Click here for the published version of the article.

Before the we are able to play the first VGVN Naxxramas Release Tournament, we needed to get two more qualifiers by way of a Liquidhearth Open, we had many sign ups last weekend and here is how it played out.

LIQUIDHEARTH OPEN RECAP

By David Wise (@wiselingsc2)

Over the weekend, the first Video Games Voters Network LiquidHearth Open took place. More than 250 professional, part-time, and amateur Hearthstone players competed in the tournament for two seeds into the VGVN Naxxramas Release Tournament. Although players from North America represented the majority of entrants, competitors from all regions of the world took part in the contest. Druids and Warlocks constituted almost half of the decks played in the tournament, followed by Rogue and Hunter decks. Mage, Paladin, and Priest were the least played classes as they constituted only five percent each of the decks played in the Open.

Interestingly enough, of the top 8 finalists, only two were professional players. Rdu swept through the bracket handily until the ro16 where he finally started to drop games. Lucky exhibited more skill than luck as he swept through the tournament and secured a place and his spot in the VGVN Naxxramas Release Tournament with his Hunter, Mage, and Druid decks. HaibaraDC -- armed with Hunter, Rogue, and Warlock -- blazed a path to the semi-finals, where he finally dropped a series to Lucky.

Xixo, bringing his trusty Miracle Rogue and Zoolock decks, worked his way through the bracket with machine-like precision. Xixo performed excellently with these two decks, as he recorded a 14-3 record with the Zoo deck and a 4-0 performance with the Miracle Rogue. In the semi-finals, Xixo swept Rdu 3-0 with his Zoolock deck setting up a finals where Xixo and Lucky duked it out. Xixo took the first game with Zoolock before Lucky defeated it in game two. Xixo closed out the final two games with Miracle Rogue to win this Liquidhearth Open.

Lucky, however, still has qualified for the VGVN main tournament. Lucky is a player who most people have probably never heard of but now he will have his shot in the big leagues. And that, is the beauty of an open qualifier. Lucky piloted a Hunter / Shaman / Druid composition of decks to an astounding 15-3 record before losing in the finals. Among the staff here, we are all looking forward to seeing how Lucky does in the main event and I'm sure we are not alone

The LiquidHearth Open proved that even part-time and amateur Hearthstone players could compete with the pros. Of the top 8 finalists, only two were professional gamers. A healthy mix of full-time, part-time, and amateur gamers ensured that the world’s best were able to compete together and ensure an excellent tournament.

Liquidhearth Open Top 4 Decklists

Xixo - Winner

+ Show Spoiler +

Lucky - Runner Up

+ Show Spoiler +

Rdu - Semi Finalist

+ Show Spoiler +

HaibaraDC - Semi Finalist

+ Show Spoiler +

VGVN Groups and Schedule

Groups

Now that the final list of players has been established, they will play out their matches in four person groups. From each group, the top two will advance into an elimination bracket where the winner of Group A will play the runner up from Group B and vice versa. Here are how the groups are broken down:

Group A

Amaz
Kolento
Realz
Xixo

Group B
Forsen
Reynad
Sajvz
Lucky

Schedule

The full tournament is planned to run on from August 9th through 11th. On Saturday and Sunday, games will begin at 12pm EDT/6pm CET. On Monday, the semis and finals matches will start at 6pm EST and midnight CET.

Giveaway

Throughout the tournament viewers will have the chance to win a new PC that has been provided by VGVN and Cyberpower PC. If you would like to enter the draw you may do so by using the button below.