Are regionals something an avid x-wing player should do/experience?

[LukesandLadders06 34]

Are regionals something an avid x-wing player should do/experience? Or is it ok to miss them and just play in store tournaments and championships gathering fun experiences and loot there? Would that be a very limiting factor to my X-wing play or are casual tourneys /Store championships  and league play still an awesome route to go for as a way to enjoy this hobby?

 

thanks for replies. Just want others take on their experience with the great x -wing hobby.

[barriecritzer 479]

I have not be to a regional event yet but after placing top 8 in all three of the store championships I went to and am very excited for regionals. It is also cool that my home store will be hosting it for our area. 

[mlbrogueone 197]

If it isn't too far and you have the day off I think it could be fun.  I technically haven't been to a regional, but I went to Nationals in Canada because by golly I really wanted that Chewbacca participation card.  Funny thing happened, I went 4-1 and ended up in the top 8 and walked away with some nifty target locks and a range ruler.  But even if I'd gone 1-4 it was cool to play in a large tournament with people who love the game as much as I do, and did I mention the participation card?  I'll probably go to a regional just for the Boba Fett card.

[VanorDM 11,599]

Depends on how serious you take competitive play. The regionals are likely to be the next step up in competition, so if that's something you like then I'd say go for it.

If you prefer a more casual type game then it may not be all that enjoyable. That doesn't mean you're going to see nothing but cutthroat players who will pounce on the tiniest mistake at regionals. Just that you're more likely to run into people who won't let you take back a mistake, who will play pretty tightly according to the rules and so on.

[LukesandLadders06 34]

I would love to up my game, sadly i have no regionals near me really that i can partake in. I guess im just trying to see what other people are about so I don't feel like its this grand thing. It would be awesome if my home store could do it though!

[mlbrogueone 197]

Well for what it's worth I think you get the most out of the fun you have with your local community.  The one National tournament I went to was fun more because we had 5 guys from our local scene who all went up and hung out and cheered each other on.  Its your community that makes the game fun, at least for me, so if the regional is more than a few hours away or on a day you have other plans it isn't the end of the world and you're not missing that much... except for the participation card.

[Critias 877]

My experience with larger tournaments wasn't X-Wing specific, but comes from varying tiers of tournament play with Warmachine/Hordes, several years ago.  In my opinion, local play is the most fun.  You're hanging with your buddies, first and foremost, and secondarily you're slinging dice and moving little toy soldiers around, y'know?  It's a good time, it's your "night off" activity, everyone has fun.

 

A tournament -- any tournament -- changes that up a little bit, and adds at least another layer of rules/regulations/competition.  You're after a cool thing, everyone else is after the cool thing, and suddenly there's a referee type guy hanging out, too, enforcing a time limit, telling you who to play each round, stuff like that...which kind of makes it more official.  It's more work, and less play.

 

A big tournament?  GenCon, something like that?  You're on a mission.  You're invested.  You've traveled somewhere pretty far, you've had to lug a bunch of toy soldiers through TSA checkpoints, you've got a hotel room, you paid for a badge, an entry fee, and on and on and on.  It's work.  It's going to be stressful, you're going to be tired, everything's going to be loud...but it's also going to be awesome.  You're going to get to meet people from far away, you're going to get to see some awesome lists, you're going to get to compete against some awesome players, and you're going to be part of a big, exciting, event.  You might not be Superbowl MVP, but you're gonna be on the field, making a play, y'know?

 

It's something worth experiencing, I think.  At least once.  Give a big tournament a shot and see if you like it.

[Sithborg 11,513]

For me, it is about the length of a tournament. The Regionals, even with the expanded list, will be long tournaments. I'm not certain I can handle a Regional. 

[Vorpal Sword 14,685]

There are lots of good things about a big tournament like Regionals. You get to know players from a much bigger geographic area (probably matching at least some names and faces to online acquaintances), and your level of play will be seriously challenged. Every time I've attended a major tournament, I've left as a better player than I was when I arrived, because the people I played against pushed me.

 

But it is definitely a different kind of experience than your local league night, and it's not something you need to do in order to be a "real" player. (Among other things, if you can't make it this year there's always next year.)

[Kyln 84]

I will add a different perspective. I am unabashedly biased because as a player or T.O., I have been a part of Regional tournaments since 2013. One of the greatest benefits of a tournament in the category of a Regional is the diversity of players. Last year I met great people from Canada and surrounding states that had come to participate. I was fascinated how player's local meta had shaped various lists and then to see those differences play out on the tables. I greatly enjoyed the people and the competition.

While agree with above posters that local play groups are the backbone of good experiences and bringing friends to tournaments is awesome, larger tournaments like these allow you to make new friends and have new experiences both in and out of the game. I love the swag, don't get me wrong, but I can buy those from someone who went, I can't buy the experience. 

[Engine25 2,910]

People will travel from a considerable distance to a Regional, and you will likely encounter a major step up in competition.  Even if you play with quite competitive, skilled players, you likely play with the same players quite a lot.  Someone from a meta that is 300+ miles away may surprise you with their list and tactics.

 

However, I am not a great player, and I really enjoyed last year's Regional in Atlanta.  It will be quite a long day, though.  Considering last year's attendance, we may make the Championship Bracket the following day because of the potential attendance.  Make sure you are aware of how your tournament will be run before you go, especially if you have to travel.

[nikk whyte 3,868]

I jumped into the Atlanta regional last year after something like 3 weeks of playing the game. I got wiped out.

It was awesome.

[Rinehart 684]

Yes, DO IT!

[LukesandLadders06 34]

thanks for all the awesome replies!!!

 

hopefully next years regionals will be closer to me!!!!

[mazz0 2,843]

Depends whether you can get the regional kit on e-bay or something!  I don't much care about winning (fortunately), but I do like alt-art cards and plastic tokens!

[hothie 1,719]

I would recommend attending Regionals for the sheer enjoyment of the day. You will meet lots of people and make new friends. You will learn tricks about the game that haven't even crossed your mind yet. You get swag. And you get to play all day. It will be a memorable experience for you.

[Galactic Funk 831]

I've found some people love regionals and some people hate them.

If you have attended a GSC before you will likely have an idea of what a regional will be like only it will be on a larger scale. I was going to say it would probably be organized a bit better too but that's not always the case, lol.

For me it's both a social event and a challenge because if you keep winning you will undoubtedly face some really good players.

Expect a long day though. Make sure you are prepared with snacks and water to get you through the day because as Sithborg alluded it can be grueling.

I've met a lot of very cool people at tournaments over the years whether in X-Wing or other games.

[Green Rabid Monkey 204]

I go for the fun and camaraderie

Its a unique experience where you will meet new players and be able to talk and hang out.

Just expect no mercy in games, it will be a long day and people will bring power builds and new builds that will catch you unawares

Go if you can and enjoy the day and if you do well then feel proud and if you dont still feel proud of trying at least and most of all just go and have fun

[Futant420 496]

It's a fun and full day imho. You meet a lot of very good/great people that are also very good/great at the game. There can be some hyper-serious people, but in my experience they are far from the norm. Playing against the best makes you better. Also the swag is pretty alright. Bring water and lunch/snacks or cash for such and comfy shoes. Bring your a-game and be prepared to see something new gamewise that will make you re-think your approach. Most of all bring a good attitude, the day is largely what you make it.

[Keffisch 2,642]

The worst part of a Regionals event is when you have to stay for the entire duration, either because you placed high, or your friends did.

 

Long days and I am too old for this frak.

 

 

Seriously though, try it out. They're fun.

[Funkleton 2,510]

I jumped into the Atlanta regional last year after something like 3 weeks of playing the game. I got wiped out.

It was awesome.

 

my LGS has attracted a whole bunch of new players lately - most of them new to the game, but not new to gaming - and there's a few very tidy players in the making amongst them.

 

So I'll just enjoy beating them while I can - it's unlikely to last lol!

[phild0 1,735]

Yes, go. Even only averagely serious players should go. They are JUST as casual and fun as other tournaments, if not MORE organized so don't be off put by the word "regionals". It's a heck of a lot of fun to play 6+ X Wing games in one day, and spend the whole day just talking about X Wing with lots of adamant fans of the game. I'd say, make the trip. I think you'll regret NOT doing more than actually going and making your best effort.

Edited March 13, 2015 by phild0

[mazz0 2,843]

Personally I find even store championships a bit too long. I think three games in one day is a decent number.

[Lord_Squinty 40]

I haven't been to a regionals (yet), but have a LOT of years in other games tournaments.

(Won GW GT once, which was hard work and I'm not talking games wise..)

So, I'm not speaking about X-wing specifically, but that level of tournament)

 

1. They are a LOT LESS fun now than they used to be.

The internet for one has ruined them, Nobody puts any thought into lists anymore. They google competitive<insert game here>

and copy / paste a winning list. (seen in X-Wing by the multiple Decimator/Phantom tournament winners so far this year)

Long gone are the days when you were actually fighting a list that your opponent thought up,  and that's 25-30% of the battle. (40k it's like 90% lol)

 

2. They don't attract nice players.

You want to play a guy who will play nice and give you that 0.1mm range? Play a store championship, sure, they ARE fun nobody's too serious (in my experience so far).

Again, I haven't done regionals yet, but if they are anything like every other game out there, expect your opponent to take every advantage, even to the extent of abusing written rules. (see the Tournament FAQ, and also threads on this very forum, where players will try to get you disqualified from the tournament if your ship is broken on the way to the tournament because "its been altered".

 

If that's your bag, then good luck to you.

I am going to my 1st regionals soon, but am not expecting good games.

Hopefully I'm wrong, otherwise it will be my last.

 

If someone needs to abuse sh1t to beat me, please let me know.

I'll be happy to not waste my time and concede turn one if you're such a child winning means so much.

 

I really hope I'm wrong, I am enjoying X-wing, and our LFGS has done really well to build up community and earn regionals this year.

He's had decent turnouts 15-20 for each store championship, but that's set to at least double now.

I just hope its not spoilt by others coming and playing 'ruleshammer'

Edited March 14, 2015 by Lord_Squinty

[Sithborg 11,513]

1. The top players don't netdeck. That is not saying no one netdecks, but it generally is lesser players. And the skill required to fly such lists makes net decking a little harder. 

 

2. I have found there isn't really many assholes playing this game. Look at some of the videos of the top tables. Sure, they will enforce the rules, but that isn't exactly a bad thing.