🏆 Top 8 Player Profiles & Decklists
The stage is set for the SOVA Top Cut Playoffs! Here are the eight players who earned their spot in the finals, along with their submitted decklists. Each player has proven their skill throughout the season, and now they’re ready to battle for the championship.
Matt Dodds
Bio: Stayed right on Medina's heels throughout the season, making for an intense battle at the top. While many thought he was a Boros one-trick, Matt has proven his versatility by transitioning into a solid mono-red strategy with a Scalding Viper splash for the Top 8. Known for his consistent performance and tactical decision-making.
Piloted by Matt Dodds
Lands
(0)
14
Mountain
4
Riverpyre Verge
2
Rockface Village
2
Soulstone Sanctuary
2
Spirebluff Canal
Creatures
(0)
4
Burnout Bashtronaut
2
Emberheart Challenger
4
Hired Claw
3
Nova Hellkite
4
Razorkin Needlehead
4
Scalding Viper/Steam Clean
4
Screaming Nemesis
Spells
(0)
4
Burst Lightning
3
Lightning Strike
2
Ojer Axonil, Deepest Might/Temple of Power
2
Witchstalker Frenzy
Sideboard
(0)
2
Abrade
2
Chandra, Spark Hunter
1
Cut Propulsion
2
Magebane Lizard
3
Obliterating Bolt
2
Shock
2
Sunspine Lynx
1
Vengeful Possession
Kaleb Stevens
Bio: Shocked the field by spiking multiple premium events and climbing into the Top 3 seemingly out of nowhere. Kaleb has made it clear he's never going to play anything other than mono-red, and his Top 8 deck features a very exciting Leyline take that showcases his innovative approach within his preferred color. A breakout performance that earned him this high seed.
Piloted by Kaleb Stevens
Lands
(0)
1
Blazemire Verge
18
Mountain
Creatures
(0)
4
Callous Sell-Sword
4
Emberheart Challenger
4
Hired Claw
1
Kellan, Planar Trailblazer
4
Slickshot Show-Off
4
Stadium Headliner
Spells
(0)
1
Bulk Up
3
Dreadmaw's Ire
4
Full Bore
4
Leyline of Resonance
4
Might of the Meek
4
Turn Inside Out
Sideboard
(0)
1
Dreadmaw's Ire
4
Fanatical Firebrand
1
Felonious Rage
2
Ghost Vacuum
3
Razorkin Needlehead
1
Screaming Nemesis
2
Sunspine Lynx
1
Torch the Tower
Luke DelBianco
Bio: A solid player who has largely played red or red-blue variants to tackle the metagame throughout the season. Luke loves experimenting with sideboard options and testing creative configurations, often finding unique solutions to common problems. His steady play and innovative approach earned him this strong seed.
Piloted by Luke DelBianco
Lands
(0)
12
Mountain
4
Riverpyre Verge
2
Rockface Village
2
Soulstone Sanctuary
2
Spirebluff Canal
Creatures
(0)
4
Burnout Bashtronaut
2
Emberheart Challenger
4
Hired Claw
4
Nova Hellkite
4
Razorkin Needlehead
4
Scalding Viper/Steam Clean
4
Screaming Nemesis
Spells
(0)
4
Burst Lightning
4
Lightning Strike
2
Obliterating Bolt
2
Witchstalker Frenzy
Sideboard
(0)
2
Abrade
2
Chandra, Spark Hunter
2
Fiery Annihilation
1
Ghost Vacuum
2
Magebane Lizard
2
Sunspine Lynx
2
Untimely Malfunction
1
Vengeful Possession
1
Witchstalker Frenzy
Armando Castillo
Bio: Consistent performer who battled his way into the Top 8. Known for his creative deck choices and innovative strategies.
Piloted by Armando Castillo
Lands
(0)
2
Bleachbone Verge
4
Concealed Courtyard
4
Godless Shrine
7
Island
1
Plains
1
Restless Fortress
1
Swamp
Creatures
(0)
2
Enduring Innocence
4
Nurturing Pixie
4
Optimistic Scavenger
2
Starfield Shepherd
3
Starfield Vocalist
4
Sunpearl Kirin
Spells
(0)
4
Authority of the Consuls
2
Consult the Star Charts
2
Into the Flood Maw
4
Momentum Breaker
3
Nowhere to Run
4
Seam Rip
2
Stock Up
Sideboard
(0)
2
Enduring Innocence
2
Get Lost
2
Into the Flood Maw
2
Overlord of the Mistmoors
4
Sheltered by Ghosts
1
Split Up
2
Unholy Annex
Tre Gray
Bio: Strong finish to the season secured his Top 8 spot. While Tre is traditionally known for playing aggro only, this represents a big departure from his standard play. All eyes are on Tre to see if he can pull out the midrange wins with his solid take on Dimir midrange. Known for his clutch plays when it matters most.
Piloted by Tre Gray
Lands
(0)
4
Gloomlake Verge
5
Island
2
Restless Reef
3
Soulstone Sanctuary
2
Starting Town
5
Swamp
4
Watery Grave
Creatures
(0)
3
Azure Beastbinder
2
Cecil, Dark Knight/Cecil, Redeemed Paladin
4
Floodpits Drowner
4
Preacher of the Schism
4
Spyglass Siren
Spells
(0)
2
Bitter Triumph
4
Enduring Curiosity
3
Kaito, Bane of Nightmares
2
Long Goodbye
2
Phantom Interference
1
Strategic Betrayal
4
Tragic Trajectory
Sideboard
(0)
1
Annul
2
Duress
3
Elegy Acolyte
2
Qarsi Revenant
2
Stock Up
3
Tishana's Tidebinder
2
Vren, the Relentless
Alexis Vega
Bio: One of the consistently strong players known for playing whatever the best deck is, Alexis has surprised everyone by bringing a very interesting, strong original brew to the Top 8. Her meta awareness make her a formidable opponent who can adapt to any situation.
Piloted by Alexis Vega
Lands
(0)
4
Breeding Pool
1
Evendo, Waking Haven
2
Floodfarm Verge
2
Fountainport
4
Hushwood Verge
1
Lush Portico
2
Multiversal Passage
3
Plains
2
Restless Prairie
3
Starting Town
Creatures
(0)
1
Craterhoof Behemoth
1
Cosmogrand Zenith
4
Llanowar Elves
4
Overlord of the Mistmoors
4
Pawpatch Recruit
3
Sandstorm Salvager
4
Surris, Spidersilk Innovator
3
Tender Wildguide
1
Toby, Beastie Befriender
Spells
(0)
4
Collector's Cage
4
Sheltered by Ghosts
3
Silk, Web Weaver
Sideboard
(0)
4
Aven Interrupter
2
Disdainful Stroke
2
Rest in Peace
2
Spell Pierce
2
Split Up
3
Through the Omenpath
DJ Thompson
Bio: A true master of his craft, DJ has played Vivi all season long regardless of its rise or fall in the meta. Known throughout the league for his Vivi mastery and unwavering dedication to the archetype, he's proven that expertise with a deck can overcome meta shifts and carry you to the Top 8.
Piloted by DJ Thompson
Lands
(0)
2
Lindblum, Industrial Regency
3
Multiversal Passage
4
Riverpyre Verge
4
Spirebluff Canal
2
Thundering Falls
4
Island
1
Mountain
Creatures
(0)
4
Quantum Riddler
4
Vivi Ornitier
Spells
(0)
2
Abrade
3
Agatha's Soul Cauldron
3
Astrologian's Planisphere
3
Get Out
2
Into the Flood Maw
3
Opt
2
Plasma Bolt
2
Ral, Crackling Wit
2
Roaring Furnace/Steaming Sauna
2
Splash Portal
4
Stormchaser's Talent
3
Winternight Stories
1
Wild Ride
Sideboard
(0)
1
Aegis Turtle
3
Annul
1
Basilisk Collar
2
Broadside Barrage
1
Caelorna, Coral Tyrant
2
Fire Magic
1
Into the Flood Maw
2
Spell Pierce
2
Untimely Malfunction
James Hale
Bio: The biggest surprise of the season! James battled through and won the **Last Chance Qualifier** to secure his Top 8 spot, despite never playing in any league events prior. A true underdog story and the perfect example of how anyone can make it to the top with determination.
Piloted by James Hale
Lands
(0)
4
Floodfarm Verge
2
Godless Shrine
3
Meticulous Archive
1
Mistrise Village
1
Mountain
1
Plains
2
Riverpyre Verge
3
Sacred Foundry
1
Sunbillow Verge
3
Starting Town
2
Thundering Falls
4
Watery Grave
Spells
(0)
4
Consult the Star Charts
2
Day of Judgement
4
Get Lost
4
Inevitable Defeat
4
Lightning Helix
3
No More Lies
2
Pinnacle Starcage
3
Three Steps Ahead
1
Ultima
3
Jeskai Revelations
Sideboard
(0)
2
Authority of the Consuls
1
Decadent Dragon
2
Negate
1
Overlord of the Mistmoors
1
Pinnacle Starcage
2
Rest in Peace
1
Sphinx of Forgotten Lore
1
Stoic Sphinx
2
Tishana's Tidebinder
1
Ultima
1
Virtue of Persistence
- Format: Best-of-Five matches
- Decklist Type: Open decklist event
- First Two Games: No sideboards, no time limits
- Subsequent Games: Standard sideboard rules apply
🚀 What’s Next
The playoffs begin Sunday, October 5th, 2025! Each match will be a high-stakes battle where legends will rise and a champion will be crowned.
Round 1 Pairings:
- Matt Dodds (1st) vs. James Hale (8th)
- Kaleb Stevens (2nd) vs. DJ Thompson (7th)
- Luke DelBianco (3rd) vs. Alexis Vega (6th)
- Armando Castillo (4th) vs. Tre Gray (5th)
Good luck to all our Top 8 competitors! 🏆
