2011 US Masters Player Profile: Shawn Morris
Canadian Rankings HQ Statistics (as of 22/12/11) |
Rank
|
ID Number
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Points
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Movement
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Tournaments
|
1.
|
100630
|
299.0000
|
0
|
6
|
|
Tournament Results For the Last 12 Months
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Tournament Name
|
Location
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Number of Players
|
Nation
|
Placing
|
Points Earnt
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Flames Of War Masters
|
United States
|
22
|
German
|
12
|
41.00
|
Dragons Den - 1500 LW Flames of War Event
|
Canada |
12
|
German |
1
|
73.00
|
Flames of War - EW 600 Shoutout Event
|
Canada |
7
|
German
|
1
|
68.00
|
Dragons Den - 1000 point Late War - Nationals Qual
|
Canada |
14
|
Soviet
|
1
|
74.00
|
Skirmish 2011
|
Canada |
14
|
German |
3
|
63.43
|
Historicon Thursday I95 Open Tourney
|
United States |
36
|
German |
12
|
66.67
|
Early War Nationals @ Historicon
|
United States |
55
|
German
|
12
|
80.00
|
FOW - Late War Doubles
|
Canada |
15
|
German |
1
|
75.00
|
Flames of War - Nationals Qualifier - Dragons Den
|
Canada |
17
|
German
|
1
|
77.00
|
|
Player Interview
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Battlefront: What is your favorite Flames Of War army to play?
Shawn Morris: My favorite Flames of War army to play are really anything German. I typically play the SS list with a primary focus on the infantry themed lists.
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BF: Why?
SM: I really have always had an interest in the German army. I lived there as a kid and have been hooked on the German army history ever since. I do a lot of reading about the infantry and panzer tactics and I really like how you can (in some instances) use similar tactics in the game. I get a lot more out of the army and the game in general I find when I relate what I do to what I have read. |
Below: Shawn's Panzer Lehr Panzergrenadierkompanie at the US Masters.
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BF: What is your favorite Flames Of War time period?
SM: Late-war, however as on late I am being swayed in the direction of early war. Really any Flames of War are interesting to me. |
BF: Why?
SM: I am not sure why I am drawn to late war so much, perhaps it is because I read the most about that period. I am not really a fan of the huge toys or really of tanks all that much. I am really more of an infantry player and that remains pretty consistent throughout the periods. I think it is more of case of me playing a period I got started with and what is popular in my area. Like I said, the Flames of War game I am most interested in….is the one I am playing at the time.
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BF: What is your favorite World War II battle or operation? Why?
SM: I have a real interest in the landings and immediate battles that took place off the beach. Hermanville is a place that was on real interest to me when I first got in the game so it holds a key place in my historical memory. It was also the subject of one of my earliest terrain pieces so it has significance on a more personal level as well.
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BF: What is your favorite part of the hobby? (Painting, playing, historical research, collecting, assembling, etc.)
SM: This should come as no surprise. My favorite aspect of the hobby is the terrain building that goes along with the game….shocker. I first got into the game through terrain making and I will continue to grow with the game as a terrain maker. Enhancing the game from a visual perspective has always been paramount to my gaming. If things look cool, or realistic then my level of enjoyment goes up tenfold. That not to say I cannot enjoy a game on a table with phone books and pop cans for terrain but it leaves me wanting in the end. I love the game and anything I can do to help others and I enjoy it just slightly more I will do it. For me that comes through terrain making. |
BF: Why do you attend tournaments?
SM: For me I attend to simple get a game in. I live in a remote location in Northern Canada so for me to get a game in I have a 4 hour flight. I make the flight at least every other month for a tournament. I spend a lot of time and money to make events. I do it all for the enjoyment of the game and the interaction with other gamers. It takes a lot of dedication for me to make as many events as I do but I would not change my habits for anything. I have recently begun hitting events across the country and even down in the US. I figure if I got to fly anyway I might as well make a great trip out of it and get some gaming in. I really enjoy the social aspect of the game as well and getting to interact and chat with others about the game gives me insight into the hobby. Of course a big interest for me is hearing what others think of terrain and getting their opinions about what works well and what they would like to see changed. A lot these things come out in game play so it really allows for the information sharing to take place in a relevant situation – something often lost on the internet and forums.
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BF: Your tournament mantra?
SM: Typically I preface every game with a simple explanation: “I am Canadian – Ah!” then people tend to take it easier on me. So far it has worked.
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BF: What is your favorite type of tournament? (Points, theme, time period, style, etc.)
SM: I have only played in points based tournaments to this point so I will have to say…points based. Although I did like the doubles format, so that was fun as well and something I would like to play more of. |
BF: What are some of the most competitive armies to play?
SM: I think anything with lots of tanks. I’m primarily an infantry player it is always a really hard fought game when you run into a tank horde. I think that there is lot of really competitive mechanized forces as well. Armored rifles come to mind and on the axis side I am particularly keen on the Panzer Lehr – both the mechanized infantry and the Reconnaissance Squadrons. |
BF: What is your favorite platoon type?
SM: Infantry platoons are certainly my favorite type; I really enjoy the pioneer platoons.
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BF: What are you general tactics that you use almost every game?
SM: I think offensively through a good defense.
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BF: What army are you bringing to the Masters?
SM: To be completely honest (at the time of writing this) I have no idea. I do know it will be an infantry based forced with heavy tank support and a sprinkling of smoking and reconnaissance units. However, as to which army in particular I am not certain. I have a strong feeling towards taken a pioneer army however, Lehr has a special place in my game and I could lean towards them in the end.
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BF: Why?
SM: Why? Why not? Germans have always provided me with great success in the past and they are a blast to field win or lose. I feel comfortable with the stats and I know the limitations of the units. Germans have a certain flex to the armies that allows you to switch up tactics mid game and I really like that. I find I am never wanting with the German lists and for that reason they are my go to nation.
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BF: What mission are you dreading the most?
SM: For me its Hasty Assault simply because I have no played the mission at all. And/or attacking in Cauldron.
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BF: What mission do you excel at the most?
SM: My favorites are Hold The Line and Fighting Withdraw. I would not say I excel at them but they are the most enjoyable and allow me to play my style of game the best. |
BF: What points level do you like and dislike based on your army selection? And why?
SM: Despite not having my list nailed down just yet I am noticing that the lower levels are providing me with the greatest amount of difficulty. I believe that most German lists are going to struggle at the lower limits mainly due to cost of the units in the German lists. Germans tend to be a little heftier when it comes to point costs and certainly at the lower levels your points are hard to come by so you must ensure they are well spent. I do not think the Germans are overpriced; it is more of a matter of other armies getting cheaper options. I think the Germans begin to balance towards the mid to upper point levels.
Right: Shawn at the gaming tables.
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BF: Is there a particular points and mission combo that you are really looking forward to seeing?
SM: As the points near the mid
ranges 1450, 1650 I think the lists I choose will be at peak performance
particularly in a defensive mission in which I can defend from prepared
positions. |
BF: How do you think you will perform?
SM: I hate to make predications so I will just say this; “I predict I will have a great time.” |
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