The stage is set, the decks are locked, and the anticipation is palpable as the first Pro Tour of 2024, Pro Tour Murders at Karlov Manor, is underway. In the heart of MagicCon: Chicago, 258 elite Magic: The Gathering players are battling for a hefty $500,000 prize pool, coveted invites to the Magic World Championship, and the prestige of the Pro Tour trophy. This high-stakes event showcases the pinnacle of tabletop Magic competition, drawing in luminaries like World Champion Jean-Emmanuel Depraz and Player of the Year Simon Nielsen, all vying for supremacy in the Pioneer format.
Competitors earned their spots through Regional Championship prowess, online rankings, and strong finishes in prior high-level events, ensuring a field stacked with talent. The tournament structure features Murders at Karlov Manor Booster Draft in the mornings, transitioning to the strategic depths of Pioneer in the afternoons. Pioneer also takes center stage for the Top 8 playoffs on Sunday. For real-time action, fans can tune into the twitch.tv/magic stream, starting at 11 a.m. Central Time on Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. Central Time on Sunday. For detailed schedules and information, the viewer’s guide is an invaluable resource.
Pioneer Metagame Unveiled: Izzet Phoenix Rises to the Top
Pioneer, a dynamic non-rotating format built from Return to Ravnica forward, excluding fetch lands from its card pool, is currently a focal point for competitive play. As the chosen Constructed format for the upcoming RCQ cycle, understanding the Pioneer metagame is crucial for aspiring Pro Tour competitors. The format boasts a vast card pool exceeding 10,000 cards, now enriched with the latest additions from Murders at Karlov Manor, fostering a diverse ecosystem of aggro, midrange, control, and combo strategies. The Pro Tour metagame breakdown reveals key insights into the format’s current landscape.
| Deck Archetype | Number of Players | Percentage of Field |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Izzet Phoenix | 46 | 17.8% |
| 2. Azorius Control | 36 | 14.0% |
| 3. Rakdos Midrange | 36 | 14.0% |
| 4. Lotus Field Combo | 23 | 8.9% |
| 5. Amalia Combo | 17 | 6.6% |
| 6. Boros Heroic | 12 | 4.7% |
| 7. Izzet Ensoul | 11 | 4.3% |
| 8. Boros Convoke | 11 | 4.3% |
| 9. Rakdos Vampires | 11 | 4.3% |
| 10. Jeskai Creativity | 8 | 3.1% |
| 11. Niv to Light | 7 | 2.7% |
| 12. Rakdos Sacrifice | 5 | 1.9% |
| 13. Abzan Greasefang | 4 | 1.6% |
| 14. Omnath to Light | 4 | 1.6% |
| 15. Enigmatic Fires | 4 | 1.6% |
| 16. Izzet Creativity | 3 | 1.2% |
| 17. Waste Not | 2 | 0.8% |
| 18. Orzhov Humans | 2 | 0.8% |
| 19. Grixis Phoenix | 2 | 0.8% |
| 20. Quintorius Combo | 2 | 0.8% |
| 21. Vannifar Combo | 1 | 0.4% |
| 22. Mono-Black Midrange | 1 | 0.4% |
| 23. Temur Vehicles | 1 | 0.4% |
| 24. Mono-Red Aggro | 1 | 0.4% |
| 25. Azorius Spirits | 1 | 0.4% |
| 26. Azorius Improvise | 1 | 0.4% |
| 27. Mono-White Humans | 1 | 0.4% |
| 28. Jeskai Control | 1 | 0.4% |
| 29. Rona Lukka Combo | 1 | 0.4% |
| 30. Mono-Black Vampires | 1 | 0.4% |
| 31. Dimir Control | 1 | 0.4% |
| 32. Boros Burn | 1 | 0.4% |
Full Pioneer decklists from the Pro Tour will be accessible on the Pro Tour Murders at Karlov Manor event page starting Friday, February 23, around 2 p.m. Central Time, at the beginning of Round 4.
The Pro Tour metagame mirrors trends observed in the online metagame from January, analyzed in a format primer, yet key shifts are evident. Notably, Rakdos Midrange, a dominant force in Pioneer throughout 2023, has been surpassed. While Fable of the Mirror-Breaker, Thoughtseize, and Fatal Push remain prevalent, a new leader has emerged: Izzet Phoenix.
Bolstered by Wilds of Eldraine‘s additions, Picklock Prankster and Sleight of Hand, Izzet Phoenix has steadily climbed the ranks. Now, a significant 17.8% of the Pro Tour field are piloting the archetype, aiming to trigger Arclight Phoenix recursion through spells like Consider, Treasure Cruise, and Lightning Axe. Innovation is also present, with seven Izzet Phoenix players incorporating main deck Ashiok, Dream Render to fuel their graveyard strategies, disrupt opponents’ graveyard plans, and hinder search effects.
Metagame Innovations and Deck Surprises
While Izzet Phoenix largely utilizes pre-existing cards, Murders of Karlov Manor has injected fresh strategies into Pioneer, leading to notable metagame adjustments. The most impactful new card is undoubtedly No More Lies, a superior iteration of Make Disappear, that also counters graveyard recursion and card draw spells. Let’s examine the influence of No More Lies and other emerging developments.
The Rise of No More Lies in Control Decks
No More Lies has solidified Azorius Control as a premier contender, with builds divided between 80-card and 60-card configurations. Its impact extends to the rise of Jeskai Creativity and Niv to Light, both control archetypes incorporating combo finishes. Jeskai Creativity builds echo Reid Duke’s Pro Tour Phyrexia-winning Izzet Creativity list, now enhanced with white for No More Lies and The Wandering Emperor. Expect to see 2/2 Samurai tokens potentially transforming into the powerful Atraxa, Grand Unifier through Indomitable Creativity. Niv to Light decks, similar to Omnath to Light, leverage Niv-Mizzet Reborn as a Bring to Light target alongside No More Lies for control and card advantage.
Lotus Field Combo Revitalized
Lotus Field Combo, traditionally favored against Izzet Phoenix, is represented by 23 players (8.9% of the field) at the Pro Tour. Almost unanimously, 22 out of 23 Lotus Field players are utilizing Archdruid’s Charm, with 16 running a full set of four. This powerful triple-green spell provides unprecedented consistency, fetching Lotus Field or Thespian’s Stage directly from the library. Archdruid’s Charm also offers sideboard utility, answering Damping Sphere and fetching utility creatures such as Dragonlord Dromoka or Fae of Wishes. However, the metagame has adapted, with Krenko’s Buzzcrusher (bypassing hexproof) and Ashiok, Dream Render (disrupting Archdruid’s Charm) posing challenges for Lotus Field strategies.
Boros Heroic: An Aggressive Surprise
Boros Heroic’s 4.7% metagame share makes it the most prevalent aggro deck, a somewhat unexpected development. Following Wilds of Eldraine‘s Monstrous Rage, Boros Heroic showed promise in Regional Championships but was overshadowed by Boros Convoke. Boros Heroic’s inherent speed allows it to outpace combo decks like Amalia Combo and Lotus Field Combo. Ten of the twelve Boros Heroic players are utilizing Fugitive Codebreaker, a new prowess creature that can be disguised, providing resilience against removal-heavy strategies like Rakdos Midrange.
Vampires Emerge from the Shadows
The increased value of Cavern of Souls, due to the rise of No More Lies, has propelled Vampires into the spotlight. Twelve players (4.7% of the field), primarily Rakdos Vampires, are leveraging the tribe’s potential. While Sorin, Imperious Bloodlord has long been Pioneer-legal, recent sets have bolstered the Vampire ranks. The Lost Caverns of Ixalan introduced Preacher of the Schism, and Murders at Karlov Manor brings Vein Ripper. Vein Ripper’s resilience and aggressive potential, especially when deployed on turn three by Sorin, make these new Vampire decks formidable contenders.
Top Cards from Murders at Karlov Manor Shaping Pioneer
Despite Pioneer’s deep card pool, Murders at Karlov Manor has significantly impacted the format. Beyond No More Lies and Archdruid’s Charm, the following table highlights the most played new-to-Pioneer cards at the Pro Tour.
| Card Name | Total Number of Copies | Main Deck | Sideboard |
|---|---|---|---|
| No More Lies | 181 | 181 | 0 |
| Meticulous Archive | 81 | 81 | 0 |
| Archdruid’s Charm | 81 | 81 | 0 |
| Deduce | 58 | 58 | 0 |
| Lightning Helix | 55 | 54 | 1 |
| Novice Inspector | 48 | 48 | 0 |
| Vein Ripper | 48 | 48 | 0 |
| Krenko’s Buzzcrusher | 42 | 11 | 31 |
| Fugitive Codebreaker | 27 | 27 | 0 |
| Hedge Maze | 16 | 16 | 0 |
| Cryptic Coat | 16 | 2 | 14 |
| Deadly Cover-Up | 12 | 12 | 0 |
| Gleaming Geardrake | 12 | 12 | 0 |
| Case of the Filched Falcon | 11 | 11 | 0 |
| Case of the Gateway Express | 10 | 9 | 1 |
| Elegant Parlor | 9 | 9 | 0 |
| Unauthorized Exit | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| Case of the Crimson Pulse | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| Intrude on the Mind | 4 | 4 | 0 |
| Analyze the Pollen | 4 | 4 | 0 |
| Thundering Falls | 4 | 4 | 0 |
| Case of the Uneaten Feast | 4 | 4 | 0 |
| Proft’s Eidetic Memory | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Soul Search | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Undercity Sewers | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Kaya, Spirits’ Justice | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Underground Mortuary | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Warleader’s Call | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Lush Portico | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Reenact the Crime | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Ill-Timed Explosion | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Pick Your Poison | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Galvanize | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Raucous Theater | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Commercial District | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Urgent Necropsy | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Beyond No More Lies, Azorius Control decks are adopting Meticulous Archive and Deduce. Meticulous Archive enhances mana consistency and enables graveyard manipulation with Memory Deluge. Deduce, an upgraded Think Twice, sees play in Azorius Control and some Creativity builds, leveraging the Clue token for Indomitable Creativity.
Murders at Karlov Manor significantly benefits Niv to Light and Omnath to Light archetypes. Deadly Cover-Up provides a powerful board wipe and exile effect, crucial against Arclight Phoenix and Amalia Combo. Lightning Helix is a versatile early-game removal spell effective against threats like Ledger Shredder and Smuggler’s Copter, while also bolstering burn strategies in Jeskai and Boros decks.
Boros Convoke decks are embracing Novice Inspector, effectively doubling the count of Thraben Inspector-like one-drops to enhance consistency with Gleeful Demolition and Venerated Loxodon strategies. A singleton Case of the Gateway Express further strengthens their go-wide approach.
Izzet Ensoul is exploring Gleaming Geardrake and Case of the Filched Falcon, although adoption is currently limited. These cards offer artifact tokens, valuable for Ensoul Artifact and Shrapnel Blast strategies. Case of the Filched Falcon on Darksteel Citadel provides resilience against common removal spells.
In conclusion, Murders at Karlov Manor has injected innovation into the Pioneer metagame. To witness these strategies in action and see who emerges victorious, catch the Pro Tour Murders at Karlov Manor live coverage starting Friday, February 23, at twitch.tv/magic.
