The C*lling Taihape 2025: Spirit of Mangaweka

T H E   L E G E N D   C O N T I N U E S !

The C*lling Taihape is Aotearoa's premiere Grassroots Flesh and Blood event. Following a mean as time in 2024, we're heading down the road to a BIGGER VENUE in a SMALLER TOWN – the mighty Mangaweka, population 200, where there used to be a cool plane, until Shannon nicked it and hasn't been heard of since.

Not sure what to expect? Here's the video from 2024 – internet attention span warning: this is 34mins long, but you'll get the gist after about 5.

The C*lling Taihape 2025 – Quick Details

📅 February 1st 2025
📍 Mangaweka Hall, 1 Koraenui Street
🎟️ Tickets are 20 bucks
⏱️ Players meeting 10:00am
🌭 Uncle Don's famous BBQ Lunch begins strictly at lunchtime, followed by the even famouser Gumboot Toss
🎱 Cut to Top 8 at 5:30pm
🏆 Champion crowned at 7:30pm
🌙 We'll be kicking people out at 11pm

The Main Event

• 40-80 players; 5 or 6 rounds of Swiss followed by cut to Top 8
• Format is Cl*ssic Constructed, run at Super Casual REL (see below)
• 1st Place: Actual-Gold-Foil hand-painted Fyendal's Spring Tunic alter
• Top 4: Limited edition Calling Taihape: Spirit of Mangaweka Playmat
• Top 8: Random Drop Deep-Fried hero alters, signed by Garbage Lord Kano
• Top 16 receive an invitation to The C*lling Taihape 2026, which we forgot about last time so don't get your hopes up

That's not all though! Bring a spare pair of undies, because there are plenty more opportunities for bizarre/fun stuff and prizes throughout the day.

Suuuper Casual

Have you ever dreamt of a gentler world...? Where your Rapid Fire + Tri-Shot OTK combo turn has space to unfurl? Where takesies-backsies on missed tunic counters from two turns ago are allowed, encouraged?! Welcome to Super Casual REL! Have a good time, help each other out, come to decisions based on how funny they are, make under-the-table deals, and otherwise have a good ol' laugh. There'll be a mufty judge on hand if needed, too.

Otherwise, we'll be playing Cl*ssic Constructed! Which is the same as Classic Constructed, except it has an asterisk... and Kin Oath!s!

Kin Oath! tokens are back! Rewards for various dastardly deeds, these pillars of Cl*ssic Constructed give you a little leg up in your games, but are mostly just an excuse to have a good time. Here are the ways you can earn 'em:

• 1x Kin Oath for... just showing up!
• 1x Kin Oath for starting round 1 wearing gumboots
• 1x Kin Oath for registering Riptide
• 1x Kin Oath for sending us a photo of yourself with a sheep. Note that photos from 2024 will be rejected with a stern frown.
• 1x Kin Oath for resolving a yellow Demolition Crew (max 1 per game)
• 5x Kin Oaths for killing a hero with their own Kin Oath (yet to be claimed!)
• 1x Kin Oath for Sober Drivers
• 3x Kin Oaths for players who haven't played a Road to Nationals or ProQuest
• 10x Kin Oaths for players who haven't played an Armory
• NEW IN 2025: RXPL COLLAB! 1x Kin Oath for players identifying as a woman or part of the LGBTQIA+ community <3

But it's not just Kin Oath!s this time around...

Just as the people of Taihape and Mangaweka graciously extend their manaakitanga to us, we would in turn like to welcome a diverse array of heroes to the C*lling. We're pretty tight-lipped about what Spirit of Mangaweka is, but we're able to say that this card is given exclusively to players registering heroes with < 100 Living Legend points, and that it will significantly increase your chances of having an absolute hoot.

Note that we're not counting the new heroes, so Spirit of Mangaweka eligible heroes are:

• Maxx 'The Hype' Nitro
• Riptide, Lurker of the Deep
• Vynnset, Iron Maiden
• Verdance, Thorn of the Rose
• Teklovossen, Esteemed Magnate
• Oscilio, Constella Intelligence
• Arakni, Huntsman
• Olympia, Prized Fighter
• Betsy, Skin in the Game

Uncle Don and Aunty Jess are BACK! (Probably. Maybe? If they're not, we'll have some off-brand proxies instead.) Keep your puku smiling with the unstoppable duo's kiwiana kai.

• Make sure you buy a Fabled Event Snackage ticket to get access to Uncle Don's lunchtime BBQ!
• Aunty's Jess's legendary Tuck Shop will be running during the event, so BRING SOME CASH! This is a nostalgia trip that will warm the heart of even the crustiest LL CYB Oldhims.

Obligatory Vibe Check Message

Obviously this is a fairly silly event, which you're encouraged to lean into entirely. If you want to get a little extra silly, alcohol is permitted at the venue. However, make sure to keep it low-key: if we see you starting to Coax a Commotion we'll have to send Kiki to Leg Tap you out the door with their gummies on. Last year the vibe was absolutely spot-on so we're hoping that'll magically happen again this year. Y'know, just in case the mayor walks in. Again.

Is that everything?! Crickey Dory who knows. Follow along with the latest on our facey page, Grassroots Flesh and Blood Aotearoa, where we'll be posting reminders, updates, and handy info for potential carpoolers.

See you soon,
Digl, Kash, Don, Kiki
xo