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{{SubTabs
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|sub1 = Drop Series
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|sub2 = Bonus cards
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|sub3 = Promos and prizes
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|sub4 = Specials
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|sub5 = Playtest cards
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}}
 
[[File:Secret Lair.png|right|thumb|250px]]
 
[[File:Secret Lair.png|right|thumb|250px]]
'''''Secret Lair''''' is a “sub-brand” of ''[[Magic: The Gathering]]'' that groups existing [[card]]s into small collectible [[sets]] with strange themes and wild [[alternate art|new art styles]].<ref name="Reveal">{{WebRef|url=https://ca.ign.com/articles/2019/11/25/magic-the-gathering-reveals-new-secret-lair-drop-series-with-wild-art|title=Magic: The Gathering Reveals New Secret Lair Drop Series With Wild Art|author=Tom Marks|date=November 25, 2019|publisher=Ca.ign.com}}</ref><ref name="Revealing">{{DailyRef|feature/revealing-secret-lair-2019-11-25|Revealing Secret Lair|[[Mark Heggen]]|November 25, 2019}}</ref>
+
'''''Secret Lair''''' is a “sub-brand” of ''[[Magic: The Gathering]]'' that groups existing [[card]]s into small collectible pseudo-[[sets]] called "drops", with strange themes and wild [[alternate art|new art styles]].<ref name="Reveal">{{WebRef|url=https://ca.ign.com/articles/2019/11/25/magic-the-gathering-reveals-new-secret-lair-drop-series-with-wild-art|title=Magic: The Gathering Reveals New Secret Lair Drop Series With Wild Art|author=Tom Marks|date=November 25, 2019|publisher=Ca.ign.com}}</ref><ref name="Revealing">{{DailyRef|feature/revealing-secret-lair-2019-11-25|Revealing Secret Lair|[[Mark Heggen]]|November 25, 2019|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220804201752/https://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/feature/revealing-secret-lair-2019-11-25|archivedate=August 4, 2022}}</ref> The name was inspired by the un-card <c>R&D’s Secret Lair</c>.<ref>{{EzTumblr|https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/691982017336918016|title=Did the card “R&D’s Secret Lair” have any inspiration in the naming of the product “Secret Lair”?|August 7, 2022}}</ref>
  +
{{TOCright}}
   
 
==Description==
 
==Description==
 
The ''Secret Lair'' Series is Wizard of the Coast's first full foray into selling single [[reprint]]s directly to players.
 
The ''Secret Lair'' Series is Wizard of the Coast's first full foray into selling single [[reprint]]s directly to players.
   
The first ''Secret Lair'' series all consisted of [[alternate art]] reprints. [[Wizards of the Coast]] was trying to work with [[artist]]s they usually didn't: street artists, comic book artists, album cover designers, etc. Alternately, they used traditional ''Magic'' artists working with very non-traditional art briefs.
+
The first ''Secret Lair'' series all consisted of [[alternate art]] reprints. [[Wizards of the Coast]] was trying to work with [[artist]]s they usually didn't: street artists, comic book artists, album cover designers, etc. Alternately, they used traditional ''Magic'' artists working with very non-traditional art briefs. In some later series, original art was used in combination with alternate [[card frame]]s.
   
With the [[Secret Lair Drop Series: The Walking Dead|The Walking Dead]] series, the premise of only reprints with alternate art was abandoned. [[Mark Heggen]] revealed that [[R&D]] views Secret Lair platform as a product - testing grounds platform that lets them try things they can't do in normal products. He acknowledged that it had been art up to 2020, but that they had broadened the concept to speak to audiences of different sizes.<ref>{{YouTubeRef|nER_kb12-No|Weekly MTG - Secret Lair: The Walking Dead|channel=Magic: The Gathering|date=October 2, 2020}}</ref> If they identify a small group that would be thrilled by a specific product, this could cater to them: "like game of ''Magic'' the Secret Lair will always try new things and evolve - the first year focused on art which is the low hanging fruit" and "as we have new ideas and want to try new things to make the game joyful for more people, Secret Lair is the place to do that experimentation".
+
With the [[Secret Lair Drop Series: The Walking Dead|The Walking Dead]] series, the premise of only reprints with alternate art was abandoned. [[Mark Heggen]] revealed that [[R&D]] views the Secret Lair platform as a product-testing grounds platform that lets them try things they can't do in normal products. He acknowledged that it had been art up to 2020, but that they had broadened the concept to speak to audiences of different sizes.<ref>{{YouTubeRef|nER_kb12-No|Weekly MTG - Secret Lair: The Walking Dead|channel=Magic: The Gathering|date=October 2, 2020}}</ref> If they identify a small group that would be thrilled by a specific product, this could cater to them: "like the game of ''Magic'' the Secret Lair will always try new things and evolve - the first year focused on art which is the low hanging fruit" and "as we have new ideas and want to try new things to make the game joyful for more people, Secret Lair is the place to do that experimentation".
   
Even though the reaction among the fans was very negative, the Walking Dead was the best selling drop, luring in buyers from outside of the ''Magic'' world. This prompted the company to keep on experimenting in this realm<ref name="2021 sneak peek>{{WebRef|url=https://www.twitch.tv/videos/824651149|title=Weekly MTG: Secret Lair 2021 Sneak Peak|date=December 3, 2020|publisher=Magicthegather.com}}</ref> and creating the [[Universes Beyond]] product line. The [[2019]] Secret Lair team was awarded with an [[Heroes of the Realm]]: <c>Keeper of the Secret Lair</c>.
+
Even though the reaction among the fans was very negative, the Walking Dead was the best-selling drop, luring buyers from outside of the ''Magic'' world. This prompted the company to keep on experimenting in this realm<ref name="2021 sneak peek>{{WebRef|url=https://www.twitch.tv/videos/824651149|title=Weekly MTG: Secret Lair 2021 Sneak Peak|date=December 3, 2020|publisher=Magicthegather.com}}</ref> and creating the [[Universes Beyond]] product line. The [[2019]] Secret Lair team was awarded a [[Heroes of the Realm]] card: <c>Keeper of the Secret Lair</c>.
   
===Drop Series===
+
==Drop Series==
  +
{{Main|Secret Lair/Drop Series}}
All cards in the print-to-demand ''Secret Lair Drop Series'' have a [[rare]] or [[mythic rare]] shooting star [[expansion symbol]]. The tokens have a common expansion symbol. The ''Secret Lair Drop Series'' are in English only.
 
  +
All cards in the ''Secret Lair Drop Series'' have a [[rare]] or [[mythic rare]] shooting star [[expansion symbol]]. The tokens have a common expansion symbol. The ''Secret Lair Drop Series'' are in English only.
   
Each "[[drop]]" contains between three and seven cards and/or [[token]]s in a customized [[card box|collector box]], costing either $29.99, $39.99, or $49.99 depending on the drop – some of which use premium [[foil]] cards as well. Additionally, the "drops" can contain digital product redemption codes for MTG Arena or MTG Online for various online products to be used in their respective platform. The drops are only available for purchase from the [[Wizards of the Coast]] webshop [https://secretlair.wizards.com/us secretlair.wizards.com]. The first year, each drop usually only lasted for 24 hours (though there were some exceptions). "[[Superdrop]]s" were introduced as multi-day sales that include multiple different drops that can be purchased individually or as part of a bundle.<ref name="Ultimate"/> Additional information on the contents of each Secret Lair Drop can be found on the webshop [https://secretlair.wizards.com/us secretlair.wizards.com].
+
Each "[[drop]]" usually contains between three and seven cards and/or [[token]]s in a customized [[card box|collector box]], costing either $29.99, $39.99, or $49.99 depending on the drop – some of which use premium [[foil]] cards as well. Additionally, the "drops" can contain digital product redemption codes for ''[[Magic: The Gathering Arena]]'' or ''[[Magic Online]]'' for various online products to be used on their respective platform. The drops are only available for purchase from the [[Wizards of the Coast]] webshop [https://secretlair.wizards.com/us secretlair.wizards.com]. In the first year, each drop usually only lasted for 24 hours (though there were some exceptions). "[[Superdrop]]s" were introduced as multi-day sales that include multiple different drops that can be purchased individually or as part of a bundle.<ref name="Ultimate">{{DailyRef|news/making-fetch-happen-secret-lair-ultimate-edition-2020-03-13|Making Fetch Happen—Secret Lair: Ultimate Edition|[[Wizards of the Coast]]|March 13, 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20231126173519/https://magic.wizards.com/en/news/announcements/making-fetch-happen-secret-lair-ultimate-edition-2020-03-13|archivedate=November 26, 2023}}</ref> Additional information on the contents of each Secret Lair Drop can be found on the webshop [https://secretlair.wizards.com/us secretlair.wizards.com]. In the second year, Wizards of the Coast focused more on superdrops, with solitary drops still possible for special occasions.<ref name="2021 sneak peek/>
   
  +
===Distribution===
In the second year, Wizards of the Coast will focus more on superdrops, with solitary drops still possible for special occasions.<ref name="2021 sneak peek/>
 
  +
Wizards of the Coast used a print-to-demand model of distribution for Secret Lair Drops from their introduction in 2020 until 2023. Each order was printed after the purchase was made and then distributed to buyers. This model allowed for an unlimited number of people to buy the drop within the sale period and receive it at the cost of having to wait a period of time between printing and shipping. In 2024, Wizards switched to a limited-print-run model, where Secret Lair Drops were printed in set numbers before the drop was put up for sale. <ref>{{DailyRef|announcements/speeding-up-secret-lair-shipping|Speeding Up Secret Lair Shipping|[[Wizards of the Coast]]|January 2, 2024}}</ref> This method allowed Wizards to ship the drops as soon as buyers made a purchase but at the cost of only having limited stock that could run out before the end of the sale period.
In June 2021, it was announced that for upcoming ''[[Universes Beyond]]'' Secret Lairs, Wizards of the Coast planned to create and print versions of the mechanically unique Secret Lair ''Universes Beyond'' cards that are set in ''Magic'' 's [[Multiverse]] approximately six months (the exact time may vary) after their release in Secret Lair.<ref name="June 2021">{{DailyRef|news/secret-lair-universes-beyond-update-2021-06-07|''Secret Lair Universes Beyond'' Update|[[Wizards of the Coast]]|June 7, 2021}}</ref> The in-''Magic'' versions be available on [[The List]]. The [[non-canon card]]s and the [[canon]] cards are considered equivalent game pieces, meaning you can only play four copies (or one copy) of either the ''Magic'' version or ''Universes Beyond'' version in your deck.
 
   
  +
===Packaging===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
 
  +
Originally, each drop was packaged in a black box. Starting with the ''[[Secret Lair Drop Series: All-Natural, Totally Refreshing Superdrop|All-Natural Superdrop]]'', the packaging for all Secret Lair drops was reduced to less than half the original volume, being made from all-recyclable paper (except the plastic card wraps), and containing 91% less plastic by volume. The ''[[Secret Lair Drop Series: April Superdrop 2022|April 2022 Superdrop]]'' introduced even smaller envelope packaging for regular, using less material and is lighter in weight, thereby creating less waste and making distribution more sustainable.<ref>{{DailyRef|news/statement-sustainability-and-secret-lair-drop-packaging-2022-05-06|Statement on Sustainability and Secret Lair Drop Packaging|[[Wizards of the Coast]]|May 6, 2022|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20221014083208/https://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/news/statement-sustainability-and-secret-lair-drop-packaging-2022-05-06|archivedate=October 14, 2022}}</ref> Going forward, the slim black box packaging will be restricted to most cobranded Secret Lair drops (e.g., ''[[Secret Lair Drop Series: Street Fighter|Street Fighter]]''), and most philanthropic drops (e.g., ''[[Secret Lair Drop Series: Extra Life 2021|Extra Life 2021]]'').
!#
 
!Drop
 
!Card numbers
 
!Release date
 
!Price<br>(non-foil)
 
!Price<br>(foil)
 
!MTGA<br>Sleeves
 
!MTGO<br>Cards
 
!Other
 
|-
 
|1
 
|''[[Secret Lair Drop Series (December 2019)|Bitterblossom Dreams]]''
 
|012 - 016
 
|2019-12-03
 
|$29.99
 
|
 
|Y
 
|Non-Foil
 
|MTGO Avatar x4
 
|-
 
|2
 
|''[[Secret Lair Drop Series (December 2019)|Eldraine Wonderland]]''
 
|001 - 005
 
|2019-12-04
 
|
 
|$29.99
 
|Y
 
|Non-Foil
 
|
 
|-
 
|3
 
|''[[Secret Lair Drop Series (December 2019)|Restless in Peace]]''
 
|006 - 008
 
|2019-12-05
 
|$29.99
 
|
 
|Y
 
|Non-Foil
 
|
 
|-
 
|4
 
|''[[Secret Lair Drop Series (December 2019)|Seeing Visions]]''
 
|029 - 032
 
|2019-12-06
 
|
 
|$29.99
 
|Y
 
|Non-Foil
 
|
 
|-
 
|5
 
|''[[Secret Lair Drop Series (December 2019)|<explosion sounds>]]''
 
|017 - 021
 
|2019-12-07
 
|$29.99
 
|
 
|Y
 
|Non-Foil
 
|
 
|-
 
|6
 
|''[[Secret Lair Drop Series (December 2019)|Kaleidoscope Killers]]''
 
|009 - 011
 
|2019-12-08
 
|
 
|$39.99
 
|Y
 
|Non-Foil
 
|
 
|-
 
|7
 
|''[[Secret Lair Drop Series (December 2019)|OMG KITTIES!]]''
 
|022 - 028
 
|2019-12-09
 
|
 
|$39.99
 
|Y
 
|Non-Foil
 
|MTGA Avatar x2
 
|-
 
|8
 
|''[[{{SLD|Year of the Rat}}]]''
 
|033 - 036
 
|2020-01-27
 
|
 
|$39.99
 
|Y
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|9
 
|[[{{SLD|Theros Stargazing|''Theros Stargazing'', Volume I}}]]
 
|068 - 070
 
|2020-02-14
 
|
 
|$39.99
 
|Y
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|10
 
|[[{{SLD|Theros Stargazing|''Theros Stargazing'', Volume II}}]]
 
|071 - 073
 
|2020-02-14
 
|
 
|$39.99
 
|Y
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|11
 
|[[{{SLD|Theros Stargazing|''Theros Stargazing'', Volume III}}]]
 
|074 - 076
 
|2020-02-14
 
|
 
|$39.99
 
|Y
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|12
 
|[[{{SLD|Theros Stargazing|''Theros Stargazing'', Volume IV}}]]
 
|077 - 079
 
|2020-02-14
 
|
 
|$39.99
 
|Y
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|13
 
|[[{{SLD|Theros Stargazing|''Theros Stargazing'', Volume V}}]]
 
|080 - 082
 
|2020-02-14
 
|
 
|$39.99
 
|Y
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|14
 
|''[[{{SLD|International Women's Day}}]]''
 
|051 - 055
 
|2020-03-08
 
|
 
|$49.99
 
|Y
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|15
 
|''[[{{SLD|Thalia - Beyond the Helvault}}]]''
 
|037 - 040
 
|2020-03-12
 
|
 
|$29.99
 
|Y
 
|
 
|MTGA Card Styles
 
|-
 
|16
 
|''[[{{SLD|April Fools}}]]''
 
|060 - 062{{ref|missing|†}}
 
|2020-09-11
 
|
 
|N/A{{ref|distribution|‡}}
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|17
 
|''[[{{SLD|The Godzilla Lands}}]]''
 
|063 - 067
 
|2020-05-07
 
|
 
|$29.99
 
|Y
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|18
 
|''[[{{SLD|Summer Superdrop|Full Sleeves: The Tattoo Pack}}]]''
 
|041 - 045
 
|2020-06-01
 
|$29.99
 
|
 
|Y
 
|Non-Foil
 
|
 
|-
 
|19
 
|''[[{{SLD|Summer Superdrop|Can You Feel with a Heart of Steel?}}]]''
 
|056 - 058
 
|2020-06-02
 
|
 
|$39.99
 
|Y
 
|Non-Foil
 
|
 
|-
 
|20
 
|''[[{{SLD|Summer Superdrop|The Path Not Traveled}}]]''
 
|087 - 090
 
|2020-06-03
 
|
 
|$39.99
 
|Y
 
|Non-Foil
 
|
 
|-
 
|21
 
|''[[{{SLD|Summer Superdrop|Mountain, Go}}]]''
 
|083 - 086
 
|2020-06-04
 
|
 
|$29.99
 
|Y
 
|Non-Foil
 
|
 
|-
 
|22
 
|''[[{{SLD|Summer Superdrop|Ornithological Studies}}]]''
 
|091 - 095
 
|2020-06-05
 
|$29.99
 
|
 
|Y
 
|Non-Foil
 
|
 
|-
 
|23
 
|''[[{{SLD|Prime Slime}}]]''
 
|133 - 137
 
|2020-08-19
 
|$29.99
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|24
 
|''[[{{SLD|Every Dog Has Its Day}}]]''
 
|096 - 099
 
|2020-08-26
 
|$29.99
 
|$39.99
 
|Y
 
|Foil / Non-Foil
 
|
 
|-
 
|25
 
|''[[{{SLD|Happy Yargle Day!}}]]''
 
|110 - 114
 
|2020-09-03
 
|$29.99
 
|$39.99
 
|
 
|Foil / Non-Foil
 
|
 
|-
 
|26
 
|''[[{{SLD|Showcase: Zendikar Revisited}}]]''
 
|154 - 158
 
|2020-09-25
 
|$29.99
 
|$39.99
 
|Y
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|27
 
|''[[{{SLD|The Walking Dead}}]]''
 
|143 - 153
 
|2020-10-04
 
|
 
|$49.99
 
|
 
|Non-Foil
 
|
 
|-
 
|28
 
|''[[Secret Lair Drop Series: Extra Life 2020|Extra Life 2020]]''
 
|164 - 167
 
|2020-11-06
 
|
 
|$59.99
 
|Y
 
|Foil
 
|
 
|-
 
|29
 
|''[[Secret Lair Drop Series: Secretversary|Artist Series: Seb McKinnon]]''
 
|119 - 122
 
|2020-11-30
 
|$29.99
 
|$39.99
 
|Y
 
|Foil / Non-Foil
 
|
 
|-
 
|30
 
|''[[Secret Lair Drop Series: Secretversary|Happy Little Gathering]]''
 
|100 - 109
 
|2020-11-30
 
|$29.99
 
| $39.99
 
|
 
|Foil / Non-Foil
 
|MTGA Non Foil
 
|-
 
|31
 
|''[[Secret Lair Drop Series: Secretversary|Hope You Like Squirrels]]''
 
|195 - 200
 
|2020-11-30
 
|
 
|$39.99
 
|Y
 
|Foil
 
|
 
|-
 
|32
 
|''[[Secret Lair Drop Series: Secretversary|A Box of Rocks]]''
 
|201 - 205
 
|2020-11-30
 
|$29.99
 
|$39.99
 
|
 
|Foil / Non-Foil
 
|
 
|-
 
|33
 
|''[[Secret Lair Drop Series: Secretversary|Party Hard, Shred Harder]]''
 
|138 - 142
 
|2020-11-30
 
|$29.99
 
|
 
|
 
|Non-Foil
 
|
 
|-
 
|34
 
|''[[Secret Lair Drop Series: Smitten|Faerie, Faerie, Faerie Rad]]''
 
|115 - 118
 
|2021-02-12
 
|
 
|$39.99
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|35
 
|''[[Secret Lair Drop Series: Smitten|The Unfathomable Crushing Brutality of Basic Lands]]''
 
|239 - 243
 
|2021-02-12
 
|$29.99
 
|$39.99
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|36
 
|''[[Secret Lair Drop Series: Smitten|Valentine's Day 2021]]''
 
|214 - 219
 
|2021-02-12
 
|$29.99
 
|$39.99
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|37
 
|''[[Secret Lair Drop Series: Smitten|Showcase: Kaldheim – Part 1]]''
 
|220 - 222
 
|2021-02-12
 
|$24.99
 
|$34.99
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|38
 
|''[[Secret Lair Drop Series: Smitten|Showcase: Kaldheim – Part 2]]''
 
|223 - 225
 
|2021-02-12
 
|$29.99
 
|$39.99
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|39
 
|''[[{{SLD|Black is Magic}}]]''
 
|244 - 250
 
|2021-02-22
 
|$39.99
 
|$49.99
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|40
 
|''[[{{SLD|Secretorium|Our Show Is On Friday, Can You Make It?}}]]''
 
|185 - 189
 
|2021-04-26
 
|$29.99
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|41
 
|''[[{{SLD|Secretorium|Showcase: Strixhaven}}]]''
 
|268 - 273
 
|2021-04-26
 
|$29.99
 
|$39.99
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|42
 
|''[[{{SLD|Secretorium|Culture Shocks: Bant}}]]''
 
|123, 127, 132
 
|2021-04-26
 
|$29.99
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|43
 
|''[[{{SLD|Secretorium|Culture Shocks: Esper}}]]''
 
|123-124, 128
 
|2021-04-26
 
|$29.99
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|44
 
|''[[{{SLD|Secretorium|Culture Shocks: Grixis}}]]''
 
|124-125, 129
 
|2021-04-26
 
|$29.99
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|45
 
|''[[{{SLD|Secretorium|Culture Shocks: Jund}}]]''
 
|125-126, 130
 
|2021-04-26
 
|$29.99
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|46
 
|''[[{{SLD|Secretorium|Culture Shocks: Naya}}]]''
 
|126-127, 131
 
|2021-04-26
 
|$29.99
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|}
 
   
  +
===Mechanically unique cards===
{{note|missing|†}} As of June 22, 2020, card 059 is removed from the set and won't be printed.<ref>{{TwitterRef|MTGSecretLair|1275207917692542976}}</ref><br>
 
  +
While originally featuring only reprint cards, starting with ''[[The Walking Dead]]'' drop a few Secret Lair Drops began introducing brand new cards with unique mechanical designs created just for the drop. These cards are legal in [[Eternal (format)|eternal formats]] and continued with other [[Universes Beyond]] releases. Players were initially concerned that the limited availability of Secret Lair Drops would mean any mechanically unique cards that proved important in a format would become expensive and unavailable for the majority of players in that format.<ref>{{WebRef|url=https://www.hipstersofthecoast.com/2020/09/the-walking-dead-secret-lair-drop-releases-october-4-contains-mechanically-unique-cards/|title=The Walking Dead Secret Lair Drop Releases October 4, Contains “Mechanically Unique” Cards|author=David McCoy|publisher=[[Hipsters of the Coast]]|date=September 28, 2020}}</ref> In June 2021, it was announced that for upcoming Universes Beyond Secret Lairs, Wizards of the Coast planned to create and print in-canon versions of mechanically unique Universes Beyond cards, approximately six months after their initial release. The new versions were set in ''Magic'' 's [[Multiverse]]<ref name="June 2021">{{DailyRef|news/secret-lair-universes-beyond-update-2021-06-07|''Secret Lair Universes Beyond'' Update|[[Wizards of the Coast]]|June 7, 2021|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210608105715/https://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/news/secret-lair-universes-beyond-update-2021-06-07?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter|archivedate=June 8, 2021}}</ref> and were made available through a special distribution on [[The List]]. The [[non-canon card]]s and the [[canon]] cards are considered [[Universes Within|equivalent game pieces]], meaning you can only play four copies (or one copy) of either the ''Magic'' version or ''Universes Beyond'' version in your deck.
{{note|distribution|‡}} Small numbers of the set were allocated to all [[WPN]] locations in September, 2020, to be used at their discretion.<ref>{{WebRef|url=https://wpn.wizards.com/en/article/sneak-peek-zendikar-rising-marketing-kit|title=Sneak Peek: Zendikar Rising Marketing Kit|author=[[WPN]]|date=September 2, 2020|publisher=[[Wizards Play Network]]}}</ref>
 
   
  +
==Extras==
====Artist Series ====
 
  +
===Bonus cards===
The Artist Series is a sub-series of drops for which a famous [[artist]] is allowed to choose four ''[[Magic]]'' [[card]]s they want to illustrate. They get "carte blanche"; total freedom to do what they want.<ref>{{TwitterRef|SebMcKinnon|1331291369906860036|author=[[Seb McKinnon]]|title=MtG Secret Lair: Artist Series Thread|date=November 24, 2020}}</ref> Artists who have received such a series include:
 
  +
{{Main|Secret Lair/Bonus cards}}
  +
Each drop is delivered with a bonus card in the package. The chosen card may vary, but each drop only comes with a certain selection of cards. Originally, these themes had a theme connected to that specific drop. Later, specific bonus cards could be tied to a specific drop or could be chosen from an unrelated themed subset.
   
  +
===Promos and prizes===
*[[Seb McKinnon]] (2020)
 
  +
{{main|Secret Lair/Promos and prizes}}
*[[Johannes Voss]] (to be released in 2021)<ref name="2021 sneak peek/>
 
  +
Some Secret Lair cards are used as standalone prizes or promos. They may use the SLD expansion code, but others use a SLP expansion code.
*[[Phil Foglio]] and [[Kaja Foglio]] (to be released in 2022)<ref name="2021 sneak peek/>
 
* [[Sam Burley]]<ref name="3 More">{{WebRef|url=https://www.hipstersofthecoast.com/2020/12/wizards-announces-3-more-artists-that-will-get-their-own-secret-lair-drops/|title=Wizards Announces 3 More Artists That Will Get Their Own Secret Lair Drops|author=David McCoy|date=December 10, 2020|publisher=[[Hipsters of the Coast]]}}</ref>
 
* [[Nils Hamm]]<ref name="3 More"/>
 
* [[Chris Rahn]]<ref name="3 More"/>
 
   
==== Expected drops ====
+
===Secret Lair Playtest cards===
  +
{{Main|Secret Lair/Playtest cards}}
* End of June / early July: a Secret Lair connected to the [[Summer of Legend]].
 
  +
According to the limited information that is available, a Secret Lair Playtest card is nominally a "[[playtest card]]" but are said to be similar to the [[test card]]s first featured in the ''[[Mystery Booster]]'' and also seen at [[Unknown Event]]s.
* A collaboration in the [[Universes Beyond]] series for [[Wikipedia:Stranger_Things|Stranger Things]]<ref>{{DailyRef|news/secret-lair-stranger-things-geeked-week-june-9-2021|Secret Lair: Stranger Things on Geeked Week|[[Wizards of the Coast]]|June 9, 2021}}</ref>
 
*''[[{{SLD|Read the Fine Print}}]]'' (four creatures and one enchantment).<ref>{{WebRef|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/magicTCG/comments/j4mg9c/innistrad_set_names_new_drops_public_records/|title=New Drops?|author=Payneswalker|date=October 3, 2020|publisher=Reddit}}</ref><ref>{{WebRef|url=https://www.hipstersofthecoast.com/2020/12/secret-lairs-2021-plans-revealed-focus-on-artists-and-superdrops/|title=Secret Lair's 2021 Plans Revealed: Focus on Artists and Superdrops|author=David McCoy|date=December 4, 2020|publisher=[[Hipsters of the Coast]]}}</ref>
 
* A drop with illustrations by noted comic book artist [[Wikipedia:Fiona Staples|Fiona Staples]].<ref name="2021 sneak peek/>
 
* A drop focused on [[Dinosaur]]s.<ref name="2021 sneak peek/>
 
* A drop with Phyrexian-language Praetors.<ref>{{DailyRef|magic-digital/get-ready-historic-anthology-5-2021-05-17|Get Ready for Historic Anthology 5|[[Adam Styborski]]|May 17, 2021}}</ref>
 
   
====Bonus cards====
+
===Specials===
  +
{{Main|Secret Lair/Specials}}
Each drop is delivered with a bonus card in the package. The chosen card may vary, but each drop only comes with a certain selection of cards. This usually has a theme connected to that specific drop.
 
  +
Besides the Drop Series there are several products under the Secret Lair umbrella that have the same sensibility but that have a different distribution model or a different design. These range from [[Ultimate Edition]] drops to [[Commander deck]]s and ''[[Secret Lair 30th Anniversary Countdown Kit]]''.
{| class="wikitable sortable"
 
!SLD #
 
!Bonus card
 
|-
 
|501
 
|Stained-glass {{card|Karn, the Great Creator||SLD}}
 
|-
 
|502
 
|Stained-glass {{card|Ugin, the Ineffable||SLD}}
 
|-
 
|503
 
|Stained-glass {{card|Gideon Blackblade||SLD}}
 
|-
 
|504
 
|Stained-glass {{card|Teyo, the Shieldmage||SLD}}
 
|-
 
|505
 
|Stained-glass {{card|The Wanderer||SLD}}
 
|-
 
|506
 
|Stained-glass {{card|Jace, Wielder of Mysteries||SLD}}
 
|-
 
|507
 
|Stained-glass {{card|Kasmina, Enigmatic Mentor||SLD}}
 
|-
 
|508
 
|Stained-glass {{card|Narset, Parter of Veils||SLD}}
 
|-
 
|509
 
|Stained-glass {{card|Davriel, Rogue Shadowmage||SLD}}
 
|-
 
|510
 
|Stained-glass {{card|Liliana, Dreadhorde General||SLD}}
 
|-
 
|511
 
|Stained-glass {{card|Ob Nixilis, the Hate-Twisted||SLD}}
 
|-
 
|512
 
|Stained-glass {{card|Chandra, Fire Artisan||SLD}}
 
|-
 
|513
 
|Stained-glass {{card|Jaya, venerated Firemage||SLD}}
 
|-
 
|514
 
|Stained-glass {{card|Sarkhan the Masterless||SLD}}
 
|-
 
|515
 
|Stained-glass {{card|Tibalt, Rakish Instigator||SLD}}
 
|-
 
|516
 
|Stained-glass {{card|Arlinn, Voice of the Pack||SLD}}
 
|-
 
|517
 
|Stained-glass {{card|Jiang Yanggu, Wildcrafter||SLD}}
 
|-
 
|518
 
|Stained-glass {{card|Nissa, Who Shakes the World||SLD}}
 
|-
 
|519
 
|Stained-glass {{card|Vivien, Champion of the Wilds||SLD}}
 
|-
 
|520
 
|Stained-glass {{card|Ajani, the Greathearted||SLD}}
 
|-
 
|521
 
|Stained-glass {{card|Domri, Anarch of Bolas||SLD}}
 
|-
 
|522
 
|Stained-glass {{card|Nicol Bolas, Dragon-God||SLD}}
 
|-
 
|523
 
|Stained-glass {{card|Ral, Storm Conduit||SLD}}
 
|-
 
|524
 
|Stained-glass {{card|Sorin, Vengeful Bloodlord||SLD}}
 
|-
 
|525
 
|Stained-glass {{card|Tamiyo, Collector of Tales||SLD}}
 
|-
 
|526
 
|Stained-glass {{card|Teferi, Time Raveler||SLD}}
 
|-
 
|527
 
|Stained-glass {{card|Angrath, Captain of Chaos||SLD}}
 
|-
 
|528
 
|Stained-glass {{card|Ashiok, Dream Render||SLD}}
 
|-
 
|529
 
|Stained-glass {{card|Dovin, Hand of Control||SLD}}
 
|-
 
|530
 
|Stained-glass {{card|Huatli, the Sun's Heart||SLD}}
 
|-
 
|531
 
|Stained-glass {{card|Kaya, Bane of the Dead||SLD}}
 
|-
 
|532
 
|Stained-glass {{card|Kiora, Behemoth Beckoner||SLD}}
 
|-
 
|533
 
|Stained-glass {{card|Nahiri, Storm of Stone||SLD}}
 
|-
 
|534
 
|Stained-glass {{card|Saheeli, Sublime Artificer||SLD}}
 
|-
 
|535
 
|Stained-glass {{card|Samut, Tyrant Smasher||SLD}}
 
|-
 
|536
 
|Stained-glass {{card|Vraska, Swarm's Eminence||SLD}}
 
|-
 
|537
 
|White-bordered {{card|Tibalt, the Fiend-Blooded||SLD}}
 
|-
 
|538
 
|[[Wikipedia:Bob Ross|Bob Ross]]-illustrated {{card|Evolving Wilds||SLD}}
 
|-
 
|539
 
|[[Seb McKinnon]]-illustrated {{card|Swamp||SLD|#=539}} (sketch version<ref name="Arrived">{{WebRef|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/magicTCG/comments/lrmtxs/my_secreversary_2020_arrived/|title=My Secreversary 2020 Arrived!|author=MetalGearHorus|date=February 24, 2021|publisher=Reddit}}</ref>)
 
|-
 
|540
 
|Foil ''[[Jumpstart]]'' {{card|Plains||SLD|#=540}} (Legion)
 
|-
 
|541
 
|Foil ''Jumpstart'' {{card|Plains||SLD|#=541}} (Doctor)
 
|-
 
|542
 
|Foil ''Jumpstart'' {{card|Plains||SLD|#=542}} (Angels)
 
|-
 
|543
 
|Foil ''Jumpstart'' {{card|Plains||SLD|#=543}} (Unicorns)
 
|-
 
|544
 
|Foil ''Jumpstart'' {{card|Plains||SLD|#=544}} (Enchanted)
 
|-
 
|545
 
|Foil ''Jumpstart'' {{card|Plains||SLD|#=545}} (Heavily Armored)
 
|-
 
|546
 
|Foil ''Jumpstart'' {{card|Plains||SLD|#=546}} (Feathered Friends)
 
|-
 
|547
 
|Foil ''Jumpstart'' {{card|Plains||SLD|#=547}} (Dogs)
 
|-
 
|548
 
|Foil ''Jumpstart'' {{card|Island||SLD|#=548}} (Under the Sea)
 
|-
 
|549
 
|Foil ''Jumpstart'' {{card|Island||SLD|#=549}} (Wizards)
 
|-
 
|550
 
|Foil ''Jumpstart'' {{card|Island||SLD|#=550}} (Above the Clouds)
 
|-
 
|551
 
|Foil ''Jumpstart'' {{card|Island||SLD|#=551}} (Archaeology)
 
|-
 
|552
 
|Foil ''Jumpstart'' {{card|Island||SLD|#=552}} (Mill)
 
|-
 
|553
 
|Foil ''Jumpstart'' {{card|Island||SLD|#=553}} (Spirits)
 
|-
 
|554
 
|Foil ''Jumpstart'' {{card|Island||SLD|#=554}} (Pirates)
 
|-
 
|555
 
|Foil ''Jumpstart'' {{card|Island||SLD|#=555}} (Well Read)
 
|-
 
|556
 
|Foil ''Jumpstart'' {{card|Swamp||SLD|#=556}} (Minions)
 
|-
 
|557
 
|Foil ''Jumpstart'' {{card|Swamp||SLD|#=557}} (Discarding)
 
|-
 
|558
 
|Foil ''Jumpstart'' {{card|Swamp||SLD|#=558}} (Reanimated)
 
|-
 
|559
 
|Foil ''Jumpstart'' {{card|Swamp||SLD|#=559}} (Rogues)
 
|-
 
|560
 
|Foil ''Jumpstart'' {{card|Swamp||SLD|#=560}} (Phyrexian)
 
|-
 
|561
 
|Foil ''Jumpstart'' {{card|Swamp||SLD|#=561}} (Witchcraft)
 
|-
 
|562
 
|Foil ''Jumpstart'' {{card|Swamp||SLD|#=562}} (Vampires)
 
|-
 
|563
 
|Foil ''Jumpstart'' {{card|Swamp||SLD|#=563}} (Spooky)
 
|-
 
|564
 
|Foil ''Jumpstart'' {{card|Mountain||SLD|#=564}} (Dragons)
 
|-
 
|565
 
|Foil ''Jumpstart'' {{card|Mountain||SLD|#=565}} (Develish)
 
|-
 
|566
 
|Foil ''Jumpstart'' {{card|Mountain||SLD|#=566}} (Seismic)
 
|-
 
|567
 
|Foil ''Jumpstart'' {{card|Mountain||SLD|#=567}} (Goblins)
 
|-
 
|568
 
|Foil ''Jumpstart'' {{card|Mountain||SLD|#=568}} (Spellcasting)
 
|-
 
|569
 
|Foil ''Jumpstart'' {{card|Mountain||SLD|#=569}} (Smashing)
 
|-
 
|570
 
|Foil ''Jumpstart'' {{card|Mountain||SLD|#=570}} (Lightning)
 
|-
 
|571
 
|Foil ''Jumpstart'' {{card|Mountain||SLD|#=571}} (Minotaurs)
 
|-
 
|572
 
|Foil ''Jumpstart'' {{card|Forest||SLD|#=572}} (Tree Hugging)
 
|-
 
|573
 
|Foil ''Jumpstart'' {{card|Forest||SLD|#=573}} (Lands)
 
|-
 
|574
 
|Foil ''Jumpstart'' {{card|Forest||SLD|#=574}} (Plus One)
 
|-
 
|575
 
|Foil ''Jumpstart'' {{card|Forest||SLD|#=575}} (Dinosaurs)
 
|-
 
|576
 
|Foil ''Jumpstart'' {{card|Forest||SLD|#=576}} (Cats)
 
|-
 
|577
 
|Foil ''Jumpstart'' {{card|Forest||SLD|#=577}} (Walls)
 
|-
 
|578
 
|Foil ''Jumpstart'' {{card|Forest||SLD|#=578}} (Predatory)
 
|-
 
|579
 
|Foil ''Jumpstart'' {{card|Forest||SLD|#=579}} (Elves)
 
|-
 
|581
 
|Mechanically unique {{card|Lucille||SLD}}
 
|}
 
   
  +
==Gallery==
===Ultimate Edition===
 
  +
<gallery>
''Ultimate Edition'' is a different product line under the Secret Lair umbrella with the same sensibility but with a different distribution model (through [[LGS]]'s).<ref name="Ultimate">{{DailyRef|news/making-fetch-happen-secret-lair-ultimate-edition-2020-03-13|Making Fetch Happen—Secret Lair: Ultimate Edition|[[Wizards of the Coast]]|March 13, 2020}}</ref>
 
  +
File:Drop packaging 2019.jpg|Original packaging (2019)
  +
File:Drop packaging 2021.jpg|Reduced packaging (2021)
  +
File:Drop packaging 2022.jpg|Envelope packaging (2022)
  +
File:Drop packaging 2022 reverse.jpg|Envelope packaging (reverse)
  +
File:Secret Lair 295 Shivan Dragon (1).jpg|[[Secret Lair 295]] {{card|Shivan Dragon||SLD}} packaging
  +
</gallery>
   
  +
==Trivia==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
 
  +
*The Secret Lair team has received two [[Heroes of the Realm]] reward cards - the [[Keeper of the Secret Lair]] and <c>The Secret Lair</c>.
!Set
 
!Card numbers
 
!Release date
 
!Price
 
|-
 
|''[[Secret Lair: Ultimate Edition]]''
 
|001 - 005
 
|2020-05-29
 
|Around $400
 
|-
 
|''[[Secret Lair: Ultimate Edition 2]]''
 
|011 - 020
 
|2021-03-05
 
|Around $115
 
|}
 
 
====Bonus cards====
 
 
{| class="wikitable sortable"
 
!SLU #
 
!Bonus card
 
|-
 
|501
 
|
 
|-
 
|502
 
|
 
|-
 
|503
 
|
 
|-
 
|504
 
|Stained-glass {{card|Blast Zone||SLU}}
 
|}
 
   
 
==References==
 
==References==

Latest revision as of 06:42, 3 January 2024

Secret Lair

Secret Lair is a “sub-brand” of Magic: The Gathering that groups existing cards into small collectible pseudo-sets called "drops", with strange themes and wild new art styles.[1][2] The name was inspired by the un-card R&D’s Secret Lair.[3]

Description[ | ]

The Secret Lair Series is Wizard of the Coast's first full foray into selling single reprints directly to players.

The first Secret Lair series all consisted of alternate art reprints. Wizards of the Coast was trying to work with artists they usually didn't: street artists, comic book artists, album cover designers, etc. Alternately, they used traditional Magic artists working with very non-traditional art briefs. In some later series, original art was used in combination with alternate card frames.

With the The Walking Dead series, the premise of only reprints with alternate art was abandoned. Mark Heggen revealed that R&D views the Secret Lair platform as a product-testing grounds platform that lets them try things they can't do in normal products. He acknowledged that it had been art up to 2020, but that they had broadened the concept to speak to audiences of different sizes.[4] If they identify a small group that would be thrilled by a specific product, this could cater to them: "like the game of Magic the Secret Lair will always try new things and evolve - the first year focused on art which is the low hanging fruit" and "as we have new ideas and want to try new things to make the game joyful for more people, Secret Lair is the place to do that experimentation".

Even though the reaction among the fans was very negative, the Walking Dead was the best-selling drop, luring buyers from outside of the Magic world. This prompted the company to keep on experimenting in this realm[5] and creating the Universes Beyond product line. The 2019 Secret Lair team was awarded a Heroes of the Realm card: Keeper of the Secret Lair.

Drop Series[ | ]

All cards in the Secret Lair Drop Series have a rare or mythic rare shooting star expansion symbol. The tokens have a common expansion symbol. The Secret Lair Drop Series are in English only.

Each "drop" usually contains between three and seven cards and/or tokens in a customized collector box, costing either $29.99, $39.99, or $49.99 depending on the drop – some of which use premium foil cards as well. Additionally, the "drops" can contain digital product redemption codes for Magic: The Gathering Arena or Magic Online for various online products to be used on their respective platform. The drops are only available for purchase from the Wizards of the Coast webshop secretlair.wizards.com. In the first year, each drop usually only lasted for 24 hours (though there were some exceptions). "Superdrops" were introduced as multi-day sales that include multiple different drops that can be purchased individually or as part of a bundle.[6] Additional information on the contents of each Secret Lair Drop can be found on the webshop secretlair.wizards.com. In the second year, Wizards of the Coast focused more on superdrops, with solitary drops still possible for special occasions.[5]

Distribution[ | ]

Wizards of the Coast used a print-to-demand model of distribution for Secret Lair Drops from their introduction in 2020 until 2023. Each order was printed after the purchase was made and then distributed to buyers. This model allowed for an unlimited number of people to buy the drop within the sale period and receive it at the cost of having to wait a period of time between printing and shipping. In 2024, Wizards switched to a limited-print-run model, where Secret Lair Drops were printed in set numbers before the drop was put up for sale. [7] This method allowed Wizards to ship the drops as soon as buyers made a purchase but at the cost of only having limited stock that could run out before the end of the sale period.

Packaging[ | ]

Originally, each drop was packaged in a black box. Starting with the All-Natural Superdrop, the packaging for all Secret Lair drops was reduced to less than half the original volume, being made from all-recyclable paper (except the plastic card wraps), and containing 91% less plastic by volume. The April 2022 Superdrop introduced even smaller envelope packaging for regular, using less material and is lighter in weight, thereby creating less waste and making distribution more sustainable.[8] Going forward, the slim black box packaging will be restricted to most cobranded Secret Lair drops (e.g., Street Fighter), and most philanthropic drops (e.g., Extra Life 2021).

Mechanically unique cards[ | ]

While originally featuring only reprint cards, starting with The Walking Dead drop a few Secret Lair Drops began introducing brand new cards with unique mechanical designs created just for the drop. These cards are legal in eternal formats and continued with other Universes Beyond releases. Players were initially concerned that the limited availability of Secret Lair Drops would mean any mechanically unique cards that proved important in a format would become expensive and unavailable for the majority of players in that format.[9] In June 2021, it was announced that for upcoming Universes Beyond Secret Lairs, Wizards of the Coast planned to create and print in-canon versions of mechanically unique Universes Beyond cards, approximately six months after their initial release. The new versions were set in Magic 's Multiverse[10] and were made available through a special distribution on The List. The non-canon cards and the canon cards are considered equivalent game pieces, meaning you can only play four copies (or one copy) of either the Magic version or Universes Beyond version in your deck.

Extras[ | ]

Bonus cards[ | ]

Each drop is delivered with a bonus card in the package. The chosen card may vary, but each drop only comes with a certain selection of cards. Originally, these themes had a theme connected to that specific drop. Later, specific bonus cards could be tied to a specific drop or could be chosen from an unrelated themed subset.

Promos and prizes[ | ]

Some Secret Lair cards are used as standalone prizes or promos. They may use the SLD expansion code, but others use a SLP expansion code.

Secret Lair Playtest cards[ | ]

According to the limited information that is available, a Secret Lair Playtest card is nominally a "playtest card" but are said to be similar to the test cards first featured in the Mystery Booster and also seen at Unknown Events.

Specials[ | ]

Main article: Secret Lair/Specials

Besides the Drop Series there are several products under the Secret Lair umbrella that have the same sensibility but that have a different distribution model or a different design. These range from Ultimate Edition drops to Commander decks and Secret Lair 30th Anniversary Countdown Kit.

Gallery[ | ]

Trivia[ | ]

References[ | ]

  1. Tom Marks (November 25, 2019). "Magic: The Gathering Reveals New Secret Lair Drop Series With Wild Art". Ca.ign.com.
  2. Mark Heggen (November 25, 2019). "Revealing Secret Lair". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on August 4, 2022.
  3. Mark Rosewater (August 7, 2022). "Did the card “R&D’s Secret Lair” have any inspiration in the naming of the product “Secret Lair”?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  4. Weekly MTG - Secret Lair: The Walking Dead (Video). Magic: The Gathering. YouTube (October 2, 2020).
  5. a b Weekly MTG: Secret Lair 2021 Sneak Peak. Magicthegather.com (December 3, 2020).
  6. Wizards of the Coast (March 13, 2020). "Making Fetch Happen—Secret Lair: Ultimate Edition". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on November 26, 2023.
  7. Wizards of the Coast (January 2, 2024). "Speeding Up Secret Lair Shipping". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  8. Wizards of the Coast (May 6, 2022). "Statement on Sustainability and Secret Lair Drop Packaging". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on October 14, 2022.
  9. David McCoy (September 28, 2020). "The Walking Dead Secret Lair Drop Releases October 4, Contains “Mechanically Unique” Cards". Hipsters of the Coast.
  10. Wizards of the Coast (June 7, 2021). "Secret Lair Universes Beyond Update". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on June 8, 2021.