I understand that Secret Lair and Universes Beyond releases can be controversial to some players. I get it. If you’re invested in the background and story of Magic: The Gathering, it can be jarring to see your usual planes and set replaced with potentially gimmicky tie-ins with other IP. Why is your Urza or Elesh Norn now facing down Imperial Space Marines, the Third Doctor, Sauron, and Sephiroth?
Personally, I’m not really all that bothered. I like most of the sets, and I’m not invested in Magic’s lore. I like the aesthetics of the different planes, but I’m not especially fussed about the ‘integrity of the setting‘ in the same way as others are. I get it, though. I can understand why this is really offputting and irksome to those who are more invested.
That’s why I like the approach taken with the SpongeBob Squarepants Secret Lair release. Before I start, I know that most Secret Lair releases take the same approach, but let me explain why I’m picking this one out…
It’s really dumb.
Like, if I really cared about Magic being in any way a consistent setting or tone, this might kind of cross a line for me. Let’s take a look at some of the cards that have been previewed:
Notice that these cards are, as silly as they may be, all alternative versions of existing cards. I like that. Again, this is common in Secret Lair releases.
I have sympathy for Magic purists who want to be competitive and might be forced to grab particular cards from the Fallout or Doctor Who sets to filful a particular role in their decks.
Basing cards on existing ones seems to be the right approach. Tt means there’s no awkward, out-of-theme card to shoehorn into one’s deck, and nobody is upset that they have to choose between a potentially important card for their deck, and their feelings on other IPs in Magic. Take these versions of the cards, or just don’t. You can use another printing.
Of course, Wizards of the Coast has overcome the problem of mechanically-new Secret Lair cards before, albeit clumsily. The Street Fighter cards were originally released as new cards with bespoke rules, but later got a more MtG-appropriate alternate version released. Here’s Chun-Li as an example, alongside her alternate, Zethi:
Honestly, it feels a bit backwards. A new card is created for a specific IP, and then WotC has to sramble an in-universe card to replace the licensed one. As an aside, if I do an Azorius deck, Chun-Li/Zethi is a strong cadidate for Commander. And let’s be honest, I’d rather use the Chun-Li card.
So, although Wizards of the Coast has overcome the issue of producing licensed Secret Lair cards with original rules, it was a clumsy. I’m glad they’ve not taken that approach with SpongeBob. It’s actually pretty fun to sit with characters from your favourite franchise and work out what existing cards best represent them.
This is a well-established approach to many Secret Lair sets, and I’m glad to see it continue with this SponeBob set. I hope we see more sets following suit and fewer that see original rules added for licensed cards that will not see a direct reprint.
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