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Invitational Incoming!

StarCityGames.com sends the crew to Charlotte this weekend, where they’ll host the biggest Invitational to-date—don’t miss one moment of action!

It’s here!

The StarCityGames.com Charlotte Invitational and Open Series is only double-digit hours from beginning, and by the end of the weekend we will have crowned our third Invitational champion. The last major Magic event of 2011 will close out the year with a bang, featuring our $50,000 Invitational championship in addition to an Open Series weekend featuring Standard and Legacy events.

The Invitational itself, like Indianapolis before it, will feature a split format during the Swiss rounds. Only players who have proven themselves masters of Legacy and Standard will advance to the Top 8 rounds, and there we’ll settle the single elimination showdown with three rounds of Standard. Former champions Gerry Thompson and Pat Cox will both be returning to take a second shot at the title, as will a number of our Open champions and Top 8 finishers.

If you’re not qualified, don’t let that stop you. Friday will play host to a slew of Last Chance Grinders beginning at noon, with each qualifying the first-place finisher for play in the main event. If you miss on the grinders, then there’s still more Magic to play. In addition to our side events, the Standard and Legacy Opens will also offer thousands of dollars in prizes to their respective Top 8s, paying cash all the way down to the Top 32 finishers!

Join us at the Charlotte Convention Center this weekend for the biggest weekend of Magic that StarCityGames.com has ever had! Accommodations are available at the nearby Hampton Inn Uptown Charlotte, less than half a mile from the venue and with a shuttle service! The proffered rate is $99/night, but you’ll have to mention SCG when calling 704-373-0917 to book your room.

In addition to the crazy number of Magic players, from professional to grinder to FNM fighter, we’re also very happy to announce that the Charlotte Invitational will host six professional card alterists in addition to one of the biggest names in Magic illustration—Steve Argyle! Steve’s cards include Liliana of the Veil, Admonition Angel, Child of Alara, the textless Ponder, and many more. Not only does Steve have some amazing cards that you should definitely get signed or purchase prints of, but he’s also known for doing some amazing work with playmats and the occasional alter himself! If you’d like a look at Steve’s work, definitely check out his website, and you can contact him by email using the contact link on that very site.

If you’d like to have someone change, affect, draw on, or otherwise alter one (or more) of your Magic: the Gathering cards, then Charlotte is definitely the place you want to be! A pair of 3-D card creators and four paint alterists will be in attendance—here they are!

Open Series staple Lindsay Burley has missed a few shows, but she’s back in the saddle for the Charlotte weekend. Lindsay’s best known for modifying tokens and legendary creatures into 3-D spectacles, and she’s also been integrating original art into these pieces since the middle of the year. If you want a truly unique Commander for the next multiplayer rumble in your local gaming store jungle, aim for Lindsay. You can see some cards and the process she uses on her YouTube site, and contact her via email at [email protected] if you’d like to arrange a specific creation.

Joining Lindsay as a 3-D creator is Mike Fairservice! Mike’s DeviantArt site features his gallery of past creations, and if you’re lucky then a few of those might even be available for sale this weekend. You can make an order ahead of time with Mike—just drop him a line through his Facebook group, which conveniently enough also showcases more of his work!

Black Wing Studio’s Ron Faris has only been to a couple StarCitygames.com events, but he’s proven himself a capable alterist with an impressive number of alters. His original creations really showcase some of his own imagination, especially with art replacement. Ron’s work can be seen on his personal gallery, and you can email him at [email protected] for any information regarding individual commissions.

Brandon Brown of Modfly Alters will be selling the alters he’s created and doing original work onsite! Brandon’s been branching out with some playmat creations over the past few months—to see a gallery of his work, check out his blog. Prices and custom orders can be arranged via email at [email protected].

Hannah Murray has been on hiatus for the past few months, but she hasn’t stopped producing top-notch Magic alters. The go-to girl for Legacy alterations in the northeast, Hannah’s extensions and original alterations are one-of-a-kind. She’ll be working all weekend at her booth, crafting custom orders onsite, and you can arrange one in advance using her email, [email protected]. Her online gallery displays even more of her ability, so check that out here.

Last, but not least, we’re very happy to announce that Eric Klug will also be attending the Charlotte Invitational! In many ways, Klug’s work is considered a standard in the world of card altering, and his pieces vary in style and elements, but never in quality. Virtually all of his past alters can be seen on his blog, including several pieces of power and an incredible abundance of Jace, the Mind Sculptors. To contact Eric about individual pieces or his prices, email him at [email protected]. You’ll be able to watch the master at work all weekend!

Whew, that’s a lot of alterists.

There’s going to be some Magic: The Gathering getting played in Charlotte as well, and you’ll be able to watch rounds of every event live on SCGLive. Hosts Jacob Van Lunen and Joey Pasco will bring you the best in broadcasting, narrating the event from start to finish alongside a host of guest commentators. Some of Magic’s biggest names are slated to attend, in addition to the grinders we’ve all come to know and love over the course of the 2011 season.

There are many stories to follow this weekend. Who will cinch StarCityGames.com Player of the Year? Will Drew Levin secure the Top 32 he needs for Level 8 in the Player’s Club, earning playsets of Magic for 2012? Can anyone supplant Delver of Secrets’ stranglehold on Legacy Open trophies?

I guess you’ll have to tune in to find out.

Keep up with the event on Twitter by following @SCGLive and tracking #SCGINVI all weekend long for posts from commentators, coverage, and professionals alike. See you at the end of the line!

Glenn Jones

@SecludedGlenn

Coverage Content Manager