Golden Ticket Winner Profile
Player name: Ole Gunnar Vatland
Age:39
Country of Origin: Norway
Where you won your ticket: 2d6 Alliance
Interview Questions
What do you look at when you’re building a list? Are there any principals you focus on?
My lists usually tends to cater towards castle play. I like to have a strong center that can hold their own. And then build upon that with pieces that can move and score battle tactics. I do like to have a list that has a clear plan on what tactic to do all the way up until turn 5, and don’t have a list dependent on BTs that the opponents control. So if I at least can have units that makes me score the first 3 BTs I’m good. After that, I look for the newer armies! I also enjoy the collecting part of the hobby; having every army available to me is part of the fun stuff! Also to tell anyone that wants to play they can choose whatever army they want, and just play it is something I enjoy. It makes it easier to get new people onboard. And an excuse to buy new things. My lists usually starts out as Benjamins idea and then we tailor them to my playstyle/preferences.
Talk about some of the armies you played in 4th edition so far – was this a change from 3rd.
So 4th was kicked of with LRL, I played the standard fox list, the way the army moves and scores was beyond reason, move shot move is an incredible ability and made the threat range of the army as well as it scoring potential huge. Now, after that I was going to my first tournament in Oslo, and Eirik so kindly borrowed me the second «broken» so to speak army of the time, Nighthaunt. The change that army had received together with the points was huge. Being able to teleport in both hero phases, run and charge, retreat and charge as well as to debuff and basically not paying for ignore rend on your hexwraiths was beyond silly. That list is better left behind never to emerge again.
After that I played a bit of Cities; they received a bit of a down treatment and I never landed on any list that I liked to play, and that brings us to Sylvaneth.
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?
There are a few opportunities here; we have my own Invasion that gives out 2 tickets, then Carnage for another two and finally the team tournament where I got mine, Alliance, for the last three. The ones from alliance was a new addition this year for a pleasant surprise for us.
What army are you bringing to the World Championships, and why did you choose them?
I’m bringing Sylvaneth, a good list into the current meta I think and an army that suits my playstyle. I chose them largely based on Benjamin’s recommendations and he is Norway’s list wizard. Just about (not all but close enough) any list that comes out from 2d6 has started in his app. 
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?
US, Australia and southern Europe I think, its hard to name just one. We have a tight community up here in the north with all the Nordic countries and we also travel a lot overseas to England to play. But we usually don’t travel to Germany, France, Spain or US, so to see how those countries do it compared to us would be really interesting for us. Just to see the difference. And the scene around the world in general! Like how is it like in Asia?
Run us through your list a little bit. What made you choose this list, and why do you enjoy playing it?
So my list is tailored to be good into many of the list seen at carnage and other tournaments that’s just been. I just came from a 4-1 with it and put in a warsong and another unit of gossamid, scrapping Durthu. Tailoring it more towards how I like to play and even harder into the Nordic meta (As of now). I have a strong center with Kurnoths and a potential strike first. Or Alarielle with -1 to hit and -1 attack depending on what I need. I also have a 4+ to return units that I like, and everyone else hate so there’s that. Bringing Belthanos to get that threat range going and two units of gossamids to do battle tactics, die and come back and do it again is very nice. Warsong is about the best warscroll in the book right now I think and very good into the current «meta» if you like.
What does the list do well against? What match-ups are you hoping to avoid?
It should do well against armies that rely on or heavily uses endless, big units and mobility armies. I have the speed to catch most of the units and also the punch and ability to power through/strike and face makes it harder to catch me. I also have the ability to brawl it out in the center with the kurnoths and branchwych if I have to. I hope to avoid lists that can just shoot Alarielle and Belth off the board, and they do exist. I do not like to play against Belakor either; even though he usually fails against me it still is a pain…
Are there any battleplans that you’re hoping to avoid? Why?
Star strike. Yes, that is it. And some matchups are easier on battleplans but that comes down to luck of the draw, I guess.
How does it feel to be going to the event? Are you nervous? Excited? Do you have different goals compared to last year?
I’m excited! Going to the US for the first time As well, so there is that! My goal is to make a lot of new friends, get through the group with 4-0 and take it from there. But in truth my goal is to beat Geir.
How do you expect the competition to be different from other events? Is there anything you’re doing differently to prepare?
We don’t play more than 5 rounds here in Scandinavia or England for that matter. So, there is a significant difference in playing so many games over such a brief period. I tried to replicate it here at home and played 5 games in one day. So, a good nutrition and sleep schedule is important for the prep. Hoping the coffee over there is good!
How do you expect you’ll do at the event? What’s a “good event” look like for you, record-wise?
A good event for me is a 5-0 to 4-1 event. I expect nothing less than that to be mirrored in the number of matches we are playing.
Last year there were a few changes that came as a result of questions that came from the event. Are there any particular interactions that you would like to get clarity on or talk to GW about?
Star strike. No I will probably talk to them more about where the fuck is Tyrion??? Why is he not here yet? And what is Malerion up to? Give me both! #fluffplayer oh and bring Felix back!
How much do you miss Blizzard?
I do not, as I was not elected to have it for worlds (by my own design I guess) So, good riddance!
Is there anything you wanted to add?
I look forward to meeting you all again! It is such a joy and superfun every time! If you ever hesitate to go to competitive events because “they are competitive” do not be, it is the most fun you will have in ages! And I can guarantee that you will make 5 new friends from 5 matches. Then you will come back and make another 5 new friends. Suddenly you are part of the group! Flying over to other countries to play with plastic soldiers and having a blast doing it.
Thanks again for taking the time to answer our questions. Good luck at the event!
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