Rare Chaos Emerald Sonic MTG Cards Highlight How Secret Lair Feels Like a Lottery Now
The reveal of ultra-rare Chaos Emerald Sonic cards in Magic: The Gathering's Secret Lair drop has confirmed what many fans have long suspected — Secret Lair is starting to feel more like a gamble than a guaranteed collectible. With the addition of the vibrant, rainbow-colored Chaos Emerald variants, these drops are evolving into surprise-chase products, shifting far from their original format.
Magic: The Gathering has unveiled the bonus cards in its Sonic the Hedgehog Secret Lair—and it's safe to say the sales model has taken a turn for the worse. Among the surprises are a rebranded Command Tower dubbed Master Emerald Shrine, and a Chaos Emerald-themed version of Lotus Petal.
Unsurprisingly, the Chaos Emerald Lotus Petal is the real prize here. While Command Tower is a staple in virtually every Commander precon and easily accessible, Lotus Petal is a Legacy and Vintage-playable card that typically goes for $25 or more—sometimes even hundreds for rare printings.
No official details have been shared about the rarity of these new cards, but it looks like Wizards of the Coast is pulling the same move they did with the Chocobos in the Final Fantasy Secret Lair—releasing multiple color variants of the Chaos Emerald Lotus Petal with unknown odds.
Right now, there’s no clear information on how these will be distributed. It's likely that Command Tower (Master Emerald Shrine) will be relatively common, Lotus Petal will be much rarer, and the colored Chaos Emerald versions rarer still. Maybe we’ll get more clarity when the Sonic Secret Lair officially goes on sale July 14—but knowing Wizards’ track record with transparency, that seems doubtful.
Frankly, this slow "enshittification" of Secret Lairs is exhausting. What started as a way to sell unique, curated cards has now turned into a glorified lottery—expensive mystery packs wrapped in glossy marketing.
Secret Lair Has Officially Become a Lottery—And That’s Not What It Was Supposed to Be
By Matt Bassil, Wargamer
What frustrates me most isn’t just the gimmicky bonus cards—it’s how Secret Lair has slowly but steadily devolved from what felt like a premium, collector-focused product into what now feels like just another high-stakes gamble.
A few years ago, Secret Lair was a print-to-demand service. You paid a premium, but in return you were guaranteed exactly what was advertised—no more, no less. Now? It’s shifted to limited print runs, manufactured FOMO, and mystery bonus cards with unclear drop rates. The model has changed entirely, and not for the better.
Sure, bonus cards have been around for a while, but they used to be a fun, fixed extra—something everyone who ordered the same Lair received. They weren’t flashy or rare, and they definitely weren’t the marketing centerpiece. They were surprises, not bait.
This new direction isn’t exactly without precedent. Wizards pulled a similar move with the Fallout Secret Lair last year, hyping the possibility of getting a rare Mana Vault. I complained then too. Now, we’re seeing the same pattern again with Final Fantasy (hello, Evoke Elementals) and Sonic the Hedgehog, where the ultra-rare bonus card is Lotus Petal—and worse, there are color variants of it like collectible Chaos Emeralds. Wizards is clearly leaning into the “chase card” model harder than ever.
The writing’s on the wall: Secret Lair has become as much of a lottery as booster packs, just with better packaging. Honestly, at this point I wouldn’t be surprised to see serialized cards sneak into the next Superdrop.
Are you planning to jump into the Sonic the Hedgehog Secret Lair? Join the conversation on the Wargamer Discord. And while you're here, check out our guides to the best MTG commanders and the full Magic: The Gathering 2025 release schedule.
About the author:
Matt Bassil is Wargamer’s resident TCG obsessive. He lives and breathes Magic: The Gathering, with an ever-growing interest in Pokémon cards and an unfinished pile of miniatures threatening to take over his home. You can find his writing on RPS, Dicebreaker, and Syfy Wire—and once upon a time, he even edited content for Canon.
The Best Free War Games You Can Play Online Right Now
By the Wargamer Team
At Wargamer, we’ve played our fair share of war games—and believe it or not, some of the best experiences out there won’t cost you a thing. Whether you’re into massive multiplayer firefights, strategic showdowns, or browser-based battles, there’s a free war game to scratch that tactical itch.
We’ve rounded up our favorite free-to-play titles, from 3D shooters and battle royales to deep grand strategy sims and even a surprisingly excellent World War II card game. These games span a wide range of genres, so whether you're a twitchy FPS fan or a slow-burn strategist, you'll find something to dig into here.
And yes, many of these games feature optional in-game purchases—but each one is fully playable without spending a cent. We’ve focused on games with a fair balance between free content and unlockables, so you're not constantly getting steamrolled by players with deeper wallets.
If you want to focus in on specific sub-genres, we’ve also got dedicated guides for the best free strategy games and best WW2 games. But for now, here are our top picks for the best free war games online:
🪖 Best Free War Games Online
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Enlisted – Squad-based WW2 shooter with big battles and realistic gear
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Supremacy 1914 – Browser-based grand strategy game set in World War I
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World of Tanks – Iconic team-based tank combat with hundreds of vehicles
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War Thunder – Combined arms warfare with planes, tanks, and ships
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Conflict of Nations: WW3 – Modern-day geopolitical strategy in real-time
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World of Warships – Tactical naval battles with destroyers, cruisers, and battleships
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Call of War: WW2 – A classic WW2 strategy sim in your browser
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Iron Order 1919 – Alternate history WWI mech warfare
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Warface: Clutch – Fast-paced FPS with co-op and competitive modes
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KARDS – Deep WW2-themed card battler with solid deckbuilding
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World of Tanks Blitz – A mobile-friendly, streamlined take on WoT
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World of Warplanes – Aerial dogfights with WWII-era aircraft
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Totally Accurate Battlegrounds – A goofy, physics-driven battle royale
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MechWarrior Online – Tactical mech combat with deep customization
Every title on this list can be downloaded or played in-browser for free—no upfront cost, no hidden paywalls. Just pick your warzone and dive in.
Want to talk strategy or squad up with fellow players? Join us on the Wargamer Discord and share your favorite free war game picks!
Enlisted
Free-to-play | WW2 FPS | PC & Console
One of the newer and more impressive entries in the free war games arena, Enlisted is a gritty, squad-based World War II first-person shooter developed by the team behind War Thunder, Gaijin Entertainment. In Enlisted, you step into the muddy boots of a WW2 soldier and lead a squad of AI-controlled troops through large-scale, objective-driven battles.
What sets Enlisted apart is its deep squad system. You're not just playing as one soldier—you command an entire team. If your character is killed, you instantly switch to a surviving squadmate, keeping the action flowing and avoiding frustrating downtime. This mechanic turns every match into a more tactical, multi-layered experience, where positioning, squad composition, and coordination really matter.
Enlisted also features a broad progression system, with unlockable gear, classes, and squad types. You can specialize your troops—engineers build defenses, radio operators call in airstrikes, pilots take to the skies, and so on. Individual soldiers can be upgraded with new weapons and skills, allowing for fully customized fighting units tailored to your playstyle.
Combat takes place across distinct WW2 campaigns, each with its own factions, maps, and unlocks. From the Battle for Moscow to the Invasion of Normandy, and the later additions like the Battle of Berlin and Tunisia, each campaign offers unique scenarios and military hardware, including a variety of tanks and aircraft.
With its authentic setting, rewarding progression, and detailed squad mechanics, Enlisted stands out as one of the most compelling and polished free-to-play war games available today.
👉 Play Enlisted for free.
Supremacy 1914
Free-to-play | WW1 Grand Strategy | Browser & Mobile
If fast-paced shooters aren't your style, Supremacy 1914 offers a slower, more strategic take on warfare. Developed by Bytro Labs, this free-to-play multiplayer grand strategy game drops you into the early 20th century, placing you in control of one of dozens of nations during World War I—alongside up to 499 other players, both human and AI.
While it doesn’t aim for deep historical accuracy or simulation-level complexity, Supremacy 1914 shines as a large-scale alternate history sandbox. Each game unfolds differently, thanks to flexible mechanics, diplomacy, and unique traits for each playable country. Whether you're forging alliances, managing resources, or waging war across vast maps, there's plenty of variety and strategic room to maneuver.
It’s not quite Hearts of Iron IV—don’t expect the same depth or intricate systems—but it doesn’t try to be. For a free, low-stakes dive into WW1 grand strategy that you can play in your browser or on your phone, Supremacy 1914 is a fun and surprisingly engaging pick.
👉 Play Supremacy 1914 for free.
World of Tanks
Free-to-play | Vehicular Combat | PC, Console, Mobile (Blitz)
A long-standing favorite in the free-to-play space, World of Tanks delivers explosive, fast-paced armored warfare across a wide range of dynamic maps. Hop into one of hundreds of historically inspired tanks and dive into chaotic 15v15 skirmishes across European fields, city ruins, and mountainous terrain.
Though it leans more arcade than sim, World of Tanks isn’t mindless shooting. You’ll need to master tank angling, weak point targeting, and flanking maneuvers to outplay opponents. Whether you’re looking for quick, adrenaline-fueled firefights or deeper tactical play, there’s plenty to sink your treads into.
The game also boasts a passionate community of tankers, some of whom have mastered every branch of the tech tree, but newcomers will still find it accessible and fun from the first match. Join a clan for tournament play and earn extra rewards—or just jump in casually with friends for a blast of action.
History lovers will appreciate the vast collection of over 400 tanks from the U.S., U.K., USSR, Germany, China, and more—each modeled with impressive attention to detail. With steady progression, satisfying upgrades, and tight gunplay, World of Tanks remains a go-to title for fans of armored warfare.
👉 Play World of Tanks for free. For mobile players, check out World of Tanks Blitz for a streamlined version on the go.
War Thunder
Free-to-play | Combined Arms Sim | PC, Console
What makes War Thunder stand out among free war games is its incredible breadth: it combines air, land, and naval combat into one cohesive experience. You’re not limited to just one mode—hop into a tank, take off in a fighter jet, or command a warship, all in the same game.
Land battles feature deeper mechanics than its cousin World of Tanks, with realistic armor penetration, module damage, and positioning tactics. Naval warfare leans into teamwork and objective play, while aerial combat ranges from fast-paced arcade dogfights to full simulation-style battles with detailed flight models.
The game's flexibility caters to all skill levels. Newcomers can enjoy simplified controls and instant action, while sim veterans can dive into more complex, realistic scenarios through custom and simulator battles. Its extensive tech trees offer hundreds of historically inspired vehicles from dozens of nations, and you’ll unlock more as you gain experience or invest in premium currency.
With its constant updates and vast vehicle variety, War Thunder is a powerhouse of free-to-play military action.
👉 Play War Thunder for free.
Conflict of Nations: WW3
Free-to-play | Modern Strategy MMO | Browser, Steam
If you enjoy long-form, global-scale warfare, Conflict of Nations: WW3 is a modern-day strategy MMO that puts you at the head of a nation during a fictional World War III. Developed by the creators of Supremacy 1914, it builds on that formula with updated tech, units, and geopolitics.
You’ll manage military expansion, economic development, and diplomacy in real-time campaigns that can last days—or even weeks. Matches can feature up to 140 players depending on the map, making for tense alliances, betrayals, and high-stakes decision-making.
Units include modern forces like MiG-29 fighter jets, stealth bombers, and Leopard 2 tanks. Nukes and cruise missiles are on the table too—if you’re willing to deal with the political fallout.
It’s a deep, persistent strategy game best enjoyed by players who like long-haul planning and tactical thinking.
👉 Play Conflict of Nations: WW3 for free.
World of Warships
Free-to-play | Naval Warfare | PC
No, not that WoW—World of Warships takes the formula of World of Tanks and sails it out to sea. Take command of massive warships and battle it out in team-based naval skirmishes, where every decision counts and coordination is key.
At a glance, it’s an accessible arcade shooter, but there’s surprising tactical depth. Planning your ship’s movement, timing your salvos, and coordinating with allies to control choke points is the path to victory. Managing lead time on your shots while steering a massive destroyer through hostile waters makes for high-tension, rewarding matches.
With over 450 ships spanning WWI through the early Cold War—from destroyers to aircraft carriers—naval history buffs will feel right at home. Each ship has its own strengths, playstyle, and quirks, offering rich variety in combat.
Whether you're looking for quick competitive battles or strategic naval warfare, World of Warships delivers.
👉 Play World of Warships for free.
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