Show Media Item - The Complete Interview - DostetresThe Complete Interview - Dostetres
Here is the complete interview as seen in the Planets Newsletter - Enjoy!
PN: Tell us a little about yourself.
D: (Username: Dostetres) In my teens, I had just started playing a new RPG, and needed a character name. I was deer hunting and thinking of options and took a doe. The rifle I was using was a .243 caliber. I hodge-podged greek and latin to get Dos Tetra Tres. 47, Single dad with 2 sons ages 18 & 16. My oldest is in basic training with the US Air Force and my youngest is at home this summer, returning to boarding school in July for football practice (pointy ball, not round). I work in the oil and gas industry, specifically in the pipeline inspection industry. I am an entrepreneur building my 2nd and 3rd companies.
PN: When did you first start playing?
D: Mid 1990s, trading floppies at the local pool hall.
PN: What's your favorite race and why?
D: I guess I would have to say the Lizards, and by “have to” I mean because it’s the only race I play. I chose them because of their racial abilities and the LCC, best ship in the game in my opinion. For me, cloaking is the most fun way to play. It leverages the Lizard economic advantages very well. But, I’m still working on my strategies and execution for late game.
PN: What do you build on first three turns with them (or your general opening strategy)?
D: LCC, LDSF, LCC. Tax the HW down to 80% happiness on turn 1. 1st LCC set to Hiss, and keep hissing until Insects or high government natives are found. Send the 2nd LCC to the nearest cluster, cloaked.
PN: How many games do you play at the same time?
D: Until recently, 2-3 at differing stages. One early one mid and one late. Maybe a Blitz if I have time. Lately work has kept me to one game.
PN: What types of games do you like playing most?
D: Campaign, the additional abilities keep you on your toes. I think this game tends to attract more experienced players.
PN: What's your most memorable game, and what made it so interesting?
D: Gamma Hydra Sector 44671. One of the first games I played in with active, cooperative allies and complex diplomacy. I also learned to be very afraid of good Privateer commanders, thanks to EJENSEN.
PN: Name a memorable friend and/or a memorable foe, and what made them stand out.
D: Swilson in Orionis 2 sector 172811. I saw an easy target with his Feds nearby, but we fought at a stalemate until the end of the game. For an Ally, I’ve been lucky enough to be in several games with Gnerphk. I have always learned something important in those games.
PN: Give an example of excellent tactics you've used or seen (w/ details so readers can view it, if possible).
D: It’s always fun to park a group LCCs full of clans in the gravity well of a plane near the front, and drop one clan to take and re-take the planet. I watch the enemy’s torpedo count until it gets low, then tow the ship to the waiting LCC pack. I leave just enough torps on the LCC to drop his shields, then let disrupters kill off the crew. The damaged ship can be sent for repair, but I usually just leave it in the warp well to sweep mines.
PN: What do you think is the most important skill for a Planets player to succeed?
D: Attention to detail, and a strong knowledge of the host order. I have neither.
PN: Describe the process you use to make a turn.
D: VCRs, reports, diplomacy. 1st run through ships to set orders and note issues. Ist run through planets to build and not problems. Starbases, and ship builds. Then start messaging players. After coordinating or noting a problem make the 2 nd run through ships and planets.
Thing is, if you do it well enough, after a few turns getting things set up, you can click through and hit all the main points of a turn in about fifteen minutes, just doing the thorough complete turn one time in three. As long as your enemies don't upset things, that is.
PN: What is your favorite thing about Panets Nu?
D: The game is put together very well, and the turn based play fits my lifestyle. But, the handsdown best thing about Planets Nu is the community. I have as much enjoyment reading the feeds as I do playing the game. It would be fun for all the members to take an IQ test and submit their score. I’d love to see the average.
PN: Is there anything else you would like to add?
D: Please keep improving this site. I don’t agree with all of the changes, but the general evolution is fun to participate in. We should do many, many more PlanetCons and MiniPlanetCons. I haven’t been able to attend one yet, but it is on my list.
Thanks Joshua, Beefer and all the folks that make this community work.
Thank you to Dostetres!
You can view Dostetres' profile here.