Steven Lewis Trandosite interview (transcript)
This is the text of the Trandosite interview with Steven Lewis, conducted by Rod Latham and published on 29 September 2000.[1] It opens with the site's player profile, followed by ten questions.
Transcript
Trandosite profile: Steven Lewis is one of America's most impressive SWCCG players, with an unparalled reputation for brilliant and original deckbuilding. He has won perhaps more tournaments than any other player alive - including two Yavin IV Regional Qualifiers, and the St. Louis Grand Slam. He has consistently placed high at other major events - 2nd at the 2000 Continentals, Nashville Grand Slam, 1997 and 2000 Yavin IV Regionals. His combination with playtesting partner Clint Hays is perhaps legendary. His greatest achievement came last year, in the World Finals of 1999, where he made it into the Grand Final against Gary Carman.
Rod Latham: 1. How did you get involved in SWCCG, and what attracted you to the game?
Steven Lewis: I played Decipher's Trek CCG before SW was released and have always been a huge fan of the Star Wars films. So when I found out a SW game was coming out, I had to get it. I got hooked into tourneys after Hoth came out and eventually met up with people to travel with and the rest is history...
Rod Latham: 2. If you could change one thing in SWCCG, what would it be?
Steven Lewis: One thing I can't stand about the way the game is progressing is all the "invented" cards which were never in the films (like Mara Jade), which I think cheapens the whole experience of playing in the Star Wars universe. I am also not a fan of the extreme need for intense meta-preparation for big tourneys now that your individual deck strategy has become a staple for victory. I remember when success was determined by one's playing skill rather than the strength of his deck.
Rod Latham: 3. You are well renown for your innovative and acclaimed deck designs. What advice can you impart on the subject of building your own decks? What IS your secret?"
Steven Lewis: It's all about inspiration. Sometimes you can be inspired by someone else's ideas, but the best decks flow from the most unpredictable circumstances. Every deck should have (in my opinion) a means to win on its own (i.e. without interference from the opponent) and a means to disrupt the opponent's strategy (by battling or interrupts or such). Once you've established that, simply go through your binders, read EVERY card, and constantly ask yourself, "What deck would THIS card be good in?" Eventually you'll run across something (like a TIE Vanguard) and presto! You have an original deck.
Rod Latham: 4. What were your personal highlights from the World Finals of 1999?
Steven Lewis: What a great weekend! The most intriguing thing about the finals had to be my opponent, Gary Carman. That guy not only got sloshed before the match, but he played the junkiest decks I've ever seen and wrecked me with them. I had the utmost confidence in my decks, and if it wouldn't have been for Carman's Elis Helrot at just the right moment, I would be the World Champion.
Rod Latham: 5. What were your initial reactions following the final confrontation with Gary Carman? What did you learn from the experience?
Steven Lewis: I saw Gary at first (before the final duel) as a mediocre player with mediocre decks who just happened to get the right pairings on day 2 to get him in the finals. After the game, however, I developed a great respect for his playing ability, and I definately consider him one of the best in the world. The World Championship couldn't have gone to a more deserving chap! I only hope I can meet him this year at Deciphercon for a rematch.
Rod Latham: 6. What are your expectations going into DecipherCon 2000, in comparison to those of last year? Who do you see as the strongest competition?
Steven Lewis: With our decks last year, I was positive either myself or Clint would get to the final game. This year, we already have the 6 decks we need (two for each day of competition) and they are very strong. I have confidence that both Clint and I will get to Day 3 and one of us will be in the final duel again this year.
Rod Latham: 7. Clint Hays has called you the secret of his continued success. Behind his online personality, what is he really like and are you indeed 'the best 1-2 punch in the game' as he claims?
Steven Lewis: He's an arrogant prick on and off the internet, but he's not nearly as rude in person as he is online. And as far as being one of SWCCG's most formidable duo's? Look at our track record. Just about every major tournament we've both entered, one of us gets to the final game almost every time. Decide for yourself.
Rod Latham: 8. What do you enjoy doing outside of SWCCG?
Steven Lewis: I like to write in my spare time and am currently finishing my bachelor's degree in English Lit and plan to attend grad school in the fall (eventually getting a masters degree in the Classics and teaching college-level Latin and Ancient History).
Rod Latham: 9. If you could play any player in the world, who would you most like to play and why?
Steven Lewis: I've played almost every player out there, so it's hard to say. I never like to praise the skill of another player until I've had the opportunity to play him myself and determine whether I think that person is all they're cracked up to be. Therefore, one player who I am constantly told is one of the best is the '96 champ Raphael Asselin, who I have never had the opportunity to play. I suppose it would have to be him.
Rod Latham: 10. What is the greatest misconception in SWCCG?
Steven Lewis: Differential is important.
Rod Latham: Many thanks!
See also
References
- ↑ Steven Lewis interview, Trandosite (29 September 2000). Preserved copy: Internet Archive