Alex ‘HonestAF’ Friedrichsen Goes Undefeated to Win the $100K Dragon Cup | Wonders of the First Champion Profile
Every once in a while, a moment arrives that reminds you why competitive games matter. Not because of the prize pool or the drama or the metagame, but because of the people who rise to the occasion. The ones who bring sincerity, humility, and a kind of grounded brilliance that makes you stop and pay attention.
Last weekend at SCG CON Las Vegas, I had the chance to sit down with one of those people. His name is Alex “HonestAF” Friedrichsen, and he had just finished going undefeated in the $100K Dragon Cup. But what struck me most wasn’t the perfect record. It was the person behind it.
Alex arrived at the event with almost no testing. He finished collecting his deck the night before by walking from hotel to hotel, knocking on doors, and piecing the list together one card at a time. All of this happened while he was also preparing for Magic: The Gathering Worlds, a level of mental juggling most players never experience.
And yet, when you speak to him, he radiates calm. A steady presence. The kind of competitor whose quiet confidence tells you everything before he says anything at all.
Riding the Wave of Support
When I asked Alex how he was feeling after the weekend, his answer came with the glow of someone still absorbing the experience.
AF: “I’m still riding high. The community has been incredibly supportive and congratulating me.”
Anyone who spent even a few minutes near the match tables could feel what he meant. Spectators gathered every round. People leaned in to watch his lines, his decisions, his composure. And when SneakyJoeKDB, one of the event favorites, was eliminated, a noticeable shift rippled through the room, with many fans turning their attention to Alex instead.
AF: “Sneaky was the one I thought could take it down. I wish I had seen his match. When he went out, the contest was wide open. Cap was another one to watch.”
There was no bravado in his voice, only respect. Respect for the players who pushed him, and for the game itself.
A Beginning That Feels Familiar
Before he was a Dragon Cup champion, Alex was simply a kid who fell in love with a card game at summer camp.
AF: “When I was 9 or 10 at summer camp, someone introduced us to the game (Magic the Gathering). When I got home, my dad took me to the local store, and that is where I found tournaments. I was drawn to the contests and started competing. I won my Pro Tour at 20 or 21.”
There is something powerful about beginnings like that. They remind us of the wonder that first brought us to the table. A pack of cards. A moment of curiosity. A door opening to a world of strategy, challenge, and community.
Today, Alex works in data science, having earned his Master’s from UVM. And when he plays, you can see the intersection of logic and intuition that defines both his profession and his approach to games. There is precision in his choices, but also a quiet joy.
Walking Alone Into Vegas, But Never Truly Alone
Alex joined Team Handshake in early 2024, one of the most respected and accomplished collectives in competitive Magic. But as the Dragon Cup approached, his teammates were locked into Worlds preparation. That meant Alex had to step into Vegas largely alone.
AF: “They were unavailable while preparing for Worlds. I downloaded Tabletop Simulator, but could not get many games in. I tested only a couple of times.”
Most competitors would be rattled walking into a six-figure tournament with that little preparation. Alex simply accepted the situation, adapted to it, and trusted himself to navigate whatever came next.
Sometimes, belief in your own ability becomes the best teammate you could ask for.
The Match That Still Echoes
When I asked him which moment defined his run, he did not need to think long.
AF: “The finals were epic. Cap pushed me hard. But the game with Abel… Oldman on Round 2 to put 28 power on the board was amazing.”
If you were there, you remember how the air shifted. Some plays feel routine. Others feel like turning points in a story. This one felt like the moment when everything aligned.
AF: “The engine turned on, and the deck was humming.”
He said it with the kind of calm certainty that only comes from having lived that moment fully.
The Night Before the Tournament
One of the most endearing pieces of his journey came from the night before the event began.
AF: “I was still gathering cards the night before, going from hotel room to hotel room to secure the deck.”
There was no frustration in his voice. Just a recollection of a hectic, human scramble that somehow made the victory feel richer. Community members helping. Strangers opening their doors. A deck coming together piece by piece. It is stories like this that become part of a game’s lore, retold for years to come.
Feedback That Shows How Much He Cares
Despite the whirlwind weekend, Alex still found room for constructive thoughts.
AF: “If I had one critique, I think a way to streamline checking in OCMs would help a lot of collector and player team-ups.”
When I explained how our vaulting system is integrated with the marketplace, he lit up with the appreciation of someone who sees how systems evolve and improve.
AF: “Wow, so you guy already have a system ready to go.”
It was a small moment, but it revealed how much he cares about players’ experiences beyond his own.
The Cards That Shaped His Run
When the conversation turned to cards, something shifted in the tone. This is where his love for the game shone through.
Favorite orbital: “Boundless, but Petraia has some cards that caught my attention.”
Least favorite card: “Tea set. If you are not ready, the game flips.”
Favorite card overall: “Betrayer of the Ironskin Clan. Strongest card in the set.”
His top five were:
- Betrayer of the Ironskin Clan
- Indra’s Citadel
- Moonfire Crystal Mouse
- Raziya Balakai
- Ethereal Grove
Honorable mention: Caelith Leaftracker
Family Reactions and Shared Joy
When asked about how his parents reacted to his win, Alex softened with gratitude.
AF: “My mom and dad were ecstatic. We talked about manifesting the win and they followed along in the standings the whole time. They were hoping to see a stream but were excited to see my name in Google results.”
There was pride in those words. I joked that I hoped they were ready to see his name in the headlines again. He laughed, but the smile lingered. It felt like the culmination of a journey that began at summer camp years ago.
What’s Next for HonestAF
Before heading back to Worlds preparation, Alex shared where fans can find him next.
AF: “I will be at SCG Atlanta.”
Alex is the kind of competitor who reminds you why communities form around games like Wonders. Humble, analytical, and quietly fierce when the pressure rises. Still undefeated in constructed Wonders, he intends to keep it that way.
If you see him at an event, take a moment to say hello. His story is far from over.