How Card Condition Shapes Hate Mirage Pricing in MTG

In TCG ·

Hate Mirage MTG card art by Tomasz Jedruszek

Image courtesy of Scryfall.com

Pricing by Condition: Hate Mirage and the MTG Market

If you’ve ever rummaged through a commander-focused binder, you know that condition alone can swing a card’s value more than a random mana spike in a game. Hate Mirage, a red sorcery from Commander 2019, sits at an interesting intersection of gameplay utility and collectibility. Its mana cost of {3}{R} lands you a four-mana spell with a potent, spicy effect: you choose up to two target creatures you don’t control, copy each one, and give the copies haste. Exile them at the end step. Not flashy, not over-the-top, but deliciously sneaky in the right shell. The card’s color identity is red, its rarity is uncommon, and its home set—Commander 2019—speaks to a fanbase that loves bold, interaction-heavy plays in casual formats. All of that matters when you’re pricing by condition, because bumping a card from light play to near mint can be a bigger deal for a collector than the same bump on a bulk rare from a modern set. 🧙‍♂️🔥

From a market perspective, Hate Mirage tends to sit in the lower end of the spectrum for individual cards, especially nonfoil prints from older Commander products. Scryfall’s snapshot for this particular card shows a non-foil USD price around $0.12, with euros mirroring that value. That baseline matters: for many players, the card is attractive primarily for its in-game value—the chance to copy creatures with haste can turn a two-for-one into a startling alpha strike—but for collectors, condition becomes the delta between a broadly available piece and a scarce, pristine example. In other words, the economics of Hate Mirage are less about rare-metal speculation and more about the small, disciplined improvements that come with mint, near mint, or lightly played copies. 💎

“A trick of the light, though momentary, can still be deadly.” — flavor text of Hate Mirage

That flavor, paired with its placement in a 2019 Commander set, helps explain why condition matters. Commander staples—especially uncommons from popular subthemes—enjoy steady demand in both casual play and collection circles. The card’s art by Tomasz Jedruszek adds a layer of desirability; connoisseurs value high-caliber design as part of the package. When you grade Hate Mirage, you’re not just evaluating surface wear; you’re assessing border integrity, corner wear, and the absence of any creases that might deter a potential buyer who wants to display the card proudly in a Commander play area or a neat binder page. The difference between a solid NM/MP grade and an LP or heavily played copy often translates to a few extra cents or even a few more dollars at the top end of the spectrum, especially for the rarer, eye-catching pieces that collectors track with enthusiasm. 🎨🎲

Why the card remains relevant in pricing conversations

Hate Mirage sits in a tier where its playability in a number of EDH stacks or wheel effects makes it a thoughtful inclusion for red-themed decks. The ability to copy multiple creatures with haste in a single cast can tilt the board in a single turn, especially when you exile the tokens at the end of the round. That dynamic—high utility with a modest mana investment—helps keep demand relatively steady. For sellers, that means you can justify a small premium for pristine condition, particularly if the card has an untouched look, sharp art, and intact borders. For buyers, it’s a reminder that mint-grade copies often maintain a small premium even when the card’s raw gameplay value isn’t extraordinary. In the long arc of MTG pricing, condition often acts as a confidence signal to buyers who want to know they’re getting a card that will look and perform well for years of casual play. 🧙‍♂️🔥

Design-wise, Hate Mirage shows how a four-mana spell can bend the rules of engagement by introducing tokens that are copies of targets and bearing haste. This is a clever use of token-copying mechanics that interplays with synergies around token decks, etb triggers, or heavy removal suites that want to reset the board in a dramatic fashion. The card’s set, Commander 2019, is known for flavorful, sometimes offbeat effects that reward creative deckbuilding. All of these design decisions—tied to rarity, print run, and the collector’s eye—shape pricing psychology. If the market sees more demand from EDH players or deck builders who love copy and clone themes, it can nudge prices upward for near-mint copies, even if the raw utility remains in the “fun, not ferocious” category. ⚔️🧭

Practical tips for navigating Hate Mirage pricing

  • Know your condition ladder: NM/MP typically fetches the highest auction or marketplace prices, while LP and MP see modest discounts. For uncommon prints in Commander sets, the spread can be more modest than you’d expect, but it’s real.
  • Check the edition and print quality: Commander 2019 has nonfoil prints that can show distinct wear patterns; ensure you’re comfortable with the card’s edges and gloss level when pricing for a buyer who values display appeal.
  • Consider bundled value: If you’re selling a small collection of red EDH staples, offering Hate Mirage in a curated lot can increase perceived value and help move multiple cards faster. 🧙‍♂️
  • Highlight gameplay potential in listings: A short example: copying two popular opposing creatures with haste can swing a turn, especially in a board-state that’s otherwise evenly matched. This context can justify a fair price to the right buyer.
  • Protect and ship with care: Even though Hate Mirage is nonfoil, mint condition is a premium; pack well, track grading if you opt for a formal appraisal, and avoid heavy handling that could nick corners. 🔒

As with any card that sits on the line between play value and collectibility, the price of Hate Mirage in a given condition is a blend of market appetite, display quality, and the ever-shifting currents of EDH culture. If you’re collecting for the long haul, keep an eye on those signs of minty parchment and sharp artwork—the little things that signal you’ve found a true keeper. 🔎💎

From playtable to coffee table: a small cross-promo note

While you’re dialing in your next red-dominant EDH shell, consider keeping your phone within easy reach with a little helper on the desk. If you’re browsing for quick deck tweaks or price checks between rounds, the Phone Click-On Grip Portable Phone Holder Kickstand from Digital Vault is a handy companion—keeping your notes, price sheets, and chat with teammates within arm’s reach. It’s a tiny reminder that the hobby thrives on both strategy and convenience, just like Hate Mirage thrives on choosing the right targets and timing your copies for maximum impact. For a closer look, the product page is linked below so you can explore the next practical gadget to complement your gaming setup. 🧙‍♂️🔥⚡

Interested in more market-minded MTG thoughts? Check out these perspectives from our network, then circle back with a fresh take on pricing your collection.

Phone Click-On Grip Portable Phone Holder Kickstand

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