Day 1:

Things started out as they always do waiting for the doors to open.

Once I worked my way through the crowed, it was directly to the FFG booth where they had a presage of Rebel Aces and Wave 5.

The line wasn't terrible to wait in as FFG had a GenCon line game where you have to trade cards with other players inline to defeat the villain card in your pack. Once in side the booth, I picked up one of each of the new expansions ( I will post Pics tomorrow of the ships).

Once I ran my ships back to the car, it was off to the North American Championships. I got the meet many of the well know forums users while getting ready for the event. It was great putting faces to these names I have come to know so well.

My hopes of making it to the top 32 were dashed as I lost in a pivotal round. I was down huge in the match and it wasn't looking good for me as I was facing 4 interceptors with a lone E-Wing. The Interceptors were 3 PS1's and a PS4 while Etahn was at full health. I managed to bring the imperial force down to 1vs1 and got the lead back on points. With only 5 mins left in the round I was in survival mode to squeak out a victory. In the very last move I misjudged my movement as I danced around the edge and flew Etahn off the mat by millimeters. Mr A'Baht fled the fight and took my hopes of Top 32 with him.

I finished on the bubble at 33. I had a wonderful time talking and playing X-Wing all day. I got to make some friends along the way as well. Tomorrow I'll be heading to the FFG announcements to see what is in store for us in the coming months in X-wing.

Argh that sucks 3mm costing you the game but sounds like your having fun.

Yeah, that 3mm looks terrible to lose a game from. So much accidental motion happens in this game.

So jealous! Glad you had a great time and got some wave 5 ships!

wish they had something like this down south...

Yeah, after the fact I didn't want to say an opinion on whether you were in or out. Situations like that, what the TO says is what it is, my opinion doesn't matter. Throwing around opinions only fuels the fire and the TO has to make a call one person is not going to like. Their job is difficult as it is without a bunch of spectator judges weighing in. Either way, it was a sucky outcome.

They do need to start using mats with a better defined edge. There would have been no question then.

Dude if you had of played me i would in no way of expected you to lose ship to a 3mm overlap. I know its the rules but there is such a thing as being a good sport about stuff too.

Like in a game the other day my mate miset his wheel and flew off the table, he clearly didnt mean to do that and if im going to win i'd rather win because it was a fun game not because he made a mistake that he clearly didnt mean to do. I let stuff like that fly.

its probably why i dont do tournys....

At home i use a GW Battlefleet Gothic painted felt matt. Not only is it 3x6 (so you fold it in half for most games) but as its felt stuff doesnt slide about.

When i ran Organised Play for GW we bought *hundreds* of these mats in 'starfield' , 'sand' and 'green grass' for regional tourneys as you can roll them up and they dont crease and take up hardly any space... plus stuff, like i say doesnt slide about and cause issues.

But i have to say I'd feel like such a git if I asked you to take a ship off in that situation. There is playing the rules and playing the game IMO.

Yeah i think most of agree 3mm over isn't really over but its a tournament and rules are rules so when you start making exceptions everyone will expect it then you get to "its only half off the mat".

Friendly games you'd let them get away with it but there is a different standard for competitive games.

Dude if you had of played me i would in no way of expected you to lose ship to a 3mm overlap. I know its the rules but there is such a thing as being a good sport about stuff too.

Like in a game the other day my mate miset his wheel and flew off the table, he clearly didnt mean to do that and if im going to win i'd rather win because it was a fun game not because he made a mistake that he clearly didnt mean to do. I let stuff like that fly.

its probably why i dont do tournys....

I agree with you in the case pictured, I wouldn't have considered it off-mat had I been the opponent, but that's me.

Screwing up piloting is part of the game though - And something I'm really good at doing (mixing up my right/left). even in casual games I wouldn't cave on that one.

I was upset at first certainly. I did however understand the TO had to decide the ruling. Ultimately I flew to close and should have made a better choice on my maneuver dial. It really is a closed case. Thanks for the commonest however guys.

Day 2:

It was nothing but demos for me on day two. Xcom the game coming later this year from FFG was a really fun game. Check it out when you get the chance.

The forums have already been filled with pictures of wave 6 by this point but I did take a few.

Heading into Saturday, I'm going to be hanging around the championship finals where I get some pics and post them trough out today.

Day 3:

I watched Paul play a very close match as he flew around with a Han Solo Falcon. Han finished the match with only 1 hull left.

Here is a shot from a Whisper at a Tie Swarm, I believe it is the list that won the North American Nationals.

To me it seemed there were a lot of Lambda Shuttles flying around the last few rounds at or near the top tables.

The Cos Players were out in force as always at GenCon. Here is just a couple fun pics.

Sunday is the last day for GenCon 2014. Sunday is always a shorter day for me as I have to get home for work on Monday I guess it's time to get back to reality.

It was good to meet you/play you man!

Osoroshii, thank you so much for bringing the name badges! I think the highlight of the entire con for me was meeting you and all our fellow forum friends. Without your help, I'm afraid few people would sport their usernames, and I wouldn't have recognized anybody.

I was great meeting all you guys as well. I look forward to doing it again next year.