The Champion of Calling Warsaw
And finally, after two long days of matches, 12 rounds of Swiss, 3 rounds of single elimination, and 15 challenging world-class opponents, we have our champion for Calling Warsaw. A massive congratulations to Vincent Weinzierl and his stellar piloting of Kano, Dracai of Aether in joining the ranks of Calling Champions.
Don’t let the rapid-fire finale fool you, not all games were over in as few turns as when Vincent faced off against Kanaris and Kayo in the finals. One look at the semi-finals versus Gianluigi should show without a shadow of a doubt that Vincent truly deserves the title. After attempting to fire off two Aether Wildfires back to back, only for them to get stifled by Oasis Respite, Vincent continued playing where many would have conceded on the spot. Only when down to the final 6 cards in his deck, does Vincent make the comeback, playing out a mishmash combo of the scraps left in his deck, sweeping victory out from Gianluigi’s feet.
The finals were the polar opposite, with Kanaris coming out swinging, firing attacks on all cylinders. Kanaris saw what could happen if Vincent had time to set up his pitch stack and intended to end the game right then and there. Unfortunately for Kanaris, Vincent was quick to adapt, seeing an opening where Kanaris had no cards in hand, and proceeded to check the top of his deck for threats. What started out with Kanaris on the offensive ended up with Vincent blasting 25+ damage directly to his face. It was only a few short turns later that Vincent was able to find the damage, take the win, and blaze on to victory.
This was an amazing close to Calling Warsaw and thank you all for joining the event with us here. That’s a wrap on this event, and we’ll see you all next week at the World Premier of Part the Mistveil and Calling Tokyo! Until then.
Battle Hardened Warsaw Winner
After eight rounds of Swiss, the top 8 players for Battle Hardened Warsaw emerged. We have an amazing spread of heroes with some unique top placements and now they're here to claim their prize.
We have an impressive array of six unique heroes and an exciting Battle Hardened top 8. Your competitors battling it out for the title of Battle Hardened Warsaw Champion are:
- Samuel Braben playing Kano, Dracai of Aether
- 신, 원률 playing Prism, Awakener of Sol
- Faustin Falissard playing Dorinthea Ironsong
- Jesse Harmala playing Kano, Dracai of Aether
- Wojtek Klimczyk playing Dash, Inventor Extraordinaire
- Francesco Giorgio playing Kayo, Armed and Dangerous
- Pawel Kosminski playing Kayo, Armed and Dangerous
- Florin-Cristian Loghin playing Victor Goldmane, High and Mighty
Nearly 200 players entered Battle Hardened Warsaw with a chance of glory. In the end, Jesse Härmälä completed his redemption arc and added yet another stellar victory to Kano’s record today. If anything Kano has emerged as the well and true victor in the Warsaw battlegrounds. A very well-earned victory for Jesse Härmälä, this Battle Hardened was definitely one for the records.
Calling Warsaw Top 8
Finally, after 12 grueling rounds of Classic Constructed, the victors have emerged. These eight players proved they have what it takes to stand above the competition today and play it out now for the grand prize and the title of Calling Champion. For those who did not make it, we applaud your efforts and look forward to the next time you all enter the arena.
Your Calling Top 8 is:
- Jacob Trossing on Dorinthea Ironsong
- Alex Chitu on Dash Inventor Extraordinaire
- Jan Kucera on Kano, Dracai of Aether
- Gianluigi Lia on Ser Boltyn, Breaker of Dawn
- Brodie Spurlock on Azalea, Ace in the Hole
- Thomas Preyer on Dash I/O
- Kanaris Bounas on Kayo, Armed and Dangerous
- Vincent Weinzierl on Kano, Dracai of Aether
Best of luck to the competitors, and stay tuned to see how the battle unfolds.
Sunday - Gold Cold Foil Commoner Showdown
The fan-favorite format continues to bring in players of all levels and interests. Only this time, there is actual Gold to be won! For many, these black envelopes and their Gold Cold Foils are the centerpieces of their collections or the shiniest parts of their favorite deck. No matter how experienced the player, or how large the collection, commoner continues to be an accessible format that fans enjoy.
Today we had a large come out, with 15 different heroes represented across the tables. Ira continues to be a powerhouse of the format, with her fairly straightforward game plan, and ability to block big and hit Even Bigger Than That. With 9 players Ira was the most represented hero today. Taking up second place we had Iyslander and Oldhim in second and third respectively. But most interesting personally were the Chanes, Fais, Betsys, and even Kanos present at the event.
After 6 rounds of Swiss, we had a top 8 consisting of 1 Chane, 2 Iyslanders, 2 Iras, 2 Oldhims, and a Kano. At the end of the day, Chane once again walked away with the victory, and Jonas Stoberock emerged as the champion of the Gold Cold Foil Commoner Tournament!
Sunday - Battle Hardened Warsaw Meta
Nearly 200 players turned out for Battle Hardened Warsaw. Looking at the hero representation we have 20 unique heroes. Olympia and Betsy are still on holiday, and it seems after yesterday Maxx, and very surprisingly, Katsu, have joined them. These brave warriors are battling for a chance of redemption, battling to win their prizes, and most importantly, bragging rights.
The meta is very diverse again, but it seems fairly similar in representation to Calling Warsaw yesterday, minus the Katsus. Kayo makes up 24% of the field, similar to Calling Warsaw’s 22%. Victor, Dorinthea, and Azalea are the next three with a very similar representation rate as well. Dorinthea and Victor sitting at 11%, and Azalea is at a cool 9%.
And if Classic Constructed isn’t your cup of tea, we have so many events today ranging from our upcoming Gold Cold Foil Commoner Event and Ultimate Pitfight Draft to name a few.
Sunday - Entering Day 2
The fighters are rested, the audience is pouring in, and the arena beckons its challengers once more. Welcome everyone to day 2 of Calling Warsaw. Today we’ll have 5 rounds of Classic Constructed followed by a cut to the top 8.
While only a quarter of the field remains, fear not, there are many challenges for those who seek them. Those searching for a second shot at glory may participate in the Battle Hardened today for a chance at redemption. Brawls will erupt across the arena for those seeking Gold. We have a lot of events on the docket today so stay tuned, and watch the battles unfold.
Saturday - Ending Day 1
The dust has settled, the fighters are tired, and the true victors of the preliminaries have emerged. As the players rest and recuperate for tomorrow, we can break down all the details of what exactly happened today. With over 450 players at Calling Warsaw, we have 101 players with at least 5 victories (X-2) and four undefeated players. Yorgos Samaras and Brodie Spurlock both went 7-0 with Azalea, Ace in the Hole. Joaquim Ballot knew no defeat on Dash, Inventor Extraordinaire. And Arthur Trehet continues his dominating performance on Kayo, Armed and Dangerous.
Of the 22 unique heroes that entered the arena, 17 remain to fight another day. Overall, the ratio of each hero relative to the total competition remains fairly similar to how the day began. Outside of a couple of outliers, the majority of heroes saw a 20%-30% conversion rate on day 2. Thank you all for tuning in to our reports and live streams today, and we’ll see you back here tomorrow.
Saturday - Cosplay Celebration
Calling Warsaw brought together not just the players but also the most artistic, and talented cosplayers around. After a long day of gameplay, these valiant artists gave us a display of their craftsmanship. It’s always inspiring to see their creations and the cards we know and love come to life. We had three standout talented cosplayers at Calling Warsaw and I’m really happy to be able to share with you:
- Sheila brought us her rendition of the new Ravenous Rabble promo artwork
- Francesco stomped into the arena as Rhinar, Reckless Rampage
- Alexandra flew in as Victoria, Archangel of Triumph
Saturday - Artist Alley Expo
Stepping away from the battlefield, players can find attractions of all sorts at Calling Warsaw. Patrons of the arts, for example, would do well to visit the Artist Alley. We were fortunate to have three very talented local Polish artists here at Calling Warsaw and we took the time to sit down and ask them a few questions.
Tomasz Jedruszek
- How did you get your start in illustration?
Since I’ve been little I have always enjoyed drawing. I was always a fan of Comic books and drawing. Growing up I was always told to get a real job so I went to school for architecture. But already there I got commissions for role-playing games and fantasy magazines. From there it was private commissions until I started getting work for gaming companies and now LSS
- How is it working as an artist with Legend Story Studios?
It’s really great actually. The atmosphere here is very different from other card games, everyone is so excited about the game, and it's all new and fresh. LSS is also so easy to work with, we communicate quickly and it's like we’re right next to each other. It’s a good time.
- Of all the pieces you created, which card is your favorite?
Oh man, don’t ask me this, I like them all. But when I look at each of them I always feel I can improve little bits here and there. But I like them all.
Mariusz Gandzel
- How did you get your start in illustration?
My journey started 15 years ago when I was studying and I had to choose between being an architect and being an artist. It turns out I was not a very good architect and I started illustrating in books. After I started to get commissions internationally for card games and now I’m here.
- How is it working as an artist With Legend Story Studios?
I enjoy the work that I get to do, it’s a fresh take and there is a lot of variety. I love the steam-punk art style but I also create pieces across a variety of genres.
- Of all the pieces you created, which card is your favorite?
I would have to say Master Cog. It’s one of my favorites and I love the way it came out.
Mateusz Wisniewski
- How did you get your start in illustration?
When I started working I focused on private commissions. I did a lot of work with Dungeons and Dragons for original characters and campaign art. Then I started working on making designs for board game companies. It was around then that I sent out my artwork to Legend Story Studios, and my first set was Tales of Aria.
- How is it working as an artist with Legend Story Studios?
It’s a very rewarding experience. I put a lot of effort into making the best art that I can and that I can include all the elements I want. I’m very happy that Legend Story Studios agrees with me on this. I put in a lot of effort into my artwork and they allow me to do so.
- Of all the pieces you created, which card is your favorite?
I would say my favorite card is Water Glow Lanterns. It was quite a challenge card for me because I had to make this red reflection in the blue water and make the image still so vibrant. I’m very happy with how it turned out.
Saturday - Meta Breakdown
Saturday - Meta Breakdown
The data is here, and we have quite an exciting meta today. Similarly to Calling Phuket, Kayo was THE deck to beat.
Pulling ahead we have Kayo dominating the field with a 22% representation. Then we have a cluster of three heroes battling it out. Dorinthea with a 12% representation and Azalea and Viktor have 9% each. We have an amazing representation of 22 different heroes present, with only Betsy and Olympia on vacation until the next set.
Saturday - Welcome to Day 1
It’s a good morning here in Warsaw. Players are amped up and ready to Bet Big or go home. Everyone is finalizing their decklists, making last-minute changes to their sideboards, and doing whatever they can to Edge Ahead of the rest of the competition. We have over 450 contenders gearing up for a chance to win it all and become the champion of Calling Warsaw.
Today we have 7 rounds of Classic Constructed with a day 2 cut for the top 64 or all players with 5 wins or more (X-2). Then tomorrow we will have 5 more rounds of Classic Constructed with a cut to the top 8. Our team is working hard to break down the meta so stay tuned.
Friday - Team Commoner Super Armory
Rounding out today’s events is a fan-favorite format, Team Commoner. Everything about this format is fun and engaging. It's just a great way to sit down and play. Anyone can have fun here, whether you’re brand new to Flesh and Blood or an experienced player. After a long day of playing Classic Constructed, it's nice to sit down with some friends, play relatively simpler decks, and chat with everyone at the table. There's also no pressure on new players who can always ask their teammates for help. This is the perfect way to de-stress after an eventful day.
One exciting table showed a team with Prism, Dash Database, and Levia facing off against Bravo, Iyslander, and Ira respectively. In a fun twist of fate, the Dash and Iyslander match had both players starting on 18 health, already 10% of the work done. The Bravo - Prism match-up also had the dynamic of Classic Constructed flipped on its head, with Bravo now being favored to walk away on top.
Across the games, we see Dash and Iyslander slinging instants back and forth and Bravo and Prism firing off massive attacks for 7+ power each or swinging hammers and auras for 4. Levia and Ira are going on the offensive seeing who can bring the other down first. Ira and Levia’s match is the first to end with a classic Razor Reflex over a Zephyr Needle. The two players then go over to help their teammates and discuss tactics. The next to fall is Dash, Database when her three pieces of Arcane Barrier couldn’t cover a red Voltic Bolt from Iyslander. Prism, after protecting her Spectral Shield at all costs, couldn’t stop a large dominated attack from Bravo. From there, Bravo hit with Pummels and closed out the game with one final large dominated attack. In the end, the players sat back, reveled in their games, and laughed about the match-ups.
While the players finish up their final games for the day, we’re getting ready to bring you one of the best streams yet. Thanks for tuning in and we’ll see you tomorrow for Day 1 of Calling Warsaw.
Friday - Oasis Respite Side Event
The first big event of the weekend has concluded and we had a staggering four hundred and six players battling it out. With a fixed four rounds of Swiss, going 4-0 was the name of the game. The field was tough as players would Double Down on their game plans to keep their Hot Streak going. After the dust settled we have the heroes who emerged victorious.
At the end of the event Kayo, Armed and Dangerous emerged victorious with seven players piloting him to a 4-0 victory. Not so far behind, Viktor took up second place with four undefeated players. But we saw amazing performances from a wide variety of heroes. Both a Dash Inventor Extraordinaire and a Dash I/O, as well as a Kano, a Bravo, and a Viserai, went undefeated to rake in the Gold.
Friday - Venue Tour
Not even a minute past 11:00 players began flooding into the arena. Walking into the venue you’re immediately welcomed by the Heavy Hitters all-star lineup. Posters and banners adorn the halls. Everyone is rushing to sign up for their favorite side events, take photos next to their favorite heroes, and see all the sights before the games begin.
A quick look around the venue shows players hustling toward the Midtown Market vendors, picking up the cards they need. Whether those cards are a missing sink below forgotten at home, a cold foil equipment to flush out their set, or even new players picking up the brand new Kayo Armory Deck.
Some of the early birds are already at the Artist Alley meeting with their favorite artists before everyone else crowds over. Everyone seems eager to acquire artist proofs of their favorite cards, have their play sets signed, and meet the faces behind some of Flesh and Blood’s most iconic artwork.
The first event of this weekend is underway, a Classic Constructed event where players will play for the beautiful brand-new Oasis Respite promo. Truly a Test of Might, players will be using this event to practice and warm up for the rest of the action-packed weekend.
Friday - Welcome to the Show
Ladies and gentlemen, the doors to Calling Warsaw have opened, and we are in for a Wild Ride. We’re reporting live from Warsaw Expo XXI in Warsaw, Poland, and we will keep you all up to date on the latest news, updates, and events. Registrations have begun and the players are pouring in ready to Show No Mercy and Send Packing all who would stand in their way on the path to victory.
Today we have a full schedule of side events open to all players looking to jam games and have a good time. With the large variety of formats and events firing off every hour, there’s something for everyone. Just wandering through the venue you see players greeting friends they haven’t seen since their last event together and even making new ones while bonding over their favorite heroes. It’s amazing to see people from all over the world making friends, having a good time, and coming together through the language of playing great games.
Stay tuned as we feature updates of the day, live from Warsaw Expo XXI as we lead into tomorrow’s main event.
Welcome to the Calling: Warsaw Mini Live Blog!
Stay tuned for exciting snapshots across the whole weekend...
