Raphael Asselin

Raphael Asselin is the 1996 SWCCG World Champion. Trandosite interviewed him on 21 September 2000.

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, 21 September 2000

Interview conducted by Rod Latham on Trandosite.

Site player profile:

Raphael Asselin has consistently been one of the greatest Canadian players in the game since he first began playing. He has enjoyed regional success, and won several local tournaments. His greatest achievement came in 1996, when he defeated Norwegian Bjorn Sorgjerd to become the first SWCCG World Champion. He returned in 1997 to finish 12th - the best performance from a World Champion in a subsequent World Finals to date. He is a frequent contributor to Decktech, where his decks have become very popular - highlighted in particular by his Rescue The Princess deck.

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

At first I was a Magic player, playing at school with my friend Alain Renaud, and others. Then two guys came up to the student cafe - and one of them was Yannick Lapointe. We watched the game going on (me and Alain) and we liked it. We started playing it (Spring 1996) and at that time we were the only four players playing that game. Then I played in my first tourney ever, which was 1996 regional. I have to mention that me, Alain and Yannick took 1-2-3 without having played any other players other than ourselves.

2. If you could change one thing in SWCCG, what would it be?

Decipher in most cases. They are so slow sometimes. They have a huge lack of organisation, they don't publicize the game like it should be publicized. It sure is the greatest game, thanks to Rolli Tesh, but marketing is missing in them.

3. How would you assess the level of play in Canada? You have produced several excellent players over the past few years - what's your secret?

Hum, let see ... We don't follow American players, let me explain. People from the USA constantly imitate the deck of their best players from USA. We simply make decks that are versatile and give a major beat to those decks that are popular. It is so easy to understand how and what American players will play. But I must say the level here in Montreal is very high, since I haven't been able to make better than 5-1 in the last year and a half. Regular player simply learn a lot while playing more experienced players and therefore become better themselves. Playing is the way to success.

4. What do you think of the most recent SWCCG expansions, including the enhanced characters and Death Star II?

Nice addition for players, bad for collecters. They have to buy more cards and spend more, and also some cards they paid a lot for have suffered a major loss of value. I am lucky to consider myself as a player more than a collector. For the gaming, they brought a new and improved game. Objectives helped the game a lot and DSII just gained many new players and revitalised the SWCCG community.

5. How did you feel playing in - and eventually winning - the World Championships of 1996? What were your favourite experiences from this championship? What was it like to become the World Champion?

It's been a long time now. Actually it was like a dream come true until I didn't win it again in 1997. It's hard nowadays to see that I sometimes lose to scrub players. Been so high and now being so low. But hey, I'll make a comeback sometime. I am just tired of finishing second in regionals... (2-2nd place). But anyway, being the World Champion is probably the greatest thing to happen to a SWCCG player. You are now well known and people want to play you and to chat with ya. So that it is a great way to meet new people.

6. Has your success at the World Championships put pressure on you as a player to perform?

Well, it sure did at the World Championships in 1997. But I was happy enough with my 12th place then. I was the pray of everyone, so when I was losing a game, everyone knew about it in about half a minute. It was hurting my morale more than anything else. I also scrub at the second day in 1997 because of a dumb ruling. Lost a game by 2 against Gavin Palmer simply because I didn't mention that DS-61-4 was a pilot in the Devastator, and therefore was counting as a passenger. It would have inflicted 5 more battle damage (with destiny draw). I lost the game and the morale.

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

Strongest : Beeing original and not scared of playing weird deck such as rescue (long time ago), Tie bomber deck, DBO choke, SFS tie scout (all deck were originally created by me and are on decktech).

Weakness: My originality! This is sometimes costing me games..

8. Do you have any favourite cards or decks? Which cards do you enjoy playing with?

Light: Dagobah deck is one of my favorite now, and Any EPP are good cards.

Dark: I like playing weird deck and retrival for dark side. Favorite card would probably be SFS and DV EPP

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

Yannick Lapointe in a tournament. Why? Simply because now that he has a high rating he dosen't want to play in local tourneys anymore. But I would probably have my ass kicked anyway.

Elsewhere? Probably any player from outside the USA since all Europeans are very cool and fun to play against. I would also like Decipher to make a World Champ tourney. All WCs face each other in a 'round robin', wouldn't be nice!

10. What is the biggest misconception in SWCCG?

Misconception? I can't find any major misconception.

Many thanks!

See also

• Trandosite · Interviews
• DeckTech · GamePlayers Network

Sources

• Raphael Asselin interview on Trandosite (21 September 2000; Wayback)
• Interviews index (Wayback 5 April 2005)