Road to the World Championships Interview Series: AoS Golden Ticket Winner Geir Vedeld

Golden Ticket Winner Profile

Player name: Geir Vedeld 

Age: 48

Country of Origin: Norway

Where you won your ticket: Liverpool, UK

Interview Questions

What do you look at when you’re building a list? Are there any principals you focus on?

I like playing control and being an active part in the game. There is an art to building a beautiful Castle, but I prefer to supply the answers rather than the questions – even though I have played both.

Talk about some of the armies you played in 4th edition so far – was this a change from 3rd. 

I have played S2D first, to play with familiar warscrolls in a new edition. I like the mobility and damage output, but the lack of  internal balance in the index does not allow for much variety if you want to play strong lists. The army plays much like in 3rs, only with fewer options.

Then I went on to LRL, to try an index with more depth. It has been very strong, and I brought three different builds to three different tournaments with mixed success. I think they have a lot of the same mechanisms as in 3rd ed, but they have lost some tools on the way between editions. The last nerf they got was pretty good, so I now believe they are a solid pick – but no longer massively OP.

Then I had three tournaments with OBR. I played Nagash with all the horses and then Katakros with all the horses. OBR needs a nerf, and it will hopefully come. the castle of Katakros is designed so some armies will just auto lose on some battleplans. The biggest issue the army has is on some battleplans versus mobile / teleporting armies and against the few armies that can supply high rend. It is also hard to play against Tzeentch with all  their tools. I feel OBR plays pretty similar as well, although I haven’t tried many builds with Morghasts, catapults, etc.

Talk a little about the path to getting a golden ticket from your home country – how many opportunities are there? Are there other regions close by that you can easily visit and attend?

You can get a ticket in Norway either through the oldest tournament in Norway’s history and a truly magnificent one: Invasion in Kristiansand. Or one of the Spillforeningen 2d6’ tournaments. They get international players joining, so it is not that easy – but that is also good! It is of course possible to travel in Europe to get a ticket if you play well enough.

What army are you bringing to the World Championships, and why did you choose them? 

I am sorry, but I am still undecided (it is the day before deadline). It is either OBR due to the practice I have gotten the last weekends, or SCE because Luke Morton and I have been discussing and he is very wise and fun to learn from.

A big focus of the Worlds experience is bringing together people a lot of people from all over the world. Is there any country or community that you have a particular interest in how they organize and play competitive warhammer?

I have visited a few countries already and learned a lot! England, Poland, Sweden, Denmark, US, and recently Germany. I would like to know more about the German, Australian and French scenes to be honest (shoutout to RusselCroweAoS).

If I Pick It - OBR- click to expand

Run us through your list a little bit. What made you choose this list, and why do you enjoy playing it?

Trouble is I am undecided.

My OBR list is very solid. Katakros at the centre supplying survivability and 18” movability and buffs to the death riders. The Soulmason with Aura of Sterility and Helm of Tyranny protects against shooting and together with the Kata buff provides footprint. The list kind of writes itself, although there are some discussions on what is the best way to go. You will see that the Swedes are thinking differently most likely.

I like the solidity and utility in the list. It is unfortunately slightly predictable, and to some extent it forces a playing style.

What does the list do well against? What match-ups are you hoping to avoid? 

Everything that doesn’t have enough damage / rend, especially on small battleplans with fewer objectives, it will do well.

Everything that either has high rend/ damage or mobility on large battleplans with more objectives is difficult.

Are there any battleplans that you’re hoping to avoid? Why?

Scorched Earth definitely, and some matchups on Feral Foray and Better Part of Valor.

What was your road getting to the event like? 

I had a great time at the events I have been to. The Justice League in Liverpool was great! Thanks to Ritchie. Highly recommended.

How does it feel to be going to the event? Are you nervous? Excited? Do you have different goals compared to last year?

I want to play as well as I can, and if I meet an opponent that plays better they win fair and square.

How do you expect the competition to be different from other events? Is there anything you’re doing differently to prepare?

Probably stronger all the way. Nothing in particular.

How do you expect you’ll do at the event? What’s a “good event” look like for you, record-wise?

I will play for as high a position as possible.

How much do you miss Blizzard?

I don’t. Good riddance.

Is there anything you wanted to add?

Looking forward to seeing old friends and making new ones. Love playing tournaments 🙂

Will you be attending the WCoW ‘24? Let us know in the comments below. Have any questions or feedback? Drop us a note in the comments below or email us at contact@goonhammer.com. Want articles like this linked in your inbox every Monday morning? Sign up for our newsletter. And don’t forget that you can support us on Patreon for backer rewards like early video content, Administratum access, an ad-free experience on our website and more.