Magic The Gathering creators push the power level and put money cards in every new set to get people excited, but did they go too far this time? Is Jeweled Lotus from the upcoming Commander Legends the new Black Lotus and should you preorder it?
Black Lotus
If there is one Magic card that requires no introduction, that would be Black Lotus. Easily the most recognizable card in the game, this delicate flower is so powerful that Wizards only printed it in the first set back in 1993 and never released it again. The Lotus is still playable in some hardcore formats in the game, but the scarcity and high collectability of the piece command insane prices - we are talking upwards of $9,000, depending on condition and seller.
Jeweled Lotus
Enter Jeweled Lotus, another delicate flower that’s coming in Commander Legends on November 20. Yes, you read that rules text right:
Tap, Sacrifice Jeweled Lotus: Add three mana of any one color. Spend this mana only to cast your commander.
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That’s essentially Black Lotus, but only for your commander. Did Wizards just reprint one of the most broken cards in history and put it in Commander, one of the most casual and fun formats? Is this the end of Commander as we know it and show this new lotus be banned before the set is ever released, just like they did with Lutri, the Spellchaser back in Ikoria?
No.
Seriously, don’t buy into the hype. We get it, Wizards put out flashy cards, we like them, we wanna play them, and sometimes, we lose our mind a little. But not this time.
This is not a Black Lotus. It might look and read similar, but it only works in Commander. Sure it will be great in the early game, giving you this cool way to cheat an expensive commander in the first few turns, or getting your Ezuri, Renegade Leader, right back on the Battlefield after he’s been killed. But in the late game, this is a conditional mana rock that wouldn’t make much of a difference.
Also, it won’t break the format - Commander has 99 problems, but a Lotus ain’t one. In a format where Sol Rings and mana rocks all the colors of the rainbow are flying left and right on turn one and everybody ramps like it’s the end of the world, another three mana of any one color here or there won’t make the difference some people are expecting.
Lastly, for the love of Urza, please don’t pre-order this card for $200! Wait for the set to drop and get it then. Many stores are considering doing massive box openings again and the single market is expected to get healthier and stronger. Preordering flashy Mythics has never been a sound investment, so don’t expect it to become now.
