This past weekend, the Sorcery: Contested Realm community descended upon SCG CON Baltimore for another three days of contested realms and camaraderie. From competitive play to learn-to-play sessions and artist signings, the consecutive back-to-back weekends of SCG CON Houston and Baltimore events have shown one thing above all - the Sorcery community shows up, and they know how to have a great time!
The Realm Comes Alive
The Sorcery area burst to life the moment the doors opened. Every table told a story: new players discovering the Realm, veterans clashing in championship play, and a community united by the magic that makes Sorcery unforgettable.
After the incredible 73-player Crossroads event at SCG CON Houston, Baltimore raised the bar even higher with 127 competitors taking part in the Crossroads Championship.
Our first time on the SCG CON Circuit, we’d be remiss not to thank Star City Games for their partnership, hospitality, and the professionalism of their events and logistics staff. Many familiar faces were among the judges, and several community members stepped up to help make our debut on the circuit a success.
And now, after two weeks of back-to-back SCG CONs, the team is recovering but simultaneously more energized than ever.
Crossroads Championship: Baltimore
While the events themselves ran smoothly, a mischievous Pith Imp seems to have run off with the paper decklists from SCG CON Houston! So today, we’re focusing on the data from Baltimore’s Crossroads Championship Top 8
The field of 127 competitors showcased the incredible depth and diversity of Sorcery’s evolving metagame. From fire-fueled aggression to meticulous control strategies, the event was a testament to Sorcery’s uniquely dynamic gameplay.
When the dust settled, Druid once again demonstrated its commanding presence, claiming five of the Top 8 slots, followed by Battlemage, Avatar of Air, and Sorcerer, which rounded out the remaining positions. The Sorcerer player was later replaced by the next-ranked Druid after being unable to participate in the finals, while Erik’s Curiosa’s own Ira Fay graciously withdrew his Geomancer deck to allow a community member to take their well-earned place in the Top 8.
Avatar Breakdown
Across the full field, Druid and Sorcerer continued to dominate player choice, 30 and 29 players respectively. followed by Pathfinder (12), Battlemage (9), and Avatar of Air (9).
The weekend also saw several Dragonlords in play, alongside niche favorites such as Geomancer, Templar, and Deathspeaker, reflecting just how many viable strategies players are exploring across Sorcery’s landscape.
TOP 8 Decks
- 1st: Undersietch "Seeing Read"
- 2nd: CEEJ "Druid Shapeshift"
- 3rd: Bubba - "Water We Doing?"
- @Lantz "Exceptionally Sligh"
- @Count Tolstoy "Shrink the Frog SCG CON Baltimore"
- @Roo2468 "Cloudburts"
- @Paladin_of_Io "SCG CON Baltimore Top 8"
- @Jester "A Song of Ice & Fire"
What We Learned
If the European Crossroads showcased Sorcery’s global growth, SCG CON Houston and Baltimore highlighted the joy of play and the strength of a community that loves to gather, compete, and share the Realm together. The game continues to evolve, with players exploring every element and strategy in creative, spirited ways through structured play.
A few notable takeaways:
- Knights of the Round Table were well represented in the Top 8, with Sir Gaheris, Agravaine, Pelleas, and Tom Thumb each making appearances.
- Vatn Draconis appeared in two decks, signaling growing interest in Dragonlord synergy.
- Despite expectations, Poison Nova showed up only once in the entire Top 8.
- Common Sense, long a mainstay of many control lists, was completely absent from the final cut.
- And perhaps most surprising - there were more Mester Stoor Worms (3) than Grandmaster Wizards (2)!
Play Highlights
The most-played cards across all rarities revealed a battlefield shaped by aggression and efficiency, a weekend where tempo and timing often meant the difference between victory and defeat.
Torshammar Trinket (19) and Lugbog Cat (15) once again defined value and versatility, finding their way into decks across every element.
Vile Imp (12) continued its reign as one of the most dependable ordinary spells in the Realm, a humble but ever-present workhorse of competitive play.
Meanwhile, Quarrelsome Kobolds (11) and Daperyll Vampire (11) appeared in equal measure, embodying the weekend’s balance between fiery offense and value of healing.
Most Played Sites
When it comes to sites, the popularity of Water and Fire decks in the Top 8 painted an interesting picture of the field.
Floodpain (14) and Pond (14) were among the most played sites, reflecting the popularity of Water. Floodplain proved its versatility, serving both as a dual-threshold enabler for flexible builds and a tool capable of dealing with key minions like Root Spider.
Forge (10), pairing favorably with the Druid's Tawny, stood out as one of Fire's strongest turn-one plays, helping shore up an element that traditionally struggles with strong turn-one site options.
Meanwhile, Deserts made frequent appearances as strategic counters in anticipation of Druid match-ups, while Troll Bridge (11) remained a reliable frontline staple and effective answer to aggressive strategies.
A Community Effort
None of this would be possible without the community, players, judges, volunteers, and staff who make every Sorcery event such a success. A huge thank-you to Star City Games and everyone who came out to play, spectate, or simply share their passion for the Realm.
From seasoned champions to brand-new players discovering their first minions, Baltimore was a celebration of what makes Sorcery: Contested Realm special: its artistry, its creativity, and its incredible people.
Looking Ahead: The Road to Las Vegas
After back-to-back weekends of incredible play at SCG CON Houston and Baltimore, the Realm shows no signs of slowing down. Every duel, every story, and every shared moment across the tables reminds us why Sorcery continues to capture hearts around the world.
But the season’s not over yet...next stop: SCG CON Las Vegas.
The Realm will converge once more under the desert lights for another weekend of epic matches, creative decks, and community celebration. Whether you’re chasing glory in the Crossroads Championship, joining a learn-to-play event, or simply coming to meet fellow Sorcerers, SCG CON Vegas promises to be unforgettable.
Sharpen your spells, rally your friends, and prepare to contest the Realm once more. Sin City is about to get a little more magical!
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