Luis Salvatto Becomes The 2018 Magic: The Gathering Player of the Year

Wizards of the Coast

Before the Pro Tour Guilds of Ravnica kicks off this weekend, Magic: The Gathering pro players Luis Salvatto and Seth Manfield battled it out in a playoff for the Player of the Year title at the Cobb Galleria Centre in Atlanta, Georgia. Salvatto defeated Manfield in a best-of-seven match using four Standard decks each (no sideboards) that they submitted for the showdown.

The two Magic pros had to play against each other after being tied for Player of the Year race to decide who wins the title. Salvatto submitted the following Standard decks: White Weenie, Mono-Red Aggro, Mono-Blue Tempo, and Jeskai Control; Manfield's decks are Boros Weenie, Mono-Blue Tempo, Mono-Red Aggro, and Izzet Drakes. Once each player won with his deck, they won't be allowed to use that deck for the rest of the match. Salvatto took the lead and his last deck was White Weenie. After four games, Manfield had to win three more games. Manfield managed to defeat Salvatto's White Weenie with his Red White Weenie but his next deck, Mono-Red Aggro lost after Salvatto had a strong opening with two copies of History of Benalia in a row.

You can check out their decklists here.

Photo: Wizards of the Coast

Congrats to the Argentinian Magic player, Luis Salvatto! Well-deserved!

You can watch Salvatto's documentary here.

Related: Wizards of the Coast Now Charging Pros For Previously Free Pro Tour Swag