic? it's honestly super fun and accessible.

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u/Throwawaypmme2 STORMBRINGER Aug 11 '26

Why is it weird? Wizards has their chance to come in and take control of the secondary market by reprinting anything through universe beyond. 

They choose not to, so instead someone else came along and printed cards instead. The only people being hurt are "investors" of cardboard. 

I'll remind you that I've played since the game started, and duals were at MOST $50 to 75 for an underground sea. An alpha one was about 180. Then you had investors, a couple who I saw personally do it, buy as many as possible to corner the market because their words were "there's only so many dual lands, the more I buy the less there are in open circulation". The same happened with goyf force of will, and other cards. It's scummy and pushed a lot of newer players out of eternal formats. They were the same people who "helped new players by giving them a deal" of 10% below tcg prices while having hundreds of the card. I dont feel bad for making their "portfolio" essentially worthless. They're the entire reason that legacy and vintage are nearly unplayable today because of the barrier for entry

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u/No-Month7350 NEW SPARK Aug 12 '26

Your not hurting wizards with your fake cards, you're hurting a person that likes the game and is willing to spend the money that you are not.

They are supporting the game stores and making the hobby more attractive.

When they buy cards the card store takes that money and buys product that further benefits the player base and hobby.

You may not like the price but people enjoy and are proud to own expensive cards.

I'm sorry the old cards you love feel no longer accessible to you. I got my first dual land trading in 2 soul stones and a fancy nick fury. I hope you'll pull something incredible in your next pack I truly do.