Magic: The Gathering has received lots of attention over time. There has been increased attention with record prices in sales of cards from its legendary 1993 Alpha starter deck. Black Lotus cards receive millions of views on YouTube just to watch the chance of finding one. Wizards of the Coast is now a division of Hasbro, but other changes separate the 2021 relaunch from the 1993 original Alpha starter deck.

Collectors Dashboard analyzes collectibles industry as an alternative asset class. The same capital investing that would have previously been invested into stocks, bonds and real estate is frequently invested in collectible assets instead. This effectively pits collectors with passion in direct competition with investors whose only intent is to make a profit in the future. This has been seen in non-sports cards and memorabilia, and the prices of Magic: The Gathering (MTG) cards from the 1990s can fetch shockingly high prices in auctions.

The question remains whether new production cards that will be mass-produced and kept in pristine condition will have value in the future.

20 billion Magic cards were produced between 2008 and 2016 compared to 2.6 million 1993 Magic: The Gathering Alpha cards, according to Wizards’ facts and figures. An increase in card production is the same as increased supply in raw economic terms. With supply being high, the real question for deciding future values will ultimately depend upon the demand and the quality.

With awareness of card values at all time highs through social channels unavailable in 1993, each card’s condition awareness is a popular topic. If any of the modern cards are going to command premium prices in the future, they must be graded by reputable grading companies. Collectors will need to send cards to be graded by PSA, Beckett, CGC or similar companies with accepted standards by collectors.

To assure the highest grades possible, collectors who want to preserve their cards should open new card packs and decks with gloves. This will help prevent oils from contaminating a potentially highest “gem-mint” or “10” graded card. Amazon maintains exciting deck specific patterned sleeves that can help protect your cards, but even this effort is not going as far as encapsulation and grading.

With collectors wondering if they are “investing” here in new MTG cards, having a sealed authenticated and protection for your new cards will not guarantee that they become valuable. On the other hand, what is almost certain is that mass produced cards without the strongest professional grades will have little to zero value to collectors and investors alike.

Perhaps most interesting in the 2021 revival and new card release frenzy is a first time ever Dungeons and Dragons Magic: The Gathering crossover. This is Adventures in the Forgotten Realms. Here are two of the most recent cards released from this historic crossover.

Whether buying the newest MTG cards is for playing or for speculating on future values, each set’s booster box will come with 30 packs. This equates to 360 Magic cards — and each pack’s 12 cards is shown to include 1 to 4 Rares of Mythic Rares and a traditional foil card in every pack. A booster box will cost $124.45 on Amazon. One sale representation specified that the set boosters for Adventures in the Forgotten Realms was the “Best MTG booster for opening packs just for fun.” Two other boxes were shown for pre-order as well, a 10 draft boosters (150 cards) for $4.95, and a Commander Deck Bundle (includes: 1 Draconic Rage + 1 Planar Portal + 1 Dungeons of Death + 1 Aura of Courage) for $138.90 on Amazon.

There are the Dungeons and Dragons Adventures in the Forgotten Realms key dates in 2021 from Wizards of the Coast:

• June 29: Previews begin
• July 8: Available on MTG Arena and Magic Online
• July 16–18: Webcam Prerelease play through SpellTable beta
• July 16–22: Prerelease Week, including in-store play (where available)
• July 23: Worldwide release

There are many issues to consider for identifying new production cards for future value. The supply issue has to be kept in mind, but so do many other factors. Keep in mind that “just for fun” has been mentioned directly in sales promotions. As for whether or not there will be future value, no one will find that answer for years down the road.