Event Recap

F2F Tour Toronto 2025 Recap: Teamwork and Triumphs

This past weekend, 35 teams (105 players) gathered in Toronto to compete in the F2F Tour Trios Team event, bringing exciting gameplay and high-stakes competition to Magic: The Gathering fans.

Champions: Team David / Nogueira / Schatteman

Julian David, Dustyn Nogueira, and Boston Schatteman posted a strong 5-1-1 record in the Swiss rounds on their way to claiming the championship.

David piloted Esper Pixie in Standard, using Hopeless Nightmare and Nurturing Pixie to disrupt opponents while Stormchaser’s Talent helped push through damage.

In Pioneer, Nogueira played Acererak Combo, combining Gwenna, Eyes of Gaea and Relic of Legends to power out Acererak the Archlich.

Schatteman rounded out the team’s winning lineup with Dimir Midrange in Modern, using Psychic Frog and Unearth alongside Orcish Bowmasters and removal spells.

Standard – Esper Pixie – Julian David

3 Kaito, Bane of Nightmares
1 Defiled Crypt // Cadaver Lab
4 Fear of Isolation
2 Go for the Throat
4 Hopeless Nightmare
4 Nowhere to Run
4 Nurturing Pixie
4 Optimistic Scavenger
2 Spiteful Hexmage
4 Stormchaser’s Talent
4 This Town Ain’t Big Enough
1 Tithing Blade
2 Adarkar Wastes
3 Caves of Koilos
4 Concealed Courtyard
4 Darkslick Shores
2 Restless Anchorage
4 Seachrome Coast
1 Swamp
3 Underground River

Sideboard
1 Cut Down
1 Defiled Crypt // Cadaver Lab
3 Destroy Evil
1 Loran of the Third Path
1 No More Lies
2 Pest Control
2 Rest in Peace
2 Temporary Lockdown
2 The Witch’s Vanity

Pioneer – Acererak Combo – Dustyn Nogueira

3 Atraxa, Grand Unifier
4 Honest Rutstein
3 Kinnan, Bonder Prodigy
4 Acererak the Archlich
4 Collected Company
3 Elvish Mystic
4 Gwenna, Eyes of Gaea
4 Llanowar Elves
1 Mox Amber
4 Relic of Legends
4 Rona, Herald of Invasion
4 Blooming Marsh
2 Boseiju, Who Endures
4 Botanical Sanctum
2 Breeding Pool
1 Forest
1 Otawara, Soaring City
3 Overgrown Tomb
4 Plaza of Heroes
1 Takenuma, Abandoned Mire

Sideboard
1 Assassin’s Trophy
2 Back to Nature
4 Fatal Push
3 Leyline of the Void
2 Tamiyo’s Safekeeping
3 Thoughtseize

Modern – Dimir Midrange – Boston Schatteman

4 Psychic Frog
4 Abhorrent Oculus
1 Brazen Borrower
2 Orcish Bowmasters
4 Unearth
4 Consider
4 Thought Scour
4 Counterspell
3 Force of Negation
3 Spell Snare
1 Spell Pierce
1 Sink into Stupor
4 Fatal Push
1 Shoot the Sheriff
2 Nihil Spellbomb
2 Island
1 Swamp
3 Watery Grave
2 Undercity Sewers
2 Darkslick Shores
4 Polluted Delta
1 Flooded Strand
1 Misty Rainforest
1 Bloodstained Mire
1 Verdant Catacombs

Sideboard
4 Consign to Memory
2 Engineered Explosives
2 Harbinger of the Seas
2 Thoughtseize
2 Toxic Deluge
2 Mystical Dispute
1 Soulless Jailer

Runners-Up: Team Harms / Davis / Ha

The tournament’s dominant Swiss performance came from runners-up Lizzie Harms, Brittney Davis, and Chris Ha, who went undefeated with an impressive 5-0-2 record.

Harms played Selesnya Tokens in Standard, running Sanguine Evangelist and Skyknight Squire to build up her board.

Davis brought Jund Sacrifice to Pioneer, using the classic Witch’s Oven and Cauldron Familiar combo.

Ha also chose Dimir Midrange for Modern, running a similar list to Schatteman’s with Psychic Frog, Unearth, and Orcish Bowmasters.

Top 4 Highlights

Team Baxter, Illich, and Cibrian finished the Swiss rounds at 5-2 before securing a top 4 finish. They competed with a lineup of Gruul Aggro in Standard, Rakdos Demons in Pioneer, and Boros Burn in Modern, with Blair Baxter and Chris Illich each starting 5-0 in their respective formats.

Between rounds 1 and 2, Blair discovered a deck registration error and properly reported it to the judge station, taking a game loss before continuing play against Mono Red. His Leyline-powered deck demonstrated strong tempo advantage even when on the draw. His Gruul deck showcased the power of stacking multiple Leylines together, which he noted was particularly effective compared to previous 4-mana value versions, creating explosive synergies and unique gameplay scenarios, including a notable turn-two kill.

In a post-event interview, Blair shared how the team came together during last fall’s RCQ season and bonded over their shared passion for Magic. Despite being a group of “misfits,” as Blair described, they managed to perform exceptionally well, earning third place and solidifying their reputation. Blair’s excitement for the upcoming Montreal Standard RC in May highlighted the camaraderie and commitment within the team.

Team Cosgrove, Despatie, and Fortier finished the Swiss rounds at 5-2 before securing a top 4 finish.

Cosgrove played Temur Otters in Standard, using specific synergies to outmaneuver opponents.

In Pioneer, Despatie piloted Rakdos Mice, while Fortier rounded out the team with Boros Energy in Modern.

Star Wars: Unlimited — Top 8

The Star Wars: Unlimited event added excitement to the weekend, with Marc-André Martin taking 1st place. His deck, led by Director Krennic and featuring powerhouse cards like Darth Vader, Commanding the First Legion and Supreme Leader Snoke, delivered strong, consistent performances.

Marc-André Martin (1st)

Leader and Base
1 Director Krennic, Aspiring to Authority
1 Energy Conversion Lab

Ground Units
3 Darth Vader, Commanding the First Legion
3 Death Trooper
3 Doctor Pershing, Experimenting With Life
2 General Grievous, Trophy Collector
2 Phase-III Dark Trooper
2 Reinforcement Walker
3 Royal Guard Attaché
2 Rukh, Thrawn’s Assassin
1 Steadfast Battalion
3 Superlaser Technician
2 Supreme Leader Snoke, Shadow Ruler

Space Units
2 Avenger, Hunting Star Destroyer
2 Consortium StarViper
1 Devastating Gunship
3 Inferno Four, Unforgetting
1 Relentless, Konstantine’s Folly

Events
2 Fell the Dragon
3 Overwhelming Barrage
3 Power of the Dark Side
3 Resupply
2 Timely Intervention
2 Vigilance

Sideboard
2 Confiscate
1 Devastator, Inescapable
2 Palpatine’s Return
1 Relentless, Konstantine’s Folly
1 Superlaser Blast
2 Top Target
1 Vigilance

Other notable decks included Anthony Micallef’s Jango Fett build and James Rimas’s Han Solo-focused list, each showcasing the depth of strategy and card interactions in the format.

Special Guests

Our F2F Tour events aren’t just about the competition; they also feature incredible special guests and artists! This weekend, we were thrilled to have Snug the Amazing join us, showcasing her unique art and merchandise. From custom playmats to hand-drawn tokens, her booth added a vibrant and creative touch to the event.

Snug was joined by other talented creators, including 8th Place Dave, Bunny Bombshell, SteelCitySteph, and SteelCityBrad. These artists brought their creativity and passion, making the event an unforgettable experience for attendees.

Opportunities to meet and engage with artists and animators like these are a hallmark of the F2F Tour experience, and we’re proud to celebrate their contributions to the community.

Looking Ahead: F2F Tour Saskatoon

Next up, the F2F Tour heads to Saskatoon on January 18, 2025. Players can expect another weekend of thrilling Magic: The Gathering competition and exciting side events. Register now and join the action: F2F Tour Saskatoon 2025.

Congratulations to all participants for an amazing weekend, and we look forward to seeing you in Saskatoon!

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