Magic’s new Welcome Decks include a Monster Hunter card that was previously canceled
Magic: The Gathering’s Secret Lair crossover with Monster Hunter faced significant criticism when it launched, plagued by both practical errors and poor card selection decisions. The set, which was intended to feature multiple offerings spanning Hunts, Hunters, and Monsters, suffered from a notable typo on the card Champion of Kotoko (which should have read Kokoto) and included cards that many players felt were underwhelming choices for a premium crossover product.
The controversy surrounding Monster Hunter adds to broader concerns about Secret Lair releases, Wizards of the Coast’s limited-time exclusive collaboration products. Previous disputes have centered on printing practices and pricing inconsistencies, with identical cards being sold at different price points to different audiences—fueling accusations of unfair monetization practices.
Developments are now bringing fresh attention to the troubled crossover. The upcoming Secrets of Strixhaven Welcome Decks will include Drakuseth, Maw of—a card apparently connected to or originating from the Monster Hunter collaboration. This inclusion suggests that despite the Monster Hunter set’s troubled reception, Wizards of the Coast is finding ways to reuse and redistribute content from that release to new audiences.
The situation highlights a tension within Magic’s collector community: while Secret Lair products generate interest through exclusive crossovers, execution issues and perceived poor value propositions continue to generate friction. The reappearance of Monster Hunter-related cards in new products suggests the publisher may be attempting to salvage value from a poorly-received release.