Las Vegas has firmly established itself as the premier destination for those who dream of greatness in the world of Magic: The Gathering. The inaugural Magic World Championship took place in this vibrant city in 2018, where the talented Javier Dominguez claimed victory. Since then, Las Vegas has hosted the championship for three consecutive years, with Dominguez emerging victorious once again in the latest competition. This time, the reigning world champion alongside more than 300 fierce competitors returned to the sun-soaked streets of Las Vegas for the thrilling Pro Tour Magic: The Gathering®—FINAL FANTASY™. The event did not disappoint, showcasing a packed venue filled with enthusiastic players and eight intense rounds of gameplay.
The highlight of the event was the emergence of Christian Baker as the sole undefeated player, employing the much-discussed Izzet Prowess deck. Baker qualified for this prestigious event through the Regional Championship in Charlotte earlier this year, and his journey to an impressive 8-0 record was far from straightforward. In the third and final round of the Draft, he faced off against the 2022–23 Player of the Year, Simon Nielsen, and needed the full three-game set to secure victories in all but one of his matches. Whether his wins came in two or three games, Baker consistently found success, culminating in an exhilarating finish to Round 8, where he stood alone as the last undefeated player at the Pro Tour FINAL FANTASY.
The eagerly awaited Magic: The Gathering–FINAL FANTASY event arrived, bringing together the finest players in the world, ready to showcase their skills. Players navigated through six rounds of Draft and ten rounds of Standard Constructed, integrating the newly released Tarkir: Dragonstorm into their strategies since the last time it graced the Pro Tour stage. Matt Nass previously dominated with his Domain deck in Chicago, winning the Pro Tour Aetherdrift. However, the Standard metagame has shifted, with many players moving away from the Overlords deck and registering the Cori-Steel Cutter deck instead.
The FINAL FANTASY format posed numerous questions for players, especially with the presence of twelve Pro Tour Hall of Fame members, including the legendary 2020 World Champion and widely regarded greatest of all time, Paulo Vitor Damo da Rosa. This deep field combined seasoned veterans with rising stars, creating an electrifying competitive atmosphere.
Experts like Nathan Basser shared their insights into the new Draft format for Magic: The Gathering–FINAL FANTASY. He advised players to initially select the best card available, regardless of color, to keep their options open. As players identified their lanes, they moved forward strategically. The archetypes exhibited a balanced win rate, making it essential for players to familiarize themselves with every archetype in the format, rather than sticking rigidly to preferred ones.
Basser's black-green deck, which featured significant removal options such as three copies of Sephiroth's Intervention, propelled him to a remarkable 3-0 start, showcasing the effectiveness of thorough preparation. His strategic choices included picking up a fourth-pick Town Greeter and splashing green cards, demonstrating the flexibility required in the Draft format.
Several notable players also achieved 3-0 records, including Hall of Famers like Bob Maher, who, despite his fame, found time to sign copies of his iconic card, Dark Confidant, between rounds. Other veterans such as Shota Yasooka, Ben Stark, and Ken Yukuhiro also thrived in the Draft rounds, showcasing the depth of talent present at the event.
The Pro Tour Hall of Fame remains one of competitive Magic's most prestigious honors, with only a select few invited over its 30-plus year history. With twelve Hall of Fame members in attendance, including Patrick Chapin and Lee Shi Tian, the atmosphere was charged with excitement. The presence of players like Paulo Vitor Damo da Rosa only heightened the stakes, as he aimed to make an impact alongside fellow Hall of Famer Bob Maher, both of whom advanced to Day Two of the competition.
The Standard metagame at the Pro Tour saw a significant dominance of the Izzet archetype, surpassing even the expectations of those who brought the deck. The combination of efficient card draw, powerful removal, and the new addition of Vivi Ornitier played a critical role in the deck's success. A recent analysis revealed that Izzet Prowess commanded a staggering 42.3% of the metagame, the highest share since the Pro Tour's return in 2023.
As the competition progressed, teams fell into three categories: those playing Prowess, those with strategies to counter it, and those who reached their own conclusions. The most popular counter strategy emerged as the Omniscience Combo, gaining traction for its favorable matchup against Izzet decks. The debate over the inclusion of Vivi Ornitier continued as players weighed their options, with some opting for innovative changes to their deck lists.
While Izzet dominated the weekend, several unique and innovative decks also found success. Notable mentions include Jody Keith's Golgari Graveyard deck, affectionately dubbed "Black Beans," which utilized key cards like Overlord of the Balemurk to great effect. Additionally, the revitalized team known as Team Handshake introduced their innovative Golgari Roots deck, showcasing the depth of creativity within the Pro Tour community.
The atmosphere at the Pro Tour was electric, from the bustling Arcades Arcade to the ever-present trophy displayed before the 300 players who dedicated their lives to this game. While the excitement and competition were palpable, the stories shared throughout the event served as a reminder that Magic: The Gathering is about much more than just gameplay.
As the tournament progresses, all eyes are on Baker, who leads the pack. With ten players hot on his heels, including Ken Yukuhiro, Jody Keith, Connor Mackenzie, and Eli Kassis, the stakes are higher than ever. Join us for Day Two of the Pro Tour on Saturday, with broadcasts kicking off at 11 a.m. PST as the competition continues to unfold!
