CanYouSayG(G): Hello everybody, this is CanYouSayG, and you are reading the CanYouSayBlog, the blog where YOU get to meet the people of vanguard from around the world!

G: Today, we will be talking to one of the top players from Germany and winner of multiple large tournaments around europe: Jey Kobus

Jey Kobus (J): Hello guys, Jey here.

G: Thank you for being here. We will start off with some easy questions. How long have you been playing vanguard?

J: I started with Vanguard when Bt06 came out in Europe (which was pretty early since they had a weird release order to that time)

G: What clans do you use, and what made you start those clan(s)?

J: I am maining Gear Chronicle since it's first td, the reason for that: I liked the artworks, that's mostly the reason for me to start a clan. I am also playing Aqua Force and Shadow Paladin.

G: Of all the different seasons and eras of Vanguard, which do you like the most?

J: I really like the arc where Shadow Paladin got introduced because it had that tournament vibe.

G: Jey, you have been playing Vangaurd for many years. Vanguard has a reputation for having a very fast changing meta. How does the speed the meta changes nowadays compare with how fast it changed before?

J: Since Gbt11, which brought a lot of fresh air, we got a fast changing meta like you said, before that we had a very long dry period were about 2-3 decks topped. I think a fast meta is a good thing because it brings the challenge to adept to things.

G: Meta development and new ideas come up all the time, but a lot of communities around the world tend to be dismissive of newer ideas and turn a blind eye to strange and underused decks topping big tournaments. What do you think of this mindset?

J: On one hand I can understand when people stick to their “old” meta deck because it's a competitive thing. On the other hand I think trying new things is the right idea, let's take Bladewing as an example, it was never a competitive deck until now, but with the idea of Demagogue Otk it got better; still being a gimmick deck, now with Gbt11 it is a top meta deck. That wouldn't have happened if people didn't try it, same thing goes with ZTB, which now outshines Time Leap.

G: Do you believe the current meta (GBT11 and 12) has a "sleeper hit" deck or playstyle that are not widespread yet but have the potential to become meta top?

J: With Bladewing definitely, like I said ZTB also does that with the new Spearhead-Sheep combo. There is Ott which now shines with Battle Sisters but people are trying the less popular Tsukuyomi deck which might just be the better deck of the two.

G :On that same topic, do you believe that Vanguard has a lot of people exploring these possibilities and developing new decks for the meta?

J: From what I see in Europe, I think no, there are some people trying new ideas but then get stomped by the Meta here and give their deck the “Fun-but-not-worth” stamp. I think Bushi is already going in the right direction with making RR and RRR cards easier to obtain so you can try a new idea without spending a fortune.

G: Do you believe more deck development innovation comes from the East or the West?

J: Definitely from East which might also be the reason why the West doesn't really try new Ideas because they can just go and look what will be good.

G: On that same note, do you think that information of innovation and new strategies travels between countries enough?

J: Not quite, I travel a lot in Europe for tournaments so I can share ideas and receive ideas from a lot of people but other than that, no I think we need to communicate more with each other.

G: In your opinion, do you believe that the east has things to learn from the west?

J: Only trying out other decks than Tier 1 in tournament. I see so many tournament results here where we suddenly have e.g. Tachikaze or even Aqua Force in 1st place of a regional qualifier, when I see winners decklists from the east it is most of the time the same deck.

G: Jey, you are regarded as one of the top players in Europe. Do you mind sharing what large tournaments you have topped?

J: In this past year I topped in Belgium Team League 2016 and Belgium Qualifier 2016, also Düsseldorf Continental for that where I got 4th place

G: You have achieved a lot in Europe. Can you share some of your greatest goals in Vanguard that you with to one-day reach?

J: I definitely want to got to Japan for Worlds, that is my top priority.

G: I also look forward to the day you can come to Japan

CanYouSayG（G）: What are some secrets behind your success?

Jey Kobus(J): I test a lot and try out new things, also playing Vanguard at nearly all my weekends and when I have spare time I am on my phone on Pojo and Facebook to read about Vanguard.

G: How often do you train and practice for tournaments, what do you think is important while practicing?

J: I train by just playing against my friends, like I said nearly every weekend, when I really want to have a training session I tell them to give their best like they would be in a tournament. I think it is important to think about the plays you do whilst practicing and when you lose think about the missplays you did and think about what you could have done better.

G: Regarding playing, As an high level player, what is, in your opinion, some mistakes you see a lot of players (newer as well as veterans) you see making?

J: First of all, being nervous is a big factor in tournaments, I see top players (myself included) overthinking when the situation gets difficult, that leads to missplays. But also the opposite can be deadly, being full of yourself, if you think you are better than others because you topped a lot it might cost you the game because your opponent also wants to win and he might take the game more serious and make the optimal plays.

G: Jey, what is Vanguard in Germany like?

J: We have around 5 Stores in Germany that sell Vanguard, most of the time we buy cards online because the stores don't have the newest set or just do the sneak and that's it. My friends and I travel mostly for big tournaments when possible but also smaller ones. Road trip!

G: Do people say "STAND UP DAS VANGUARD" In Germany?

J: Sadly not but we might just do now.

J: My Local store in Germany

G: What are some differences between the north of Germany and south of Germany?

J: North Germany is pretty cold I can't say if there are a lot of players, I know that Berlin has a small scene, South Germany got the beer and a bigger vanguard scene with a lot of good players. I would say the biggest scene is in west Germany it is comparable to the south though.

G: Are there a lot of fan run tournaments(VGCS)?

J: Sadly not, but luckily we live close to Belgium and the Netherlands so we go there most of the time, but we got the Spring Fest coming up for cologne.

G: On the subject of fan run tournaments, you recently performed very well at DFUC in Luxembourg. How was that tournament? How did it differ from German Tournaments?

J: It was a lot of fun and very well organized, I also made a tournament report. The difference was definitely the prize pool which was waaaaay bigger than what we have. Also more people attended. It was very international seeing a judge from England and host from Lithuania host in Luxembourg.

G: In your opinon, does Germany look to other countries for ideas (Deck builds, playstyle)?

J: Yes, I look into the Japan meta and talk about it with my group but that's about it.

G: Who are some famous players from Europe?

J: Liubo Chen, he went to worlds and is a great sport.

Hélène Bourrée, she consistently tops a lot of tournament and might be the best Kagero player.

Kris / DifferentFight, well we all know him.

G: And who are some famous players you have heard of from other countries?

J: Ryan Kai I know that he is a great Shadow Player and just keeps on topping tournaments

Max Carreno he also won a lot of tournaments.

G: And now for a sillier question: Imagine you made it to the FINALS of the World Championship. Name three people you would like to fight as the final match.

J: Chris Köllner form the south germany, we talk a lot about deck ideas and that we have to see each others in Finals.

Liubo Chen, the last time I faced him I lost, but it was a lot of fun.

Max Carreno, we talk about Vanguard but never played against each other.

G: And lastly, would you like to add any comment for the readers?

J: I just want to say have fun while playing Vanguard don't get too mad if you lose and most importantly be nice to each other.

G: Thank you ladies and gentlemen for reading this weeks interview. Did you enjoy it? Who shall we interview next?

G: I have been your host, CanYouSayG. Keep on being awesome, and we will see you again next week, right here on the CanYouSayBlog.

Did you enjoy this Article?

Check out more interviews with players around the world here!