I am going to my first ever Regional event this Saturday. It's likely to be a 64 man event. A lunch is served, but the breaks between rounds are certain to be very short.

Having never done this level of competition nor played this many games back to back, I am very concerned about mental fatigue and making mistakes during a long day.

Having one weekend of regionals just played I'm hoping that I might get some tips from players on how to preventatively deal with these kinds of problems, or point out the types of mistakes they found themselves making due to them.

I'm not looking for list or strategy advice.

So far to make it easier for myself I have practiced what I intend to fly an insane amount over the past two weeks. I have also played back to back games late into the evening, while I was tired, to see the mistakes I was likely to make. I have identified some for sure, and have trained myself to double check simple things I was making errors on; like checking for shots, did I take an action, etc.

Thanks in advance for any tips!

Go to Panera bread and get one of their cardboard trays that should be free. That will help you carry your stuff around all day.

Bring bottles of water. Or make sure you get enough water however they refill there.

Make sure to sit down as much as possible.

Make sure to have Pepto tablets in case the volcano god gets angry (your stomach or digestive system).

Be nice to your opponent and apologize in advance for any mistakes.

Have fun! Just try to recall this when gaming.

1. Shower that morning and use deodorant. Heck maybe even bring some with ya if you sweat alot.

2. Bring water and some stuff to munch on.

3. Have a tray or some easy way to carry your stuff in between games.

4. With said tray or mode of transportation bring only what you need plus maybe a few extras. If your squad requires 8 shields then you don't need 20.

5. Win and lose with grace. Don't be a sore winner or loser.

6. Have a clear understanding of the tournament rules.

7. Talk and get to know people, it's a great way to increase your social circle and make some new connections.

8. When they perform a red maneuver and have a stress token fly there ship off the board and go MWAHAHAHAHAHHAAH

Can't believe I forgot this one!

9. Mark your asteroids, tokens, and dials. All of my asteroids and tokens have the edges colored blue so I know they're mine. Also on my dials I paint the black part completely blue so I know they're mine and don't accidently pick up my opponents which can lead to some anger.

If you're going to mark your dial either color the whole thing or use a solid color sticker so that the opponent can't look at it and have a good idea of what the maneuver is.

Can't believe I forgot this one!

9. Mark your asteroids, tokens, and dials. All of my asteroids and tokens have the edges colored blue so I know they're mine. Also on my dials I paint the black part completely blue so I know they're mine and don't accidently pick up my opponents which can lead to some anger.

If you're going to mark your dial either color the whole thing or use a solid color sticker so that the opponent can't look at it and have a good idea of what the maneuver is.

I'm such a geek I actually already did this. Since I'm not sporting any acrylic yet, I painted all of my dials, tokens, and templates with Sharpie paint pens. It' s one less thing to worry about if I can identify my stuff easily.

I only painted the raw cardboard edges.

1. Drink Coffee! (If you are a coffee drinker, sugar free energy drinks work too)

2. Don't spill said coffee on the game table.

3. Plan time between matches for a quick bio break due to said coffee increasing your urge to go

4. Enjoy feeling alert and attuned in due to coffee, but slightly drained towards the end of the night if you don't drink MORE coffee.

5. Drink more water due to coffee dehydrating body

6. Relax and have fun!

7. Don't regret NOT calling the TO over when your opponent does something funky, whether on purpose or accident

8. Talk to each opponent about how much you enjoy drinking coffee while playing X Wing

9. Warn opponent to not shake the table and spill your coffee all over everything

10. Eat food!

11. Make it a goal to not lose any games due to "exhaustion". (This is where the coffee helps).

ALL USEFUL ADVICE!

Alternately, don't drink coffee or energy drinks. Personally, the hand tremors and GI upset I get aren't worth it if you're looking at trying to run your brain for twelve hours.

Instead, make sure you get a good night's sleep the night before, eat a large breakfast with a decent mix of protein, fats, and carbs, and make sure you have some snacks with you. Greasy stuff gets your minis and dials greasy, so avoid those. Salty snacks will increase your thirst, which isn't a good thing when your bathroom breaks are limited, so avoid those too if you can. Instead, look at bringing fruit, string cheese, granola, low-sodium peanuts or jerky, or even energy bars if there's a brand or flavor you like. And make sure you stay hydrated throughout the day. Keep a water bottle with a tight-sealing lid handy, and sip regularly (rather than waiting until you're thirsty and gulping).

Then, uh... play well, and don't lose.

Leave yourself plenty of time to get there early.

If they are having as many people as you say, getting there earlier than the proposed "start" time will allow you to get registered that much faster and it will be one less person they need to check off.

Use the extra time to relax, hang out, play on your phone, whatever. It beats rushing down and being almost late and having that added stress on your day.

Not to be the bad guy but...

Memorize the damage deck and get used to checking it.

Know what legal and what is not when it comes to measuring. Watching YouTube I have seen people lining up range rulers to movement templates then magically setting it on the play area. Any form of premrasuring is not allowed.

Have confidante in your abilities and knowledge of rules, I ran into two people last year that where told incorrect rules. Obstructions are a biggie.

Always be tactful and curteous. If you know you are in the right, instead of a yelling match get the judge, and always support the judge.

Post pics if you win as proof you are the dominant alpha-player in that region.

1. Right at the start imagine you have already lost....

2. Drink a beer after a lost game...

3. If dice went bad, ask your opponent beginner questions and measure in every given situation. When its close, demand to let the TO decide even if its clear...

4. Show your opponent how you enjoy to destroy his ships....

5. Make engine noises while you move your ships....

6. Shout your unique pilots name when he (or she) manages to evade an attack...

7. When you thinking about which action to perform: Tip with your index finger on the side of your head like an Grand Admiral, which is highly concentrated and thinking. Then point with your finger at a random ship while telling somewhat completely different which not necessarily has to do with the actual game. Then perform your action...

8. Ask your opponent regularly things like: "Are you sure with that Don't you have forgotten something? I think you made a mistake. Do you want to rethink your decision?"....

9. Tell your opponent about your strategies and what you are going to do next. He or she wont believe you. Surprise your opponent by doing what you have told. Then lie for the next two times.....

... and you can't lose

And remember: Don't cheat!

Peanut butter cracker packs, bananas and juice of some kind.

Don't roll your dice funny or wear a lucky hat!!

Don't roll your dice funny or wear a lucky hat!!

Yeees ... I hate funny dice rollers and lucky hat wearers ......

I generally ask my opponent to move my ships when they are closer to his/her side of the board, and offer to do the same on my side. And in moments where a maneuver is going to result in collisions, get close to an asteroid, potentially be contentious, I always try to make it collaborative with the opponent -- it takes many hands to resolve some board situations!

I am going to my first ever Regional event this Saturday. It's likely to be a 64 man event. A lunch is served, but the breaks between rounds are certain to be very short.

Having never done this level of competition nor played this many games back to back, I am very concerned about mental fatigue and making mistakes during a long day.

Having one weekend of regionals just played I'm hoping that I might get some tips from players on how to preventatively deal with these kinds of problems, or point out the types of mistakes they found themselves making due to them.

I'm not looking for list or strategy advice.

So far to make it easier for myself I have practiced what I intend to fly an insane amount over the past two weeks. I have also played back to back games late into the evening, while I was tired, to see the mistakes I was likely to make. I have identified some for sure, and have trained myself to double check simple things I was making errors on; like checking for shots, did I take an action, etc.

Thanks in advance for any tips!

Are you going to the one at Critical Hit Games?

Are you going to the one at Critical Hit Games?

Yes!

1) Get a good night of sleep before hand

2) Bring lots of water. I typically go with .5L per match

3) Use the bathroom between every match!

4) Bring some protein. They help your mind think. I like mixed nuts, but I hear Snickers are also a good choice since it gives you sugar for an immediate boost, and protein for a sustained boost.

5) Sit whenever you can, but realize you should pretty much stand the entire game.

5b) Advil helps with the sore feet

6) Bring something to move your fleet around

7) Bring only what you need. And then get annoyed when the TO gives you the alt art Boba Fett and you now have no where to put him

8) Always shake hands with your opponent before play and wish him luck

9) Do NOT offer advise about what your opponent did wrong, unless prompted. Some get pissed that you're telling them how to play or something like that

10) Always shake hands with your opponent after you finish and thank him for the game

11) If you want to remember your games and opponents, take a few notes at the conclusion of the game

Thanks for the tips, there is a lot of helpful info so far.

I have just over a 2 hour drive in the AM to get to the store and I intend to be early.

Phild0, I love coffee in the morning, but I don't think I can do it all day!

Thanks for the tips, there is a lot of helpful info so far.

I have just over a 2 hour drive in the AM to get to the store and I intend to be early.

Phild0, I love coffee in the morning, but I don't think I can do it all day!

Don't listen to Phild0, he doesn't listen to his own advice. I've never seen him drink coffee... All he does is chug energy drinks!

I declined to register for Regionals for this very reason. It is 10 hours of x-wing and my limit is far less. I'll be announcing instead this year.

Consider having a big carb dinner the night before so you've got energy to burn. That is what my gym teacher always used to say. I dunno why.

All points above are good and valid points - the one piece of advice I pass on that was given to me before my first tournament?

- Be fun to play against.

You'll always remember that person who complained or brought their iPad to try and interpret rules into their favour.

Don't be that guy.

Be the guy that shakes hands before and after the game, and says "Good game"

Be the guy that shakes hands before and after the game, and says "Good game"

This is, at its heart, what "Fly Casual" is all about.

Are you going to the one at Critical Hit Games?

Yes!

They will be providing trays for you to move your stuff on and lunch

Here's a question: how many rounds should you expect out of a 64-person turn out?