Clint Hays

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Clint Hays, 1999 Worlds finalist. Photo: Decipher.

Clint Hays won the 2000 Denver Grand Slam[1] and the 2000 DragonCon Open,[2] and was a World Finalist in 1998, 1999, and 2000. Trandosite interviewed him on 8 September 2000.[3]

Interviews

Trandosite, 8 September 2000

Interview conducted by Rod Latham on Trandosite.[3]

Site player profile:

Clint Hays is one of the top SWCCG players in the world. He is regularly found in the Top 3 of the official Decipher ratings and has qualified for three straight World Championships. He is a regular contributor to the listserv and Decktech (where he is a columnist), and has built up a reputation making him perhaps the most talked about SWCCG player ever. He famously predicted that he would win the Origins Open last year - and did. He also proclaimed he was the best player in the world, both before and after last years World Finals. Clint has won countless number of tournaments, and placed high at numerous major events - the highlight being finishing 5th at last years World Championships.

1. How did you get involved in SWCCG? Why Star Wars and not another CCG?

The first time I ever heard of swccg was when a friend of mine saw an advertisement for the premiere 2 player game in a magazine. That night I went to buy the game and have been hooked ever since. I never reallyhad interest in any other games, but star wars was a perfect fit since I was already a huge fan of the movies.

2. What has been your favorite experience from playing the game?

I think it would have to be calling the shot at Origins last year. We had the decks we knew would win it was all a matter of showing up really. And calling the shot was just something I had to do. Thankfully I didn't make a fool out of myself by losing.

3. What's your opinion of Decipher and their latest sets - are you pleased with Death Star II?

Death Star II is probably one of the better sets they've released. The artwork is extremely good and there doesnt seem to be any flaws with the gameplay mechanics so far. There are some very powerful cards that enhance old strategies as well as creating new ones. I'm impressed. Coming off of a very lackluster set in Endor, they did a pretty good job redeeming themselves.

4. You were very confident of winning the World Finals last year, but just fell short (finishing 5th). How did you feel afterwards? What did you think of the competition there, and of the eventual winner?

I was very confident going into worlds last year. My preparation was long and hard, an I felt like I was probably more ready than anybody there. Afterwards I was a little disappointed, but 5th place is very respectable with such a competitive field. I felt like the only reason I didnt win was the untimely meeting with my playtest partner Steven Lewis.

At first I perceived Gary to be a pretty good player with very junky decks who just happened to get lucky enough to win. However, I have since met Gary at Origins and GenCon and we played numerous games. I was also able to discuss the theories of swccg with him. The man is brilliant and is an extremely good player. I definitely don't want to have to face him this year. Maybe somebody else can beat him for me...

5. How do you feel about this years World Finals? Confident, or cautious with such a large increase in players? Are you the best player in the world?

I think come October I'll definitely be ready. I've always felt that going into large events I had just as good a chance as anybody there. It's all about pre-tourney preparation. Once you're there your fate is in the hands of the pairings.

I feel that I am the best player in the world. But that's a tough statement to make. There are probably only 4 or 5 people I would consider as my equals. But its my opinion that in order to be the best you have to think you're the best.

6. You've managed to build up an assertive reputation on the Internet which many people have interpretated as arrogance. Does this concern you - how does it make you feel? What is Clint Hays really like?

I am arrogant. But I've never tried to hide that fact. I've always been this way and I always will be. Arrogance is what drives me. However, peoplehave got to realize that its a game and you have to do what it takes to win. Once you get past the arrogance I'm a really nice guy.

7. Is your reputation, and past record, a burden when you play competitively? Do you feel pressure to live up to expectations?

I don't ever feel pressure to live up to anybody's expectations but my own. I'd say those are probably the hardest too since I expect to win every tournament I play in. I feel like my reputation is an asset when I sit down to play. The other guy knows he has to play a near perfect game to have a chance...and even then he might still lose.

8. What is the greatest misconception in SWCCG?

I think its gotta be the idea that all great players spend countless hours a week playing the game. I know from experience that this isn't true. A large number of people I have talked to(including Gary Carman, Steven Lewis, and myself) only play the game occasionally...as in maybe once a week.

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

I'd have to say Gary Carman. He's a really great guy and a swccg machine. He's like the Energizer bunny. He just keeps going and going and going. He makes me a better player. If he and I lived near each other we would definitely become the most dominant force ever.

10. What is the secret of your continued success in SWCCG?

Steven Lewis. Plain and simple. Without him I would be a good player but not great. He's an innovator of decks and an extremely skilled playtest partner. Together I believe we are the best 1-2 punch in the game today.

Any advice?

Advice...If you want to win playtest. You can't win a tournament unless you put yourself in the right position, and you can't do that without being ready beforehand.

Many thanks!

Tournament Results

Date Event Format Finish Dark Light
29 August – 1 September 2003 2003 World Championship 3[4]
12 April 2003 2003 DPC Chicago 4th[5]
April 2002 2002 Atlanta DPC Premiere - Original VS1 [6] Senate
17 November 2001 2001 Decipher World Championship Premiere - Reflections III [7] Endor Ops TIE Bombers
16 November 2001 2001 Decipher World Championship [8] Endor Operations Bombers
7 September 2001 2001 Phoenix DPC Premiere - Coruscant 4th after Swiss; lost semifinal[9] Senate MYWHL (Julien Riviere's deck)
18 August 2001 2001 Montreal DPC Premiere - Coruscant [10] Brangus porn star Solid WYS[11]
28 July 2001 2001 Atlanta DPC Premiere - Tatooine 1st (8–0 Swiss)[12] SYC Brangus[13] WYS[14]
6 July 2001 2001 Origins Open Premiere - Tatooine Finalist[15] SYCFA Brangus deck[16]
6 July 2001 2001 Origins Open Premiere - Tatooine 1st[17]
12 May 2001 2001 Tennessee State Championship Premiere - Reflections II [18] WYS beatdown deck
February 2001 2001 Normal DPC Premiere - Reflections II 5th[19] BHBM inserts and TIEs (Lewis's own DS deck)[20]
January 2001 January 2001 Knoxville tournament Premiere - Reflections II 1st[21] TDIGWATT RTP
23 December 2000 December 2000 Huntsville tournament (23 December) Premiere - Jabba's Palace Sealed Deck 4th[22]
4 November 2000 2000 Phoenix Mega Tournament (4 November) Premiere - Jabba's Palace Sealed Deck 6–2[23] BHBM TIE odds (starts Ultimatum)[24] Agents in the Court
3 November 2000 2000 Phoenix Mega Weekend warmup tournament (3 November) Premiere - Jabba's Palace Sealed Deck [25] Court or New Obj (cant remember)
28 October 2000 2000 Birmingham Grand Slam Premiere - Jabba's Palace Sealed Deck 3rd[26]
28 October 2000 2000 Birmingham Grand Slam Premiere - Jabba's Palace Sealed Deck 3rd[27]
5–7 October 2000 2000 Decipher World Championship (Day 3) Premiere - Death Star II 8th Ralltiir Operations Hidden Base[28]
5–7 October 2000 2000 Decipher World Championship (Day 2) Premiere - Death Star II 1st Ralltiir Operations Hidden Base
9 September 2000 2000 Nashville Grand Slam Premiere - Death Star II 4th[29] Monkey ties with 2 Merrejks added Hidden Base with Revolutions
9 September 2000 2000 Nashville Grand Slam Premiere - Death Star II 4th[30]
9 September 2000 2000 Nashville Grand Slam Premiere - Death Star II 4th[31]
9 September 2000 2000 Nashville Grand Slam Premiere - Death Star II [32] Monkey ties
11 August 2000 2000 North American Continental Championship Premiere - Death Star II Day 1: 6–2[33]
11 August 2000 2000 North American Continental Championship Premiere - Death Star II 5th[34] Day 1: classic Rops (no Mobilization Points), Day 2: Monkey TIEs (Set Your Course For Alderaan TIEs built with Steven Lewis) Day 1: speed Profit with mega drain/evade, Day 2: Speederholics Anonymous (There Is Good In Him speeders built with Steven Lewis)
11 August 2000 2000 North American Continental Championship Premiere - Death Star II Day 1: 6–2, qualified for Day 2[35]
29 June – 2 July 2000 2000 DragonCon Open 1st[2] Ralltiir Ops[36] Yavin IV M&T[36]
1 July 2000 2000 DragonCon Team Event Premiere - Endor 1st[37] same Dark deck as the Open same Light deck as the Open
1 July 2000 2000 DragonCon Death Star II Pre-Release Sealed Deck [37]
14 June 2000 June 2000 Nashville tournament Sealed Deck dropped after round 1[38]
20 May 2000 2000 Ottawa Grand Slam Premiere - Endor [39] Death Star
20 May 2000 2000 Ottawa Grand Slam Premiere - Endor [40] Death Star with IAO
April 2000 2000 Denver Grand Slam 1st[1] Rops (Search And Destroy, AT-ST pilots)[41] Yavin mains[41]
4 March 2000 2000 Merritt Island Grand Slam Premiere - Endor [42] Clackdor 7 Ops
4 March 2000 2000 Merritt Island Grand Slam Premiere - Endor 12th[43]
4 March 2000 2000 Merritt Island Grand Slam Premiere - Endor 12th[44]
March 2000 2000 Detroit Grand Slam Premiere - Endor [41]
13 November 1999 1999 Decipher World Championship (Day 2) Premiere - Endor 5th Hunt Down[45] Local Uprising
12 November 1999 DecipherCon 1999 Japanese Sealed Deck Japanese Sealed Deck 145th[46]
12 November 1999 1999 Decipher World Championship (Day 1) Premiere - Endor 2nd — —
11 November 1999 DecipherCon 1999 Progressive Sealed Deck Progressive Sealed Deck 29th[47]
8 August 1999 1999 GenCon Team Event Team Event Format [48] Hidden Base Greymatter
July 1999 1999 Origins Open Premiere - Endor 1st Swamp Local Uprising
21–22 November 1998 1998 Decipher World Championship[49] Premiere - Special Edition

A blank place means no posted standings give the player's place.

Lord of the Rings TCG

LOTR TCG results.

Event Date Location Place Notes
LOTR TCG Premier Series Ohio, Day 1 4–7 July 2002 Origins Game Fair, Columbus, Ohio Top 16 Named in the Day 1 top 16 photo[50]
LOTR TCG World Championship 2002 (Fellowship Block) 31 October – 2 November 2002 DecipherCon 2002, Chesapeake Top 16 Day 2 Heat B, 6th seed; paired with Michael Dalton in round 1 of Day 3 (listed as "Clint Hayes")[51][52]

Deck designs

Jedi Knights TCG

Hays playtested the Jedi Knights Trading Card Game (2001).[53]

Decklists

Decks published on Trandosite (see Trandosite decks):

Miscellaneous decklists

Date Format Title Side
7 March 2000 Premiere - Endor Final Layin the Smack Down Light
4 April 2000 Premiere - Endor 2000 Denver Grand Slam Clint Hays LS Light
29 July 2000 Premiere - Death Star II It Beat the Hell Out of Gary Carmen Light
13 September 2000 Premiere - Death Star II Got Evader Light
6 November 2000 Premiere - Death Star II Deadbolt Light
7 February 2001 Premiere - Reflections II Clint Hays Hunt Down DS Dark
9 August 2001 Premiere - Tatooine Return of Bottomly Light
9 August 2001 Premiere - Tatooine Bottomly Strikes Back Dark

Tournament reports

Appearances

Date Publication Title
April 2000 Star Wars Insider #48 All Decked Out[54]
February 2001 Star Wars Insider #52 Deal With It![55]

Photographs

  • Clint Hays at DecipherCon 1999. Photo: Decipher.
    Clint Hays at DecipherCon 1999. Photo: Decipher.
  • Clint Hays at the 2002 LOTR TCG World Championship.
    Clint Hays at the 2002 LOTR TCG World Championship.

See also


References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Grand Slam 2000, Decipher. Preserved copy: Internet Archive
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 DecipherCon 2000: Star Wars CCG Qualifiers, Decipher. Preserved copy: Internet Archive
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Clint Hays interview, Trandosite (8 September 2000)
  4. ↑ SWCCGPC.com (news of 5 September 2003: World Championship results, top 8 with deck pairs, Dragon*Con, Atlanta). Preserved copy: Internet Archive
  5. ↑ May 03 Updates: DPC Chicago Finalist's Decks Posted! (2 May 2003), swccgpc.com. Internet Archive capture 29 December 2003.
  6. ↑ nightmares-and-dreamscapes-atlanta-dpc, DeckTech (Matt "Old Skooler" Lush, 29 April 2002). Preserved copy: Internet Archive.
  7. ↑ freedomcon, DeckTech (Scott "CRingwell" Lingrell, 21 November 2001). Preserved copy: Internet Archive.
  8. ↑ myers-goes-to-freedomcon, DeckTech (Paul "lbmyers1" Myers, 13 December 2001). Preserved copy: Internet Archive.
  9. ↑ dpc-phoenix-epilogue, DeckTech (Hayes "Hayes" Hunter, 11 October 2001). Preserved copy: Internet Archive.
  10. ↑ dpc-montreal-sex-drug-and-peel-pub, DeckTech (Yannick "Crusher" Lapointe, 20 August 2001). Preserved copy: Internet Archive.
  11. ↑ montreal-18-08-01, DeckTech (Eric "Inspecta_Dek" George, 21 August 2001). Preserved copy: Internet Archive.
  12. ↑ furry-and-furious-at-the-atlanta-dpc, DeckTech (Matt "Furry Fury" Mathison, 9 August 2001). Preserved copy: Internet Archive.
  13. ↑ atlanta-dpc-the-waffle-baby, DeckTech (Paul "lbmyers1" Myers, 29 July 2001). Preserved copy: Internet Archive.
  14. ↑ then-again-maybe-i-do-dpc-atlanta, DeckTech (Andy "Solo337" McClure, 3 August 2001). Preserved copy: Internet Archive.
  15. ↑ origins-2001-weekend-report-part-1, DeckTech (Ted "Rogue15" Panczyszyn, 9 July 2001). Preserved copy: Internet Archive.
  16. ↑ monteiro-goes-to-origins-2001, DeckTech (David "JWRP119" Monteiro, 14 July 2001). Preserved copy: Internet Archive.
  17. ↑ origins-2001-7-6-01, DeckTech (brad "swccguy" eier, 20 July 2001). Preserved copy: Internet Archive.
  18. ↑ mr-2nd-place-goes-to-tn-states, DeckTech (Steven "Sir Yoda" Lewis, 15 May 2001). Preserved copy: Internet Archive.
  19. ↑ WYS Lewis Style, DeckTech (Steven "Sir Yoda" Lewis, 27 February 2001). Preservation copies: Stephen Skilton; Wayback Machine.
  20. ↑ all-your-base-are-belong-to-us-dpc-1, DeckTech (Steven "Sir Yoda" Lewis, 2 March 2001). Preserved copy: Internet Archive.
  21. ↑ kgb-hole, DeckTech (Clint "GameMaster" Hays, 2 February 2001). Preserved copy: Internet Archive.
  22. ↑ huntsville-al-12-23-00, DeckTech (Andy "Solo337" McClure, 24 December 2000). Preserved copy: Internet Archive.
  23. ↑ phoenix-grand-slam-mega-weekend-day-two, DeckTech (Brian "HuntaWarya" Hunter, 7 November 2000). Preserved copy: Internet Archive.
  24. ↑ mega-1-a-great-large, DeckTech (Clint "GameMaster" Hays, 17 November 2000). Preserved copy: Internet Archive.
  25. ↑ pheonix-arizona-10-3-00-day-one-mega-t, DeckTech (Your "thezrhino" Mom, 7 November 2000). Preserved copy: Internet Archive.
  26. ↑ birmingham-grand-slam-10-28-00, DeckTech (Jody "lordbeow" Rodd, 30 October 2000). Preserved copy: Internet Archive.
  27. ↑ birmingham-grand-slam-10-28-00, DeckTech (Andy "Solo337" McClure, 31 October 2000). Preserved copy: Internet Archive.
  28. ↑ sokols-dcon-2000-report, DeckTech (Matt "MattSokol" Sokol, 11 October 2000). Preserved copy: Internet Archive.
  29. ↑ nashville-gs-11-11, DeckTech (Clint "GameMaster" Hays, 13 September 2000). Preserved copy: Internet Archive.
  30. ↑ nashville-gs-9-9-2000-by-chu, DeckTech (Jonathan "jonnychu" Chu, 13 September 2000). Preserved copy: Internet Archive.
  31. ↑ 7th-place-at-the-nashville-gs, DeckTech (Scott "elminstr" Anderson, 14 September 2000). Preserved copy: Internet Archive.
  32. ↑ nashville-gs-from-the-winner-not-a-hick, DeckTech (Chris "Jedi Taboos" Praskac, 14 September 2000). Preserved copy: Internet Archive.
  33. ↑ clayton-does-gencon-2000, DeckTech (Clayton "TheDohMan" Atkin, 16 August 2000). Preserved copy: Internet Archive.
  34. ↑ gencon-and-the-sea-of-jizz, DeckTech (Clint "GameMaster" Hays, 30 August 2000). Preserved copy: Internet Archive.
  35. ↑ milwaukee-wisconsin-8-12-00, DeckTech (Steven "Sir Yoda" Lewis, 14 August 2000). Preserved copy: Internet Archive.
  36. ↑ 36.0 36.1 dragoncon-6-30-2000, DeckTech (Bill "BRay" Gordon, 2 July 2000). Preserved copy: Internet Archive.
  37. ↑ 37.0 37.1 dragoncon-team-smells-like-fish, DeckTech (Clint "GameMaster" Hays, 3 July 2000). Preserved copy: Internet Archive.
  38. ↑ nashville-tn-6-14-00-anthology-tourney, DeckTech (Josh "Blue1138" Koziura, 15 June 2000). Preserved copy: Internet Archive.
  39. ↑ ottawa-gs-05-21-00, DeckTech (Raphael "Assassin" Asselin, 21 May 2000). Preserved copy: Internet Archive.
  40. ↑ why-dom-scrub-out-of-the-ottawa-gs-2k, DeckTech (Dominic "Decktech" Gaudreault, 24 May 2000). Preserved copy: Internet Archive.
  41. ↑ 41.0 41.1 41.2 denvergs-and-equal-opportunity-employers, DeckTech (Clint "GameMaster" Hays, 3 April 2000). Preserved copy: Internet Archive.
  42. ↑ enter-night-fl-gs-p2-march-400, DeckTech (Mike "Iceman" Fitzgerald, 6 March 2000). Preserved copy: Internet Archive.
  43. ↑ florida-grand-slam-04-march-2000, DeckTech (Charlie "Bad Player" Herren, 7 March 2000). Preserved copy: Internet Archive.
  44. ↑ merritt-island-florida-03-04-00-pt-ii, DeckTech (Leonard "Master Yoda" Mitchell, 8 March 2000). Preserved copy: Internet Archive.
  45. ↑ world-championships-by-martin-akesson, DeckTech (Martin "Mart" Akesson, 9 January 2000). Preserved copy: Internet Archive.
  46. ↑ DecipherCon 1999 – Event Scores: Japanese Sealed Deck, Decipher. Preserved copy: Internet Archive
  47. ↑ DecipherCon 1999 – Event Scores: Progressive Sealed Deck, Decipher. Preserved copy: Internet Archive
  48. ↑ gen-con-team-tournament-milwaukee-wi-8-8-99, DeckTech (Mike "Iceman" Fitzgerald, 20 August 1999). Preserved copy: Internet Archive.
  49. ↑ 1998 World Championship packet, Decipher / Kendrick Summers (20 November 1998). Preserved copy: Internet Archive.
  50. ↑ Worlds 2002, LOTR-TCG Wiki. Preserved copy: Internet Archive
  51. ↑ Top 16 for Day 3, DGMA (November 2002). Preserved copy: Internet Archive
  52. ↑ Day 3 decks (top 16) from Worlds 2002, The Last Homely House forums. Preserved copy: Internet Archive
  53. ↑ Jedi Knights Trading Card Game rulebook (credits), Decipher (2001). Preserved copy: Internet Archive
  54. ↑ Rich Handley, "All Decked Out", Star Wars Insider #48 (April 2000), pp. 78–79. Scan: Star Wars Insider 48, Internet Archive.
  55. ↑ Rich Handley, "Deal With It!", Star Wars Insider #52, pp. 68–69. Scan: Star Wars Insider 52, Internet Archive.
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