Setting eyes on the prize!
The biggest event of the quarter brought together new challengers and seasoned veterans from across the Metro and nearby provinces for a shot at glory and prizes. The presence of Judge Taj, reigning All Aboard EXPO 2023 + 2024 Champion and CMON EXPO 2024 Thailand Champion, set the tone for a tournament defined by precision, sportsmanship, and competitive fire.
44 players clashed in the highly anticipated High Steaks: Unmatched Tournament, battling through four intense Swiss rounds before only sixteen remained to fight for the crown in single elimination. With ₱15,000 in Wolfgang's Steakhouse Gift Certificates on the line, the event marked a new high point for the local Unmatched community, both in scale and in the caliber of competition.
Swiss Rounds with one S-Tier Allowed
Players are excited about the format since this time, all characters are allowed, unlike the previous EXPOs' Fighter Selection rules. The players are given random maps with a strict 5-minute Bronstein timer and 40-minute match length, which makes the pressure more intense. They competed in 4 Swiss rounds, and sixteen players stood atop the standings, earning their place in the Top 16 playoff bracket.
Meta Breakdown: Trends and Takeaways
| Category | Fighters | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Most Picked Fighters | Golden Bat, Eredin | Consistent tournament staples that reward precision and tempo control |
| Most Banned Fighters | Sun Wukong, Harry Houdini, Golden Bat | Still viewed as too oppressive in open matchups |
| Highest Win Count | Golden Bat | Maintaining dominant presence since EXPO '24 (10W-8L) |
| Most Improved Pick | Harry Houdini | Transitioning from niche to top-tier status |
| Declared. Never Picked | Dracula, Black Panther, The Wayward Sisters, Titania | Struggling against faster, control-heavy decks |
Certain players like PlayCafe.LeTequila and Mikel Day made the draft interesting for their commitment and for keeping four straight wins with Houdini and Ciri, respectively.
Top 16 Elimination: Skill, Nerves, and Precision
The transition to single elimination raised the stakes even higher. Each move carried weight, as every duel could end a championship run. The top player is matched to the 16th in rank, and the top 2 are separated into different brackets.
In the end, Russel (Yennefer & Triss) triumphed over Drew (Eredin) to claim the championship title! With an impressive 8 wins, he secured a ₱15,000 Gift Certificate, Unmatched promos, High Stakes Gold Cards, and a guaranteed semi-finals slot at All Aboard EXPO 2026!
Top finishers who made their mark:
2nd place - Drew
3rd place - Onie
4th place - Aaron
You can watch Judge Taj's analysis of the Final table on Youtube.
Unmatched in the coming months
We're expecting a few announcements for product releases and more exciting events as the Unmatched game and its community grow. As strategies refine and counterpicks evolve, all eyes now turn to the next big tournament: Unmatched Nationals at All Aboard EXPO 2026 this coming May 28–31, 2026! Stay tuned to our Training Arc Series as well:| Date | Day | Event | Venue |
| October 18 | Sat | Unmatched Training Arc | Uptown Mall |
| November 15 | Sat | Unmatched Training Arc | Greenbelt 5 |
Note: Future schedules may change due to operational adjustments. For the most reliable dates, always refer to the tickets posted on the Tournaments page.
