Welcome to the week of the Warrior! Dorinthea has had a fantastic seven days, picking up multiple first place finishes in the penultimate week of Skirmish Season 3 Blitz action! The Welcome to Rathe Warrior also racked up no fewer than 12 top 8 appearances outside of first place. Kassai, Cintari Sellsword seldom makes herself known at the top tables but when she does show up, she means business! The Courage of Bladehold loving, semantically suited Cintari Saber wielding Warrior from Crucible of War beat out all other heroes to pick up a well earned first place finish! Both of these Warriors seem like a great choice to play at a Skirmish near you as they demand defending, have fantastic equipment options and can force the decks that aren’t so inclined to defend to think twice or suffer the consequences.
Briar’s momentum is still going strong and the Elemental Runeblade has been picking up victories as usual and is neck in neck with Dorinthea as far as top 8 showings overall goes. Briar is the most aggressive deck Flesh and Blood has seen to date with almost all cards costing 0, with the exception of Command and Conquer, and hits hard and often. Briar has her counters largely in the form of Oldhim and Ice Lexi, however it is of note that there’s been a significant drop off in Lexi results this week, perhaps due to a combination of the rise of and challenging matchup that is Oldhim.
Speaking of the Elemental Guardian, Oldhim has also been doing quite well for himself as of late. Oldhim picked up a few first place finishes over the last seven days and has been represented well in top 8 finishes. Oldhim loves to slow things down and defend diligently through his suite of defense reactions and incredible damage preventing and hand disrupting hero power defense reaction abilities, while swinging huge attack actions at the opponent with Oaken Old, Endless Winter and Glacial Footsteps and more! Some say that Oldhim goes from a great deck to possibly the best in the format when time is not of the essence. If you’re picking this young grandfather this Skirmish season, play hard and play quick as Oldhim has incredible matchups across the board, yet his worst matchup is father time itself.
Would it even be Blitz if we didn’t talk Ira and Kano? Both of these Blitz behemoths are still absolute pillars of the metagame. The Ninja and Wizard have collected another handful of victories and top 8s this weekend and they don’t seem to be slowing down any time soon. With her consistent damage thanks to Kodachi and her incredible +1 attack hero ability and her affinity for playing a long game and defending extraordinarily well thanks to Flic Flak and a cavalcade of combo cards, Ira, Crimson Haze won’t be going out of fashion for some time.
Kano is another hero who will remain pretty hot for a while. Despite starting on less life than our other heroes, Kano often finds a way to win! The young Dracai of Aether likes to play the game on his own terms, burning his opponents’ hopes, dreams and life totals to a crisp in the form of arcane damage from non-attack action cards. Kano’s hero ability can truly make for some “snatch victory from the jaws of defeat” kinda plays. Often when Kano is staring down a lethal attack coming his way, he’ll use his hero ability to play non-attack actions at instant speed, effectively having two turns in a row and turning the opponent to ash before lethal ever comes.
Despite being touted as one of the most powerful Blitz heroes by many, Chane lost a little popularity over the weekend. Chane still won a few Skirmish events and continues to strike fear into the hearts of his foes but due to quicker games in the Blitz format, he has a bit of competition, largely from Briar in the role he aims to fulfill. Prism hasn’t historically been a particularly popular hero in the 52 card format, however she collected at least one victory over the weekend. Prism’s matchups aren’t too significantly in her favour in the Blitz metagame, nor does she face up against anything too overwhelming outside of Briar. Perhaps in a more Bravo prevalent environment, the Light Illusionist could shine more brightly.
Lexi has chilled out quite a bit since last week’s glimpse into the Blitz environment. While she remains a fantastic and extremely powerful deck, the increasingly popular Oldhim matchup can be quite the brain freeze. Viserai, Rhinar and Levia have quietened down a little since we last checked in also. Despite being strong decks, these three are still finding their feet/hooves in the Skirmish Season 3 Blitz metagame.
With one more week of Blitz Skirmish to go, there’s an embarrassment of riches when it comes to your choice of hard hitting heroes to take to battle. Could Azalea claim victory and shoot her last shot at the 11th hour? Is it the dawn of Data Doll? With a diverse and open metagame as contrasted as day and night, there’s no better time to arm your hero and fight!
Hairy Tarantula - Canada
29 players gathered in Toronto for the Blitz Skirmish event hosted by Hairy Tarantula, featuring two of the Top 4 players from Canada's National Championship last month.
| Boltyn | Briar | Chane | Ira | Kano | Levia | Lexi | Oldhim | Viserai | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player Count | 1 | 11 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
The final match saw Isaak Krut's Oldhim deck face off against Sau Hoang's Briar, freezing out the Warden of Thorns to claim victory of the event.
Top 8:
1st: Isaak Krut - Oldhim
2nd: Sau Hoang - Briar
3rd-4th: Nghia Tran - Briar
3rd-4th: Joel Repta - Briar
5th-8th: Hanchao Guo - Ira, Crimson Haze
5th-8th: Leon Chow - Briar
5th-8th: Shawn Dhaliwal - Briar
5th-8th: Matthew Pelletier - Levia
Quick Questions:
What was your best card?
Leon Chow: Sigil of Suffering
Hanchao Goa: Torrent of Tempo
Nghia Tran: Ball Lightning
Sau Hoang: Ball Lightning
Shawn Dhaliwal: Ravenous Rabble
Isaak Krut: Golden Foil Crown of Seeds
Matthew Pelletier: Writhing Beast Hulk
Joel Repta: Plunder Run
What was the deck you didn't want to face?
Leon Chow: Lexi
Hanchao Goa: Oldhim
Nghia Tran: Kano
Sau Hoang: Kano
Shawn Dhaliwal: Kano
Matthew Pelletier: Briar
Joel Repta: Kano
Sushi Knight - New Zealand
In Aotearoa, the land of the long white cloud, 37 players gathered for Sushi Knight's Skirmish event, with Chane and Kano neck and neck in the metagame for a place in the Top 8.
| Benji | Bravo | Briar | Chane | Dorinthea | Ira | Kano | Kassai | Katsu | Levia | Lexi | Oldhim | Rhinar | Viserai | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player Count | 1 | 2 | 5 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
The Top 8 cut was an event split between Guardians, Wizards, Ninjas and Runeblades, with two out of the three Oldhim and Ira players making the cut.
After facing each other in round 6, Chane players Oliver Berry and Jason Thomson-Sheck found themselves in a rematch for the final, with Jason claiming the ultimate victory for this event.
Top 8:
1st: Oliver Berry - Chane
2nd: Jason Thomson-Sheck - Chane
3rd-4th: Nicholas Holding - Kano
3rd-4th: Calum Gittins - Briar
5th-8th: Wynton Bedford - Ira, Crimson Haze
5th-8th: Mathew Collett - Kano
5th-8th: Keegan Walls - Oldhim
5th-8th: Khoi Dinh - Ira, Crimson Haze
Card Caster - Canada
"We had tons of fun hosting players in a long but very competitive event! We chose to do 2 drafts leading to a cut to top 8, even though we were 16 players. It gave every player who had a bad 1st draft the chance to make a comeback on the 2nd one.
One of our players, Shawn Hill, who went to Nationals, had a bad first draft where he went 0-3. Then came back and 3-0 on the 2nd, but unfortunately missed the top 8 by finishing 9th. We even had a relatively new player coming in, named William, and despite only winning 1 game, had a lot of fun and learned a lot about the game. Shawn Hill, one of our more experienced players even spent time with him explaining timing and reaction windows. Great display of a patient and kind community member, truly embodies the FaB spirit. Most of our players, after their drafts were over, donated their commons and rares to William, who was very happy.
Julien A. who made the top 8, had a very very lucky pack where he pulled a Korshem, that he drafted and used in his 2nd Briar deck.
Steven also pulled a Rampart of the Ram's head, which he put in his 1st draft, where he went undefeated 3-0 with Oldhim.
It is good to note Briar made about 50% of the playing field across both drafts, and appeared much less in the top 8, despite winning it all! It shows how good the hero is, and we feel that the unblockable arcane damage really makes her strong, with her passive triggering every hit. Despite all of that, Oldhim had a great winning percentage too. He was able to deck his opponents multiple times, as Dave Pruneau showcased his strengths going 3-0 on his 2nd draft. Impressive showing by him despite it being his first draft."
Event Photos
Sanctum Hobbies & Collectibles - New Zealand
In Blenheim, New Zealand, Sanctum hosted their first big FAB event, having opened in May earlier this year. 21 players gathered for the event, seeing a meta with plenty of Brute and Ninja players
The Sanctum team streamed the final match on their YouTube channel, with Chane player Ryan Rinsma ultimately winning against Matt Ayers' Dorinthea.
Event Photos
Blackthorn Game Center - United States
An extremely even metagame emerged for this 11 player Skirmish event, hosted by Blackthorn Game Center.
| Azalea | Briar | Dorinthea | Ira | Katsu | Levia | Lexi | Oldhim | Prism | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player Count | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
The final match played out between Logan Cline's Dorinthea deck, and Cody Santo's Briar. The classic Warrior reigned supreme, beating back the arcane and claiming the win for the event.
Quick Questions with Logan
Who is the best Runeblade?
Briar
What is the best card in your deck?
Singing Steelblade
What is the best deck in the format?
Ira, Crimson Haze
Kai of Cards - Netherlands
This 14 player event saw a number of Briar players take to the field, with the final match playing out as a Briar mirror match between Philip van Donselaar and Dennis Veenstra.
"Dennis playing Crown over Skullcap, but Philip opens up with Captain's Call blue and red Ball Lightning. Dennis defends for 5 with Exude Confidence and Enlightened Strike. Rosetta for 2+2, is met with Dennis pitching for AB1 and defending for 2. Dennis down to 19. Both players redrawing for the turn 1.
Dennis starts with Sting into Ravenous Rabble (showing red Ball Lightning), 1 arcane, no defending, down to 15; red Snatch with 1 arcane down to 14, without hesitation Philip defends with equipment.
Philips comes back with red Plunder Run from hand and Arcanic Shockwave fused, 1 arcane, Dennis takes the arcane damage down to 18 and defends with Grasp of the Arknight and Bloodsheath Skeleta, in reactions Philip uses his Snapdragon Scalers and Lightning Presses on the Shockwave taking Dennis down to 15. Exude Confidence from arsenal. No defending. Down to 11. Arsenal pass for Philip, keeping 1 card in hand from lack of go again.
But now Dennis shows why he wouldn’t have blocked anything that turn. Plunder Run red from arsenal, Sting of Sorcery, yellow Ball Lightning, Phil goes down to 12 from arcane -shouts wait that isn’t RED!-, defends 5 with Arcanite Skullcap and Captain's Call, red Lightning Ball defended for 3, but all the arcane goes through and takes Philip down to 8. But Dennis isn’t done and attacks with a Ravenous Rabble for 4. Flipping another red Ball Lightning! Nimblism defends 5 for the last Ravenous Rabble. Philip is not happy with his position.
Just 2 cards for Philip, he swings in with Arcanic Shockwave red no fusion. No defending from Dennis, down to 7. (Skullcap already at 2 counters).
Dennis opens with the yellow Ball, defended by Grasp of the Arknight from Philip, but then he plays the red Ball Lightning revealed from Ravenous Rabble, defended by a non-attack action for 3 (1 Embodiment of Lightning) but Dennis follows up with Entwine Lightning for 4, no fuse, defended fully by Philip with Sonata Arcanix and Bloodsheath Skeleta.
Philip starts his turn with Nimblism and Snatch from arsenal. Presenting 7 with an on hit draw and Dennis goes in the tank, but gambles on Philip not having the Lightning Press, which is correct, Dennis is down to 2.
Dennis starts with red Electrify from arsenal, pitching a red Weave Lightning, playing another red Weave Lightning, makes Embodiment of Lightning and considers his turn, goes in with Arcanic Shockwave for 7 fused, Philip taking the arcane damage and is down to 7, Philip blocking 7 with 2 Plunder Runs and Grasp of the Arknight; his last piece of equipment.
Lightning Surge, still threatening the Lightning Surge, but he shows the Lightning Press .
Dennis – Big D – takes it home!"
Highlander Games - Scotland
"We had our first skirmish event in Dundee Scotland this week and while we had red weather warnings in place the day before and damage to train tracks/roads - the local players still managed to make it to the event though travellers were hindered by the stormy weather. The atmosphere at the event was incredible and Dragonshield sponsored the event with a bunch of dual playmats, deck boxes, folders and sleeves to give away!"