MTG Secret Lair Encyclopedia Chaos: The 3-Minute Sellout Leaves Fans Furious

Magic: The Gathering’s latest Secret Lair drop, Countdown Kit: An Encyclopedia of Magic, was supposed to be a celebration of the game’s rich history. Instead, it turned into a frustrating scramble that left thousands of fans empty-handed and angry. The $199 product sold out in minutes, and many players never even got a chance to check out.

So we want to break down what happened, how the community responded, and what Wizards of the Coast could do to make future drops feel more magical—and less maddening.

Another Disappointing Secret Lair Drop

The Encyclopedia of Magic is a limited-edition Secret Lair featuring 26 exclusive cards, one for each letter and each representing a different year in Magic’s history. It launched on October 31, 2025, and sold out in just about 3 minutes. But it wasn’t just the speed of the sellout that caused problems.

The sale was set to go live at 9 am PST like every Secret Lair before it. However, the website experienced heavy traffic the moment it opened, an hour before the sale. Loading the page was nearly impossible, and even when you thought you had it, you couldn't log in, faced with Bad Gateway pages or server errors. This delayed the launch first by 15 minutes, then by 45 minutes when the IT team was finally able to sort out the congestion.

Alas, even for those who got in, many reported being kicked out of the queue, having their carts emptied mid-checkout, or never seeing the product go live at all. Within hours, the product was listed on secondary markets for $350 or more, fueling accusations of scalping and bot abuse.

For longtime fans, it felt like déjà vu. Secret Lair drops are almost known for rocky launches, but this one hit especially hard because of its collector appeal and the sense that it was designed to be a celebration of the game we love, not a scramble.

How the Community Responded

As you would expect, the reaction online was swift and emotional. Reddit threads lit up with frustration, disappointment, and calls for change. Some players vented about being in the queue right at launch only to be booted. Others shared screenshots of empty carts and error messages.

Here’s what players had to say:

“I was in the queue at launch, got booted, and it was sold out by the time I refreshed.” —u/DarkStar7471 on r/mtg

“Why can’t they just print to demand and ship later? I’d rather wait than miss out.” —u/StonedSoldier1

Creators and influencers echoed the frustration, pointing out that the drop felt more like a lottery or a race to see who had the best internet. Others warned that the constant FOMO and limited availability could eventually push casual fans away from the game.

What Can Wizards Do to Fix It?

The good news is that this isn’t an unsolvable problem. Whether they care to solve it though, is a different story.

Here are just three practical ways Wizards of the Coast could improve the Secret Lair experience and rebuild trust with the community.

1. Bring Back Print-to-Demand

One of the best things about early Secret Lair drops was the print-to-demand model. Fans had a full window to place orders, and Wizards printed exactly what was needed. Reintroducing this, even for 24 to 48 hours, would dramatically reduce scalping and make the experience feel fairer. Let everyone have access while preserving the exclusivity.

2. Improve Queue Transparency

If you’re going to use a queue system, make it clear and accurate. Show accurate estimated wait times, make sure carts don't empty by themselves, and let players know what’s happening quickly.

3. Enforce Purchase Limits

The current purchase limit for most sets is five, which is a lot. Limit purchases to one to two, require an account, and use address verification to prevent bots and bulk buyers from scooping up inventory. This won’t eliminate scalping entirely, but it will slow it down and give more fans a chance.

Secret Lair Should Feel Special—Not Stressful

At its best, Secret Lair is a celebration of Magic’s creativity, art, and community. It’s a chance to own something unique, beautiful, and meaningful. But when fans are left out and flippers profit, the real magic fades into frustration.

Wizards has an opportunity to learn from this drop and make future releases more inclusive, transparent, and joyful. Because at the end of the day, Magic is about connection, and no one wants to feel like they missed out because the system implemented by choice failed them.