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DesertCon Las Vegas 2026: Old School Magic in the Desert!

DesertCon Overview

DesertCon is a multi-day, in-person gathering in the Las Vegas desert featuring Old School Swedish (SWE) and X-Point Old School Main Event Tournaments, while also exploring growing formats Four Horsemen and 7pts Singleton "Niche" Old School Magic side tournaments.  DesertCon runs the afternoon April 30 - May 3, 2026 at the The STRAT Hotel, Casino & Tower in Las Vegas, NV, USA!

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Hosted as an unofficial side event to MagicCon: Las Vegas 2026, DesertCon runs in parallel, offering attendees a unique and immersive experience that complements the official festivities.  ​DesertCon features 1993-1994 draft experiences, four separate Old School Magic tournaments, professional DJ social mixers, evening parties with live music performances by Dallas-based musician ISHI, featured Old School Magic artists including Jesper Myrfors, who will deliver the key note addresses on Magic art and design, additional honored guest artists and speakers, Magic sellers, a series of charity auctions and raffles, benefiting our charitable cause, Children's Medical Center of Dallas, and more; all in the fabulous Las Vegas!  

 

To top this off, the DesertCon 2026 inaugural First Place Championship will be awarded to the player who plays in the most tournament events and accumulates the most tournament points across all events within the Top Eight Quarterfinals, Top Four Semifinals, and Finals. 

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About Four Horsemen

The Four Horsemen Old School Magic community of over 530 Members strong has been built on creativity, inclusion, innovation within the Old School Magic landscape, and with resilience.  Over the past four years, we’ve hosted 23 free tournaments, given away thousands in prizes, and built a format that celebrates the forgotten corners of Magic’s history allowing cards that rarely see play, see lots of action on the spell mat with Four Horsemen Old School Magic.
 

Our Next Chapter - DesertCon!

DesertCon is our next chapter:  a celebration of fringe formats, legendary artists, and charitable giving. DesertCon  was built from love, loss, and a desire to give back. It’s a celebration of creativity, inclusion, and charity.

DesertCon was inspired by the medical journey of Audrey, the daughter of one of our founders and our commitment to Children’s Medical Center of Dallas as our charitable cause for DesertCon 2026.  DesertCon is more than merely a conference or tournament focused on Old School Magic.  It's a tribute to resilience, healing, creativity, and community.   Founded in September 2025 by a coalition of format leaders, DesertCon supports a meaningful charitable cause through raffles and donations while offering a vibrant set of mainstream Old School events, and spotlighting the creativity of the broader Old School ecosystem showcasing rapidly growing formats.​

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Special Honored Guest Speakers

Jesper Myrfors, Iconic Old School Magic Artist and the Legendary Original Lead Designer of Magic the Gathering will be joining us remotely via web camera to deliver a live keynote presentation "Hell From the Dark:  The True Story of the Design Inspiration Behind Magic the Gathering's Most Beloved & Infamous Expansion Set". Jesper Myrfors led as the original Art Director and served as one of the most iconic and visionary of the early Magic The Gathering artists, playing the foundational role in shaping the game's art, aesthetic, and fantasy world creation in which it draws you into. Jesper Myrfors will also unveil a special new custom artwork he painted specifically for DesertCon to be auctioned for our charity!   Jesper rarely appears or speaks publicly, so this is a once in a lifetime opportunity you won't want to miss!

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Famous Magic the Gathering Historian and author, Ryan W. Rooks, will be giving a presentation and talk on "The Surprising Unknown History of Magic the Gathering" on Thursday, April 30 at DesertCon on the

 

Ryan W. Rooks is the author of the book "A Collector's Abridged History of Magic the Gathering" who spent over ten years exhaustively researching the history of Magic The Gathering. You won't want to miss this rare opportunity to hear Ryan present on the secret history of Magic the Gathering! 

 

Special Honored Guests Magic the Gathering Artists!

We will also be graced by the presense of additional amazing Magic Artists Sierra Troi Rush, daughter of Christopher Rush, Kevin Brockschmidt, Daniel Gelon and more!

 

Please join us for DesertCon Vegas April 30 - May 3 2026 at the The STRAT Hotel, Casino & Tower.  Attendance is limited to 80. Given the popularity of Las Vegas as a destination, and the synergy of this event, you will want to get your $150 All-Inclusive Pass while they last!   

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Why DesertCon?

  • 💖 Charity: Support meaningful causes through raffles and donations.

  • 🤝 Community & Camaraderie: Connect with fellow Old School Magic enthusiasts, format creators, leaders within the community, and collectors.

  • 🌟 Innovation: Main Event Tournaments Old School Swedish and X-Point, with additional 'Scrub Out' Four Horsemen and 7-Points Singleton Tournaments.

  • 🎨 Culture: Enjoy custom card showcases, guest artists, and lore deep-dives by special guest speakers.​​​​

Open Invitation to Join Us at DesertCon

We invite all Magic Artists, Card Vendors and Sellers, Old School Magic Players, and Tournament Judges and Tournament Managers to please Contact Us to volunteer to join us for this worthy charitable cause and celebration of the early 1990s Old School Magic Art, formats, legendary artists, and charitable giving!  We offer free tables to artists at DesertCon as well as a special discounted hotel rate.  We have sponsorship plans available for card sellers and vendors as well!  Contact Us today to join us!

DesertCon Vegas 2026
DesertCon Vegas 2026
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Event Schedule:  April 30-May 3, 2026

THU APRIL 30

Jesper Myfors
Ryan W Rooks

​FRI MAY 1

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SAT MAY 2

John White Level3 Head Judge
X-Point Old School
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Old School Swedish
John White Level3 Head Judge

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SUN MAY 3

  • 8:00 AM Optional Hangover Brunch & Gathering

    • The Cheesecake Factory, 505 S Grand Central Pkwy Suite 3201, Las Vegas, NV 89106

  • 9:00 AM Optional Old School Magic 1993-1994 Sealed Deck Tournament ($175 Entry Fee)

    • 1 x Sealed 4th Edition Starter Deck​

    • 3 x Sealed Chronicles Booster Packs

    • Players Keep All cards Plus Special Prizes for the Winners

    • Location:  The Cheesecake Factory Dinning Room, 505 S Grand Central Pkwy Suite 3201, Las Vegas, NV

  • 6:00 PM People Depart and Catch Flights Home​​​​​​

Attending Special Honored Guest Artists ​

Thursday, April 30

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Friday, May 1​​

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Saturday, May 2​

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Event Hosts & Special Guests​

Format Leader Participants & Event Co-Supporters:​

Additional Credits

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DesertCon Links

DesertCon Costs & Tickets

DesertCon offers multiple days of fun-filled cardboard slinging and a flexible schedule.

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​4-Day All Event Access Pass: $150 gets you entry into all tournaments, events, and parties!​

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Purchase DesertCon Passes Here:
https://www.fourhorsemenmagic.com/event-details/desertcon-vegas

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We will provide custom collectible Patches, badges and participant lanyards to be worn by participants each day for entry. Replacements will cost a $25 donation to our charity fund!


Refund Policy:  All purchases are Non-refundable. However, if you are unable to attend after registering we'll happily transfer your entry to a designated person of your choice. Please give adequate notification to make changes to the player registry.

DesertCon Vegas 2026
DesertCon Vegas 2026
DesrtCon2026

Event Venue & Location: The STRAT Hotel, Casino & Tower​​

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​About the STRAT

The STRAT Hotel, Casino & Tower is a one-of-a-kind resort destination featuring
thrilling rides, world-class dining, and the tallest observation tower in the United States. Located on the iconic Las Vegas Strip, The STRAT offers newly renovated hotel rooms,
an 80,000-square-foot casino with all the hottest slots and player-friendly table games,
a rooftop pool, and unforgettable experiences like SkyJump and the award-winning Top
of the World restaurant. Whether you're seeking heart-pounding adventure or spectacular views, The STRAT is your ultimate Las Vegas getaway.​ We've reserved a private hall at this venue for the event.

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The STRAT is located near the Strip, near MagicCon Las Vegas Convention Center, and near the airport. The hall is spacious to allow for comfortable seating, tables, and amenities for gaming.  

 

We have negotiated a discounted DesertCon event

rate of $74.00 per night​​ plus a $50 per
day mandatory resort fee.

 

Address: 2000 Las Vegas Blvd S,

Las Vegas, NV 89104​.

​​​Web Site: https://thestrat.com/​​​​​

Access:

We will provide custom collectible patches and participant lanyards to be worn by participants each day for event entry. Replacements will cost a $25 donation to our charity fund! This is a private event.  Only registered attendees will be permitted entry! 

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Security:

The STRAT Hotel, Casino & Tower will be provide Professional Security Staff for the safety and security of attendees throughout the event.  Given the many recent thefts and issues surrounding stolen collections, decks and related property, The STRAT Hotel, Casino & Tower will provide monitoring of the event for safety, as well as professional safety personnel. If someone steals or commits a crime at this event, they will be caught and criminally charged.  Any individual who disrupts the security of the event, causes a safety issue, or poses a security concern, will be removed immediately from the premises by The Strat security staff and local law enforcement authorities will be notified.

Our Charitable Charter

We believe that the joy we find in Old School Magic: The Gathering is a gift—and with that gift comes the responsibility to give back. Many of us are fortunate to enjoy fulfilling careers and the privilege of participating in this unique and passionate community. We channel that gratitude into action.​

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Our Mission: To invest in our communities, build goodwill, and grow friendships through the shared love of Magic and the generosity of its players. Each year, we select a charitable cause to support, raising funds through raffles, auctions, and community-driven initiatives.​​

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Our Inaugural Charity: Children’s Medical Center of Dallas

We are honored to support  Children's Medical Center of Dallas, a world-class pediatric hospital that saved the life of one of our community members' daughters who was born with severe birth defects. Every day, this institution delivers hope, healing, and life-saving care to children and families across Texas and beyond.​  Together, we play not just for fun—but for purpose. This is more than a gathering. It’s a movement of kindness, camaraderie, and community impact.

 

Children's Medical Center of Dallas

1935 Medical District Drive

Dallas, Texas 75235​

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Donations, Charity Auction, & Raffles

DesertCon: Old School Magic in the Desert" is a not just a Magic Conference and Tournament event;  It is a celebration of the first 3 years of Magic the gathering for a good and worthy charitable cause benefiting the Children's Medical Center of Dallas, which delivers hope, healing, and life-saving care to children and families across Texas and beyond and they are our charity cause for 2026. Attendees are welcome to join all of the conference presentations, tournaments, and festivities celebrating Old School Magic and Magic Artwork for a charitable cause.

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Donations to Our Charitable Cause, Charity Raffles & Charity Auctions

For this event, proceeds from the auctions and raffles will be donated to our charity, Children's Medical Center of Dallas.

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Charity Raffle

We will be doing numerous raffles for prizes to raise money for our charity throughout the multi-day event, and both players and attending artists are welcome to donated items for the charity raffle. Proceeds from the raffles and auctions will be requested to be donated by the raffle winners directly to Children's Medical Center of Dallas - https://donate.childrens.com/.

If you have items you'd like to donate for the Charity Raffle, please let us know via the Chat on this web site and we will provide an address to ship the prize donations to if you are not bringing it in person.

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Charity Auction

We will be doing numerous open bidding auction for some impressive Old School Magic items to raise money for our charity throughout the multi-day event, and both players and attending artists are welcome to donated items for the charity raffle. Attendees' donations receipts will serve as their winning ticket for their auction prizes. All donations will be tallied and tracked so that we can showcase a final donation amount a the conclusion of the event.​​

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Custom Magic the Gathering Artwork Painting to be Auctioned for Charity

Jesper Myrfors will be joining us remotely via web camera to also unveil a special new artwork for viewing at DesertCon which Jesper painted specifically for our charity auction. This custom artwork painting will be donated to the charity auction and will be auctioned off to the highest bidder to benefit our charitable cause.


One lucky winning will take home a beautiful custom unique artwork painted by of of Magic's Artist Icons; something to be truly cherished as unique, special, and meaningful because of what this donation to this charity represents to children in dire medical need.
 

If you have items you'd like to donate for the Charity Auction, please let us know via the Chat on this web site and we will provide an address to ship the prize donations to if you are not bringing it in person.​

Background & Context for our Charitable Cause

The daughter of the Four Horsemen Old School Magic Players Group founder, Audrey, was tragically born amidst COVID-19 in 2022 with severe, life threatening birth defects. Audrey's esophagus was not connected to her stomach and instead had connected to her trachea in utero; a rare condition knows as Tracheoesophageal Fistula (TEF), often occurring with Esophageal Atresia (EA) that affects 1 in every 4000 babies born. 

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Bringing it All Together

As our event concludes with all tournaments, donations, charity raffles and auctions are compete, we will tallie and sum all of the donations and showcase a final total donation amount a the conclusion of the event.​

Master Djinn of Babylon Says: "YOU MUST COME TO DESERTCON VEGAS 2026! And, Don't Forget About Our Charitable Charter!"

Jesper Myrfors - Keynote Address

Hell From the Dark:  The True Story of the Design Inspiration Behind Magic the Gathering's Most Beloved & Infamous Expansion Set

Date & Location:  April 30, 4:00 PM PST, The STRAT Hotel, Casino & Tower in Las Vegas
Jesper Myrfors Keynote Address - Hell From The Dark

Jesper Myrfors is giving a speech remotely on the evening of April 30 at 4:00 PM PST at DesertCon on the design underpinning the pivotal Old School Magic expansion set design, inspiration, and artwork.  Over time, The Dark has become one of the most beloved Magic expansions sets for it's depth, the tone of the rich fantasy world Jesper created, and the themes and underlying meaning achieved, despite seemingly insurmountable obstacles and challenges, through which Jesper's pioneering vision, artistic mastery, and unmatched innovation resonated through the artistic beauty that is The Dark!

 

This is a once in a lifetime opportunity that you will surely not want to miss!  Please join us and support Jesper Myrfors, our additional artists, our charitable cause and enjoy this once in a lifetime opportunity to hear the amazing Jesper Myfors speak!

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Jesper Myrfors rarely ever speaks publicly, ever more rarely travels (he is appearing remotely via web camera for this key notye address), and is farily reclusive for good reason. Jesper Myrfors RARELY attends any events and his artwork is as elusive as his signature! Those in the know, they know how rare it is to be able to see Jesper and his artwork in-person, much less have the opportunity to bid and potentially own, on a custom Jesper Myrfors painting! 

However, DesertCon represents an amazing and rare opportunity everyone will enjoy to hear Jesper Myrfors share insights an on the true history for the inspiration and design concept of The Dark, Jesper will share never before revealed facts and content, with some amazing behind the scenes stories of the creation of The Dark.  The true Old School Magic Fans in the Audience attending are going to love this once in a lifetime opportunity.  You won’t want to miss this Key Note Presentation by the visionary, legendary Jesper Myrfors!

 

This and more is the value, the artistic insights, the inspiration, and the community that DesertCon brings to the table for true Old School Magic fans and collectors!  Join us and get your tickets today before they sell out!

DesertCon Vegas 2026
DesertCon Vegas 2026
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Jesper Myrfors - Keynote Speaker and Special Honored Guest

Background & Overview

Jesper Myrfors led as the original Art Director of Magic the Gathering at Wizards of the Coast and served as one of the most iconic and visionary of the early Magic The Gathering artists, playing the foundational role in shaping the game's art, aesthetic, and fantasy world creation in which it draws you into.  From 1993 to 2000, his creative leadership at Wizards of the Coast defined the aesthetic of Magic’s formative years.  Jesper Myrfors was instrumental in creating the game's foundational look and feel.  Jesper designed the iconic card back along with Christopher Rush, and the card frame layout, establishing the visual aesthetic of the game. 

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Jesper oversaw the art direction for early sets, including The Dark, and recruited many of the artists who would become legends within the Magic community.  Jesper enabled within Magic his vision for creating new fantasy worlds, and empowering the player to visit a magical place in the player's minds eye, gathered amongst your friends, where the players are all weilder's of powerful Magic.  Through art, Jesper evoked fantasy depth and fantastic feelings of the players with immersive imagery, where the player's imagination becomes the only limitation.  Through Jesper's vision and influence on game of Magic the Gathering, you are inescapably drawn into the fantasy world of "the Shores of Imagination"; the world Jesper created for us all to enjoy.

Jesper Myfors Honored Guest Keynote Speaker
Jesper Myfors Art

Jesper had the foresight to reject the suggested use of second-hand or digital illustrations and instead encouraged young, talented artists to contribute fresh, imaginative art pieces which ultimately contributed significantly to the massive, worldwide success of the game.​​​

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Despite being told at Cornish College that he wouldn’t succeed in fantasy art, Jesper proved his critics wrong at every turn by thinking differently, integrating truly creative art within the game, and enabling his vision to take you to the fantasy lands of your mind.  Today, Jesper is one of the most influential artists and creative design leaders of the world's most popular collective card game; a true Old School Magic Legend! 

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Jesper Myfors's Keynote Address & Presentation at DesertCon

  • Honored Special Guest Jesper Myrfors, Iconic Old School Magic Artist and the Legendary Original Lead Designer of Magic the Gathering will be joining us remotely via web camera for our Key Note address

  • Jesper Myrfors's keynote and live presentation offers a rare opportunity to hear directly from one of the game's original creative pioneers: "The Early the Days of Magic the Gathering Artwork Design". 

  • Jesper will provide unique insights into the artistic choices, design challenges, and context of Magic's first sets. 

  • This will be a kickoff event on Thursday, April 30 and will be an important highlight for anyone interested in the art, design, and rich history of the game's earliest and most beloved era.

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Jesper Myfors's Special Artwork Painting for Charity

Sierra Troi Rush - Special Honored Guest Artist

Background & Overview

Sierra Troi Rush is a freelance artist and writer who is the daughter of the late, great, world renowned fantasy illustrator, Christopher Rush.  Best known for his iconic artwork for the Magic: The Gathering, we honor the memory of Christopher Rush and pay tribute to his legacy.  Following her father's passing in 2016, Sierra Troi Rush has taken up the mantle of continuing his artistic legacy, managing the Christopher Rush estate and offering authorized prints of his work.

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A writer/artist hybrid herself, Sierra has developed a unique artistic voice within the Magic community, while honoring her father's influence.  Christopher Rush, once described Sierra as "a better artist than I was at her age," speaking to her inherent talent. 

 

In 2023, Sierra painted an alternate-art version of the card Brassman's Will for Genesis Wave 2, a tribute to her father and his work.  Sierra has been an active member of fantasy art and gaming communities, engaging with fans online since 2016.​  Sierra has worked as a freelance artist, contributing to projects within the trading card game and gaming community. 

Sierra Troi Rush Featured Artist
Sierra Troi Rush Paintings
Christopher Rush.

​Sierra Troi Rush continues to be an important figure for fans of Christopher Rush, not only as an artist in her own right but also as the custodian of his artistic legacy.  Sierra's work ensures that her father's influential contributions to Magic: The Gathering and fantasy art are remembered and celebrated by new and older generations alike.

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Sierra Troi Rush's Special Artwork Painting for Charity​

  • ​Honored Special Guest Sierra Troi Rush, daughter of Christopher Rush, will be joining us in-person to meet attendees and share in the festivities.  Sierra will feature an array of Christopher Rush Magic the Gathering artwork, signed artwork and prints, artists proofs, and original artwork by Sierra.

  • Sierra Troi Rush Custom Artwork Painting For Auction: Sierra will also unveil unique artwork which she painted for especially DesertCon.  This custom artwork painting will be donated to the charity auction and will be auctioned off to the highest bidder to benefit our charitable cause, Children's Medical Center of Dallas.

  • Proceeds from the auction will be donated directly by the lucky bidder to the charity.

Kevin Brockschmidt - Special Honored Guest Artist

Background & Overview

Kevin (Kev) Brockschmidt was one of the original 25 artists who helped shape the visual identity of Magic: The Gathering in its 1993 debut. His contributions, though limited to four cards in the Alpha set, left a lasting impression with their distinctive comic-book flair and whimsical tone.


Kev Brockschmidt is a professional illustrator and designer with a background in cartooning and graphic design. Before joining Magic: The Gathering, he worked with clients like Nintendo, Starlog, Reader’s Digest, and King Features Syndicate. His style leaned toward colorful, humorous illustrations with tight compositions and precise line work. At the time of his involvement with Magic, he was working full-time as a cartoonist and met the game’s art director at a sci-fi/fantasy convention, which led to his brief but memorable stint with Wizards of the Coast.

 

Magic: The Gathering Contributions (1993–1994)
Kev Brockschmidt contributed artwork to the original Alpha set, which launched in 1993. He illustrated four cards, each showcasing his unique blend of fantasy and comic-book sensibility:

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  • Dwarven Demolition Team: A humorous depiction of dwarves with exaggerated features and dynamic poses.

  • Keldon Warlord: A bold, muscular warrior rendered with comic-book intensity.

  • Personal Incarnation: A surreal, almost grotesque figure that stands out for its eerie tone.

  • Verduran Enchantress: A mystical forest figure with a whimsical, storybook-like charm.

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Artistic Legacy and Style
These illustrations were painted in acrylics on small canvases (7” x 5.5”), and while Brockschmidt aimed for a high fantasy look, his cartoonist background gave the pieces a distinct comic-book feel. Though Kev only contributed to the Alpha Magic the Gathering set, and did not continue illustrating for later expansions, his work is part of the foundational visual language of Magic. His style contrasted with the darker, more surreal or painterly approaches of other early artists like Mark Tedin or Anson Maddocks. Brockschmidt’s art added levity and character to the game, helping to establish Magic’s diverse aesthetic range.​  His illustrations are now considered nostalgic icons of early Magic. The cards he illustrated have been reprinted in later sets, but his original versions remain prized for their vintage charm.  Kev’s distinctive Magic the Gathering art remains a cherished part of Magic’s origin story.

 

Contribution to Magic’s Early Look and Feel
In the 1993–1994 era, Magic: The Gathering was still defining its visual identity. Artists like Kev Brockschmidt helped establish a multi-style approach, where cards could range from dark and gritty to light and humorous. His work contributed to the playful and experimental tone of early Magic, reflecting the game’s roots in fantasy, storytelling, and tabletop culture. 

Daniel Gelon - Special Honored Guest Artist

Background & Overview

Gelon is a veteran artist and one of the original 25 artists to work on the iconic card game, Magic: The Gathering. He began his professional illustration career in 1990, focusing on the fantasy and hobby gaming genres. Gelon illustrated around 60 Magic cards. 

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Daniel Gelon's impact on Magic: The Gathering extends beyond his card illustrations to his significant contributions in art direction and graphic design, making him a truly influential figure in the game's early history.

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Key Career Highlights:​

Gelon began his career by freelancing for several RPG companies before joining Wizards of the Coast full-time.  He is renowned for his contributions to Magic: The Gathering, including iconic artworks like Wheel of Fortune and Strip Mine.

 

Beyond illustrating cards, Gelon has also served as an art director for several RPGs and contributed to the graphic design of many Magic sets, including the creation of logos and packaging.  While he has focused on graphic design and art direction in recent years, Gelon is still involved in the gaming industry through Funko Games' Prospero Hall studio. 

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Artistic Style and Influences:

Gelon's art, especially his earlier Magic work, reflects the influence of early 20th-century children's book illustrators like Arthur Rackham and Edmund Dulac, with a focus on capturing a sense of magic and whimsy. 

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Notable Works:

Some of Gelon's most recognized Magic: The Gathering illustrations include: 

  • Alpha:  Wheel of Fortune, Craw Wurm, Lich, Library of Leng, Stone Rain, Savannah Lions, White Knight, Demonic Attorney, 

  • Antiquities:  Strip Mine

  • Legends:  Gabriel Angelfire, Telekinesis, Takklemaggot, Beasts of Bogardan, Arboria, Clergy of the Holy Nimbus, Crimson Manticore, Frost Giant, Keepers of the Faith, Venarian Gold

  • The Dark:  Goblin Wizard, Rag Man, Uncle Istvan, Fountain of Youth, 

Daniel Gelon Art Magic the Gathering
Daniel Gelon Art Magic the Gathering

Ryan W. Rooks - Special Honored Guest Author & Speaker

Background & Overview

Ryan W. Rooks is the author of "A Collector's Abridged History of Magic the Gathering".  In 1993, Magic the Gathering was released, inventing the trading card game genre. It was an immediate hit. Today, tens of millions of people have played and collected Magic and it is one of the best selling tabletop games in the world. This book explores the first thirty years of Magic the Gathering history and includes bonus sections on card production, the rules, lists of accessories, misprints, event results, and other lore

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Highlights:​

Ryan W. Rooks is an author who spent over ten years exhaustively researching the history of Magic The Gathering, including performing over a hundred interviews, archiving thousands of unique and original sources that would have otherwise been lost, and completing pressman's training to learn about card production.  He is the founder of the Magic The Gathering research group and runs the MTGHistory website at http://www.mtghistory.info and is a contributor to the site Magic the Gathering Misprint Glossary site, https://www.mtgmisprintglossary.com.​​

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Ryan has been a contributor for the Magic Librarities - https://www.magiclibrarities.net, and Quiet Speculation website at https://www.quietspeculation.com  and has been a guest speaker on The Booster Pack Network and at multiple conventions.  His Magic-themed charity project, Farport, was the sixth largest fundraiser for The March of Dimes at the time of its completion.  His latest book, "A Collector's Abridged History of Magic the Gathering", is longer than the King James Bible and is the most comprehensive work ever written on the subject of the history of Magic the Gathering.

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Ryan will be speaking on the afternoon of April 30 at DesertCon on history of Magic the Gathering and sharing his deep insights, curious facts, and the intricacies of many of the unknown aspects of Magic's design, history and amazing related facts.  You will not want to miss Ryan's presentation and talk!   Join us and get your tickets today below!

John White - Level Three Tournament Judge with Old School Magic Expertise 

Background & Overview

For DesertCon, we have a Level 3 Judge with seasoned Old School Magic: the Gathering Experience, and a passion for the original game as it was in 1993!  It is a rare combination to find a Level 3 Judge who is also experienced in Old School Magic; but that is what we have in place for MagicCon!

 

John White knows what it takes to lead and judge an Old School Magic event.  Although John has judged everything from Prereleases to MagicCons, we are not bringing in a judge who will treat this event like the Pro Tour.  John knows the Old School Magic dynamics and card pool, as a seasoned Old School Magic Player himself. 

 

John White is a Level 3 Judge and has been playing Magic: The Gathering since 1993 when Magic was first released.  John has 21 years of experience and has been judging major Magic tournament events since 2004.  John was recently the Head Judge of the main event at LDXP Tacoma.   ​

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John will be our lead as our Head Judge for MagicCon and will be leading a group of additional tournament judges and tournament event managers which will ensure a well-managed series of tournaments for all!

 

John has been playing Magic since early 1993. John has specific experience playing Old School Magic, which he started playing in 2015 starting with Jaco’s Eternal Weekend events. John also regularly attends the Hurricane Houston event each year put on by the Houston Falling Stars.  John lives in Oklahoma City and is starting up a regular Old School group called the "Oklahoma Kobold Coalition".

DesertCon Vegas 2026
DesertCon Vegas 2026
DesrtCon2026

Special Guest Performing Artist “ISHI”

DesertCon 2026 Features Three Evening Parties with Special Guest Performing Artist Ishi Live!

 

Ishi is an electronic act from Dallas, TX, known for fusing their influences of soulful dialect, housey beats, & folk ballads. They thrive on creating a positive atmosphere that allows their audience to let loose & express themselves.

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DesertCon Vegas 2026
DesrtCon2026
DesertCon Vegas 2026

Featured Tournament Formats

Old School Swedish
X-Point Old School
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​It is important that attendees have time for casual pick up games, camaraderie, drinks, and mingling.  Our schedule is intended to provide a good mixture of organized Old School Magic Format tournaments, but to also allow for casual social aspects of this event; Primarily Drinks and Camaraderie!​  Attendees have the option to attend one or all days of this 4-day event.  OnThursday, April 30, we are featuring a very fun and cool Four Horsemen Block Draft with proxies provided to participants by the event coordinators on Thursday evening at 5:00 PM) and Sunday, which are primarily half day travel days. 

 

This event Features the following Old School Magic Formats for the tournaments over Friday May 1 and Saturday May 2:

Reprint & Proxy Policy for all Events

  • Same art/same frame including CE/ICE. Proxies allowed for the 7pts Singleton and Four Horsemen tournament events. We encourage easily identifiable proxies (no counterfeits, please).

DesertCon Awards & Prizes

DesertCon First Place Championship Belt

The DesertCon 2026 Inaugural First Place Championship will be awarded to the player who plays in the most tournament events and scores the most times and accumulates the most tournament points across all events within the Top Eight Quarterfinals, Top Four Semifinals, and Finals.

Four Horsemen Islands

Four Horsemen Arabian Nights "Islands" Proxy Made by John Ekleberry
(Not for Sale, Free Prize Give Aways Only)

Four Horsemen Ken Meyer Jr. Guardian Beast Purple Moonlight Play <at

Four Horsemen Ken Meyer Jr. Guardian Beast Purple Moonlight Unique Customer Artwork Play Mat. Learn More about how this playmat was made here - https://www.fourhorsemenmagic.com/projects 

Four Horsemen Old School Magic the Gathering Prizes

Four Horsemen Ken Meyer Jr. Guardian Beast Purple Moonlight Unique Customer Artwork Play Mat. Learn More about how this playmat was made here - https://www.fourhorsemenmagic.com/projects 

​Deck Photos, Deck Lists & Tolaria.app Tournament Coordination

We will leverage Tolaria - https://tolaria.app/dashboard/ - for all Tournament registration, management, pairings, brackets, match results reporting, points tracking, rankings, seeds, and deck lists / deck photos registrations.

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  • Tolaria.app

    • All tournaments players are required to register in Tolaria.app for each event they wish to play, both Main Event and "Scrub Out" Tournaments which will be managed in Tolaria.app.

  •  Deck Lists & Deck Photos

    • All tournament players agree to have their deck photos shared publicly on the Internet

    • Deck lists and deck photos for all tournaments are mandatory for all players and are required to be submitted in Tolaria.app prior to the tournament start times outlined in the event schedule.

    • Decks and sideboards must be finalized prior to Tolaria.app submission and tournament initiation.  No alterations to decks are allowed once submitted and the tournament has begun.

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Additional Info on Tournaments Structure

This event is an “Open” participation event with numerous optional tournaments held throughout each day of the event over a 4-day schedule, with a half day on Thursday afternoon and a half day on Sunday morning. 
All tournaments are open and optional to all attendees.  Players are free to pick and choose whichever Old School Magic formats and tournament events they wish to play in, according to the attendee’s preferences.  Players can play in as few or as many formats and tournament events as they wish.  Multiple tournaments for different formats may be running consecutively on certain days to give players options and choices as to which they prefer to participate in.

 

For all days of the event, there is open casual gaming where any players are encouraged to grab pick up games in between tournaments.

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Swiss Tournaments Format

We will leverage Swiss tournament structure, where players compete in a set number of rounds where they are paired against opponents with the same or similar win-loss records, ensuring higher-skilled players face each other as the tournament progresses. 


Unlike single elimination, players are not eliminated after a loss and all continue to play the designated number of Swiss rounds. After the Swiss rounds, the top-performing players (typically the top 8) advance to a single-elimination playoff bracket to determine the final winner. 

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Tournament Structure Executive Summary:

  • All Tournament Rounds will be 50-minutes.

  • All Tournaments will be four (4) rounds of Swiss and then cut to Top 8.

  • All tournaments are under “Thunderdome Rules”: "Two men enter, One man leaves." Ties will be determined by Chaos Orb/Falling Star Flips!

  • Upon “Time in the Round”, it will then be an active turn, plus five turns remaining. Afterwhich, Chaos Orb/Falling Star Flips begin!

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How Swiss Rounds Work

 

  • Pairing: In the first round, players are paired randomly or by a seeding system. In subsequent rounds, the pairings are based on cumulative match points (wins, losses, and draws). 

  • Match Points: Wins award 3 points, losses 0 points, and draws 1 point. 

  • Opponent Matching: The goal is to pair players with identical scores. For example, players with a perfect record will play each other, and players with one loss will play each other. 

  • No Elimination: Players continue to play in every round, even if they have lost some matches. 

  • Round Structure: Each round typically consists of a best-of-three match that lasts between 50 and 70 minutes. 

  • Tournament Software: We will utilize https://tolaria.app/ to organize the tournament, do Swiss Pairings, manage Tournament match results and points, brackets and Top 8 Seed.


Moving to the Top 8 Quarter Finals:

  • Cutting to the Top: After the final Swiss round, the top-performing players are ranked based on their match points and tiebreakers. 

  • Single-Elimination Bracket: We will cut to Top 8 Quarter Finals based on seeds calculated from the points from match results.  The Top 8 players will then be placed into a single-elimination bracket. 

  • Moving to the Top 8 Quarter Finals:

  • Cut to Top 8: After the Swiss rounds, the top 8 players based on their final match points and tiebreakers are selected for the single-elimination bracket. 

  • Single-Elimination Bracket: This bracket proceeds like a traditional playoff. The players are seeded 1 through 8. 

  • Round Pairings: The pairings are set by seeds (1st vs. 8th, 2nd vs. 7th, etc.). 

  • Advancing: The winner of each match advances to the next round (Quarterfinals to Semifinals, then Finals). 

  • Best Two Out of Three: All playoff matches, including the semi-finals and final, are played as best-two-out-of-three matches. 

  • Determining the Champion: Players in the single-elimination portion are eliminated after one loss of a best two out of 3 Games within the match. The top performing last player standing is declared the tournament champion for that Old School Magic format!   

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Key Differences from Single Elimination

  • No Early Elimination: In a Swiss tournament, you won't be knocked out after a single loss. 

  • More Playtime: Players get to play more games and match up against opponents with similar skill levels. 

  • Fairer Outcomes: The system allows for more consistent ranking by giving more high-performing players the chance to play each other.

Thursday Night, April 30 Four Horsemen Old School Magic Block Draft Overview

@ 5:00 PM - Four Horsemen (4HM) Proxy Block Draft + Custom Player-Made with "Arabian Nights 2.0” Set

 

Playing in the Four Horsemen Block Draft special tournament will give you the Experience of what it was like to play Magic in a Draft format in 1994!  This will be an and Old School Magic Tournament using proxies as a cube draft. We have a printer lined up who will print special card backs with the Four Horsemen Logo and will print cards easily identified as proxies from the 93/94 expansions sets of Magic the Gathering including: Arabian Nights, Antiquities, Legends & The Dark, plus special basic lands and Duals Lands will be designed to look like Arabian Nights Lands.

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THU APRIL 30​​​​

 

Rumor has it that Richard Garfield allegedly privately confessed there is an unreleased "Arabian Nights 2.0" expansion set of cards which did not make it into the original Arabian Nights Expansion, composed of 88 unique, new and amazingly flavorful Old School Magic cards from the 1992 period of Arabian Nights development!  Dr. Garfield recently unearthed this brilliantly spicy and dynamic set, which we will be sprinkling into the Four Horsemen Expansion Sets Block draft!

 

To wet your whistle, here are a sample of just a few of these amazing "Arabian Nights 2.0" unreleased expansion set of cards!

Don't Miss the Kickoff to DesertCon on Thursday Night, April 30: Four Horsemen Old School Magic Block!

Join us for this speical event and experience of what it was like to draft from the Four Horsemen block in 1994! using proxies as a cube draft!

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DesertCon Currently Supports the Following Old School Magic Formats:

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