Nationals 2025 Week 3 has shaken up everything. This marks the final week of Nationals and we have seen 20 countries compete, and change the larger meta forever.
We're going to take this article, the same with our piece on week 1 and week 2 to paint a picture for that country's metagame, then take a good long look at the winning deck.
Australia
Kassai of the Golden Sand was able to take down the win in Australia, piloted by Justin Lim.
The versatile Warrior deck can be as aggressive as they come, with Sharpened Senses and Draw Swords to send multiple large, front pumped attacks with Go Again. Leaving Sink Below at home, most Kassai decks are blocking efficiently with Fate Foreseen to fix the top of the deck, which is especially helpful in a deck designed to draw cards.
This version of Kassai is also playing a slightly higher number of attack actions than previous lists. The presence of Command and Conquer has fluctuated in and out of some lists, and Nourishing Emptiness is easily enabled thanks to Kassai's ability. A pet card that I'm happy to see included is the one off Performance Bonus, which is there for additional Gold and to threaten Gravy Bones allies. Blanche is there as a popper, and an effective one.
The entire event is there for all to see on Stream.
Austria
Slippy in the hands of Florin-Cristian Loghin won Nationals in Austria. This aggressive Assassin deck has risen in prominence since the release of High Seas, given that it has a much better matchup into Gravy Bones than Arakni, Marionette.
This version plays a higher care for Mark on attacks, with the number of Mark of the Black Widow being a little higher than in the past. It plays Concealed Blade to bring the third Hunter's Klaive from the sideboard, but also as another, lower stakes attack reaction to enable Bonds of Agony or mst114-double-trouble-3-part-the-mistveil-booster.
Estonia
Prism won in Estonia. Nikita Laasmaa brought a classic version of the format's only Illusionist to a strong finish in this event.
The inclusions of dtd024-herald-of-tenacity-2-dusk-till-dawn-booster are a little unusual. To fill in the Yellow curve, most Prism players are playing dtd018-herald-of-ravages-2-dusk-till-dawn-booster, but this inclusion is quite potent, as Dominate in the late game is always a welcome thing for the aggressor but annoying for the defender.
Instead Herald of Ravages is in the Red base, bringing the aggressive potential for this Prism list up a fair bit higher than other lists.
Finland
Finland's nationals was taken down by Oscilio, Constella Intelligence, played by a master of the hero: Kalle Kivilahti (aka Yuuto - a content creator determined to be the best Oscilio player in the world).
Even with Azalea, Ace in the Hole safe to Nock the Deathwhistle for another day, Oscilio is very well positioned in this metagame, being able to present lots of fast damage for Gravy Bones, and damage that's hard for Cindra or Slippy to handle.
Only two copies of Lightning Press shows how different this deck plays to Aurora. The card can often brick, and using it two pop is always so card disadvantageous.
There have been lists growing in popularity that are running fewer and fewer Blast to Oblivion, but it's clear that it's too potent an effect to ever cut.
Burn Bare is often used as a source of meaty arcane damage, as opposed to it being a popper.
Greece
After the most eclectic Top 8 I've seen in any sanctioned event, Kano, Dracai of Aether incinerated an unsuspecting Bravo, Showstopper to win Nationals in Greece.
As for the winning Kano list, the usual suspects were present, including the two Fabled's Eye of Ophidia and Will of Arcana.
While I've said a few times that Kano will be looking to move away from the Open the Flood Gates aggressive version, the full rainbow of the draw spell is still present. Angelos Maxilaris is running a few surprises like Photon Splicing for extra Amp and Eternal Inferno to punish decks for running little Arcane Barrier.
Catch the Stream of all the feature match games for yourself!
Hong Kong
Cindra, played by aggro deck enjoyer and Team Blue Pitch Member Pudding Tam, took down Hong Kong Nationals.
This list is the most unique, and most Red-Line version of the deck I have ever seen. Zero Blues. The only 3 Yellows are playable and give great Utility (even though the list is not on Mask of the Pouncing Lynx).
The rest of the deck is relying entirely on Blood Splattered Vest and Art of the Dragon: Blood for its resources. This deck is as aggressive as it comes, and is perfectly positioned to abuse an ocean of Gravy Bones players.
Replays of the event's live stream are online right now.
Hungary
Florian, Rotwood Harbinger was arguably the strongest deck at the end of the Hunted Season, after the Living Legend ascension of Enigma and Aurora. Ádám Mészáros was able to win in Hungary on Florian, and they've shown the direction the Earth Runeblade needs to go in to compete in this Gravy Bones metagame.
Channel Mount Heroic was the center-piece of Cheerios Briar, Warden of Thorns. It's pulling a similar role here, putting Runerager Swarm to a noticeably beefy threat. Florian is playing more like a beatdown deck, rather than his previously defensive, near Guardian, playstyle.
Certain carry overs from the old playstyle is still there in the equipment suite. Face Purgatory, Barkskin of the Millennium Tree, and Well Grounded are all very defensive, however that inclusion is welcome in a deck this aggressive, as it puts some blocking onus on the equipment, keeping cards in hand to convert into damage.
Ireland
Slippy, piloted by Dylan Thompson, won in Ireland. This style of Assassin has truly fixed its spot in the metagame as the aggressive, disruptive deck to beat.
Thompson's version is on the same prevailing numbers of three Klaive and Concealed Blade to get them back after Flick Knives.
The total absence of Savor Bloodshed makes total sense. This isn't Marionette. The deck's aggression is not built on Marking and Dagger based aggression. By making the deck more focused, it's better positioned to deal with a wider field of other decks.
Bonds of Attraction is now a welcome inclusion against Gravy Bones.
While some versions have been moving away from Mask of Perdition Thompson is still playing it, simply because its power with Art of Desire: Body is too good to ignore in the Cindra matchup.
Italy
Victor Goldmane, High and Mighty may be the strongest Guardian in the current metagame, even with Super Slam coming. The presence of the Necromancer has greatly impacted the Guardian's stocks. But that didn't stop Filippo Barbani.
This list is only playing the weapon loadout of Titan's Fist plus Aurum Aegis. This, plus Crown of Dominion means that Visit Goldmane Estate is always producing Might Tokens.
There are no Civic Steps in this list. There are a few decks that can abuse the Quicken token, and the entire Guardian community is praying for better boots in Mastery Pack Guardian.
The Yellows in this deck are all for Utility (in the form of Remembrance) or are the huge haymaker The Golden Son.
A card I'm so happy to see is Performance Bonus. When played from Arsenal, it's like a mini, Go Again Snatch, and the Go Again is ideal for dealing with Necromancer Allies.
The event's Stream is still live for you to watch!
Japan
Slippy took the title of Japan National Champion for Xavier McLean.
This more midrange version of Slipped Through the Cracks is playing Savor Bloodshed, along with the requisite 12 Blues to make the expensive Daggers useful and all valid targets for Just a Nick. The Dagger version also works well with Orb Weaver Spinneret since Slippy's passive gives Chelicera Go Again.
This version also follows some of the logic from how Slippy played when the deck was first released: being almost completely Cheerios. The only cards that need pitch is Command and Conquer, which is welcome but clunky in certain Assassin decks, and Spike with Bloodrot which pairs well with Redback Shroud in certain aggressive matchups.
The whole event was live on Stream right here.
Latvia
I could scarcely believe it either. Levia, Shadowborn Abomination took down a Nationals event in Latvia this season. A big congratulations to Aleksejs Titovs.
This version of the deck looks like an otherwise classic version that would do ManSant proud. Double Mandible Claw and Bloodrush Bellow is always a powerful combination (hence why Kayo, Armed and Dangerous only has one arm).
The deck can go reasonably wide with attacks like Dread Screamer, Wild Ride, and the Agility tokens from Agile Windup. The deck ends with sudden Dominate with the one Blue lev019-convulsions-from-the-bellows-of-hell-3-levia-blitz-deck-precon.
It's surprising to see a lack of Sea Legs to gain extra action points. It's a card that has been adopted by the other Brutes, but less so here.
There are a lot of options for Equipment. Scabskin Leathers plus Gambler's Gloves to get the action points to attack down allies. Apex Bonebreaker to block well, and Cloak of Darkness to cover Arcane or True damage.
Mexico
The fourth and final Slippy of the week came from Mexico, piloted by Osmar Bravo.
All my love to Bravo for their tech choices. With Kassai, Victor, the Pirates, and the Draconic heroes all counting as Royal, this may be the meta for Regicide.
The other key tech is the new card, Undercover Acquisition, threatening to take the Gold from the Pirates or the Potions from the Wizards.
Not on Savor Bloodshed, the deck is however teched for the field by playing Draft all star cards Defang the Dragon and Extinguish the Flames. Extinguish is particularly welcome given the meta presence Cindra has.
Norway
Stormy skies were over Norway with Steffen Bergo Jenssen's win with Oscilio.
Much leaner than the winner in Finland; not a single Command and Conquer to be seen. Instead, there are more copies of key Instants like Calming Breeze. The Blue base is nearly identical, with Rewind being a cute card that ruins things for Gravy Bones, playing allies from the Graveyard.
I personally find it so funny to see Kano playing a Draft common Equipment like Ragamuffin's Hat. Both Wizards have really adopted Old Knocker as an easy resource, as the game rarely goes long enough for multiple Tunic resources.
Philippines
Azalea picked up two wins over this weekend, once here thanks to Joniel Ibasco and once in Malaysia. If either event had a larger player count, then Azalea would have hit Living Legend this week.
Ibasco's version looks to be the Classic, Red Line, go tall version we've been seeing since Outsiders.
The deck plays very consistently, with the Equipment package being the source of the Utility. Enchanted Quiver and Arcanite Fortress being the choices to cover up Arcane Damage alongside the included Arcane Barrier pieces. Longdraw Half-glove being a welcome way to play through Warmonger's Diplomacy.
Though Azalea lives to sling her bow another day, she is not long for this format.
Watch back the games from this epic Nationals event on their Stream.
Poland
Verdance, Thorn of the Rose came through in Poland for Wojtek Klimczyk. The other Earth Hero went from meme tier to heroic as Florian grew in prominence last season. Though her Gravy Bones matchup being somewhat of a challenge, same with Cindra and Slippy, may have added to her reduction in play rate.
This version is all in on the healing kill combo. By pairing Storm Striders and Waning Moon, you can use all of your Healing Potion effects alongside Rampant Growth||Life to get the kill with absurdly high Arcane damage.
We love seeing Talishar to be a respectable, repeatable source of damage to send into an ally or as a breakpoint to whittle down lower opponents.
The tech cards like Rowdy Locals and Summer's Fall make each Verdance deck well suited for the metagames they're playing in.
Portugal
Cindra, the Royal Draconic Ninja, was crowned Portugal's National Champion for pilot Mário Abrantes.
This Red Line version is still on a few Blues, namely Warmonger's Diplomacy to be tech into annoying matchups. And a few Yellows; upr061-brand-with-cinderclaw-2-uprising-booster for deck consistency.
While this deck is able to defend quite well with Loyalty Beyond the Grave, Wax On, and Shelter From the Storm. The rest of the deck is still very aggressively slanted with all three copies of Lava Burst. It's interesting to see Mask of the Pouncing Lynx in the list considering it's not running the usual search targets: Salt the Wound, Tenacity, or Blood Runs Deep. It's a welcome way to get Lava Burst exactly when you need it to end the chain.
The event had a well handled Stream, available to rewatch here.
South Korea
Dash I/O won out in South Korea, played by 창건 곽.
This version looks to be able to switch it's gameplans in sideboarding far better than one would expect the aggro boost deck to. By presenting Hanabi Blaster, you're expecting the game to go a fair few turns if you expect to get more than one shot's value.
The item suite is well very toolboxy given the matchup. Stasis Cell can turn off problematic equipment like Storm Striders or Flick Knives. Signal Jammer is deeply annoying for setup decks like Rangers or Gravy Bones. Tick Tock Clock is very good into the mirror. Teklo Pounder greatly extends the reach of the deck, all with Spark of Genius to get exactly what you need.
No Maximum Velocity in sight, this deck is set up to grind while sending above average damage. A very innovative version of Dash.
Spain
We sadly don't have a deck to show for the National Championships for Spain, but viewers can watch it played to historic acclaim on the Stream.
Dash, Inventor Extraordinaire hit Living Legend off the back of this win. We will talk about the implications of the first Mechanologist leaving the format in another article.
Sweden
Cindra was victorious in Sweden in the hands of Niklas Bengtsson.
It's fun to say that 6 Blues is a high Blue count, but as well as being Blues, Throw Dagger is criminally under played in Cindra lists. cin023-dragon-power-3-the-hunted-blitz-deck-cindra-precon is a strong inclusion as a chain ending 5 power attack, and Concealed Blade can help you play around Graveyard Hate for your daggers.
Mask of the Pouncing Lynx is here with the usual one off search targets Tenacity and Salt the Wound. These Generic hits are indicative of the deck being comfortable playing fewer Draconic cards, being able to include cards like Snatch and Cut Through. It also shaves to two copies of Spreading Flames to compensate.
Wrap Up
The results are wildly different compared to last week, simply for the number of events. We can see the release of Armory deck Ira and the departure of Dash, Inventor Extraordinaire to have marked changes to Classic Constructed.
As we race toward Pro Tour Singapore, you can count on DotGG for releasing up to date news about Flesh and Blood TCG.
