Guestblog: Goblin Hero Charity Cup 2025 - Organizer's Report

INTRO

Initially, I had decided not to host the tournament this year due to the balancing act of my personal life and the workload it takes to host a tournament. I was going to just consider the 2024 Goblin Hero cup a big win and a huge check off for one of my MTG side quests.

However, when I mentioned to Mark Tedin about how we raised money for a charity last year, he immediately mailed me an altered Goblin Hero card for the next tournament. I then asked Timmy the Sorcerer and he said he would love to do the commentary again. Lastly, Richard from the Ragingbull’s website said he would host our report for the 2nd year. When the higher powers send you a sign, you just run with it.

Now that I am writing this after the tournament, I realized that it was meant to happen. The whole experience just confirmed again how amazing the old school community is. My guildhouse, the Sisters of the Flame, started to help immediately. Nick Christie created the tournament poster to advertise the tournament and Maria Zamora altered the Top 8 Prize cards. One after another, people kept sending in huge raffle prizes – some from people that I never even met before and some from people that couldn’t make it to the tournament.

This year, we had our experiences from last year’s tournament and 3 months to help plan out the tournament. I constantly texted Reggie to run ideas by him. We decided to run Swedish to match whatever format Lobstercon was going to run. Last minute, we also had to change venue locations, which ended up being a blessing in disguise. We were able to have more control of the tournament and the new venue was just beautiful.

GAME DAY

In the end, we were able to host the 2nd Goblin Hero Cup. We had 45 mages, from Massachusetts to Pennsyvannia, come sling some cards and raise money for a good cause. We ended up doubling our attendance, which included most of the previous year’s participants. Together, we were able to raise $5,500 for the Valerie Fund. I met with Barry, the executive director at the Valerie Fund, and he shared all the help they were able to do for children with cancer. Not only were they able to use 85% of their funding directly to the kids, but they were able to help them with mental issues, hospital bills, scholarships, and financial help to their families.

Special thanks to Reggie Viezel – the tournament’s MC and a MTG rules wizard. This would not have been possible without him.

Big thank you to our raffle donors – BadAtMagicMike, Adam Merkado, Geoff Matteson, Andy Farb, Jer Marcus, Li Wang, Matt Won, Darin Wiesner, Chris Skidmore, Liwen Li, Jesus Mansilla, Jason Picciano, James Tilley, Brian Popkin, Jon Geras, Josh Auriemma, Chris Rhymes, Will Parshall.

SET UP

Reggie got us the special events room in IKEA in Paramus NJ. Not only was the room amazing to play due to the sunlight and high ceilings, but we were able to have Swedish Meatballs while playing Swedish!

Around half of the participants showed up early to help set up for the tournament.

Liwen’s daughters, Alice and Audrey, set up a booth to paint alters to raise tip money for the charity. The participants spent their time battling at the Falling Star Flip-Off competition for an Merhans altered Atog from Jon Geras or signing all the participant card pools before we started the rounds. Cookies were provided by Jordan and given to anyone that drove more than 2 hours to get to the tournament and the farthest traveled got an altered card prize done by Reggie. Youtube sensation Baron Nick got the video set up for recording for Timmy the Sorcerer.

After 6 rounds, Nick Santini (Eureka Shivan) battled some of the top players in the old school scene and got first place! Nick actually was in the top 4 last year also. You can read his recap of the tournament here (https://sites.google.com/view/philadelphiaos/print-broadcast/goblin-hero-2025-1st-place)

He won the coveted altered Goblin Hero by Mark Tedin and the 1st place altered Craw Wurm by Maria. He then capped it off by winning a raffle and beating Frank Ulip in the Falling Star Flip-Off competition.

Parker Powab, a clubmate and regular at the top tables, got 2nd place. Don Perrien, a kick-ass player also famous for his lobster suit and duck shirt, got 3d place!