Hi Judges!

This week, Judge of the Week features Emilien Wild, an L3 from Namur, Belgium, in the  Benelux region.  Emilien became a judge in in 2008, and then pushed up to L2 in 2010 at the Belgian nationals.  He then leveled up again to L3 in 2013 at GP Utrecht.

Why did you become a judge?
At first, it was interest in the tiny puzzles that rules questions represented. The Magic rules are such a complex thing that even
understanding them is a game in itself. My focus since moved away from the rules, but I’m still baffled when I learn about some interactions. I was also interested in finding something I would be passionate
enough about to force me to go through more social interactions, as I was dissatisfied about my social insecurities and wanted to confront them in a positive, constructive way.

Occupation: Stay at home father, for my 3 months old son Prométhée.

Favorite card: Noble Hierarch.  People really underestimate 1 mana producers and she’s the best of the bunch with deathrite shaman.

Least favorite card: Opalescence.  People try to be clever by adding it to rules questions, but like any joke you’ve heard dozens of time, it’s not funny anymore.

Favorite format: Cube draft. I own a 540 card pimped cube, on which I spent hundreds of design hours. I try to get it signed with place and date of all major events I attend to.

Commander general: I have a script that gives me three random legendary creatures at the beginning of each month. I then pick my favorite one and build on theme around it, in order to bring it to my really casual LGS.

Favorite non-Magic Game: I’m currently fond of The Resistance: Avalon, a better Werewolf/Mafia variant that I discovered at the 2013 Benelux judge conference and bought myself as soon as I was back home. It removes most of the problems of its ancestor: no player elimination and no GM (so everybody plays until the end), quicker games, and it’s still as deep and interesting thanks to its quests mechanic.

Best tournament result: Top 16 at Grand Prix Lyon 2012. Playing Infect, one of the most misunderstood deck of Magic.

Random fact about yourself: I own and breed mice. Their cage is left open and they are as social and loyal as a dog. My girlfriend designed and built their open cage, a steel shelf 2 meters high.

Tell us your favorite judge story.
A really recent one: at GP Praha 2014, I was conducting two-on-one and interviewed Rostislav, who had been judging since the very beginning of the program. I asked him what was, in his opinion, the golden age of the judge program, the period he remembers the most fondly. His answer? “Right now.”

How has being a judge influenced your non-Magic life?
It made me a new person, really. It helped me to gain confidence, pride, improve my English and social skills, made me able to speak in public, and calmed down my panic attacks. It also helped me to be more open to criticism, have a more accurate view of my strengths and deficiencies, and helped me to understand other point of views better. I think my 2008 self would be really surprised to see what I became. The judge program did me more good than any other group did before.

What motivates you to continue being a judge?
I feel that, for once, I’m doing something good and it’s appreciated. I feel that my opinion matters and is respected. I feel that I could give back what I got, help people discover more about their potential, to help them set goals, and help them reach them.  I feel
like I’m contributing to what makes the world a slightly better place and people slightly better versions of themselves.

What’s the best part about your local Magic community?
City wise, new game shops opened and for the first time ever they proposed organized play. Most players had started during Return to Ravnica block and their really casual point of view is so refreshing.

They don’t care about things like metagame or  netdecking, they just want to play their cool cards and mechanics.

Country wise, the Belgian community is one of the most ancient competitive community in the world: one of the first three countries to get a national championship! We got so many pro players who had an impact on the world scene and because it’s such a tiny country, it’s really easy to interact with them and improve as a result. That also means that we have quite a strong competitive scene and in some shops even FNMs are really, really hard to win.

Also, every weekend, I have at least 3 and often up to 8 competitive or large events I can judge or play, all at less than 3 hours of driving distance. Another perk of living in such a small country.

What is your favorite non-judging moment that happened with other judges?
Jurgen’s Baert fondue at his place, when he invited a bunch of judges
to play boardgames and socialize. It was uneasy for me as I’m not the most outgoing person, but I still got fond memories of it.

What’s the biggest rule-breaking play you’ve ever made as a player?
During a 1k Modern event, I was testing Phyrexian Crusader.  When prompted about its abilities, I answered “Infect, First Strike, Protection from Red”, omitting the protection from white as I knew it could be relevant later. It’s allowed, as it’s derived information, but it’s not really good sportmanship. The rules-breaking problem came later.

My opponent was already at 8 poisons, he was taped out, and I attacked for the win. He blocked with his Qasali Pridemage and, brain farting, I let him do so. A judge jumped on the spot to correct our mistake. This intervention put my communication dirty trick into light, which led to a local controversy I still regret to these days. That’s the time I really understood that my local community was expecting better from me, and that they had high standards I should conform myself to.

If you could chat with one person, real or fictional, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
I would certainly be too intimidated when meeting one of my heroes to be able to have an interesting chat with him (I was barely able to do something else than mumbling incoherently when I met Steve Argyle or Mark Rosewater, for example), but I’d really enjoy to hang around Benjamin Franklin. Visiting the different historical locations related to him was one of my highlight of Pro Tour Philadelphia 2011.

What would you be doing now if Magic no longer existed?
Magic will always exist. Even if Wizards closes tomorrow (and it doesn’t seem likely) people will still provide organized play, cube drafts or even custom sets. Some ideas are too good to die.

What character in Magic (real or fictional) represents you the
best, and why?
At my best, I have an affinity with the Simic guild. At my worst, with the Phyrexians. In both case, they are really focused on improvement, both of self and others. They are also the two factions I prefer to play in Magic.

Is there anything else you would like to add?
The judge program is one of the best organizations you can be part of.  Whatever is your problem, whatever are your goals, you can find people who are genuinely interested in giving you the tools to solve and reach them.

Two of the following statements about Emilien are true, and one is a lie. Guess the lie!

1. I never drink alcohol, despite living in a country famous for its beers.
2. Roma is my favorite city.
3. During Grand Prix, I used to skip the judge meetings in order to
play in the Rich Hagon’s game show.