The better half

I have been worrying about this for a while, but I think it's time to come clean... *ahem* Hello, my name's Dave and my girlfriend is now a better VTES played than me. There you go. Dammit. She started playing about 6 weeks ago properly. Now, though, she has built 3 pretty unassuming decks and is practically anassailable. Last night she swept a 5 player table with a Lasombra toolbox deck (based on the precon, but with a few extra bits thrown in - actually, precious little thrown in, but enough to make it up to 90 cards). 2 weeks ago, she got 4 points with a deck based around the Tremere precon. Actually, it is one of the scariest decks I have ever seen. A week or so before that, she swept with a deck she borrowed from me, decided it was rubbish, changed loads of it, and made a kick ass mono-celerity deck (with guns). Really, how do you stop it? I have no idea what has changed (admittedly I haven't been putting the hours in in practicing play, but even so, was I THAT BAD before that?), and I sure didn't teach her how to play like that (she must have picked it all up from watching from afar). Ironically, I'm having the WORST run of play I've ever had. I have played, like, 10 games in the last couple of weeks and always been out first in all of them. But the fact that from almost nowhere my girlfriend (who used to get all miffy with me and sulk that I was going out to play cards and not pay attention to her etc etc) has proven to be quite good is annoying in the extreme. Has this happened to anyone else? DH

[ quoted text not captured ] Not with VtES, but it did happen with one of my girlfriends for about the same reason (I played Magic once a week). So yeah, some people are just naturally talented. Or they are new and see new tricks that some people who are playing longer can't see. I know it sometimes helps to have a friend look over a deck you have build and just allow him changes. Accept some of those suggestions, even if they sound strange to you. It works. -- Sander Hanevelt

hamdamcwa wrote: <snip> > Ironically, I'm having the WORST run of play I've ever had. I have > played, like, 10 games in the last couple of weeks and always been out > first in all of them. But the fact that from almost nowhere my > girlfriend (who used to get all miffy with me and sulk that I was > going out to play cards and not pay attention to her etc etc) has > proven to be quite good is annoying in the extreme. > > Has this happened to anyone else? > > DH Hi Dave, As yet it hasn't happened to me yet, but now Lindsay has finished her PhD write-up (no more 4 day GenCons for me then, sob!) she mentioned she might be interested in learning to play. I'll take on board what you said, and tread carefully. As for your run of bad luck, maybe it has passed to me. I have finally won my first tourney, (Eat that Tony Smith!) so your luck might have passed to me at GenCon. If so, I'm loathed to give it back, but I'll try and lend it to you for this weekend in Watford, as unfortunately, I can't make it. You can then keep the luck for London, but I would like it back for October. Cheers Andy -- Andy "Slytherin" Brown VEKN Setite Ruler of Cambridge SET awakens, watch out all non-believers

"hamdamcwa" <dave...@hotmail.com> wrote in message news:9e10847c.02092...@posting.google.com... > Hello, my name's Dave and my girlfriend is now a better VTES played > than me. <snip> > but even so, was I THAT BAD before that?), and I sure didn't teach her > how to play like that (she must have picked it all up from watching > from afar). no no no, this is where you take credit for being such a great teacher and all that. Think of it as a good thing. =) As long as she doesn't start quoting that line from Star Wars: "I am the master now" (that and wearing a large black mechanical breathing apparatus/helmet are generally bad signs) But seriously, if she learned to play partially from watching you play then it is entirely likely that she made sure that she played and constructed decks that would be effective against decks that you regularly play. In effect: making a deck, but ensuring that is gives your decks trouble. Regards, (and its healthy that you have accepted your inferiority - kidding) -JTP

"hamdamcwa" <dave...@hotmail.com> wrote in message news:9e10847c.02092...@posting.google.com... > I have been worrying about this for a while, but I think it's time to > come clean... > > *ahem* > > Hello, my name's Dave and my girlfriend is now a better VTES played > than me. > > There you go. > > Dammit. I'm lucky in that my partner doesn't have much of an interest in gaming, and although she likes stealing my cards for the pictures, I don't have to worry about competing with her in the playing environment... :) However she has just started a course in philosophy, and I can see that when she starts getting good at it I may start losing arguments, and therefore I may end up sulking in a similar fashion... Regards, Mike

Starting from now, she will forever be better than you. As you can't win with her on the table, get her away from the game. Make a baby. Arpeges

On 27 Sep 2002, hamdamcwa wrote: > Has this happened to anyone else? Yup. My wife just seems to do better than I do, even when playing the same decks. But, if you're good and people know it, then you probably get singled out for some extra "love" that she may not get. That's my rationalization, and I'm sticking to it. David Cherryholmes Duke Radiology P.E.T. Facility (919) 684-7714 d...@petsparc.mc.duke.edu

> > but even so, was I THAT BAD before that?), and I sure didn't teach her > > how to play like that (she must have picked it all up from watching > > from afar). > > no no no, this is where you take credit for being such a great teacher and all > that. Think of it as a good thing. =) > > As long as she doesn't start quoting that line from Star Wars: > "I am the master now" (that and wearing a large black mechanical > breathing apparatus/helmet are generally bad signs) Wearing mechanical stuff = Bad. Wearing Black PVC allover suits = maybe not so bad... ;) > But seriously, if she learned to play partially from watching you play > then it is entirely likely that she made sure that she played and constructed > decks that would be effective against decks that you regularly play. > In effect: making a deck, but ensuring that is gives your decks trouble. No, it's not just my decks, but EVERYONE'S decks! I have also only recently found out where all my "power-rares" have gone. I'm really not kidding... I usually find out just as she gets a bleed for 7 through using a Shroud of Absence or Blanket of Night that I assumed I traded since it had dissapeared out of my "Power-Rares" box. *Grrrrr...* DH

<snip> > As yet it hasn't happened to me yet, but now Lindsay has finished her > PhD write-up (no more 4 day GenCons for me then, sob!) she mentioned > she might be interested in learning to play. I'll take on board what > you said, and tread carefully. Hmmm... I'd encourage her. Really, I would! In your capacity as a Prince it is your duty to encourage new players to the game... blah blah blah... ;) > As for your run of bad luck, maybe it has passed to me. I have finally > won my first tourney, (Eat that Tony Smith!) so your luck might have > passed to me at GenCon. Well, I've only ever won one two tourneys (Milton Keynes last year and sealed deck at Gencon 2001). I usually get into finals, but I always seem to get my ass handed to me - it's a charter or byelaw or something... If so, I'm loathed to give it back, but I'll > try and lend it to you for this weekend in Watford, as unfortunately, > I can't make it. You can then keep the luck for London, but I would > like it back for October. Well, find out what happened in my report (I'll probably commit it to text a bit later on). DH

"arpeges" <eg...@club-internet.fr> wrote in message news:<3d94833c$0$488$7a62...@news.club-internet.fr>... > Starting from now, she will forever be better than you. As you can't win > with her on the table, get her away from the game. > > Make a baby. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *Ahem* Are you mad? Then I will falling into her trap! No, no, no. Not until I've given up smoking, at least! DH

dave...@hotmail.com (hamdamcwa) wrote in message news:<9e10847c.02092...@posting.google.com>... [ quoted text not captured ] Yes and no. She played with the main play group. Nosferatu titled. Bit of vote, bit of equiping, a bit of intercept, a bit of stealth, and a bit of hacking and rats if I remember correctly... She wasn't all that aggresive, but she somehow managed to get table wins in both games... Granted, people helping her play helped her out a lot, but she basically played it herself, and 'made' the deck, that is she tweaked it from a pre-existing deck I made for her. Then she tried to play salubri, and was incredibly confused with their cards and effects. She hasn't touched the game since. I'm not sure if this is a good thing or a bad thing. :) ~SV

David Cherryholmes <d...@petsparc.mc.duke.edu> wrote in message news:<Pine.GSO.4.21.020927...@petunia.mc.duke.edu>... > On 27 Sep 2002, hamdamcwa wrote: > > > Has this happened to anyone else? > > Yup. My wife just seems to do better than I do, even when playing the > same decks. But, if you're good and people know it, then you probably get > singled out for some extra "love" that she may not get. That's my > rationalization, and I'm sticking to it. this is true... in the few games my GF played she was never really targetted as a threat or rushed cross table for balance issues... of course if I'd play conservatively, (or anyone for that matter) then this would be true for them as well. ~SV

dave...@hotmail.com (hamdamcwa) wrote in message news:<9e10847c.02093...@posting.google.com>... > "arpeges" <eg...@club-internet.fr> wrote in message news:<3d94833c$0$488$7a62...@news.club-internet.fr>... > > Starting from now, she will forever be better than you. As you can't win > > with her on the table, get her away from the game. > > > > Make a baby. > > > AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! > > *Ahem* > > Are you mad? Then I will falling into her trap! Pack more presses - or you could always S:CE... Hope that helps, Alex

hamdamcwa wrote: > Hello, my name's Dave and my girlfriend is now a better VTES played > than me. > <SNIP> > Has this happened to anyone else? > > DH Heh. My wife is without question a better player than I am, but then she introduced me to a strange card-game she had played since 94 so I guess I'm at least slightly excused :) Actually, she's not better at creating decks, but she does PLAY better. When we build a deck together and she goes playing with it it's outright scary. By the way, we had great fun at Watford last time. Pity she decided against fielding her last monstrousity and brought her mainstream Gangrel-Enticement deck instead. And as you saw, I didn't do too well with my gunning fun neither :) Sten During

dave...@hotmail.com (hamdamcwa) wrote in message news:<9e10847c.02093...@posting.google.com>... [ quoted text not captured ] I have to get this out of the way; HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA, Dave's missus is better at V:tes than Dave. Right, now to serious matters; Remember David, you know how to be good at this game, but you refuse to do it. Be of the game, but not in the game. Play the game not in an effort to be percieved as good, but rather to win. Now, all I need is your credit card number. Tony Literary Thug and friend to captain Solo

> As for your run of bad luck, maybe it has passed to me. I have finally > won my first tourney, (Eat that Tony Smith!) so your luck might have > passed to me at GenCon. If so, I'm loathed to give it back, but I'll > try and lend it to you for this weekend in Watford, as unfortunately, > I can't make it. You can then keep the luck for London, but I would > like it back for October. > > Cheers > > Andy Who exactly was at this tourney, Andrew? You, your missus and a cat named Callamazoo? I'm sure you won through no fault or skill of your own. So don't worry, your in no danger of becoming any good;) Stick that up your newly styled nose and light it. Tony Literary thug and true believer in the church of Andy Brown is shit at V:TES YEAH!!!!

Tony wrote: > > > As for your run of bad luck, maybe it has passed to me. I have finally > > won my first tourney, (Eat that Tony Smith!) so your luck might have > > passed to me at GenCon. If so, I'm loathed to give it back, but I'll > > try and lend it to you for this weekend in Watford, as unfortunately, > > I can't make it. You can then keep the luck for London, but I would > > like it back for October. > > > > Cheers > > > > Andy > > Who exactly was at this tourney, Andrew? > > You, your missus and a cat named Callamazoo? 11 players from my local club, actually. If you want to find out how good they are, then you should perhaps come up and find that people in Cambridge are not "the guy who runs Games and Puzzles and believes that everyone plays Malk Stealth Bleed". > > I'm sure you won through no fault or skill of your own. So don't > worry, your in no danger of becoming any good;) Don't worry, but at the moment I'm the 10th best player in the country, and you don't make the top 10, so I won't lose any sleep there then. > > Stick that up your newly styled nose and light it. If you say so. > > Tony > > Literary thug and true believer in the church of Andy Brown is shit at > V:TES > > YEAH!!!! Not exactly the most original put down I've ever come across. I would have expected more from the Literary Thug! YEAH Baby! (Oh, and if you ever acuse me of having a cat again, I'll personally come and whup yo ass boy). [ quoted text not captured ]

dave...@hotmail.com (hamdamcwa) wrote in message news:<9e10847c.02092...@posting.google.com>... > Has this happened to anyone else? Dude, at least you got your GF to play a CCG... I can't and I've been trying for over a year... she complains as that I spend too much time "playing with boys" LOL

> > > > Who exactly was at this tourney, Andrew? > > > > You, your missus and a cat named Callamazoo? > > 11 players from my local club, actually. If you want to find out how > good they are, then you should perhaps come up and find that people > in Cambridge are not "the guy who runs Games and Puzzles and believes > that everyone plays Malk Stealth Bleed". > > > > > I'm sure you won through no fault or skill of your own. So don't > > worry, your in no danger of becoming any good;) > > Don't worry, but at the moment I'm the 10th best player in the country, > and you don't make the top 10, so I won't lose any sleep there then. Ah, Andrew, I'm sure that you are aware of the incomplete nature of the ranking you mention. Neither myself, Will Lee or Rob Treasure have a ranking yet. However, if you were to check I'm sure that you would find the discrepancy between your percentage and mine pleasantly surprising. Andy Brown 7% Tony Smith 50% Not that I'm that bothered by the numbers, but I felt your arguement needed refuting. Either way; I put it to you that you, a) can't take a joke and, b) are shit at V:TES ;) > > > > > Stick that up your newly styled nose and light it. > > If you say so. > > > > > > > > YEAH!!!! > > Not exactly the most original put down I've ever come across. > I would have expected more from the Literary Thug! Expect all you like, I don't respond to you expectations. > > YEAH Baby! > > (Oh, and if you ever acuse me of having a cat again, I'll personally > come and whup yo ass boy). Will you be bringing callamazoo with you? > Andy "Slytherin" Brown > VEKN Setite Ruler of Cambridge > SET awakens, watch out all non-believers Hom Tony Literary thug and unranked V:tes terrorist.

Tony wrote: > > > Either way; I put it to you that you, a) can't take a joke I can, or I wouldn't have replied. >and, b) are shit at V:TES ;) Whatever, I really can't be assed to argue since we have (to my knowledge) never played on the same table yet in a tourney. I also play for fun, don't actually give a shit about ratings, and am just enjoying seeing myself in 10th position for the only time it will happen in my life. > > > > > > > > Stick that up your newly styled nose and light it. > > > > If you say so. > > > > > > > > > > > > YEAH!!!! > > > > Not exactly the most original put down I've ever come across. > > I would have expected more from the Literary Thug! > > Expect all you like, I don't respond to you expectations. Each to his own, of course > > > > YEAH Baby! > > > > (Oh, and if you ever acuse me of having a cat again, I'll personally > > come and whup yo ass boy). > > Will you be bringing callamazoo with you? > Watch it Mister! -- [ quoted text not captured ]

Andy Brown <a...@sanger.ac.uk> wrote in message news:<3D9B057A...@sanger.ac.uk>... > Tony wrote: > > > > > As for your run of bad luck, maybe it has passed to me. I have finally > > > won my first tourney, (Eat that Tony Smith!) so your luck might have > > > passed to me at GenCon. If so, I'm loathed to give it back, but I'll > > > try and lend it to you for this weekend in Watford, as unfortunately, > > > I can't make it. You can then keep the luck for London, but I would > > > like it back for October. > > > > > > Cheers > > > > > > Andy > > > > Who exactly was at this tourney, Andrew? > > > > You, your missus and a cat named Callamazoo? > > 11 players from my local club, actually. If you want to find out how > good they are, then you should perhaps come up and find that people > in Cambridge are not "the guy who runs Games and Puzzles and believes > that everyone plays Malk Stealth Bleed". Holy crap is this funny. Andy, we all know that your playgroup consists of a bunch of guys that have been playing for 6 months AT BEST - and the fact that you don't win every tourney there is frankly outrageous. > > > > > I'm sure you won through no fault or skill of your own. So don't > > worry, your in no danger of becoming any good;) > > Don't worry, but at the moment I'm the 10th best player in the country, > and you don't make the top 10, so I won't lose any sleep there then. I am currently in the No.1 slot for the country, but does this mean I'm the best in the country? Don't think so. The ratings are still pretty messed up, but if you wanna carry on believing you are one of the 10 best here, go right ahead. Though I suspect you will be on your own in this... > > > > > Stick that up your newly styled nose and light it. > > If you say so. > > > > > Tony > > > > Literary thug and true believer in the church of Andy Brown is shit at > > V:TES > > > > YEAH!!!! > > Not exactly the most original put down I've ever come across. > I would have expected more from the Literary Thug! > > YEAH Baby! > > (Oh, and if you ever acuse me of having a cat again, I'll personally > come and whup yo ass boy). That I would like to see. Thinking you could 'whup his ass' is even funnier than thinking you are the 10th best in the country. And this is funnier than Eddie Izzard on his best day..... HDYLT? Marty

[ quoted text not captured ] Nice Reply Marty. Ever thought of taking over the position of Literary Thug from Mr Smith. Much better than his accusations which wind up all just saying Andy Brown is shit at VTES, which does get a bit repetitive, especially from someone who truly believes he is about the third best player in the country, yet won't even play in the National Cup (and he was there, we all saw him). (As for my players, half have been playing since Jyhad, and of our tourney winners, only one is a newbie, and that was in our Antediluvian Tourney). The reference to the 10th best player in the country is the same as when a not so good team are sitting at the top of the Premier League, early in the season. The fans shout and scream rapture and joy, but we all know it aint gonna last (and I know all about this, I support Ipswich Town) so I'll do this now, while I can, and when the results for more tourneys are in (and maybe I may or may not do well) and I go back to a more usual level in the country, you can feel free to do the same to me. I DON'T CARE in the long run. I KNOW I AM NOT THE BEST PLAYER, but that wasn't a pre-requisite for becomming Prince, and if one of my newbies beats me (as does happen) then it obviously shows I know the game and can teach it well. (Ian Turner, in 9th position, is actually someone I taught the game to.) This is likely to be my last reply on the subject, I do have work to do you know. [ quoted text not captured ]

> >and, b) are shit at V:TES ;) > > Whatever, I really can't be assed to argue since we have (to my > knowledge) never played on the same table yet in a tourney. I also > play for fun, don't actually give a shit about ratings, and am just > enjoying seeing myself in 10th position for the only time it will > happen in my life. > Thats a nice bit of back-pedalling Andrew. You say that you don't care, and yet you attempt to sledge me for not being as highly ranked as you. interesting. We have played on the same table at least twice that I remember. Guess what happened? > > > > > > > > > > > Stick that up your newly styled nose and light it. > > > > > > If you say so. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > YEAH!!!! > > > > > > Not exactly the most original put down I've ever come across. > > > I would have expected more from the Literary Thug! > > > > Expect all you like, I don't respond to you expectations. > > Each to his own, of course > > > > > > > YEAH Baby! > > > > > > (Oh, and if you ever acuse me of having a cat again, I'll personally > > > come and whup yo ass boy). > > > > Will you be bringing callamazoo with you? > > > > Watch it Mister! I wouldn't dream of watching your cat. I hear he's a nasty swine. Tony Literary Thug

If you have a message for a specific individual, please consider using email instead of sending it to the whole list. This is especially true for sniping and flames. Thanks in advance for helping make the newsgroup a better place to read. -- LSJ (vte...@white-wolf.com) V:TES Net.Rep for White Wolf, Inc. Links to V:TES news, rules, cards, utilities, and tournament calendar: http://www.white-wolf.com/vtes/

<snip badinage> > > Don't worry, but at the moment I'm the 10th best player in the country, > and you don't make the top 10, so I won't lose any sleep there then. > Golly, i've just been over to look at that and WHAT a fine job Robyn has done! i spent a pleasurable half-hour or so surfing the various country lists, mentally saying hi! to lots of people i know/have played with and/or had e-intercourse with, and trying to guess where the currently highest-ranked player might reside. Not many of you, i think, will guess this right .... but HEAVY HINT, and reiterating a point made by my esteemed brother in thuggery the Beast of Luton .... it isn't rob, because through baby duty he doesn't have enough games yet [it's not another Brit, either] .... can YOU guess, gentle reader?

[ quoted text not captured ] Apologies to any who think this is a flame war. I was only intending on a bit of light hearted banter with Tony Smith. Just for clarity to all 1) I am aware that the new ranking lists are exactly that, new and so many experienced and good players might not have much on there at the moment (I expect that will change) 2) I am not the best player, I am not even 10th in the UK. There, I admit it. 3) I also don't care much about ratings, although I do think they are a good way of judging whether you ought to do well or not against other people, and so are a worthwhile excersize. They are also an incentive to some people, and so for any of you who do care about them, I hope I haven't caused offence. There you go. My last three statements on the matter. And in the best footballing tradition, go out with a terrace song... I'm Shit, and I know I am I'm Shit, and I know I am I'm Shit, and I know I am... (to fade) [ quoted text not captured ]

[ quoted text not captured ] :) Hi Legbiter. Recall last time we spoke about scary players? He really is that scary :) Sten During

>3) I also don't care much about ratings, although I do think they are >a good way of judging whether you ought to do well or not against >other people, and so are a worthwhile excersize. The current rating system? I don't see it telling much of anything of value.

In message <22fea992.02100...@posting.google.com>, legb...@mailandnews.com (legbiter) mumbled something about: ><snip badinage> >> >> Don't worry, but at the moment I'm the 10th best player in the country, >> and you don't make the top 10, so I won't lose any sleep there then. >> >Golly, i've just been over to look at that and WHAT a fine job Robyn >has done! i spent a pleasurable half-hour or so surfing the various >country lists, mentally saying hi! to lots of people i know/have >played with and/or had e-intercourse with, and trying to guess where But did you use an e-condom? -- "There's no gray. There's just white that's got grubby." -- T.P.

Sten During <ya...@netg.se> wrote in message news:<3D9C5D3F...@netg.se>... [ quoted text not captured ] Well, i promised i would come over to Sweden and now i double-promise so's to meet him. See you soon!

legbiter wrote: > > Well, i promised i would come over to Sweden and now i double-promise > so's to meet him. See you soon! You're always welcome :) Sten During

Derek Ray <lor...@yahoo.com> wrote in message news:<ok9ppucvmeo9r9kh9...@4ax.com>... > In message <22fea992.02100...@posting.google.com>, > legb...@mailandnews.com (legbiter) mumbled something about: > > ><snip badinage> > >> > >> Don't worry, but at the moment I'm the 10th best player in the country, > >> and you don't make the top 10, so I won't lose any sleep there then. > >> > >Golly, i've just been over to look at that and WHAT a fine job Robyn > >has done! i spent a pleasurable half-hour or so surfing the various > >country lists, mentally saying hi! to lots of people i know/have > >played with and/or had e-intercourse with, and trying to guess where > > But did you use an e-condom? Man, there's just some things you don't say!! Tony Literary Thug

> Has this happened to anyone else? > > DH Ha, not to me! I had the luck to find a wife who a) Doesn't mind me nipping off every Wednesday evening to play V:TES b) Doesn't have a problem with me going off for half the weekend to play in a tournament c) Has absoultely no interest in learning to play V:TES despite numerous invites from myself to do so (judging by Dave's situation, this was a lucky escape!) However, we have recently bought a load of Heroclix and she does seem interested in that, so my number may be up... - Rafe

<BIG CHOP> > This is likely to be my last reply on the subject, I do have work to do > you know. > > Andy "Slytherin" Brown > VEKN Setite Ruler of Cambridge > SET awakens, watch out all non-believers I feel I should add Andy that I have NO ILL FEELINGS towards you at all, don't really care either and err, well, that's about it. I just find it amusing to read this kinda stuff on the NG (and yes, it does happen from our US counterparts). Marty True Setite Ruler of the UK

[ quoted text not captured ] No ill feelings taken, I can assure you. It was supposed to be amusing. > > Marty > True Setite Ruler of the UK You certainly are. -- [ quoted text not captured ]