Remathilis
Legend
The issue is that standard deck is only good for a rotation. Then, that $500 deck is worth considerably less. You might get some cards that will see play in an eternal format like commander, pioneer or modern that retain value, but everything else will go for pennies. Imagine if WotC forced you to buy a D&D new core rules set and make a new character every time you wanted to play a new campaign and you get a taste of watching standard rotate.No, the defense does not rest. lol
Just looking right now, a Standard competitive deck is sub $500. There are Modern options for well....ok Modern looks like its extremely expensive right now, but there are budget options if you want to 'play'.
Or, you just go to a draft night, and play Limited.
Its all still 'Magic' after all, and you do not need (I did not for example) start with the most tricked out competitive deck in an expensive format.
You dont need that $1200 Modern deck, and you REALLY dont need that Legacy deck (UR Delver at over $4000...)
I dont eveen know how Vintage is played.
The issue is the standard -> eternal pipeline is broken. Modern is too large and too solved for anyone to bring a rotated deck without significant changes, and a tremendous amount of money on cards that are deliberately under-printed. The only real format that remains budget and beginner friendly is Commander due to the fact that WotC doesn't shy away from making good onboarding sealed starting decks, cards are singleton and eternal, and The format is multiplayer. My mardu vampires worked out of the box and I can upgrade it when I have extra cash without fear it will be obsolete before I finish.
I'm with the Professor; the cost of MTG is keeping a lot of players from engaging and despite claiming otherwise, it is too concerned with the secondary market at the detriment of the game.