SCG CON Las Vegas: The Second Grand Contest of 2026

Cover Image
Erik's Curiosa

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.

A Gathering of the Realm

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.

Mastery on Display

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

Spoilers ahead.

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.

Top 8 Decklists

A Snapshot of the Realm

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.

Now, all eyes turn to SorceryFest in Leeuwarden, the next Grand Contest to see what patterns emerge.

Community Spirit

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.

Sorcery content creator Eric, from Wizards of Fun, 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 official Sorcery channel.

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.

Moments of Wonder

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 Sorcery Discord or share with us in the Sorcery Facebook group.

Looking Ahead

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!

Following that, the Melbourne Grand Contest arrives July 25–26. Then it's onward to Gen Con, where two Grand Contest events await: one in limited, one in constructed.

We’ll see you there!

Share:

More Articles