This past weekend, Sorcerers from across the country gathered in Las Vegas for the second Grand Contest of 2026.

For some, it was a chance to prove themselves on a new stage. For others, it was the continuation of a journey that began in Washington DC, or one that started long before, at a kitchen table or a local game store, with a single deck and a goal worth chasing.

The second Grand Contest of 2026 brought together players from across the country, each arriving with their own story.

Many competitors arrived with months of preparation behind them, refining strategies in response to the evolving metagame that emerged after Washington DC. Others were experiencing their first Grand Contest, stepping into a room full of strangers who quickly became opponents, then fellow Sorcerers.

In true Sorcery fashion, games turned into conversations, trades became friendships, and the rounds themselves were only part of the story.

While Grand Contests celebrate the entire Sorcery community, they also represent the highest level of open competition in Organized Play 2026.

Congratulations to Abdul Hakeem R., whose Fire Pathfinder claimed victory after an outstanding run through the field. We look forward to sharing gameplay of the finals later this week.

“Spitfire” SCG CON LAS Vegas (5-1-0)"

One of the most fascinating aspects of every Grand Contest is seeing how players choose to approach the realm. Las Vegas delivered another diverse field, with 53 players and 23 different avatars represented.

Every Grand Contest offers another glimpse into an evolving metagame and Las Vegas proved to be no exception. While Persecutor proved the most popular choice among competitors, popularity didn’t necessarily translate into Top 8 success, reminding everyone that in Sorcery, no victory is ever guaranteed.

Pathfinder and Necromancer each brought five players to the tables and, given Necromancer’s ultimate triumph at the Washington DC Grand Contest, it  was one of the most-watched avatars coming into Las Vegas. Yet, it went without a Top 8 representative entirely. Pathfinder fared better, converting one of its five entries into a Top 8 spot, as did Sorcerer, with four entries into the contest and one making it through to the Top 8.

Perhaps the most striking stories, though, belong to the Avatars that punched well above their numbers. Imposter was championed by three players in the event and converted one Top 8 finish. Dragonlord sent just two representatives, and one of them made the Top 8. Elementalist did the same.

Then there were the lone wolves. Nine Avatars had a single representative apiece at the SCG CON Las Vegas Grand Contest: Archimago, Avatar of Air, Bladedancer, Deathspeaker, Flamecaller, Harbinger, Seer, Templar, and Witch. Two of them, Archimago and Avatar of Air, walked away with Top 8 finishes. At the Washington DC Grand Contest, Mike ‘the Ripper” H. had shown that a single Archimago pilot could be a force to be reckoned with. Las Vegas confirmed it wasn’t a fluke, this time under the piloting of Koty L.

 in Leeuwarden, the next Grand Contest to see what patterns emerge.

Competitive play may bring players together, but community is what keeps everyone coming back. Las Vegas was full of moments that put the community on full display.

Michael Mindes arrived with a goal he'd set for himself since first picking up the game: win a Grand Contest, or place Top 8. When the final standings were posted, he had done it, finishing third. "Now I have," he said afterward. "I guess I am locked into playing this game forever now, and introducing new players and so on." It's the kind of quiet milestone that doesn't show up in decklists, but means everything to the people who set them.

Then there was the Bladedancer herself. Annie Sanchez arrived dressed as the Bladedancer, bringing Brian Smith's depiction of the Avatar to life. The choice was personal. "As soon as I saw Bladedancer, I knew I had to build a deck around her," she explained. "She's the only avatar that has a 'she' pronoun in the text, and I felt a connection to that being a woman in a typically male-dominated space. She's a powerhouse, and no one ever expects her to come out and swing as hard as she does." Annie's goal was simple: use creativity and passion to give Bladedancer the recognition she deserves. "I think I opened the door to that," she said. "Bladedancer will absolutely be making more appearances at future Sorcery events."

After deliberation by the judge team, Annie was awarded one of the weekend’s Gothic Print Sheets in recognition of the enthusiasm, creativity, and community spirit she brought to the event.

The welcoming environment extended throughout the hall. Sorcery advocates Cole and Cheyenne ran more than 40 players through learn-to-play games without missing a beat, introducing new Sorcerers to the realm with the same energy that has always defined this community at its best.

was also on hand throughout the weekend, capturing event footage and gameplay in support of the Erik's Curiosa team. Be sure to check out their YouTube channel, and stay tuned for our own coverage of the finals on the 

And that's just the tip of the iceberg. None of this would be possible without the people behind the scenes. Our sincere thanks to the SCG CON staff and judge team for everything they did to make the weekend a success.

Every Grand Contest creates stories that will be retold long after the standings are forgotten.

Whether it was a stunning comeback, a deck nobody saw coming, or a conversation that started over cards and ended in a new friendship, Las Vegas reminded us that the most memorable moments in Sorcery are often the ones you never planned for.

If you were there, we'd love to hear your favorite memories. Share them in the 

The second Grand Contest of 2026 is now in the books, and the third is only days away.

This weekends, SorceryFest 2026 in Leeuwarden, Netherlands is a sold-out 128-player event that will be 

livestreamed live on the Trolls of the Realm YouTube channel

. Set a reminder, you won't want to miss it!

 arrives July 25–26. Then it's onward to 

, where two Grand Contest events await: one in limited, one in constructed.

SCG CON Las Vegas: The Second Grand Contest of 2026

Sorcery: Contested Realm is delighted to announce that celebrated fantasy artists 

Throughout the convention, both artists will be appearing at the Sorcery booth (#3046), where they’ll be signing cards, meeting players, and offering signed and numbered Gen Con exclusive art prints giving fans an early look at new artwork coming to Sorcery.

 has spent more than three decades shaping the look of fantasy gaming through his work on 

, countless fantasy publications, and now 

 This year’s Gen Con marks his first appearance at the convention in more than two decades.

has long captivated fantasy fans with a career spanning decades. His work has helped shape the visual landscape of fantasy gaming through collaborations with many of the industry’s leading publishers, including 

Whether you’re adding signatures to your favorite Sorcery cards or picking up a convention-exclusive print, don’t miss the opportunity to meet these incredible artists in person. Stay tuned as we do a deep dive on their two new original pieces in the weeks to come.

Of course, meeting our amazing artists is just a piece of the Sorcery experience at Gen Con.

Throughout the weekend, players can compete in two 

 events (no team required, we can help you find one!), learn the game in our 

sessions, or simply spend Saturday evening trading cards and sharing stories at our annual 

Whether you’re chasing a Grand Contest title, taking your very first steps into the Realm, or simply stopping by Booth #3046 to meet Drew and Alan, Gen Con 2026 promises to be one of the most memorable Sorcery celebrations of the year.

If you haven’t secured your event tickets yet, there’s still time to join us. We look forward to seeing you in Indianapolis this July.

Sorcery at Gen Con 2026: Meet Drew Tucker and Alan Pollack at Booth #3046

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

Meet the Bearserker

Building Atmosphere

The Beauty of Traditional Painting