Day One Highlights at Pro Tour Lorwyn Eclipsed
Welcome to snowy Richmond, Virginia, where the big mana Standard, Pro Tour Lorwyn Eclipsed, and the start of the 2026 competitive Magic season unfolded.
The weekend began with a solemn nod to Magic's past with a moment of silence for Kai Budde, followed by a celebration of its present with the presentation of the Kai Budde Player of the Year trophy to 2025 Player of the Year Ken Yukuhiro. The event then plunged deep into Lorwyn Eclipsed and Magic's future.
Over 300 players made it to the snowed-out city of Richmond, and despite the weather's impact on flights and testing sessions, the Pro Tour resumed its familiar rhythm. The sounds of shuffling cards and players shouting 'Judge!' marked the official start of the 2026 season.
The tournament began with a draft, where reigning World Champion Seth Manfield navigated a tricky format. The draft format, with few supported archetypes, led to a challenging start for Manfield, who began with a 1-2 record. The tournament then shifted to Standard, where the rise of Badgermole Cub decks stole the headlines.
The Standard metagame was a topic of debate among players, with varying opinions on the format's future. The tournament featured five rounds of Standard play, and the question of whether to ramp or not to ramp was a central theme. In the end, Marco Belacca emerged as the top player, showcasing his Jeskai Control deck's prowess with a single creature card, The Unagi of Kyoshi Island.
Belacca's performance was notable, as he went undefeated in both Draft and Standard, showcasing his adaptability and skill. The tournament also highlighted the complexity of the Lorwyn Eclipsed draft format, which offered a unique challenge with its unsupported archetypes and five major Limited archetypes.
Players like Alexey Paulot and Drew Debevoise shared their strategies, emphasizing the importance of finding clear open lanes and adapting to the format's nuances. The Pro Tour Draft decks often resulted in grindy, slow decks, increasing the value of powerful cards like Burning Curiosity.
The Standard format saw the rise of Nature's Rhythm decks, with Badgermole Cub decks dominating recent Regional Championships. The tournament featured a diverse range of decks, including Spellementals, Dimir Control, and Day of Judgment decks, showcasing the depth and complexity of the format.
The top of the Day One leaderboard was a surprise, with only two Rhythm players achieving a 7-1 or better record. Decks like Elementals, Boros Dragons, and Control emerged as strong contenders, indicating a competitive and dynamic Standard metagame.
As the tournament progressed to Day Two, 192 players returned, ready for another Draft and a final sprint through Standard. The coverage for Day Two began on Saturday, January 30, at 11:00 a.m. ET, promising more exciting moments and strategic battles.
