Image courtesy of Scryfall.com
Market Trends & Price Analysis
If you’ve ever scrolled a price history chart and felt a surge of nostalgia for classic Cat tribal commanders, you’re not alone. Arahbo, Roar of the World stands as a fascinating study in secondary-market dynamics: a mythic rare from Commander 2017 that’s deeply loved by cat fans, yet intentionally constrained by its foil-first print run. The card’s Eminence ability creates ongoing perceived value for your army of felines, even when it sits on the sidelines as a commander. This combination—nostalgia, utility, and printer constraints—helps explain the shape of its market curve 🧙🔥.
Card Profile
- Set: Commander 2017 (c17)
- Rarity: Mythic
- Mana Cost: {3}{G}{W}
- Type: Legendary Creature — Cat Avatar
- Power/Toughness: 5/5
- Colors: Green, White
- Keywords: Eminence
- Art: Jesper Ejsing
- Print/Finish: Foil (the nonfoil print is not listed for this release)
- legality: Commander and Legacy-legal in the right contexts; accepted in Vintage
Eminence adds a tactile, in-game value to the card’s market perception: at the start of combat, if Arahbo is in the command zone or on the battlefield, another Cat you control gains +3/+3 until end of turn. And when a Cat you control attacks, you may pay {1}{G}{W} to grant it trample and boost its power and toughness for that turn. That layering of immediate combat impact translates into demand in the secondary market, as players chase both the immediate play and the long-term appeal of a foil mythic with strong tribal synergies 🧙🔥⚔️.
Secondary Market Snapshot
Data from Scryfall’s price feeds highlights a foil-centric market for this specific print. As of the latest feed, the USD foil price sits around $21.17, with the EUR foil price near €20.28. Nonfoil values aren’t listed for this release, which aligns with the foil-focused nature of many Commander 2017 prints. The card’s EDHREC rank sits in the 7,420 range, signaling steady, if not explosive, demand among established cat decks rather than a runaway spike—perfect for collectors who value pedigree as much as playability 🧙🔥.
- USD foil: ~ $21.17
- EUR foil: ~ €20.28
- Nonfoil: not listed for this print
- EDHREC rank: ~7,420
- Prints: foil-only for this Commander 2017 release
That foil premium, while modest compared to ultra-exclusive mythics, still matters for investors and hobbyists alike. The absence of a nonfoil option in this specific release amplifies the foil market’s role as the primary entry point for many collectors. For buyers, that means patience and timing—watch for reprint risk signals or shifts in Commander play trends that could nudge foil prices upward or downward.
Strategic Perspectives for Collectors & Players
From a deck-building lens, Arahbo’s eminence creates a strong incentive to assemble a cat-centric board state. The more Cats you field, the more leverage you gain during combat, especially when you sequence Cat attacks to trigger the pay-1GW option for trample and power/toughness boost. In practice, that means you’re often balancing raw card advantage with tempo and reach. The market responds to this through price stability: players who want a reliable, high-impact commander in a Cat shell are likely to seek the foil print as a badge of authenticity and a reliable playmat centerpiece 🧙🔥🎨.
From a design and lore perspective, Arahbo blends the grandiosity of a legendary creature with the tactile, tribal flavor that fans adore. The art by Jesper Ejsing captures a regal feline aura that resonates with players who enjoy mono-green and white options that are both aggressive and resilient. Its Eminence ability rewards a patient, cat-heavy board development strategy—an archetype that tends to have a durable, if not skyrocketing, market footprint in the long run 💎⚔️.
Market Dynamics: Risk, Reprint, and Opportunity
One of the perennial realities of MTG collecting is the risk of reprints. Commander 2017-era cards can see reprints in future sets or digital editions, which can compress foil prices or temper demand. Arahbo’s status as a dual-colored cat avatar with a strong tribal hook makes it a target for careful consideration: if a more accessible or alternate-arts version appears, prices may correct in the short term. Conversely, in sustained or growing Cat tribal ecosystems, the foil premium may persist, thanks to established demand among veteran players and new Cat commanders alike 🧙♂️.
For sellers, the key is timing: monitor TCGPlayer, CardMarket, and other marketplaces for shifts in supply, alongside EDHREC-driven popularity trends. For buyers, it’s a balance of utility and collectibility—if you’re aiming to pilot a robust Cat shell, Arahbo’s foil imprint is a compelling blend of presence and prestige.
Art, Theme, and Passion Points
Beyond numbers, the card’s allure is anchored in the Cat tribal fantasy. The Commander 2017 era beautifully married theme with accessible play patterns, and Arahbo stands as a testament to that design philosophy. The art direction—Jesper Ejsing’s dynamic feline figure—continues to spark conversations about card aesthetics, which in turn sustains interest in the foil version and its ongoing market value 🧙🔥🎲.
If you’re a collector who relishes the tactile thrill of a foil mythic with a strong tribal identity, Arahbo remains a prime example of why secondary markets can be so rewarding: you’re not just buying a card, you’re buying a snapshot of a deck-building ethos that endures across formats and years.