How do You Feel about Secret Lairs?
Commander (EDH) forum
Posted on May 4, 2021, 11:30 a.m. by Sultai_Sir
I like them as long as they're just cosmetic upgrades, not super-desirable cards for 200+ dollars (Fetchlands) or new cards (Walking Dead). I'm planning on buying Our Show Is On Friday, Can You Make It? The art is beautiful, and the cards are worth more 30 bucks, even without the art upgrade. So what do you think?
Sultai_Sir says... #3
That makes sense. Printing mechanically unique cards in Secret Lairs creates a slippery slope where Wizards could just print competitive staples in a limited-supply box for 100 dollars, and if you want to play competitively, you'll have to buy it. I agree with the fetchlands, tho, as long as that's not the only way to get them.
May 4, 2021 11:38 a.m.
Omniscience_is_life says... #4
Yeah, it's nice to have new art for cards like
Narset, Enlightened Master
--but I would never buy a whole drop. Gotta wait until I can get those singles ;)
May 4, 2021 12:22 p.m.
I don't really like much about it. I probably would like it if they artificially lowered the cost of mere commonfolk copies of things, but they don't really. I don't like acknowledging the whale market. I don't really like the dilution of cards that feel distinctly WoTC/MTG. With all the weird alternates going on it is starting to feel like home made cards should just be the main stream & MTG should just dissolve into a community made game. I personally like creative decks & pet cards, you can have 20 different arts for some overused staple card & it is still the same card... Just like you can slap to pieces of bread around a dog-turd & call it a BM sandwich deluxe... but it's still just a turd sandwich. That being said, I did get some of the gods, though I felt there was some notable print differences with those. Just 2 cents from someone that doesn't particularly like them.
May 4, 2021 12:24 p.m.
Sultai_Sir says... #6
Yes, but if the cards are worth more then the Secret Lair (yes, the secondary market exists, WotC), I'd buy it most of the time. I am also an art connoisseur, so if the artists make great art, I'd probably buy it for a bit more then the actual card costs. If you don't like the art, though, they're not really worth it.
May 4, 2021 12:45 p.m.
I ordered the Theros gods Secret Lair, as well as the Party hard shred harder/Seb/bob ross super drop. But generally I'm not in favor of the secret lairs for a lot of the reasons already listed.
New art on the cards is great sometimes, but things like the walking dead cards etc. really rub me the wrong way. I like magic as affordable and accessible to everyone as possible.
May 4, 2021 12:56 p.m.
Alternate art is nice to add a little flair and personality to a deck. I haven't bought any of the Secret Lairs, but I've been tempted a couple of times. Limited duration, restricted access, mechanically unique content that can be used freely is not fine. Are Universes Beyond going to be released in the same way as Secret Lairs?
In my opinion, there is no reason, for any company in any medium, to charge a premium for non-cosmetic content with limited availability. That's pretty much the definition of pay-to-win, and it's bad faith for anyone who, for whatever reason, didn't have access to the distribution.
May 4, 2021 2:21 p.m.
IMO, overall I absolutely hate it. It's complete trash. Most of the art looks like it was done by failed tattoo artists who look like they had no clue what they were creating. Wouldn't pay 5 cents for it.
May 4, 2021 4:35 p.m.
I do not mind any secret lair reprinting existing cards - more cards in circulation and new arts only serves to benefit players.
I am not fond of mechanically unique cards as secret lairs, but I wouldn’t be abjectly against them if they followed the Zilortha, Strength Incarnate model. Including a placeholder name for a card that does not currently exist, but could exist in the future, is just basic common sense. Not only would it give players options for “Magic” versions of mechanically unique cards somewhere down the line, it would avoid issues where copyrights or trademarks make it impossible for Wizards to reprint things.
I think they horrifically dropped the ball with the Walking Dead product, specifically because it failed to include placeholder names. But that’s the only drop I take issue with.
May 4, 2021 6:30 p.m.
Named_Tawyny says... #12
Secret lair reprints are beautiful and lovely - I can't imagine why I'd have a problem with somebody using them.
Secret lair exclusive cards though (like the Walking Dead) for me fall into the same category as the Moxen do. The Moxen are banned not strictly for power level, but because they're so rare/exclusive that most players can't have access to them, so it creates a lot of feel bads if only some do.
I'd rather not see any Walking Dead cards in my playgroup, and would probably ask somebody to play a different deck if they tried to use them.
May 4, 2021 6:39 p.m.
I love all the Secret lairs, including the ones the OP called out. Its a genius product line.
May 4, 2021 8:50 p.m.
golgarigirl says... #14
I love the lairs that showcase an artist (ex. the Seb Mckinnon or Bob Ross lairs) or an unconventional art style (ex. Our Show...). And I am of the opinion that if they ever released a lair with the Japanese style Archives with English text they would sell like crazy hot cakes. I like the charity lairs too (ex. Black is Magic), given it allows for collaboration for a good cause.
I am still deeply uncomfortable with the Walking Dead lair for a few reasons, as I've mentioned in other threads. But Wizards took the outside properties concepts and is running with it, ain't no stopping it now. And I'm sure it'll make them a ton of money.
May 4, 2021 9:43 p.m.
Gidgetimer says... #15
I hate them. I feel that they are blatant cash grabs and exploit FOMO in the most abusive way possible. I also dropped $150 on the shocks and "Our Show Is On Friday, Can You Make It?"
May 4, 2021 10:11 p.m.
Sultai_Sir says... #16
This is my first one, I try to limit my mtg purchases because I need the money for other things. I feel bad for people who are addicted to these, though. FOMO is one hell of a drug.
May 5, 2021 6:48 a.m.
Gidgetimer says... #17
It is my first secret lair purchase too. I know where you are coming from with the limited magic budget. Mine has been very limited for a long time and I am finally getting to a place that I can make this type of purchase if I choose.
May 5, 2021 6:33 p.m.
Sultai_Sir says... #18
Yeah, I finally have enough money to splurge on good singles and a Secret Lair. I'm picking up a bunch of Mystical Archives that lowered a bunch of good cards ( Demonic Tutor , Teferi's Protection ), and a bunch of japanese Mystical Archives. I'm so excited!
TriusMalarky says... #2
I think stuff like fetchlands are good for the game's economy. They help prevent fetches from being more expensive than they are now by providing a small reprint.
I don't buy them though.
I do have a qualm with printing unique cards into Lairs because it artificially removes a lot of the supply, meaning that even if the card isn't used much, I have to save up to be able to afford it anyways, which sucks when I'm still trying to afford fetchlands.
May 4, 2021 11:36 a.m.