The Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game (TCG) is still trying to find its equilibrium following the recent update to its Forbidden/Limited list. These changes not only shifted the overall competitive position of certain archetypes but also how players value more obscure cards in the card pool.
Crowley, the Gifted Magistus
This recent Magistus support card was released back in June within the Battles of Legend: Monster Mayhem set. Since its release, this card has been selling for around $3 on average, but that all changed recently. Following the Yu-Gi-Oh! WCS (World Championship Series) taking place between August 27th and 31st, demand for Crowley, the Gifted Magistus sharply increased. This demand has continued into September, pushing prices up to a $10 average.
Since September started, the price of Crowley, the Gifted Magistus has fluctuated somewhat. On the 11th, Crowley suddenly spiked to $21 on average, but prices have slipped slightly since then. Currently, a near-mint copy of Crowley, the Gifted Magistus will set you back just under $20. While this is already rather expensive, there's a good chance this price point will increase in the future.
For starters, the recent update to the Forbidden/Limited list has severely impacted some of the leading competitive archetypes like Vanquish Soul. Only a few archetypes haven't been affected by these changes; in fact, putting them in a strong position competitively. One of these unaffected archetypes is Dracotail, which has recently begun using Crowley, the Gifted Magistus.
With only one printing, the price of Crowley, the Gifted Magistus could easily increase should Dracotail's success further increase demand. Whether or not this card will maintain its place in the meta, however, remains to be seen.
The Magistus Package
Crowley, the Gifted Magistus’ place in a Dracotail deck is surprisingly pivotal as a bridge. Even at one copy, Crowley opens up a path to some very powerful interaction points and a floodgate effect.
Having Crowley in rotation can allow a Dracotail deck access to Zoroa, the Magistus Verethragna and Aiwass, the Magistus Spell Spirit, two cards that are effectively Snatch Steal in all but name. Zoroa even has the added benefit of a negate and destruction effect rolled into its ability package.
Another Fusion monster that Crowley can give access to is Invoked Caliga. This floodgate, despite affecting both players, can single-handedly choke the opponent’s capability of playing the game. The Dracotail side of the deck can even play around the floodgate if necessary, since the archetype has the capability of fusion summoning at quick effect speed on the opponent’s turn, allowing the controlling player to extend the reach of their monster effects.
Future Magistus Support
You can discard this card, then activate 1 of these effects;
● Add 1 "Magistus" monster from your Deck to your hand, except "Spenta, the Magistus Sealer".
● Halve the ATK of 1 monster your opponent controls until the end of this turn.
You can banish this card from your GY, then target 1 face-up monster you control; equip 1 "Magistus" monster from your Extra Deck or GY to it as an Equip Spell. You can only use each effect of "Spenta, the Magistus Sealer" once per turn.
While not yet released for the TCG, the Yu-Gi-Oh! OCG (Official Card Game) has shown a new Magistus support card: Spenta, the Magistus Sealer. Once this card makes it to the West, it can provide even greater consistency when accessing a copy of Crowley, the Gifted Magistus.
As another Magitus card, Spenta helps ease the pressure on the player when deciding on which fusion monster to go into. While Zoroa and Aiwass are already a given, Spenta’s nature as a Spellcaster-type monster lets a player preserve Crowley for Invoked Caliga. Spenta also allows access to Mysterion the Dragon Crown and Secreterion Dragon, two big bodies with some pretty good utilitarian capabilities. Even if not used for any of the Magistus extra deck monsters, Spenta is another body to fuel the summon of either Dracotail Gulamel or Dracotail Arthalion for even more card advantage.
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