Image courtesy of Scryfall.com
Print Run Differences Across War of the Spark Editions
If you’ve ever hunted for a pristine copy of a white rare from War of the Spark, you’ve likely felt the tug of two irresistible forces: set design and print run reality. Single Combat, a white sorcery released on May 3, 2019, exists in both foil and nonfoil finishes within the same expansive set. The card’s dramatic effect—each player choosing a creature or planeswalker they control, then sacrificing the rest, with the added constraint that no creature or planeswalker spells can be cast until the end of your next turn—works just as well on the kitchen table as it does in a competitive EDH board state. The print run differences between editions aren’t merely cosmetic; they shape pricing, availability, and the emotional weight of a card in your collection. 🧙🔥💎
Set Symbol and Foil Treatment
War of the Spark featured a sprawling roster and a variety of printings designed to reward both casual collectors and power players. Every printing of this card in the War set carries the same basic lore and gameplay text, but the foil treatment makes a world of difference when you’re flipping light across the set symbol and the card frame. Foil versions tend to gleam and shimmer, making the white mana and the serifed set symbol pop in ways nonfoil copies simply can’t match. This is one of those cases where the “wow” factor matters not just in a showcase-grade display, but in how a card feels when you play it—especially in a format that values tempo and timing. For curious minds, the card exists in both finishes within booster packs, and there isn’t an etched foil variant listed for this particular print. ⚔️🎨
Rarity, Print Runs, and Market Signals
Rarity plays a crucial role in how often you’ll encounter a copy on the secondary market. Single Combat is a rare, and that status usually signals a broader range of distribution across a block’s worth of boosters. Still, foil copies are typically printed in fewer units than their nonfoil counterparts, which helps explain the price delta you’ll often see in market data. For this card, current market readings show nonfoil around $0.55 USD, foil around $1.88 USD, with euro prices of about €0.30 nonfoil and €1.03 foil. In the world of MTG finance, that foil premium often reflects both scarcity in physical print runs and surging demand from players and collectors who want that extra shine in a deck or a display case. Tix trading value remains modest at around $0.02, underscoring that this card’s appeal is more about playability and collection than speculative spikes. 🧙🔥💎
Not even a threat to the entire Multiverse could persuade them to put aside their feud.
That flavor text, pulled from the card’s lore, adds a layer of narrative texture that resonates with players who love the War of the Spark era. The illustration by Livia Prima—set on a battlefield where strategies collide—reminds us that this card isn’t just about raw power; it’s about the feuds and choices that shape a story arc across planes. The art, the text, and the finish all converge to make this a favorite for those who enjoy both nostalgia and genuine strategic impact. 🎲
Print Runs and Collector Value: A Practical Lens
- Foil vs. Nonfoil: Foil versions typically command a premium, often reflecting both scarcity and the visual appeal of the finish in a modern set. For Single Combat, the foil price is notably higher than nonfoil, signaling that many players and collectors target the foil for display or for a dramatic inclusion in a white-themed commander deck. 💎
- Set Symbol Coherence: Within War of the Spark, the set symbol remains consistent across printings, so discerning between editions is less about symbol changes and more about finish, border treatment (black-border is standard here), and the presence of a foil stamp.
- Rarity as a Guide: Being a rare in a colossal set like WAR means you’ll encounter copies less often than commons or uncommons, but you’ll still see a healthy spread of copies across the market. The rarity label helps explain why a ready-to-play foil can outpace a nonfoil in price on certain days. ⚔️
- EDH and Vintage Signals: With an EDHREC rank around 1867, Single Combat sits in a respectable niche where players love to experiment with mass-swap effects in multiplayer formats. If you’re chasing a well-rounded white control or punishment strategy, this card’s unique protections and sacrifice mechanic can slot into many lists. The broader market signals—penny to decently-priced foils—reflect both playability and collectible charm. 🧙🔥
Flavor, Design, and Collector-Friendly Details
The card’s flavor text anchors a narrative about two rivals whose feud outlasts a Multiverse threat—an idea that breathes life into your card collection beyond mere numbers. Livia Prima’s artwork captures a moment of charged tension, a perfect mirror to the card’s battlefield-wide ripple effects. In terms of design, Single Combat demonstrates a classic balance between an impactful, high-cost spell and a clean, approachable mana curve: a five-mana card that can swing the game when timed correctly. The white mana identity (W) remains a beacon for players who enjoy tempo control, prison elements, or wipe-style play that punishes reckless aggression. The rarity and print run differences only deepen the sense that this card belongs to a select, well-curated sub-collection of War of the Spark’s white spells. 🧙🔥⚔️
Practical Tips for Builders and Collectors
- When assembling a casual or competitive White-leaning deck, weigh foil for thematic impact in add-on slots or as a centerpiece in a showcase deck. If budget is a concern, nonfoil can still deliver strong performance and reliable availability.
- Pay attention to the set symbol and border texture to confirm a genuine print. War of the Spark cards share a cohesive aesthetic, but foil finishes can vary in how their light reflects off the symbol and frame.
- For collectors, track the card’s market metrics across currencies to gauge value shifts. The price spread between foil and nonfoil is a reliable indicator of demand spikes tied to commander groups and casual play trends.
- Consider using a high-quality storage solution to protect both foil and nonfoil copies. A rugged phone case might seem unrelated, but keeping your gear safe is part of the hobby’s ritual—after all, you never know when you’ll need a quick trip to the store or a flight for a local tournament. For a practical accompaniment, check out this Rugged Phone Case — Impact Resistant Glossy Finish. 🧳📦
Whether you’re chasing the next hot foil or slowly building a nuanced white board state, the print run differences between editions of Single Combat offer a window into how Wizards of the Coast cultivated its WAR era—balancing power, rarity, and collectibility in a way that still sparks conversation today ✨.