We’re finally back with another community spotlight. Our friends from Outmaneuver finally got a chance to sit down and talk through who they are!

Outmaneuver

Tell us about yourselves! What are your hobbies outside of card games? 

Jrod: I coach and play basketball most nights in which I am not at a store slinging cards. I also love Football and am in multiple Dynasty fantasy leagues!

FA1TH: I am fluent in watching multiple sports, but NFL and college football are my favorites (Notre Dame and Tennessee Titans). I am also a Toronto Raptors fan, and cheer for the Blue Jays, Edmonton Oilers, and CF Montreal. I enjoy playing games and plan on putting my first game on Kickstarter, By the People, in October. I also really enjoy learning about and discussing calendars.

His Dudeness – Outside of being a gamer, music is my next favorite thing. Live music is a vibe you have to experience to understand. Some of my favorite concerts include King Crimson, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, Joe Russo’s Almost Dead (JRAD) and Phish. 

What is each of your prior background/experiences in the TCG world?

Jrod: I have played MTG for years. Took down a 5k 200+ person event and I have beaten pro players on camera and local crusher for MTG. I also won a seat to Destiny worlds that got canceled due to covid (I was late into the Destiny life I started during the white boxes).

FA1TH: While I started with playing Pokemon and Yugioh on the playground (read incorrectly) I played MTG more seriously for a 3 year stretch with friends. A few years ago I picked up a now defunct irregular collectable/competitive game FLEX NBA, in which I won their second tournament and came 2nd place in their third and final tournament.

Duder: I started with pokemon and magic the gathering in the late 90s. Played mtg on and off since then. I played Destiny during the first year of it’s release. But most of my actual experience has come in digital form. Hearthstone, Eternal Card Game, and most recently MtG Arena which I play almost daily.

What is one specific archetype or playstyle that defines you in card games?

Jrod: I am a major spike and try and play what I think gives me the best chance to win, however if I could always choose for an archetype to be the best I would choose midrange I just love the flexibility. 

FA1TH: I am a mix between Johnny and Spike. I like to win competitively, but I like to do so on my own terms. I gravitate towards unit focused midrange decks. I like boots on the ground (or space) and like the flexibility of going face or making effective trades depending on the situation (Green Krennic is my Jam).

Duder: Aggro. Base is always the place. I’ll always be the guy trying to make an aggro strat work. If you see me playing control, ask me if I’m okay

What was the main draw for you to Star Wars Unlimited as a game?

Jrod: Star Wars, I am a huge SW fan and I love card games so even if the game sucked I probably would still play it (good thing the game is amazing!)

FA1TH: I was very dismissive of the game at first. When I played the game on a chance I was hooked. I loved the back and forth action system as well as the ability to resource any card, making improvements on the MTG model (which admittedly other games have done). I also really appreciated starting at 2 resources and drawing 2 cards a turn. 

Duder: The main draw was that it was Destiny 2.0. The alternating actions and claiming the initiative are great mechanics. I’m also a huge fan of two lanes.

What is your favorite format of play in Star Wars Unlimited (Premier, Twin Suns, draft, sealed)?

Jrod: Draft for me hands down. I drafted IRL 3 times a week for the first 6 weeks after release. The format is sooo much fun and tbh the worst part of the distribution issues is people don’t get to enjoy it because I know many folks who this is the first TCG they have ever played!

FA1TH: I love coming up and testing weird ideas for decks so premier and then draft.

Duder: Draft is my preferred way to play. But the product shortages make that a little less than ideal. I’ve never made a cube before but I’m strongly considering it for this game.

If we lived in a world where you played SWU 24/7, what % of time would be spent on each format of play?

Jrod: 50% Draft, 25% Twin Suns, 20% Premiere and 5% sealed

FA1TH: 30 % Premier 25% Premier with upcoming spoilers 25% Draft 15% sealed, 5% Master apprentice (homemade) format shifty eyes emoji

Duder: 60/40 limited to constructed.

What is your favorite part about doing a podcast?

Jrod: The guys I get/got, to do it with. As well as hearing from listeners that our advice helped them in some way.

FA1TH: Getting to connect with listeners in the real world at events.

Duder: Just being able to talk about the game to an audience that wants to listen is cool enough for me.

What is your goal for long-term content for Star Wars Unlimited?

Jrod: Well with the new job and coaching my time for content is very diminished so right now our goal is to continue doing the weekly pod and have fun with it whatever happens happens. Just enjoying the journey!

FA1TH: Have fun with friends.

Duder: I don’t have any goals personally, just playing it by ear and seeing where it takes us.

What’s one card design from another card game you have played that you would enjoy seeing in Star Wars Unlimited?

Jrod: Instants…. No, I am joking. I would love to see some kind of planeswalker type card in SWU. They were always some of my favorite cards in MTG and could offer some cool interactions.

FA1TH: I am interested to see upgrades to bases or field upgrades/ arena condition.

Duder: Lightning Bolt. But honestly, just some more efficient removal would be nice.

What has been your favorite play in a match of Star Wars Unlimited thus far that you or your opponent did?

Jrod: The one time I was able to You’re my only hope into uwing reinforcement on turn 4 into dooku in my Green Han deck!

FA1TH: For me it would be having piett on the board, my opponent deploying Grand Admiral Thrawn, and then me playing Count Dooku, triggering the ambush first, dealing the 5 damage, then using his when played ability to defeat the thrawn and then putting the shield on dooku, leaving him as a 5/1 with a shield token and having 1 shot thrawn.

Duder: So I was playing a draft at a local event and my round two opponent played a restock when he had 1 card left in hand. I was trying to figure out the math on how much damage I needed and then just slapped that card on the table. I was shook.

What is one thing you hope to see from FFG attached to the Competitive structure (ie. prizing, formats, etc)?

Jrod: I would love to see a limited event where swiss is sealed and top 8 is a draft. I always loved watching high skill players draft a format. It’s super fun!

FA1TH: Jrod again with the correct answer. I am going to say 1/1 beyond showcase level leader cards for the winning worlds.

Duder: starter leader showcase cards.

How much travel do you plan on doing for competitive play in Star Wars Unlimited?

Jrod: As much as work and my wallet allow!

FA1TH: I would love to travel to events when I am able to, hopefully come Post gen con.

Duder: almost none I imagine.

What are your goals in Star Wars Unlimited as a player?

Jrod: I would like to win worlds once I think I am good enough. I just need to sit down and put the work in to get there.

FA1TH: I would love to win as big events that I can with a custom deck that I built.

Duder: my goal is to just enjoy my time with this excellent game. If that takes me to more competitive events, then so be it.

What are you most excited about for the future of SWU?

Jrod: Rex and Ahsoka leaders. As my two favorite leaders I will have a permanent Twin Suns deck with them even if they have 0 synergy. 

FA1TH: Set 3 for Qui-Gon Jinn and DARTH Maul.

Duder: Having actual packs around to draft with.

What’s everyone planning on buying for set 2 (assuming no allocation and you would be able to draft semi-regularly if desired)

Jrod: A case 

FA1TH: 1 box and prereleases and drafts to acquire more cards.

Duder: same as faith, one box and limited + singles to round out.

If there’s one thing you would say FFG has absolutely nailed regarding Star Wars Unlimited, what would you give them credit for?

Jrod: Gameplay, I said I picked up this game for the IP but man I would play this game if it was Blue’s Clues IP!

FA1TH: I love the aspect system, and in particular the fact that you get to make 2 choices. I am so glad they switched from having all the aspects on the leader to having 2 on the leader and 1 on the base, as it adds to player expression. In continuation of aspects, I love being able to play cards out of aspect for a modest penalty.

Duder: open communication regarding almost all aspects of the game. Anybody who’s been around for previous FFG games, they didn’t like to tell people much. But here they are much more transparent on what’s going on. Take the short stream from Jim Cartwright as an example, where he just comes on for a few mins to let everyone know when/if there will even be reprints of set 1. Very cool and I appreciate that.

If there’s one thing you would say FFG has really missed the mark on regarding Star Wars Unlimited, what would you say it was?

Jrod: The art in set 1 was really hit or miss for me and there is no reason for that Star Wars is such a beautiful universe. I will add set 2 art so far has been MUCH better but that’s my gripe for set 1.

FA1TH: I would say no big event for set 1. Even if it was like the week before the first weekend in July as a wrap up of set 1 that got us hooked on the competitive scene (planetary level) as we transitioned from set 1 to set 2.

Duder: the obvious answer is just not printing enough product for set 1. But I don’t really blame them for having an extremely successful game on their hands and it exceeding everyone’s expectations.

If you had to pick the first card from Set 1 to see a Ban/errata/restriction/etc, what would it be?

Jrod: I don’t think any card NEEDS that the team has done a great job. However if I had to pick it would be ECL and it would say ambush a non leader. All the other bases say non leader except that one.

FA1TH: I agree with Jrod that the team did a great job and no card needs a ban/ errata/ restriction. I would also agree that if I had to pick one it would be ecl, however I would limit the cost that it could do it on, 5 would help and what I would want.

Duder: since these cowards won’t say it I will. Ban Boba leader.

What has been your favorite community experience in Star Wars Unlimited thus far?

Jrod: Honestly watching the community event for set 1 is probably still my favorite moment. All the hype around the final cards being spoiled, listening as the first official showcase was opened. What a time to be a part of this amazing game!

FA1TH: I enjoyed the days of trying to guess the draft rules (before they were released but after we had the pack structure) and ‘testing’ how they would be.

Duder: My personal favorite experience is still just meeting the cool people from the community. Most of the people I’ve met have had immaculate vibes, and I really appreciate that. Keep being awesome people everyone.

Any last thoughts you’d like to share?

Jrod: Just want to give a huge thank you to Inception. I don’t think the community truly appreciates how amazing you are for the community as a whole, not even counting the daily content! Thanks for all that you do, and thanks for having us!

FA1TH: Playtest, playtest, playtest. There is so much that we have not yet discovered in set 1 alone. Also, run crazy out of aspect cards in your sideboard (like power of the darkside in Luke).

Duder: When in doubt, don’t forget, space is always the place.

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Be sure to check out Outmaneuver on YouTube! They generally publish a weekly podcast, along with other engaging video content. They also have a discord you can interact with them and their community located here.