Interview with Æ

These interviews are meant to take an interesting look at those in the SW:CCG community that we know a little about. Hopefully these will reveal some new things about the people we talk to on the internet

1.What is your favorite quote from the trilogy?
There are just so many. But I think "You Rebel Scum" from ROTJ is the longstanding favourite. With the inflection he gave, you had to know he'd been waiting his whole life (or at least eight years) to give that line.

2. What is your "all-time" favorite SW-CCG strategy?
I have to admit I've become a big fan of Mains & Toys. Nothing is more exciting than to get two good Mains decks going head to head. I also enjoy making space domination decks.

3. What would ya do for a Klondike Bar?
Go to Meijer's usually.

4. What SW:CCG card would you call the "Spawn of Satan?"
Bacta Tank/Mantellan Savrip. Never has a card caused me so much grief. Luke (or usually KFC) just DOES NOT DIE!

5. What SW:CCG card would you call a "Gift from God?"
Bacta Tank/Mantellan Savrip. For exactly the same reason.

6. What is your favorite type of sandwich?
Subway's BMT. With lettuce, pickles and jalapenos. And some Mayo. I think I'm going to get some lunch now.

7. How long have you been playing SW:CCG?
I've collected and played casually since Premiere Limited, and have only started taking it mildly seriously (going to tournaments, etc.) late last year.

8. If you could be any alien race from the Star Wars movies, which would you be?
Twi'lek, they have more fun.

9. What would your name be in that species language?
Lel Pakeni

10. What is your best SW:CCG moment?
That's difficult. I've never consciously rated games. Perhaps when I fed Han, Lando, Luke, and Obi to the Rancor. That was pretty cool. I like blowing up planets too, although it tends to be a bit difficult.

11. If you could change one thing about the game, what would it be?
Well, first I'd release a new Darth Vader in Cloud City. Then I'd cut down on the Destiny Adders dramatically. There are just too many of those. Lastly, I'd make the Death Star a Force to be reckoned with, not just a floating Force Drain. I'd make CPI something that hurts the Light Side, not just a fancy side show. More should have been done with it.

12. What do you think of the EPP mains?
I think that in the long run they'll be good for the game. Granted, I'm not excited about spending $90 for six cards, or having to buy the Han and Leia right away because of the distribution, but I can look beyond my petty concerns and see that it will be good for people who may be looking to get into the game, but haven't because it's difficult to get cool characters.

13. How tall are you?
6'2".

14. What was the name of your first pet?
Midnight the Black Lab. Currently we have Duncan, an American Shorthair Cat

15. What is your favorite thing to do that gets you into trouble?
I'm a perfect angel. I never get in trouble. :) I used to cut class a lot, but have hopefully learned my lesson (bad grades is trouble, right?).

16. What card are you looking forward to in SE?
There's a lot of speculation around the new card type. The consensus is that it would follow the Q's Tent mechanic from the Star Trek game, where you get to build a "side deck" in which you store important cards to be drawn from when needed, using cards specifically made to do this. I think that would be a bad idea overall. The Q's Tent, at one time, was needed for Star Trek because deck construction was so limited that it was unfeasable to stock multiples of important cards. There was just no enough room. In Star Wars, there are very few strategies that cannot be done well in a standard 60 card deck (there are exceptions, of course). The Q's Tent is now unnecessary with the new Star Trek deck construction rules, but it's already created and there to stay.

I'm looking forward to cards that will boost older strategies that weren't as powerful as they should have been (CPI being a prime example). Anything to expand the possible deck types will be a welcome addition to the SW:CCG universe.

17. What expansion are you looking forward to most? Why?
Well, now that Cloud City has been released, along with the long-awaited Boba Fett, I'd have to say I'm waiting for Death Star II (or whatever they'll call it) with new Epic Duel cards (hopefully) and Royal Guard.

18. Which of the seven Dwarves is your favorite?
While many prefer the happy-go-lucky, often effeminate antics of Dopey, I prefer the poingnant and subtle character of Sneezy.

19. What do you think is the best way for Decipher to deal with the manipulation strategy?
Does it need to be dealt with? I believe player ingenuity does more to counter popular strategies than any "counter" that is made for them.

20. Where do you live?
Detroit, MI.

21. Where do you play SW:CCG?
I do most of my playing at Neutral Ground (the Magic players let us have a couple tables in the corner), and I'll hit a few tourneys in the Detroit area every now and then.

22. Who is your toughest opponent and why?
Hmm...now that Hak's gone I'd have to say Andy Chen. We're pretty even on card base, he's got the edge in experience, but I make up for it with unpredictability (though I've gotten pretty predictable lately, time to rework). It's usually a toss-up, and we know each other's decks well.

Why do you think Ewoks are short?
Uh, because they're shorter than R2?

Well thanks a bunch, Æ. I appreciate your time!
Not a problem.

Beakman


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