Smiles after the battle! From left to right: Ivan, Riccardo, champion Filippo, Simone and Martin.
Reported by Miro Albertazzi, VEKN National Coordinator of Italy:
On April 12th, 45 Methuselahs gathered in Pordenone and battled for the Italian Championship title! In the gorgeous estate of Gelindo dei Magredi, Filippo Mengoli eventually triumphed as the 2025 Italian Champion.
Here’s the standings after 3 rounds:
1. Simone Zanni 8 VP 2 GW
2. Ivan Candioli 5,5 VP 2 GW
3. Filippo Mengoli 5,5 VP 2 GW
4. Martin Weinmeyer 6,5 VP 1 GW
5. Riccardo Fabiani 6 VP 1 GW
The first part of the game was quiet and a bit stuck, with the three attrition decks building their forces. Meanwhile Simone and Riccardo started to call some political action, just to find out that Filippo, with his princes and primogen was the needle on the scale for every referendum. Everyone waited for the Tupdogs assault on the Banus but luck was not on the side of Martin, with one bad draw after the other and also the pressure of the Ravnos swarm on his back forced him to a defensive position. Ivan’s walking dead legion smashed Simone’s minions but took the pressure away from Filippo who was able to put the guns out. So the game sped up, Riccardo with the votes from Fil’s vampires ousted Martin, and as a part of the deal gave Filippo the time to oust Ivan, as by tradition zombies can’t stand against guns :D :D :D
With all of his minions in torpor or out of blood, Simone could only watch Filippo taking his second point. Riccardo had no time nor forces enough to assault the Banu mountain of pool, and so the game came to its end. Filippo won with his balanced and diligent playstyle, and most of all with his beloved clan!
Here’s his deck: "Haqim's Law: Protection"
Crypt (12 cards, min=22 max=33 avg=6.92)
1x Kasim Bayar 9 CEL OBF THA aus pot justicar Banu Haqim:6
4x Oluwafunmilayo 8 AUS CEL OBF THA prince Banu Haqim:6
2x Farah Sarroub 7 CEL THA aus obf prince Banu Haqim:6
2x Kassandra Tassaki 6 CEL THA obf prince Banu Haqim:6
1x Khadija Al-Kindi 6 CEL OBF THA primogen Banu Haqim:6
2x Warmaksan 5 THA cel obf prince Banu Haqim:6
Library (90 cards)
Master (17; 8 trifle)
2x Archon Investigation
3x Haqim's Law: Retribution
1x Market Square
1x Papillon
1x Powerbase: Montreal
3x Priority Contract
1x Rack, The
5x Villein
Action (10)
4x Hunter's Mark
6x Magic of the Smith
Equipment (6)
2x .44 Magnum
1x Assault Rifle
1x Bowl of Convergence
1x Heart of Nizchetus
1x Kevlar Vest
Combat (42)
4x Blur
10x Hunger of Marduk
12x Psyche!
10x Pursuit
4x Rego Motum
2x Side Strike
Reaction (15)
15x Second Tradition: Domain
Filippo awarded by the event organizer, Danny.
It was a really great day, as Italy National Coordinator i would like to thank Black Chantry and Ultra Pro for the gifts and the support they always give in our big events; our national distributor, Mistlore, who has been helping us since the start of this year, with all kinds of materials and many new ideas; our fabulous host Danny, who found a marvelous place where we spent a really great weekend. And, of course, I would like to thank all the players, you’re the ones to make these tournaments real, and the reason why building such events is really funny and satisfying!