From Final Fantasy to Feline Fury: Meet Our November Fan, Megan Pearls

When did you start collecting and do you remember your very first big hit card or big ticket item? What was it?

I actually started collecting in the middle of June this year, right after the release of the Final Fantasy set. I used to play a lot of Hearthstone and really missed having a proper TCG to sink my time into. I wish I’d been more decisive about starting though, because by the time I went looking for booster packs, they were sold out everywhere. I ended up driving around to different stores and finally, after about five failed visits, I found a handful in this middle-of-nowhere shop about 40 minutes outside my city. I couldn’t wait, so I opened them right there in the car and pulled a borderless Sephiroth, Fabled SOLDIER in alternate art non-foil. At the time I just thought it looked really cool and snapped a photo, but a few days later I found out it was actually pretty valuable too.

What’s your absolute favourite card/ item in your collection and why does it mean so much to you?

One of my favourite cards in my collection Trynn, Champion of Freedom and Silvar, Devourer of the Free. I have three Savannah cats who I'd raise hell for so the cards flavour was very relatable for me!

What’s the crown jewel of your collection, the rarest or most valuable card you own?

I think the rarest card I own is probably an alternative art Smothering Tithe and it’s a crown-jewel because I pulled it myself after buying two Japanese Wilds of Eldrain Collectors Boosters from Magic Madhouse. It does soften the blow of having an incredibly toxic mechanic when the art is super cute, my playgroup probably wouldn’t agree!

How do you store or display your collection, are you more binder-organised or shoebox chaos?

I love having things organised. I’m meticulous about looking after anything I collect. When I knew that Magic The Gathering had its claws in me I transitioned out of storing cards in Magic’s gift-bundle boxes to buying an entire, dedicated apothecary unit to store my card collection. I have them in mana-order separated by type, equipped with Ultimate Guard dividers separating mana costs that are colour coordinated. I also DIY-cut out some packing foam so the cards fit better in each drawer but this a work in progress, I need something better to stop them falling over! I also have a binder for my favourite cards, and two commander decks that normally stay on my computer desk so I can play with my friends on Spell Table.

Do you play Magic: the Gathering, collect only, or dabble in both? If you do play, what has been your favourite deck of all time?

I play and collect, my favourite part of Magic The Gathering is theorycrafting and building my own-take on a Commander deck. My favourite deck is my ‘Human Resources’ deck with Trynn, Champion of Freedom and Silvar, Devourer of the Free. I’m proud of it, it was my first build and it’s already seen a round of upgrades so far and lots of play!

Do you have a favourite Magic: the Gathering Set that you own and why?

My favourite set to look at is probably Phyrexia: All Will Be One because the artwork and aesthetic are incredible. The set I get the most use out of is definitely the Final Fantasy crossover. There are so many great commanders and staple cards in it, and I find myself going back to them all the time when building or tweaking decks. I am hoping to pick up more from that set really soon.

Are there any cards/ items you're currently chasing or a dream grail card/ item on your wishlist?

I’m chasing the borderless Y’shtola, Nights Blessed art. I’m making a deck for her but I can’t justify getting her alternative art when I'm still finishing a spellslinger build with her. I also really want to find a displacer kitten...

If you were made into a Magic: The Gathering Card, what would your card look like and which keywords would you have?

If I could choose an artist to draw my card it would be Peach Momoko, I love her Magic The Gathering Secret Lair set and her comic-book work. I’d hope the art would be me surrounded by my three cats and I’d use the ‘Menace’ mechanic, as well as some kind of mechanic to remove counters from opponents cards. The times when I’ve hosted a commander night at my house, my cats love to play with the dice we’re using for counters!

Do you have any card storage hacks, tips, or advice for fellow collectors?

Honestly, whatever works best for you! I don’t think there’s any right or wrong way to store things. One thing that has been a game-changer playing Magic was when I purchased a document camera for playing Commander games on Spell Table. I’d never heard of a Document Camera before but a fellow player recommended it to me - it’s made playing online so much easier than having to prop a webcam up with random trinkets!

Do you share your collection online? If so, where can people follow you and what’s your handle?

I post Magic the Gathering Tiktoks at @Pearlsayah. I also share pictures of my collection on my Instagram, as well as cat pictures, and PC gaming-reviews which is also @Pearlsayah.