The Throne Of Eldraine Deluxe Collection Is Not For You - A Magic: The Gathering VLOG 

Money: The Spending

"Just buy one copy of each Fetch Land and....." 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

you gave this so much more respect than it deserved, and that's because you're the best (and this product is the worst of the worst).

I think you've nailed it here. I would say that every single one of us Spike Feeders would be textbook whales. I would also say that at the sale price of $595CAD, I can pull up the reserve list and pick up just about anything I care to. Most of the things at that price will bring me loads more functionality in a commander deck, there aren't thousands of them walking around, and I'd be happy to show them off. In fact, at $595CAD I could pay an artist $25 per card to get 24 basic lands altered in a matching style to really bling out a deck. Hell, that's what it cost us per person to travel to MagicFest Vegas in August (flight and hotel)! I don't balk at spending $600 on something Magic related, but the value has to be there.

I'd rather buy Winrar.

I was expecting it to be like $150... when you said $449 my mouth literally dropped

"This is the uncut sheet." "Looks kinda small." "Oh, it's only a piece of it." "So you cut it?" "Yes, but this is uncut."

Cut "uncut" sheets seem like a way to salvage sheets that have been damaged in part during production.

ROFL, congratulations RU-vid algorithm, the ad I was presented with in the middle of this episode was "visit Wales" 🤣

I’m convinced business executives live in an alternate dimension where everyone drinks champagne and pisses liquid gold

I am from Wales and now i feel obliged to purchase this product.

Good Bling: Random artist signed magic card in a display case, limited run statue based on Planes walker card, limited release lapel pin, Release themed life counter tool, The 'ART OF' coffee table book, Blue Ray documentary of how to make this release, from pitch meeting to sample art work to play testing to production.

I literally said "holy shit" out loud at work when he said the price.. they are insane

Huh, this is the first I'm hearing of this product. I hate it.

You can buy 5 Tarmogoyf body pillows for less than this cardboard.

If I were to design a "bling for whales" offering, the key thing I'd change is to remove the randomness: cracking packs you have a chance for a dud. Getting "some slice" of a foil sheet might get cards you don't care for. Which if you're going to pay a premium on the thing, ideally you should get exactly what you want. So, I'd do it thusly: The "Deluxe Collection" would include a figurehead card, in an alternate art/frame foil printing (only available through this collection), signed by the artist, as well as a limited-run (only available through this collection) art print of that artwork, numbered and signed by the artist, plus a playset of the standard printing of that card. Additionally, the set would include one copy of every card from the set in the color of the figurehead card, and a themed way to display them (binder or other display piece). There would be multiple variants of this collection (one per color), but buying a "case" of Collection sets (one of each of the five colors) would also include a Gold/Colorless figurehead card in alternate art/frame printing, and the rest of the cards in the set (colorless, gold, and land) such that the purchase would end up netting you at least one of every card in the set. This way, "mini-whales" could buy just the one color that they associate with best, while "full-on-whales" would end up owning at least one copy of every card in the set, plus alternate-art versions of five of them. Oh, and then include Arena versions of whatever physical cards were received, plus an alternate art style for the figurehead cards. War of the Spark had the unique "stained glass" look as an alternate art style only available in Arena, which I think was good. For Eldraine, they've done somewhat a "gingerbread" theme in the advertising so far, so I'd say make the alternate art style for Arena "cookie" style, and each permanent in that style, when it gets removed from the battlefield, instead of the standard removal animation, it looks like it gets bitten/eaten as it disappears.

Sees price tag "Oh so it'll have a playset of every card in the set right?"

My wife: "We need to save money this month, can you buy less Magic stuff?" Me: *Dramatic Whale Noises

The magic executives are going to send you a disenchant for your review card for the next set. 🤣🤣

If i’d want to spend 450$ in magic products, i’d buy an underground sea or a volcanic island + savanah

*Professor starts listing off what’s in the collection* Me: Hey that sounds pretty neat! Professor: $450 Me: ight ima head out

I would buy 1 unlimited tropical island. Odds of it appreciating in value and being playable a year or 10 years from now would be 10x or more this product.

6:40 Prof: "which I believe the teenagers today call...." Me: he's gonna say clout. or maybe swag? Prof: "...bling." Me: oh yeah, the teenagers from 2004 did say that, huh?

I found it funny that RU-vids subtitles said "Throne Of El Drain" and all I could think was "the wallet drain"

WotC, you're not getting your hands on my rent money. I need that so I have a place to keep my Magic cards.

You had me at "and a Snickers bar" .

I ended up buying a stove yesterday... But if I had that "whale money" for MTG? Gaea's Cradle.

I love how 10 LANDS are worth more than an explicitly overpriced and premium product.

1:29 THRONE OF ELDRAINE: DELUXE EDITION? MORE LIKE: *THRONE OF I'LL DRAIN YOUR BANK ACCOUNT EDITION*

As soon as Prof flashed the price and said it, I literally laughed out loud.

"a cut uncut sheet" sounds like some philosophical paradox. Is Theseus uncut sheet uncut if it has been cut?

I've missed the entry line: "Many Magic: the Gathering players..."

I'm glad you went with the Eevee version.

This box looks to me like a huge disrespect towards the people they aim for. This thing feels both greedy an lazy. People are throwing 450$ at that thing. At least make it feel like 450$ of value.

It should have had a bunch of Deluxe Collection exclusive Food Tokens, since those new Food Tokens are so essential to the set.

Great review. I love the way you really dig into the actual value of this and other products.

Even if I could afford it, I wouldn’t. But the Nintendo Switch would tempt me. How about Wizards drops the price on this deluxe collection to $350 and throws in a new Nintendo Switch to the deal?

This collection costs about $100 more than an Ultimate Masters box cost on its release. Think about that one for a second...

Your previous tenure as a teacher really shines through in this video and I enjoyed it greatly.

As a decades-old Magic player that has managed to eventually fall into the target demographic products like this are meant to appeal to, I truly appreciate your decision to on the one hand represent members of the Magic community, like me once upon a time ago, who can't afford such a product, while also make this video objectively representing the Magic community members who can. I think Wizards has the potential to create a truly unique product that serves as a "thank you" for customers that want to find a way to support the company directly, like through these Corporate Direct products, but unfortunately, there were quite a few missed opportunities, many that you mentioned, and some others, to make this product feel more like that token of gratitude. I know this topic is a highly controversial one, but I think it's important for people to keep in mind that while the "finance of magic" has the potential to leave a bad taste in people's mouths, and that such products create an inevitable level of stigma to the concept of high-spending players and the potential resentment felt towards them, such products are still the most lucrative way for companies to remain competitive and relevant in an increasingly accelerating global market place. I don't like the idea of using the term "whale," because it has a very derogatory tone to it when used by consumers, and a very predatory one when used by companies. However, as your on-the-nose joke implied, whales are important to an ecosystem. And just like Magic's own ecosystem, I'd like to think higher income players that want to both help Wizards, while sharing their collections with other members of their community, can be respected, and not just seen as cash cows by Wizards, nor as an elite class trying to ruin magic for those with lesser means. Again, thanks for speaking on the consumers' behalf, regardless of their income...

As every magic players says at the end of their turn.....pass

I think this is a good exercise, because whales are people too. I think it should be perfectly acceptable to design products for these customers, because no one is forcing any of us to buy these. It's completely optional, and only the hardcore collector whales may be able to call it "worth while" to buy them, but just because it is not marketed specifically to you, whoever "you" may be, does not mean that it should not be (at least) available for those who deem it worthy of their interest. That being said, I completely agree that this particular product does seem to lack a substantial level of premium feel, as mentioned by the professor, here (14:23): "The meat of this collection, however, is just potentially a better bargain on an already over-the-counter product." -The Professor I think that his alternatives are reasonable, and they definitely feel like more premium options since the idea of premium should have some kind of exclusivity or other individual appeal instead of simply just more of the same. Finally, I also agree that the focus should be on the cards, and not bloated with partial uncut sheets, binders, and prints. Those can be collected through other, more meaningful ways. This concludes my short essay, sorry for the long read XD

I like your little head nod around 3:00.

Very well thought out video. This deserves maximum exposure.

God do I miss the masterpieces and expeditions. I have 2 Invocations and they are my favorite cards in my collection. So beautiful.

Wizard’s after these whales like Ahab

"Its not like you can trade them" That was a deep cut hahahahah

Just pulled the trigger on playsets of all the singles I’m interested in playing in every format I play for under $100 at presale prices, your videos have helped me realize there’s no need for all the fluff and saved me a ton of money in the long run, although the 16 year old inside of me is already calculating out how many lawns I need to mow to be able to afford this product 😹! ✌🏻

I thought i was a whale just by wanting to buy a collector booster lmao

As a note. The buy a box promo has a chance of being in a pack of collector's edition as well. So both of the 2.. yeah.. 2 cards you actually get with this are available just by cracking packs of collector's edition.

When you started laughing about whales I loved it. Have more of those raw cuts in your videos it is great and hilarious.

You made many great points in this video Prof. I will look into those uncut card sheets on Amazon or eBay though. 👍 They look great for a game room.

"Maybe it is a good deal ..." while he is already shaking his head. :D

the instant you said $450 +shipping, i thought hell no

Haven't playedagic in years and am going to go to the prerelease for eldraine, ngl, forgot how entertaining these videos are, considering I'm not into review videos, you've caught my interest, nicce

Not ganna lie prof when you said $450 + shipping and handling all the light bulbs on they hell no sign in my brain all blew at the same time.

The sad part of this is that there are people who are not wealthy lining up to buy this product.

That is just too much money i would rather go with a PS4 and Borderlands 3 I've been waiting for that game for so long

I applaud the effort you took to edit this video it was amazing to watch. Throughout the video my head was saying "What happened to your silver play button" lol

That borderless binder is godlike love the orderly playsets in a row Go prof!! 😁👍

My boy the professor going IN.

with $450 I'd foil out my Shadowborn Apostle commander deck...those suckers get expensive fast

So well stated. Spot on descriptions, thoughts, and business sense. Wizards really should hire you, for marketing, for managing, or at the very least to give you and pay you to showcase more magic products (probably in a more positive light though LOL)

I was a little skeptical of the video going in... But, then you hit me with that $449 and I couldn't smash the like button hard enough!!

Me being me, I'd put the $450 into my "new computer fund".

I hereby nominate The Professor for President (of WOTC)

That Fallen Empires box in the background! I remember being around 13 years old and thinking, "all these cards suck."

Havent played or touched MTG in 3 months , yet i still watch your videos !

Listen. With that money, instead invest in sealed booster boxes. Go get an Avacyn Restored box

6:40 "will the product provide value and prestige, which I believe teenagers today call...." Me: "clout" Prof: "Bling" How old is this mans?

Exactly. Lots of stuff but no actual bling or in-game style upgrades.

Honestly when I first heard of this product and saw the base picture I mainly rolled my eyes. After actually learning everything thats in it... I think wizards could hear my eyes rolling all the way from the Midwest. I love collectors items when they're well done. Not so much when it's 80% stuff i can definitely get elsewhere, 19% stuff I might one day be able to get elsewhere and a non foil buy a box promo...

Looks nice . . . But I'll stick with the awesome commons from this set for pauper! :D

Don't do an unboxing video Professor, this thing is too pricey.

This is a great video. Very nice think-through of a premium price-point product.

Theres someone selling that binder on ebay for 180 right now. I just bought the binder at my lgs for 80. Honestly i really like it. I like the colors and the feel. Its got an extra padding on the front and back that feels good. They haven't made another binder like this since it came out a year ago so it is collectable to me ( as far as i know ). I do like it a lot. I would recommend that if your looking for a nice binder today then just get the new ultra pro mythic edition binder. Its like half the price and has what i beleive to be a stitched mythic plansewalker symbol. It feels nice.

Premium products should have premium contents and this ain't it.

4 booster boxes from m20 and some poket money is not bad!

Wizards: Alright guys, we really need to sell Throne of Eldraine. Any ideas? Aquaman: I got an idea. Wizards: Yes Aquaman? Aquaman: We could use whales. WHALES!!!!!

I want those Eldraine style legendary creatures so much. Also the other hypothetical promos would be great.

@Tolarian Community College But Prof., remember stores were canceling preorders on the deluxe booster boxes (which only have 12 packs) and those were selling for $350-$450... at $450 for 16 deluxe boosters wotc is basically undercutting their own stores and distributors. Yes, that means the deluxe booster box stores were getting at maybe $180 a piece were expecting to sell those packs at $40+ or something...

A plushie or little action figure would've also want a long way.

For that price, you could buy the legendary teir for Dice throne which includes all 3 battle box sets, a dice tray and sleeves for all of those cards and have enough left over to pick up all of the painted mini figs or even 4 of their premium play mats.

[listens to the contents of the collection] "oh seems pretty neat, i feel like the professor is exaggerating here...." "$449" "oh boy"

17:03 hahaha, no. If I could only spend that money on mtg products, I'd buy foil Commander cards, an artist signed playmat and maybe some masterpieces, like the Sword-of-cycle.

I was estimating 250 but geeze 450 dollars!? It better let me cast the spells in real life

This is probably the most fair assessment of a product I've ever seen.

2:43 ...or you could buy any combination of 4 boosters boxes of standard sets in addition to sets rotating out of the format luckily with pocket drafts leftover; or just draft from those booster boxes anyway. The possibilities of limited may be finite, yet oddly endless just from player base alone. Oh, or weird masters/modern sets I guess,...whichever better suits you.

Bless on the “screw this imma buy smash” meme

Switch + games. You got a point right there, professor. lol

No to both Qs, Prof. Kudos on the academic analysis of the "Whale" concept also, Professor. Very professional & without experience-based bias.

The smoothness of him zipping and flipping the binder

Hm... A Nintendo switch and some games, or some shiny cardboard... Tough choice, but I'm gonna have to go with the switch. Tbh I'd be kinda dissapointed if you spent $450 for a single review. I'd rather that go literally anywhere else, including straight to your pocket.

I agree with the premise that it's ok to make whale food. We have to remember our game is owned by a faceless megacorp with a bottom line. If hasbro doesn't get that hypothetical 5 mill from whales with more dollars than sense, that bottom line is passed on to the products for the average collector. But those whale products and premium products can't be lackluster, and the small fish cannot be tossed to the wayside. There needs to be something within every product tier that makes those consumers feel appreciated and valued. That isn't happening here and I'm glad your video exposes some of that. Whales may boost the bottom line. But the community is the bottom line. Treat any of that like cattle with low effort, low cost/high price and the ocean is inevitably going to suffer.

As a suggestion for clarity, I would say rephrasing “cut uncut sheet” to “partially cut” or “semi-cut” sheet, assuming that WotC does something like this in the near future. That withstanding, great video exploring what whales would get out of the product which will help them make the decision of their own accord based on personal value for the touted bonuses.

I'd definitely go for the fetches over that product, +/- tarn whatever. Love to have that master piece sol ring however...

Eldraine has "drain" in it. Like in: "How do I flush my money down the drain?"

I can afford it, and Im still not gonna buy it because ITS 450 DOLLARS

Of note, the non-foil Kenrith has a chance to appear in the Collector Booster. Since he's a non-foil ancillary card, and WotC specifically said that Buya-a-Box counted for the ancillary card slot. So the two super special cards at the front? There's a (super slim, admittedly) chance you get duplicates of them in the boosters.

I like your new approach.