The stage is set, the decklists are revealed, and the anticipation is palpable! Pro Tour Murders at Karlov Manor has commenced, marking the first major Pro Tour of 2024. In Chicago, 258 of the globe’s most skilled Magic: The Gathering players are locked in competition, vying for a substantial $500,000 prize pool, coveted invites to the Magic World Championship, and the prestige of the Pro Tour trophy. This event, hosted within the vibrant MagicCon: Chicago, is a crucial moment in the competitive MTG calendar.
Competitors have arrived through diverse paths, primarily through outstanding performances in Regional Championships, but the field also boasts Magic Hall of Fame inductees, top-tier online players, and standout performers from previous Pro Tours, Pro Tour Qualifiers, and the World Championship. The presence of World Champion Jean-Emmanuel Depraz and Player of the Year Simon Nielsen underscores the Pro Tour as the pinnacle of high-stakes tabletop Magic competition on a global scale.
The Pro Tour Murders at Karlov Manor features Murders at Karlov Manor Booster Draft in the morning sessions of Friday and Saturday, transitioning to the Pioneer format for five rounds each afternoon. Pioneer will also be the format for the decisive Top 8 playoffs on Sunday. For live coverage of all the action, tune into twitch.tv/magic, with broadcasts starting at 11 a.m. Central Time on Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. Central Time on Sunday. Consult the viewer’s guide for comprehensive viewing details.
Pro Tour Murders at Karlov Manor Schedule: A visual guide outlining the key times and events for viewers to follow the tournament.
Pioneer Metagame Unveiled: Top Decks to Watch
Pioneer stands as a dynamic non-rotating format in Magic: The Gathering, drawing from expansion and core sets starting from Return to Ravnica onwards. Notably, fetch lands are among the powerful cards on the Pioneer ban list, shaping the format’s landscape. Pioneer’s significance in competitive play is further amplified as it becomes the designated Constructed format for the upcoming RCQ cycle, making understanding the Pioneer Meta Mtg crucial for aspiring Pro Tour competitors. Boasting a card pool exceeding 10,000 cards, enriched by the latest additions from Murders at Karlov Manor, Pioneer offers a diverse spectrum of strategies, encompassing aggressive, midrange, control, and combo archetypes. The metagame breakdown at Pro Tour Murders at Karlov Manor reveals the current preferences of top players.
Pioneer Metagame Breakdown at Pro Tour Murders at Karlov Manor: A pie chart visualizing the distribution of deck archetypes played at the Pro Tour, highlighting format diversity.
| 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% |
Complete Pioneer Constructed decklists for the tournament will be accessible on the Pro Tour Murders at Karlov Manor event page starting Friday, February 23, at the commencement of Round 4 gameplay, approximately 2 p.m. Central Time.
The Pro Tour metagame distribution reflects trends observed in the online metagame from January, analyzed in detail in a format primer, yet notable shifts have occurred. Significantly, Rakdos Midrange, a dominant force in Pioneer throughout 2023, has been surpassed. While key cards like Fable of the Mirror-Breaker, Thoughtseize, and Fatal Push remain highly prevalent across Pro Tour decks, a new frontrunner has emerged: Izzet Phoenix!
Fueled by the additions of Picklock Prankster and Sleight of Hand from Wilds of Eldraine, Izzet Phoenix has been on a consistent rise through recent Regional Championships. Now, a substantial 17.8% of the Pro Tour field are piloting Izzet Phoenix, aiming to leverage the synergy of Consider, Treasure Cruise, and Lightning Axe to rapidly revive multiple Arclight Phoenixes from the graveyard. Intriguingly, some Izzet Phoenix builds are innovating, with seven players incorporating main deck Ashiok, Dream Render to fuel their graveyard strategies, disrupt opponents’ graveyards, and counter search effects like Emergent Ultimatum or Chord of Calling.
Pioneer Metagame Evolution: New Cards and Deck Innovations
While most Izzet Phoenix lists opt to exclude new cards from Murders of Karlov Manor, the latest set has undeniably injected fresh dynamics into various archetypes, leading to a notable evolution in the Pioneer metagame. The standout new card is undoubtedly No More Lies, widely recognized as a significant upgrade to Make Disappear, offering added versatility against threats like Arclight Phoenix and Memory Deluge. Let’s delve deeper into the impact of No More Lies and other key developments shaping the Pioneer format at this Pro Tour.
The Ascendancy of No More Lies in Pioneer Control Strategies
The introduction of No More Lies has solidified Azorius Control’s position as a premier contender in the Pioneer format. Decks are nearly evenly divided between 80-card and 60-card configurations. Furthermore, No More Lies is instrumental in the rise of Jeskai Creativity and Niv to Light archetypes, both of which are control-oriented decks that integrate a combo finish. The emerging Jeskai Creativity builds echo the Izzet Creativity deck that Reid Duke piloted to victory at last year’s Pioneer Pro Tour, now incorporating white for access to powerful cards such as No More Lies and The Wandering Emperor. The potential for creatively transforming 2/2 Samurai tokens into Atraxa, Grand Unifier adds a compelling dimension to these strategies. Niv to Light decks share similarities with Omnath to Light but feature at least one copy of Niv-Mizzet Reborn as a key target for Bring to Light, frequently paired with No More Lies for card advantage and control.
No More Lies Card Spotlight: A close-up image of the card No More Lies, highlighting its text and artwork, emphasizing its impact on Pioneer control decks.
Lotus Field Combo’s Reforged Strategy in Pioneer
Lotus Field Combo, historically favored in matchups against Izzet Phoenix, is represented by 23 players—a significant 8.9% of the Pro Tour field. Remarkably, almost all (22 out of 23) Lotus Field Combo players have integrated Archdruid’s Charm, with 16 running the maximum four copies. This triple-green spell marks a format first: an unconditional three-mana effect capable of directly deploying Lotus Field or Thespian’s Stage from the library onto the battlefield. Beyond enhancing deck consistency, Archdruid’s Charm provides answers to sideboard threats like Damping Sphere and can fetch silver-bullet creatures such as Dragonlord Dromoka, Fae of Wishes, or even Realm-Cloaked Giant. However, the broader field is prepared: Lotus Field Combo pilots will need to navigate around Krenko’s Buzzcrusher (which circumvents hexproof) and Ashiok, Dream Render (which disrupts Archdruid’s Charm). These strategic shifts promise to redefine Lotus Field Combo matchups in the Pioneer meta MTG.
Archdruid’s Charm Card Spotlight: An image focusing on Archdruid’s Charm, detailing its mana cost and ability, underscoring its role in revitalizing Lotus Field Combo in Pioneer.
Boros Heroic: An Unexpected Aggressive Pioneer Metagame Contender
At 4.7% of the metagame, Boros Heroic emerges as the most popular aggro deck, a notable surprise. Following the introduction of Monstrous Rage in Wilds of Eldraine, Boros Heroic demonstrated strong results in the preceding Regional Championships cycle, albeit overshadowed by Boros Convoke. However, Boros Heroic’s inherent speed allows it to effectively race combo strategies like Amalia Combo or Lotus Field Combo. Furthermore, ten out of twelve Boros Heroic players are leveraging Fugitive Codebreaker as a new turn-two prowess creature. Its disguise ability—while predictable—offers resilience in later stages of the game. Supported by a wealth of instants and sorceries, Fugitive Codebreaker strengthens the historically challenging matchup against Rakdos Midrange.
Fugitive Codebreaker Card Spotlight: A visual highlight of Fugitive Codebreaker, showcasing its prowess ability and disguise mechanic, explaining its impact on Boros Heroic’s Pioneer strategy.
Vampires Emerge with Renewed Vigor in Pioneer
The increased relevance of Cavern of Souls, driven by the prevalence of No More Lies in control strategies, has paved the way for Vampires. Twelve players—4.7% of the field, primarily Rakdos Vampires with one Mono-Black variant—are betting on the archetype. Despite Sorin, Imperious Bloodlord being Pioneer-legal for years, the supporting Vampire card pool was previously lacking. Recent sets have changed this dynamic. The Lost Caverns of Ixalan brought Preacher of the Schism, and Murders at Karlov Manor introduced Vein Ripper. Vein Ripper’s resilience, damage output, and rapid clock when deployed on turn three by Sorin make these new Vampire decks formidable contenders in the Pioneer meta MTG.
Sorin, Imperious Bloodlord Card Spotlight: An image featuring Sorin, Imperious Bloodlord, emphasizing its synergy with new Vampire cards and its role in the archetype’s Pioneer resurgence.
Top Murders at Karlov Manor Cards Impacting Pioneer
Despite the robust existing Pioneer card pool, Murders at Karlov Manor has significantly influenced the format. Beyond No More Lies and Archdruid’s Charm, the following table details all new-to-Pioneer cards featured in Pro Tour decklists, illustrating the set’s broad impact on the Pioneer meta MTG.
| 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 strategies are also adopting Meticulous Archive and Deduce. Meticulous Archive enhances mana consistency, facilitates surveiling Memory Deluge for value, and provides a free surveil trigger when Temporary Lockdown is targeted by Boseiju, Who Endures. Deduce, an improved iteration of Think Twice, is included in slightly under half of Azorius Control builds, and a small segment of Creativity players utilize the Clue token as a target for Indomitable Creativity.
Meticulous Archive Card Spotlight: An image highlighting Meticulous Archive, detailing its mana fixing and surveil abilities, emphasizing its role in Azorius Control consistency.
Lightning Helix Card Spotlight: A visual of Lightning Helix, showcasing its burn and lifegain effects, emphasizing its versatility in Pioneer archetypes like Niv to Light and Jeskai Control.
Murders at Karlov Manor has proven to be a treasure trove for Niv to Light and Omnath to Light decks. Deadly Cover-Up is a potent Bring to Light target, capable of sweeping the board while exiling critical threats like Arclight Phoenix or Amalia Benavides Aguirre, offering a significant advantage in key matchups. Lightning Helix is another significant addition, serving as early-game removal for threats such as Ledger Shredder, Smuggler’s Copter, and Wildgrowth Walker, smoothly transitioning into the deck’s powerful late-game strategy. This iconic burn spell is also finding inclusion in Jeskai Creativity, Jeskai Control, and Boros Burn decks, showcasing its broad appeal in the Pioneer meta MTG.
Novice Inspector Card Spotlight: A close-up of Novice Inspector, emphasizing its cheap cost and Clue generation, highlighting its importance in Boros Convoke strategies.
Case of the Gateway Express Card Spotlight: An image featuring Case of the Gateway Express, detailing its ability to boost wide strategies, underlining its synergy in Boros Convoke decks.
Boros Convoke decks (and a single Azorius Improvise list) universally adopted four copies of Novice Inspector. It stands as the premier one-drop for decks built around Gleeful Demolition and Venerated Loxodon, effectively doubling the count of Thraben Inspector-like effects for enhanced redundancy and consistency. Boros Convoke players are generally reducing counts of Ornithopter to accommodate this inclusion. Furthermore, most Boros Convoke lists incorporate a singleton Case of the Gateway Express to further amplify their go-wide game plan.
Case of the Filched Falcon Card Spotlight: A visual of Case of the Filched Falcon, showcasing its artifact creation and animation ability, emphasizing its potential in Izzet Ensoul strategies.
Only four of the eleven Izzet Ensoul players have integrated Gleaming Geardrake and/or Case of the Filched Falcon, often reducing counts of Gleeful Demolition and Reckless Bushwhacker, but these new cards show promise. Both introduce an artifact token, which the deck can readily equip with Ensoul Artifact or sacrifice to Shrapnel Blast. Notably, animating Darksteel Citadel with Case of the Filched Falcon provides resilience against removal like Temporary Lockdown or Get Lost, unlike traditional Ensoul Artifact targets.
In conclusion, Murders at Karlov Manor has delivered a wealth of innovative cards impacting both established and emerging archetypes in the Pioneer meta MTG. To witness firsthand which strategies and cards will dominate and which players will etch their names into Magic history, don’t miss the live Pro Tour Murders at Karlov Manor coverage, commencing Friday, February 23, at twitch.tv/magic!
Pro Tour Murders at Karlov Manor Casters: A photo of the broadcast team, inviting viewers to tune in and follow the live coverage of the tournament.
