Budget Buys for the Sets of 2025 - Bulk Up!

There's a lot of excitement, and trepidation, about the upcoming year of Magic! If you're like me, each new set brings the thought of "can I make a deck around any of the latest set's commanders?" The issue that I always seem to run into is that, by the time I'm ready to throw the deck together, I realize that a lot of the cards I wanted to buy climbed in price as their demand grew.
That's where I come in: I'm Tyler 'Savesya' Bucks, and here is a list of cards at bulk prices that might not stay there once the first three sets of the year are released!
First, let's take a minute to define something: bulk rares. When people think of "bulk" they usually think of the commons and uncommons that have been relegated to big cardboard boxes, destined to collect dust. However, sometimes bulk cards can be found in rare binders.
These cards are often overly specific, and/or too janky to fit into most decks, so, moving forward, when I highlight bulk rares, I'm going to try to stick to this definition: a rare, usually under $1, that often gets overlooked during deck building, and by default doesn't see much play.
Zombies, Vampires & Werewolves Galore!
Undead Augur
The third most played kindred type on EDHREC is Zombies, and honestly I'm not too surprised. Their ability to create an engine that dominates the board can quickly make them the table's top target, but even when you remove them it doesn't seem like enough. Undead Augur
Drawing a card for each of your Zombies that die will ensure your hand stays full, all while your creatures go to their favorite place: the graveyard!
Something that's easy to overlook with Undead Augur
Champion of Dusk
Vampire decks are known for a lot of things: draining life, building scary boards, and discard synergies. A card that takes advantage of all those strengths is none other than Champion of Dusk
Many Vampire decks play around with their graveyard, so even if you cast Champion of Dusk
"Hey, did you pop off and cast all the Vampires in your hand? Well, here's some new cards for being a good bloodsucker" is what I assume the Champion would say... Maybe I should have kept that to myself...
Werewolf Pack Leader
Up next is one of the only Werewolves that doesn't hail from Innistrad: Werewolf Pack Leader
In this case, you just pay four mana to have it lose that Human type until end of turn, no flipping the card around in your sleeve. It also has Pack tactics, which means that when it attacks, if your total power is six or more, you'll draw a card!
Werewolf decks are historically aggressive, so having an early game creature to drive damage forward, as well as fill your hand back up is incredibly valuable. Since Werewolf Pack Leader
Laying the groundwork for the rest of your creatures to come down and start pushing damage through. Also, that second mana ability to pump its power and gain trample, could be your reason to hold off casting a spell on your turn, if you really need it to turn from day to night (oof... the day/night mechanic is so confusing!)
Vehicles go VROOM VROOM!
Sram, Senior Edificer
Getting this out of the way now, Sram, Senior Edificer
On top of the card draw, you also get a creature that can easily crew some of the Vehicles you're casting. An issue a lot of decks in that strategy tend to struggle with is having enough bodies to cram into the driver's seat. Sram is more than willing to get behind the wheel, all while digging you deeper into your deck. There's not much more I can say about this card, it's a certified staple for a reason!
Mech Hangar
Vehicles need all the help they can get, so finding that support on a land is a welcome surprise! Mech Hangar
Finding lands that support your main strategy can sometimes be a struggle, but when it does happen it can be just another reason your deck goes from good to great! While Mech Hangar
Need to cast that Parhelion II
Luxurious Locomotive
This next inclusion is a bit of a head-scratcher. Luxurious Locomotive
Crewing a Vehicle is something that happens all at once, so you can choose five creatures to jump in the Locomotive all at the same time if you wanted to, which would give you that many Treasure tokens on attack. (You can read up on the rules here)
Even if Luxurious Locomotive makes you a modest one to two Treasures a turn to keep your deck's engine running. Plus, you'll be swinging in with a large 6/5 body, pressuring your opponent's life totals. While five mana may seem steep, I can tell you from experience that Vehicle decks are usually filled with artifact cost-reducers.
Etherium Sculptor
It's Raining Dragons and More Dragons
Temple of the Dragon Queen
First up we have a land that can tap for a specific color of mana, and enters untapped if you control a Dragon or reveal a Dragon from your hand. Temple of the Dragon Queen
Dragon decks tend to require efficient mana, so Temple of the Dragon Queen
Firespitter Whelp
Look who's back, back again! Firespitter Whelp
Firespitter Whelp
Minion of the Mighty
Let's close things out with a small, but dangerous Dragon support card! Minion of the Mighty
Minion of the Mighty
The Wrap Up!
I hope this list was helpful for you, and if anything, got you excited for these upcoming sets! New decks are always fun, but sometimes that joy can slowly slip away once you see the pricetag on some of the cards you want. So, get ahead of the curve, and pick these up while you still can. Or... Don't! Listen, I'm not a financial expert, even though my last name is Bucks; I just hate when my wallet keeps me from my ultimate dream: to build every deck in the world!