The air crackled with anticipation as I watched the notification pop up: *Fallout* meets *Magic: The Gathering*—again. It felt like only yesterday I was sleeving up my Commander deck, ready to scavenge the wasteland. But now, Secret Lair is beckoning, and the call of irradiated cards is hard to ignore.
Season two of Fallout may be almost over, but the tie-ins keep on a-coming via Magic: The Gathering’s Secret Lair line.
Earlier this week, Wizards of the Coast announced four new drops spanning “the Fallout world…in one unmistakably irradiated lineup.” One drop, “Beyond Vault 33,” has characters from the show—the core trio of Lucy, Maximus, and Ghoul—making their Magic debut, complete with “new-to-Magic” designs. Other drops have cards focused on dogs, the irradiated wasteland, and New Vegas. Similar to the Monster Hunter collab, some cards are reskins of pre-established ones: “Mesmeric Orb” is here reflavored as “Mothman Egg,” “Yoshimaru, Ever Faithful” is “Dogmeat, Constant Companion,” and so on.
Non-foil packs for “Beyond Vault 33” will run $40 (€37), and the foil version will be $50 (€46). Non-foils for “Greet the Dog,” “Rad,” and “Welcome to New Vegas” are $30 (€28) each, and their foil versions are $40 (€37).
This marks the second time the RPG franchise has been part of Magic: in 2024, Wizards released a quartet of Commander decks based specifically on the games, as part of a larger collaboration with major gaming series like Final Fantasy and Assassin’s Creed. No word yet on if Magic will double dip on Creed when that live-action show eventually arrives, but depending on this upcoming Fallout drop fares, that might be in the cards.
Fallout will come to Secret Lair on Monday, January 26, with a pre-queue opening up at 8 AM PT, an hour before sales go live.
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The Fusion of Two Fanatic Fandoms
I overheard a heated debate at my local game store last week about the *Fallout* Commander decks—some players felt the mechanics didn’t truly capture the essence of the game. Collaborations are always a tricky proposition: you want to give fans what they expect, but you also need to make it Magic. It’s a tightrope walk between honoring the source material and maintaining gameplay balance. When executed well, a crossover can feel like a celebration.
How do reskinned cards work in Magic: The Gathering?
Reskinning in *Magic* is like taking a familiar dish and giving it a brand-new sauce; the base is recognizable, but the flavor is distinct. “Mesmeric Orb” becoming “Mothman Egg” is a prime example. The card does the same thing, but the art and flavor text are now pure *Fallout*. It’s a smart way to introduce familiar mechanics to a new audience, while also providing veteran players with a fresh, thematic experience. It can be argued that these reskins are like cover songs – they don’t replace the original, but they offer a different take.
Beyond Vault 33: More Than Just a Card Drop
Think about it: Lucy, Maximus, and the Ghoul aren’t just characters; they’re entry points into a story many are currently experiencing. The “Beyond Vault 33” drop feels particularly relevant, giving fans a tangible piece of the show to hold in their hands.
Will there be more Magic: The Gathering crossovers with video games?
Given the success of both the *Fallout* Commander decks and this Secret Lair drop, more video game crossovers seem likely. Wizards of the Coast has already collaborated with *Final Fantasy* and *Assassin’s Creed*, showing a willingness to the gaming space. The financial incentive is clearly there and the potential for creative synergy between the digital and tabletop is considerable.
A Gamble in the Wasteland?
The Secret Lair series is known for its unique art and limited availability, creating a sense of urgency among collectors. Are these cards a worthwhile investment, or just another fleeting fad? It all hinges on how well Wizards of the Coast taps into the core of what makes both *Fallout* and *Magic* so compelling.
How does the Secret Lair product line affect the value of Magic: The Gathering cards?
The Secret Lair line introduces unique versions of existing cards, which can create a split in the market. Some collectors chase these exclusive versions, driving up their price, while others are content with the original printings. The long-term impact on value depends on several factors, including print run, card popularity, and overall collectibility. The fear of missing out (FOMO) also plays a big role in the demand and perceived value of these drops.
With the pre-queue opening soon, are you prepared to venture into this new, irradiated frontier, or is your deck already complete?