Team America under scrutiny: captains interview
Hey there Ben, thanks a lot for joining us here on 40kings.
With the participation of a team for the US, the ETC truly goes intercontinental right now. You could please introduce yourself to our audience and drop a couple of words on your 40k background?
Hello everyone, my name is Ben Mohlie, and I am the captain of the American 40k ETC team. I’ve been playing in major US 40k tournaments for about 4 years now, and am excited to participate in the first world 40k championship.
Can you explain to us how much of a challenge it was to muster a 40k team to participate in the ETC this year? Was the American community interested in the event after all? I know they are now. Did you actually decide to be captain and then asked around? Did you have any procedures in place? Is there already trouble in the community about who is going and why? I know that in most European countries, there is quite a struggle going on to become member of an ETC team.
I heard about the ETC for the first time about a year ago, and immediately knew that America needed to participate in this event.
I began by contacting people I knew were amongst the best in our country, and asked if they would be interested in taking on such a quest. I eventually found 5 others who committed to go, and the core of the team was formed.
I felt it was important, even in the first year, to award some of the spots competitively. The last two positions were awarded at Adepticon, the largest 40k convention in the united states which takes place every spring. This year I believe over 1000 people attended Adepticon, taking part in numerous tournaments and events over the course of 4 days.
With the last two spots determined, we finally had our team.
It of course was not long before some people in the community began complaining they were not selected, but seeing as they had never heard of the event before I took it upon myself to form a team, I haven’t been bothered by them.
What we do next year is anyone’s guess, but I’m confident an American team will attend from now on.
How much travel expences do you calculate overall, just to give us an idea of your effort to come to Europe. What is the route going to be that you are taking? Flying to Frankfurt? How long are you planing to stay for?
It is going to cost about $1500 US dollars for airfare and hotel rooms, plus the cost of food while we are over there. Some of the team is flying directly to Muenster, my wife and I are flying to Dusseldorf and then taking a train.
I believe the rest of the team is going home after the event, but my wife and I will be traveling to Switzerland and Italy after the tournament.
Now lets get into gaming! Do you acutally think that there is such a thing as an “American” and a “European” style to the game? If so, what would be the difference? When I look around American blogs for example, on photos I rarely see any propper terrain such as big los blockers, which strikes me odd. Sure, Germans dont have as many los-blocking terrain either, but you guys seem to play desert combat only.
I do think there is an American and European style of play, but until we come over there, I can’t say how they differ!
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“…my wife and I will be traveling to Switzerland…” good choice
give us a shout when you hit our home ground, I’m sure we can show ya around .. cya in Münster.
Respect for being crazy enough to visit Europe for playing a game. So please be nice to these guys. Unfortunately I will not be able to take part or be a beer sponsor for these extraordinary guests. Wacken festival has priority.
Thanks a lot for the interview. I am looking forward for more
Respect for giving this interview after all that bashing on this blog and respect for the huge effort for crossing the ocean and taking a blind dive into the European lions lair.
Cool interview, I was looking forward for the one with the American TC.
Some of the lists are a bit wank… I will be drinking hard with the yanks if I get the chance. They deserve the credit for making the effort. Hopefully we dont pwn them too hard so they come back better next year!
I think the idea to make the interviews with the Teamcaptains and there view about playing and feeling the ETC Event are the best articles here on 40kings!
Interesting what the TC says about the -important aspect of playing ETC- “I definitely do not share that view, we Americans believe that the most important aspect of any tournament is to play better than your opponents”.
I don`t no if the TC knew how important the factor “missmatch” is but he would have the chance to learn it!
1500 Bucks the US Boys planned for the trip. I think you have to be a little crazy to fly over the ocean for some games and got not the Cup home…but respect and i think it would be a nice sign from 40k Players at Muenster if they invite the guys for some beers.
Long questions, short answers…
I expected so much more from this, but anyway…I really appreciate the effort of the U.S. team (a huge amount of money, spend for this tournament!) and I’m really excited about the progress of their team!
Overall I was suprised by countries Armylists this year…they don’t look based on the fact, that they are playing in a team tournament…can bring the ETC to a whole new level, but if it’s higher or lower than before….who knows