Wild Marvel x MTG Commander kits shock community

Summer may be over, but the world of Magic: The Gathering is heating up this week through the first Marvel collaboration, Foundation spoilers, and the MTG World Championship. Be sure to check your email on Friday for Foundation spoilers, between 5:30pm and 6pm CT. The Duskmourn: House of Horrors Play booster giveaway has officially ended and a winner will be announced either on Friday with the Foundation spoilers, or next week.

But enough about what is coming. Marvel is taking over MTG, and Commander players have mixed emotions about the first Marvel x MTG Secret Lair Superdrop, which is scheduled to go live on Nov. 4.

Are the MTG Secret Lair Marvel Superdrops worth it?

Dropping on Nov. 4 is a Secret Lair Marvel Superdrop, unlike anything we have seen. Each drop contains a new mechanically unique commander based on a Marvel character and reprinted MTG cards, with some featuring the Godzilla reskin treatment. The drops are essentially Commander starter kits built around the new mechanically unique commanders. And there isn't a bad commander in the Superdrop, with each embracing the flavor of that Marvel character—like Wolverine having regeneration or Iron Man creating Artifacts. 

So what are the downsides?

Prices of the MTG Secret Lair drops were increased for the Marvel collaboration. The standard $29.99 (non-foil) and $39.99 (foil) have been increased to $39.99 (non-foil) and $49.99 (foil). Compensating for the price increase, WotC is offering free shipping to all orders over $99. Spend over $199 and get an Arcane Signet with the Godzilla treatment.

And the elephant in the room is the availability of these Secret Lair Superdrops.

The Marvel crossover MTG Secret Lair drops are not print-to-order. Limited quantities exist with many players/collectors planning to drop hundreds of dollars on Nov. 4 to get their hands on these cards. Many expect outrageous prices for the unique superhero commanders on the secondary market. And if the drops sell out quickly, like past Secret Lair drops have, expect a meltdown from the community. 

But are the Marvel Secret Lair drops worth the money?

Based on feedback from the MTG community and my thoughts on the drops—yes, the Marvel drops are worth the money. Mechanically unique commanders printed within Universes Beyond have a solid track record of maintaining value at the bare minimum. I expect several of the Marvel commanders to have a value of over $50 on the secondary market, which covers the initial cost of the drop if you ever want to get your money back. 

The future of Marvel and MTG

As you may have heard or guessed by this point, the Marvel Secret Lair Superdrops are the beginning of a collaboration between Hasbro and Marvel. Teased at the New York Comic Con this past weekend was a Spider-Man tentpole set (think Lord of the Rings), slated to drop in 2025. 

MTG Worlds predicted meta

We’re shipping last Friday’s newsletter today instead so we can talk in more detail about the 30th Magic: The Gathering World Championship, which will run from Oct. 25 to 27 with an official broadcast on Twitch. Broadcast times start at 1pm CT on Oct. 25 and 26, and at 12pm CT on Oct. 28. 

Players will compete in three rounds of Duskmourn: House of Horrors Draft during the first two days, followed by Standard Constructed. Only the top eight advance to day three, which will only feature gameplay through Standard Constructed. 

The Standard format has repeatedly had some bumps over the past few years, but don't let the past overshadow the present. Bloomburrow was by far my favorite Draft in years, and the set added new value to Standard. Duskmourn has taken the format to heights we haven't seen in almost half a decade 

Here are the tier-one Standard decks, according to MTGdecks data. 

• Gruul Aggro

• Golgari Midrange

• Dimir Midrange

• Azorius Tempo

• Mono-White tokens

• Domain Overlords

Watch for the official meta breakdown to drop either on Oct. 23 or 24

MTG Trick or Treat Duskmourn: House of Horrors

If watching the MTG World Championship gives you the itch to play, get on down to your local game store this coming weekend for the Trick or Treat Duskmourn events. Running from Oct. 25 to 31, the format is Sealed Chaos. Instead of receiving six Duskmourn: House of Horrors booster packs like a normal Sealed event, players will only get four, along with two random mystery booster packs. 

Games will also feature an emblem that states, "Whenever an enchantment enters the battlefield under your control, choose one: Trick – create a treasure token. Treat – create a food token," per WPN.

And that's a wrap. Don't forget to keep a lookout in your inbox for an email asking you to claim the Duskmourn: House of Horrors Play Booster box. And if you want an ad-free look at the new Foundations spoilers, be sure to check your email this Friday evening at around 5:45pm CT.