How often do X-Wing players bring multiple builds to tournaments, walk around looking at what other players brought, and then choose their build for that particular tournament accordingly?

For example, do X-Wing players bring a Fat Han build, a TIE Swarm build, and a TIE Phantom build, walk around and notice that most people are using Fat turreted ships, and decide to use the TIE Swarm build?

Some people did that in another game that shall not be named, and it made that game not fun. I personally don't like it. People wound up not settling on their builds for that other game until the last minute when build lists were due because they don't want to give away which builds they would be playing.

I am fairly new and have never played a tourney, but at our local game shop Sunday afternoon drop-in we usually discuss our squads and know exactly what everyone is playing. I want my opponent to have every chance to prepare before I crush him into jelly.

Yeah, I am ok with that practice for casual games, but I am referring to play on at least the Store Championship level.

The one tournament I played in, you had to turn in your list fairly shortly after arriving. The TO was essentiallygiving you time to write down what you brought.

People who do that are trying desperatly to win. They are not the ones you need to worry about.

The 'really' good players have their squadron picked out the night beforehand.

The one tournament I played in, you had to turn in your list fairly shortly after arriving.

That's the way it should be done.

I've only been to a few tournaments but that hasn't been an issue for me. I also don't set my stuff up until shortly before the start anyway so there's nothing to see. Most organizers have you turn in your list before milling around.

coming from a 40k background, we often have to send in lists for checking, weeks beforehand.

When it come down to it, what's to stop the aforementioned player from changing list from game to game?

For example, they could switch out Predator for a different EPT when they see their opponent has mid- to high-PS pilots

Do TOs force players to list their opponent's squad on the score sheet? Doesn't that open the door for even more abuse?

coming from a 40k background, we often have to send in lists for checking, weeks beforehand.

When it come down to it, what's to stop the aforementioned player from changing list from game to game?

For example, they could switch out Predator for a different EPT when they see their opponent has mid- to high-PS pilots

Do TOs force players to list their opponent's squad on the score sheet? Doesn't that open the door for even more abuse?

One game I played previously had random deck checks in between rounds to make sure that people aren't using a deck that is different from what they listed on their deck list. Someone got DQ'd once when it turned out she used a bunch of cards that were not on her deck list.

coming from a 40k background, we often have to send in lists for checking, weeks beforehand.

When it come down to it, what's to stop the aforementioned player from changing list from game to game?

For example, they could switch out Predator for a different EPT when they see their opponent has mid- to high-PS pilots

Do TOs force players to list their opponent's squad on the score sheet? Doesn't that open the door for even more abuse?

Generally there will be a squad sheet filled out that has your list and the opponent had the chance ce to see it beforehand.

Depends on the level of play. I will change in response to lists if I see that I'm going to have a lot of matches that are just math. Those aren't really fun for anyone. But if real prizes are on the line it's not a cool thing to do.

I don't care either way to be honest. Scouting is just part of tournaments and you have to have plans for dealing with the mirror match and your hard counter.

Most wargaming tournaments require you to submit your list a week or two before the event. It stops this kind of sniping.

I've never noticed anyone doing it, but when I run tournaments I do require all players to register a squad ahead of time (or upon arrival) to avoid any issues like that. If I noticed anyone scouting, I'd just ask them not to do that and get them to write down their list right away, and I'm sure there would be no problem with it from that player again.

Its standard in many games for participants to bring their lists with them and/or submit lists the day before a tourney. This prevents any shenanigans while allowing TO's to double check lists for errors and check FAQ updates relevant to the participant's lists.

It depends on the tournament. A lot of tournaments only allow for 1 squadron and you have to submit the list upon registration to before the tournament starts.

Team Covenant had a "vassal" tournament that had all participants bring 2 squadron lists and they had to play their opponent with both squadrons so they can choose one for the first match then have to use the other on the second match.

So it really depends on the tournament style and who is running it.

TO shouldn't be allowing such activity. Players should be submitting lists and checking out the competition first.

I've been to three tournaments now and each time I've just taken a build that I like and want to have a go with. I couldn't care less what other people use, I'll give it my best and see how it goes. I learn from it regardless.

I'm W7 L3 D1 for competition games so far so it's working out OK

It's known as WaaC win at any cost, where a skilled player will practice with his list until he's confident he knows it in and out the WaaC player will pick a list he thinks will win the easiest, and isn't above cheating given the chance.

It's those kinds of players that really spoil events.

People who do that are trying desperatly to win.

This.

I like NovaSquadronRadio, but I was extremely, extremely disappointed when one or more of them talked about doing exactly this not once but on multiple occasions. And then going on to win the event(s). What about the players who drove for hours and only brought one list? They don't even have the opportunity to try something like that, let alone the gall.

I find it very, very unsporting.

(I called out a friend at a Heroscape tournament once [he knows who he is] for doing it to beat my build and then, like the NSR guys, going on to win the tournament. I've forgiven him, and it wasn't the easiest build to win with, but it's still unfair to the other players [i live 5 minutes from the store and could do this always if I really wanted, but others not so much].)

You could sit with your phantom build ready to play in a box while having a fat Han on the table. This leads to false information and a shocking look if you face them.

The one tournament I took part in delivered the FFG squad-building sheats in advance and asked you also fill them in and present them together with the subscription papers and also on entry of the premises were the tournament took place.

It was a small tournament, 12 people.

(I ended 6th, together with my second opponent with whom I have received our only draw ever.

His A-wing, Y-wing, and 2 X-wing against my B-wing, Y-wing and 2 X-wing. Dunno the pilots anymore.

Fun game, he had regeneration (R2-D2, R5-D8), I had a more aggressive flying style.

At the end of the round his A-wing and non-regenerating X-wing and all my fighters had some damage, my Y-wing had lost its turret. But still, after 75 minutes of shooting, no fighter was destroyed, none.

To be honest if the game had lasted about 3,5 hours he probably would have won )

The thought of changing my fleet right before a competition did cross my mind, but I don't do it because:

a) I don't consider it fair

b) I trained with the fleet that I'm about to use and changing it at the last minute is a sure way to throw off my game and feel frustrated if I lose afterwards

I am aware that the possibility exists and that other players could do it, however, so I take the following precautions. I assemble my fleet, but I put all my pilot and upgrade cards face down (pilot on to of the upgrades), the cardboard pilot on the table with the respective wheel on top of it, face down. The models I keep in my box, leaving the stands empty. The only thing that most other players know about my fleet is the number of ships and their size (small or large). In short, I can assemble my fleet in 30 sec, but I broadcast as little information as possible before the tournament. Naturally, I won't spoil my fleet by talking about it with others before the tournament starts.

Of course, if you know people are doing this, there is nothing stopping you from submitting your list (say a phantom build), then setting up a bunch of other ships on your table (say two Falcons). Let them sit on the table for a while for people to scout, then, right before the tournament starts, put your decoy list away and bust out the real list.

Beat the scouters at their own game. Bonus points if you can work in a good quote from the Emperor in RotJ.

Edit: Ninja'd!

At the escalation tournament I took part in at the weekend a lot of people seemed happy to talk about their builds. Some still seemed to be deciding what they were going for so I just stayed quiet. My stuff came out after everyone had handed in their entry sheets and squads.

I think I'd keep it to myself (bar my brothers who I practice with) regardless really. I don't try to scope out what others have so I keep my own quiet.