From November 1-3, 2024, the Uthden Troll Cup VI in Leeuwarden, the Netherlands, brought together 272 players from 17 countries—including the USA, the Philippines, Israel, Australia, and much of Europe—to celebrate the vibrant world of tabletop gaming. Over a weekend brimming with camaraderie, creativity, and thrilling competitions, we introduced two exciting new elements: Learn to Play sessions and an Arthurian Legends Sealed Tournament for Sorcery: Contested Realm, a fresh game with a nostalgic Old School vibe.
For us, this was an experiment. How would Sorcery integrate into the event? Would it resonate with the Old School Magic community? Could it stand out as a compelling side event? Or might it even hold the potential for a dedicated Sorceryweekend in the future, inspired by the spirit of the Uthden Troll Cup?
Before drawing any conclusions, let’s take a moment to reflect on all things Sorcery at this year’s Uthden Troll Cup and explore its reception and impact on the event.
Learn to Play Events
The Learn to Play events introduced 24 participants to Sorcery, 14 of whom were completely new to the game. Supported by the dedicated efforts of the NearmintGaming community, each new player was paired with an experienced guide who explained the game’s rules and mechanics, ensuring an engaging and educational experience.
To encourage newcomers, each participant received a Beta constructed deck to keep, and all attendees were gifted exclusive Foil Spellslinger promo cards, generously sponsored by Erik’s Curiosa (the company/team behind Sorcery).
Vendor Support
The Learn to Play sessions were enhanced by the sponsorship of Trolls of the Realm, who provided Beta and Arthurian Legends boosters and singles, ensuring that both new and veteran players had access to the resources they needed to enjoy and expand their connection to Sorcery. The TrollsoftheRealm webshop with Sorcery singles and boosters will open soon as well, so more supply to support the community is coming 😉
Arthurian Legends Sealed Tournament
The Arthurian Legends Sealed tournament was a standout event, drawing 17 players, including six newcomers to Sorcery. Players hailed from diverse locations such as Australia, Italy, the USA, and the Netherlands, coming together to compete in four rounds of Swiss-format gameplay.
Trolls of the Realm further enriched the tournament by sponsoring an Arthurian Legends booster pack for each win secured by participants. This added incentive not only rewarded success but also allowed players to enhance their card collections during the event itself.
Prizing and Sponsorships
In addition to the booster packs, participants were treated to a range of exceptional prizes, thanks to the tournament’s sponsors:
- Erik’s Curiosa contributed the new Store Play kit with 4x two-player playmats, 8 draftkits and some nice prizes:
- A Champion promo card for the winner.
- Frazetta Foil Sorcerers for the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th places.
- Trolls of the Realm supplied Arthurian Legends boosters and singles to make the Sealed format and prize structure possible.
- Wandraschek Weinmanufaktur (Austria) provided six bottles of premium Riesling:
- One “Champion Bottle” for the tournament winner.
- Five “Special Thanks” bottles awarded to the volunteers who supported the event, including those helping with the Learn to Play sessions.
These prizes reflected the collaborative spirit of the event and celebrated both player achievements and volunteer contributions.
Winner Joa Maliangkay
Joa Maliangkay, a local from the NearMintGaming community, built a nice deck with 2 Shellycoats, 2 Brown Bears and a Lake Afanc. He went undefeated and took home the Champion Promo, a premium bottle of Riesling Wine, UTC winner sleeves and of course eternal fame. Congratulations Joa, well deserved!
Art, Community, and Nostalgia
The artistic spirit of Sorcery was further enriched by the presence of Drew Tucker, an iconic artist whose work resonates with fans of both Magic and Sorcery. His attendance added a layer of inspiration, allowing players to connect with the artistry behind the game.
The event demonstrated that Sorcery is more than just a new collectible card game—it’s a celebration of the principles that first drew many into the world of tabletop gaming. With its stunning artwork, thoughtful gameplay, and respect for tradition, Sorcery complements the Old School Magic scene, offering a fresh yet familiar experience.
All the amazing pictures of the event were taken by Dyan de Rochemont. Thanks Dyan!
Conclusion: Sorcery and Old School Magic – A Natural Fit
The crossover between Sorcery: Contested Realm and Old School Magic: The Gathering proved to be a seamless and enriching experience. Both games share a creative ethos, emphasize stunning artwork, and offer deep, thoughtful gameplay, making Sorcery a natural complement to the Old School Magic community. Players familiar with the nostalgic and deliberate pace of Old School Magic easily adapted to Sorcery’s world, appreciating its homage to classic card games while embracing its unique mechanics.
This synergy was clear during both the Learn to Play sessions and the Arthurian Legends Sealed Tournament, where Old School Magic players found themselves comfortably immersed in Sorcery’s rich thematic and gameplay depth.
The Uthden Troll Cup VI demonstrated that Sorcery is an excellent companion for Old School Magic events. With its blend of nostalgia, artistry, and strategic depth, it appeals to the same audience that cherishes Old School Magic. By bridging gaming generations and introducing new creative possibilities, Sorcery: Contested Realm left a lasting impression on players old and new.
Now, to revisit the questions we posed at the start of this blog:
Will we see more Sorcery events at the next Uthden Troll Cup? Absolutely. The answer is a resounding yes. Sorcery and Old School Magic don’t just coexist—they enhance one another. This crossover flows both ways, as one diehard Sorceryplayer from the NearmintGaming community completed his first Old School Magic deck and is now ready to join the Old School Magic scene. Isn’t that fantastic?
But what about Sorcery as a standalone event? Could it anchor a large-scale, three-day “Uthden Troll Cup”-style tournament all its own? That’s a bigger question—and a bigger challenge. It’s a lot of work to organize such an event, but we firmly believe there are so many more stories waiting to be told in the world of Sorcery.
So, let’s leave it at this for now: To be continued…
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