With so many Magic: the Gathering Secret Lair drops coming out each year, especially flashy crossovers like Final Fantasy or artist-themed collections, it can be hard to know which ones are worth your money.

Whether you’re a casual kitchen table player or a seasoned tournament grinder, choosing the right Secret Lair to preorder can seriously enhance your deck’s look, value, and personal vibe. But aesthetics aren’t everything. If you’re going to spend your cash, it helps to have a method.

Here are three practical ways to figure out which Secret Lair drops are the best fit for your MTG deck.

1. Check for Deck Compatibility First

Start by asking the most basic question: Do you actually run any of the cards featured in the drop? You’d be surprised how often people buy Secret Lairs because they might build that deck one day. Don’t do that. If the drop includes cards you already play in Commander, Modern, or your go-to Standard brew, that’s a strong sign it’s worth preordering. Look at your list—if more than one or two cards in the drop are direct upgrades or style boosts to your current deck, that’s value right there.

2. Compare the Price to Singles on the Secondary Market

Before preordering, do a quick check of the individual card prices from the drop on sites like TCGPlayer or CardKingdom. Add up the total value of the cards if you bought them as singles—foil or non-foil, depending on what the drop includes. If the preorder price of the Secret Lair is lower than the combined single prices, it’s a win. This is especially useful if the cards are format staples like Path to Exile, Thoughtseize, or Swords to Plowshares, which are always in demand.

3. Think Long-Term—Collector and Trade Value

Even if you’re not planning to play all the cards right now, some Secret Lairs hold their value extremely well or even appreciate over time. Limited prints with unique art, popular franchises (like Final Fantasy or The Walking Dead), or fan-favorite characters tend to do well in the long run. If you’re on the fence but think the art is cool or the crossover has wide appeal, it might be worth preordering as a trade piece or future collector item. Just don’t bank on every drop being a gold mine—stick with what feels personally or strategically valuable.

In the end, buying a Secret Lair should be part passion, part strategy. If you love the art, run the cards, and can justify the price compared to market value, it’s a solid pick. Don’t fall into the hype trap—use these three filters and you’ll end up with a drop that actually enhances your deck, your binder, or your future trade game.

Thank you for reading, and until the next blog post.