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Scaper of the Week #45 - Matthias Maccabeus

Posted March 21st, 2010 at 04:44 PM by rym
Perhaps no other 'Scaper of the Week intrigues me more than Matthias Maccabeus. Before I got to know him and solicit his advice for NHSD '08 (as well, to a lesser extent, NHSD '09), Matthias Maccabeus was just another member on the boards who's posts I read with the same respect and regard I gave any other member.

Then I saw - and learned - that he was a big proponent of melee armies, almost exclusively, and right or wrong, for better or worse, my respect for him increased. I've always loved the melee units in Heroscape, and always wanted to be able to field them in tournament-style atmospheres, as opposed to just fielding them in the more friendly-style games at home.

The Macdirks, the Shaolin Monks, Heavy Gruts, Knights of Weston, and the Axegrinders of Burning Forge. So cool, and this guy knew how to make them viable. Matthias helped me to a 3rd place finish at NHSD '08 (and possibly first place but for one bad OM placement. Arrgh, I'm still not bitter about that, BroInLaw ).

Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you, Mr. Melee, the man who Doesn't-Need-Range-In-The-Knight-Time, our 'Scaper of the Week #45, Matthias Maccabeus.


Matthias Maccabeus
~Scaper of the Week # 45 ~



Who are you?
My name is Ken Williams.

Who, or what, is your avatar and how did you come up with your username?
My avatar is some cool looking black templar picture that I found one day on the internet.

My user name actually comes from the War of the Maccabees. It happened in the 2nd century BC. The Seleucid empire had taken over parts of Alexander the Great’s empire. Antiochus IV Epiphanes basically outlawed Jewish religious practices and customs. A priest by the name Mattathias Maccabeus refused to worship the greek gods and started the revolt against the Seleucid empire. He and later his sons reclaimed the temple that the Seleucid empire had desecrated. This is actually where Hanukah comes from. The story is told in 1 and 2 Maccabees found in the apocrypha in Catholic and Orthodox Bibles. I just shortened the name Mattathias to Matthias one time because Mattathias woudn’t fit on whatever I was trying (probably some video game) at the time. After that Matthias Maccabeus has been my name for pretty much everything.

Age:
I just turned 32 a couple of weeks ago.

Occupation?
I am a Youth Pastor. I love my job very much. I actually went to school to be an Elementary teacher, but God had different plans for me. For two years after I graduated college I tried to get a teaching job but to no avail. It was very frustrating. Then one day I came across an ad on the internet for a Youth Pastor Job. I though to myself, I love teaching, I love teens, and I love Jesus and now here I am 3 years later. Where else can you play heroScape, dodge ball, and talk about Jesus and get paid to do it?

Allegiance and why?
Jandar all the way! They have knights!

When did you get into HeroScape and why?
Man, I don’t really remember. I think I saw it at Wal-Mart one day and put it on my birthday list. My mom bought it for me in March 07. I was quickly hooked. I soon found heroScapers when I was looking for all the other boosters you could buy online. I loved the miniatures and the strategy involved. Plus it had knights!

Favorite aspect of HeroScape and why?
I love the replay ability. I love that you can create themed armies, fun armies, D20 armies, competitive armies, etc. The fact that there’s units from all everywhere is awesome too! I love how light the game is, but I think it’s also one of the most complex games I’ve ever played when it comes to strategy. And it has knights!

Favorite terrain type?
Definitely lava! I think when used correctly to build a map it makes for some very interesting decisions when playing on it.

Favorite map, yours or otherwise?
My favorite map of all time is Ayrwode’s Bluff by Gamebear. I’ve also got a lava version that he helped me with on my computer at home.

Favorite Hero and why?
Alastair MacDirk. 5 attack and overextend rock! Plus he bonds with the knights!

Favorite Unique Squad and why?
The Tarn Vikings. They’re like knights, kind of…

Favorite Common Squad and why?
The Knights of Weston!!!! Why? Because they’re knights! It’s a chivalry thing.

Favorite Special ability and why?
Coward’s Reward. I think the designers hit the knights perfectly. I love the thought of Coward’s Reward. A chivalrous knight fights to the death for his King and Country. None of this disengaging crap. Fight me like a man!

Why the "range is for girls " mentality?
I think it’s the fight me like a man mentality. I’m one of those guys that would take a sword to a gun fight. I’ve always been into chivalry and knights and stuff. A knight would fight you with a sword.
Now heroscapeically speaking, I truly think that range is the easy button in heroScape. I just don’t think you have to have near as much strategy to win with range. It’s just boring to me. Put a guy up on height, hide behind these rats, and throw Raelin in. Whoopie! That was tough wasn’t it?! I love smacking around these ranged guys with melee and have them ask themselves what the heck just happened?

Have you ever played a strickly ranged army in tournament play?
Hmm, I played a pretty cheesy army in my very first tournament. Rats x 2 / Raelin / 4th x 2 / Krav. In my defense I only had the game for like 2 months and I didn’t have many booster packs and I was still trying to figure out the strategic puzzle of heroScape and I hadn‘t discovered heroscapers yet..

Anything you'd change about the game - a unit, rule, or mechanic?
I’d get rid of the rats all together if I could. If I could just change something it would be to get rid of scatter on their card or make them cost 65 points or so.

Tournament-style or Casual play?
I enjoy both, but am more tournament minded usually.

What do you enjoy most about Heroscapers.com?
I’ve met a lot of cool people on the site and have made some good friends. I also appreciate the efforts of Gbob, truth, Ry, and everybody else to keep heroScape running and keeping everybody informed on what’s going on with product, events, etc. Those 3 guys put a lot of effort into this community. I tire of hearing people complain about this and that. I don’t think they realize just how much those guys (and others) sacrifice to keep this game thriving for them.


Favorite HeroScape moment(s):
Gen Con 09 when I made day 2 of the championship the pairings were placed and I was placed against my nemesis Spider Poison. He was running trons and I was running heavies. The chips were stacked against me and I knew that it would be one tough game. I defied what seemed to be all odds and beat him. My grandkids will hear about that one!

Sentinels of Jandar or Minions of Utgar?
Sentinels of Jandar! They’re angels with war hammers!! I’ve actually used them in a lesson before.

Favorite comic book super hero (or villain)?
I was a Moon Knight fan growing up. He was kind of like Batman, but much cooler!

Another board game you enjoy and why?
Man, I really like all types of board games, but right now I’m enjoying Thunderstone. It’s like Dominion but with a dungeon crawl feel. It’s a little unpolished but still a lot of fun!

How many board games do you own?
I think my BGG account says 90 something.

Three true things and one lie about yourself:
It took me 10 years to graduate college.
I’ve read the Bible cover to cover 8 times.
My youngest daughter is adopted.
My wife is from Canada

Other interests?
I collect swords and daggers. I love playing basketball and dodge ball. I also love researching the Bible.

Any Heroscapers member you'd really like to play against?
Lonewolf. I need to smack around his girly ranged units!

What message do you have for the community?
Jesus loves you!

Who do you pick for the next 'Scaper of the Week?
This guy was one of the first guys I met on heroscapers and he is one of the nicest guys I’ve ever met. He also happens to be 1-0 against me now. Supergeek
Total Comments 19

Comments

Old
Mr Migraine's Avatar
Great stuff!

See that's why I object when some people call me MM. MrM is sufficiently abbreviated and unambiguous.
Posted April 2nd, 2010 at 11:43 PM by Mr Migraine Mr Migraine is offline
Old
Truthfully; I believe all four of his 3 truths one lie; however I know His wife is from Canada; His youngest daughter is adopted; and he did take 10 years to graduate college... I do believe he has read the bible 8 times; maybe it's more like 10 or something....
Posted April 19th, 2010 at 12:56 AM by Tiny Timmy Tiny Timmy is offline
Old
Matthias Maccabeus's Avatar

sorry I'm late

I just realized I never commented on my 3 truths, 1 lie.

The lie is my wife isn't from Canada. She was born in Spokane, WA. Her dad is from Canada though and she does have Canadian citizenship.
Posted July 8th, 2010 at 02:15 PM by Matthias Maccabeus Matthias Maccabeus is offline
Old
kolakoski's Avatar

Sorry I'm Later

Well met!

Just now reading this (random blog). I've always been a Matthias fan, often referring to his self imposed restriction to melee units when I was struggling to compete within my own such (Valhalla Society) restrictions. At the time this blog entry was written, I was an advocate of Rats x 2/Raelin as the core for a competitive army, which is what I believe chas was referring to. I'm a big fan of melee units, but have never taken the melee only plunge. My last tournament army (ages ago) was Wolves of Badru/Werewolf Lord/Syvarris (4-1). Of course, since the Wolves' Pounce is a ranged attack, Matthias may turn his nose up at them. When I am Host of the Gang's monthly meeting, I build maps that are extremely melee friendly, with lots of LoS blockers and defensive terrain.

I wonder what he thinks of the new Varkaanans, which are mostly melee - and near the top of my fave list.
Posted December 23rd, 2014 at 07:35 AM by kolakoski kolakoski is offline
Updated December 23rd, 2014 at 07:54 AM by kolakoski
 
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