Earlier this week, MTG Aetherdrift spoiler season finally came to a close, as the final round of commons and uncommons came out of the woodworks. However, the calm didn’t last long, as soon after, a new Secret Lair was revealed. These reprints featured cool arcade-inspired artwork, making them a neat follow-up to the racing set in Aetherdrift.
Now, only a few days later, we have yet another Secret Lair to show off. Known as Lorwyn Lightboxes, this Secret Lair features five cards with artwork by papercut artists Hari and Deepti. This time, all five inclusions belong to a mini cycle of lands from Lorwyn.
Multiple of them have yet to be reprinted. So, seeing them appear with new artwork is quite appealing, even if the overall value is lacking. These lands don’t see a ton of play outside Commander, but if you’re an old-school fan of typal strategies, these are sure to have a nostalgic feel.
Ancient Amphitheater
Each of these five lands follows a very similar pattern. They are all dual lands that enter the battlefield tapped unless a specific condition is met. In each case, the condition is that you have to reveal a creature of specific type from your hand. For Ancient Amphitheater, that type is Giant.
With no basic land types and a pretty strict restriction, Ancient Amphitheater is hardly a competitive tool. On top of that, this particular land was reprinted in Commander 2015 and Commander Anthology Volume II. So, while it features new artwork for the first time, the card’s reprint value is below 40 cents in its cheapest, non-foil form.
Auntie’s Hovel
Next, we have Auntie’s Hovel. Auntie’s Hovel functions the same way, but you have to reveal a Goblin instead. Auntie’s Hovel is a perfect flavorful inclusion in Wort, Boggart Auntie Commander decks. Rakdos Goblins used to have some appeal in Modern and Auntie’s Hovel was a worthy addition, but times have changed.
Nonetheless, this is the most expensive of the five lands, with non-foil copies holding a price of roughly $6 according to TCGplayer market price.
Gilt-Leaf Palace
Gilt-Leaf Palace is next in line and requires revealing an Elf to enter untapped. This land likely has the most EDH appeal out of the bunch, especially with Lathril, Blade of the Elves being such a popular new legend to build around. Being able to have your dual lands enter tapped is especially important for an archetype that relies on mana dorks for acceleration, and Gilt-Leaf Palace delivers.
Gilt-Leaf Palace was printed as a card on The List, though that’s the extent to the card’s “reprints.” Players can obtain copies for a little under $4.
Secluded Glen
Our second to last land is Secluded Glen. Once again, Secluded Glen used to be a staple in Modern Faeries decks. Bitterblossom was once a force to be reckoned with and now isn’t even good enough to make the cut in Vintage Cube. Regardless, Secluded Glen pairs nicely with Alela, Cunning Conqueror or Tegwyll, Duke of Splendor in EDH.
From a reprint value perspective, Secluded Glen suffers from the fact that it appeared in the Dimir Faeries Precon in Wilds of Eldraine Commander. While Lorwyn copies go for over $4, the Wilds of Eldraine Commander variant barely cracks 50 cents.
Wanderwine Hub
Lastly, we have Wanderwine Hub. Wanderwine Hub is the Azorius Merfolk land. Considering that most Merfolk decks are mono-blue or Simic nowadays, Wanderwine Hub doesn’t have a great home even in EDH.
Wanderwine Hub has only ever been printed in Lorwyn. Nonetheless, due to a lack of demand, Wnderwine Hub checks in at just over $1.50.
We Can Only Recommend the Foils
Overall, when looking at the total non-foil reprint value of these five lands, the Secret Lair is a weak financial investment. When Auntie’s hovel ($6), Gilt-Leaf Palace ($4), Wanderwine Hub ($1.50), Secluded Glen ($0.50) and Ancient Amphitheater (under $0.50) are added together, we’re looking at about $12-13 worth of value.
In most instances, the non-foil Secret Lairs go on sale for $29.99. If you’re interested in the new (and beautiful) artwork, Lorwyn Lightboxes can still be worthwhile, but it does lack value. Well, that is until you factor in the foil edition.
See, most of these lands are worth significantly more in foil. Secluded Glen may have appeared in Wilds of Eldraine Commander, but the only foil variant is available in Lorwyn for a whopping $40! Gilt-Leaf Palace was printed on The List, but similarly, the only foil version up to this point is in Lorwyn for $37.
Auntie’s Hovel and Wanderwine Hub, which both have no reprints to their names, are worth roughly $13-14 in foil. Only Ancient Amphitheater is worth a minimal amount at under $6. In total, picking up these five traditional foils from Lorwyn would cost about $110. Assuming the foil Lorwyn Lightboxes Secret Lair goes on sale for the usual $39.99, this is a steal for foil enthusiasts.
For anyone looking to add some pizzazz to their typal Commander decks, Lorwyn Lightboxes goes on sale February 10, at 9 am PT along with the Arcade Racers Secret Lair. There may be more products announced later this week, so we’ll make sure to update you on any other neat sales.
