Secret Lair X Final Fantasy: Three New Drops Revealed

<h6 style="text-align: right;">Image Credit: Wizards of the Coast</h6>
On Monday, May 12th, at approximately 9 AM Pacific (Noon Eastern), Wizards of the Coast will drop The Ultimate Pencil Superdrop for Secret Lair. We broke down <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/secret-lair-reveals-the-ultimate-pencil-superdrop">the contents of this drop</a> for you back in April, but we felt it was keen to remind you on that day. Since that day is today, let's dive into it!
As a quick reminder, Secret Lair drops now operate on a limited print run system. This means they're no longer printed to demand. Therefore, if you want any particular drop, you should plan to get it soon.
But there's another important thing to keep in mind. As is the case for each superdrop, the cards in these drops come in two or three different styles. Why does this matter? Simply put, it's a matter of price. If you misclick on something, you could be paying between $10 and $60 more. For some reason, the raised foil versions of Everything Is On Fire and VroooOOOMMMMMM! are both $99.99. To this end, we noted back in April that it's a lot of money, but not enough to solely cover free shipping. Ideally, the bonus card in each of those drops would make up the financial slack. However, that's never a sure bet at this time of the drop's release cycle. You'll have to wait to learn more about the bonus cards in question.
<div id="attachment_152383" style="width: 410px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Underworld-Breach-raised.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-152383" class="wp-image-152383" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Underworld-Breach-raised.jpg" alt="The render for the raised foil copy of Underworld Breach from The Ultimate Pencil Superdrop for Secret Lair. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast" width="400" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Underworld-Breach-raised.jpg 744w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Underworld-Breach-raised-215x300.jpg 215w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Underworld-Breach-raised-733x1024.jpg 733w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /></a>The render for the raised foil copy of Underworld Breach from The Ultimate Pencil Superdrop for Secret Lair. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast</div>
<h2>Secret Lair Abridged Financial Breakdown</h2>
Speaking of prices, nonfoil copies of each of these drops are $29.99, while rainbow foil drops are $39.99. Mechanically speaking, only a handful of these drops come close to hitting either of those marks. Most notably, the drop titled Secret Lair x KEXP: You Are Not Alone stands out as a great value acquisition. <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Font of Mythos|SLD|2075" href="#" target="_blank">Font of Mythos</a> and <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Concordant Crossroads|SLD|2073" href="#" target="_blank">Concordant Crossroads</a> are still fairly expensive cards at around $17 apiece. A foil copy of Font of Mythos almost costs the same as a rainbow foil copy of that drop.
Additionally, Featuring: Jay Howell would be worth buying in rainbow foil for the copy of <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Treasonous Ogre|SLD|2007" href="#" target="_blank">Treasonous Ogre</a> alone. Currently, that card stands at a whopping $56.50 in its sole foil iteration from Conspiracy.
But that seems to be where the value drops off for these drops, if you'll excuse the wordplay. Are they still worth it? Yes, if you value the art, but not if you'd prefer one specific card or printing. Raised foils notwithstanding, a lot of these cards will likely be affordable in the future as singles.
<h2>Penciling It In</h2>
At the time of writing, you have about two hours to get your plans in for this drop. Generally speaking, queues fill up quickly on the day of a drop, so be prepared to potentially wait a bit.
Either way, you can find The Ultimate Pencil Superdrop on <a href="https://secretlair.wizards.com/us">the Secret Lair website</a>. And now, let's hear from you. Are you excited to buy any of the drops in this one? Which one is your favorite? What looks the coolest to you? Sound off below!

Secret Lair: The Ultimate Pencil Superdrop Launches 5/12

<h6 style="text-align: right;">Magic Con Las Vegas Secret Lair Festival in a Box key art | copyright Wizards of the Coast</h6>
Can't make it to Las Vegas in June? Don't want to melt into a magical puddle of <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Consumptive Goo" href="#" target="_blank">Consumptive Goo</a>? Then Festival in a Box is the answer to your most mysterious of wishes.
<h2>What's in the 2025 Las Vegas Festival in a Box?</h2>
You don't need to gamble on a good time with this Festival in a Box. There are plenty of <a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/mb2">Mysterious (Mystery Booster 2) goodies</a> and some exceptionally shiny, collectible promos, at minimum! Check out some of the cool stuff you'll crack:
<a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Liesa__Shroud_of_Dusk.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-150379" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Liesa__Shroud_of_Dusk-733x1024.png" alt="" width="500" height="698" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Liesa__Shroud_of_Dusk-733x1024.png 733w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Liesa__Shroud_of_Dusk-215x300.png 215w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Liesa__Shroud_of_Dusk.png 744w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px" /></a> <a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Marwyn__the_Nurturer.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-150380" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Marwyn__the_Nurturer-733x1024.png" alt="" width="500" height="698" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Marwyn__the_Nurturer-733x1024.png 733w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Marwyn__the_Nurturer-215x300.png 215w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Marwyn__the_Nurturer.png 744w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px" /></a> <a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Oloro__Ageless_Ascetic.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-150381" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Oloro__Ageless_Ascetic-733x1024.png" alt="" width="500" height="698" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Oloro__Ageless_Ascetic-733x1024.png 733w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Oloro__Ageless_Ascetic-215x300.png 215w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Oloro__Ageless_Ascetic.png 744w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px" /></a> <a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Sythis__Harvest-s_Hand.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-150382" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Sythis__Harvest-s_Hand-733x1024.png" alt="" width="500" height="698" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Sythis__Harvest-s_Hand-733x1024.png 733w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Sythis__Harvest-s_Hand-215x300.png 215w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Sythis__Harvest-s_Hand.png 744w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px" /></a>
<h2>What are the Festival in a Box Promos?</h2>
Now here's where things really heat up, check out these sizzlingly shiny promo cards!
<a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/All-You-Can-Eat_Buffet.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-150383 size-full" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/All-You-Can-Eat_Buffet.png" alt="" width="546" height="762" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/All-You-Can-Eat_Buffet.png 546w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/All-You-Can-Eat_Buffet-215x300.png 215w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 546px) 100vw, 546px" /></a> <a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Sliver_Hive.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-150384" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Sliver_Hive-733x1024.png" alt="" width="500" height="698" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Sliver_Hive-733x1024.png 733w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Sliver_Hive-215x300.png 215w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Sliver_Hive.png 744w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px" /></a> <a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Ugin__the_Spirit_Dragon.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-150385" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Ugin__the_Spirit_Dragon-733x1024.png" alt="" width="500" height="698" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Ugin__the_Spirit_Dragon-733x1024.png 733w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Ugin__the_Spirit_Dragon-215x300.png 215w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Ugin__the_Spirit_Dragon.png 744w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px" /></a>
<h2>When can I get my hands on it?</h2>
<a href="https://magic.wizards.com/en/products/festival-in-a-box?utm_source=crm_newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email_announcement-A-eng-na-en-us-ca&amp;utm_campaign=festival-in-a-box-las-vegas-2025">According to Wizards:</a>
Available at <a href="https://secretlair.wizards.com/us?utm_source=mtg&amp;utm_medium=mtg_fiab_product_page&amp;utm_campaign=fiab-vegas-2025#fiab_vegas_2025">MagicSecretLair.com</a> 
Starting May 19, 2025, 
at 9 a.m. PT and at 
MagicCon: Las Vegas!
<h2>MagicCon Las Vegas 2025 is nearly here!</h2>
Will you be braving the summer heat and brew up some epic new decks for MagicCon? Or is the Festival-in-a-Box-and-chill (literally, it's gonna be hot out there) at home more your speed? Let us know below, and I'll see you at the Secret Lair store bright and early on May 19th!

MagicCon Las Vegas 2025 Festival in a Box Contents Revealed

Secret Lair: Everyone's Invited! Decklist Revealed

Secret Lair Reveals "The Ultimate Pencil Superdrop"

<h6 style="text-align: right;">"Adventures of the Little Witch" | Image credit: Wizards of the Coast</h6>
On Tuesday, April 22nd, Chaos Vault, the newest initiative for Secret Lair, released <a href="https://secretlair.wizards.com/us/product/1107793/adventures-of-the-little-witch">"Adventures of the Little Witch"</a>, its newest drop. This drop contains four cards with art by illustrator <a href="https://heikala.com/">Heikala</a>. Are these cards particularly valuable, and do they have a home in any Magic decks? Read on, and find out!
<h2>Chaos Vault Description of "Adventures of the Little Witch"</h2>
According to the description of this new drop, "These reprints were individually selected to go with the art style and tone of Heikala's amazing work, and we think they turned out great." The art features a cozy, almost cottagecore vibe reminiscent of Studio Ghibli's Kiki's Delivery Service or other films by Hayao Miyazaki. Inspired by Miyazaki or not, it can be said that Heikala's illustrations for this drop are calm and light.
But let's not bury the lede. Here are the renders for the four cards in this Chaos Vault drop:
<a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/secret-rendezvous.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="322" height="450" class="wp-image-149283 size-full aligncenter" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/secret-rendezvous.png" alt="Secret Rendezvous, a card from the &quot;Adventures of the Little Witch&quot; Chaos Vault drop for Secret Lair. &lt;yoastmark class=" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/secret-rendezvous.png 322w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/secret-rendezvous-215x300.png 215w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 322px) 100vw, 322px" /></a>
<a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/serenity.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="322" height="450" class="wp-image-149285 size-full aligncenter" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/serenity.png" alt="Serenity, a card from the &quot;Adventures of the Little Witch&quot; drop. &lt;yoastmark class=" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/serenity.png 322w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/serenity-215x300.png 215w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 322px) 100vw, 322px" /></a>
<a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/esikas-chariot.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="322" height="450" class="wp-image-149286 size-full aligncenter" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/esikas-chariot.png" alt="Esika's Chariot, a card from the &quot;Adventures of the Little Witch&quot; drop. &lt;yoastmark class=" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/esikas-chariot.png 322w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/esikas-chariot-215x300.png 215w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 322px) 100vw, 322px" /></a>
<a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/realms-uncharted.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="322" height="450" class="wp-image-149287 size-full aligncenter" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/realms-uncharted.png" alt="Realms Uncharted, a card from the &quot;Adventures of the Little Witch&quot; drop. &lt;yoastmark class=" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/realms-uncharted.png 322w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/realms-uncharted-215x300.png 215w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 322px) 100vw, 322px" /></a>
<h2>Does "Adventures" Hold Up?</h2>
While cards like <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Esika&#039;s Chariot" href="#" target="_blank">Esika&#039;s Chariot</a> saw play in Standard and <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Realms Uncharted" href="#" target="_blank">Realms Uncharted</a> sees some play in Commander, these cards do not seem to be standouts. None of them currently boasts a particularly high price tag in normal iterations. It remains to be seen if Heikala's art will change that for these versions. Nevertheless, if you like these cards and either plan to use them or want to collect the superb and cozy art, there's nothing wrong with picking up a copy of this drop.
"Adventures of the Little Witch" is currently selling on the Secret Lair webstore under the Chaos Vault subset. It sells at a price point of $29.99 for nonfoil, but for some reason, it is $59.99 <a href="https://secretlair.wizards.com/us/product/1107792/adventures-of-the-little-witch-foil-edition">in foil</a>. This is a different pricing than previous foil Secret Lair drops, of this distinction or otherwise. Does this mean there's something more to the foil iterations? This is currently unclear.
Are you planning on picking up this Chaos Vault Secret Lair drop? Will you press your luck and get it in foil? Also, do you like the art for this drop? Sound off below!

Chaos Vault Releases "Adventures of the Little Witch" Drop

<h6 style="text-align: right;">Header image courtesy of Wizards of the Coast</h6>
The Spotlight Series is headed to Japan for the first time.
Wizards of the Coast announced the company’s ongoing Spotlight Series will be hosting Magic: The Gathering—FINAL FANTASY in Chiba, Japan this summer.
According to Wizards, the Magic Spotlight: FINAL FANTASY event "will feature the excitement of competitive Magic and the impact of the FINAL FANTASY series with a high-stakes main event and an assortment of engaging side events offering something for every type of fan." In collaboration with Japanese retailer <a href="https://mtg.bigmagic.net/top.html">BIG MAGIC</a>, Magic Spotlight: FINAL FANTASY is a three-day event running from June 27–29 in Chiba, with a two-day open field tournament where competitors will face off in Standard Constructed format for a share of a $50,000 USD prize pool. The top eight players from the event will receive invitations to the Pro Tour Edge of Eternities tournament at MagicCon: Atlanta (Sept. 26-28).
Each participant in Magic Spotlight: FINAL FANTASY's main event will receive a non-foil Japanese-language borderless promo card featuring a card from the upcoming Magic: The Gathering—FINAL FANTASY release. Additionally, the Top 128 competitors in the event will receive traditional foil copies of that promo card. In addition to the main event, Magic Spotlight: FINAL FANTASY will host multiple side events with a variety of formats on display.
This event is free to enter, however there is a maximum capacity in the venue, so fans should check for specific information about access to the venue closer to the event. Entry into the $50,000 prize pool main event will require the purchase of a ticket when registration opens, and limited seating is available. Full details will be available on the website for Magic Spotlight: FINAL FANTASY. The site goes live on Wednesday, April 16, with registration opening the next day, April 17 at Noon JST.
Magic: The Gathering—FINAL FANTASY launches June 13, with the set representing a rich universe with iconic elements that fans have come to love over the franchise's history. Fans will see characters from every mainline FINAL FANTASY game, each depicted through the lens of Magic: The Gathering. The set is available for preorder now at local game stores, online retailers like Amazon, and elsewhere Magic products are sold.
This upcoming set features the largest collection of FINAL FANTASY artwork ever in a single game, drawing from across the franchise. Magic artists have brought moments from FINAL FANTASY to life in their own unique style while classic FINAL FANTASY art pieces make appearances on these epic cards. Fans will see their favorite stories, characters and moments from FINAL FANTASY depicted across Magic cards, with these icons of the series captured on over 100 legendary creature cards across the entire release.
What is the Spotlight Series?
The <a href="https://magic.gg/spotlight">Magic Spotlight Series</a> is a collection of open invite events that lets anyone play high-level Magic to win significant prizes. The next Spotlight Series event is slated for <a href="https://scgcon.starcitygames.com/event/scg-con-indianapolis-2025/">May 30-June 1 in Indianapolis, Indiana</a>, centered around a "Secret Lair" theme, and will be organized by Star City Games. The main event will be Modern Constructed, with all participants receiving a Secret Lair Showdown Garruk Wildspeaker promo:
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Garruk Wildspeaker|SLP|42"></div></div>
In addition to prize money and a Pro Tour invite, the winner of Indianapolis's Spotlight Series: Secret Lair will also consult on a future Secret Lair.
The main feature of each Magic Spotlight Series event is $50,000 in prize money. With the money going to the main event's top finishers, it's a great incentive to grab a deck and dive into competitive Magic. Additionally, the Top 8 players of each main event will receive invites to the Pro Tour.
For more information on Spotlight events and other places to experience Magic: The Gathering—FINAL FANTASY, keep an eye on <a href="https://magic.wizards.com/en/news">DailyMTG</a>.

Spotlight Series: Final Fantasy Announced for Chiba, Japan in June

<h6 style="text-align: right;">The art for <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sol Ring" href="#" target="_blank">Sol Ring</a> | art copyright Wizards of the Coast</h6>
A few days ago, seven prolific members of the Magic community announced that they had received invitations to reveal cards from a <a href="https://secretlair.wizards.com/us">Secret Lair</a> Commander Deck. With absolutely no idea what those cards could be, they finally revealed them on Wednesday, April 9th. What were those cards, and what could they reveal about the deck? At the time of writing the deck isn't fully revealed yet. So, let's look into what these streamers received within the "Everyone's Invited" Secret Lair Commander deck!
<h2>TaaliaVess's Reveal</h2>
According to sources on social media, streamer <a href="https://www.twitch.tv/taaliavess">TaaliaVess</a> received a copy of <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Morophon, the Boundless" href="#" target="_blank">Morophon, the Boundless</a>. Morophon seems to be the commander of this deck. It also implies that the deck is a Kindred-matters deck.
<div id="attachment_148301" style="width: 501px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Morophon-the-Boundless.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-148301" class="wp-image-148301" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Morophon-the-Boundless.jpg" alt="An image of TaaliaVess's reveal of Morophon, the Boundless from the &quot;Everyone's Invited&quot; Secret Lair Commander deck. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast" width="491" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Morophon-the-Boundless.jpg 640w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Morophon-the-Boundless-263x300.jpg 263w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 491px) 100vw, 491px" /></a>An image of <a href="https://www.twitch.tv/taaliavess">TaaliaVess</a>'s reveal of Morophon, the Boundless from the "Everyone's Invited" Secret Lair Commander deck. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and TaaliaVess</div>
<h2>ZBexx's Reveal</h2>
Meanwhile, <a href="https://www.twitch.tv/zbexx">ZBexx</a> received another card from "Everyone's Invited". This time, it was a copy of <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sol Ring" href="#" target="_blank">Sol Ring</a>. This doesn't tell us a ton about the contents of the deck, since most preconstructed decks contain a Sol Ring anyway. However, the card is stunning and its art is featured on the advertisement on the Secret Lair website.
<div id="attachment_148302" style="width: 365px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Sol-Ring.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-148302" class="wp-image-148302" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Sol-Ring.png" alt="An image of ZBexx's reveal of Sol Ring from the &quot;Everyone's Invited&quot; Secret Lair Commander deck. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Zbexx" width="355" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Sol-Ring.png 436w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Sol-Ring-191x300.png 191w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 355px) 100vw, 355px" /></a>An image of <a href="https://www.twitch.tv/zbexx">ZBexx</a>'s reveal of Sol Ring from the "Everyone's Invited" Secret Lair Commander deck. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Zbexx</div>
<h2>Voxy's Reveal</h2>
Next, we look at <a href="https://www.twitch.tv/voxy">Voxy</a>'s stream, where she revealed a copy of <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Avenger of Zendikar" href="#" target="_blank">Avenger of Zendikar</a>. Because Plants are such a niche creature type, this implies that "Everyone's Invited" probably features a very broad Kindred-matters theme. At this point, things are getting interesting for sure.
<div id="attachment_148303" style="width: 365px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Avenger-of-Zendikar.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-148303" class="wp-image-148303" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Avenger-of-Zendikar.png" alt="An image of Voxy's reveal of Avenger of Zendikar. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Voxy" width="355" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Avenger-of-Zendikar.png 371w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Avenger-of-Zendikar-191x300.png 191w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 355px) 100vw, 355px" /></a>An image of <a href="https://www.twitch.tv/voxy">Voxy</a>'s reveal of Avenger of Zendikar. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Voxy</div>
<h2>Amazonian's Reveal</h2>
We next turn our attention to <a href="https://www.twitch.tv/amazonian">Amazonian</a>'s stream, where she revealed a copy of <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Taurean Mauler" href="#" target="_blank">Taurean Mauler</a>. A creature with changeling like Morophon, Taurean Mauler may mean that multiple cards will also cover many of the creature types buffed by the deck's cards.
<div id="attachment_148304" style="width: 430px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Taurean-Mauler.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-148304" class="wp-image-148304" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Taurean-Mauler.jpg" alt="An image of Amazonian's reveal of Taurean Mauler. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Amazonian" width="420" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Taurean-Mauler.jpg 1501w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Taurean-Mauler-225x300.jpg 225w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Taurean-Mauler-769x1024.jpg 769w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Taurean-Mauler-768x1023.jpg 768w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Taurean-Mauler-1153x1536.jpg 1153w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 420px) 100vw, 420px" /></a>An image of <a href="https://www.twitch.tv/amazonian">Amazonian</a>'s reveal of Taurean Mauler. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Amazonian</div>
<h2>ManaCurves' Reveal</h2>
Streamer <a href="https://www.twitch.tv/manacurves">ManaCurves</a> also revealed a card from "Everyone's Invited"! The card they revealed was <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bitterblossom" href="#" target="_blank">Bitterblossom</a>, a kindred card for Faerie decks. This shows us that kindred spells will show up in the deck, though the extent is currently unknown. However, if this is indeed a kindred-kindred deck, one could imagine there may be a fair few of them therein.
<div id="attachment_148305" style="width: 396px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Bitterblossom-00.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-148305" class="wp-image-148305" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Bitterblossom-00.png" alt="An image of ManaCurves' reveal of Bitterblossom. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and ManaCurves" width="386" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Bitterblossom-00.png 467w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Bitterblossom-00-207x300.png 207w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 386px) 100vw, 386px" /></a>An image of <a href="https://www.twitch.tv/manacurves">ManaCurves</a>' reveal of Bitterblossom. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and ManaCurves</div>
<h2>CovertGoBlue's Reveal</h2>
After this, we must look to <a href="https://www.twitch.tv/covertgoblue">CovertGoBlue</a>, who, according to sources, revealed a copy of <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Raise the Palisade" href="#" target="_blank">Raise the Palisade</a>. This card, previously unreprinted since its initial printing in Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-Earth, is also a kindred-matters card. It goes especially well with creatures with changeling. This tells us that the deck will most likely have payoffs for running them.
<div id="attachment_148306" style="width: 434px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Raise-the-Palisade.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-148306" class="wp-image-148306" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Raise-the-Palisade.jpg" alt="An image of CovertGoBlue's reveal of Raise the Palisade. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and CovertGoBlue" width="424" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Raise-the-Palisade.jpg 819w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Raise-the-Palisade-228x300.jpg 228w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Raise-the-Palisade-777x1024.jpg 777w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Raise-the-Palisade-768x1013.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 424px) 100vw, 424px" /></a>An image of <a href="https://www.twitch.tv/covertgoblue">CovertGoBlue</a>'s reveal of Raise the Palisade. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and CovertGoBlue</div>
<h2>Anna Margaret's Reveal</h2>
Finally, we have <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/itsannamargaret.com/post/3lmffkbpnnk2c">Anna Margaret</a>'s reveal on BlueSky. She revealed a copy of <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tendershoot Dryad" href="#" target="_blank">Tendershoot Dryad</a>, a card that historically pumps Saprolings. Luckily, changeling creatures are also Saprolings! This is one of many presumed payoffs in "Everyone's Invited".
<div id="attachment_148307" style="width: 365px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Tendershoot-Dryad.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-148307" class="wp-image-148307" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Tendershoot-Dryad.png" alt="An image of Anna Margaret's reveal of Tendershoot Dryad from the &quot;Everyone's Invited&quot; Secret Lair Commander deck. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Anna Margaret" width="355" height="559" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Tendershoot-Dryad.png 427w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Tendershoot-Dryad-191x300.png 191w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 355px) 100vw, 355px" /></a>An image of <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/itsannamargaret.com/post/3lmffkbpnnk2c">Anna Margaret</a>'s reveal of Tendershoot Dryad from the "Everyone's Invited" Secret Lair Commander deck. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast and Anna Margaret</div>
<h2>What Have We Learned About This Secret Lair?</h2>
"Everyone's Invited" appears to be a deck that cares not just about one creature type, but many. The deck features multiple cards that provide many creature types as well as many payoffs for having multiple creature types. Because Commander decks from Secret Lair tend to have alternate art for their intended commanders, Morophon appears to lead the deck.
When will we find out more? We don't have a launch date yet, but the answer is "probably soon"! Keep your eyes peeled for more information as it becomes available.

Secret Lair Commander Deck: "Everyone's Invited" Revealed

<h6 style="text-align: right;"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Jodah, the Unifier|sld|1932" href="#" target="_blank">Jodah, the Unifier</a> | Art by <a href="https://mtg.wtf/artist/caleb_meurer">Caleb Meurer</a></h6>
<h1>Arriving at Bikini Bottom</h1>
Hello, and welcome back to Beyond the Multiverse, where we go over cards from beyond Magic's IP in-depth. I had another deck planned for this week, until we got our hands on spoilers for all three Secret Lairs tied to Spongebob Squarepants.
The shift was too abrupt for my liking, but I figure I'd knock this on the head before I miss an opportunity to discuss it. Since we got some time until Final Fantasy drops (I know about the stuff we got up to this point, but I'm saving everything for release), why not cover something that's coming out in a few weeks while we wait?
<h1>Underwater Rainbows?</h1>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Jodah, the Unifier|sld|1932"></div></div>
Spongebob (reskinned as <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Jodah, the Unifier)" href="#" target="_blank">Jodah, the Unifier)</a> is the main character, who's also the namesake of the show. Firstly, he's a good-natured and hard-working sea-sponge humanoid (more on that latter bit in a moment).
Secondly, he dwells in Bikini Bottom, an underwater city, with his pet snail, Gary. He's a fry cook at Krusty Krabs by profession, and also a student in boating school.
As an aside, I did note that Spongebob himself is humanoid, because his card has the Human creature-type. This isn't completely accurate, but I digress.
This will be true for a lot of the creature-based Secret Lair Drop, so it's best to carry on. Such is part of the nature of reskinned cards.
We've seen billions of decks featuring Jodah since his release in Dominaria United, back in 2022. However, we're Universes Beyond connoisseurs, so that significantly cuts our card pool. Moreover, we're also working with an additional challenge: We're going to be using all three Secret Lairs to assemble the deck.
Fortunately, the basic lands Lair come with two each this time instead of just one each. Just note that, after the first time I mention the character reskins, that I'll be using the names from the show.
As an aside, I'm going by the skin name rather than the card it's representing. Consequently, after the first time I mention each reskin, expect me to use Spongebob's name rather than Jodah's (for example; except in corner cases).
If you'd rather me use the actual card names instead in future articles, please let me know in the comments. With that disclaimer out of the way, let's move into the deck's 99, beginning with the creatures.
<h1>The Residents of Bikini Bottom</h1>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Toxrill, the Corrosive|sld|1929"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Barktooth Warbeard|sld|1931"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Toski, Bearer of Secrets|sld|1930"></div></div>
The first Secret Lair we're covering nets us seven creatures already, including Spongebob. Firstly, <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Toski, Bearer of Secrets" href="#" target="_blank">Toski, Bearer of Secrets</a> (reskinned as Sandy Cheeks, Martial Astronaut; 180,312 decks) gives us card, while <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Toxrill, the Corrosive" href="#" target="_blank">Toxrill, the Corrosive</a> (comically reskinned as Gary, the Snail; 38, 102 decks) is a wipe that builds up over time.
Patrick Star, a reskin of <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Barktooth Warbeard" href="#" target="_blank">Barktooth Warbeard</a> (267 decks), is obviously not the first card to run in the 99, but this will decidedly be a flavor choice. The flavor text on a vanilla legend, in a way, drives home his character, which is a win.
With Charix, the only dual lands we have that have basic land types are <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sunken Hollow" href="#" target="_blank">Sunken Hollow</a> and <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Prairie Stream" href="#" target="_blank">Prairie Stream</a>. However, even with new lands akin to them, they won't do much to utilize Charix's activated ability.
As a result, it'll depend on other cards in the deck to get it big enough to attack.
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Skrelv, Defector Mite|sld|1926"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Grazilaxx, Illithid Scholar|sld|1928"></div></div>
This is the price we pay for using every card in a given Secret Lair(s). Sorry! On the other hand, <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Skrelv, Defector Mite" href="#" target="_blank">Skrelv, Defector Mite</a> (reskinned as Plankton, Tiny Tyrant; 86,111 decks) can give a creature evasion.
Finally, <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Grazilaxx, Illithid Scholar" href="#" target="_blank">Grazilaxx, Illithid Scholar</a> (reskinned as Squidward, Sarcastic Snob; 57,909 decks) gives us card draw, and I can imagine some corner cases where that first ability is useful.
But these seven can't do it alone. In a tonal whiplash of the year, we're using <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Abaddon the Despoiler" href="#" target="_blank">Abaddon the Despoiler</a> (6,313 decks), who will allow our spells to cascade if an opponent lost enough life during the current turn.
With Spongebob out, what's better than one Cascade? Two. On the other side of the coin, we have <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Arwen, Weaver of Hope" href="#" target="_blank">Arwen, Weaver of Hope</a> (53,883 decks), who'll ensure our other creatures enter monstrously huge with Spongebob's <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Coat of Arms" href="#" target="_blank">Coat of Arms</a>-like buff.
In addition, <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Sixth Doctor" href="#" target="_blank">The Sixth Doctor</a> (11,587 decks) doubles up on all the creatures we're running. Just note that the copy tokens will not be legendary, thus won't be affected by Spongebob.
<h1>Five Memes in All the World</h1>
The second Secret Lair (and the last of the nonbasic land Lairs) centers on noncreature spells. In a similar vein to the first one, the <a href="https://commandersherald.com/spongebob-squarepants-secret-lair-collection-incoming/">internet memes are out in force with this drop</a>.
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Counterspell|sld|1933"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Daze|sld|1934"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Inevitable Betrayal|sld|1935"></div></div>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Night&#039;s Whisper|sld|1936"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Force of Despair|sld|1937"></div></div>
Consequently, each card here is depicting well-known scenes of the series that were immortalized as memes. Above all, the best two cards in this drop are <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Counterspell" href="#" target="_blank">Counterspell</a> and <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Night&#039;s Whisper" href="#" target="_blank">Night&#039;s Whisper</a>, mostly because they're riding on their flexibility.
However, the others have more conditional or situational uses. <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Force of Despair" href="#" target="_blank">Force of Despair</a> can be used on some careless opponent dropping a bunch of creatures in a single turn.
Unfortunately, the exile cost might be a bit harsh for this deck, seeing as were in all five colors. So, if you need the card, have a second black card handy.
Secondly, <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Daze" href="#" target="_blank">Daze</a> falls under the category of countermagic you shouldn't be running in Commander because opponents can easily pay the one.
Be wary of that if you use the card. Finally, <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Inevitable Betrayal" href="#" target="_blank">Inevitable Betrayal</a> is something you can suspend, or cascade off Abaddon if you get lucky.
Otherwise, we'll need to boost the power of the deck. <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Flowering of the White Tree" href="#" target="_blank">Flowering of the White Tree</a> protects and buffs our board. In addition, <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Day of Destiny" href="#" target="_blank">Day of Destiny</a> (16,782 decks) isn't quite as much of a finisher as Spongebob, or <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Heroes&#039; Podium" href="#" target="_blank">Heroes&#039; Podium</a>, but it does its job well.
On the other hand, <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Desynchronization" href="#" target="_blank">Desynchronization</a> (34,488 decks) is a one-sided <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cyclonic Rift" href="#" target="_blank">Cyclonic Rift</a> that will set us up for a game-winning swing.
<a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Traverse Eternity" href="#" target="_blank">Traverse Eternity</a> (9,744 decks) will draw us a good grip of cards, depending on the most expensive Historic card we have out. There's at least one other finisher in the deck, but we'll get to that. First, the decklist:
<h1>Entering the Krusty Krab</h1>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Going Universes Beyond-Under the Sea" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Jodah, the Unifier
[/Commander]
[Instants]
*1 Anguished Unmaking
*1 Assassin&#039;s Trophy
*1 Beast Within
*1 Boros Charm
*1 Counterspell
*1 Crush Contraband
*1 Daze
*1 Desynchronization
*1 Entish Restoration
*1 Fact or Fiction
*1 Flawless Maneuver
*1 Force of Despair
*1 Heroic Intervention
*1 Path to Exile
*1 Swords to Plowshares
[/Instants]
[Lands]
*1 Abstergo Entertainment
*1 Canopy Vista
*1 Cinder Glade
*1 Command Beacon
*1 Command Tower
*1 Deserted Beach
*1 Dreamroot Cascade
*1 Evolving Wilds
*1 Exotic Orchard
*1 Fiery Islet
*2 Forest
*1 Haunted Ridge
*2 Island
*2 Mountain
*1 Nurturing Peatland
*1 Overgrown Farmland
*1 Path of Ancestry
*2 Plains
*1 Prairie Stream
*1 Rockfall Vale
*1 Secluded Courtyard
*1 Shipwreck Marsh
*1 Silent Clearing
*1 Smoldering Marsh
*1 Stormcarved Coast
*1 Sunbaked Canyon
*1 Sundown Pass
*1 Sunken Hollow
*2 Swamp
*1 Temple of Malady
*1 Temple of Silence
*1 Waterlogged Grove
[/Lands]
[Creatures]
*1 Abaddon the Despoiler
*1 Alistair, the Brigadier
*1 Arwen, Weaver of Hope
*1 Barktooth Warbeard
*1 Basim Ibn Ishaq
*1 Bayek of Siwa
*1 Charix, the Raging Isle
*1 Child of Alara
*1 Delighted Halfling
*1 Faramir, Steward of Gondor
*1 Galadriel, Light of Valinor
*1 Gandalf the White
*1 Gimli of the Glittering Caves
*1 Grazilaxx, Illithid Scholar
*1 Havi, the All-Father
*1 Jamie McCrimmon
*1 Lotho, Corrupt Shirriff
*1 Queen Marchesa
*1 Samwise Gamgee
*1 Shay Cormac
*1 Sisay, Weatherlight Captain
*1 Skrelv, Defector Mite
*1 Surtr, Fiery Jötun
*1 The Mimeoplasm
*1 The Sixth Doctor
*1 Toski, Bearer of Secrets
*1 Toxrill, the Corrosive
[/Creatures]
[Sorceries]
*1 Cultivate
*1 Farseek
*1 Hull Breach
*1 Inevitable Betrayal
*1 Night&#039;s Whisper
*1 Overwhelming Stampede
*1 Traverse Eternity
*1 What Must Be Done
[/Sorceries]
[Artifacts]
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Brotherhood Regalia
*1 Chromatic Lantern
*1 Lightning Greaves
*1 Mind Stone
*1 Mithril Coat
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Swiftfoot Boots
[/Artifacts]
[Enchantments]
*1 Day of Destiny
*1 Flowering of the White Tree
*1 Guardian Project
*1 Shadow in the Warp
[/Enchantments]"></div>
<h1>One Krabby Patty, Coming Right Up</h1>
<a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Food|sld|1938" href="#" target="_blank">Food</a>
The list gives us a good idea of what we can expect. <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Alistair, the Brigadier" href="#" target="_blank">Alistair, the Brigadier</a> (4,966 decks) will end games, provided that we pay that crucial eight mana. However, the soldier tokens will make for nice chump fodder.
Certainly, <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Surtr, Fiery Jötun" href="#" target="_blank">Surtr, Fiery Jötun</a> (5,384 decks), an old favorite of mine from a previous article, returns to take out pesky blockers and planeswalkers (Wait, planeswalkers? What are they? We don't need them here, with very few exceptions). Moreover, <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sisay, Weatherlight Captain" href="#" target="_blank">Sisay, Weatherlight Captain</a> (reskinned as Buttercup, Provincial Princess; 22,209 decks) will have us tutor out what creatures we need.
Lastly, <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Havi, the All-Father" href="#" target="_blank">Havi, the All-Father</a> (7,259 decks) will bring back fallen residents...I mean legendary creatures from your graveyard if he or another one bit the dust.
On the other hand, noncreature spells like <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Shadow in the Warp" href="#" target="_blank">Shadow in the Warp</a> (40,292 decks) helps us make our creatures easier to cast, but also punish opponents who rely on their fancy noncreature spells.
Also, <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="What Must Be Done" href="#" target="_blank">What Must Be Done</a> (6,986 decks) is nice utility: Either it wipes the board, you can use it to bring back a Historic permanent (bonus points if it's a creature, because it'll return with two +1/+1 counters as well).
<a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Brotherhood Regalia" href="#" target="_blank">Brotherhood Regalia</a> and <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mithril Coat" href="#" target="_blank">Mithril Coat</a> (74,160 and 236,081 decks respectively) serve as great protection pieces for Spongebob, so he can dish out more value, and further bolster your board.
As far as other finishers go, Spongebob counts as one, be it commander damage or otherwise. However, we shouldn't always rely on him to reach the goalpost.
Firstly, <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bayek of Siwa" href="#" target="_blank">Bayek of Siwa</a> (18,020 decks) gives all of our legendary creatures double strike, which actually can work even better with some of the other cards in the deck.
Also, were you thinking that I glossed over the food token that was included in one of the Drops? Fear not, because <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Samwise Gamgee" href="#" target="_blank">Samwise Gamgee</a> (45,076 decks) will bring Krabby Pattys in spades. He also gives the deck some recursion if needed.
<h1>Preparing to Surface</h1>
In conclusion, I hope this list provides a home for the Secret Lairsyou acquired. I dipped into flavor for this deck rather than power. As a result, this deck isn't more optimal than its regular Jodah counterparts.
It's not a bad thing anyway, since Jodah's commanding no less than 18,362 decks, probably playing a lot of the same cards throughout.
The angles of using all cards from the Secret Lairs and going Universes Beyond-only should help make this list stand out from most.
Additionally, I was going to use one of the sections here to discuss the increasing price point on Universes Beyond. Moreover, I'm sure this will be something for the Final Fantasy release, so I might return to it then.
What I will say is that, to get the Drops you need for this list, it'll run you about 90 USD for the nonfoils, if you were to order from the website. If that's too much money, but you wish to play with the list (or a variation thereof), proxy it. No need for your wallet to gatekeep you.
Return next time when I sneak in a little surprise for you. Until next time, enjoy your vacation to Bikini Bottom.
<a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Island|sld|1940" href="#" target="_blank">Island</a>

Who's That Under the Sea? Spongebob SquarePants!

<a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ashad, the Lone Cyberman" href="#" target="_blank">Ashad, the Lone Cyberman</a>| Art by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ericwilkersonart/">Eric Wilkerson</a>
<h1>Rise of the Lone Cyberman</h1>
Welcome back to Beyond the Multiverse, the series where we ditch our in-universe cards (or printings, in some cases) for those sweet triangle-stamped cards.
Today, we jump from tomb-raiding, like we did in <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/building-a-lara-croft-deck-with-only-universes-beyond-cards">the first article</a> to...the future? Kind of? We're delving through the Doctor Who set this time around, and the set has a lot to offer.
The set introduced a mechanic called Doctor's Companion, which gave us a myriad of new options for multiple color combinations, including a certain Secret Lair that had mechanically unique cards inside. However, we're not focusing on them.
Instead, we're looking at a Grixis option. One of the precons from that release, Masters of Evil, introduced a whopping six commander options for the deck.
For instance, you can use <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Davros, Dalek Creator" href="#" target="_blank">Davros, Dalek Creator</a> to exterminate your opponents. Additionally, <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Missy" href="#" target="_blank">Missy</a> is sure to helm a unique deck.
Not today. Instead, we're looking at a more obscure option. One that, I feel, has been overlooked. Without further ado, let's see who I picked.
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ashad, the Lone Cyberman"></div></div>
Ashad is a villain from a more recent incarnation of the Doctor Who franchise: Thirteenth. Partially converted into a Cyberman while retaining the ability to feel, Ashad tried to restore the Cybermen to their former glory.
In addition, he needed to find the Cyberium, a database archiving Cyberman history. In doing this, he sought to wipe out all organic life in the universe, and even allied with The Master to do this.
He was defeated, then revived once more to attack the UNIT headquarters, where he met his end as victory came so close. But, what about his card?
<h1>The Flesh is Weak</h1>
I'm sure you remember one of the New Capenna Commander precons when looking at his card. Ashad is identical to <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Anhelo, the Painter" href="#" target="_blank">Anhelo, the Painter</a> in that they want you to take advantage of the Casualty mechanic to gain value.
While Anhelo copied instants and sorceries, Ashad wants you to copy artifacts. Going through the UB card pool, there's a lot of artifacts worth copying with his ability.
However, it's also worth noting that you must sacrifice artifact creatures for the Casualty ability. When you do this, Ashad gets a +1/+1 counter, making him sizeable. But, that is not the path we're taking.
<h1>Restoring the Cyber-Empire</h1>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Cybership"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Death in Heaven"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Canoptek Spyder"></div></div>
Ashad wants the 99 to be filled to the brim with artifacts, especially nonlegendary ones. For this, the deck has a minor tokens subtheme, so you can sacrifice them to Ashad's ability, making him a bit bigger in the process.
Don't expect to win with commander damage, because this deck is all about value. To flavor the deck, the best targets for Ashad are Cybermen, but there aren't many cards that can get them out. <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cybership" href="#" target="_blank">Cybership</a> (12,587 decks) makes them when it connects.
<a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Death in Heaven" href="#" target="_blank">Death in Heaven</a> (9,944 decks) acts as both Cybermen maker and graveyard hate, while <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Cyber-Controller" href="#" target="_blank">The Cyber-Controller</a> is an anthem that also happens to make Cybermen...and that's basically it.
Despite feuding with the Cybermen during the Tenth Doctor's Era, the Daleks make for good fodder, too. <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Genesis of the Daleks" href="#" target="_blank">Genesis of the Daleks</a> (10,705 decks) has the first few chapters make tokens, but be sure to leave some behind to take advantage of that last chapter.
<a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Dalek Emperor" href="#" target="_blank">The Dalek Emperor</a> forces our opponents into a corner: Lose a creature or make a Dalek token that we can sac to Ashad later on. Ooo, evil!
Additionally, we can enlist some Necrons, to help us. <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Royal Warden" href="#" target="_blank">Royal Warden</a> (9,280 decks) makes tokens upon entry, and has Unearth, so we can do it again.
<a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Technomancer" href="#" target="_blank">Technomancer</a> (10,177 decks) brings back nontoken artifacts you had to sacrifice so you can do it again.
Do it twice for a one-sided <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rise of the Dark Realms" href="#" target="_blank">Rise of the Dark Realms</a>. <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Canoptek Spyder" href="#" target="_blank">Canoptek Spyder</a> (31,047 decks) draws lots of cards, yes, but what about a second Canoptek Spyder?
In a similar vein, <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Canoptek Scarab Swarm" href="#" target="_blank">Canoptek Scarab Swarm</a> (28,366 decks) has the potential to give you lots of little critters. However, you'll need to buff them if you wish to sacrifice them to Ashad's ability.
<h1>Setting the Scheme into Motion</h1>
Most importantly, since Ashad is essentially an artifact commander, we'll need some artifact synergies. While the scope and depth of artifact synergies are not as incredible as our in-universe selection, there's still some good stuff here.
<a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="One with the Machine" href="#" target="_blank">One with the Machine</a> and <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Thirst for Knowledge" href="#" target="_blank">Thirst for Knowledge</a> will draw us cards, keeping our hands filled. <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Anrakyr the Traveller" href="#" target="_blank">Anrakyr the Traveller</a> lets us cast a card for free at the cost of life. Copying <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cryptothrall" href="#" target="_blank">Cryptothrall</a> (31,205 decks) with Ashad's ability gives all of our artifact creatures hexproof.
<a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Their Name Is Death" href="#" target="_blank">Their Name Is Death</a> (28,023 decks) acts as a one-sided boardwipe for us, potentially allowing us to set up an alpha strike.
Also, <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mystic Forge" href="#" target="_blank">Mystic Forge</a> lets us cast artifacts from the top of our library if we wanted to. <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Skorpekh Lord" href="#" target="_blank">Skorpekh Lord</a> (13,546 decks) is an anthem and grants evasion to artifact creatures, which reminds me of something.
<h1>Rallying the Cybermen</h1>
Anthems not only push the weaker creatures to that critical two power, but also help us dish out more damage.
The aforementioned Cyber Controller does it, even making the Cybermen it creates stronger. <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Andúril, Narsil Reforged" href="#" target="_blank">Andúril, Narsil Reforged</a> (34,686 decks) works, too, perhaps one of the best to include here.
However, it's an attack trigger, so be sure to equip it to an expendable creature. <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Steel Overseer" href="#" target="_blank">Steel Overseer</a> is slower (unless it has haste somehow), but it can even make itself stronger.
The rest that are printed into the card pool (as of writing) lean towards kindred effects, thus we won't be able to maximize their potential here.
However, the deck I'm showcasing today has a secret weapon lying in wait.
<h1>The Cyberium</h1>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Project Beyond-Rise of the Cyberheads" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Ashad, the Lone Cyberman
[/Commander]
[Lands]
*1 Academy Ruins
*1 Ash Barrens
*1 Buried Ruin
*1 Choked Estuary
*1 Command Tower
*1 Crumbling Necropolis
*1 Dragonskull Summit
*1 Drowned Catacomb
*1 Evolving Wilds
*1 Exotic Orchard
*1 Fiery Islet
*1 Foreboding Ruins
*1 Frostboil Snarl
*1 Haunted Ridge
*1 Inventors&#039; Fair
*4 Island
*4 Mountain
*1 Path of Ancestry
*1 Shipwreck Marsh
*1 Smoldering Marsh
*1 Spire of Industry
*1 Stormcarved Coast
*1 Sulfur Falls
*1 Sunken Hollow
*4 Swamp
*1 Temple of Deceit
*1 Temple of Epiphany
*1 Temple of Malice
*1 Terramorphic Expanse
[/Lands]
[Artifacts]
*1 Agility Bobblehead
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Charisma Bobblehead
*1 Chromatic Lantern
*1 Cursed Mirror
*1 Cybership
*1 Endurance Bobblehead
*1 Hedron Archive
*1 Intelligence Bobblehead
*1 Knight Paladin
*1 Luck Bobblehead
*1 Mind Stone
*1 Mystic Forge
*1 Perception Bobblehead
*1 Relic of Sauron
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Strength Bobblehead
*1 Talisman of Creativity
*1 Talisman of Dominance
*1 Talisman of Indulgence
*1 Trading Post
*1 Wayfarer&#039;s Bauble
[/Artifacts]
[Creatures]
*1 Anrakyr the Traveller
*1 Auton Soldier
*1 Canoptek Scarab Swarm
*1 Canoptek Spyder
*1 Chaos Defiler
*1 Cryptothrall
*1 Cyberman Patrol
*1 Cybermat
*1 Cybermen Squadron
*1 Dalek Drone
*1 Dalek Squadron
*1 Evin, Waterdeep Opportunist
*1 Helbrute
*1 Iron Man, Titan of Innovation
*1 Knight Rampager
*1 Lokhust Heavy Destroyer
*1 Morbid Opportunist
*1 Pitiless Plunderer
*1 Royal Warden
*1 Solemn Simulacrum
*1 Synth Infiltrator
*1 Technomancer
*1 The Cyber-Controller
*1 The Dalek Emperor
[/Creatures]
[Instants]
*1 Arcane Denial
*1 Bottle-Cap Blast
*1 Chaos Warp
*1 Cyber Conversion
*1 Deadly Dispute
*1 Galvanic Blast
*1 Go for the Throat
*1 Thirst for Knowledge
*1 Unexpected Windfall
[/Instants]
[Sorceries]
*1 Beacon of Unrest
*1 Blasphemous Act
*1 One with the Machine
*1 Their Name Is Death
[/Sorceries]
[Enchantments]
*1 Death in Heaven
*1 Genesis of the Daleks
[/Enchantments]"></div>
<h1>Of Cybermen and...Bobbleheads?</h1>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Luck Bobblehead"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Agility Bobblehead"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Charisma Bobblehead"></div></div>
You read that heading correctly. We're using Bobbleheads, but why? First, they produce mana, even though they cost three to cast. Second is <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Luck Bobblehead" href="#" target="_blank">Luck Bobblehead</a>, which wants you to roll dice equal to the number of Bobbleheads you have.
I heard often that <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Urza, Prince of Kroog" href="#" target="_blank">Urza, Prince of Kroog</a> is one of the main go-to commanders for Bobbleheads, but hear me out a minute.
With Ashad, you can use the Casualty trigger to copy the Bobbleheads as you cast them, so you end up with two on the field instead of one.
You have a small chance at having 14 of them out, thus increasing your odds of winning greatly. In addition, each Bobblehead comes with a second ability based on the number of Bobbleheads you have out. Luck can potentially win games, but what about the others?
<h1>Bobbling Along</h1>
Firstly, <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Strength Bobblehead" href="#" target="_blank">Strength Bobblehead</a> puts +1/+1 counters on a creature you control. Could be useful to weasel out a win through commander damage. <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Agility Bobblehead" href="#" target="_blank">Agility Bobblehead</a> grants haste and some potent evasion, enabling a massive swing with enough Bobbleheads out.
In addition, <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Intelligence Bobblehead" href="#" target="_blank">Intelligence Bobblehead</a> draws us cards while <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Perception Bobblehead" href="#" target="_blank">Perception Bobblehead</a> lets us dig into our library and cast something cheap.
However, the last two are fairly weak, but do serve some purpose here.
<a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Charisma Bobblehead" href="#" target="_blank">Charisma Bobblehead</a> can potentially become an army in a can, but note that it creates 1/1 tokens that are not artifacts. So, unless you can find a way to make them stronger, they're essentially chump blockers.
Lastly, <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Endurance Bobblehead" href="#" target="_blank">Endurance Bobblehead</a> grants a small buff (ironic, because it can enable the tokens from Charisma to, ah, convert them with Ashad's ability), and also grants indestructible for the turn.
But, it can only be activated at sorcery speed (like three other Bobbleheads), so its use is more narrow than I would like. A shame, really.
On another note, <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mechanized Production" href="#" target="_blank">Mechanized Production</a> (unfortunately not in this list) is perfect for the Bobbleheads: You get more of one Bobblehead, especially Luck, and you're even more likely to achieve a win condition, be it through Luck or the enchantment itself.
<h1>Even More Casualties</h1>
The lack of tutors in the list is a personal choice, but adding them would be a good idea if you're looking to focus on the alternate win condition more.
However, you can always smack your opponents down via combat damage if the stars don't align. Using Ashad's Casualty ability helps with this.
Doubling up on <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cybermen Squadron" href="#" target="_blank">Cybermen Squadron</a> (36,421 decks) gives your artifact creatures double Myriad, so you get more triggers and attackers.
Just remember that they go away at end of combat, so you can't sacrifice them to Ashad unless you're flashing out something.
Two <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cyberman Patrol" href="#" target="_blank">Cyberman Patrol</a>s (29,527 decks) means that you get two instances of Afflict Three, so either they block and lose six, or you get through. That's a no-win situation for your opponents.
<h1>Achieving Singularity</h1>
In sum, there's more than just Urza who can utilize the Bobbleheads, and that an UB artifact deck is feasible. However, Ashad will not be the last of the many, many Doctor Who Commander options will be touching on.
He also will not be the last Grixis legend we'll explore either. I, for one, would like to build <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Valeyard" href="#" target="_blank">The Valeyard</a>, but the current voting/choice numbers are not enough...yet.
Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong. But, I'm going to try and spread out the Doctor Who love so there's not too many at once. The Lord of the Rings, for example, will be the same.
Tune in next time, were we jump from science fiction to something much different. Until next time, may the triangles bless your games.

secret lair