Pro Tour Lorwyn Day One Highlights Shine Bright
Pro Tour Lorwyn Eclipsed kicked off in snowy Richmond, Virginia, marking the start of the 2026 competitive Magic season. The event commenced with a moment of silence for legendary player Kai Budde, followed by the presentation of the Kai Budde Player of the Year trophy to Ken Yukuhiro, the 2025 Player of the Year. Over 300 competitors gathered for the tournament, despite many facing flight cancellations due to the adverse weather conditions.
Day One Highlights
The first day featured a variety of drafts and a unique Standard format, bringing excitement and intense competition. The reigning World Champion, Seth Manfield, began his draft but ultimately struggled with a 1-2 record. The drafting format for Lorwyn Eclipsed was organized around five primary Limited archetypes rather than the usual two-color pairings.
Limited Archetypes
- Elves
- Kithkin
- Merfolk
- Goblins
- Faeries (blue-black archetype)
Others, like Alexey Paulot, excelled with inventive strategies, showcasing a five-color vivid draft that led to a 3-0 record. Players shared their strategies, focusing on finding open lanes and adapting to the evolving nature of the format.
Shifting Metagame
As the tournament progressed, the Standard metagame noticeably shifted, with newer decks coming to the forefront. The Badgermole Cub deck, part of the Nature’s Rhythm archetype, gained popularity, overtaking Izzet Lessons as the deck to beat. Marco Belacca emerged as the top contender, remaining undefeated with his unusual Jeskai Control deck featuring only one creature card.
Top Performers
- Marco Belacca – Jeskai Control (Undefeated, 7-0)
- Seth Manfield – Drafted a tough 1-2
- Alexey Paulot – Five-color vivid deck (3-0)
- Matt Sperling – Dimir Control (6-2)
Despite the pre-tournament expectations of a 30% representation from Nature’s Rhythm decks, only two players with these decks boasted records of 7-1 or better. Notable surprises included Takumi Matsuura’s Boros Dragons and Luis Salvatto’s Dimir Excruciator, marking a diverse array of successful strategies.
Looking Forward to Day Two
With 192 players set to compete on Day Two, the anticipation for the continued draft and Standard rounds builds. As competitors prepare for the final sprint toward the Top 8, coverage will resume on January 30, at 11:00 a.m. ET. The outcomes of Day One have set a thrilling stage for the remainder of the Pro Tour Lorwyn Eclipsed.
