WIXOSS Grand Prix Houston 2025: Interview with the Finalist

On June 22nd, 2025, Skewer made it the finals of the WIXOSS Grand Prix in Houston, qualifying him for Mugen Shoujo 2025. He piloted a unique version of MC Lion, and was kind enough to answer a few questions for Mayu’s Room.

I (Skewer) started playing Wixoss with the english release of set P-00. I’ve played pretty much every english TCG under the sun up by that point but Wixoss quickly became my #1 for two main reasons:

1. The game is incredibly well designed. There are very few frustrating or unfair strategies that plague most other card games. The Diva design team also really sanitized the format from what I’ve heard and I very much respect them for that.
2. I love the idea that there’s a LRIG for everyone and character expression is such a fundamental aspect of this game. No other game has this much diversity while still allowing so many decks to be viable.

Since then, I’ve basically tried to attend every major tournament possible and have had decent successes up to this point.

Skewer’s 2nd Place Deck from GP Houston 2025

// Could you tell us a little about the deck you chose? //

I built a Defense Lion deck that was designed to be incredibly efficient at punishing weak boards while putting up very difficult boards for an opponent to break. Lion had been the center I played the most up through P-05 so I’m glad her new version has such strong tools so I could play her again.

// It shares a lot of similarities with a deck you played nearly two years ago at Vegas 2023 – can you share some of your thoughts about that? //

I honestly hadn’t thought about that until now, but now that you bring it up, it does share a lot of characteristics with the deck I brought to the first GP, which for context was a Tama center deck that grew assists quickly and sat on double Remember the entire game. Both decks have very reliable ways of pushing damage while walling up behind resilient SIGNI. For large tournaments where so many types of decks are being represented, I very much value the ability to pivot between offense and defense in order to be able to adapt to any situation.

Skewer’s list from GP Vegas 2023

// What inspired you to stick with this build that deviates so much from what many others were playing as well as what was established by Japanese players in their time during this meta? //

So here’s the awkward thing. I have never once looked at any Japanese lists when I build decks, so it’s not so much that I actively try to be different, but rather I simply arrived at a different conclusion when starting to build a deck from the same card pool. Japanese players don’t have the luxury of copying someone else’s homework, so I should at least try to do the same if I want to compete at the same level as them. Every failure then entirely comes down to my own shortcomings, whether in deckbuilding or piloting, but at the same time nothing feels better than succeeding entirely on my own merits.

// What did practice and preparation for this event look like? //

Honestly Open!Batoru has been a godsend for testing decks without needing to build them physically. Other than that, I spent way too much time theorycrafting different decks and grinding them out at locals, of which I am blessed to have multiple.

// Did you expect to get such a high placing? //

Yes.

// How was playing games in the streaming room – especially with finals, did you feel any extra stress or pressure from knowing you were under a more public eye during those games? //

A little. It’s always embarrassing to have a misplay recorded for future vod-watchers to backseat criticize forever, but I think I am happy with the level of play I demonstrated. The one obvious misplay was not using the SIGNI barrier in finals, but that was not game-determinative so I don’t need to beat myself up too badly for that.

Skewer ends the game with a field of Double L Speaker

// What were your thoughts on the event format, and what are some memorable moments from it, within the games or otherwise? //

Splitting the event into two days was super helpful. Starting top cut with all players being fully rested definitely improved the quality of the games. Game Guys also has to be my favorite venue up to this point. The production value that went into the setup and stream made me feel like I was actually a part of a legitimate eSport.

// What are your thoughts on the P-16 metagame? //

As the culmination of the Diva format, it has probably the greatest diversity of viable decks up to this point. In fact, I did not face a single deck twice during swiss. This is also the first time the most represented LRIG did not make top cut, which is almost unheard of not just for Wixoss but for any card game.

// Are you looking forward to ARTS format? //

I dislike soft reboots on principle, but will withhold judgement until I’ve experienced the format firsthand.

// As a finalist, you qualified for Mugen Shoujo 2025 – are you excited for that event? //

Absolutely. A trip to Japan has been on my radar for a long time, and this is the last push for me to finally make the pilgrimage.

// What plans do you already have for both your trip there and the practice leading up to it? //

My wife and I and going to make this trip our 5-year anniversary celebration, but it would really be helpful to have a more definite date to work with so we can make more concrete plans.

And as irresponsible as it seems, I don’t find it urgent to practice for a format where even the Japanese players still have 3 or 4 unreleased sets to take into account. But when I do, everyone can be sure I will personally evaluate every legal card and cook up something no one will see coming.

// Bonus: Can you tell me a bit about Spheal? //

He is a big round boi that brings happiness and smiles to everyone.

Thanks again to Skewer for sharing his time with us and we’re all looking forward to seeing what he comes up with for Mugen Shoujo!