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:

Rob Treasure
1973
Government housing consultant
Played most in the past, lack of time means focus is on VTES and PC strategy games. Still play a bit of Chess, Risk, Talisman and Heroclix.
No idea, a hell of a lot
Usually around 4-6
Portsmouth, United Kingdom

Q1: How (and when) did you begin your career as a VTES-player? Who introduced you to the game? Where did you play originally?
I started playing Jyhad about a week after the game was released back in 1994 with my good friend Matt Green. We both played Magic at the time and a dirty thief at our local games club in High Wycombe did me the favour of stealing my set of 'The Dark'. The Secretary of the club kindly gave me three promotional Jyhad starters and a bundle of boosters from the clubs coffers by way of an apology from the club. We never looked back.

Q2: Which of the Sets and Expansions to VTES is your favorite, and why is it your top choice?
Favourite would have to be the original VTES set. I have played a lot with the cards in the original set and I think they will (should) always be the foundations of the game. This set combined with the lack of expansion in the WOTC era forced me to look deeply at how I played and to see the game in a very different way. All of the archetypes we see today stem from decks made with this set and tested to the nth degree by a lot of very good players. Some of the best games I have played are in this golden era of VTES and I will always look back on this great but frustrating time with fondness.

Q3: What is your favorite deck to play, and why?
My favourite deck changes quite a bit, currently I really enjoy playing the Tyler / Rowan Ring deck (to be showcased in Skaffen's next excellent Brujah newsletter). If I had to pick one favourite though it would have to be my Legacy of Pander deck. In my opinion, the only deck I have ever seen that could consistently take on a whole table. A real turning point in my VTES career. Interestingly, none of the on-line deck lists of the LoP deck are accurate probably due to rushed scribbling post tournament?

Q4: If you could add something to the game, what would it be?
So many things. One thing though.... Popularity. I realise that this would come with huge disadvantages but I have always drempt of playing VTES professionally with my friends. My grandfather said to me before he died that if you are the best at anything, you can make a living doing what you love. I have yet to prove this but you can damn well bet I'll keep trying.

Q5: What do you do to help promote the game / why are you in this list of people?
Truthfully, not enough. I am still the editor of my former favourite clan newsletter but have not had the time or inclination to produce new material since my son was born and the Ventrue were so brutally hamstrung in the CE. You can refer back through the newsletters and some of my decks on The Lasombra's website. I attend as many tournaments as humanly possible and a bunch of us are planning a trip to US Gencon in Indianapolis next July to 'further' the UK/US conflict. Unfortunately I am reluctant to teach new players unless I see a stroke of genius in their play but I am consistently helping players all over the world with decks and tactics, usually via email. I am in this list of people because I am one of the best players in the world, I am a totally obsessive VTES player and a new deck is always in the back of my mind. I champion the cause of agitation as one of the most important weapons in the VTES players arsenal and am a truly formidable opponent. A great game of our great game with four other world class players is number three in my top ten favourite things.

Q6: What is your favorite deck style for casual play / tournament play?
Would have to be combat on both counts at the moment. I held out as long as I could but am now a true disciple in the Temple of Pain. Trying to get back to my sleaze roots but combat is just too damn fun and effective now. The utter ruination of The Fifth Tradition is IMO the single biggest coup for combat decks that I can think of. To specify further, decks that complement my play style and lend themselves to agitation would easily have to be my favourite.

Q7: Is there a difference between your casual play and tournament play?
Very much so. In a tournament my first consideration is always the win, I can't help it, it is inbuilt. I have taught myself over the years to be a better loser as well, I still hate losing with a passion but look on it differently these days. In casual play I really enjoy games and beer with my old playgroup (Barny Baker, William Lee, Jon Cooper, Matt Green, Marty Cubberley, Legbiter and a few other very good players) best. Testing new ideas, trying to use some of the utterly bizarre specials in the game (remember Iliana Will?) and generally having a laugh is what my casual play is about. As I have said elsewhere many times before, I consider myself bloody lucky to have had such a HUGELY talented playgroup for such a long time, made all of us the players we are today.

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? I started playing Jyhad about a week after the game was released back in 1994 with my good friend Matt Green. We both played Magic at the time and a dirty thief at our local games club in High Wycombe did me the favour of stealing my set of 'The Dark'. The Secretary of the club kindly gave me three promotional Jyhad starters and a bundle of boosters from the clubs coffers by way of an apology from the club. We never looked back.	Q2: Which of the Sets and Expansions to VTES is your favorite, and why is it your top choice? Favourite would have to be the original VTES set. I have played a lot with the cards in the original set and I think they will (should) always be the foundations of the game. This set combined with the lack of expansion in the WOTC era forced me to look deeply at how I played and to see the game in a very different way. All of the archetypes we see today stem from decks made with this set and tested to the nth degree by a lot of very good players. Some of the best games I have played are in this golden era of VTES and I will always look back on this great but frustrating time with fondness.
Q3: What is your favorite deck to play, and why? My favourite deck changes quite a bit, currently I really enjoy playing the Tyler / Rowan Ring deck (to be showcased in Skaffen's next excellent Brujah newsletter). If I had to pick one favourite though it would have to be my Legacy of Pander deck. In my opinion, the only deck I have ever seen that could consistently take on a whole table. A real turning point in my VTES career. Interestingly, none of the on-line deck lists of the LoP deck are accurate probably due to rushed scribbling post tournament?	Q4: If you could add something to the game, what would it be? So many things. One thing though.... Popularity. I realise that this would come with huge disadvantages but I have always drempt of playing VTES professionally with my friends. My grandfather said to me before he died that if you are the best at anything, you can make a living doing what you love. I have yet to prove this but you can damn well bet I'll keep trying.
Q5: What do you do to help promote the game / why are you in this list of people? Truthfully, not enough. I am still the editor of my former favourite clan newsletter but have not had the time or inclination to produce new material since my son was born and the Ventrue were so brutally hamstrung in the CE. You can refer back through the newsletters and some of my decks on The Lasombra's website. I attend as many tournaments as humanly possible and a bunch of us are planning a trip to US Gencon in Indianapolis next July to 'further' the UK/US conflict. Unfortunately I am reluctant to teach new players unless I see a stroke of genius in their play but I am consistently helping players all over the world with decks and tactics, usually via email. I am in this list of people because I am one of the best players in the world, I am a totally obsessive VTES player and a new deck is always in the back of my mind. I champion the cause of agitation as one of the most important weapons in the VTES players arsenal and am a truly formidable opponent. A great game of our great game with four other world class players is number three in my top ten favourite things.	Q6: What is your favorite deck style for casual play / tournament play? Would have to be combat on both counts at the moment. I held out as long as I could but am now a true disciple in the Temple of Pain. Trying to get back to my sleaze roots but combat is just too damn fun and effective now. The utter ruination of The Fifth Tradition is IMO the single biggest coup for combat decks that I can think of. To specify further, decks that complement my play style and lend themselves to agitation would easily have to be my favourite.
Q7: Is there a difference between your casual play and tournament play? Very much so. In a tournament my first consideration is always the win, I can't help it, it is inbuilt. I have taught myself over the years to be a better loser as well, I still hate losing with a passion but look on it differently these days. In casual play I really enjoy games and beer with my old playgroup (Barny Baker, William Lee, Jon Cooper, Matt Green, Marty Cubberley, Legbiter and a few other very good players) best. Testing new ideas, trying to use some of the utterly bizarre specials in the game (remember Iliana Will?) and generally having a laugh is what my casual play is about. As I have said elsewhere many times before, I consider myself bloody lucky to have had such a HUGELY talented playgroup for such a long time, made all of us the players we are today.