This past weekend, more than 75 Sorcerers gathered at SCG CON Washington DC for the first Grand Contest of 2026.
For some, it was a chance to test themselves against the strongest players in the realm. For others, it was an opportunity to reconnect with friends, trade stories, share decks, meet artists, and spend a weekend immersed in the community that has grown around Sorcery. Most found both.
As we shared when introducing Organized Play 2026, Sorcery begins at the table and this weekend was a great example of what happens when those tables find each other, and everyone around them.
A Gathering of the Realm
The first Grand Contest of 2026 brought together players from across the United States, representing dozens of local communities and game stores. You were just as likely to find yourself seated beside a member of the Virginia playgroup, easily spotted in their “Virginians in Prayer” shirts, as you were a father-daughter team, or a store owner who somehow had the foresight to name their shop Curio Cavern long before Sorcery had even released, and hasn't stopped hearing about it since.
Some of these players arrived with months of preparation behind them. Others were sitting down at their first major Sorcery event. Throughout the weekend, competitors found themselves across the table from old friends and brand-new opponents alike. In true Sorcery fashion, games turned into conversations, cards and stories were traded, and deck discussions in hotel lobbies stretched into late-night games long after the rounds had ended.
Grand Contests are designed to bring communities together. From the moment the first players arrived in Washington DC, it was clear this was already one.
Spoilers ahead.
Mastery on Display
While Grand Contests celebrate the entire Sorcery community, they also represent the highest level of open competition in Organized Play 2026. Across Swiss rounds and a Top 8 playoff, players showcased remarkable preparation, creative strategy, and technical play.
When the dust settled, it was Gideon Miller piloting the Necromancer who emerged victorious, defeating Brian Snyder’s Persecutor in a finals match you'll want to watch for yourself. The full video drops on the Sorcery YouTube Channel later this week.
Top 8 Decklists
The Top 8 featured a diverse mix of avatars, strategies, and player stories. Whether you’re looking to prepare for a future Grand Contest or simply curious what rose to the top of the field, you can explore the decklists below.
1st - Gideon M: "TerriblePacticePrecon"
2nd - Brian S: "Heavier than a Duck"
3rd - Cameron P: "Not Another Druid List"
4th - John T: "W/A Necro Grand Contest DC"
5th - Mike H: "FE Archimago"
6th - Christian V: "Scgcon DC imposter"
7th - Tyler M: "Water Pathfinder"
8th - Tom H: "Algor Necrobliss"
A Snapshot of the Realm
One of the most fascinating aspects of every Grand Contest is seeing how players choose to approach the realm. With 75 contestants and 24 different avatars represented, Washington DC opened the season with one of the most diverse fields the circuit has ever seen.
Necromancer emerged as the most-played avatar of the weekend, with ten players drawn to one of Gothic’s iconic new additions. That confidence proved well-founded with three of the eight Top 8 slots going to Necromancer pilots.
Geomancer and Sorcerer each brought seven players to the table, tying for second most popular. Neither converted a single Top 8 finish, something players watching the metagame closely will undoubtedly be examining ahead of future events.
Perhaps the most striking stories belonged to the avatars that punched well above their weight. Druid appeared just twice in the entire field, yet Cameron P. piloted one all the way to a third-place finish. Mike H., known as "The Ripper" after becoming the first player to rip an Erik's Curiosa in competitive Sorcery play, and a card-carrying member of the New York-based "Four Horsemen" (whose numbers have since swelled well past four), was the lone Archimago in attendance and still walked away with a Top 8 finish.
Persecutor brought five players and Avatar of Air five more. One Persecutor, made it all the way to the finals, while Avatar of Air went without a Top 8 representative entirely. Whether that reflects matchups, deck construction choices, or simply the variance that accompanies a long day of competition remains an open question.
Players preparing for the next Grand Contest at SCG CON Las Vegas on June 26 will have plenty to explore.
Community Spirit
Competitive play may bring players together, but community is what keeps us coming back.
One of the healthiest signs for a community is when recognizing a single standout becomes difficult because so many people are deserving of recognition. Washington DC was full of those moments.
When one tournament member realized they had forgotten their Avatar at home, Joey “Bathilda” stepped forward and gifted them an Alpha Foil Sorcerer so they could still contest the realm. A lone traveler who had made the trip without knowing anyone found themselves invited into a group of players for late-night games. John Trotter was a name on many lips throughout the weekend, as much for the quiet, generous way he moved through the event as for the Necromancer he piloted to a fourth-place finish.
The community at SCG CON DC was quintessentially Sorcery, creating the kind of atmosphere that makes strangers feel like regulars.
After deliberation by the judge team, community standout Jeremy Murray was awarded an uncut sheet in recognition of the enthusiasm, generosity, and embodiment of the spirit of Sorcery he brought throughout the weekend.
It’s fitting that one of the event’s most celebrated moments had nothing to do with standings. Sorcery champions aren’t measured solely by match records, but also by how they make others feel when they sit down at the table.
None of this happens without the people behind the scenes. We’d also like to extend our thanks to the SCG CON staff and our judge team, whose work helped make the weekend possible. Special recognition goes to Head Judge Zach B., affectionately known throughout the community as “Zach Attack,” for helping guide the event with fairness, expertise, and an enthusiasm for the game that was felt throughout the hall.
Creativity Beyond the Cards
Creativity has always been one of Sorcery’s guiding pillars, and it was on display throughout the weekend in ways that extended well beyond the cards themselves.
Artists Scott Kirschner, Bryon Wackwitz, and Margaret Organ-Kean spent time with attendees throughout the event, signing cards, discussing their work, and sharing original paintings and prints. For many players, these moments become every bit as memorable as the matches themselves.
Art has always been at the heart of Sorcery, and Grand Contests provide a rare opportunity for players to connect directly with the artists whose work brings the realm to life.
Moments of Wonder
Every Grand Contest creates stories that will be retold long after the standings are forgotten.
Some happen at the top tables. Others happen in hotel lobbies, over trade binders, between rounds, or during late-night games that somehow stretch well past midnight.
One such moment came from Phil of the Common Sense Sorcery Podcast, who arrived with a Magician-based Immortal Throne deck that quickly became one of the most talked-about brews of the weekend, serving as a reminder that discovery remains alive and well in Sorcery.
The weekend showcased all three pillars of Organized Play: mastery at the tables, creativity through art and deckbuilding, and wonder in the countless moments shared between rounds.
Whether it was a dramatic topdeck, a conversation with an artist whose work you’ve admired for years, reconnecting with friends from across the country, or encountering a deck you never expected to see, Washington DC 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 from the weekend. Share them in the Sorcery Discord or tag us on social media.
Looking Ahead
The first Grand Contest of 2026 is now in the books.
Over the coming months, Grand Contests around the world will continue to expand the circle of play, bringing together communities across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and beyond.
If Washington DC is any indication, the road to the Avatar of the Realm promises to be filled with remarkable competition, unforgettable stories, and the kind of community that continues to make Sorcery worth returning to.
We’ll be sharing gameplay coverage, and additional event media throughout the week. Stay tuned for announcements about upcoming Grand Contests, including the next stop on the circuit: SCG CON Las Vegas on June 26.
Until then, thank you to everyone who joined us in Washington DC, and to everyone preparing for the next stop on the road to the Avatar of the Realm.
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