Pro Tour Lorwyn Transforms Standard Metagame Analysis
The anticipated Pro Tour Lorwyn Eclipsed is set to begin on January 30, 2026, in Richmond, Virginia. This closed event will run until February 1, showcasing 306 elite players from around the world competing with their Standard decks for a total prize pool of $500,000. Competitors will not only vie for cash but also for coveted invitations to the World Championship and the prestigious Pro Tour trophy.
Event Overview and Format
The Pro Tour kicks off with a Lorwyn Eclipsed Booster Draft on Friday and Saturday morning, followed by five rounds of Standard competition each afternoon. On Sunday, the Top 8 players will engage in a single-elimination match to determine the champion. Live coverage will be available on the Magic Twitch channel and the Play MTG YouTube channel, starting at 11 a.m. ET on Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. ET on Sunday.
Standard Metagame Breakdown
Standard, Magic: The Gathering’s rotating format, now includes expansion sets beginning with Wilds of Eldraine. The recent Lorwyn Eclipsed set has significantly influenced the current metagame. Deck registrations for World Championship 31 reveal a diverse array of strategies:
| Deck Archetype | Number of Players | Percentage of Field |
|---|---|---|
| Simic Rhythm | 48 | 15.7% |
| Bant Rhythm | 46 | 15.0% |
| Sultai Reanimator | 31 | 10.1% |
| Bant Airbending | 20 | 6.5% |
| Izzet Spellementals | 15 | 4.9% |
| Izzet Lessons | 13 | 4.2% |
| Dimir Midrange | 11 | 3.6% |
| Five-Color Rhythm | 9 | 2.9% |
| Other Archetypes | 145 | 47.5% |
Key Players and Strategies
Many players are focusing on mana acceleration strategies. Notably, decks centered around Badgermole Cub and Llanowar Elves have emerged as dominant forces. Approximately 34.6% of participants submitted variations of mana ramp decks, utilizing powerful payoffs to gain overwhelming advantages in games.
Highlighting the impact of recent tournaments, Tristan Wylde-Larue won the U.S. Regional Championship with a Simic Rhythm deck that emphasized Formidable Speaker and Explosive Prodigy, showcasing a strategy that has influenced deck designs in this Pro Tour.
New Cards Making a Mark
The addition of new cards from Lorwyn Eclipsed has shifted how competitive Standard decks are constructed. Among these, Formidable Speaker stands out as the most included card, featuring in 47.7% of submitted decks. Other significant additions include:
- Wistfulness – 341 total copies
- Deceit – 260 total copies
- Sunderflock – 143 total copies
Impact of Lorwyn Eclipsed
The release of Lorwyn Eclipsed has invigorated the Standard metagame by providing new archetypes and enhancing existing strategies. The prominence of Elemental cards, such as Sunderflock, alongside powerful new interactive spells, is likely to shape the outcomes of this Pro Tour.
As the tournament unfolds, players and fans alike are eager to see which strategies will dominate and who will claim the title of Pro Tour champion at this high-stakes event. For comprehensive coverage, viewers are encouraged to check out the Magic livestreams starting January 30.
