When Worlds Crash Into Magic
It's not hard to see just how far Magic: The Gathering has expanded since its initial release. Popular games and shows have shaped how decks look and feel today. The results are sometimes strange, sometimes brilliant—but never boring. Let's take a moment to revisit these major collabs and the cards that turned heads for the right reasons.
Unboxing Marvel Secret Lair Magic the Gathering Cards! by Heroclix Headquarters
1. The Lord Of The Rings: Tales Of Middle-Earth
This 2023 release brought The One Ring and Sauron into your playgroup. The set mirrors the story's progression, using mechanics like "tempted by the ring" to echo Frodo's journey. Legendary land cycles tie directly to iconic locations.
How to Play Magic: The Gathering The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth by IGN
2. Doctor Who Commander Decks
Launched in late 2023, these Commander decks capture each Doctor's era with unique mechanics and familiar companions. Suspend and time travel effects bring the show's theme to the game. They also introduced Planechase cards themed around episodes and locations from the series.
3. Warhammer 40,000 Commander Decks
Commanders from the Warhammer universe joined MTG in 2022 through four prebuilt decks. Each one follows a different faction, like Necrons or Chaos. The art and abilities pull directly from Warhammer lore, making it every fan's dream. Interestingly, every card had brand-new, non-reprinted designs.
4. Stranger Things Secret Lair
This 2021 Secret Lair delivered characters like Eleven and The Demogorgon as new Legendary Creatures. The cards introduced a "Friends Forever" mechanic, which replaced the partner mechanic. Unique among crossovers, this one tied directly into the show's themes of found family and supernatural conflict.
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5. Fallout Commander Decks
These decks dropped in early 2024, adapting factions, including the Brotherhood of Steel and the New California Republic. Mechanics such as radiation counters and scavenging mimic Fallout's world. They include Vault Boy-style card art, plus new cards for dog companions like Dogmeat.
Fallout: Magic the Gathering Commander Decks - Unboxing By Battlegrounds Game Center
6. Street Fighter Secret Lair
Part of a 2022 Secret Lair drop, this collab features core characters, including Ryu and Chun-Li. Each one's card mechanics reflect fighting game actions—Chun-Li even uses multikicker. Alternate versions were later printed under MTG canon names through Universes Within.
Magic The Gathering STREET FIGHTER Secret Lair UNBOXING ASMR (GAMELOOTTV) by Tiny Soldier Games
7. Marvel Secret Lair
Marvel officially joined Magic in 2024 through a multi-part Secret Lair collaboration. The drop started with Captain America: The First Avenger and plans to expand across the Marvel universe. Each release ties superhero traits to card mechanics. It was MTG’s first crossover with an active cinematic franchise.
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8. Transformers Cards (The Brothers' War Packs)
In 2022, Transformers characters were added via The Brothers' War Collector boosters. Each character has a two-sided card that flips between modes. The set also introduced the “Living Metal” mechanic. These cards used serialized numbering and showcased retro G1-style art variants.
9. Assassin's Creed Set
This set from 2024 adapts the long-running Assassin's Creed series into MTG with stealth-driven gameplay. Characters like Ezio and Altair gain mechanics that reward precision and movement. Notably, the set marks a shift from the usual Commander or Secret Lair format.
MTG 2024 Assassin's Creed Starter Kit Unboxed by MTG Unpacked
10. The Walking Dead Secret Lair
Released in 2020, this Secret Lair introduced Rick, Daryl, and Negan as playable Legendary Creatures. It was the first collab to feature mechanically unique cards. The drop sparked debate among players and pushed the Wizards to adopt Universes Within reprints as a solution.
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You've seen the wild crossovers. Now it's time to check out the cards that stood out among them.
1. The One Ring: The Lord Of The Rings: Tales Of Middle-Earth
Here's a four-mana artifact that gives protection and card draw in exchange for increasing self-damage. It skyrocketed in popularity across formats due to its flexibility. The serialized 001/001 copy sold for over $2 million.
2. The Tenth Doctor: Doctor Who Commander Decks
This version of The Doctor uses suspend and “Time Travel” mechanics to manipulate your spells’ pacing. You’ll often see him paired with Rose Tyler in Commander. With this card, flavor and function blend seamlessly, especially in time-based combo decks.
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3. Abaddon The Despoiler: Warhammer 40,000 Commander Decks
Abaddon leads the Ruinous Powers deck with a focus on cascade and aggression. His ability rewards casting spells from exile. He's become a Commander favorite, especially in chaos-themed builds that capitalize on casting unpredictably and overwhelming the board.
Warhammer 40K MTG Commander Deck: The Ruinous Powers Collectors Edition Unboxed by MTG Unpacked
4. Eleven, The Mage: Stranger Things Secret Lair
A four-mana blue-red hybrid, Eleven thrives on instants and cards in exile. Her ability powers up with every cast, representing her psychic build-up. Used in "Friends Forever" Commander builds, she fits well with combo decks that play multiple spells each turn.
5. Dogmeat, Ever Loyal: Fallout Commander Decks
This three-mana, green-white creature supports auras and junk tokens. Pulled straight from Fallout's iconic companion, Dogmeat rewards scavenging and item harmonies. You'll often find him in Voltron builds, thanks to his recursion effect that recovers tools from your graveyard every combat.
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6. Chun-Li, Countless Kicks: Street Fighter Secret Lair
Chun-Li enters with multikicker, letting you exile instants and recast them with each kick. Her design mirrors her lightning legs combo from the game. This card's value increases in spell-heavy decks, and she received a Universes Within reprint as "Zethi, Arcane Blademaster."
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7. Captain America, First Avenger: Marvel Secret Lair
This 2025 card uses Equipment in a novel way—you throw and reattach them mid-combat. The card's "Throw" mechanic simulates Cap's shield style. It fits cleanly into Boros Equipment decks and synergizes especially well with "For Mirrodin!" cards that auto-equip gear.
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8. Optimus Prime, Hero: Transformers Cards
Optimus flips between robot and vehicle modes using the "More Than Meets the Eye" mechanic. He grants +1/+0 to attackers and recycles destroyed allies. You'll see him in aggressive or artifact-themed Commander lists. Serialized versions with classic G1 art boosted collector appeal.
9. Ezio Auditore Da Firenze: Assassin’s Creed Set
As for Ezio's card, it reflects his stealth, agility, menace, and game-ending ability. It harmonizes with equipment and historical spells. He's found a solid role in Commander builds that reward subtle control and pinpoint elimination strategies.
10. Rick, Steadfast Leader: The Walking Dead Secret Lair
Rick can boost humans with vigilance and lifelink. His strength lies in straightforward tribal synergy, which makes him a common pick for white weenie decks. Released in 2020, Rick remains one of the most-played Secret Lair commanders.
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