As the winners have been named at the World Championship Qualifier in Lille, France, Cédric Leblanc, organized play director at Equinox, takes a few minutes to answer questions about what to expect for the events.

What makes the Qualifiers a new and interesting experience for players?

We’ve poured a lot of thought into designing a competitive circuit that appeals to both veterans and new players in the TCG community. Many of us at Equinox are TCG veterans ourselves, and we really focused on recalling what made our own first championships so memorable and exciting. The answer consistently came back to two things: commitment and socialization.

The experience of giving your all alongside other passionate players, making new friends who share the same enthusiasm – that’s incredibly rewarding. We believe this sense of community and shared effort is the main driving force we wanted to offer to the community through this circuit.

What’s exciting for you about the Qualifiers leading into the World Championships?

We’re incredibly excited to see the creativity players will unleash as they craft new decks and shape the meta to earn their spot in the World Finals. The differences we observed between the Netherlands and France qualifiers were genuinely surprising, and we can’t wait to see how players in Asia and America make the game their own during their respective qualifiers.

What lessons did the Equinox team learn from the TBF Tumults that have helped in developing the World Championships?

The preparation for the World Championship circuit has been very long, with most elements solidified even before the Trials by Frost Tumult began. I’m pleased that the decisions made upon my arrival at Equinox seem well-aligned with player expectations, requiring only minor adjustments based on our ongoing discussions with the community.

The Tumult did, however, strongly reinforce the value of faction champion rewards. These rewards are clearly appreciated, as they promote diversity in faction choice and encourage players to take gameplay risks in the meta. We’re now committed to integrating these rewards into every championship we offer moving forward.

Do you have a message for players preparing for their local Qualifiers?

Good luck to every player diving into this first year of competitive play! We can’t wait to see the strategies unfold in the upcoming championships, and everyone at Equinox is incredibly thankful for all the love our players have sent our way.

Qualifiers for the World Championships are ongoing, leading up to the Finals in Paris later this year. Players may join any qualifier regardless of their nationality and may play in as many as they like. The dates for the three online qualifier events were recently released as the next regional events approach.