Rod Latham

Rod Latham (handle The Unknown Trandoshan / Res Luk Ra'auf) created Trandosite in October 1998. He interviewed himself for the site on 8 October 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, 8 October 2000

Interview conducted by Rod Latham on Trandosite.

Site player profile:

Rod "Unknown Trandoshan" Latham has been playing SWCCG since 1997, and has regularly been in the Top 10 players in the UK. He has won several tournaments in the Naboo Region. In April 2000, he became the youngest Squadron Member in the world (Rogue 49) at just 18 years of age, having established a regular tournament set-up in Somerset, England. In October 1998, Rod created Trandosite - which has become Europe's Number One SWCCG Website and is the second biggest unofficial SWCCG website in the world. Rod also writes for a variety of other institutions - including the Mindripper website and SCRYE magazine. He is currently reading history at the University of Cambridge.

1. Your passion and enthusiasm for SW:CCG has kept Trandosite running for almost two years. What got you started in the game and how were you kept interested?

I was bought a starter of the Dr Who CCG for my 15th birthday in 1997. It was quite fun to play for a while, but actually as a CCG it isn't very good and so I bought some Star Trek CCG starters. That was better, but my brother and I have always been big Star Wars fans so when I saw the two player starter set available, I got it and haven't looked back. I think a lot of players have gotten involved through the 2-player starter set; it's a great introduction into the game and you can learn very important aspects of the game from it. I was very lucky to have many players living in Taunton who helped me out early on.

Keeping interest in the game is normally quite easy, because I just have a natural love for it. Sometimes, it can be difficult though because I think we all go through those phases where we lose faith in the game. The support I've had for Trandosite though, from players of all ages, abilities and geographical locations, has always given me a desire to keep going. I think it's important to have forums for the game; at present there are very few SWCCG websites out there so I feel the site has a rather necessary role to play at present.

2. Recently Trandosite notched up 250,000 hits - that's a quarter of a million visits - and certainly shows no signs of slowing down. What role do you feel the site has to play in the internet community these days?

There was a time a while back when there was a series of very good quality SWCCG websites, such as Beyond SWCCG, Beakman's World and ZippyDaJedi's Site. All of these have closed down now, and nothing has really taken their place. Decktech is of course the champion of SWCCG sites, but I think it is necessary to have some competition to that and something entirely separate from it. Variety and choice can only be good for the reader.

3. In April 2000 you became the Squadron Member for South-West England, Rogue 49. Why did you decide to join the volunteer program? Do you feel becoming a "SM" has helped you achieve all that you wanted with regards helping the game?

Initially, of course, I had to become a tournament director - this was my way of "giving back" to the UK CCGers. When I actually began directing, I really enjoyed it and continued to do it regularly - Squadron Membership was a natural progression really. I was also getting to a stage where I couldn't play often enough to keep up a decent standard, so I didn't mind increasing my role in the running of SWCCG. Membership of rogue squadron has provided me with many benefits so far; I've really enjoyed it. There's so much we can do with regards "helping the game" I don't think we can ever really feel we've achieved all we wanted to.

4. How has becoming a Squadron Member affected your playing? Do you find that you enjoy running tournaments and events more than playing in them?

As mentioned above, my playing was already declining when I joined the squadron and it's now got to the stage where I almost don't play at all at a competitive level. I've played only two sanctioned tournaments this year, and one non sanctioned one (I only mention it because I won it!!). I must admit, I find it very frustrating not to be able to play regularly and reach the standard I know I am capable of. I am hoping that now I have moved into a city I will be able to play some top quality players soon.

5. How do you rate the level of play in the United Kingdom and who do you see as the strongest players?

I don't think we're the best region in the world; that's got to be the Germans; but I think we are pretty damn good! We have a lot of top quality players, and that's good news for all players because they can drag the rest of us along with them. A lot people think that the UK has only two good players (I'm thinking of Gary Carman and Michael Riboulet here) but I would love for them to see the strength of some of the others here who just haven't had the big break in the USA. Peter Di Biasio is perhaps worthy of being in the World Top 20, Nick Rice, Alex Tennet, John Shields..... the list is huge and there are also some "upcoming talents" we have who I think could make it big. The UK is a strong region; we've proved it again and again.

6. If you could change one thing in SW:CCG, what would it be?

Really hard question that one.... I would eliminate cards I think are negative and against the spirit of the game (e.g. numbers). No, scrap that. Actually, I would strengthen far more decks to make them viable. I'd like to have far more options in deck design, to make tournament play more variable.

7. You are well-known for your excellent articles on the game and also through writing for SCRYE. Has SW:CCG become more than just a hobby to you? Do you see it now as an integral and important part of your life?

It's a hobby, that's all. I enjoy writing about the game. It's a subject about which I am very well informed and adding my input is great, whether it be through Trandosite, Decktech, SCRYE or whatever.

8. What are your thoughts on Decipher's two most "recent" sets, Endor and Death Star II? Did they deliver what you were hoping for?

The short answer is 'no'. I found Endor dismally disappointing - very few cards that are worthy of tourament action and far too specific to the set. The objectives were awful, and it did nothing to rejuvenate the tournament environment. DS2 is much better, and is by and large a good set. There are many things about it I don't like - the ultra rare concept for example - and I hope that in future we won't have to wait 13 months for an expansion (although I accept this was a LucasFilm problem, not Decipher). I am more concerned with sets like JPSD, which is not particularly impressive and I think shows a rather negative precedent for future sets.

9. You recently wrote an article about the past World Championships in SW:CCG. What are your thoughts on this year's system (World Champion, Regional winners, Continental winners and top 38 Day 1 players) in comparison to previous years'?

Best so far I think. You have to have the World Champion, Regional Winners and Continental Winners going and I think there's nothing wrong with that system at all. The idea of making it "exclusive" last year was very poor indeed; a Pro Tour for SWCCG just wouldn't work and I think public reaction to the '99 Championships proved this. Regions should always be open to all players in the region, almost by definition! The Wild Card I think is just a bit too big this year but the idea is very good indeed. I would have 20 players or perhaps 25 go through, but even so it's a big improvement on the 2 from last year.

10. Thirteen British players are entering Day 1 of the World Championships 2000; their names are listed on Trandosite. Make a call: how many do you think will make Day 2? On a related note, do you think Day 1 will attract the estimated 300-350 players?

The UK is a very strong region, and it's some of our best players going over which is great. However, there are some really strong other players going over - Steven Lewis, Bastian Winkelhaus, TJ Holman, etc. so competition is going to be strong. I would predict three English players to get through, and make it five Englishmen in Day Two - the highest we've ever had and bloody good odds to get someone into the final day which is where we excel. There is no way Day 1 will finish with above 300 players - more like 200 I think.

11. Who do you think will be the World Champion this year? Can Gary Carman become the first two-time winner of the title, and would this make him the undisputed "best player of all time"?

Luck is an integral part of SWCCG, and although player skill is the over-riding factor in the World Championships it is by no means the only one. To the best of my knowledge, Gary Carman is the best player in the world as far as there is one. If I had to bet on anyone to win it this year, it would be him - he certainly has the biggest chance of any winner previously I think. However, let's not forget all those other top players! It would be nice to see Martin Akesson or Bastian Winkelhaus win it, and I think they've got strong possibilities. If Gary does win, I think he will be the best player of all time in name, even if not in truth. The game evolves with each expansion, and so do the players.

12. What do you enjoy doing outside of SW:CCG?

There's life outside SWCCG? ;)

At the moment, I am studying history at Corpus Christi College, University of Cambridge, which is occupying a huge amount of my time (and it's really hard dammit!). I enjoy a variety of sports, mostly football (soccer to those on the other side of the Atlantic) and badminton. And who doesn't enjoy drinking with their friends? Hooray for Saturday evenings!!

13. If you could play any player in the world, who would it be and why?

I learn the most when I lose to the best, and they don't get much better than Gary Carman. But because he only lives a few miles away and I've played him before, it'd be a waste of the hypothetical offer. I think it's got to be one of the "big name" American players - Clint Hays or Steven Lewis would be cool.

14. What is the greatest misconception in SW:CCG?

That winning games is the main reason to go to a tournament. I think some people put too much emphasis on victory, at the expense of enjoyment. Winning is important, but not the be all and end all of SWCCG.

15. What has been your most fulfilling experience in SW:CCG and why?

I've met many people across the world from a variety of backgrounds and beliefs, whether it be in person or on-line. And for me they're what have made SWCCG fun and enjoyable - and for that I am eternally grateful.

Many thanks!

See also

• Trandosite · Interviews
• DeckTech · GamePlayers Network

Sources

• Rod Latham interview on Trandosite (8 October 2000; Wayback)
• Interviews index (Wayback 5 April 2005)