Different player images on base v // v insert cards is only expensive because of current obscene charges/royalties. I understand people have to make a living but the photographers/organisations that set those prices REALLY need to start thinking hard. Sooner or later they will be told to shove their charges/royalties, THEY WILL GET $0 and there will be NO cards for collectors. Lose-lose-lose - image owners, card makers, card collectors.
Back to the 1:3 or 1:4 ratio for a single set of //s question, to do this they would have to totally disassociate the // design from previous releases. eg 2014/15 Traders Blacks and 2015 Elite Golds were a similar ratio yet they can be picked up for $1.50 (Traders)/$2.50 (2015E). So if a higher ratio single // set is to be made available and it was a similar Black/Gold style, then those cards are INSTANTLY going to be associated with a $1.50/$2.50 price in collector's minds based on previous years, regardless of current year "rarity". So there's not going to be much incentive for someone to spend $12 (1:3 at $4/pack) for an ~$2 card. Make it a 1:4 ratio and higher pack price and that equation only gets worse.
Further, if you can't get a parallel set from a case - like Elite Golds - then the current situation will continue to suk. The bigger the set number, the worse that situation gets as well.
Regards
Mike
Back to the 1:3 or 1:4 ratio for a single set of //s question, to do this they would have to totally disassociate the // design from previous releases. eg 2014/15 Traders Blacks and 2015 Elite Golds were a similar ratio yet they can be picked up for $1.50 (Traders)/$2.50 (2015E). So if a higher ratio single // set is to be made available and it was a similar Black/Gold style, then those cards are INSTANTLY going to be associated with a $1.50/$2.50 price in collector's minds based on previous years, regardless of current year "rarity". So there's not going to be much incentive for someone to spend $12 (1:3 at $4/pack) for an ~$2 card. Make it a 1:4 ratio and higher pack price and that equation only gets worse.
Further, if you can't get a parallel set from a case - like Elite Golds - then the current situation will continue to suk. The bigger the set number, the worse that situation gets as well.
Regards
Mike