Shuffle up, buttercup. It’s almost time for the big dance.
The Flesh and Blood World Tour is just under one month away from its most influential stop so far — London, England. You know, the one with the giant clock and a never-ending supply of sausage rolls? One of the most iconic cities in the world is about to play host to the brightest minds and freshest faces from our community for an action-packed weekend stuffed with announcements, memories and top-tier play.
I absolutely cannot wait.
The thing is... it’s not really about the location. There’s some real charm to Buckingham Palace and our infamous red telephone boxes but I’m far more enamored with the selection of people that are about to share a room for the first time. London is calling — and some of the most talented heroes in all of Rathe have chosen to answer that call.
World Tour: London is going to be a hotbed of the diversity that makes Flesh and Blood beautiful. You’ll get to throw down with the best players in the world, shake hands with the developers that make our game tick, and snag the odd photo with your favorite content creator — but you’ll also be tangling with souls from all walks of life, making friends with opponents from across the globe and mingling with future champions as you queue up for your next event. The community is rife with personalities that have stories to tell, and I want to make sure you get to hear them.
So, who exactly is coming to party at World Tour: London? Let’s take a closer look.
Artists
Flesh and Blood has been brought to life by a robust team of artists who pour themselves into the stories and visuals of our game. Thankfully, you’ll have the chance to tell them that directly at World Tour: London!
If you’re looking for something shiny to frame on your wall or an additional dash of bling for your favorite hero, be sure to stop by Artist Alley during the weekend.
We’ve got five of the most coveted talents in the industry visiting World Tour: London:
- Mark Poole: Mark Poole is a multi-time award winning artist with a career spanning over 20 years. Their incredible work has featured on cards such as the terrifying Mask of Deceit, the scenic Ring of Roses and the majestic Waning Moon. He’s also the mastermind behind Plague Hive: the artwork for the official Pro Tour playmat!
- Tomasz Jedruszek: Tomasz Judruszek has forged their legacy across 43 different Flesh and Blood cards — and they’re not slowing down! Highlights include the electrifying Channel Lightning Valley, Face Purgatory and the big, bad Ten Foot Tall and Bulletproof
- Mariusz Gandzel: Mariusz Gandzel is the master of all things Mechanologist. They’re poured their blood, steam and tears into cards like Cerebellum Processor, Master Cog and the iconic Singularity. They’ve also showcased a lighter touch on the fan-favorite Oasis Respite promo available at Calling events last year.
- Mateusz Wiśniewski: Mateusz Wiśniewski has built a catalog of astonishing fantasy artwork across years of practice. They’re responsible for every game you’ve lost to Emeritus Scolding, sneaky wins with Poison the Well and the original artwork of Oasis Respite. They also brought the monstrous Vynserakai to life for those who’ve pledged their loyalty to the emperor.
- Milivoj Ćeran: Milivoj Ceran is a fresher face to Flesh and Blood, but they’ve been a fantasy artist specializing in Norse-inspired pieces since 2002. Their style is timeless, and they’ve started their journey strong with Channel the Millenium Tree, Orihon of Mystic Tenets and the jaw-dropping Will of Arcana.
Casters
Flesh and Blood has a wonderful array of talent that will happily don their caster clothes and host an incredible show — so who is stepping up to call the shots in mighty ol’ blighty?
- Sam O’Byrne: Sam O’ Byrne has slowly become the face of Flesh and Blood coverage over the last few years, having recently stepped into the role of Coverage Producer for Legend Story Studios. As a part of the iconic trio at Three Floating, Sam has refined their cadence and shot-calling to the point that a broadcast simply feels wrong without them.
- Bryan Gottlieb: You may recognize Bryan Gottlieb as one of the most influential designers in the industry today — but he’s also a veteran on the mic! Gottlieb has been calling the biggest matches in the TCG space since 2017 and offers a level of knowledge that few can match.
- Pankaj Bhojwani: The superstar from Singapore; Pankaj Bhojwani is one of the most renown casters in our game right now. He’s been the voice of reason at the US National Championships, 2024 World Championship and many more events. World Tour: London should feel right at home for this certifiable juggernaut.
- Hayden Dale: Bhojwani’s partner in crime of Arsenal Pass fame joins his co-host in the booth to bring you all the action. Hayden Dale is undeniably one of the strongest players we’ve ever seen, sporting both a Calling win in Sydney and a stint as the Australian National Champion.
Special Guests and Pro Players
Hoping to grab a picture or get some cards signed? Funnily enough, me too! There are literally hundreds of the biggest and brightest names in the game attending World Tour: London, so feel free to take a peek at the full list of invited players if you’re hoping to bump into somebody specific — just remember to be respectful and polite!
That said, shall we highlight a few choice picks?
- James White: The pioneer of the pink polo and the father of Flesh and Blood will be making regular appearances across the weekend. I’m sure he’s got plenty of spicy announcements and a million places to be, but James is always happy to make time for anyone and everyone. He’ll be joined by several other members of the team from Legend Story Studios.
- Pablo Pintor, Michael Feng, Arthur Trehet and Shoma Yamamura: Four of the previous Pro Tour champions will be in attendance for a chance to take home the double. Will home country hero Matthew Foulkes join the event in the dying hour and successfully steal the show? We’ll have to wait and see.
- Michael Hamilton, Alexandros Argyriou and Grzegorz Kowalski: Every World Champion in the history of Flesh and Blood will be duking it out for a chance to win the Pro Tour. Nobody said it would be easy, did they?
- Bartosz Ziemba: Bartosz Ziemba has come within striking distance of history twice. The Polish Powerhouse has previously secured a National Championship win, but losing the final of two different Pro Tours has to sting like nothing else. Will this be the event where Ziemba finishes the story?
- Yuki Lee Bender: Yuki Lee Bender has proven time-and-again to be one of the most well-rounded minds in the field. The former National and Calling champion has recently been responsible for impactful innovations in deckbuilding for Cindra, Dracai of Retribution and Verdance, Thorn of the Rose. Does she have yet another ace up her sleeve for the Pro Tour?
Players to Watch
The European community has multiple all-stars that have either broken through on the international stage or remain working away just under the glass ceiling. I expect many of these names to be in contention late into the event — so make sure to scout them out on the standings each round.
- Rob Catton: Rob Catton is part of a very exclusive club: He and Michael Hamilton are the only players to reach the top eight of two different World Championships. Catton is playing on home turf, which has previously served them well in their triumphs at Battle Hardened: Leeds and Battle Hardened: Liverpool. I see no reason a Pro Tour can’t be next on that list.
- Jacob Clements: Currently sitting at number three on the World Tour leaderboard, Jacob Clements is on a phenomenal tear this season — headlined by a victory at Calling: Florence late last year. Clements is showcasing a level of consistency rarely seen in card games and I cannot wait to see what they’re capable of next.
- Simon Nielsen: The breakout star of Calling: Prague, Simon Nielsen is an unquestionable titan of the TCG scene. Most people aren’t aware that Nielsen was the 2023 Denmark National Champion, and that his recent success is just a symptom of long-term dedication. It’s hard to call a player of this caliber a “dark horse” — but you’d be a fool if you underestimate one of the most prestigious names in the event.
- Alex Chitu: Alex Chitu is a former UK National Champion who currently sits at number six on the World Tour leaderboard. They’ve had repeated strong showings at Calling: Warsaw, Calling: Barcelona, Calling: Birmingham and the Calling in Tampa, yet seemingly slip under many a radar. Make no mistake, Chitu is not a player you want to see on the other side of your table.
- Emad Kashy: Emad Kashy is the reigning UK National Champion, and recently put on a show-stealing performance at the Calling in Osaka. Kashy has proven that he has the grit and skill required to make a deep run anywhere in the world. Will they be able to do so again?
Oh yeah... there’s one more player I’d love for you to watch out for across the weekend: a rusty old content creator by the name of Scott Mines. That’s right, I’m hanging up the casters cloak and stepping onto the big, scary battlefield for a chance to take home a share of $175,000. Will that choice age well? Hopefully. Will I narrate my own games in real time? You’ll have to say hello to find out.
I’m so incredibly excited for World Tour: London, and hopefully you are too. With a vibrant mixture of the Flesh and Blood community, events for every format imaginable and some of the most iconic names in the game sitting down at every table, there’s an awful lot to love and even more to look forward to.
Hopefully, I’ll see you there!
