After reading most of the Regional battle reports, it appears 12-14 hours of continuous play seems to be the norm (if you reach Top 8 and beyond). So I thought it might be nice to post some tips on how to survive marathon tournaments. The longest tournament I ever played in was an 8 hour Store Championship in which I came out victorious (4 swiss rounds, cut to Top 4). I only had a large bottle of water and 2 powerbars that day, and I was dying by the end. What are some of your recommendations to stay alive and sane by the end of the night (or wee hours into the morning)?

Sleep well the night before... stay away from sugar and caffeine... stay well hydrated... make sure you stop and eat some protein along the way.

• Get a good nights sleep the night before.
• Eat a good breakfast
• Don't carry more than what you really need. Only take the fleet you are flying, why lug around more?
• Take or get a good lunch.
• Snacks
• Drink lots of water.
• I would avoid depending solely sugary snacks and caffeine.

You'll still be wiped out mentally, but hopefully that will help you keep it together a little longer.

Pre-tourney prep:

1) Force yourself to go to bed early the night before. Sometimes that means forcing yourself to wake up early the day before, as well. Either way, get a full night's sleep.

2) If you've got opponents available and willing, do a marathon of X-wing a couple days before the tourney. Prep yourself mentally.

3) Spend the day before the tournament doing everything EXCEPT playing X-wing. Get anything and everything done that you don't want to be thinking/worrying about during the tourney. Clean your place, pay your bills, get stuff in the mail, pay your taxes, etc.

4) After #3, spend some time relaxing.

At the tourney:

1) Bring several bottles of water and plenty of snacks (I routinely forget to do this). Keep drinking that water regularly throughout the day; you'll shed it pretty quickly.

2) When you arrive, quickly identify where the bathroom is, what restaurants are nearby, and whether there's a water fountain available for refills.

3) Sit down between rounds, or whenever you can spare a few minutes. Most rounds are played standing up after the first turn.

4) Lots of tourney halls get hot with all those people. When you can, duck outside for a few minutes, or (once the summer really hits), go somewhere else where there's AC.

5) Talk to people. Be social. It helps you stay sane. Really.

Oh... forgot... leave yourself plenty of time to get there. You dont' want to be stressing out driving through traffic and whatnot trying to get there in time.

Imo the less big deal you make out of it the better. Regionals where on saturday 9:30AM yet friday night I was out with friends like any regular friday. If you are not flying a swarm (my limit is 5 ships, more than that my brain hurts) you don't need 8h sleep. You are going to play the game you love against new players and have lots of fun !

In short, approach the tourney with joy/water and follow @Tawnos advice

5) Talk to people. Be social. It helps you stay sane. Really.

I would have to agree with just about everything stated above...

except for me, skipping caffeine isn't an option. It would introduce a monster headache. I would rather deal with caffeine then try to play X-wing with a headache. YMMV on that subject...

Definitely Rest, Hydration and Snacks for sure. Save the beer for afterwards...

This may sound tactless, or even unnecessary...

But I'd like to add bathing and deodorant to the list. Not that X-Wing players seem to be the same types as you get in other games, but still a small lack of personal hygiene goes a long way.

This may sound tactless, or even unnecessary...

But I'd like to add bathing and deodorant to the list. Not that X-Wing players seem to be the same types as you get in other games, but still a small lack of personal hygiene goes a long way.

It's unfortunately spot on. For whatever reason, some gamers fail to grasp the concept of personal hygiene. I would like to think that we as X-Wing players are above the normal gamer in that regard, yet at the regional there was some funk floating around...and i don't mean at 11pm either. I'm talking a first round B.O. bomb was detonated.

A lot of great tips here but there is one thing I haven't seen. X-wing is a very mind-heavy game. Meaning you will wear yourself out becoming mentally tired after about 12 hours. Remembering to focus, boost, or just place your dials correctly can be hard. Not to mention criticals you forget about!

Practice marathon play, and play for longer than usual. Get together with your local guys and play for 15-16 hours, taking time to break only once. If you do this about once a month you will see your game improve and you won't feel as dead at the end of an event.

After the 14 and 1/2 hour regional in Ohio, the guy asked me how I felt. I said "i'm ready for more x-wing." Once you get in a grove it keeps you set for the entire day. Once when you decide to get out of it does the mental exhaustion come in.

B.O Bomb, I think I'm going to use that term in the future, royalties will be paid of course

Some method of preventing your ability to smell others.

I brought trail mix, 4 zero calorie rock stars, and a large bottle of water to the Regional last weekend. I didn't go hungry, was plenty energetic, but was a bit thirsty by 2 am. I also had to use the restroom quite a bit.

Overall, I recommend something like this.

I brought trail mix, 4 zero calorie rock stars, and a large bottle of water to the Regional last weekend. I didn't go hungry, was plenty energetic, but was a bit thirsty by 2 am. I also had to use the restroom quite a bit.

Overall, I recommend something like this.

Thanks for that last Rock Star. That definitely helped me stay awake to drive back to Columbus that night.

Catheter, because why leave the table to pee.

Mentholatum to rub under nose - blocks all but the worst BO Bombs.

This may sound tactless, or even unnecessary...

But I'd like to add bathing and deodorant to the list. Not that X-Wing players seem to be the same types as you get in other games, but still a small lack of personal hygiene goes a long way.

It's unfortunately spot on. For whatever reason, some gamers fail to grasp the concept of personal hygiene. I would like to think that we as X-Wing players are above the normal gamer in that regard, yet at the regional there was some funk floating around...and i don't mean at 11pm either. I'm talking a first round B.O. bomb was detonated.

Perhaps this is a strategy on their part. The unbearable stench can certainly break your concentration and lead to dumb mistakes.

Couple of things I really like. First off go by a case of water and keep it in your car. Drink 1 per game. I personally have a bottle I like to use and then refill it after every game. This keeps you hydrated as well as forces you to go outside and get some air/daylight. Next have some small snack food you can eat between matches if you are hungry. I personally like granola bars for this but whatever is easy snack food will work. Have a plan for "lunch". Be able to get away for a decent amount of time so you can reset before the rest of the matches go on. The last thing I have is a mat to stand on if the game hall does not have decent floors. standing for 12+ hours on concrete floors will take a toll on your knees. I have a plain gray mat that you would see in most kitchen stores. If the store has a decent carpet floor then this isn't needed.

A heavy night of drinking before, followed by 2 hours of sleep and a hangover has worked out pretty well in the past for me (actually true). My hangover induced rage improves my flying for some reason.

Semi truckers keeps themselves in extended states of arousal to keep their mind sharp and focused.

Semi truckers keeps themselves in extended states of arousal to keep their mind sharp and focused.

Seriously, in a room full of dudes, you'd want to be in an extended state of arousal???

Semi truckers keeps themselves in extended states of arousal to keep their mind sharp and focused.

When I'm escaping planetary blockades in my GR-75, I always make sure to give it a little diddle so I don't see the black mynock.

Semi truckers keeps themselves in extended states of arousal to keep their mind sharp and focused.

Seriously, in a room full of dudes, you'd want to be in an extended state of arousal???

Maybe he does...you never know!

Couple of things I really like. First off go by a case of water and keep it in your car. Drink 1 per game. I personally have a bottle I like to use and then refill it after every game. This keeps you hydrated as well as forces you to go outside and get some air/daylight. Next have some small snack food you can eat between matches if you are hungry. I personally like granola bars for this but whatever is easy snack food will work. Have a plan for "lunch". Be able to get away for a decent amount of time so you can reset before the rest of the matches go on. The last thing I have is a mat to stand on if the game hall does not have decent floors. standing for 12+ hours on concrete floors will take a toll on your knees. I have a plain gray mat that you would see in most kitchen stores. If the store has a decent carpet floor then this isn't needed.

Unless you are playing at the June 28th Regional in Mesa AZ where it will likely be 110-115 for a high. Bring the water in from the car in that case - and don't leave your X-Wing stuff out there either, just to be safe.

get good footwear....
(you will stand a lot)

This may sound tactless, or even unnecessary...

But I'd like to add bathing and deodorant to the list. Not that X-Wing players seem to be the same types as you get in other games, but still a small lack of personal hygiene goes a long way.

isn't that considered that chemical warfare? is it against the rules? (memo:keep it as an idea for a fresh "cheap tactics" thread)

so preparation could also include a gas mask - even if it is just to make a point