For the past week I have been wanting to discuss what I have seen in many SWLCG forums. Every week I see someone with either genuine concern or the desire to be a nuisance bring the idea that this game is dying. Try as I might I can’t argue some peoples experience. Some areas of the country we hear the game is growing, it has twitch channels and weekly play, other times we read how someone has no one interested in playing in their area.

I understand that, and I want to spend my time discussing how the game can grow and what players, stores and what would love to see FFG do but something happened today. Store Championship locations were posted.

Now I live in the Pacific Northwest, where we had only one Regional Tournament in a suburb in Portland. We have only two stores dedicated to Star Wars Tournaments and very few happening North of here and I do my best to stay in touch with many stores and players. I can’t tell you how much excitement t has arrived.

Once the list was published I texted new and old players. We have 9 opportunities within 8 hours of one another, and some great prizes. The text and comments I received were amazing. In one day I got to see players set practice dates, start talking deck ideas again and setting goals for regional byes.

At the end of the day there is a reason we all came here and that is Star Wars. We love Star Wars, I show anyone the prizes for this game and they love it. You show someone who owns some SWLCG cards these prizes they are going to want to take a chance.

So if your on the ropes about the game or have some friends who are thinking of setting their objectives on the game shelf. Take some time and look at these prizes. Look at some deck list from worlds and practice. Find a store championship and you will find some great players who enjoy this game , this universe and playing with people who feel the same.

This alt art Obi-wan is basically the main thing keeping me from wanting to run the Trench Run deck... The art is so awesome that it needs to be in my deck.

My local group is stronger than ever.

My friend and I built it from the ground up, by simply going to a store and playing. Found two others who play, so we grew to 4. We then started posting on forums, and looking on Facebook for gaming groups. Found 2 more players that way, bringing it up to 6. Then we did a tournament this Tuesday, and pulled two more people. We had a nice 8 man tournament, and one of the guys joined our group and is planning on coming out on our regular Tuesday night meetings!

People just need to avoid internet negativity, IMO, and try to get a group going. Getting bored? Try new decks. Try a tri-faction deck night, or a night where decks can only have 1 of any objective.

But yeah, tournaments definitely make it a lot more fun, and help with growing groups.

This Obi-Wan looks like he should be able to fetch you a copy of Old Ben's Spirit when he's destroyed. Just sayin'.

This Obi-Wan looks like he should be able to fetch you a copy of Old Ben's Spirit when he's destroyed. Just sayin'.

New house rule! Wait a minute... I'm running our SC... new rule just for the tournament!