Back in May, Wizards of the Coast unveiled a Magic: The Gathering Secret Lair release titled “Goblin Storm.” Featuring the distinct, chaotic style of renowned illustrator and goblin aficionado Dakota Cates—better known as Wizard of Barge—the collection was a hit with the community. However, as is often the case with these limited drops, the product vanished from store shelves almost instantly, leaving a large contingent of Cates’ dedicated fanbase empty-handed and frustrated.
The situation escalated when Cates mentioned that Wizards had only provided him with a single copy of the deck. While the artist maintains no authority over the manufacturing or supply chain logistics, he sought to rectify the situation by offering his followers a way to celebrate the artwork outside of the elusive card set. On July 10, he launched the Goblin Storm Side Quest Kickstarter. The campaign aims to provide a curated selection of playmats, card sleeves, and various accessories that highlight his signature aesthetic and his deep-seated appreciation for all things goblin.
Image: Wizard of Barge
The response has been overwhelmingly positive, with the campaign amassing nearly $280,000 to date. Depending on their pledge tier, backers can secure up to nine exclusive playmats showcasing the artwork from the original deck, alongside the artist’s first-ever line of custom card sleeves and deck boxes. As an added incentive, Cates is also raffling off artist-proof Mountain cards that he designed specifically for the project.
The friction surrounding the “Goblin Storm” drop ultimately stems from Wizards of the Coast’s restrictive print-run policy rather than the artist himself. For years, players have criticized this approach, arguing that it creates an environment where scalpers can easily hoard inventory and inflate secondary market prices. While Wizards has consistently defended this stance, citing logistical hurdles that prevent a return to the “print-on-demand” model used for earlier Secret Lair releases, recent shifts suggest a potential change in tide.
Just last week, the company revealed a new print-on-demand charity Secret Lair, fueling speculation that a wider policy pivot might be on the horizon. Although it is highly improbable that more “Goblin Storm” decks will be printed, Cates has certainly provided his audience with an excellent alternative, ensuring his fans can still own a piece of the project.
The Goblin Storm Side Quest Kickstarter campaign concludes on August 3.
Source: Polygon
