5 Reasons why you should be excited for Spotlight Series: Utrecht
The first Spotlight Series in Europe is approaching, the Spotlight Series Modern in Utrecht! At the end of March, Magic: The Gathering players from across Europe will gather to compete for glory and a large prize pool in the Main Event and various Side Events.
We prepared a short summary for you to see all of the things you can get excited about at the end of March – and we have a brief look at the top-performing decks of recent Modern history.
Thijs Weytens
Thijs Weytens
Thijs Weytens
The Wait is Almost Over
Back in August 2024, Wizards of the Coast announced a new tournament series: The Magic Spotlight Series! Grand-scale, multi-day open tournaments taking place in cities around the world, each boasting an impressive $50,000 prize pool.
This series rekindles the spirit of the old Grand Prix events, fondly remembered by all of you seasoned players. The Spotlight Series aims to recapture that magic while offering a new generation of competitors the chance to prove their skills.
Unlike the Grand Prix of old, these events stand alone – no byes, no qualifiers, just pure competition. Each tournament features a unique theme, and for Utrecht, it’s all about Modern! So, let’s dive into everything that makes this weekend unmissable.
1. The Main Event
Bring your best Modern Constructed deck and prepare for a battle of endurance and skill!
The main event kicks off with nine rounds on Day 1, with only those holding 18 or more Match Points advancing to six more rounds on Day 2. After 15 rounds, the top eight players advance to the Single Elimination stage, where the final eight not only fight for their share of the prize pool but also secure an automatic invitation to the Pro Tour!
And for the champion? A prestigious title, eternal glory, and a staggering $10,000 first-place prize.
How to Prepare for the Main Event
The Modern metagame seems to have stabilized by now, with top contenders like Boros Energy and Temur Underworld Breach as the most popular choices. Let’s take a look at some results of the Regional Championships around the world:
- Boros Energy took down the Regional Championship in Ottawa, Canada on January 25 in the hands of Simon Piché
- Temur Underworld Breach claimed victory at the Ultimate Guard European Magic Series RC in Prague on January 26 in the hands of Alexander Rohan.
- Boros Energy struck again at the Champions Cup Final in Chiba, Japan on February 8 in the hands of Noah Ma
- Amulet Titan won the Regional Championship in Portland, USA on February 9 in the hands of Peter Husisian.
If we combine all four top 8 decklists of these events, we get a clear view of the winner’s metagame.
You can clearly see that Boros Energy and Temur Breach are the most popular decks right now, with Eldrazi Ramp and Orzhov Blink close behind. But will they hold up in Utrecht? The metagame is constantly evolving, and Aetherdrift has introduced some exciting new cards. Which brings me to a new deck that’s shaking up the meta: Orzhov Blink.
Some early adopters played this deck in Prague, after which it got 2nd place in Ottawa, but it really broke out during the February 8-9 weekend, claiming a 9.4% metagame share in Chiba metagame and 9.3% in Portland.
So how does this deck function?
Orzhov Blink
Orzhov Blink is a disruptive midrange creature deck, drawing comparisons to Legacy’s Death & Taxes. The deck plays Aether Vial and a bevy of disruptive creatures like White Orchid Phantom, Skyclave Apparition, and Solitude. It combines these creatures with “blink” effects like Ephemerate, Phelia, Exuberant Shepherd, and Flickerwisp.
The deck also features the powerful Overlord of the Balemurk, which you can impend for 2 mana, blink, and then bring back at full strength without ever paying its hefty 5 mana cost. Traditionally, this type of deck relied heavily on Aether Vial to flood the board and cheat on mana. Overlord of the Balemurk, combined with the various blink effects, gives the deck a new angle to jump ahead on mana that is not reliant on Aether Vial.
A new card from Aetherdrift, Ketramose, the New Dawn, could also be a powerful card advantage spell for this deck, as all your blink effects temporarily exile cards.
How do you beat this deck?
- Be precise with your removal. Poorly timed interaction plays right into their blink strategy.
- Be aware of their spicy one-offs and play around them accordingly.
- Sideboard cards like Torpor Orb, Doorkeeper Thrull, or Elesh Norn are extremely good against this deck, while mass removal like Wrath of the Skies or The Meathook Massacre clear their tricky board states.
With a well-prepared game plan and the right sideboard choices, you can navigate the Orzhov Blink matchup effectively. But even if the main event doesn’t go as planned, there’s still plenty to look forward to throughout the weekend.
2. Plenty of Side Events
Play Various Formats All Weekend Long
Besides the main event, you’ll find a diverse range of Side Events to join! Jump into Commander, Standard, Pioneer, Modern, Legacy, and Sealed, with multiple opportunities to play each format.
Check out the full schedule of Side Events here!
Let’s dive into a selection of the many exciting side events waiting for you!
Friday
On Friday you can start the day early with Collector Powered Sealed at 09:30 to warm up those brain muscles and set the pace for an exciting Magic Weekend. This is a Sealed format where some Collector Boosters are added to your pool for extra power!
Planning to play in the main event? Test your Modern deck one last time at the Modern Gauntlet starting at 12:00!
All warmed up and ready to team up with two friends? The Collector Powered Team Trios at 15:30 is your chance to dive into intense competition while strengthening your team chemistry!
Saturday
If the Main Event isn’t your thing, there’s plenty more on offer. Dive into the Legacy Clash at 10:00 or play the Mystery Booster 2 Sealed at 11:00.
Had a rough day in the main event and dropped out early? No worry, there’s a Modern Event starting at 11:30, a Modern Clash at 15:00 and a Modern Triple-Up event starting at 16:30. Plenty of opportunities to redeem yourself and showcase your Modern deck!
Sunday
After two intense days of gaming, kick off your Sunday with the Ultimate Guard Destination Qualifier at 10:00. Bring your Modern deck and fight for a spot in the Ultimate Guard European Magic Series in Bologna!
Want a more relaxed start to your Sunday? Maybe after a long brunch? Join the 12-Pack Mixed Bag Sealed at 13:00! In this event, you’ll build your deck using a mix of Standard-legal booster packs for a fun and unique Sealed experience.
Looking for one last chance to showcase your Modern deck before the weekend wraps up? Don’t miss our final event—the Modern Triple-Up at 15:30!
After that, it’s a wrap! Be sure to swing by the prize wall and trade in your tix for some amazing rewards!
3. The Command Zone
The Command Zone is open to all players all weekend long! Bring your favourite Commander deck and jump into the action—there are plenty of ways to join the fun!
The Commander League
Play all weekend and collect stamps for each game played in the Command Zone. For each stamp you will win 40 prize Tix, with an added bonus of 40 Tix if you manage to get your stamp card full!
Only have time to jam one or two games? Join Commander For Tix, where every Commander Game comes with prizes! 100 prize tix for each player, and 80 extra tix for the pod winner!
Precon Events
Don’t have your own Commander Deck yet? The Random Precon Battles might be perfect for you! Sign up and receive a random preconstructed deck to play with. There’s just one Precon Battle each day throughout the weekend, so make sure to join in and don’t miss your chance.
4. Artist Alley
Ten renowned artists will be present all weekend! Whether you’re looking to get your favourite cards signed, pick up exclusive prints, or just chat with the talent behind the artwork, Artist Alley is a must-visit spot.
5. Vendors
Looking for last-minute deck upgrades or want to cash in on some spare cards? Nine vendors will be on-site, fully stocked with everything you need to optimise your deck for battle.
Final Thoughts
The Spotlight Series Modern in Utrecht promises to be one of the most exciting Magic events of the year. With a massive Modern Main Event, endless side events, artist signings, vendors, and live coverage, it’s shaping up to be an unforgettable weekend! Get your tickets here!
Can’t make it to Utrecht? Don’t worry! Catch all the action LIVE on Twitch all weekend long.
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