Who's Who in the V:TES Community

Vital Statistics:

Name:
Year of Birth:
Occupation:
Other Games Played:
Number of Cards owned:
Number of Decks ready to play:
Play in:

Ben Spaulding
1975
Research Scientist
Various CCG's and Board Games
approx. 18,000
6
Bangor, Maine

Q1: How (and when) did you begin your career as a VTES-player? Who introduced you to the game? Where did you play originally?
Back in late 1994 and early 1995, my friend Lance Shope and Nick Watkins introduced me to Jyhad. I was primarily playing Magic at the time and found Jyhad to be a great multi-player game-a nice change from the 2 player Magic format. I play in the same area where I originally learned the game, Maine. However, in the last 2 years I have expanded my range to include the whole Northeast region and Canada.

Q2: Which of the Sets and Expansions to VTES is your favorite, and why is it your top choice?
I think my favorite set was The Sabbat and my favorite expansion was Ancient Hearts. I'm a big fan of the vampire cards in this game and the Sabbat set introduced a large amount to the play environment. It also allowed you to have many more options to choose from when constructing a deck. Ancient Hearts was my favorite expansion because it not only introduced the Assamites, but the whole Middle Eastern/Egyptian "flavor" of the set was tremendous as well.

Q3: What is your favorite deck to play, and why?
I don't think that I have a particular favorite deck. There are some clans that I like more than others including the Tzimisce, Assamites and Gangrel. I would say that I prefer more combat orientated decks versus sneak/bleed or voting.

Q4: If you could add something to the game, what would it be?
I would really like to see Allies become a viable deck type. I've always thought that most were weak and underdeveloped. Allies just seem to be an area that has only received minor attention over the years and could stand to get a big boost in the near future.

Q5: What do you do to help promote the game / why are you in this list of people?
Although I am mainly a "lurker" on the electronic forums, I read all the posts that time allows. I am also the Prince of Bangor, Maine. I have started a local V:TES scene and run monthly tournaments. You can find out more about the Bangor V:TES scene here. I also try to attend other regional events including Boston tournaments, Regional Qualifiers and Gencon.

Q6: What is your favorite deck style for casual play / tournament play?
As mentioned above, I tend to go for the combat orientated decks for both styles of play. However, I am not above any style of deck when it comes to tournament play. I try to bring and play a different deck to each and every tournament I attend.

Q7: Is there a difference between your casual play and tournament play?
In casual play, I am probably just trying to get my newly designed deck to work. I also am a little more "friendly" and I try to help out players with suggestions and hints. In tournament play, I am focused on my goal and that is to oust my prey and gain VP's. Although it seems that I am more serious when it comes to tournaments, I can assure you that I am having a blast even though I might be losing at the time.

Back to the index of Who's Who in V:TES.

Q1: How (and when) did you begin your career as a VTES-player? Who introduced you to the game? Where did you play originally? Back in late 1994 and early 1995, my friend Lance Shope and Nick Watkins introduced me to Jyhad. I was primarily playing Magic at the time and found Jyhad to be a great multi-player game-a nice change from the 2 player Magic format. I play in the same area where I originally learned the game, Maine. However, in the last 2 years I have expanded my range to include the whole Northeast region and Canada.	Q2: Which of the Sets and Expansions to VTES is your favorite, and why is it your top choice? I think my favorite set was The Sabbat and my favorite expansion was Ancient Hearts. I'm a big fan of the vampire cards in this game and the Sabbat set introduced a large amount to the play environment. It also allowed you to have many more options to choose from when constructing a deck. Ancient Hearts was my favorite expansion because it not only introduced the Assamites, but the whole Middle Eastern/Egyptian "flavor" of the set was tremendous as well.
Q3: What is your favorite deck to play, and why? I don't think that I have a particular favorite deck. There are some clans that I like more than others including the Tzimisce, Assamites and Gangrel. I would say that I prefer more combat orientated decks versus sneak/bleed or voting.	Q4: If you could add something to the game, what would it be? I would really like to see Allies become a viable deck type. I've always thought that most were weak and underdeveloped. Allies just seem to be an area that has only received minor attention over the years and could stand to get a big boost in the near future.
Q5: What do you do to help promote the game / why are you in this list of people? Although I am mainly a "lurker" on the electronic forums, I read all the posts that time allows. I am also the Prince of Bangor, Maine. I have started a local V:TES scene and run monthly tournaments. You can find out more about the Bangor V:TES scene here. I also try to attend other regional events including Boston tournaments, Regional Qualifiers and Gencon.	Q6: What is your favorite deck style for casual play / tournament play? As mentioned above, I tend to go for the combat orientated decks for both styles of play. However, I am not above any style of deck when it comes to tournament play. I try to bring and play a different deck to each and every tournament I attend.
Q7: Is there a difference between your casual play and tournament play? In casual play, I am probably just trying to get my newly designed deck to work. I also am a little more "friendly" and I try to help out players with suggestions and hints. In tournament play, I am focused on my goal and that is to oust my prey and gain VP's. Although it seems that I am more serious when it comes to tournaments, I can assure you that I am having a blast even though I might be losing at the time.