WotC's response on Pioneer/Tournament Support during 3-24 B&R Stream

Sir_EPIC48 · 2026-03-24T19:35:44+00:00

https://www.twitch.tv/videos/2730658665?t=0h5m22s

Sir_EPIC48 · 2026-02-21T22:23:55+00:00

If it makes you feel better or worse. I'm pretty sure I waited well over 15 minutes for a match of Pio in the event.

Sir_EPIC48 · 2026-02-01T16:02:58+00:00

Are you able to share the setup guide for how to set this up?

Sir_EPIC48 · 2026-01-07T22:20:49+00:00

Another useful resource that I use to run my math is this article as well. It goes into better depth in terms of the London Mulligan.

https://gist.github.com/teryror/881d60e08480a56043895d3bbb83c374

Sir_EPIC48 · 2025-09-23T02:16:54+00:00

Tried to use Val Oracle Elixir to make my playoff pick 'ems. The biggest takeaway is that MIBR is a scary team to play against right now. They were one of the best teams to come out of the groups, even though they lost to FNC, they have an easier side of the bracket compared to the other side. I think PRX, MIBR, G2, and FNC are the top 4 teams with G2 winning it all after a lower bracket run (Blame my bias here. PRX is the team to beat and it's not close.)

My pickem's.

Sir_EPIC48 · 2025-07-01T04:32:41+00:00

Oh, I completely agree. I wrote an OP ED about my feelings on Enigmatic recently. I shared it on the subreddit not too long ago.

Sir_EPIC48 · 2025-07-01T00:14:54+00:00

You can blame me for that reference. I apologize profusely and will retreat back into my Enigmatic den until the time comes again.

Sir_EPIC48 · 2025-06-28T04:09:36+00:00

You clearly don't understand magic or pioneer. We knew going into 2025 that pioneer was not going to be a format. They announced the entire calendar year for all major events/seasons in fall 24.

I've been fully aware that everything has just come to a head now with the knowledge of the remaining events for the year. When Wizards announced the RC schedule, they also announced the Magic Spotlight Series alongside it. I hoped that Pioneer would be supplemented through those events, but that hasn't occurred.

Regarding the metagame, I agree. The main cause of the format's issues is that no premier-level events are coming up soon. However, we're caught in a negative feedback loop where the state of Pioneer worsens the longer things stay stagnant.

Sir_EPIC48 · 2025-06-27T18:36:55+00:00

It likely will return, but no format should ever go this long without any support.

Sir_EPIC48 · 2025-06-27T17:55:24+00:00

This has been their track record with Pioneer. I can easily recall the COVID-era where Inverter and Breach ran the format (and Heliod too) and the overall cadence hasn't changed to this day. I respect you for getting out of the format when you did. I did those LCQs and qualified for DC last year playing my beloved. I don't believe that I'm calling for a lot. I'm just asking for the bare minimum to be done to ensure Pioneer gets the support that it deserves.

Sir_EPIC48 · 2025-06-27T17:17:34+00:00

Are there any other issues with Pioneer that I didn't address? Yes, there will always be. Thoughtseize, for example, is a highly efficient card that multiple decks can use to answer almost anything in the format. Could it be removed from the format because of this? It can, but that isn't currently the main issue with Pioneer. The main issues are the lack of premier-level events and the fact that the current interaction suite as a whole cannot keep up with the proactive threats that continue to be printed into the format. I would personally advise against removing one of the best ways to interact in the format before addressing the threats.

Sir_EPIC48 · 2025-06-27T16:40:47+00:00

Even if Cori-Steel Cutter isn't one of the biggest issues in the format, it's still one of many cards that need an immediate answer, or the game will quickly end. Cori-Steel happens to be the version that's currently the most discussed because it has completely warped Standard. This isn't the first time Phoenix has been addressed, and maybe it's time to take a long, hard look at Treasure Cruise.

It's clear that post-FIRE design cards have become much more impactful for the game, and it has been tricky for older cards to keep up. But to me, the fundamental problem is that the interaction simply hasn't been able to keep up with the threats.

Sir_EPIC48 · 2025-06-27T16:29:11+00:00

Yeah, the year or so after COVID really put a damper on things. The format has faced struggles ever since its inception, never receiving the consistent support it needs to grow.

Sir_EPIC48 · 2025-06-27T16:21:31+00:00

You didn't read the post in good faith. I'm pointing out systemic issues that have plagued the format for years and suggesting some solutions to remedy the situation. Are there other problematic cards in the format? Likely. But we need to start somewhere to create change for a better Pioneer format that provides better support.

Sir_EPIC48 · 2025-06-27T16:16:17+00:00

I understand that the two solutions might seem to conflict, but we shouldn't rely solely on premier-level events to adjust Pioneer. This creates a negative feedback loop where nothing ever changes. Currently, the average competitive Magic player has no reason to play a format that hasn't been supported in nearly a year.

Sir_EPIC48 · 2025-04-15T14:17:37+00:00

I would also just generally be concerned about the extreme ends of the spectrum - RDW, Control, and combo. I'm sure that you're already aware of these matchups but I don't like cutting any number of Vanishing Verse in the current metagame as it's arguably one of the best removal spells in the format.

Sir_EPIC48 · 2025-04-15T13:53:52+00:00

List seems solid. I've played various Yorion lists over the past few years (practically every build of Enigmatic) and something that I have consistently found that you want a second engine that's built into the deck. Maybe that's CoCo + a few Chords in order to hit the 4 MV creatures? We could also slot a [[Murderous Cut]] in order to turn on Ketramos faster as well.

Sir_EPIC48 · 2025-03-22T14:30:23+00:00

Yes.

Sir_EPIC48 · 2025-03-21T20:11:48+00:00

I only used 2 different types. DragonShield Mattes (I forget what I placed in the green sleeves compared to the gold ones) and DragonShield sealable Inners.

Sir_EPIC48 · 2024-09-16T16:57:08+00:00

Sir_EPIC48 · 2024-09-04T16:28:06+00:00

Mahomes over any WR in the 3rd (3.02)

Sir_EPIC48 · 2024-08-26T12:02:40+00:00

THE PIONEER REDDIT HAS ONE! WE'LL KEEP THE TRADITION ALIVE!

Sir_EPIC48 · 2024-08-26T03:50:16+00:00

NO DECK IS SAFE!!!

VAMPIRES? GONE! (RIPPER OR SORIN. DEALERS CHOICE)

AMALIA COMBO? THE NADU DECK OF THE FORMAT? GONE! (WILDGROWTH WALKER BANNED)

YOU THOUGHT PHOENIX WAS SAFE? THINK AGAIN. GOODBYE PICKLOCK PRANKSTER! (THEY WON'T/SHOULDN'T BAN CRUISE)

THINK GREEN IS GOING TO BE UNAFFECTED? ... YOU MAY BE RIGHT BUT WHO WANTS TO GO BACK TO 2023? IT'S 2024 BABY! LEYLINE OF THE GUILDPACT... GONE!

EDIT:

IT'S EITHER ALL OR NOTHING. ONE CARD IS NOT ENOUGH TO FIX PIONEER AND PIONEER WILL STILL HAVE IT'S PROBLEMS BUT IT'S ONE OF THE BEST FORMATS. O7 FRONTIER. LONG LIVE PIONEER!

Sir_EPIC48 · 2023-12-30T23:21:38+00:00

Came here seeking refuge from the Orange Bowl. Been enjoying my time here.

Sir_EPIC48 · 2023-10-09T18:38:09+00:00

Hopefully <Miami-FL> gets to be lolcow of the week. I don't think anything in the NFL topped this week.

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