My Journey in the Risk World Championships 2025 – Season 1#
The Risk World Championships 2025 marked my very first experience with competitive Risk: Global Domination play. This season was filled with highs, lows, hard lessons, and tremendous growth. Here's my journey from Round 1 all the way through to the intense elimination in Round 6.
Tournament Results Summary#
| Round | Map | Placement | Result | Video | Blog Post |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R6 | River Town Advanced | Joint 2nd | 8 points | Watch | Read More |
| R5 | US Midwest | 4th | 6 points | Watch | Read More |
| R4 | Earth 2209 A.D. | Joint 2nd/3rd (+2 kills) | 15 points | Watch | Read More |
| R3 | Reverse World | 2nd | 10 points | Watch | Read More |
| R2 | Airship | 5th | 4 points | Watch | Read More |
| R1 | Africa Advanced | 2nd | 16 points | Watch | Read More |
You can find the full tournament results and details on my Risk Tournament Results page.
You can also see the final results for all players in the tournament on the Friends of Risk Tournament Manager page. I finished in 111th place out of 405 players, just missing the cut-off for the top 96 by 3 points.
Round-by-Round Breakdown#
Round 1: Africa Advanced – The First Step#
This was my first-ever competitive Risk match, and the pressure was palpable. I chose a conservative strategy, focusing on strategic positioning and timing my attacks carefully. I secured second place and earned a strong 16 points, giving me confidence for the rounds ahead.
Despite my initial nerves, this match taught me valuable lessons in patience and positioning. It was clear early on that competitive play required careful planning and precise execution, something I committed to improving upon throughout the tournament.
Round 2: Airship – Damage Control#
Round 2 quickly became a test of resilience. Starting with a difficult board position, I was forced into defensive mode from the outset. Mistakes early in the game put me on the back foot, making survival my primary goal rather than victory.
Negotiation became crucial; managing to direct aggression away from myself allowed me to survive longer than expected. Though finishing 5th was initially disappointing, the 4 points I gained proved valuable in the long run.
Round 3: Reverse World – Mastering Positioning#
Round 3 saw me significantly improve my understanding of positioning and timing. I played cautiously, spreading out my troops and avoiding unnecessary battles. This strategy paid off as I managed to avoid early conflicts and set myself up strongly for late-game opportunities.
However, a crucial late-game opportunity slipped away due to a miscalculation. Despite this setback, I secured second place and 10 important points, reaffirming my belief in patient, strategic gameplay.
Round 4: Earth 2209 A.D. – A Dominant Display#
Round 4 was a turning point in my tournament journey. I secured a substantial early bonus of +7, giving me leverage and strength to dictate the flow of the game. My diplomatic interactions and precise timing allowed me to secure two critical eliminations, boosting my confidence and strategic understanding.
Finishing joint second and earning 15 points made this my strongest performance yet. It demonstrated that effective early moves combined with strategic patience could lead to excellent results.
Round 5: US Midwest – Zombies and Missed Chances#
Facing Zombie Apocalypse rules combined with Fog of War, Round 5 was chaotic from start to finish. Visibility became a significant challenge, disrupting my strategies and forcing reactive play rather than proactive moves. The unpredictable zombie AI complicated things further, continually disrupting my attempts to stabilize.
My efforts to balance aggression and caution failed due to positioning mistakes, resulting in a fourth-place finish and only 6 points. This match emphasized the importance of adaptability and precise troop placement.
Round 6: River Town Advanced – The Final Battle#
Round 6 was a make-or-break scenario. Needing at least 10 points to qualify for the next round, I committed fully to an aggressive, high-risk strategy. Every decision felt critical, with unstable portals and intense competition amplifying the tension.
Ultimately, despite my best efforts and securing joint second with 8 points, I fell short of qualifying for the top 96. Nonetheless, this round encapsulated everything I'd learned and showcased my growth throughout the tournament.
Reflections and Lessons Learned#
- Positioning is crucial: Being well-placed can outweigh brute strength.
- Aggression vs. Patience: Knowing when to strike is just as vital as knowing when to wait.
- Negotiation skills: Communication significantly impacted my survival chances.
- Adapting quickly: Learning and improving from each round was key.
Although I missed the top 96 cut-off, I'm incredibly proud of my progression from Round 1 nerves to confidently battling through Round 6. Each match provided invaluable insights, improving my strategic thinking, adaptability, and overall gameplay.
I eagerly look forward to applying these lessons next season. A huge thank you to everyone who supported me—your encouragement has been invaluable!
📌 Stay tuned and subscribe to my YouTube channel for future tournaments, strategy deep-dives, and more competitive Risk gameplay!