May 2 – 3, 2025
Kendall Square, Cambridge, Massachusetts
WHAT IS THIS?
This is a community-driven Magic: the Gathering event in Greater Boston, focusing on the Premodern format. Since 2018, LOBSTERCON has been New England Old School’s premier gathering, continuing as an annual charity fundraiser for Room to Grow, a Boston-based nonprofit organization. Over the last few years, Premodern has become a major part of the LOBSTERCON experience, and for 2025, Massachusetts’ own Duress Crew will be running this standalone Premodern LOBSTERCON event!
As of 2:20pm U.S. Eastern on 15 December 2024, open registration for Premodern LOBSTERCON 2025 has CLOSED.
(For more information about LOBSTERCON’s two-event structure in 2025 — Premodern in May, Old School in September — take a look at the FAQ page here.)
An entry fee of $90 grants access to all weekend activities, including the North American Premodern Championship MAIN EVENT on Saturday, May 3, and three side events on Friday, May 2: Premodern, Premodern Unchained (hosted by the Rochester Royals), and Fetch-less Shockland Premodern.
Registration for Premodern LOBSTERCON 2025 will open at 10:00 AM Eastern on Sunday, December 15.
EVENTS SCHEDULE
Premodern Side Events on Friday, May 2:
Please be aware that proxies are not permitted at the side events, excluding Free Play.
Premodern Side Event (11:00 AM – 8:00 PM): For those looking to sharpen their blades and test their brews, this straight-up Premodern Swiss event will take place on Friday.
Premodern Unchained hosted by The Rochester Royals (11:00 AM – 8:00 PM): Want to push the boundaries of the format? Play with banned Premodern cards by adding up to four copies of one banned non-ante card to your deck. Standard Swiss pairings.
Rules: You may include up to 4 copies of a single banned Premodern card (ante cards excluded).
Allowed Banned Cards: Balance, Brainstorm, Channel, Demonic Consultation, Earthcraft, Entomb, Flash, Force of Will, Goblin Recruiter, Grim Monolith, Land Tax, Mana Vault, Memory Jar, Mind Twist, Mind’s Desire, Mystical Tutor, Necropotence, Strip Mine, Tendrils of Agony, Time Spiral, Tolarian Academy, Vampiric Tutor, Windfall, Worldgorger Dragon, Yawgmoth’s Bargain, Yawgmoth’s Will.
Fetch-less Shockland Premodern (11:00 AM – 8:00 PM): A unique take on Premodern, replacing all fetchlands with Shock lands. Standard Swiss pairings.
Banned Fetchlands: Bloodstained Mire, Flooded Strand, Polluted Delta, Windswept Heath, Wooded Foothills.
Legal Shocklands: Blood Crypt, Breeding Pool, Godless Shrine, Hallowed Fountain, Overgrown Tomb, Sacred Foundry, Steam Vents, Stomping Ground, Temple Garden, Watery Grave.
Friday Night Free Play
Friday, May 2, 8:00 PM – 11:30 PM: Casual playtime for Premodern, singleton, cube drafts, Old School, ante games, and more! Enjoy drinks from a full bar, connect with old friends, and meet new ones. Open to all registered players.
Events on Saturday, May 3:
North American Premodern Championship hosted by the Duress Crew
Saturday, May 3, 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM: The largest Premodern event in the world returns for fans of Magic cards from 1995 to 2003. Deck construction follows the official Premodern rules, with gold-bordered (WC, CE/IE) cards allowed and reprints permitted. No proxies. The tournament will feature Swiss rounds followed by a Top 8 cut. Registration is capped at 300 players, and no further spots will be available once it fills.
FOOD AND BEVERAGES
Lobster rolls from Kelly’s Roast Beef will be available during the main event on Saturday, with pre-orders opening about 10 days before the event. On Friday evening, there will be a complimentary pizza order for all paid registrants. All other meals will be “bring your own food,” with a list of nearby take-out recommendations provided. A full-service bar will be available throughout the weekend.
VENDORS
This year, TALES OF ADVENTURE will be joining us to provide the best deals on all of your favorite cards! A wide range of Premodern staples and playables will be available for purchase and trade throughout the weekend’s activities (Friday and Saturday). Be sure to take advantage of their event pickup option to order some cards online, and retrieve them at LOBSTERCON: https://www.toamagic.com
SPECIAL GUESTS: ARTISTS AND ALTERISTS
We’re thrilled to welcome several renowned Premodern-era Magic artists to Premodern LOBSTERCON 2025! These talented artists will be available for signatures, card alters, and merchandise sales, as well as sharing their experiences with the community. We currently have the following artists confirmed:
Pete Venters
Heather Hudson
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SPECIAL SHOUTOUT: Heavy Play
Thanks to Heavy Play for providing additional supplies and prize support for the Top 8! Be sure to enter into the raffle for their donated prizing!
TRAVEL LOGISTICS
The best airport for arrival is Boston Logan Airport (BOS). We have secured a hotel room block with a base rate of $299 per night (excluding taxes and fees). Rooms can be reserved by visiting the Boston Marriott Cambridge block link. Rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis, so we recommend booking early, as the block will sell out quickly.
The tournament venue is located in Kendall Square, easily accessible via the MBTA Red Line. There is also all-day parking available at One Kendall Square Garage (no longer offering a discounted rate for LOBSTERCON attendees).
When the Boston Marriott Cambridge block rooms sell out, the next closest option to all of the action will be the Residence Inn by Marriott Boston Cambridge. A few more recommended options, further from the action, are as follows: Holiday Inn Boston Bunker Hill, Hotel 1868 in Porter Sq, AC Hotel by Marriott Boston Cambridge, and the Residence Inn by Marriott Boston Watertown and the Hampton Inn & Suites Watertown Boston.
REGISTRATION FORM
As of 2:20pm U.S. Eastern on 15 December 2024, open registration for Premodern LOBSTERCON 2025 has CLOSED.
The Sentinel 