INTERVIEW WITH ROBYN TATU (July 1st, 2006)
  >Robyn Tatu has played VTES since Oct. 1999 and has been active in the VTES scene ever since. She is currently the official VTES ratings coordinator.

Do you find that you have had any advantages or disadvantages being a woman in a game dominated by men?

What makes you a successful tournament player?

I don’t really know. I have said before that I have a lot of patience as I really can just sit and absorb the game without feeling compelled to be busy playing – or – try to change the game state. The truth is, I’m really terrible in 5 player, so I often just try to hang on until the trio and then end game. The fewer the players the better I am. This may be true of everyone; however….so I say, I don’t know.

How much of an impact do you think Nights of Reckoning will have on the tournament scene?

The initial impression is that they’re pretty darned strong! The Hunter News letter writer, Jon Newquist, is in my play group so we in Atlanta have been enduring them for several months. I just got back from a large event where there is a lot of concern about the “Immune” and their place in the vtes world. There was enough concern that if a hunter deck popped up the other four players just ousted it and decided to sort out the consequences of that in the future.

Our little community of Vtes devotees has an element that doesn’t like change much and has trouble adjusting to anything new. They say they are concerned only with “game balance” but see things as very black and white, all or nothing. I think, ( Like every “new” facet that is introduced to our game) there will be – introduction, uproar…then they’ll fall back where they belong.

How much do you think about the current meta-game in your area before building a deck? Does it affect your decision on what you play?

I am a reactionary. Always inspired to build any deck that will counter what is currently giving me trouble. IE: When Enkido was running tables, I built a Stanislava deck with skill cards and Alpha Glint…… After it’s made it’s point, the intention of the deck then evolves to become it’s own thing.

What are your thoughts on deal breaking?

I think the game would be pretty uninteresting if deal breaking were illegal. It seems to fit the spirit of the game well.

I’ve never felt the stakes were high enough to break a deal in a game before, but on the other hand, I’ve not been in that position very often. If I’m dealing, it’s NOT a final round and it’s pretty clear I’ll end up with nothing, so I’m usually dealing for my own withdrawl.

But let me be clear…..stuff like: “You don’t bleed me and I won’t rush you.” That’s not a DEAL, that’s Extortion.

Other than Blood Doll’s, are there any cards that seem to find themselves in nearly all of your decks?

It changes, of course. Last year my pet card was Centralized Background Check, and Retribution….this year I’m infatuated with Guardian Angels.

Favorite expansion to date? Least favorite expansion to date?

I was so excited about Final Nights. It stands out as my favorite.

Least favorite. The new one. Hunters. The Anti-monster angle. I’m not sure, yet, where they fit in Throw in some events and they become deadly-unfun. If I’m on the table they are likely to suffer a lot of cross table hate from me.

I’m not complaining. I’m just saying…..

Do you have a favorite clan? Why?

Nosferatu. They suit me. I just really like their abilities and skill set.

Is there a clan, a discipline, or style that you shy away from, decline to play, or simply don’t care for? If so, why?

I’ve never built a pure Malkavian deck. Come to think of it…...There are a lot I’ve not built a deck with actually: Blood Brothers, Daughters, Gargoyles, True Brujah, Kiasyd, Semedi…..
As of this morning I could add Assimite to that list, but no more….I just put one together! As to why? Either someone in our group is currently running a pet deck with these clans or they just haven’t inspired me yet. Good thing there are so many of them!

Do you own any VTES art?

My living room walls are covered with it.

What VTES artwork would you love to have a print of?

I want to have a tournament that invites Darby Keeney and have the stakes for the winner be his copy of Psychomacia. Or perhaps we can come up with an exchange program.

How much time to you spend every week working as VTES Ratings Coordinator?

Around 10 hours or more.
At least an hour every night, when I’m in town, and several on the weekend.

What’s the most common mistake Princes make when submitting tournament reports?

Vekn numbers. Either missing or just wrong. How is that possible? You can check in on the site, for cryin’ out loud.

What’s the typical turnaround time from submission to posting?

The average is pretty wild. I didn’t enter or approve anything for almost 5 months while the site was being overhauled.

Recently. If the Prince is inputting them. They can be completed pretty reliably in 48 hours.

No system is perfect… what are the flaws/drawbacks you see with the current rating system for Constructed and/or Limited?

You can be a statistically strong player, and never play outside your area. Insular numbers are a little mis-leading. On the other hand the travelers tend to play more events, and that ups your odds of winning.

Of all the systems we’ve had over the years, this is the best. I hope to be able to prove that soon, with almost 5 years of stats.

Is there anything you’d like to say to Princes? What would you advise that would make your job easier?

I thank them for their hard work keeping their play groups entertained and active. Many of them have been very good to me; getting their results in on time and accurately. I really want to make a special thanks to Alex Ek of Sweden for his work helping me trouble shoot the site for other Princes. However; the time has come and the shear volume of tournaments dictates that one person can’t do this job alone any more – If you want your event rated, you’ll have to input it yourself.

So, in an effort to get to know a little more about you on a semi-personal level… what books are you currently reading, if any?

Harry Potter 4: Goblet of Fire – and a book of Essays called: “A Supposedly Fun Thing I’ll Never Do Again.”, by David Foster Wallace. Hillarous, clever essays.

What's your favorite saying on a T-shirt you own?

One I made up. “Fairness is an issue for the loser.”.

What do your spend money on, that you know you shouldn’t, but do anyway?

Cigarettes.

What’s new and/or interesting on you iPod?

It’s probably more interesting to note I don’t yet own one.

What’s your porn star name? (i.e. First pet's name + first street you lived on)
-or- (first pet's name + mother's maiden name)

Yum Yum Rebel - just like me to sport more of a comedians name…..

Favorite TV Show(s)?

House. Battlestar Galactica…I also love the talent shows, Last Comic Standing, Idol….

Favorite curse word?

Son of a Bitch!

Favorite Alcoholic Beverage?

Beer… though I drink it seldom. Old fashioned, American piss bear. I don’t need a brew that could double as an entrée’.

Any Last Comments?

My next article should be “How to get your woman to love playing V:tes.”

END OF INTERVIEW