Admin: Trandosite interview 31 August 2000

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Trandosite interview 31 August 2000

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'''Martin Akesson''' was European Champion 2000. [[Trandosite]] interviewed him on 31 August 2000.<ref name="trando-iv7">[https://web.archive.org/web/20041026204829/http://www.trandosite.mcmail.com/iv7.htm Martin Akesson interview], [[Trandosite]] (31 August 2000)</ref>

This page is a '''fan encyclopedia''' stub. Facts below are from published SWCCG sources (Trandosite interview and, where noted, Squadron Member tables). It does not add unsourced biography.

== Interviews ==

=== Trandosite, 31 August 2000 ===
Interview conducted by Rod Latham on [[Trandosite]].<ref name="trando-iv7">[https://web.archive.org/web/20041026204829/http://www.trandosite.mcmail.com/iv7.htm Martin Akesson interview], [[Trandosite]] (31 August 2000)</ref>

Site player profile:

''Martin Akesson has proved himself as one of Sweden's greatest SWCCG players. His performances in major championships is among the best in the world - he qualified for the World Championships in 1998 and 1999 (where he finished 7th), finished 3rd at Gen Con '99 and scored major victories at Goth Con and King Con in Sweden. Earlier this month he achieved his greatest success of all, winning the European Championships at Brussels, Belgium. In team events, Martin has also excelled - winning the team tournament at DecipherCon '99 with Paul Feldman, Koen Meijsen and Yannick LaPointe. He is also a tournament director, and writes regularly for both Sweden's Regional Website (where he answers strategic questions) and Decktech (where he is a columnist).''

'''1. How did you get involved in SWCCG, and what attracted you to the game?'''

I started to play magic six years ago, so we went to those hangouts for role- and card players. A friend of mine bought some cards of premiere when it was released and introduced me to the game. Since I've been a star wars fan all my life, it didn't take long for me to get involved. I still had magic as my primary card game untill the release of hoth i think. By this time we got more involved, and started to know the rules better. Star Wars is a better game then magic, since it requires more skill, both when you build your decks and when you play. Eventually i quit magic, and traded all dual lands and stuff for star wars mains. Ever since star wars has been the one game for me.

'''2. How did it feel playing in both the World Championships of 1998 and 1999? Any highlights?'''

Both years were awesome! off course, 98 was kind of a bad year with the SE problems, but it still was a lot of fun. I still blaim myself for not spending enough time on deck building, when you look back at the decks I used i feel quite ashamed. I did not play opperatives, just looked at them and threw them away, concidering them as just another useless strategy. The highlights must have been when i qualified for day 2 last year, or when i beat Clint in the last game. But maybe meeting so many new friends was the best part.

'''3. What are the strongest and weakest parts of your game?'''

I think deckbuilding, and keeping focus on my game so that i don't make mistakes are my strongest parts. But when I feel I'm going to win the game I often lose focus, which might lead to stupid mistakes. I also wish i could know the rules better, I have lots to learn there

'''4. How do you rate the level of play in your native Sweden?'''

Very hard to tell, since the only times i have played outside Sweden is at big conventions and at worlds. But I think the level is higher then most think, our region is actually the second biggest in Europe (I think). Sweden has now got two persons qualifyed for worlds, so we've got to be pretty good, dont we!

'''5. What do you think of the latest expansion, Death Star II? Are ultra rares a good introduction?'''

In total, i like Death Star II a lot. There are not so many useless rares as in the other expansions, and it seems to be balanced. I don't like the ultra rares, since I don't buy much cards, usually 1-2 boxes per expansion. I lend those cards I don't have from friends though, so i don't suffer from it that much as many others do. I also got an 18 card booster with 2 rares in my box... I don't complain about that!

'''6. You have influenced many players through your writing on Decktech (your Ralltiir Ops deck caused a huge surge in that objectives use across the USA) - how did you get involved with this and is this something you particularly enjoy?'''

Well, I found decktech last winter when a friend of mine recomended it to me, so I signed up and sent some decks in, to gain access. Neal, one of the webmasters sent me a mail as soon as I joined and told me that he remembered my manipulation decks from the old star wars page "The Dragons Fang". He convinced me to write some article, so I did. The Raltiir deck became popular, since it was high rated, and it was fun to see it being used by big players and winning tournaments. In the same way, I take many ideas from decktech.

Nowdays, I rarely post anything there, but i check almost daily for tournament reports, and for any new decks. Tournament reports are very good to learn what decks that work, and what to meta against.

'''7. You are now the European Champion 2000. Did you enjoy the Brussels event this year, and does your success here put pressure on you to perform in the future?'''

I very much enjoyed Brussels. The best part was meeting old friends, and playing against players I've been looking forward to play against, Martin Falke, Bastian Winkelhaus, Nick Rice, Mat Allen to nemtion a few. I guess it puts pressure on me, but that is just good since it pushes me to do better. I also put a lot of pressure on myself, I'm a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to star wars.

'''8. What do you enjoy doing outside of SWCCG?'''

I just started to study for a master of science degree, and so far it's pretty fun. In the winters i usually go north snowboarding. In the summers i try to do as much wakeboarding as possible, as often as the weather allows it which isn't too often. Also, music is an important part of my life, I play the guitarrs, but also listen to music a lot. I enjoy bands like Tool, Deftones and Smashing Pumpkins among others.

'''9. If you could play any player in the world, who would you most like to play and why?'''

If I can only say one, it has to be Gary Carman. I know he is a very good player, and a nice guy, but he is also the world champ! Other big names i haven't played against are Steven Lewis and veterans like Joe Alread and Paul Feldman.

'''10. What is the biggest misconception in SWCCG?'''

That it is based on luck (like many other card games are). Luck is a very small part of SWCCG, the thing that matters is the time you spend on the game.

Many thanks!

== See also ==

* [[Trandosite]] · [[Interviews]]
* [[DeckTech]] · [[GamePlayers Network]]

== Sources ==

* [https://web.archive.org/web/20041026204829/http://www.trandosite.mcmail.com/iv7.htm Martin Akesson interview] on Trandosite (31 August 2000; Wayback)
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20050405092737/http://trandosite.mcmail.com/interview.htm Interviews index] (Wayback 5 April 2005)

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Admin: Trandosite interview 31 August 2000