While your favourite high-level monster is an admirable choice, don't count out the little guys either, since with the right tactics they could prove to be valuable cards to guarantee in your starting hand
On the other hand, there are then heroes who weren't especially powerful or plot-important in their home games but are extremely meta-relevant here, such as Karla or Flayn for example
On the other hand there are multiple copies of the Black Lotus out there, albeit in varying conditions, and in theory that should keep valuations within a range of each other and count against gigantic spikes like this
Other Budget Upgrades To Consider Vraan, Executioner Thane is generally just a better Blood Artist and would be a strict upgrade
Autorokket Dragon X DARK Level 3 [ Dragon / Effect ] ATK 1600 DEF 1000 When a Link Monster's effect is activated that targets this face-up card on the field (Quick Effect): You can destroy this card, then send 1 Spell/Trap on the field to the GY