Cactus Game Design Message Boards

I am my own worst enemy.

People who I am better than but like to talk smack anyway
1. Chris Ericson

People I host a web show
1. Andrew Wester

People who built a deck specifically to beat the deck they thought I'd be playing in ROOT
1. Jay Chambers

People who live in Iowa and have nothing better to do but Skype and play cards
1. John Earley

I really don't think of rivals when I think of Redemption, but if I had to pick one, it would probably be Jon Greeson.  He had about a year head start on me playing Redemption competitively, and he won the first tournament that I ever attended.  I've been chasing him up the career RNRS points standings ever since.  We've been friends since college, and both really respect each other's faith, family, and skills.  And we share many similar interests besides Redemption such as playing and watching basketball and playing RISK.  And even in basketball we root for strong rivals (UK vs. UNC).  All of these things go together to make Jon an almost perfect rival for me (other than the fact that he is clearly better than I am at playing Redemption).

There are also a couple players who have beaten me at multiple Nats and who I really want to beat in the future (Reyzen, Gretal Coverdale).  They are also good friends, so I feel good about those rivalries as well.

There is only one player who I built a deck specifically to beat (Nate Schiro), and that was years ago before I was good enough to not need to do that anymore.  And Nate doesn't really play anymore, so that doesn't really feel like a rivalry.

Lastly, there are a couple of players who are ranked higher than I am on lists like Kirk's or Alex's, but that I question the legitimacy of because I've finished higher than them at recent Nats, or have even beaten them when we played.  But I don't know them as well personally so that feels less to me like a friendly rivalry and more like a petty insecurity.  So I won't list their names.

I won't count anyone I am directly related to, because that is too easy/obvious.

My biggest rival is definitely Nathan "TheHobbit" Voigt. Ever since I converted to a primarily T2 player, he and I go back and forth in MN tournaments, usually going 1 and 2, but with the order changing. This was most exemplified in 2011, when I got 1st and he got second at NC Regionals, then he followed up with 1st at State and Nationals narrowly edging me out both times (okay, he pretty much destroyed me in both of the games we played in those tournies, but still). Now that Justin is back to playing a bit more regularly (and he's still an alright T2 player) he might budge in a bit, but I'd still say that Nathan is still my biggest rival.

Other than Nathan, I'd say that my closest rivals are Kirk Dennison, Mitch Stewart, and to a lesser extent, Gabe Isbell. I'd say Kirk, Mitch and I all have similar skill levels, and I feel like anytime I play either one we both have a good chance to win. Gabe I don't consider as much of a rival because even though we are often at the same tournaments, we have only played once in a live tournament to my knowledge. We have played more often online, and while we have some great games, it doesn't seem to be as much of a rivalry.

Other rivals by category:
T1-2P: Martin Miller--for three tournaments in a row he beat me handily, until I finally capitalized on a mistake in a tournament and got the win. I don't play him too often (more because I don't play T1 too often) but when I do, it's always a good game.

T1-MP: N/A--I don't really ever play this category.

TEAMS: Martin Miller and Nathan Voigt--though, to be fair, it's more of a one-sided rivalry for the most part. MJB and I have some good games with them, but can't quite get the win.

T2-2P: Nathan Voigt (as discussed previously)

T2-MP: No one. I own T2-MP. But seriously, I'd have to probably say Nathan Voigt, Justin, or Jayden, though it's hard to have rivalries in such a weird category.

Sealed Deck: Rebecca Collins--Just because of 2011 Nats. I'm sure most of you know the story  there.

Booster Draft: Bill Voigt. By far the best Booster Draft player I know. I'm not sure what kind of voodoo magic Bill uses to get just the right draws and drafts that he needs to win, but he is exceptionally good at Booster. Once in awhile I'll beat him, but games are always exciting.

I enjoy playing Joshua Kopp aka TheKarazyVicepresident (spelling)
I enjoy playing Justin Sangillo not sure what his board name is
I enjoy playing Michael Iurilli not sure if he has a board name

It's no surprise to me, I am my own worst enemy
'Cause every now and then I play Mayhem with RbD.

#1 on my list:

Redemption101

1. Connor Magras
2. Martian - He is the only person I play that when I play him i forget everything naz does, oh vey lol and I love to play him cause, he's fun XD
3.Gabe...... tho I might not be to much of a rival to him lol

Thanks,
KingLeo

I have no rival.


Seriously.


Not only would I have to actually play, I would have to play well enough to have a rival.  And I keep losing to the kid named, "Bye".

2. Martian - He is the only person I play that when I play him i forget everything naz does, oh vey lol and I love to play him cause, he's fun XD

You play aliens?

Played you didn't he jayden thats alien enough