ENGLISH VERSION
Hi, Hami. Tell us a little bit about yourself: age, your occupation, country
Hi, I'm Miles, I'm 21 years old from the greatest city in the world (New York), and I'm currently studying astrophysics in college.
Wow, atrophisics. I had no idea that you study there.

What's your favorite college subject?
Well, I guess physics. But also history, my major is physics and minor ancient history.

History classes are always easier than physics classes though haha.
Yeah exactly.

Have you ever been to another country?
Yeah, I'm half spanish. So my family and I go to Spain once every two years or so. I've also been to Italy, Mexico, Canada and some other countries that I probably forget right now.
Great! Just I wanted to ask you about Spanish roots, but you have already got ahead of me.
[/img]Which of these countries did you like the most?
Spain is the best
But Italy was cool too. Italian food is the best food so I quite enjoyed that.Quote:But Italy was cool tooYeah especially Turin and Juventus, you know

I can't say, I didn't go to Turin
All I know is at the moment Hellas Verona is looking a bit stronger than Juve. 
Yeah, ahaha.
Quote:Italian food is the best food so I quite enjoyed that.About food, yep, same for me. Spaghettis, bolognese, pizza etc.
What are your hobbies?
I play a lot of football (soccer not american football), I enjoy reading about history, and of course I enjoy playing games.

During the school year there's not so much time to do all of that, though. Lot of reading for classes instead of whatever I choose.
You and I are similar in many ways. I like these hobbies too! Great!
Great minds think alike.
Indeed.

Which football team do you support?
I support Real Madrid, primarily.
But also the team from my grandparents' town, Celta de Vigo.Hala Madrid.
y nada mas...
That's what my phone home screen says. It has a picture of the logo and then "Hala Madrid y Nada mas".
Who is your favorite football player?
Uhhh. Modric? Atm.
If for all the time?
Tough one, Raul maybe.
What national team do you support in soccer USA or Spain?
I support Spain more than I support USA, although that is changing because finally USA is putting together a team that plays better and has more players actually from the US .
But if they played each other, I'd root for Spain haha.Ahaha. I have a similar situation. Between Russia and Italy. As football team I am for Italy.

That's fair. And now they are Euro champions!. Bit of a surprise I guess but they did play good.
Yeah, the combination of youth, experience and aggression was good at that EURO.
Chiellini + Bonucci, what a duo. Don't think many people thought they could last the whole tournament.
BESTS.

About video games. What do you prefer to play?
Well, Rome 2 and RTW (Rome 1) are probably my favorite games ever. But besides that I also play TF2 and a little CS:GO. But I have like 3.5k hours in rome2, so that must be my favorite.

So you prefer strategy and a bit of shooters, right?
Yep. I also got the Formula 1 game recently, and bought the wheel and stuff for that too, so we'll see how that goes. But I don't have it with me here at school. F1 was like my biggest hobby of the pandemic period, I got into it a lot.
Do you have a driving license in real life?

No, haha I don't. Just have a permit which allows me to drive with someone who does have a license in the car. Which is like how you practice to eventually get license. In New York having a license is not really needed, so I kind of put it off, I should get one though.
What kind of car does your family have?
Toyota RAV4. But my dad recently bought a really cool car. A 1971 BMW 2002. Which he is repairing and adding stuff to. So that's his hobby at the moment. It drives fine, it just needs to be sort of restored, and upgraded.
Awesome!
Movies, TV series, books, music? What can you tell us about this? (What do you like? Maybe favorite books, movies etc?)
Ooh, nice, I like this question.
Favorite movies: Monty Python and the Holy Grail, The Sting, and the Blues Brothers. Holy Grail is a classic. The Sting is like a drama from the 70s about running a sting operation on horse racing. And the Blues Brothers is a comedy/musical. Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi.
And then books, my favorite book is Ender's Game. And I'm currently reading through all of the Dune series. Because that movie was coming out (and now it is out).
And for music, well I don't really listen to music that much. I like the Beatles.
The Beatles is classic too.
Did you watch the Dune movie?
I haven't been able to watch it yet... I will do it soon though.
Did you see it?
Same. I want to see for a long time, but there is no time for this.
Yeah. Hopefully you can watch it sometime. It looks really good. And yeah, glad that it seems they will get to actually finish the book in second part. It would be cool if they did the rest of the series, but it doesn't make for as good of a movie, I don't think. Not so much action.
Ender's Game. Have you watched this movie or just read the book?
Both, I read the book first though. Movie was alright, book was better imo. I never read the rest of the Ender series (I probably should). But I read the Ender's shadow series. Which was also quite good.
I watched the movie only, maybe I should read the book too.
Yeah, it's a bit more in-depth than the movie. As books tend to be.
Yeah, books is always better than movies tho.

Yep, law of nature haha.
Hamilkar Barca. Why did you choose this nickname?
Well, as a kid I liked the punic wars. Hannibal is too common name, everybody knows who that its, so I chose his father to flex my knowledge of history. But it also works out well. Hamilkar was undefeated as a general and he moved carthaginian power into Spain. So I find him relatable.
Ahah indeed.

I think it's a bit of a long name, now. But when you're 13 there are worse names you can pick.

Exactly

I have a similar situation. Alexander the Great is my favorite commander but this is too commonplace. So I tried to find my second favorite commander. It turned out to be Pyrrhus of Epirus.
Pyrrhus is a very interesting dude.
Yeah, he interested me with his adventurousness.
In Rome 1, there's a historical battle, Siege of Sparta. Which was Pyrrhus. That's the long quote I put on that Sparta vs. Pergamon battle from the TWL vs morr. I put it in the comments. I almost have it memorized lol.
About this battle. Even here, his death adds romance to him as a historical character. Btw do you have a favorite historical battle and why?
Tough one. I guess Cannae, just for pure epic strategy. I think the battles of Alexander's Successors are also very interesting.
Yeah. I agree with you.
Can you name your top 5 favorite commanders/generals? (There is not necessary from Ancient history)
Haha, they are probably all from Ancient history.
Actually same for me too.

1. Hannibal
2. Hamilkar
3. Eumenes of Cardia
4. Alexander
5. Scipio Africanus
Trying to think if I missed anyone
Eumenes of Cardia. Wow I am really surprised.

He is my favorite Diadochi commander

I respect his loyalty to Perdiccas, and he also had the silver shields with his army and made a brilliant campaign for survival. Just a bit unlucky in the end. It's crazy to think about the veterans from Alexander's campaigns still fighting in the diadochi wars like Eumenes and the silver shields. Something like 40 years of campaigning.
Yes. Actually this period is one of my favorites in history. From Philip the Great to the death of Pyrrhus of Epirus.
Yeah, so much happens here in history. If we extend to the end of the second punic war, you get even more action.

Indeed

What's your favorite historical movie?
Good question. Actually I don't think it's ancient history. "Gettysburg" is probably my favorite. It's like 5 hours long or something, but it's really well done.
Ancient history I actually don't watch too many of those movies. I haven't seen "Gladiator" or "300" for example. I might have to say the 1962 movie "The 300 Spartans". It's like a more realistic version of thermopyale than "300".
Yes, I understand what you mean. I watched both versions.
I feel like there aren't any movies about Hannibal's campaign or at least any well known ones, despite being such an epic.
Really. This is strange because there are many interesting moments. Not to mention that there are so many good battles for EPIC cinematic scenes.

Yeah, exactly. Probably because there's no love story
Except for Hannibal's love... of victory. But there are quite a few good books on it - "The Young Carthaginian" and "Pride of Carthage" for example.
I know what the reason is. The Romans blockade Hannibal after his death too

True
.I know history can be told for a long time. After all, this is a really interesting topic. I love this too. But let's now switch to Total War. What clans have you been member of? What is your current clan?
I've only ever been in one clan, my current one, First Guards. I joined it after I won the second NAFT tournament in like 2015, I beat Poccopacs and Happysouls in the tournament. Who were both top-5 players at the time, I'd say. So the clan was quite strong.
Now it's just me, but I don't really care about clans anymore. So I just stay in the clan for historical purposes
Now you are the first and last guarder
Yep
.As the motto says in the clan page. First one in, last one out. I am at least one of those.
When and what TW game did you play first? What brought you into Total War universe?
So, I'm not exactly sure who in my friend group first found out about RTW 1, but it was in fourth grade. All of my best friends were in the same class, it was crazy. Pretty rare for NYC school that's pretty big and so one of them found the game. We all liked ancient history, so we played it and ofc we found it very cool. So it was Rome 1, and eventually me and one friend (Luke who still plays RTW1) were playing it more. But it wasn't competitive for me really, just for fun, but online.
I like this story. I even envy you a little because my close ones or best friends are not very interested in history or historical games.
Yeah, it was happy circumstance
Tell us about your first tournament if you remember it.
Well, first few tournaments I do remember but I didn't complete them. First one was SITH Blue tournament. This was Rome 2, I never played RTW1 tournaments before R2.
Actually my first ever tournament game is on youtube. But I had to go on vacation after, so I couldn't play the next round. Then I played in Maximus' Random Faction Tournament.
At your youtube channel? Or another channel?
No, some other one, I think SITH Blue channel, who did all commentaries for the tournament. In random faction tournament I played vs Poccopacs for first time, Tylis vs. Pontus. So big faction advantage for me haha. And I won that too (also on yt), where I got big praise from Maximus for how I played against some stuff Pocco did. But again, couldn't complete the tournament cuz I went away. So first one I actually finished was the NAFT 2 tournament that I won.
Good start
Yeah haha, I did watch a LOT of competitive rome 2 before that, though, so I knew how to play. And I had like 500 hrs of campaign, so I knew how to use controls haha.
I have a slightly different situation, I almost immediately started fighting in multiplayer. Before that, I once completed the campaign for Macedon. After... I decided to try myself in online battles.
I think I played some MP before tournaments, but nothing useful, was all hilly maps and weird rules. At least not sieges, though

Ahaha.
Which tournament is most memorable for you and why?
Tough one. Maybe it wouldn't even be the ones I won. Actually the CoN** where ncr won with Ardiaei is probably the most insane individual performance in tournament I've ever witnessed.
For tournaments I won, lots of good options there... I'd go with the Winter Classic tournament where I beat Ragnar 4-2 in the finals.
**CoN = Cup of Nations (tournament)
Quote:Actually the CoN where ncr won with Ardiaei is probably the most insane individual performance in tournamentYes it was brilliant by ncr.
Yep, crazy.
Rome 2 is your favorite for multiplayer or Rome 1 tho?
Both are good for different reasons. Rome 1 has lot of fast-paced gameplay and high intensity of micro because cav is very dominant. Rome 2 is more strategic and combined-arms approach. But I guess I'll give the edge to Rome 2. Just because I can trust myself to do more stuff there

Have you favorite factions in R1, R2? Why?
In Rome 2, it's got to be either Parthia or Galatia, because I like the combination of units for Galatia, and the pure kite potential for Parthia.
In Rome 1, Macedon is cool.
And Pontus.
For MACEDON!!
Haha, Parmenion will like that
Yep
Tell us about most memorable victory or loss you ever had in TW MP battles? Tell us about battle that changed you as a player if such a battle ever happened (you may have already mentioned about that).
Well, I think that series vs ncr (Galatia-Ardiaei) is most memorable for losses. Just got totally outplayed. I'm trying to think what got me to play more kite armies, not sure there.
Maybe I'll just cite the Iceni-Epirus game from TWL 7 finals vs. morr, where I took total kite army. But there must be better ones somewhere. To prove that kite theory is viable, which I think more defines me now.
Quote:I think that series vs ncr (Galatia-Ardiaei)I remember this battle I even casted this on my ytube channel.
Yeah, these were sad for me, but nothing but respect for how he played it.
That is kite is your favorite tactic right now?
Kinda, I just think it's more unique style.
Agreed. Because at any moment you can go to rush, or keep balance between attack or defense.
Yea. It is dynamic, that's always good.
Name strongest TW players for all the time. Why you think they are strongest? Maybe tell us about most memorable battles against them that you played. I know it ncr ranger but probably someone else?
Yeah, for me NCR #1, and then Iraklis. I think him because he was incredible player for a long time, across multiple eras of the game. That shows something about being able to adapt. Players like AK for example were only good in one period. Iraklis has a claim for the GOAT of all total war. He was good in Rome 1 also.
Then you have classic players of the first age, like PrussianPrince, and the Agartha players. Who were the best in the most competitive period. But at that moment the meta was under-developed. So they were winning with some skills but maybe not best understanding of the game. As with all games/sports, understanding of the game only ever increases over time, so I think the players always are improving. Just sometimes there are exceptional talents in earlier periods who have crazy skills.
Quote:So I think the players always are improvingI completely agree.
By the way I like Iraklis too. Especially how he knows how to play in pikemen style (in old patches).
Yep, he created a lot of new ideas. That's always sign of players who are thinking about meta and adapting it.
About AK I have a theory that he could become the best player in R2. His peak skill was at the wrong moment. You have to remember that: situation with VOD clan in Cup of Nations tournament.
Haha, ofc I remember. I have that video
This video still often comes across in my recommendations on ytube

Hahaha
But he gave us maybe the best rivalry of R2 history, him vs Iraklis. Such a competition increases level of the game I think.
Yeah I remember their last fight. Epirus vs Sparta (good Sparta). AK won then.
Yep. So many fights between them and close series.
Yup.
Is there TW player that you enjoy playing against the most? Why?
In Rome 1, Luke, because he's my irl friend, so adds interesting layer that you can't get anywhere else. But in Rome 2, I enjoy playing against ncr, because he always adds new ideas to a matchup and his micro is nuts. Then there's also Ragnar, who has a unique style at the moment. Especially in **4/6/12 rules.
Yeah, in 4/6/12 he is good.
**4/6/12 - it is rules for TW tournaments: 4 same/6 swords/12 infantry
Ye, he has good style there, heavy cavalry.
Is there youtuber that you prefer for watching Total War battles?
Back in the day, I watched a lot of Maximus. He's a legend. Now I just watch whoever has interesting matches, in any TW (except WH lol). So I've watched your videos for Attila games, and then some other RTW people for Rome 1. Just depends what's going on I guess.
Quote:Just depends what's going on I guess.I understand you. I have a similar situation.
Everyone who makes videos has somewhat different things to offer.
Agreed.
Quote:(except WH lol)Ahah, why don't you like this game? Is it because of the fantasy? Or other reasons?
It's just too different from what I think is "Total War" game. And unit variety is weird, too many fodder units, and the lords are too strong. So just matters a few things, and good use of magic, which I think is gimmicky.
For Total War: Arena same?
I liked Arena actually. But it depended too much on team and I didn't play with friends really. But the idea seemed good.
Yeah, I played often at this game when was 1st and 2nd beta versions. It was really funny and enjoyable for me. But current version (China Arena)... I don't like
I haven't played it since it became only China. Also was kind of pay-2-win, because you'd have players of different ranks in the same game, who had better units or abilities.
When you play Total War, you have strengths and weaknesses. Can you tell us about them?
Strengths are definitely my knowledge of the game, and the meta, so I can adapt and understand a matchup quickly. My micro is also pretty solid, I think, so that helps.
Weaknesses I think is probably being stubborn with how I think something should work. So if I think a tactic should work, I just bang my head into a wall to try to prove it lol.
Quote:My micro is also pretty solidYeah you have one of the best micro in TW imao.
Thanks
I think a funny example of that weakness is before the Winter Finals vs Ragnar, we had played. Lusitani vs. Kush a bunch of times and Lusitani kept winning by skirmishing. I was sure I could win with Kush. And then Ragnar picked it in the finals, as the first matchup. But I just picked lusitani, I said fuck it, I can't prove it anymore.
I like how playing Ragnar for Lusitani, Maybe he is the best for this faction.
Yeah, he loves Lusitani. He likes taking like 4 balearics. Fun stuff and he loves the vet shield warriors, which are indeed beasts in melee.
Also Lusitani swordsWOMEN

Iberian swords got nerfed because they can't throw the javelins automatically anymore, like thureos. For some reason the mercenary ones for Carthage can do it, though.Yeah.
By the way about units. What type of troops/units (infantry, cavalry etc) do you like most? Why?
I like javcav the most, I think I'm one of the best at using them for utility unit. They create so much space in the current patch, it's insane. Hard to win without them if enemy does have them. And then I like a good cataphract or cappadocian, as I think cavalry are replacing infantry as most important units.
Quote:They create so much space in the current patchDo you like them because of the current patch? Or did you like them before?
I always liked them, I think they were underrated before. But definitely they're more important to use now, so my skill with them helps me win more.
Cavalry in general must have been underrated in other patches, because they took even less damage from missiles and did more damage to infantry, due to longer lines.
Quote:But definitely they're more important to use now, so my skill with them helps me win more.Yes, I can feel it myself during the fight against you
Hami:
What is your favorite unit?
Armored Numidian cavalry, for sure. Super OP, no weaknesses.
I thought so
And from R1?
Ooh, thats a good question... Scythed Chariots or chariot archers. But Scythed Chariots have best mechanic in any TW game. (RTW1 Scythes, not R2). Yeah, R2 scythes only have mechanic of dying.
Indeed
How do you prepare for important battles?
I like watching replays of that player, if possible and then practicing the matchups that will be played. Everyone has some things they like to do, so if you know what's coming, it's easier to stop.
I agree
Give most important advice you can think of for new TW player who wants to start playing multiplayer.
Watch as much high level games from youtube/spectating as you can, it's the fastest way to learn WHAT people are doing. When you're new, it's impossible to learn the meta on your own. Just steal from people, nobody has a copyright to how to play the game.
Other thing is to learn unit matchups that are relevant. Pretty hard in Rome 2, there's so many units. But in Rome 1, for example, it's pretty easy to learn what cavalry units win in head-to-head matchups.
Personally I found that enjoying the historical period helped me enjoy the game, but just as long as you enjoy playing the game you will learn over time
Quote:Personally I found that enjoying the historical period helped me enjoy the gameYes, that's why I got started to play in TW
Yeah back in the day it was more about love for history - Total War series wasn't so big yet. Now you have people from many backgrounds who hear about the series from it being so popular.
Imagine that you Alexander the Great and you are fighting in the Battle of Gaugamela (ahaha my true story at the start of R2/TW).
Haha, classic. That's many people's stories I think, they want to re-create a famous campaign or battle.
Yeah
So lets finish the interview with a few quick questions (choose one of two). Ready?
Let's do it.
Rome or Carthage
Carthage!
I knew it
Despite my discord avatar...
*** His avatar >>>
![[Image: Screenshot_10.png?ex=65ef1a61&is=65dca56...height=149]](https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/894268255391350855/904744396497510430/Screenshot_10.png?ex=65ef1a61&is=65dca561&hm=e1c3812a57d2701f010b8dc461f831352c3ea2c1bcaba471b5bd650dd60a6173&=&format=webp&quality=lossless&width=135&height=149)
Macedon or Rome? (special for Parmenion)
Eh, fine. Macedon.
Macedon or Carthage?
Carthage
Caesar or Hannibal?
Hannibal
Pyrrhus of Epirus or Caesar?
Pyrrhus
Nice
Caesar overrated!
Same for me
But he is good tho
Yea
Juventus or Real Madrid?

Juve!
Jk
Real
Barcelona or Real Madrid?
Real all day
Oleg or Barcelona?
LOL
Oleg for sure, I don't have a problem with him and he's not in debt like Barcelona.
Thats true
Messi or Ronaldo?
Ronaldo the goat!
Ragnar or Ncr Ranger?
ncr
Ragnar or Ertugrul?

Ragnar. Other one too hard to spell
Rome original or Remastered?
Original, but remastered has good potential
Rome I or Rome II?
Rome 2
Scythed Chariots or Armored Numidian cav?
Scythed Chariots (Rome 1)
Macedon or Pontus? (R1)
Pontus
Parmenion atm
Hami:
Parthia or Galatia? (R2)
Parthia
Parthia (R2) or Pontus (R1)?
R1 Pontus
Epirus or Macedon (both R2)
Epirus
Team Fortress or Counter-Strike?
TF2
Gandalf the White or Grey?

Grey, white was too OP
Lord of the Rings or Game of Thrones?
LoTR, havent seen GoT
Patch 19 or current patch?
Current one
Rabbit or Hamster?

Wabbit
Wabbit or Dolphin?
Wabbit still
Last question. Your favorite animal and color?
Favorite animal - cat; favorite color - blue.
Great!
Thanks!
I can ask many more questions. But we don't have much time. Thank you for the interview. We have a lot in common, it was nice to talk to you! Thank you!
Yep, good talk, very interesting
Quote:P.S.
2.5 hours![]()
Lol
Hahaha
Too much discussion of history![]()
[b]Yeah. I really wanted to ask a lot from history, but I realized that it would take too long[/ b]
Yeah, that could go on forever lmao.

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