Pankaj Bhojwani AKA EthnicSmoke is a content creator, legendary caster, and pro player all in one. Pankaj is here ahead of his appearance at Pro Tour: Amsterdam to give you the run down on what to expect from a Flesh and Blood Pro Tour, and how to get the most our of your weekend.
The mists are parting around Amsterdam as the greatest players around the world prepare to come together for Flesh and Blood’s 5th Pro Tour. Fresh off the back of National Championships around the world, these combatants are going to be well prepared to prove their mettle on the global stage. The final Pro Tour for 2024 is looking to be as exciting as ever, and here’s what you can expect.
What’s New?
First, let’s go over what has changed since the previous Pro Tour in LA a few months ago.
- Dromai ascended to Living Legend - with the help of a rather large boost of points from a very timely Sigil of Solace, the dragons sleep for now and the empress rests on her throne.
- Armory Deck: Kayo hit shelves, bringing with it some big upgrades to what was already considered one of the best decks in Classic Constructed. Both Savage Sash and Run Roughshod have quickly found their way into Kayo lists and our favorite one-armed Brute has become an even greater force to be reckoned with.
- Part the Mistveil was released, and it has had what is arguably the largest impact we have ever seen from a booster set in the history of Flesh and Blood. All three of the new Mystic heroes have boasted great performances right out of the gate, and we can fully expect them to show up strong in Amsterdam with perhaps even one of them transcending to victory.
- Armory Deck: Boltyn will have made its way to stores all around the world, containing several new Light Warrior support cards. With only a few weeks to practice with these new cards, this product might bring just the right amount of shakeup and spice to the Classic Constructed meta. Who knows - maybe this boost is just what a skilled Boltyn stan needs to have their Luminas go Boomina and take down the event.
The Main Event
For Pro Tour participants the tournament starts proper on Friday, but make sure to make it out to the Players Banquet the night before! Think of this special event as a congratulations for managing to qualify for the highest tier of competitive play and help yourself to some delicious refreshments before the grueling matches begin. And as you catch up with your fellow competitors, tune in to the live keynote where you will be privy to some special surprises! It was at the keynote for Pro Tour: Los Angeles where we first saw the trailer for Part the Mistveil, and you can be certain that there will be some juicy reveals this time round for Rosetta!
Following that, the Pro Tour begins! As with all Tier 4 events, players will need prowess in both Limited and Constructed to be able to rise to the top and claim the title of Pro Tour Champion. The Pro Tour starts with 4 rounds of Classic Constructed into 3 rounds of Part the Mistveil Booster Draft on Friday, then 3 rounds of Part the Mistveil Booster Draft into 4 rounds of Classic Constructed on Saturday, and finally ends with the Top 8 players battling it out in single-elimination Classic Constructed on Sunday. For those who are unable to attend in person, be sure to tune into the Live Stream and the Live Blog so you never miss out on the action!
Open Entry Side Events
Alongside the Pro Tour itself there is a wide array of side events sure to satisfy all of your Flesh and Blood cravings. These are all open entry, so whether you are new to the game or a veteran of the scene you are equally welcome to participate! For those looking for competition with higher stakes on the line, look no further than the two-day Classic Constructed Calling that starts on Saturday. And if instead you find yourself reminiscing about some of the game’s older heroes that have ascended to Living Legend, there is a Living Legend format Battle Hardened on Sunday for you to show off your mastery on the heroes of the past such as Chane, OG Prism, and that other guy we don’t talk about.
Tournaments with PTIs on the line aren’t the only ones available throughout the weekend, however! There are all sorts of side events, ranging from Commoner Gold Foil to Blitz to Shapeshifter Sealed for you to take part in if that is more your type of playstyle. Other than offering a more relaxed environment for you to enjoy slinging your cards in, one of the greatest aspects of these side events is the flexibility they provide when planning out your schedule. Typically these events only go for 3-4 rounds, meaning that you have plenty of time to attend several of these throughout the day and enjoy the many different formats that Flesh and Blood has to offer, or even take your pick of 1-2 events to take part in and spend the rest of your time exploring and taking in Amsterdam itself. For many, this is a rare opportunity to visit a city they have never been to before and these side events can be the perfect way to strike that balance between playing Flesh and Blood and touring the city.
Art and Glamour
There are a lot of things to celebrate about Flesh and Blood, and its gorgeous art is absolutely one of them. At Pro Tour: Amsterdam you will get the chance to meet the artists behind some of your favorite game pieces, and get your cards and playmats signed to show your support and appreciation for their work (and of course, to bling out your collection as well). They usually carry some artist proofs with them too so be sure to pick up some of those if you are looking to have these pieces on display around your home as well as in your binder!
Bringing this art to life are our wonderful cosplayers - catch them as they roam around the hall in their stunning outfits and try to (with permission!) snag a few pictures with them! While the players are duking it out in the arena, the cosplayers aren’t without a competition of their own; join them Saturday evening after most of the day’s games are done for the Cosplay Contest, where you will get to quite literally see the game come to life and learn about all the blood, sweat, and tears that goes into creating these cosplays. The Cosplay Contest is a great representation of the passion and enthusiasm the Flesh and Blood community has for the game, and is not an event you want to miss.
Preparing for the Weekend
Whether you are competing in the Pro Tour or just there to play in side events, be prepared for a jam-packed weekend. With all sorts of side activities to choose from, the experience can quickly get a little overwhelming - here are some things you can do beforehand to prepare and make the weekend as comfortable as possible.
- Have food and water handy! Maybe ham sandwiches are your thing or maybe you enjoy food with a little more spice, either way hitting up a nearby grocery store before the event to stock up on various snacks is a great way to ensure you don’t go hungry as you play game after game. Expect there to be lines for some of the more popular stations (for example, the prize wall) and the last thing you want is to be lining up for food instead of those!
- Plan your schedule! The entire list of events with their timings is available here, so you can figure out well beforehand the activities you want to participate in. Buying tickets beforehand is highly recommended too, particularly if you are interested in the Calling or the Battle Hardened (those have sold out before!). This also applies to any sightseeing you wish to do in Amsterdam - securing your spot well prior to the weekend itself will prevent a lot of last-minute scrambling when you finally get there.
- Rest well! The event is going to be three days of jam-packed action and fun, you’re going to be moving from event to event and constantly hanging out with friends both old and new. Make sure you’re well rested coming into it, and remember that it is totally okay to take a breather here and there during the weekend itself too! In the end, you are there to have a good time and if you need to take a moment or two to yourself to avoid burnout, definitely do so.
Good Luck, Have Fun
Pro Tours and World Championships - these global tournaments are the pinnacle of competitive play in Flesh and Blood but they are also so much more than that. They are the culmination of all the hard work and effort the devs have put into the booster sets from both a Limited and Constructed standpoint; they are where the best players and teams get to truly prove their prowess and put all their practice and hard work to the test; and above all, they are where friends from all over the world get to meet over their mutual love and passion for the game. To listen to each other’s bad beats, to revel in one another’s triumphs, and honestly even to just get dinner together after a long day of games, these events offer so much more than just the prizes on the line. I cannot wait to step into the hall and feel the energy coursing through the air, and I wish everyone attending and competing, whether in the Pro Tour or in any of the side events, the very best of luck. And always remember, have fun!
