One year ago Arthur Trehet from France started playing Flesh and Blood. This weekend Arthur made history, winning Pro Tour: Los Angeles with Dromai, Ash Artist in a legendary final match that will be talked about for decades. We caught up with Arthur after his big win to chat about life, the event, and moving forward.
You're the Pro Tour Champion - how does it feel?
It feels great of course. I was not expecting it at all; it feels great and unexpected.
You are one of four Pro Tour Champions, three of whom are from Europe. Is Europe the best place to be playing Flesh and Blood?
I feel like the US is better for organised teams and practice groups. There are some great players in Europe… maybe it is?
If you think back to the final match, that game was very close… very intense… what was the key moment for you?
The turn just before the final, I had a very tough decision. I think instead of Burn Them All and Cromai, I could have played Kyloria and Cromai, but this was a losing play. The only way I could win this game was by sending 1 arcane, surviving a turn, and then sending 1 more arcane. I didn’t have many resources left in my deck - so all I could play was Billowing Mirage, meaning I was stuck. Of course I top decked the Sigil which was very lucky.
On that final turn, how many decisions did you think through? Were you always committed to over-defending?
He had one card in hand… he only had one attack reaction in his deck which pumps up - Blade Flurry - then there’s Glint, which he had, and Shift the Tide of Battle… so if I don’t over block I would have lost anyway. There’s only one thing to know - I didn’t take more risk by over blocking, because even if I didn’t defend from hand Glint was making me lose anyway… I didn’t have a way to stop the second attack.
Was there anything you would have done differently?
I have to rewatch the game to be sure, but I don’t think so. I took risks when I needed to… I don’t see any misplays right now.
A lot of power cards on both ends were burned through quite quickly. How did that affect the game?
I got lucky in a sense to see him with the three Amnesia hand - while it allowed him to trigger phantasm on Cromai and another dragon, it made me more comfortable because I knew the Amnesias were gone and that’s half his poppers gone in one turn so I could play more greedy. The Ravenous Rabbles going was quite bad.
You’ve only been playing for a year. What advice would you give to a new player if they want to be the next Pro Tour Champion?
I think you should find a group of friends who you like to practice with. Friends are better than practicing anywhere else. Try to improve with your friends and try to find a new version of your decklist… always talking and brainstorming the lines, and everything to debrief: What made me lose? What made me win? What were the key moments in the game? It allows you to make better decisions because friends can spot the mistakes.
This win puts Dromai on a timer for Living Legend. How does that make you feel, and what will you play next?
I love playing Dromai but I'm also not a fan of it being such a polarising deck. I think it’s good for the meta that Dromai is gone for a while. I am glad not to be a specialist, because now I have to switch decks and now I have to find a new hero. It’s great to try new things.
There are a few big events coming up; French Nationals, Pro Tour: Amsterdam. How are you feeling about those events after this weekend?
Good of course, this is a big boost to my confidence. I have to find a new deck. I won’t be a specialist in such a short time. I will perhaps rely on my friends for decklists, and have to learn from them. It’s a new journey.
Will you try Dorinthea?
I also played against Max yesterday, and it was also very tense. I think the deck is super strong, so yeah… I will try it out.
The 2024 World Championship is coming to Osaka, Japan. Will you be going?
I hope to do well in Nationals and get a PTI, so yeah, hopefully!
What is your favourite set, hero, and card?
I've only been playing for a year, so hard to say… My favourite booster draft set is Outsiders. My favourite hero is Dromai, Ash Artist. My favourite card in Dromai is Sigil of Solace.
What do you enjoy most about playing Flesh and Blood?
The matchups are very specific. You have to have a lot of knowledge, managing the micro game - resources and cards, as well as the macro game - pitch stacking and second-cycle.
Shout out your local game store and anyone else you'd like to thank!
Uchronies Games, Paris! I would also like to thank all the players I practice with, all the French players, the people I play with in Paris, the whole French community, and especially Silva, Kevin, Simon, and my group of friends.
Where can we follow you on social media?
You can find me on Twitter at @Wyss_ccg.