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Hello everyone, and welcome to my article about the Financial Value of Dark Ascension! In this article, I'll be talking about my thoughts about the cards in Dark Ascension from a monetary value standpoint. I'll let you know which cards I think will drop in value, which will go up in value, and which just aren't worth your time!
Listed for each card is the card's current price (as of the morning of Thursday 1/26), whether I think the card will have gone up or down in value around the time Avacyn Restored is released (or if it'll stay roughly the same), and individual thoughts about that card.
When I list a card as bulk, I expect it to be in the $0.25 - $1.50ish range but without any real chance of growth in the short term. If there's something particularly interesting I have to say about these cards, I'll put my thoughts in the bulk section...but generally I want to concentrate on the cards that are going to be of note.
The Comparison to Worldwake
Both Worldwake and Dark Ascension have a common factor—they are a small set wedged between two large sets. This means that Dark Ascension will not be drafted as often as a typical "second" set, will not be redeemed as much on Magic Online, and will be in a shorter supply than a typical "small expansion" set.
Back when Worldwake was released, boxes quickly shot up to absurd prices. This was on the strength of Jace, the Mind Sculptor. While Sorin is a $60 card right now, Sorin is not as good a card as Jace. Jace was banworthy in multiple formats, made a deep impact in both Legacy and Vintage, and was in the "supposed" best color in Magic (blue). Sorin may see a little play in Legacy, but it'll be fringe play; I don't envision a scenario in which Sorin is banned in Standard (much less Modern/Extended), and Sorin is black/white—not the most (traditionally) played color combination in Magic.
In addition, there are fewer "money" rares (and mythics) in this set than the typical Magic set. This means that the higher end rares (and mythics) will likely hold their value, while the other cards being opened will have their value suppressed...until the supply of Dark Ascension runs out.
Long story short, I think a lot of the lower-dollar (yet solid) cards in this set are worth picking up now, in anticipation of the short supply 6+ months down the road. Yes, that's a long time to wait—but that's also how long it took cards like Kalastria Highborn, Stoneforge Mystic, and the manlands to start going from $2-$3 cards to $5-$8 cards (or in the case of Stoneforge, $15-$20 pre-banning)....
