MetaZoo Monday Recap (September 8th, 2025)
This week’s MetaZoo Monday, hosted by Anonymous Bob, was quieter than some past sessions — but it still brought a major reveal and some meaningful updates. The Dark set officially has a name, and the community got fresh insight on conventions, chase cards, and even a new community-driven play format.
Secret Shadows Revealed as the Next Dark Set
The biggest news of the night was the announcement of the next Dark-themed set: Secret Shadows. While limited card art or story details have been unveiled yet, the title hints at a darker narrative turn and new opportunities for design. Combined with confirmation that the set will feature a smaller overall card list at 173 cards (not including Alt Arts, Hidden Rares or Legend Rares), Secret Shadows may represent a more focused release with a sharper chase structure.
As promised, MetaZoo fans were also greeted with the first official spoiler of Secret Shadows! MetaTwo chose to spoil a fan favorite that makes its long-awaited return to the Zoo: Bunny Man. If this art is any indication, Secret Shadows will be filled with the dark art that MetaZoo fans have come to expect. Take a look at the spoiler below!
Convention Updates: Skipping NYCC, Heading to Atlanta
One of the first community questions was about New York Comic Con. Bob was straightforward:
The decision suggests MetaZoo is pacing its major convention appearances more carefully after the relaunch, possibly saving New York for when the game’s momentum has built further.
In the meantime, Atlanta Collect-A-Con is locked in. Bob spoiled the new promo and confirmed that artist Jett Yates will be in attendance, signing and doodling on cards. He encouraged collectors:
Behind the Scenes: Artists and Chase Cards
The artist selection process came up during the chat. Bob explained:
He encouraged artists or fans to reach out to him directly through Discord of Instagram. (Editor's Note: Bob, make Spookybabe23 a full time artist!)
The discussion then turned to alternate art boxes, with concerns that vendors sometimes buy product just for the alt box and dump the rest for low prices. Bob acknowledged the issue, saying:
No details have been shared yet, but based on MetaZoo’s history, the new chase could take the form of serialized cards outside of OP, redemption-style mechanics, or even a new rarity tier to balance value across the product line, though with Legend Rares already on the table, this may not be the route they take.
Community Spotlight: Pack-Rip Tournaments
The session also highlighted the creativity of the player base. Community member TMX mentioned an upcoming “rip 10 packs and build a deck” tournament in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Bob’s reaction was enthusiastic:
At its core, the format is simple: every player opens a set number of packs — in this case, ten — and constructs a deck solely from what they pull. The rules strip away the advantage of carefully optimized lists and reward adaptability, card knowledge, and quick thinking. For newer players, it lowers the barrier to entry since no pre-built collection is needed. For veterans, it creates a fresh challenge that levels the playing field.
These kinds of grassroots formats have long been part of the DNA of trading card games. Limited-style play is a cornerstone in Magic: The Gathering, and “cube drafts” thrive in communities that want a different kind of competitive fun. Seeing MetaZoo players organically spin up their own versions suggests there’s an appetite for official support of limited formats. It also reinforces how collectible and playable the packs themselves are — a point MetaZoo could lean on for future organized play initiatives.
Closing Thoughts
This week’s MetaZoo Monday may not have been packed with announcements, but it still delivered plenty to chew on. The Dark set’s name reveal — Secret Shadows — stood out as the headline, joined by updates on Atlanta CAC, the absence of NYCC, a new chase in the works, and the creativity of the community on display.
Even in a quieter session, MetaZoo showed its knack for keeping fans guessing about what’s around the corner.
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