Alex Chen
Tournaments and format analysis
Alex Chen is the byline for event coverage, ban and rotation analysis and comparisons between card games. Results come from event pages and standings, and every comparison is checked against each game's own rules. The voice is measured, with the occasional dry joke.
- Results taken from event pages and standings
- Other games checked against their own official rules
- Opinions marked as ours, with the reason
78 articles by Alex Chen
Union Arena Attack on Titan Vol.2 EN Tier List: Snapshot
Union Arena Attack on Titan Vol.2 EN tier list: separate public list volume from official recommended shells, with Yellow's launch evidence clearly labeled.
· 15 min read
Union Arena Demon Slayer Deck Guide: Yellow Tanjiro 2026
Union Arena Demon Slayer deck guide: Tanjiro Kamado's real When Played tutor for Nezuko Kamado, her 500 BP boost, and UE05BT card text verified.
· 8 min read
Union Arena Attack on Titan Vol.2: New Yellow Color
Union Arena Attack on Titan Vol.2 releases Sep 18, 2026, adding a new Yellow color. Confirmed cards, rarity split, and the Eren Doomsday Titan chase pull.
· 8 min read
Best TCG Dice and Counters 2026: What You Actually Need
Best TCG dice and counters for 2026, Riftbound and Lorcana need one, the Life Card games don't. Real dial trackers and bulk dice, with prices.
· 12 min read
BCG Fest Dallas: One Piece TCG Season 1 Finals Preview
BCG Fest Dallas runs September 18-20, 2026, with the Championship 26-27 Season 1 Finals and Flame-Flame Fruit Coliseum. What to expect, livestream info.
· 6 min read
PSA vs BGS vs CGC: Who Really Owns Your Grading Slab (2026)
PSA vs BGS vs CGC in 2026, one company now owns PSA, Beckett, and SGC after a December 2025 buyout, leaving CGC the only independent grader left standing.
· 11 min read
OP-17 Shanks Deck Guide: Green Tempo-Lock Leader Build
OP-17 Shanks deck guide: tracked decklists put it outside the top leaders, covering how the tempo-lock leader ability works and how to build around it.
· 13 min read
Riftbound Meta Tier List: Irelia, Master Yi Lead Post-Ban
Riftbound meta tier list after the September bans: Irelia and Master Yi are Tier 1 and Kennen drops to Tier 2, per Los Angeles RQ and third-party results.
· 15 min read
OP-17 Big Mom Deck Guide: Yellow's Hand Disruption Plan
OP-17 Big Mom deck: pay a hand card to choose between a Life refill and opposing hand pressure. Here's how to build and pilot the Yellow plan.
· 20 min read
OP-17 Kaido Deck Guide: Purple Removal, Not Ramp 2026
OP-17 Kaido deck guide covers the verified DON removal ability, confirmed Animal Kingdom Pirates support, and whether Kaido actually pressures Enel.
· 13 min read
Riftbound vs One Piece TCG vs Lorcana: Full 2026 Comparison
Riftbound vs One Piece TCG vs Lorcana: no single winner, each uses a different resource system and win condition. Rules, decks, and metas compared.
· 14 min read
Riftbound Rengar Deck Guide: Won Los Angeles, Now Tier 2
The Riftbound Rengar deck won the Los Angeles RQ and sits in Tier 2 after the bans. Fury and Body domains, the early pressure plan, and card prices.
· 15 min read