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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
rym's Avatar
Thanks for a wonderful interview and all the sound advice the last 2 years for NHSD.

I'll be in contact soon about the knights again.

Not Weston. Phantom ths time.
Posted March 21st, 2010 at 04:52 PM by rym rym is offline
Old
ABOMINATION's Avatar
Awesome interview, and I've gotta play this guy in a game sometime. I love the melee as well.
Posted March 21st, 2010 at 05:17 PM by ABOMINATION ABOMINATION is offline
Old
Rÿchean's Avatar
Nice, job MM.

You are easily one of the top 2 to 3 guys currently playing.

And thanks for helping rym out; it gives him a sense of confidence that he was lacking and keeps him just delusional enough to think he has a chance down here in Dallas.

just kidding thanks for all the work you down around here, rym!
Posted March 21st, 2010 at 06:32 PM by Rÿchean Rÿchean is offline
Updated March 21st, 2010 at 06:41 PM by Rÿchean
Old
rym's Avatar
Delusional? Maybe.

Confident? You bet.

It also helps that I beat you occasionally.

(And with that dreaded FE/Kurrok build Matthias claims to be able to beat, too). Just kidding right back at ya.

I do appreciate your insight and devotion to this game. Words can't express all our collective gratitude toward you and GB and truth.

And now, back to commenting on MM.

And the lie? There's no way you married a Canadian, eh?
Posted March 21st, 2010 at 08:28 PM by rym rym is offline
Updated March 21st, 2010 at 11:05 PM by rym
Old
Fire Ninja's Avatar
Great interview,I've still got tons to learn but I still love Majors Q 9 &10 with Laglor without Raelin.
Posted March 21st, 2010 at 10:15 PM by Fire Ninja Fire Ninja is offline
Old
Fire Ninja's Avatar
and no rats
Posted March 21st, 2010 at 11:40 PM by Fire Ninja Fire Ninja is offline
Old
killercactus's Avatar
Good stuff, MM!
Posted March 22nd, 2010 at 08:02 AM by killercactus killercactus is offline
Old
chas's Avatar
Up with bravery, and Death to the Rats! Hope you get to play Kolakoski some time...but he does use them.
Posted March 22nd, 2010 at 09:05 AM by chas chas is offline
Old
Supergeek's Avatar
Congrats to an outstanding representative of the heroScape community!
I don't think it took you 10 years to graduate college.
Posted March 22nd, 2010 at 12:36 PM by Supergeek Supergeek is offline
Old
MegaSilver's Avatar
I actually thought his username was his real name, since it sounds formal. I guess I was completely wrong.

Another nice interview! Do good on yours, Supergeek.

MegaSilver
Posted March 22nd, 2010 at 01:18 PM by MegaSilver MegaSilver is offline
Old
Heroscape Elffy's Avatar
Sweet! Two SotW in a row that I've met! Congrats Ken.
Posted March 22nd, 2010 at 08:42 PM by Heroscape Elffy Heroscape Elffy is offline
Old
Dignan's Avatar
Great interview Ken. Hopefully I'll get another shot at you this year at GenCon. You're a lot of fun to play against.
Posted March 23rd, 2010 at 01:02 PM by Dignan Dignan is offline
Old
Jexik's Avatar
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rÿchean
You are easily one of the top 2 to 3 guys currently playing.'
Agreed. Whenever I get into some theory-scape argument about how some melee unit or other isn't viable, I think, "this guy clearly hasn't played against Ken."

I think losing to you twice has made me a better player. First time I went and played Heavies, I won the event.

I think the lie is the bible thing. Maybe you've read it more than 8 times?

I'd like to see you play against Lonewolf too.
Posted March 23rd, 2010 at 04:07 PM by Jexik Jexik is offline
Old
Matthias Maccabeus's Avatar
Thanks everybody for the kind words.

You guys are too kind about the top 2-3 thing. Top 10 maybe.

And yes, Lonewolf has been ducking me long enough! (I think he planned for his wife to have a baby during GenCon last year just so he wouldn't have to play me)
Posted March 23rd, 2010 at 04:26 PM by Matthias Maccabeus Matthias Maccabeus is offline
Old
Cleon's Avatar
Fun to learn more about you.
You're one of the best and another I want to face this year at GenCon.

My tournament 1st place is with the knights.
Posted March 23rd, 2010 at 04:35 PM by Cleon Cleon is offline
 
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