Alanzq: "Riftbound is a pinnacle of a card game," Regional Qualifier winner shares insights from Bologna

Alanzq’s experience at the Bologna Regional Qualifier, his thoughts on Riftbound’s gameplay and strategy, and insights into the growing competitive scene.

Alanzq won the Rifthbound Regional Qualifier in Bologna. Credit: @riftboundop/X

"The Regional Qualifier in Bologna was a great experience"

Riftbound’s Bologna Regional Qualifier was the first event of its kind in EMEA, and players came from across the region to compete. However, the Final sported only Polish flags as Mateusz “Alanzq” Jasiński and Sebiq faced off, showcasing top-level Riftbound play and earning support from fans who had followed them from home.

In an interview with Sheep Esports, Alanzq talked about the highs and lows of the event—cheering fans, slow play, and judging hiccups—while sharing what makes Riftbound different from other TCGs. The interview also features insights from Mikołaj “Silv4n” Sinacki, content creator and shoutcaster, who seemed to lead the Polish community at the event.

What did you think of the Bologna RQ in general?

Mateusz “Alanzq” Jasiński: "The Regional Qualifier in Bologna was a great experience, starting off getting actually on site took no time which is great. Termination rounds took too long, and should be longer than 15 mins past termination time. Very inexperienced judges, often clueless about actual ruling, while trying to rule incorrectly confidently. The size of the tables, please always this. So comfy to play with so much room, it's unspeakable how great it was to play in that environment.”

Did you encounter any issues with players abusing the clock and trying to slow play?

Alanzq: I am very hard to rule shark or to get slowplayed into. My opinion here shouldn't matter because of my strength of character, but no, that didn't happen to me.

You were considered the favourite to win the event, why do you think that is?

Alanzq: My past results from other Riot titles, from Huston; gameplay on streams speaks for itself, given how much I practice. When I'm shown on stream, people often see perfection and are very impressed by it, when they compare it to others they see before or afterhand. The content I produce is [also] very educational, which brings my name up more often.

Who would you say are the current top 8 teams in the World on Riftbound? Or does that list change a lot?

Alanzq: Well, our team is the most successful one so far, making back to back top cuts. LND had a strong showing, getting apparently three best-of metal [cards]. Can’t forget about team Poland, who claimed five total? The definite list isn't shaped quite yet, given how people rotate and practice with each other.

And there were a lot of people looking at your matches, even before the top 8, and overall you had a lot of supporters on site. How did that make you feel when you were so far away from home?

Alanzq: [Laughs] that felt amazing! To be fair, home followed me straight to Bologna in the hearts of 200 Poles cheering for me.

Mikołaj “Silv4n” Sinackiç: “It really felt like a big friends trip. Everyone was excited about the event, between rounds we've been always meeting outside to talk about games and to unwind. Everyone was very supportive and helpfull, and I am talking about everyone—not only Polish players.

If anyone would tell me that watching a cardgame could get me more excited than any esports event I've attended in my life then I would not believe them [laughs].

What is the difference. or the main differences. between Riftbound and the other TCG games that you played?

Alanzq: To be fair, I just played Legends of Runeterra and I had some short adventures in other TGCs. But to be fair, is the strategy, I think that's where I also excel. Like, having a proper macro plan for the whole game and knowing what I want to do [with my deck].

Can you explain a bit more what you mean by that? Don't all players have a macro strategy based on their deck?

Alanzq: Players mostly plan ahead only current turn if even that, maybe a turn ahead. There is a big struggle I notice especially when coaching on missing a gameplan and how to win each particular match based on successful playpatterns learned by practicing and it being adapted on top to current hand.

Considering Riftbound is a relatively new game, and it's not unusual for TCGs to die down fast, what do you think the game's health is right now? Is it worth investing time and resources into it?

Alanzq: Riftbound is a pinnacle of a card game, given how low the floor is—is very easy to pick up and play with friends—to an extremely high ceiling very hard to master. There is always room for improvement. I would strongly recommend trying it out for any TCG enjoyers and see for yourself.

Silv4n: “Alan vs Sebiq was insane story. "Polish Final" is kind of a meme in Poland coming from League of Legends scene, where we always wanted to see it happen in EMEA Masters. Of course almost everyone expected Alan to make it to Top 8 and even win it all, that is why seeing Sebiq in Top8 and then in the Final was so refreshing. It was like watching ‘The GOAT vs The Underdog’ story in real time—and both of them are from Poland! How insane is that?

From our perspective everything that happened gave even more energy to the Polish Riftbound community. Everyone is still talking about what happend in Bologna. It's very inspiring.

Not gonna lie, I really believe that because of what happened in Bologna, because of insane level of play of our players and energy that we have shown rooting for them the chances for a big Riftbound event happening in Poland literally skyrocketed—and I am all here for that.

I can guarantee that when—not if—that happens, Poland will be a constant point on a competitive map of Riftbound—and big part of that will be thanks to Sebiq and Alan!”