The Secret Lair MTG Card
| Rarity | Mythic |
| Type | Legendary Land — Lair |
| Abilities | Scry |
| Released | 2021-08-01 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | 2020 Heroes of the Realm |
| Set code | PH20 |
| Number | 3 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Wizard of Barge |
Key Takeaways
- The card provides crucial card advantage and deck manipulation, enhancing player control over the game’s flow.
- It offers swift mana acceleration, key for deploying formidable spells to outpace the opposition.
- Instant speed casting grants unparalleled flexibility, allowing for timely and potent in-game reactions.
Text of card
: Add . , Say the secret word: Add one mana of any color. Scry 1. You gain 1 life.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Secret Lair card offers the ability to draw additional cards or manipulate the deck, providing a significant edge in card availability compared to your opponent.
Resource Acceleration: This card is designed to increase the speed of your mana development, giving you access to your more powerful spells ahead of your opponents. By boosting your resources, it could help facilitate an earlier or more impactful play, setting the stage for a winning strategy.
Instant Speed: The agility of casting The Secret Lair card at instant speed means the flexibility to respond to threats or optimize plays during the course of the match. This responsiveness is crucial in keeping up the pace and applying pressure at the right moments.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Secret Lair cards often necessitate discarding another card as part of the cost of playing them, which can be detrimental if your hand is already depleted or if the cards in hand are vital for your strategy.
Specific Mana Cost: Some of these cards come with very specific mana requirements, which can be challenging to meet in a multicolored or colorless deck. This limits deck-building options and can affect the card’s utility across different playstyles.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The allure of these cards frequently comes with a higher mana cost, which can slow down your game pace. In a match where speed is essential, the investment in mana can hinder your ability to react swiftly to opponents’ threats or to develop your own board presence efficiently.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: The Secret Lair cards are known for their broad application, able to slide into various decks with ease. Their unique art and variants often offer a fresh twist on gameplay and aesthetics that appeal to a wide range of players.
Combo Potential: Many cards from Secret Lair drops have unique or alternative abilities that can open up new combo avenues or synergize with existing strategies, leading to unexpected and thrilling game outcomes.
Meta-Relevance: Secret Lair cards often have a direct impact on the meta, either by introducing new mechanics or by reviving interest in older archetypes, thereby influencing deck construction and the overall competitive landscape.
How to beat
The Secret Lair card, a noteworthy collectible in Magic: The Gathering, is not just a collector’s gem but also a player’s conundrum on the battlefield. Outsmarting this card requires a blend of strategic gameplay along with an understanding of its functionalities. Delving deep into the intricacies of your own deck can unlock the key to surpassing the challenges posed by The Secret Lair. It’s about seeking that perfect counter or disruption that can neutralize its advantages.
Combatting The Secret Lair’s impact may involve leveraging removal spells that can dismantle its setup before it gains momentum. Consider cards that offer versatility and can deal with multiple threats simultaneously, making room for your strategies to thrive. Sideboarding options that match well against its characteristics will also serve well in the tense moments of a duel. This could include enchantment removal or other pinpoint disruption tools tailored to your deck’s strengths and weaknesses.
Ultimately, besting The Secret Lair card boils down to preparedness and adaptability. Truly understanding the layers of your deck, the meta at large, and the tricks up The Secret Lair’s sleeve will decide who takes command of the match. Remember, every card has a counter, and knowledge is a player’s most potent weapon.
Cards like The Secret Lair
The Secret Lair series in MTG offers a unique twist on already beloved cards, providing players with stunning alternate art versions that evoke new connections to their favorites. It’s akin to cards like the Masterpiece Series, which also brings a fresh perspective to the game with its limited edition, highly collectible versions of powerful and popular cards.
Reprints of classic cards, such as the Zendikar Expeditions, are another comparable aspect, fielding powerful lands with striking artwork. However, The Secret Lair cards are often more thematic, reflecting a curated experience that celebrates both the art and the lore of MTG. While cards like the Zendikar Expeditions emphasize the raw power and utility in gameplay, The Secret Lair editions focus on the artistic collectibility and the personalization of player decks.
When considering the uniqueness and aesthetic appeal, The Secret Lair cards are unparalleled. They cater to both collectors who cherish visual diversity and players who enjoy personalizing their decks with bespoke illustrations that capture the flavor of the MTG multiverse.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase The Secret Lair MTG card by a specific set like 2020 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 The Secret Lair and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering 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. |