 have introduced players to Sorcery through spectacular moments and distinct playstyles, teaching the fundamentals naturally along the way.

is the next step in that journey. Designed to bridge the gap between preconstructed play and deckbuilding, these two complete decks give Sorcery players room to grow while also serving as an excellent entry point for experienced trading card game players.

deck includes a complete 60-card Spellbook, 30-card Atlas, and 10-card Collection, designed to stand on its own. Whether you're battling around the kitchen table or across tournament grounds, we designed these decks to deliver meaningful, strategic games while remaining true to the themes and flavor that define Sorcery.

For us, that meant finding the right balance between accessibility and depth. Every card needed to contribute to a cohesive strategy while still creating the memorable moments that make Sorcery feel like, well, Sorcery! We wanted these decks to reward careful play from the very first game while continuing to reward discovery as players personalize them over time.

Building two good decks wasn't enough. Our goal was to create something that could become someone's favorite way to experience Sorcery.

A big part of that experience comes down to card selection. We'll reveal the full decklists in a future article, but here's the shape of it: each deck combines brand-new 

 cards, including far more than just the Avatars, with a few staples drawn from across the realm's history.

We chose that blend intentionally. We designed these decks to provide a solid foundation that can evolve alongside your collection, while still offering plenty for experienced players to work with, including cards exclusive to 

From the very beginning, our goal was for each deck to feel unmistakably different the moment you started playing.

The Frost Mage, drawing from Air and Water, brings a patient, positional, and methodical approach to play. This is a deck that wins by controlling space, not by racing the clock. Cards like Frost Elemental embody that philosophy. It doesn't need to overwhelm you in a single turn; it just needs to still be standing when the ice finally settles.

The Lavamancer embraces the opposite approach. Drawing from Earth and Fire, it trades patience for pressure, disrupting the realm around it. Cards like Lava Elemental embody that spirit, flowing forth and giving those who stand in its way more than just a warm welcome.

Together, these two decks create a rivalry that feels distinctly Sorcery: two different paths to victory, each rooted in the themes and personalities of their elements.

 arrives on November 14, and between now and then we'll be revealing the complete decklists, introducing the Frost Mage and Lavamancer Avatars, and exploring the exclusive cards and new mechanics still smoldering beneath the surface.

Building the Realm's Newest Rivalry: Frost Mage vs. Lavamancer

Alan Pollack

For more than three decades, Alan Pollack has helped define the look of fantasy gaming and this year, we’re thrilled to welcome him back to Gen Con, where he’ll be meeting players, signing cards, and debuting a brand-new Gen Con exclusive art print featuring art from 

Every Sorcery illustration starts the same way, with a brief, in this case the 

. The prompt called for it to feel like a spiritual successor to 

, one of Alan’s personal favorites. “It also said it was to be a Viking shapeshifter. That’s what I focused on. It’s not really a complicated piece,” Pollack shares, “I just tried to get the pose right. Basically, a berserk Viking bear! It doesn’t get much more fun than that, right?!”

That confident silhouette became the heart of the painting, capturing the raw, bestial fury that defines Bearserker.

While the towering figure came naturally, the environment required a different approach. “I wanted there to be detail, but I also wanted to keep the contrast low. I tried to keep the overall palette subdued and muted, which isn’t something I do very often,” Pollack emphasizes.

The results are a painting that immediately draws your eye to the central figure, while still providing the context necessary to give it firm footing in the realm, creating the perfect icy conditions for a minion found in the Frost Mage deck.

While Alan is adept at both digital and traditional media, for Sorcery, with our emphasis on hand-painted art, he notes that traditional painting offers several significant advantages, sharing “I’m way more comfortable with traditional mediums, it allows me to paint the underpainting in acrylic in a very loose, textural way. Then when I apply oils over them, I can adjust the transparency, allowing some of the texture to be visible. It almost creates an effect that’s hard to decipher.”

This year’s convention marks Alan’s first Gen Con in more than two decades, and he’ll be bringing his limited-edition Bearserker prints to the Erik’s Curiosa booth to celebrate his return, alongside Sorcery artist Drew Tucker.

Whether you’re looking to have your Sorcery cards signed, revisit artwork from across his remarkable career, or take home this exclusive print, this is a rare opportunity to celebrate the return of one of fantasy gaming's influential artists to Gen Con.

Meet Alan Pollack at Gen Con 2026

, Erik’s Curiosa is excited to unveil its latest product, 

 at Avatar of the Realm from November 13-15 in Boston, Massachusetts.

Since the beginning, Avatars have stood at the heart of 

 identity. More than your personification in the contest, they shape how you experience the realm itself: influencing strategy, pacing, deckbuilding, and the stories that unfold across the grid.

continue that tradition while pushing into new elemental territory. One channels patience, positioning, and the quiet inevitability of winter. The other embodies volatility, pressure, and the destructive fury of earth and fire.

constructed decks, each featuring a 60-card Spellbook, a 30-card Atlas, and a 10-card collection, tuned to provide seasoned TCG veterans with decks that are equally equipped to battle across the kitchen table, as they are to contest a constructed tournament.

Together, they represent a new expression of 

 tactical depth and imagination-first gameplay philosophy.

, Erik’s Curiosa’s flagship Organized Play event taking place November 13-15 in Boston, Massachusetts, will experience 

 alongside Erik Olofsson and members from the Erik’s Curiosa team, as well as 

, the artist behind the Frost Mage and Lavamancer Avatars. 

Players participating in Friday's event will be some of the first in the world to get their hands on 

Alongside the Avatar of the Realm celebration, 

 continues Erik’s Curiosa's commitment to traditional fantasy illustration. Each card is brought to life through hand-painted artwork, created by acclaimed artists from around the world, preserving the timeless visual identity that has defined 

What To Expect From Frost Mage vs Lavamancer

 showcases the stunning hand-painted illustrations by our talented artists, continuing our commitment to the timeless fantasy tradition at the center of 

This curated experience introduces fresh mechanics that enhance the strategic depth of the game, offering players new ways to build their decks and outsmart their opponents.

 deepen the lore of the realm, weaving new elemental conflict into the ongoing story of 

, and the launch of Organized Play and the Avatar of the Realm in November, 

 continues to grow because of the community gathered around it.

The Frost Mage and Lavamancer chart their path to the 

Launching November 14 2026

Frost Mage vs. Lavamancer

Building the Realm's Newest Rivalry: Frost Mage vs. Lavamancer

Meet Alan Pollack at Gen Con 2026

Frost Mage vs. Lavamancer: New Avatars Enter the Contested Realm