The Secret Lair Street Fighter drop is here, and it’s generating a lot of buzz in the Magic: The Gathering community. As a content creator for streetsounds.net, I’m diving into these new cards to give you an early look at their potential impact on Commander and which cards might be worth picking up now. This isn’t going to be a drawn-out analysis; let’s get straight to the point and speculate on what’s hot in the world of Street Fighter Mtg.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23255051/fe7a8db26eda00ea29132c76aa5d720c.png)
Zangief, the Red Cyclone
Zangief is a beefy creature with Lure, but the real spice is his ability to force opponents to sacrifice creatures when they block and die. While Lure effects aren’t groundbreaking, the sacrifice trigger offers a unique angle for Commander deckbuilding. For speculation purposes, let’s consider cards that synergize with this forced blocking and sacrifice theme.
Augmenter Pugilist MTG card for Zangief deck
Augmenter Pugilist provides a solid baseline comparison. Its ability to transform into a creature with increasing power and toughness shows the potential of proactive threats in Commander. While not directly related to Zangief’s mechanics, it represents a similar price point for a playable red creature.
Protector of the Crown MTG card similar to Augmenter Pugilist
Protector of the Crown, with its hexproof and ability to draw aggro, reached significant prices. While Zangief doesn’t offer hexproof, the forced blocking mechanic could make cards that benefit from creatures dying, or punish blocking, more valuable. Keep an eye on cards that work well with sacrifice effects in red and black.
Nemesis Mask MTG card for Zangief Commander deck
Uncommon cards like Nemesis Mask and Tempting Licid become more interesting in a Zangief deck. Nemesis Mask directly amplifies Zangief’s lure ability, forcing more creatures to block and potentially be sacrificed. These bulk uncommons could see a bump if Zangief becomes a popular commander.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23255052/2f6085a02013995d72b26ace9d90b24c.png)
E. Honda, the Sumo Spirit
E. Honda introduces Reach tribal as a concept, which is novel. While big-butt Doran decks exist, Reach tribal is uncharted territory. Let’s examine cards that might find a home alongside E. Honda.
Tower Defense MTG card for Reach tribal deck
Tower Defense is a classic card that fits perfectly into a toughness-matters strategy. Buffing your creatures based on their toughness is key for decks like Doran, and E. Honda could leverage similar effects.
Assault Formation MTG card for toughness based strategy
Assault Formation is another staple for toughness-based decks, allowing creatures with high toughness to become offensive threats. While E. Honda is in Selesnya colors, missing out on black’s Doran, the Siege Tower, green still offers significant toughness-matters support.
High Alert MTG card for big butt creatures
High Alert provides another way to turn toughness into offense. While E. Honda’s color identity limits access to some existing toughness-matters cards, there’s still potential to build around this theme in green and white.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23255053/6f050aecb92aac2cfa772c3693cd250f.png)
Guile, Sonic Soldier
Guile, unfortunately, seems underwhelming. Charge counters are not easily manipulated in a way that benefits his ability to tap creatures. It feels like a very fair, almost underpowered card for Commander. Despite this, Guile is a popular Street Fighter character, so there might still be player interest.
Isochron Scepter MTG card with high TCG market price
Isochron Scepter, a card with charge counters, is an interesting comparison. Its price difference between TCG Market and Card Kingdom highlights potential arbitrage opportunities, even if it’s not directly related to Guile’s strategy. This indicates that even cards with charge counters can hold value.
Dramatic Reversal MTG card to combo with Isochron Scepter
Dramatic Reversal, often paired with Isochron Scepter for infinite mana combos, shows the power of charge counter synergy in specific contexts. However, Guile’s charge counter mechanic doesn’t lend itself to similar explosive plays, making it less appealing for combo-oriented players.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23255054/9add035c97769f8edef3f4d2b7f0e7db.png)
Ryu, World Warrior
Ryu in Boros colors also appears weak. Training is a slow mechanic for Commander, and Boros isn’t known for its counter synergy. However, if you’re dedicated to a Training-based deck, there are cards that could support it.
Akroma's Will MTG card for Voltron strategies
Akroma’s Will demonstrates the payoff for investing in a single creature, as might be the case with Ryu and Training counters. Its previous price spike highlights the potential for cards that reward voltron strategies, even if Ryu himself isn’t the most efficient voltron commander. It took time, but eventually, cards supporting similar strategies can increase in value.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23255055/97ed66f466858b02b96c6690d41ce805.png)
E. Honda, Sumo Champion (Duplicate – likely meant to be another character)
(Assuming this is meant to be a different character, possibly a second look at E. Honda or another toughness-based commander, as the text refers back to toughness)
This card, again focused on toughness, is worse than it initially seems. While it might seem like it fits into the Doran toughness deck, it’s in Azorius colors, missing green, which is crucial for that archetype. It also fails to let creatures with defender attack, a key element of true toughness-matters commanders like Arcades, the Strategist. Speculation on cards specifically for this iteration of a toughness commander is likely not worthwhile.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23255056/806c1af00f3289a3308fe2021fbee245.png)
Chun-Li, Countless Kicks
Chun-Li is potentially powerful, but leans towards a generic “good stuff” combo build, similar to Taigam, Ojutai Master. This makes pinpointing specific spec targets difficult. The typical Taigam lists revolve around control elements and powerful spells, not necessarily unique synergies.
Looking at a typical Taigam, Ojutai Master “High Synergy” list reveals generic control cards like Dovescape and Seek the Truth. These aren’t particularly exciting for speculation related to Chun-Li, as they are already established control staples. Speculating on cards unique to a generic control commander is challenging.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23255058/e96df2453ce73e74189508a9c507fffa.png)
Ken, Burning Brawler
Ken is arguably better than Ryu, but still in Boros and lacks partner synergy with Ryu. Ken is an extra turn spells commander, rewarding damage dealing to cast free spells. A Sunforger strategy could be interesting with Ken, giving access to a toolbox of spells to cast for free.
Beyond extra turn spells, typical Boros good-stuff cards will likely fill out a Ken deck. Looking at example lists reveals standard Boros strategies, and doesn’t immediately highlight unique spec targets beyond established extra turn cards.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23255057/b15270e9154e629d7712cdd14c046b10.png)
Blanka, Ferocious Friend
Blanka is the most interesting for speculation. His “target yourself tribal” mechanic opens up a lot of potential, drawing from older Infect-era cards that focus on self-targeting spells.
Lashknife Barrier MTG card for Blanka self target deck
Lashknife Barrier, a cheap self-targeting spell, illustrates the type of cards that become relevant with Blanka. Its low price point and potential foil multiplier make it a possible spec target.
Shields of Velis Vel MTG card for creature type synergy
Shields of Velis Vel, while not self-targeting, showcases the broader category of “typal” spells that could see increased play.
Haze of Rage MTG card for self target spells
Haze of Rage is another self-targeting spell that could benefit from Blanka. Its potential for repeated use and the drying up stock suggest it might be a worthwhile spec target.
Crimson Wisps MTG card for red cantrips
Crimson Wisps, and similar red cantrips, become more valuable in a self-targeting strategy, offering card draw and enabling Blanka’s triggered ability. These low-cost red spells could see a price increase if Blanka gains popularity. Looking at Zada, Hedron Grinder lists on EDHREC can provide further ideas for Blanka deckbuilding and potential spec targets within self-targeting spells.
Final Thoughts
That wraps up this initial look at the Street Fighter MTG Secret Lair commanders and potential card speculation. Keep an eye on the market as players start building decks. While some commanders seem less impactful, Blanka, in particular, offers unique deckbuilding opportunities and potential for related cards to increase in value. There’s definitely potential to find some undervalued gems before the Street Fighter hype truly takes off.
