The Best New Magic: The Gathering Product Is Not At A Store Near You | Mystery Booster 2

[@TolarianCommunityCollege]

Be sure to watch Rachel Weeks Shuffle Up & Play Commander with us here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q3m9iWWYrch4h6c and Bloomburrow w/ Reid Duke, Jim Davis, and Mason Clark here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eHjUcn1-dtmMsNk

[@DanknDerpyGamer]

MARo apparently pulled a "I thought you guys wanted less product" in responding to the criticisms of this being a con-exclusive. Like, what? Wanting a less rapid-fire release rate isn't wanting, or being OK, with what IS being printed being needlessly limited (instead of, for instance, treating MB2 like MB1). Holy disingenuousness, Batman!

[@justahumblelittleoshawott7972]

Ok out of all the product overload, THIS is the one we don’t even get?

[@Trogdorbad]

Rosewater's comment on it including a remark along the lines of "everyone's always asking for less product, not more" but in a way that felt way snarkier was particularly unneeded. No, Mark, that isn't what we mean when we say "we want less product." We mean we want more than a month's breathing time between products, less garbage products like Epilogue/Beyond Boosters, and more stuff akin to MB2. The real product fatigue is the onslaught of questionable sets with no downtime, not necessarily the actual quantity.

[@gusty7153]

​@@Trogdorbadi can agree with this. like they just need to slow down and take more time to flesh out the sets. it was that simple

[@koolaiddude7685894]

So you want product overload, just as long as it seems valuable. Bloomburrow is super popular and seemed the same way, but terrible monetarily to open.....why tf arent we learning lessons lmao....WHO CARES THAT YOU CANT JUST MASS BUY BOXES TO RIP. 9.5/10 people wouldnt even draft with em. Just opening for a chance at a rare treatment and more bulk. Stop buying boxessss.

[@justinleach4775]

@@TrogdorbadThis sucks when you don’t use the context - it’s just mining for grievances. He literally says in his post that the reason this product even exists is because part of the Conventions budget was used to create it, specifically for Conventions (and, subsequently, Festival in a Box for folks who can’t/don’t attend cons). This wasn’t simply “you guys said you didn’t want any more product, so nyeh!”, but him acknowledging that the release schedule is already packed and set for the next several years, so budget aside there wasn’t even room for this as a retail release anyway. Yeah, I want a box of it too. I also know that MB1 probably wouldn’t have gone retail if the convention circuit hadn’t shut down for a year for COVID. I’m willing to accept that this decision wasn’t made with as much mustache-twirling as has been implied. EDIT: To get ahead of this - sure, I’d 100% relegate Assassin’s Creed and some of the other UBs to conventions and replace them in the lineup with MB2, but we’re always gonna hurt someone else to tweak things to our preferences. I know a few people who LOVE AC or Fallout who also would not go to a convention just to get some product, so hiding it there sucks for them, too. There’s no good answer, but there is *an* answer, so I’m just trying to highlight it rather than demonizing the people involved.

[@Welverin]

@@justinleach4775 "He literally says in his post that the reason this product even exists is because part of the Conventions budget was used to create it, specifically for Conventions (and, subsequently, Festival in a Box for folks who can’t/don’t attend cons)." Just because it was created using the convention budget doesn't mean they can't release it outside of conventions.

[@Lord_Evidar]

You know what really sucks for stores? They're forced to take on product that just rots on shelves, like aftermath and the set-specific jumpstart boosters, but when something like this comes along and it's clearly very popular and desireable, they're not allowed it.

[@kyuuno]

Well they clearly want that middleman out of the equation. But they also want the middleman to set up the playing tables for them.

[@jumpkicking]

Whoever decided this is stupid. Point and case. Some one really fucked up here and I honestly would fire this person if I were wotc, I'd fire them without pay and sue them for damages, both financially and the reputation. wotc have been doing awful lately and we need people to really speak up and call for the company to find a new ceo. Who in their right mind would greenlight this?

[@marcoottina654]

@@jumpkicking what if this idea's parents are just Hasbro & Stakeholders? WotC can't fire their superiors ... and WotC do not have the courage to close everything, detach from Hasbro and create a brand new company that is "backward-compatible with M:tG cards"

[@jumpkicking]

@@marcoottina654 That's not really how corporate works, there are departments for everything. Someone in some department for marketing and sales came up with this, and it was greenlit.

[@marcoottina654]

@@jumpkicking hum, yes it might be; or a mix of all. I guess we'll never know.

[@yaginku]

The fact that Mark Rosewater said they won't bring Myster Booster 2 to stores because "players complaints about too much product releases" is so offensive it goes all the way to being borderline hilarious. Ah yes, the players would definitely prefer two more Universes Beyond and five Secret Lairs instead of a set that actually refers to Magic.

[@Trogdorbad]

Wait, you mean to tell me you *don't* think 7 card boosters for an outside IP no one asked for is less exciting to you than Mystery Booster 2? Surely you jest!

[@RBGolbat]

Mark never said it wouldn’t go to stores. He just said it was paid for by the convention budget and that that’s where it is currently, no one has said directly it will never be in stores.

[@adrianparra4442]

If the universes beyond is elden ring, I wouldn’t be mad.

[@koolaiddude7685894]

​@@RBGolbatShhhhh that doesnt go along with the current narrative of hating on magic while also taking out a second mortgage for the game.

[@23345star]

I'll pass on MB2 but bro lemme get March of the Machine Aftermath 2!

[@THEInkedPotassium]

So let me get this right. WOTC released a million products one after another, then proceeded to announce an absolutely insane product that will make players fall in love with the game again, and then proceeded to NOT release it into the stores???? God thats just horrendous.

[@seasnek7024]

It's ironic

[@verscott]

thats why you can buy it online from wizards. you arent being shorted anything.

[@ManaRocks665]

@@THEInkedPotassium Because its conception and budget came from conventions. It makes perfect sense that they would want it to be convention exclusive.

[@ChimneyCrab737]

​@@verscottin a very limited quantity for a very limited time that many people wont be able to get, what a bad take

[@jeffreyfellows8061]

That's Hasbro for you they want to make people buy the secret lairs it's not the same like buying an actual booster box Hasbro does not understand that. They are a liberal piece of crap ran company. They'll run it into the ground unfortunately they'll take wizards of the Coast with it which is sad.

[@pretty_fly_for_a_jeskai]

"Please take my mo-" WotC: "nah."

[@Continuum7]

I agree. They seem to overload on Universes Beyond product releases (I have zero interest in) but then when it comes to OG MTG art/lore cards are like "nah".

[@Wingnut202]

The most WOTC product of all time. Release the OG which was panned until it was opened and became universally loved, then seeing the success, make a followup and absolutely botch it, for no good or even logical reason at all, literally sabotaging their own sales, creating huge backlash. No other company can snatch defeat from the jaws of victory like WOTC.

[@theinsane102]

these cards cost a penny to print and yet they horde them like gold.

[@lalosalazar3102]

They don't want you to get mystery boosters, they want you to attend the convention

[@kevinrohan9209]

Shop owner here. I'm guessing that this MB2 will be the Christmas Release, so they can show how they listened to the fan base, or use the demand for it to justify the 4-week release schedule for product that has driven most of my players to buying only singles instead of sealed product like they used to. Maybe both; they're not mutually exclusive.

[@subzero308]

Buying sealed is a waste of money sadly... Singles is the only way to go.

[@kevinrohan9209]

@@subzero308 you're not wrong, but that takes MTG from one of the tent poles of most game stores and turns it into a side hustle for the store.

[@Badbufon]

​​@@subzero308ideally it has to be the other way around, otherwise stores get burned by bad boxes and everyone loses

[@Greg501-]

The demand is so obvious, but it may take a bit to build up the supply, they wouldn't want to mess up the acorn stamp again... let alone the other varieties. There's no way this "controversy" isn't just a marketing ploy so they can announce the retail release in a few months when they can match how much they think it will sell.

[@natanoj16]

@@subzero308 I buy sealed products for 2 reasons: Draft and Sealed play.

[@DragoSmash]

"Tough luck, Latin America....again" exactly my thoughts, thanks for acknowledging us, prof!

[@aether6293]

Good to see that prof knows of our existence. Considering that apparently WOTC doesn't

[@SarumanTheStupid]

Wait, you guys exist?! Welcome to existence, ​@@aether6293!😊

[@xChikyx]

nah, por eso desde que sacaron el secret lair de the walking dead yo no volvi a comprar producto oficial de magic. Ahora solo proxys. Que se jodan los de wizards

[@Strinching]

Prof is a man of the people! 😊

[@raonair]

@@aether6293 Prof made videos with Brazillian creators before, it was very cool

[@PolarClimateMusic]

We need EVERYONE to make this video, MB2 needs to go in stores. Thank you, Prof, for spreading the word :)

[@jakehr3]

There's no way that's happening. If logistically they planned for limited sales and conventions, they just aren't going to be able to revamp that production line for what would be needed to get it out to LGS or even box retailers.

[@Patriotic_Eagle1995]

The idea that Hasbro cares what you think is simply adorable 😂

[@burnsboy101]

@@jakehr3the same thing happened to the first mystery booster, it was convention only first

[@Fake_Name_MTG]

They can make another print run. They did it before with the Convention Edition. As for the Secret Lair, that will just be a one-off.

[@MasterFallenHero]

"Magic is too expensive" WoTC "hold my beer"

[@Nerd_Detective]

I can't believe Wizards didn't credit the artist for the all-white Whiteout! Some poor intern had to thanklessly click the fill tool in Paint!

[@NamelessAidan]

Also having an artist credit on it would make it even funnier.

[@dotmp3883]

i mean unironically there shouldve been an artist credit for whoever's idea it was, they still made the art regardless of what it looks like (even if they werent the person who filled it in with a black box themselves)

[@dotmp3883]

*blank

[@ScornfulEg0tist]

Illustrated by the magic the gathering community

[@utopia039]

I just stared playing magic about a year ago and I love building and play testing decks. Seeing a product as cool as this one with so many great reprints, arts, and fun playtest cards only to be gatekept from it by the creators themselves is absolutely soulcrushing...

[@xChikyx]

just proxy everything that's what i started doing after 10 years of wasting money on cardboard

[@lvcsslacker]

I'm in the same box.

[@jamesieboy666]

There are so many cool cards in this set that I want, the nostalgia levels are off the chart, it makes me sad the secondary for alot of them will be ridiculous if this remains a super limited set, and that sucks. My wallet is going to hate me.

[@charlieawerbuch5352]

Rosewater's explanation for why they aren't releasing it to the public is such a slap in the face. "Players have been complaining about an overload of product, so we decided not to release this "Ode to Magic" set to the general public." This set is the stuff we want!!!!!!! We don't want another 15 Secret Lairs and several mini sets that just bloat the release schedule. We want the fun stuff, the good stuff.

[@VladdViever]

This coming from the same company that printed 100 dollar proxy boosters makes this less of a stretch logically for them sadly.

[@verscott]

all products you dont have to buy and stores don't have to commit to buying 6 months in advance.

[@f99140]

That’s just bad faith tbh, he obviously knows this isn’t the real reason. Shameful.

[@Snow_Fire_Flame]

That wasn't really Rosewater's explanation, though. He said that the Conventions team wanted some cool exclusive to get people to come to conventions, and the team made one for them. You're free to dislike that explanation too, but that's what he said - the product overload was more of a side comment.

[@vyvy-16]

I wouldn't blame R&D for the bloat. I doubt they get a say on who their brand is going to partner with. They're probably being shoved Universes Beyond down their throats as much as the players are.

[@rcarey268]

It's crazy even that if it is offered at a convention, they didn't even say you can purchase a box there, you have to register in an EVENT. I spent my days at MTGcon Chicago on line with artists so I wouldn't even have time to play the draft.

[@aalang]

Because people would buy boxes and resell them. During mystery booster one, they would even open the packs because people were signing up, getting their packs and dropping ftom the draft.

[@Ferreira0PH]

Here in Brasil we trade the FOMO for the certainty of knowing we don't matter to Wotc

[@JohnRNewAccountNumber3]

Brasil? Is that in Nevada? In Canada we get product but the act of having to send it across the border means auto-markup. But I guess it could be worse. My condolences.

[@subzero308]

Don't worry we aren't cared about here in the US either.

[@amberhernandez]

They wiped out an entire language of print, making the game less accessible to players across the world. Fuckin' shameful what they did to you folks.

[@zoolog2012]

why not play it in english... the good ol` way¿

[@indighost4423]

I don't live in the US... i have no access to either conventions or secret lairs unless they are brought here at a big mark up. I really wanted to open a few packs, but i will probably never be able.

[@brendans1983]

I honestly think the postage costs will be higher than the product itself. It happened with Secret Lair for at least a year down here in Australia, until they shrunk the package to that envelope. And Festival In A Box is a little bigger than an envelope...

[@chemicalexposure8537]

I heard abt MB2, and thought "hey that sounds neat", and then I starting seeing photos of white border daze and wasteland and uro, future sight underworld breach and brainstorm and swords to ploughshares, and I thought "these cards are gorgeous, I absolutely want to get in on this, I heard MB1 was in stores too!" And then I saw Gavin's tweet saying it's not coming to shelves near me, and I genuinely don't think I've ever been so disappointed in my life. this set looks like a total blast and I would like to play it but because I can't justify travelling to events, I don't know if I'll ever get a chance for it, and that sucks!

[@blakec1924]

Nothing like making sure people have tremendous FOMO and drive spikes in any mythical secondary like ensuring John and Jane Public can't have ready access to it.

[@captainkarnage9874]

Remember when they sent out Mystery Booster boxes to our LGSs for free during covid to help them stay afloat Pepperidge Farms remembers

[@icecube98ify]

To share my anecdote about the cost of cons, I went to Gen Con and it cost about $700 for hotel, food, and transport. And then another $150 for 4-day entry plus a $20 "service charge" and shipping for the badge ($15 for shipping was optional to be transparent, but still, that's a bit of an absurd cost for shipping). That's ~$850 just to get in the door. Counting the various amounts of entry fees to the events then on top of the above likely brought it to almost $1000. You be the judge if this is ok or not. (Spoiler: it's not ok. $150 for a full weekend pass is overpriced as you then still have to pay for all the internal events)

[@quillquickcard8824]

So let me get this straight: in order to get the magic experience I'm actually looking for... the cost to me now is... the cost of attending a convention? The monetary cost, the time, the travel... all of that...

[@MSUHitman]

Or be able to get through the online queue to get the Festival in a Box.

[@allennewhausen2541]

Yes! And if Wizards was given the choice between making this experience available to everyone or not making it all, they never would have created it in the first place.

[@aalang]

Just like if people want to experience live bands, events, etc.

[@hakanbrakankrakan]

@@aalang If you want to go to a concert but can't afford it, you can still listen to the music online for free, though. These are endlessly reprintable pieces of cardboard that loads of people would want to simply buy, yet wotc stops this for absolutely no reason.

[@rathlord]

Hope you aren't like me and have real world hangups like... I don't know, a baby coming that you'll need to take care of probably for the entire time this product is available. Oh well, sucks to be me I guess I'll never get this product I'm wildly interested in (because we know the SL drop will be sold out by scalpers seconds after posting and everyone else will be stuck on the broken fucking website for hours only to not get anything).

[@thechikage1091]

Good thing I have my own Mystery Booster 2. (It's my partner's 2 tote tubs stuffed with magic cards from the 90s that their dad used to play with that we're going to sort this weekend)

[@glimmer8965]

by golly

[@Shinius]

Imagine if this was the product for Magic 30 and was widely available to everyone. Would've been an absolute slam dunk for everyone.

[@MrBragle]

MB2 will be in stores, but it will be either later in year or xmas. They are generating fomo to get a boost of sales of magic fests. Remember, MB1 didnt have the play test cards in regular boxes, only magic fest versions

[@lvdp7846]

You totally nailed all points, Prof. I never understand why the companies that rely on their customers and should want them to be happy so they keep buying their products, hit them with more and more disappointing decisions, resulting in fewer people wanting and even being able to play the actual thing, like mystery booster 2.

[@modx5534]

The first and last mtg booster box I ever bought was a mystery booster box. I really enjoyed the product since each and every booster felt like a throwback to my childhood when I started playing magic for the very first time. Unfortunately, I had no opportunity to draft with mystery booster boxes at the time. Now I finally have a playgroup to draft with but wotc apparerently does not want my money anymore... sad day indeed 😅. I really hope they change their minds. Thank you prof for spreading the word 😊.

[@rsn118]

I am exclusively a commander player, this mystery box 2 thing sound really kool. First half of this video: wow! Would love some of those reprints for my collection and the playtest cards seem really fun. I may try draft format for the first time with this! Then the video continued. At this point even if they release some version of this in stores, I would just buy singles.

[@dorgfanger]

MB1 : “let’s make something that will keep our LGS partners relevant during a pandemic, while also keeping event support!” MB2 “Sorry players, you aren’t shareholders, and they keep saying the line has to go up, so this is a FOMO product to make sure they stay happy”

[@RBGolbat]

MB1 came out before Covid, and as part of wizards program to help LGS, they made the Store version of it and gave them some for free. I believe it was also supposed to be convention exclusive only, but circumstances changed that.

[@allennewhausen2541]

@@RBGolbat The retail edition of MB1 came out literally the same day that the first COVID-cancelled MagicFest's were supposed to start. I remember buying one because I had nothing else to do after my original plan of drafting MB1 convention boosters at MF Detroit all weekend were cancelled.

[@eewweeppkk]

Likening this to anything shareholder related is so disingenuous. They would make more money off of it if they sold it retail, it's relegated to conventions because the convention team made it happen.

[@ArgentIcon]

@@eewweeppkk True. As a (small time) Hasbro shareholder I want them to listen to their customers and sell them a good product. The release decision on MB2 seems more like an internal politics thing than an actual economical one.

[@caiubibarros6969]

Magic The Gathering is extremely expensive where I live. But I got to experience opening two Mystery Boosters; it's kinda sad to know that despite all the overwhelming amount of products coming out, the game simply gets harder and harder to get into.

[@chudleycannonfodder]

Thank you so much for bringing up health as an accessibility barrier. Between seeing the surge of covid SDCC and GenCon attendees got and the impact massive crowds can have on cptsd/autism, my family isn’t able to attend massive cons. I also think draft is a more fun experience to share among friends (who will also have the courtesy to test and stay home if sick and have basic hygiene) than with strangers. To be able to get a box of these in a year to play with loved ones would be really fun, but sadly fun and short-term profits are often at odds.

[@user-ld2ch8ww7z]

Thanks for speaking out for the average and casual player, prof! I feel like WotC has been appealing to collectors and higher-income players more than us lately, especially considering the limited releases and artificial scarcity with products such as the MB2 and Monty Python set :(

[@RikuAkimoto]

Ah Wizards! You never fail to disappoint me =)

[@CodyEngel]

I hope it follows the original roadmap. I'm a returning player and I've now bought 3 of the original boxes, they are such an amazing pack cracking experience and I'd be stoked to get to actually draft these this time around. This is also why almost every paid event I am doing at Magic Con Vegas are around mystery boosters.

[@johnrobertson1]

11:11 Here’s the thing: ‘being good for the player base’ is *inherently* good for business. Even if you legitimately *hate* the fanbase, from a purely selfish standpoint, you should want them to be happy. It makes you more money.

[@marcoottina654]

long-term plans to not cause the same spikes in the 3-months sells charts. So no, Hasbro & stakeholders will NOT hear about long-term plans. Just short-terms ones to get the stakeholders happy about the marketing strategies.

[@TheJeffersW]

I like the idea of delaying the retail release. Alternatively they could replace the futuresight frame and white border cards with regular frame printings in the retail edition, so that the convention edition has something unique.

[@amphilochusofmallus5070]

Wow. It's hard to quantify how disappointing that is. When you said at the beginning of the episode, not available at an LGS, I was thinking we'd have to go directly through Wizards to get it. To only be able to get it through secret lairs, or attending a convention. I am someone who cannot go into crowded places, anxiety gets way too high. So it's basically the same as saying "I will never have access to them."

[@Batrstad]

I was excited for "Insert Set Name"- but then Wizards.... Kinda the whole story of Magic at this point

[@ztanlye]

Thanks prof for not forgetting about the latam magic players, we have almost no cons here

[@Th3_Raven]

I feel like the untapped market for Secret Lairs that WotC could easily do is keeping the "Limited Supplies" options as being a special foil or serialized variant with different/special art on cards (For the scalpers and collectors who can afford it to fight over) and having the old print to order style on "regular art" for standard foil and non-foils in a more affordable fashion. More money for WotC and more accessibility for players who want to buy into the secret lair sets. This idea comes to mind thinking about how the Serialized versions of the March of the Machines Phyrexian Praetor cards had special art that wasn't available on their non-serialized variants.

[@Th3_Raven]

untapped is a bad word here. I guess "attempt to fix the problem while satisfying investor thirst for profits" is a better way to put it.

[@BeetleBuns]

wow, that sucks. Thanks rosewater, I certainly love being able to play the game you spitefully prevent us from playing. PROXY TIME!

[@simoncss1]

Absolutely! I wan som of tat Futuresight-frame goodness in some months’ time, hopefully

[@akmaneth]

why is this not surprising at this point?

[@TitoRohwedder-my1nh]

As someone who lives in EU, I am just happy that Prof mentioned some very overlooked facts.... Okay but I have to add that I am incredibly jaded at this point, the quality drop of the play boosters has hurt the sealed product beyond repair.

[@Severius33]

They really know how to get everything wrong, don't they?

[@fartface8918]

that's what profit does after all

[@seanpkrueger]

Boneheads of the Coast

[@danacoleman4007]

yes

[@-yourmother-9894]

“Stop going down the sneakerhead route” has gotta be the realest thing you’ve ever said 😂

[@wes008pwns]

It's funny that you bring up sneakerheads; I was a sneakerhead before I got into Magic, then when I did get into Magic, I realized: "great, another hobby where I can't get the product I want." 😂

[@cabuuuuum]

Thinking objectivelly of the business decision to not bring mystery booster 2 to retail stores I see only 2 possible reasons: 1 - Hasbro and WOTC genuinly think it wouldnt sell, which seems silly 2 - They know it would sell and are using outrage to get free publicity

[@valutaatoaofunknownelement197]

Realistically, likely the first. But the second is equally as plausible, but very doubled-edged of a sword if true.

[@Dstinct]

or 3 - This will increase attendance for their cons, in particular those who are on the fence. It's a logical marketing decision by the con team and why they used their budget to do it.

[@cabuuuuum]

@@Dstinct the con team definitly doesnt have the power to choose something as important as the release strategy for a whole product and the number of people going to cons arent down to justify something like this in the first place

[@deloreigames8641]

@@cabuuuuum Actually, they do and they did that exactly. Maro explained that this whole thing of MB2 existing is basically cause the guys at the Con used their budget to finance it. If they had not done that, there would not exist MB2 at all

[@Greg501-]

3 - They don't have enough of it to start selling retail and need some time to print supply

[@CaPtNcApS1]

I'm so sad that I can't get this. I LOVED the original mystery boosters and would have bought this new one in cases (or atleast multiple boxes, depending on the price...). Man, why can't we have nice things?! ._.

[@henrik7891]

Because you still give wotc your money.

[@BlitzkriegBryce]

​@@henrik7891 I really don't get how people can keep giving them money.

[@fdrehug7318]

FyI original mystery booster set didn't go to stores right away they did the same thing going to conventions and secret lairs first

[@CaPtNcApS1]

@@fdrehug7318 I do know that but still am not really convinced to ever get a box of this set...

[@Wyomingfox]

I'll point out the fact the Mystery Booster Retail Edition was supposed to retail for around $100 but when stores realized it was a limmited release they scalped the box prices up to $300 after only a couple months.

[@austingreen4775]

Its so disappointing that these wont be able to be bought in stores. Many Magic the Gathering players at my LGS were so excited for these packs and now, as far as we know, we wont be able to. Also waiting for that Behind the Campus video. Looking forward to that!

[@Redfoxe]

I absoloutley adored the first mystery booster set. M first booster box purchase. (and o far only) Was really happy when i saw this, and then ofc WOTC had to burst the fun.

[@Spartan_Mello]

I think you delay the release of MB2 by a year before it goes to retail, but I really feel that the magic of these sets are the test cards and think they should also be included in the retail version if it ever happens.

[@narvuntien]

Basically impossible for Australia, no conventions and the secret lair goes live at 4 am

[@Tornven2003]

Mystery boosters are incredibly fun to open. Can't explain the level of difference between them and other boosters. I actually enjoyed every booster opening. Something new and interesting each time. I opened them after having a stinker of a time with wilds of eldraine which despite being a good set for me was a horrific booster experience involving boosters seemingly of the same two types of duplicate cards and I opened a lot with the assumption statistically I was going to find different boosters but no. My boosters felt like "filler boosters" that should have been 1/3 of each booster box to spread the value evenly only I got all the filler packs. That's after 2 prerelease packs, 1 booster box, 6 collector boosters and 4 bundles. 80% of my boosters had the same cards from common to rare. Mystery boosters literally restored my faith in booster pack opening despite being aware that it's a totally unique experience but at least reminding myself that it doesn't always suck to open them.

[@Tornven2003]

In contrast about 60% of cards in other sets varying from 40-60% were similar but never the same. Only wilds of eldrain has been like that with me.

[@jarodwalker6095]

I am in the midst of opening a pack a day (really fun way to have something to look forward to every day) of WOE and you’re absolutely correct. It’s a rotation of the same cards over and over again. And predominately dominated by one color. I’m trying not to let my cynicism kick in but I’m starting to get annoyed that I have sometimes 6 of one card from one booster box. I get it’s all luck of the draw and buyer beware but it’s supposed to boost your collection not move laterally.

[@DDNEV]

Thank you for always advocating for the every day magic players Prof!

[@BipolarDistortion]

Honestly, the number of videos where Prof is asking WOtC to sell us things we want to buy & not cram more of what we aren't interested in is crazy. At this point, if they follow your advice they should owe you a sellers fee.

[@hayleywittridge5506]

Meanwhile back in Africa...😢 Nevermind not having access or only very limited access, even getting fancy playmats or deckboxes or sleeves is limited. Imagine having access...win,win,win for everyone as you said Prof. Thanks for being a voice.

[@JoneBone-zv1kr]

It’s such an insult to all the game stores they’ve been supporting to not let them sell this

[@lukewhitehouse4103]

It's getting harder every day to love this company and what they do

[@kurtf3441]

Goblin Gang Leader, a card that was Arena only and functionally an identical Beetleback Chief, is seeing it's first ever paper printing in this set, a set we cannot get ahold of. A relatively simple card that should be an easy to obtain staple of casual Goblin commander, is now locked behind this unobtainable set. A card that should cost about 50 cents is now going to fetch a ridiculous price by scalping casual Goblins players. Good job Wizards. Honestly I'm not even sure if this card will be considered commander legal? Since it's technically a reprint set, which usually doesn't change format legality, but perhaps "first paper printing" is an exception. If anyone knows the answer to this please let me know, thanks!

[@winter945]

There is a small chance, as reprint sets do change the legality of cards in pauper, but yeah not sure about commander

[@kurtf3441]

@@winter945 Thanks for your reply, I found an answer from the official Wizards article "What's Inside Mystery Booster 2?" "Three cards will be joining Eternal Magic with Mystery Booster 2, two of which appear in the Future Sight frame. Mardu Outrider and Goblin Gang Leader previously appeared in the MTG Arena Beginner Set, and Velukan Dragon has existed in the Magic database for over 20 years. Now, they're available for tabletop shenanigans." This quote is also particularly funny, since it completely ignores commander, their entire focus for the past however many years: "Much like the Eternal-legal printing of Arden Angel, we do not foresee these cards making an impact in any Constructed formats. Instead, they're a fun way to add different aspects of Magic history to Mystery Booster 2." Again, good job Wizards.

[@RayneClimbs]

My dad and I have been playing magic together since I was 5. This set got us so excited to play limited again, but I just got into grad school so I won’t be able to go out and buy this set. Wizards keeps pushing people like my dad and me away.

[@ShatterPalm]

Prof come on man, iss that even a question? hell yes that needs to be in stores. I adored the first mystery booster, that was one of the best things i'd ever bought, it got me some of the best reprints I'd ever needed, and it was so much FUN. Change it up so we get something other than the playtest cards though. Those aren't fun to me.

[@djskype020202]

I wish they would hire you for your insight. Every video you make has valid points that could make them more and more money. YOU know what the players want.

[@VashMaverick09]

You nailed it with every point Prof. No notes thank you hopefully Wizards listen.

[@brettvandermeer5297]

xD bro why even give yourself hope, they don't give a shit

[@marcoottina654]

It won't the Marketing team do not listen to the Playerbase. They just listen to Hasbro, stakeholders and marketing strategies. Full stop. Short-term gains are causing the major spikes, as well as the FOMO for a limited event (both in time and space) about a limited-access&print product. THAT's a marketing strategy is it a long-term one ? a viable one? a strategy that nourish the Playerbase and ensures more and more people will stick to Magic and spend their money in Magic? NO *_but it causes some spikes in the 3-months-period sells chart!_*

[@Hateneken]

That "tough luck latin america" hit deep 😢 Sincerely. A Latin America Magic Player 😢

[@mattwilliams82-x]

Conventions don't come to Canada so that rules alot of us out

[@brettvandermeer5297]

Yeah fuck us right

[@danacoleman4007]

oot

[@danacoleman4007]

it is SSOOOOOOO much fun to sit back and watch others run on the hamster wheel!!!! 😂😂😂

[@ktmeunier]

I haven't purchased any magic cards for the last couple years but this set is cool enough where i would seriously consider buying it. And hilariously, it's the only one i won't be able to get

[@PunKxBlacK]

As someone with a group of friends who are always drafting, playing sealed, and enjoying EDH . We would definitely buy this product. We're constantly looking for new ways to get together and mix things up and this set would be perfect for that. It's fun, offers a quick draft experience, and stays fresh with the variety of cards available. So, I was shocked to find out that it's not available at any of our local stores. We would absolutely want to draft this or at least have the option to buy it locally. I’m actually getting ready to head out for a draft right now, and I can’t believe this isn’t an option. It seems like a no brainer!

[@gwen9697]

cant wait for the the card list to be completely revealed so i can draft MB1+MB2 with my friends thru Cockatrice

[@twistedtachyon5877]

Is there a reasonable way to execute that? I'd totally draft like that if I could generate the appropriate "packs".

[@BigDaddyWes]

"Hey so we decided to make the coolest thing ever..... but you can't have it."

[@777CrimsonChaos]

I’m still waiting for them to be like “okay, we’ll do a retail version. That’ll be $350 a box, only available in limited quantities on Amazon. Good luck…”

[@bejammin2000]

Wow, it's like I got into Lorcana at just the right moment.

[@cosmaph]

As a disabled person there's already enough out there I do not and will never have access to, limiting fun play from a hobby away from people when there are ways to not do that, and they've done it before, I honestly don't see the sense in it. People who go to the conventions are already getting an exclusive experience, getting to go in the first place is a privilege. I guess people have a hard time seeing things if they've never had to go without. Its just silly cards in a silly game we all like to play, make them accessible in some manner, even if you remove some things or change some things that's fine, I think it's fun for the convention goers to get a special experience for them because they are giving their money and time to it. But I would too if I could, and there's a whole lot of other people who would too.

[@hangryherbivore]

The previous Festival in a Box Las Vegas (2023) was up for sale for weeks and did not sell out. In fact, it sold so poorly that WotC had to give away the extra stock as Magic Arena event prizes.

[@filip2175]

We're very luck to have the prof as a voice of our community.

[@danacoleman4007]

yeah, it really does seem to be helping wotc correct their behavior 😂😂😂

[@filip2175]

​@@danacoleman4007 thats corporate greed for you. But we shouldn't let that discourage us from discussing problems.

[@Nicechimicha2]

I loved the mystery booster convention edition - I managed to buy one on eBay! I hope this one is more accessible. Making it a secret lair is a joke

[@mk-Watch-9000]

Here's to hoping this video convinces Wizard's to reconsider!!!!!! Thank you Prof for looking out for us!

[@danacoleman4007]

😂😂😂

[@MeatSauce.]

Happy 11th anniversary of the greatest channel of the magic the gathering committee, I hope the best for you and the channel Professor. Thanks for teaching me the rops of mtg

[@heirkaiba]

Who even likes white border cards? ….. Oh wait I do, but I can’t buy it.

[@HangerHangar]

I remember my white boarder cards, we played unsleeved on cement slabs/similar so had markings from everything (when I was a teen)

[@MuscleMTG]

Yu Kan

[@venomturtle17]

As much as I would love for Mystery Booster 2 to be a retail product, I also understand that the conventions team at WOTC using a significant portion of their budget to fund this product means I won't get this retail. If it does go retail, I think the convention team should get huge bonuses, and extra budget next cycle because of its success

[@Starwarsgeek12]

The money isn't coming out of their pockets, its from Wizards. Who cares? I don't have the dosh to just fly to Vegas to play at an event, let me buy the damn box.

[@RBGolbat]

If we take MaRo at his word: 1) is it a problem to have a convention only product to excite people at conventions? 2) Is it possible to make a convention only product that wouldn’t have people complaining online about not being able to get it at home? 3) Is the convention in a box limited release print run or is it print to sell?

[@Ninjplayz]

At the very least for this particular secret lair, make that print to demand so everyone can experience the product!!!

[@charlescarter7970]

"DO YOU HEAR THE PEOPLE SING, SING THE SONG OF BOOSTER PACKS, IT IS A MUSIC OF THE LGS WHO WANT'S TO RUN EVENTS!" I mean, it is cool that an event has an exclusive set, and the Secret Lair is just....ugh...but as you said, this would be a popular set and could do great things for LGS's looking to run events, especially because it is running in Q4 so it is very giftable, and a good portion of the country has hit "the crap" weather of early winter.

[@grisselbrandthegreat5567]

I hope they come to stores. I attended 4 drafts of the original. The owner of the store also had 2 of the convention boxes. It was amazing to draft that one as well.

[@Rye312]

Finally now I can play dryad arbor in my white boarder forest deck

[@RpRm]

Damn, WotC really wants to get those proxies going.

[@reks334]

I don't remember the last time in the last 5 years wizard made a good decision for the customer, it's really exhausting

[@FrankTheTank710]

so cool to see a set ill never ever see in person

[@fdrehug7318]

I would like to point out that Mystery booster 1 didnt start in game stores it came through conventions and secret lair only until months later when they finally came to local game stores. Seems like MB2 is following the same release path😊

[@MTGWithMike]

Love your channel sir! I appreciate the content you put out for the Magic community. Many Blessings to you Sir!

[@origaminosferatu3357]

The whole point of the O.G. Mystery Booster was that it was played IN STORES. That's what made it so great! Best draft ever!

[@Welverin]

No, it too was a convention thing, that got a retail release largely because the pandemic shut stores down so they looked for an alternative way of getting it out.

[@allennewhausen2541]

@@Welverin The retail release was literally the same day that the first COVID-cancelled MagicFests were supposed to begin in March 2020, which was only four months after the Convention Edition boosters released. Those had nothing to do with the pandemic. What you're thinking of, I think, is when Wizards released the convention booster boxes to stores at some point in 2021 that Wizards was still sitting on after the conventions they were *planning* on using them at were cancelled.

[@marcoottina654]

"how was the Mystery Booster 2 experience?" "For you, well, **a mystery** ..."

[@SlyFox454]

Sitting up here in southeast Alaska wondering why WotC hates me.

[@KarkatTamer413]

One reason it isnt being released in stores is the convention team paid for it out of their funds to have a thing exclusive to conventions. So it was either have it exclusive or not have it at all because they dont have the funds for that. Its a shame and i hope they release it in stores sometime in the future but its more understandable from that lens at least for me.

[@fartface8918]

quite evil that it was decided a executive 14th yacht was more important over a. funding the product in house b. the convention executive not getting all the money

[@marcoottina654]

how can WotC not have enough funds to print a fucking trillions of copies of it? It's just an excuse

[@overmused]

I was fine mystery booster 1 being a convention exclusive with the playtest cards. I don't really see any benefit to those outside of neat things that are fun to play in the moment. What I am not fine with are really great reprints in unique frames (and foils!) that are locked behind not only a draft format, but a convention-exclusive draft format. Maybe I'm part of the problem but I'd definitely buy $30 collector boosters of this product to get my hand on "future-frame" foils.

[@NightmareFuelsYou]

Hasbro CEO should be fired

[@WCD_Media]

I honestly had no interest in the play test cards from mystery booster one, so their exclusion from that retail set was actually a plus for me. Id rather have needed reprints than test play cards that may never become actual cards for the game. So if WOTC wanted to do the same with a possible retail version of Mystery 2, Id be all for it. I can't really afford sealed products right now anyway, so flooding the secondary market with reprints to bring the price down, honestly makes my day. Which is why I champion reprint sets like the Masters Sets and The Horizons sets. Yes, the sealed version of these products are expensive but the singles are affordable to an extent. So any reprint sets that WOTC can give us is only a good thing for the game.

[@alvarovaro1]

0:25 the (Sorry, no room for reminder text.) part shows us that Wizard didn't see your last vídeo kkk

[@sheep1633]

I’m still not sure why Wotc doesn’t think players want one of the best reprint sets to come out in years. It all just feels like them trying to get a pretty penny from any die hard fans or people that just enjoy the idea of having a look into what Magic might have ideas for in future sets