Meet the Pro: Dan Sotelo
 Welcome to the first entry of Meet the Pro!
I know I promised these articles back when I took over as Awesome Manager of Inspired Writings, but it took me some time to get in touch with our “pros” and get their answers.
Plus, the timing worked out nicely as I plan on releasing one or two of these interviews each month leading up to this year's Gen-Con.
This will give you all a chance to “meet” some of our top players before you have a chance to actually meet them at the tournament tables.
Today's pro is Dan Sotelo, manager of Grasshopper's Comics and founder of Team Hopper. I would give him a much more proper introduction, but most of the stuff I would say would probably give away a bunch of his answers. For now, I'll just mentioned that he finished in the Top 4 of last year's National Limited Championships and has many other Spoils accolades on his resume.
What drew you into playing The Spoils?
Everything. The mechanics, the art, and the flavor.
Why do you continue to play The Spoils? I enjoy the majig out of it. It’s so much fun to play and has endless deck combinations. It also never gets old to me.
What is your favorite moment related to The Spoils?
When I won my way onto The Spoils Tricked Out Bus. That was a huge Spoils moment for me and tons of fun.
What is your least favorite moment related to The Spoils?
When I found out the Cruise was canceled.
Where do you play Spoils the most?
Grasshoppers Comics A.K.A Home Base
What is your greatest accomplishment as a Spoils player?
I'd have to say it's a tie between my back-to-back 5K Bus Tour wins and my first place finish at the Vegas “Not So Much” 13K Event.
What do you hope to see in the future of The Spoils?
Regular release of new product and the player base to grow.
Which trade is your favorite and why?
Banker. I have always loved playing Greed the most. I love cards that say “Pick a character…kill that character” and Banker has a whole mess of them. Plus I love the artwork on all Mau related cards.
What play style would you say suits you best?
This is a hard question for me to answer because I never stick to any one thing. I am always making all types of decks. I can say, however, that straight rush decks do not really appeal to me and I don't find much enjoyment playing them.
Are you a member of any “team?”
Team Hopper. I am the Founding member and I will take full responsibility for, to this day, still having the most viewed thread on the Spoils Forums.
What is your forum handle?
Strmtrpr81
How long have you been playing Spoils?
Since Open Beta, summer of 2006 I believe.
If you could describe Spoils in one word, what would it be?
Fantasticallyawesometacular (I believe I just found a word for a Spoils card).
Editor's Note: Although “fantasticallyawesometacular” is not a word, I'm going to allow it. - Terence
Do you have any advice for new players?
Draft whenever you can. It builds your card collection and skill all at the same time. Have fun playing The Spoils. Talk it up. Show people what a great game it is. Build a community for this game. It’s a great experience every time you pick up a deck of Spoils cards
What events are you most looking forward to?
All events at Gen Con.
Any funny stories to share about The Spoils?
Too many to choose from, but I will tell you this: My friends and I made “The Spoilers” girls our friends when we first met them in New York. We invited them out for a fun night in NYC. We even went bar hopping and to a club. It was so much fun just hanging with the gamer girls and joking around non-stop.
What is your favorite Spoils format (constructed, seed constructed, seed draft, 2nd edition limited, etc) and why?
Draft. No other game compares to drafting The Spoils. It is different each time, it's always changing. Constructed in any game has the “current meta” and, to me, that gets upsetting because people hear about the winning deck and then copy it. It happens in every game and nobody (well, almost nobody) wants to be original. Spoils has so much potential for variety. That’s why, when I put together constructed decks, I like to do something different, and that is what separates a good player and a Fantasticallyawesometacular player.
 What is your favorite card flavor wise and why?
Noble Sacrifice. I love the card and Indiana Jones…need I say more??
What is your favorite card play wise and why?
Mutiny Grant. I know, I'm sure some people reading this are like, “What is a Mutiny Grant?” The potential of this card is amazing. It can really ruin your opponent's day. It is a bit situational, but oh boy does it screw people up, especially since they don’t expect it.
Do yourself a favor. Throw a few in a Banker deck, one that runs Guilded Yurt. Steal their character when they attack you, block the rest of their party with their character, kill their characters with their card, then Yurt their character so they can't have it back. It's cruel AND hilarious. Oh, and then the start of your turn, you get their card back in play under your control to beat their face in.
A more simple card I love to play is Mau Party. I like drawing cards and it has a pretty picture!
Any arch-enemies in The Spoils?
HANS!! I've played Hans twice in my life, lost both times. One of these days, Hans, I will become the victor and, therefore, reap the Spoils!
All Meet the Pro articles:
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