Keeper of the Secret Lair MTG Card

Keeper of the Secret Lair - 2019 Heroes of the Realm

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Mythic
Type	Legendary Creature — Merfolk Rogue
Abilities	Flash
Released	2020-08-01
Set symbol
Set name	2019 Heroes of the Realm
Set code	PH19
Power	2
Toughness	1
Number	2
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Brigitte Roka

Key Takeaways

Provides card advantage and resource acceleration, crucial for maintaining a lead in MTG matches.
Demands specific mana types and comes with a discard cost, impacting its deck versatility.
Potential as a combo enabler and meta relevance make it a worthy collection addition.

Text of card

Flash You may cast Secret Lair spells as though they had flash. Secret Lair spells you cast cost less to cast.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Keeper of the Secret Lair excels in offering card advantage, as it can potentially reveal multiple nonland cards, ensuring that you stay ahead of the game with more options in hand.

Resource Acceleration: This card can quickly change the pace of the game by allowing you to play additional lands or ramping up your mana, giving you a crucial lead in resource development over your opponent.

Instant Speed: The flexibility of instant speed means that Keeper of the Secret Lair can be played at the most opportune moments, either in response to an opponent’s action or at the end of their turn to optimize your strategy and maintain the element of surprise.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Keeper of the Secret Lair card comes with an additional cost that impacts your hand by compelling you to discard a card. This can be detrimental during gameplay, especially in situations where hand size and options need to be maximized for strategic plays.

Specific Mana Cost: One of the notable caveats of Keeper of the Secret Lair is its demand for a particular arrangement of mana types. Such a stringent mana requirement could hinder its incorporation into multicolor decks where mana flexibility is crucial to maintain a smooth flow of play.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: When you consider the role that Keeper of the Secret Lair aims to fill within a deck, the mana expenditure might seem disproportionate compared to other cards with similar effects. Players are often looking for cost-efficient alternatives that achieve comparable goals without taxing their mana resources as heavily, making this card a less appealing choice where economy in play is concerned.

Reasons to Include Keeper of the Secret Lair in Your Collection

Versatility: Keeper of the Secret Lair is a card that has found a comfortable spot in various deck archetypes, ranging from control to combo decks. Its utility in different scenarios makes it a valuable addition to any collection.

Combo Potential: At the heart of many successful decks is the synergy between cards, and Keeper of the Secret Lair offers abundant combo possibilities. Whether it’s enabling graveyard strategies or providing the perfect piece in a chain of plays, this card can be the linchpin in a game-winning combo.

Meta-Relevance: The shifting nature of the MTG meta means that some cards fluctuate in value and importance. Keeper of the Secret Lair, with its unique effects, has continued to show its relevance in multiple metagames, often proving itself as a worthy mainstay in competitive play.

How to beat

Keeper of the Secret Lair presents a unique challenge on the battlefield. With its ability to hide away mystical creatures and spring surprises, successfully navigating around this card requires strategic finesse. A common strategy involves targeting the card with removal before its ability can be activated. Efficient removal spells that can directly destroy or exile it ensure the lair keeper never gets the chance to utilize its full potential.

Another effective approach is using counterspells to prevent the lair keeper from hitting the field in the first place. Timing is crucial, as allowing it to resolve may lead to an irrevocable board state. Lastly, applying pressure with aggressive creatures can divert your opponent’s resources away from optimizing the lair keeper’s abilities, keeping them on defense rather than setting traps for their hidden menagerie.

Bearing in mind these strategies, players can contain the Keeper of the Secret Lair and neutralize its secretive threats, maintaining control over the pace and state of the game. By preemptively addressing the potential hazards it poses, you ensure that the keeper’s secrets remain unrevealed and its magical lair stays unguarded.

Cards like Keeper of the Secret Lair

The Keeper of the Secret Lair card adds a unique dynamic to deck strategies within Magic: The Gathering. Its ability to play similar roles to other “secretive” cards such as Prowling Serpopard or Spellskite is worth noting. Prowling Serpopard offers creature spells you control some level of protection from counter magic, similar to Keeper of the Secret Lair, yet the latter extends this to all spells, giving it a broader application.

Another card that falls in line with this utility is Grand Abolisher. While Grand Abolisher restricts opponents’ spells and abilities only during your turn, the Keeper of the Secret Lair extends this safeguard, giving your spells free rein throughout the entire game round. This can lead to significant strategic advantages, although with the Keeper entering the battlefield at a higher mana cost, timing is key.

As players look to enhance their decks, comparing the protective abilities of Keeper of the Secret Lair with others shows its potential strength in games where control and protection are paramount. It stands out in particular for not only securing your spells but carving out an ever-important stronghold against counterplay. In MTG, where game flow and spell security can determine victory, this card might be a prudent inclusion.

Cards similar to Keeper of the Secret Lair by color, type and mana cost

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Keeper of the Secret Lair MTG card by a specific set like 2019 Heroes of the Realm, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.

For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.

Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.

Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Keeper of the Secret Lair and other MTG cards:

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Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Keeper of the Secret Lair card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date	Text
2019-12-07	The Commander RC has ruled that if your name is printed on the bottom of a Heroes of the Realm card, that card is legal for you in Commander.

Guide to Flash card ability

Explore the dynamic Flash ability in Magic: The Gathering (MTG), a feature that allows you to cast spells at lightning speed, often leaving your opponents reeling and your strategy several steps ahead. This versatile ability can turn the tide of a game, providing the element of surprise and tactical advantage. It places a premium on timing and foresight, transforming an ordinary deck into a formidable arsenal of instant threats and responses.