The Pro Tour Magic: The Gathering® | Marvel Super Heroes is set to kick off, and the excitement is palpable! With 362 players battling it out for $500,000 and coveted World Championship invitations, this event promises to be a spectacle. The competition begins with a Booster Draft on Friday and Saturday, followed by five rounds of Modern each afternoon. On Sunday, the Top 8 will face off in another Booster Draft to crown the next Pro Tour champion. To follow all the action, catch the live stream on twitch.tv/magic or the Play MTG YouTube channel. The broadcast begins at 11 a.m. CEST (5 a.m. ET/6 p.m. JST) on Friday and Saturday, and at 10 a.m. CEST (4 a.m. ET/5 P.M. JST) on Sunday. Be sure to check the viewer's guide for all the details.
The Modern metagame is a fascinating one, with a diverse range of decks and strategies. From the explosive combo finishes of Broodscale Combo and the powerful mana acceleration of Eldrazi Tron, to the ruthless efficiency of Boros Energy and the artifact synergies of Izzet Affinity, there's something for everyone. The most-played nonland card in main decks overall is Kozilek's Command, arguably the strongest card in the entire format. Every Broodscale Combo, Eldrazi Tron, and Eldrazi Ramp deck runs the full playset alongside four copies of Eldrazi Temple. With 89 players representing 24.6% of the field on this potent package, we can expect a tournament where Kozilek's Commands will deliver a powerful blend of mana acceleration, card selection, spot removal, and graveyard hate.
The set releases since Magic: The Gathering | Marvel's Spider-Man have introduced a wealth of powerful new cards that have both enabled new archetypes and strengthened existing ones. The most-played newcomer from the past nine months has been The Legend of Roku, which has stepped in as one of the popular replacements for Phlage, Titan of Fire's Fury in Boros Energy. Hex Magic, meanwhile, is the most-played new-to-Modern card based on total number of copies across main decks only. Skateboard has found a consistent home as a one-of card in Izzet Affinity, while Wistfulness has been included by many Simic Neoform players and all Living End players. The family of Cleansing Wildfire-style effects has expanded significantly over the past year, with Price of Freedom, Erode, and Avengers Disassembled joining the deck's arsenal.
As the tournament unfolds, I'll be at the news desk to provide deeper numbers and insights on the Modern metagame, decks, cards, interactions, and win rates throughout the tournament. Prepare for Modern Masterminds! To find out who takes home the trophy, don't miss a moment of the action. Coverage of Pro Tour Magic: The Gathering | Marvel Super Heroes kicks off tomorrow, July 17!
