Maaagic Players! We’ve got not one, but two competitive-level Magic events coming up this August. If you’re planning to attend Laughing Dragon’s Magic Experience event down in Tacoma, or if you’re still looking to qualify for the Dreamhack Regional Championship in Atlanta later this year, have a look! Details on both events are below.

Phoenix Competitive Double-Header

Ready for a deck-building challenge? Try your hand at Modern or Pioneer. Both events come with a chance to win tons of store credit and maybe more importantly have extra benefits for larger competitive events down the road. Whether this is your first time playing in a competitive Magic event, or you’re a seasoned veteran, take a look at the details below and make sure each event is right for you.

MXP Tacoma Trial

One of our neighboring local stores, Laughing Dragon Games, is hosting a large scale Magic Experience event this August 12-13. We’re partnering with them to hold a $1K Trial event. Before we get too much more into what you can win, here’s the details you should know about: 

• Event Date: August 6, 2023
• Preregistration: Now Live! Go here to prereg! 
• Format: Modern
• Entry Fee: $30 Preregistration, $35 at the door.
• Player Cap: 52
• ​Day-of Registration & Check-In: 10:00 AM-11:00 AM
• Absent Players Dropped and Refunded: 11:00 AM-11:05 AM
• Swiss Rounds: 11:05 AM-5:00 PM
• Top 8: 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM​

MXP Prize Structure

Prize support for this event will follow a scalable model based on number of attendees. At max attendance, here’s what you can expect the prize structure to look like:

• 1st Place - Round One Bye in the Tacoma MXP Event + $300 Store Credit
• 2nd Place - $250 Store Credit
• 3rd / 4th Place - $125 Store Credit
• 5th - 8th Place: $50 Store Credit

2-Slot Dreamhack Regional Championship Qualifier

Is the modern format not your thing? Well why not try to qualify for Dreamhack Atlanta later this year at our 2-Slot RCQ! Here are the details for this event:

• Date: August 19, 2023
• Preregistration: Now Live! Go here to prereg! 
• Format: Pioneer
• Entry Fee: $30 Preregistration, $35 at the door.
• Player Cap: 52
• ​Day-of Registration & Check-In: 10:00 AM-11:00 AM
• Absent Players Dropped and Refunded: 11:00 AM-11:05 AM
• Swiss Rounds: 11:05 AM-5:00 PM
• Top 8: 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM​

RCQ Prize Structure

Prize support for this event will follow a scalable model based on number of attendees and is gonna look pretty similar to our MXP prize structure (with a couple of key differences at 1st and 2nd place). At max attendance, here’s what you can expect the prize structure to look like:

• 1st Place - $250 Store Credit + Lanyard, Pin, winning promo, and top 8 promo
• 2nd Place - $250 Store Credit + Pin, winning promo, and top 8 promo
• 3rd / 4th Place - $150 Store Credit + Pin and top 8 promo
• 5th - 8th Place: $50 Store Credit + Pin and top 8 promo

In addition, all players who attend the event will get the participation promo Unholy Heat card.

Competitive REL Tips and FAQ

If this is your first time playing at a competitive rules enforcement (or Comp REL) event, there are some things you should know so that you have a fun and enjoyable experience. We’ve put together some of the most frequent issues and questions players have here.

Decklists Required

Maybe the biggest and easiest to forget thing. Decklists are required at comp REL. Typically there’s two ways to do them. You can either swing by the store before the event starts (in the 10-11 AM hour) and write one by hand OR you can head over to decklist.org and make it before the event begins. Either way, your decklist should be complete and in your hands by the time the player meeting is over. Whatever is on your decklist at the beginning of the event is what you’ll be held to over the course of the event. Common mistakes on decklists include:

• Not including basic lands in the decklist
• Missing cards out of your sideboard
• Making a last minute change and not documenting it on the decklist.

Whether you print it out ahead of time or do it right before the event, make sure you double check your decklist before handing it off to the judge. This could save you from a penalty in the event a deck check is done. Also, while we’re on the subject of decklists - you are responsible and required to de-sideboard after each match! 

Plan Ahead To Be On Time

With over 8 hours of potential Magic to play, it’s important that we start on time to keep things running smoothly. To that end, we recommend getting here at least 30 minutes before the event fires (about 10:30 AM). That way if you need to buy a crucial single, resleeve your deck, or make a change to your decklist, you can. You’ve also got padding in the case that something happens to your method of transit.

Speaking of transit - if you’re coming from the extreme north or south end, we highly recommend utilizing the light rail to get here. The park and rides at the Northgate transit center are great and it takes about as long to take the train as it does to drive it. Plus you don’t have to find parking on the hill!

If you have to drive, we recommend the parking lot at the Harvard Garage for weekend events like these. It’s got a day rate that’s fairly reasonable, and it’s nearby. Please don’t park at Dick’s! They will eventually tow you. There’s also another surface lot behind the college here that you can try if that doesn’t work.

Our Judge is here to help

Worried you made a mistake? Call a judge! Concerned your sleeves are too worn. Judge! Need oracle text on a card? Also judge! At comp REL we keep a judge on hand to help make sense of rulings, do deck checks, adjudicate conflicts and more. They’re also here to facilitate the experience and make it as pleasant as possible. Calling a judge isn’t a value judgement on something your opponent did, nor is having a judge called on you a mark of slander on you. If you need some help, that’s what they’re there for.

On that same vein - if you have a problem with the venue (i.e., too hot, too cold, a problem with another player that isn’t MTG related, a problem with the bathroom, etc.), please reach out to one of our managers. Our goal is to make this event as fun as possible, so please let us know how we can help with that!

FAQ - Comp REL Frequently Asked Questions

Q: I preregistered for the event, and now I can’t make it. What should I do?

A: Please contact us by email and request a refund. You can use our contact page, or reply to the email confirmation you were sent when you registered online.

Q: I preregistered for the event and qualified in another event already. What should I do?

A: Congratulations are in order, but I'm afraid you cannot play in a trial or RCQ when you've already gotten an invitation or bye at another event. Please contact us by email and request a refund.

Q: What should I bring with me to the event?

A: You should definitely bring your deck, a decklist and any tokens or dice you may need to play the deck. You may also want to bring a lifepad or pen and paper to keep track of life totals, a water bottle, extra sleeves, and a snack. We’ve got a water cooler on hand that you can use to fill the bottle, and sometimes rounds will run right into each other, so having a snack can alleviate a little hunger.

Q: Should I preregister for the event?

A: If you're able to, yes absolutely! Preregistration locks in your spot at the event. The last thing you need or want is to show up on the day of and find out we sold out the night before (which is a thing that has happened in the past).

Q: How well do I have to know Magic to play at a comp REL event? 

A: We suggest you have a working knowledge of the game. Be familiar with the format you’re playing in and know the policies and procedures of Magic.

Q: If I’m running late, can I call the store and check in over the phone?

A: We always strongly encourage you to reach out and let us know what’s going on. In the event that you’re going to be just a few minutes late, we may be able to help your by doing the check-in process over the phone.

Q: If I win the event, what information do I need to provide to you to get the invitation / MXP Bye?