Uncharted Synergy Sends a Previously Unloved MTG Card’s Price Skyrocketing by 1200%

The world of Magic: The Gathering is no stranger to dramatic price spikes. Often, these fluctuations are driven by newly discovered synergies, shifts in the competitive metagame, or hype surrounding upcoming set releases. However, the recent surge in price of the unassuming card “Thieving Varmint” from Outlaws of Thunder Junction is a particularly compelling case study, fueled by an unexpected interaction with “Nathan Drake, Treasure Hunter” from the Universes Beyond: Fallout set. Once relegated to the bulk rare bin, Thieving Varmint has experienced an astonishing 1200% increase in value, captivating the attention of both casual and competitive MTG players. Gaming News is here to unpack the details of this remarkable phenomenon.

The Unassuming Culprit: Deconstructing Thieving Varmint’s Abilities

At first glance, Thieving Varmint doesn’t scream “format-defining powerhouse.” A 2/1 creature for two generic mana and one black mana, it possesses menace (meaning it can only be blocked by two or more creatures) and a triggered ability that activates whenever it deals combat damage to a player. This ability allows the controller of Thieving Varmint to exile the top card of that player’s library, and they may play it this turn. This ability by itself is interesting, but not powerful enough to command a high price tag on the secondary market. Many cards offer similar, if not superior, card advantage engines. The true potential of Thieving Varmint lies not in its individual strength, but in its explosive synergy with a particular planeswalker from a galaxy far, far away (or rather, a post-apocalyptic vault).

Evaluating Thieving Varmint in a Vacuum

Before we delve into the synergy with Nathan Drake, it’s important to understand why Thieving Varmint was initially undervalued. Several factors contributed to its initial lack of appeal:

• Conditional Card Advantage: Thieving Varmint’s card advantage is heavily reliant on connecting in combat. In faster formats, a 2/1 creature can be easily blocked or removed before it has a chance to attack. Even if it does connect, the ability to play the exiled card is limited to the current turn, demanding available mana and strategic flexibility.
• Menace isn’t Enough: While menace provides some evasion, it’s often insufficient against opponents with multiple creatures or removal spells.
• Color Restriction: The black mana requirement limits the card’s inclusion to black-containing decks, potentially hindering its versatility.
• Lack of Immediate Impact: Unlike cards that immediately impact the board state, Thieving Varmint requires time and favorable combat situations to generate value.

The Catalyst: Nathan Drake, Treasure Hunter and the Treasure Trove

Enter Nathan Drake, Treasure Hunter, a planeswalker from the Universes Beyond: Fallout set. This planeswalker’s abilities center around generating and utilizing Treasure tokens. These tokens, which can be sacrificed for one mana of any color, provide both mana fixing and ramp capabilities. The crucial interaction between Nathan Drake and Thieving Varmint lies in Drake’s +1 ability: “Create a Treasure token. You gain 1 life.”

The Synergy Explained: Converting Stolen Goods into Gold

The synergy is elegant in its simplicity:

1. Thieving Varmint connects in combat, exiling the top card of an opponent’s library.
2. Nathan Drake’s +1 ability provides a Treasure token.
3. The Treasure token provides the mana necessary to cast the exiled card, regardless of its color.

This interaction circumvents the primary limitation of Thieving Varmint: its reliance on available mana of the correct color. With Nathan Drake providing a guaranteed source of mana, Thieving Varmint effectively becomes a potent source of card advantage, allowing players to cast spells from their opponents’ libraries with ease.

Beyond the Basics: Advanced Applications of the Synergy

The synergy between Thieving Varmint and Nathan Drake extends beyond simply casting stolen spells. Consider these advanced applications:

• Mana Fixing: Even if the exiled card is uncastable, the Treasure token generated by Nathan Drake can be used to fix mana for other spells in your hand.
• Ramp: Multiple Treasure tokens can provide a significant mana ramp, allowing you to cast powerful spells earlier in the game.
• Disruption: Exiling an opponent’s key card can disrupt their game plan, even if you don’t cast it. This can be especially effective against combo decks or decks reliant on specific cards.
• Political Play: In multiplayer formats like Commander, Thieving Varmint can be used to steal cards from opponents who are perceived as threats, further solidifying your position in the game.

Deckbuilding Implications: Forging a New Archetype

The synergy between Thieving Varmint and Nathan Drake has inspired the creation of new deck archetypes across various formats. While still in its early stages, these decks typically focus on:

• Aggro/Midrange Strategies: Utilizing Thieving Varmint as an aggressive threat that also provides card advantage.
• Treasure Generation: Maximizing the number of Treasure tokens generated to fuel stolen spells and ramp into larger threats.
• Disruption and Control: Using stolen cards to disrupt opponents’ game plans while maintaining control of the board.

Example Decklist (Standard): Grixis Treasures

This decklist is a conceptual example and may require adjustments based on the evolving metagame.

• Creatures (12):
  • 4 Thieving Varmint
  • 4 Rot Farm Mortipede
  • 4 Glint Raker
• Planeswalkers (4):
  • 4 Nathan Drake, Treasure Hunter
• Spells (20):
  • 4 Consider
  • 4 Lightning Bolt
  • 4 Infernal Grasp
  • 4 Make Disappear
  • 4 Fatal Push
• Lands (24):
  • 4 Blood Crypt
  • 4 Steam Vents
  • 4 Watery Grave
  • 6 Swamp
  • 3 Mountain
  • 3 Island

This deck seeks to establish early board presence with Thieving Varmint and Rot Farm Mortipede, using Nathan Drake to generate Treasure tokens for mana fixing and card advantage. Removal spells like Lightning Bolt and Fatal Push keep the board clear, while Infernal Grasp handles larger threats. The stolen cards can be cast using the Treasure tokens, providing unexpected plays and disrupting opponents’ strategies.

Market Dynamics: The Anatomy of a Price Spike

The 1200% price increase of Thieving Varmint is a testament to the power of synergy in the Magic: The Gathering market. Several factors contributed to this dramatic surge:

• Discovery: Once players recognized the powerful interaction with Nathan Drake, demand for Thieving Varmint increased exponentially.
• Scarcity: As a relatively uncommon card from Outlaws of Thunder Junction, the supply of Thieving Varmint was limited, further driving up the price.
• Speculation: Seeing the price increase, speculators began buying up copies of Thieving Varmint, hoping to profit from future price increases.
• Social Media and Content Creation: Online communities and content creators amplified the hype surrounding the synergy, attracting even more attention to the card.

Analyzing the Price Trend: From Bulk Rare to Hot Commodity

Before the discovery of the synergy, Thieving Varmint was readily available for a fraction of a dollar. As awareness of the Nathan Drake interaction spread, the price began to steadily climb. Within a matter of weeks, the card’s value skyrocketed, reaching several dollars per copy. This rapid appreciation underscores the importance of staying informed about emerging synergies and trends in the Magic: The Gathering market.

Future Outlook: Will the Synergy Endure?

The long-term viability of the Thieving Varmint/Nathan Drake synergy remains to be seen. Several factors will determine its future:

• Metagame Adaptations: As the synergy becomes more prevalent, opponents will likely adapt their strategies to counter it. This could involve including more removal spells, playing more aggressive decks, or employing specific hate cards.
• New Card Releases: Future set releases could introduce cards that either enhance or diminish the effectiveness of the synergy.
• Ban List Changes: While unlikely, a ban on either Thieving Varmint or Nathan Drake could significantly impact the synergy’s viability.

Navigating the Market: Should You Buy, Sell, or Hold?

For players who already own Thieving Varmint, selling may be a tempting option to capitalize on the current price spike. However, if you believe the synergy has long-term potential, holding onto your copies could prove to be a more profitable strategy. For those looking to acquire Thieving Varmint, it’s important to carefully consider the risks and potential rewards. The price may continue to rise, but it could also fall if the synergy proves to be unsustainable. It is highly advisable to consult with a reputable finance group or website to find out more information about whether to buy, sell, or hold onto the card.

Beyond Standard: Exploring the Synergy in Other Formats

While the Thieving Varmint and Nathan Drake synergy has primarily impacted Standard, it has potential in other formats as well:

• Commander: In Commander, the synergy can be used to steal cards from multiple opponents, providing a significant advantage in multiplayer games.
• Pioneer: Pioneer offers a wider card pool, allowing for the creation of more resilient and powerful Treasure-based decks.
• Modern: While more challenging due to the format’s speed and power level, the synergy could potentially find a niche in Modern decks that focus on disruption and card advantage.

Brewing in Commander: Thieving Varmint as a Commander

While not immediately obvious, Thieving Varmint can even be built around as a commander. The key is to leverage support cards that help ensure it connects with players, such as equipment that grants evasion, or cards that force opponents to block. Combined with black’s card draw and removal capabilities, a Thieving Varmint commander deck can be a surprisingly effective strategy for stealing victory right out of your opponents’ hands.

Conclusion: An Unexpected Triumph of Synergy

The tale of Thieving Varmint’s price spike is a compelling reminder of the ever-evolving nature of Magic: The Gathering. A card once dismissed as bulk rare has found new life through an unexpected synergy, demonstrating the importance of creativity, innovation, and a keen understanding of card interactions. While the long-term future of the synergy remains uncertain, its impact on the market and the game is undeniable. Gaming News will continue to monitor this developing story and provide updates as they become available.