Sydney By Night

Name:  Steve McRoy

VTES Career Highlights:

Prince of Wellington NZ since 1998
Praxis Seizure: Palmerston North 2001 winner (25 mins in the final)
Wellington Pro Tour 07/08 Leader board Winner (local round robin)
SE Queensland Continental Qualifier 2008 Winner (15 mins in the final)

How long have you been playing VTES? How did you get into the game?

Since the beginning, I played MtG and a few other ccgs. I was annoyed at the people playing and thought a new game might be the quick fix.

How many decks do you have currently ready for play?

Currently I have 12

Which is your favourite deck & why?

Definitely my Malk merry-go-round deck (Madness networks, 1st Trads, reversal of fortunes, Millicent smiths, Covens, Uriah Winter, Anarch trouble makers) The most cards we had going around the table was 5 creates complete madness and confusion muhahaha…

How do you approach building and refining a new deck?

I generally have concept ideas, certain combos that I want to try. I then work on the combo concept, to see what cards are best to use. Then I look at the vampires available for that idea and construct a basic skeleton of the vamps with the combo and any other cards I might add to the initial setup of the deck. After play testing the effectiveness of the main combo I then tweak and add or subtract via a cutthroat process. When I finally have the deck 90% there I play test amongst the group and unleash the fury. I then think about card flow and to see if changes need to be made.

What is your favourite set? What do you like about this set?

Sabbat is definitely my favourite because you had a great selection of vamps and could use them effectively together as a clan. Also the release of great cards such as War Ghouls, Mind Rapes, Direct Interventions, and Disarms.

Least favourite set?

I was very disappointed in Sword of Caine, the quantity and quality of the cards was poor and the rare cards weren’t anything to write home about. I think the best card for me out of that set is Elimelich everything else is wall paper.

Favourite card?

Hmm I’d have to say Madness of the Bard. “I would not, could not in the rain, I would not could not in the rain…” (Last time I played this one of my mates in the game looked at it, looked at me, and then shouted swear words at me till he ousted himself)

Favourite vampire?

I’d have to say Lucita

What is it that you like about VTES?

The flowing dynamics of the game and the gruesome art work.

Any ideas on how they could improve the game?

I’d say producing more vampires for the many groups, and looking at introducing other countries into the mix of the world of darkness. Praxis Seizure Alaska would be awesome! Also get some better artists for the game instead of the photo shop photos (talking extensively about 3rd ed)

Do you prefer tournaments or social play?

I like aspects of both, the intensity of tournaments, and the laid back beer drinking of social play. It’s even funnier when you bring the social aspect to the tournament scene. Drinking a beer at the first round of the Queensland qualifier was a laugh and turned a few heads.

What are your thoughts on deal-breaking?

Deals are not binding according to the rules and there is a latin saying “Dura lex sed lex” which means “The Law is tough, but the law is the law.”

How does playing in Australia compare to playing in New Zealand?

I have to say I’ve really enjoyed the play groups in Australia, some can be “over enthusiastic” but most are really down to earth players. I’ve had a great time trading with everyone and meeting different players. I do get the intentional “kiwi” joke thrown my way, but nothing “a dingo ate my baby” can’t fix.

Did you notice a lot of difference between the Australian play groups?

With regards to the play style in Oz you get pretty much everything (stealth bleed, bash, vote, 1 trick ponies, toolbox, etc etc) where as in NZ people tend to stick to their favourite styles and rarely shift.