On July 5, 2025, in Podgorica, the capital of Montenegro, despite the scorching heat of 37°C, another meeting of fans of the tabletop card game Magic: The Gathering took place. The venue was the cozy Bike Tavern, which has already become the unofficial center of Magic: The Gathering in this city.
This time, the game was played in the Pioneer format, one of the most balanced and interesting Magic formats. Unlike older formats like Modern or Legacy, Pioneer uses cards released since Return to Ravnica (2012) and later. This makes it accessible to new players, but deep and strategic enough for veterans. Pioneer bans certain powerful cards to maintain fair competition and a variety of strategies. The competition was attended by teams from three Montenegrin cities: Bar, Budva and Podgorica, as well as a guest from Turkey. The players demonstrated a high level of play, surprised with unconventional deck builds and subtle strategic decisions. In a tense battle, the player from Podgorica won, deservedly receiving the title of champion of the day. The participant from Bar took second place, showing excellent form and good preparation.
All participants received memorable prizes, which made the day even more festive. The participation of the Turkish player was especially warmly received, adding an international flavor to the event and expressing hope for more such meetings in the future.
After the end of the tournament, the participants decided to cool off and continue socializing in nature. The goal was one of the hidden gems of the region – Niagara Falls, located just 15 minutes drive from the center of Podgorica.
Despite the name, this waterfall has nothing to do with the famous North American giant, but in terms of beauty and atmosphere it is not inferior to more famous tourist places.
The Niagara Falls in Montenegro are located on the Cijevna River and are normally a magnificent sight: cascades of water falling into natural pools surrounded by greenery and rocky slopes. It is a popular recreation area for both locals and tourists, especially in the hot summer.
However, on this day, the players were in for a surprise: the waterfall and the river bed were completely dry. The phenomenon, caused by the extreme heat and lack of precipitation, was an unexpected and slightly sad end to a busy day. However, this did not spoil the mood – the participants took the situation with humor and spent the evening in a friendly atmosphere, discussing decks, future meetings and possible trips to tournaments in neighboring countries.
Thus, another unforgettable day passed for the Montenegrin Magic: The Gathering community – with heat, victories, surprises and the true spirit of the game.
