There's little doubt that "Magic: The Gathering" has been doing more crossovers with other popular series than ever before. The "Universes Beyond" project has added new life to the game by bringing in new players and providing long-time fans thrilling new ways to play as their favorite characters. It has done this with characters from "SpongeBob" to "Final Fantasy." I was quite interested when I heard that "Sonic the Hedgehog" will be zooming into the "Magic" cosmos with three new "Secret Lair" drops. This crossover is a nice, thematic addition, but its restricted nature and precise card choices show how tense things are in "Universes Beyond" and what these drops may be.
Wizards of the Coast has been doing some interesting things with the "Secret Lair" series, which releases specially-arted cards directly to consumers at set times. These drops are different from entire sets because they have a handpicked, themed collection with unique art styles or technical quirks. I love the notion of these smaller, more focused releases, but they can be quite hard to get, and they often sell out very quickly, just like "Sonic" himself. When a franchise as well-known as "Sonic" joins the competition, it becomes even more interesting to think about the balance between excitement and accessibility.
The Turbo Gear Drop Brings Famous Things to the Magic MultiverseGiving Your Commander Sonic's Famous Speed
The first of the three drops, "Secret Lair x Sonic: Turbo Gear," caught my eye right away because it was all about relics. There's no doubt that some of the most popular equipment cards in "Magic" are getting a "Sonic"-themed makeover, and the choices are just right. It makes a lot of sense to see "Air Shoes" instead of "Swiftfoot Boots" and "Power Sneakers" instead of "Lightning Greaves." These are Commander basics, cards that a lot of players already have and utilize. Now they have a fun "Sonic" twist. Adding "Weatherlight" as "Tornado, Sonic's Biplane" is another brilliant reference, especially since the rules have changed recently to let it be a Commander.
This drop is meant to go along with the character-focused cards, making it easier for those who wish to build a "Sonic" deck to do so. It's clear that the people who made these reprints put a lot of consideration into making them fit in with the rest of the "Sonic" world. Some of the cards, like "Myr Battlesphere" (as "Egg Hammer") or "Swiftfoot Boots," might not be worth a lot of money on the secondary market, but they fit the theme perfectly. This shows how successfully "Secret Lair" can mix old "Magic" concepts with new intellectual property to make the familiar seem new and intriguing.
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Friends & Foes adds new Sonic characters to Magic.
New-to-Magic cards bring back characters we love.
The "Secret Lair x Sonic: Friends & Foes" drop is the best aspect of this crossover for me. Here, we get seven new "Magic" cards with different mechanics that feature the main characters from the "Sonic" universe. The characters we're talking about include "Sonic the Hedgehog," "Knuckles the Echidna," "Miles "Tails" Prower," "Amy Rose," "Shadow the Hedgehog," and "Dr. Eggman." There is also a legendary enchantment that represents the "Super State" earned from the Chaos Emeralds.
Players who want to add these cards to their existing decks will be happy to know that they are legal in Commander, Legacy, and Vintage formats. The designs on the cards are very interesting. For example, "Sonic's" card gives creatures haste and flash, and when he or another fast creature takes damage, it even makes tapped Treasure tokens, just like the rings erupting from "Sonic" in the video games. This is the kind of careful design that makes "Universes Beyond" stand out: the mechanics really show what the character is all about. "Amy Rose" can readily attach gear, while "Dr. Eggman" makes his enemies throw away their gear or allows him make constructs that capture their personality.
This drop feels really unique because these are new-to-Magic cards featuring original graphics from popular Sonic artists. It's hard to think of a better method to bring these characters into the universe of "Magic." The only thing I wish is that a full, draftable set like "Final Fantasy" wasn't made. I think the "Sonic" universe has enough complexity and memorable moments to justify a bigger release.
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Chasing Adventure Gives Old Spells a New Look with Sonic
Sol Ring is the first of a group of reprints with new themes.
"Secret Lair x Sonic: Chasing Adventure" is the last of the three releases. It concentrates on giving old "Magic" cards new "Sonic"-themed imagery. This drop has a lot of strong and popular cards, like "Sol Ring," "Deadly Dispute" (with "Shadow"), "Fabricate" (with "Tails"), "Generous Gift," "Open the Armory" (with "Amy"), and "Unexpected Windfall" (with "Knuckles"). It also comes with a "Sonic"-themed Treasure token. A lot of players are drawn to this set just because it has "Sol Ring," which is a must-have in many Commander decks.
Some of these reprints may not be the most costly cards on the market, but they are useful and include new "Sonic" graphics that makes them interesting. It's a great method to give players fresh looks for things they already know how to use. This lets them add a little "Sonic" to their decks without having to come up with new ideas. The art on these cards is bright and colorful, and it perfectly captures the spirit of each character or moment they show. This makes the "Chasing Adventure" drop a great pick for people who like both the way the game works and the way it tells stories through pictures.
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The Problems With Getting Secret Lair Drops and What They Mean for Fans
A race to get these cards is on because they are hard to find.
The fact that "Secret Lair" drops are only available for a short time is one of the most important things about them. The official "Secret Lair" website will have all three "Secret Lair x Sonic the Hedgehog" drops for sale on July 14 at 9 AM PT / 12 PM ET. The "Friends & Foes" drop will cost $39.99 for non-foil and $49.99 for traditional foil. It will have cards that are new to "Magic." The "Turbo Gear" and "Chasing Adventure" drops will cost $29.99 for non-foil and $39.99 for foil.
It's safe to anticipate that these drops will sell out quickly because both "Magic: The Gathering" and "Sonic the Hedgehog" are very popular. This makes the race for collectors and players very important, which can be annoying. I think that stuff this thrilling should be more available to fans who want to enjoy these crossovers, even though it makes them more exclusive. The fact that WPN game stores will have the non-foil edition of "Friends & Foes" on August 21 gives us a little bit of hope that more people will be able to get it.
Even though it can be hard to get them, the "Sonic Secret Lair" drops are a fun and interesting addition to "Magic: The Gathering's" "Universes Beyond." They mix the quickness and charm of "Sonic" with the strategic depth of "Magic" in a way that is new for fans of both. It reminds us that these surprise partnerships may make the gaming world a lot more fun and creative.
The "Secret Lair x Sonic the Hedgehog" drops will be available for purchase on MagicSecretLair.com on July 14 at 9 AM PT / 12 PM ET.