I wanted to see if I could gather some information on people's likelihood to play to the meta in comparison to the amount of game time they get per week.

Game Time:

How many matches would you say you get in during the average week -

A) 1-2

B) 2-3

C) 3-4

D) 4-5

E) 5+

Meta:

How closely would you say you follow and play to the meta?

A) Very little - usually no regard for what other people may play when making your own list.

B) Somewhat - you're aware of the meta, and occasionally consider it when making lists.

C) Strongly - You know the meta and always try and include counters in your lists

D) Absolutely - You are one with the meta and play only ships that have high chance of success.

Note: I'm anticipating that people on the forum are more likely to follow the meta than people who never look at the forum, so stats may be slightly skewed that way.

Game time: D

Meta: B

2-3 Matches, all at my FLGS, I'd say somewhat aware of the Rock/Paper/Scissors. This gaming group has a Phantom now and then, but other than that it's a lot of XXE or XXXZ or Defender/Firespray/Tie. Also a lot of soontir fel. 3 elites are almost always the case, except for me, I usually run a 5 or 6 ship imperial build.

A for games

C for Meta

Though, you asked "how closely do you follow" and "how closely do you play" to the meta. There is a difference. I read up on the meta, but like to come up with different ways to beat the meta than the boring old ones that keep popping up online. So, I put C.

Casual B game time, A-B meta

Prior to a tournament D-E game time, C for meta (somewhat - I basically pick a list that has a good chance against other lists, that I fly well and try to account for any bad match-ups by either changing a list or drafting a battle plan)

E (There should exist a E+ option, i am lucky )

C

I don't like playing the overplayed lists right now, but try to figure out tangential lists.

A

B

A (or less)

C

Game time B

Meta B

I fall well outside the curve on both questions.

Games: 0-1 per week. (time constraints until I graduate, and limited local players)

Meta: Simultaneously A and more than D. I usually whip up whatever list is fun at the time: ACD Phantoms without an initiative bid, bringing 2 shuttles against Fat Chewie + Dash. etc. So A in that regard. Simultaneously more than D, from tracking Regionals and Nationals, and spending more time writing MathWing scripts than actually playing.

For the Meta question, can I have an option like : "You are aware of the meta and purposely not playing it?"

I routinely try weird combos or new extremes that no one else does (proximity mines, squad leading vader, Boba Fett with engine upgrade, etc). Ironically, it nabs me just as many victories

C & C.

This hasn't changed over time; in wave 1 I always asked if the squad could beat TIE swarm and 4X, in wave 2, TIE swarm, 4X, and Falcons, in wave 3 XXBB, TIE swarm, and Falcons, etc.

Thank MuOn for Vassal, I now get in 5+ games a week while still taking care of three young kids.

Game Time: E

Meta (Casual Games): B

Meta (When it counts): C

Game Time: Until recently it was B, now A.

Meta:

E) I know the meta and I actively try to break it by flying outside the box + refusing to "net-list".

e.g. recently taking 2nd with a Firespray-based list at a Nationals Event.

Game Time: B

Meta, A/B for casual weekly games, C/D come tournament time.

A for Gametime, D for Meta.

A for both.

i get about 1-2 games a week, as far as the meta I'm aware of it but I try to make my own lists that can counter some of the things I expect to see.

Game Time:

How many matches would you say you get in during the average week -

A) 1-2

Meta:

How closely would you say you follow and play to the meta?

A) Very little - usually no regard for what other people may play when making your own list.

1 game a week if I'm lucky, and it's usually against myself.

I'm aware of the current pop lists, but I ignore them when I build my own.

So, for games I'm at E+ and for the Meta...well tough to say. Took a top four at regionals with a fat chewie list, but wave four was out for a whopping week at that point so I don't think it could have been called the meta at that point. Then I played that list for probably a month or so (maybe 2) along with other lists. Now, I am very aware of the lists people are playing in my area as well as keeping tabs on the various reports that our esteemed MajorJuggler puts together. Right now my list of choice has two squints and a defender in it so, not sure that rates as a 'meta' list. I certainly keep all the popular builds in mind when I make a list, but more often than not I simply ignore it when I find an idea I really like. I will say and, and indeed cannot say loud enough, that tactics have always given me better solutions to popular lists than any particular build can. So for following the meta I guess I'm at D but for playing the 'meta' I'm more middle of the road so B-ish?

tl;dr - games E+, following meta D, playing meta ~B

Gametime: A

occasionally I will play 6 or 7 in a day though.

Meta: C

I'll join the horde with this result:

A for games

C for Meta

The amount of time spent gaming has slipped of late, with travel and work (travel for work) taking over my schedule recently. Now that I'm back home, I hope to get some more gaming in.

Regarding the meta, I don't play lists that come from the meta, but I do try to build lists with the meta in mind. Until recently, I've been a bomber man, but with Rebel Aces due, I think I might play with rebels for a bit, before my boat comes in and I can fly the Decimator.

At this point in time, A for both games and meta.

Game Time: F (0-5+ games per week. Usually none but when it rains... it pours)

Meta: A+ (I am aware and occasionally take inspiration from others but mostly don't give a ****, "F..." the Meta, I play to have fun!

Game: B

Meta: B + E + F

I say to hell with the "Meta!" Let's have fun!