So I have my first regionals coming up this Saturday and I am getting nervous. I have an unconventional list that is fun to play and has been undefeated against those in my local area (less than a dozen people.) I kept going back and forth between my list and doing something more main stream to what is being played in the top 8's for many of the other regionals.

For those who have gone to regionals... is it basically the more "competitive" people that go? Will I be facing nothing but a stream of fat turrerts or auto thrusting arc dodging phantoms? (Since that's my impression of what most of the top 8 at the various regionals are.)

Any words of advice to calm me down and get rid of these blasted jitters?

Can you take beer to the regionals? I think that might help...

Oh and if anyone else is in my boat... read this thread, which I found helpful for advice as well:

https://community.fantasyflightgames.com/index.php?/topic/175552-regional-in-two-days-any-tips/?hl=tips

I'll be going to my first regionals this year too. I usually try to buck the meta and fly really unconventional lists but I decided to break down and fly Soontir Fel and Rear Admiral Cheerios. I guess its less a giving in to the meta and more like the meta finally came around to stuff I like to fly.

Fly a list that you will have fun with because you will be playing a lot of games with it.

As far as jitters go, remember its just a game. Everyone will be there to have fun first and foremost. if you lose a bunch of games who cares? There will always be next year and you will leave a better player.

May the force be with you and good luck!

Went to my first regional this year. I took a list I knew instead of one of the standard lists. Did pretty well and nerves are all fine after the first game. Bringing an unconventional list can net you some wins just because your opponents won't really know what to make of it.

I'd say only a tiny fraction of people in attendance are going to bring a netlist and a bad attitude. Most people are pretty decent. List variety is also pretty high. Certainly higher than it has ever been at competitive events. You're going to pull some meta standards, but you're also likely to see a bunch of stuff you never thought was competitive winning games.

So I have my first regionals coming up this Saturday and I am getting nervous. I have an unconventional list that is fun to play and has been undefeated against those in my local area (less than a dozen people.) I kept going back and forth between my list and doing something more main stream to what is being played in the top 8's for many of the other regionals.

For those who have gone to regionals... is it basically the more "competitive" people that go? Will I be facing nothing but a stream of fat turrerts or auto thrusting arc dodging phantoms? (Since that's my impression of what most of the top 8 at the various regionals are.)

Any words of advice to calm me down and get rid of these blasted jitters?

Can you take beer to the regionals? I think that might help...

Oh and if anyone else is in my boat... read this thread, which I found helpful for advice as well:

https://community.fantasyflightgames.com/index.php?/topic/175552-regional-in-two-days-any-tips/?hl=tips

Are you coming to the Atlanta Regional? If so, expect a huge mix. There will be a large number of top tier lists and players, as well as a large number of casual players.

Are you coming to the Atlanta Regional? If so, expect a huge mix. There will be a large number of top tier lists and players, as well as a large number of casual players.

Yep, that's the one. I'm so used to playing in my small pond tournaments (typically 5 regulars + 1 new/occasional player), I have no idea what to expect.

My other major concern is bathroom availability. I like to drink a lot of coffee in the morning... usually 2 cups on the 15 minute drive to work, plus another two when I get to work. Which leads to mandatory bathroom breaks 30 minutes later...

Play the list you're comfortable with, not what you think you HAVE to play.

Enjoy the day because it's going to be long.

The nerves will pass before you even know it.

I think the X-Wing community prides itself on having a good attitude about the game even in the highly competitive events like Regionals. Yes, there is always the possibility of a couple bad apples but overall you won't have to worry about it.

Also, the Atlanta crowd seems like a good group of dedicated players who care about the game and are busting their butts to make their Regional one of the best. I went last year (different venue) and had a great time. You have the 2012 World Champion, Doug Kinney, a.k.a. Hothie, coming as well, so it should be an exciting day. I hate that I'm missing it this year due to a prior commitment.

As far as expected matchups...I don't anticipate that you will face only "meta" squads, and certainly not just one archetype. I've been to many tournaments and it is rare to only face one list type. I think the most consistent matchup I've had in one tournament had 3 of 8 matches with Corran Horn in them, and 3 of 8 with a Falcon.

So, plan to expect the "meta", but also plan to expect some off the wall stuff that is aimed at targeting the meta! Or expect to see some nasty lists that people just don't play for no real good reason. Many times it'll be those unexpected, well constructed lists that give you a loss and keep you out of the top cut.

So I have my first regionals coming up this Saturday and I am getting nervous. I have an unconventional list that is fun to play and has been undefeated against those in my local area (less than a dozen people.) I kept going back and forth between my list and doing something more main stream to what is being played in the top 8's for many of the other regionals.

For those who have gone to regionals... is it basically the more "competitive" people that go? Will I be facing nothing but a stream of fat turrerts or auto thrusting arc dodging phantoms? (Since that's my impression of what most of the top 8 at the various regionals are.)

Any words of advice to calm me down and get rid of these blasted jitters?

Can you take beer to the regionals? I think that might help...

Oh and if anyone else is in my boat... read this thread, which I found helpful for advice as well:

https://community.fantasyflightgames.com/index.php?/topic/175552-regional-in-two-days-any-tips/?hl=tips

Regionals are the highest level of competition you'll face outside of World's. The nice thing about X-wing is that the players are great in my experience, even the competitive ones.

The variety you face is completely dependent on match ups, though if you're winning, you'll probably be more likely to face more "meta" lists, but not always.

Either way, fly what you know-it's a long day- as that will be the most fun, win or lose.

Good luck.

I, for one, am NOT going to regionals, and so am in a position to critique your list, if you'd like to PM it to me.

i went into my regional event in austin with no expectations of winning or anything. i prepared as best i could. the big thing i did, and do for test taking as well, is calm myself before i start. this can be anything from meditation to listening to music to talking to a friend or family member (on the phone if need be). anything that helps you find your center. personally, i work best if i am calm and collected. my pre-game ritual for austin regionals was YOU WA SHOCK! if you can channel kenshiro you can do anything.

Conventional wisdom from experienced players is you're better off flying a list you have experience and feel comfortable with that might not be considered "top tier" as opposed to something you simply feel obligated to fly because it has placed well in the meta. Understand while squads like Fel/Chiraneau are strong, the experienced players are coming prepared to expect those popular lists whereas if you fly a list that's more unknown they're gonna have little if any experience against it and may even go so far as to underestimate it.

As far as nerves I could tell you something like everyone is nervous, which they are, but I've found that once I begin playing all nerves go out the window and I just lock into the game.

Which would you enjoy more: losing a game flying your personal list, or a netlist?

A less important question is which you'd rather win with, because winning is generally fun either way. Once you pick the list that's fun to lose with, you're going to be having fun all day no matter which way the games go.

Conventional wisdom from experienced players is you're better off flying a list you have experience and feel comfortable with that might not be considered "top tier" as opposed to something you simply feel obligated to fly because it has placed well in the meta. Understand while squads like Fel/Chiraneau are strong, the experienced players are coming prepared to expect those popular lists whereas if you fly a list that's more unknown they're gonna have little if any experience against it and may even go so far as to underestimate it.

Exactly right.

The critique I mention will mostly be to say "Hey, you're a little unfavored against this tactic, so you should practice against it", as opposed to "You should swap this part of your fleet out for a completely different ship".

Be a hero and make everyone else happy!

Fly 4 Rookies with Torpedoes

So I have my first regionals coming up this Saturday and I am getting nervous. I have an unconventional list that is fun to play and has been undefeated against those in my local area (less than a dozen people.) I kept going back and forth between my list and doing something more main stream to what is being played in the top 8's for many of the other regionals.

For those who have gone to regionals... is it basically the more "competitive" people that go? Will I be facing nothing but a stream of fat turrerts or auto thrusting arc dodging phantoms? (Since that's my impression of what most of the top 8 at the various regionals are.)

Any words of advice to calm me down and get rid of these blasted jitters?

Can you take beer to the regionals? I think that might help...

Oh and if anyone else is in my boat... read this thread, which I found helpful for advice as well:

https://community.fantasyflightgames.com/index.php?/topic/175552-regional-in-two-days-any-tips/?hl=tips

Regionals are the highest level of competition you'll face outside of World's.

Nationals though?

Not to be a downer, but list results currently tend to favor the meta lists. You might see more variety in the lower brackets, but as you go higher, meta seems to take over more.

Still, a lot of tournaments are won by VERY good players playing oddball lists. Like Darktemplar did with Whisper Soontir Yorr.

Other good players will play meta with a slight variation for an edge in the most predicted match ups: See Fat Han R2D2crew.

And other good players will have played so much that they know everything about a certain upgrade: See XXBB Worlds 2.

Anyway, you should go have fun. I mean, unless you're really gunning for it and have practiced for it, you're probably not going to be #1 anyway. So, why the stress?

i went into my regional event in austin with no expectations of winning or anything. i prepared as best i could. the big thing i did, and do for test taking as well, is calm myself before i start. this can be anything from meditation to listening to music to talking to a friend or family member (on the phone if need be). anything that helps you find your center. personally, i work best if i am calm and collected. my pre-game ritual for austin regionals was

if you can channel kenshiro you can do anything.

I may listen to that before I attend the regional next week

just remember, wwkd? most likely he'd walk through skyscrapers and explode dudes with his touch.

Are you coming to the Atlanta Regional? If so, expect a huge mix. There will be a large number of top tier lists and players, as well as a large number of casual players.

Yep, that's the one. I'm so used to playing in my small pond tournaments (typically 5 regulars + 1 new/occasional player), I have no idea what to expect.

My other major concern is bathroom availability. I like to drink a lot of coffee in the morning... usually 2 cups on the 15 minute drive to work, plus another two when I get to work. Which leads to mandatory bathroom breaks 30 minutes later..

Glad to have you! You should definitely be excited. It's going to be cramped a little for space, but it will be a great day! Lots of prize support, Former Champion Doug Kinney is coming, there is a repaint contest, a bunch of stuff! Also, I run the live stream, and if you want to be on the show, I take bribes . Really though, its going to be a great day of X-wing. As and as far as your concerns about the lists you'll see, this guy is right on the money vvv

Conventional wisdom from experienced players is you're better off flying a list you have experience and feel comfortable with that might not be considered "top tier" as opposed to something you simply feel obligated to fly because it has placed well in the meta. Understand while squads like Fel/Chiraneau are strong, the experienced players are coming prepared to expect those popular lists whereas if you fly a list that's more unknown they're gonna have little if any experience against it and may even go so far as to underestimate it.

As far as nerves I could tell you something like everyone is nervous, which they are, but I've found that once I begin playing all nerves go out the window and I just lock into the game.

Play the list you're comfortable with, not what you think you HAVE to play.

Enjoy the day because it's going to be long.

The nerves will pass before you even know it.

I think the X-Wing community prides itself on having a good attitude about the game even in the highly competitive events like Regionals. Yes, there is always the possibility of a couple bad apples but overall you won't have to worry about it.

Also, the Atlanta crowd seems like a good group of dedicated players who care about the game and are busting their butts to make their Regional one of the best. I went last year (different venue) and had a great time. You have the 2012 World Champion, Doug Kinney, a.k.a. Hothie, coming as well, so it should be an exciting day. I hate that I'm missing it this year due to a prior commitment.

Thanks for the comments about the crowd down here. We try to be accommodating to new people and also have a fairly sizable competitive community. If you can't make it to the tournament, sign in to our twitch show when you get a chance! We'll be streaming the whole tournament and giving away ships to viewers.

I'm pretty much in the exact same boat as the OP. If all goes well this week, I'll be headed to the K.C. regional on the 6th. I've had a lot of success locally, but I'm kind of nervous because I basically have no experience at this sort of level. I don't think I'll embarrass myself, but it is a distinct possibility that I would really like to avoid.

Conventional wisdom from experienced players is you're better off flying a list you have experience and feel comfortable with that might not be considered "top tier" as opposed to something you simply feel obligated to fly because it has placed well in the meta. Understand while squads like Fel/Chiraneau are strong, the experienced players are coming prepared to expect those popular lists whereas if you fly a list that's more unknown they're gonna have little if any experience against it and may even go so far as to underestimate it.

Exactly right.
The critique I mention will mostly be to say "Hey, you're a little unfavored against this tactic, so you should practice against it", as opposed to "You should swap this part of your fleet out for a completely different ship".

This is what I love about X-wing. Sometimes I come across a list that seems like a really bad matchup for mine, and I find that with a little thought on opening moves and asteroid placement, I can even things up a lot.

I am sure your on the way to or at Regionals, remember to breath and have fun, Its just a room filled with nerds that love x-wing there is nothing to fear but fear itself.

HAVE A GREAT TIME, AGAIN BREATH.

After it is all said and done buy some ice cream and tell us what happened.

I will have presents for nearly everyone that attends the Atlanta regional.

It will be my first Regionals tournament next week also (June 6th). I'm looking forward to it for sure, even though I'm not expecting anything. I'd like to do well of course, and top 8 would be amazing. We'll see. I'm going for the experience of that level of competition, for the opportunity to play several consecutive games and, mostly, to have fun. :-)

So yeah, I think it's better to fly a list you like and know well. Get as much rest as possible before and stay hydrated during the event.

My first "big" gaming tournament in anything was the ATL Regional last year. I did pretty bad 2-3-1, but I played in the only Tie game of the day (completely different lists, but last shot of the game gave my opponent the tie), met some really fun people, and had at least two opponents beat me, then proceed to drop from the tournament... . Don't worry about how well you will do or not do, just have fun. Talk to as many different people as you can, and enjoy getting to play at least 5 rounds of X-Wing in one day.

I haven't been to a regional, but I've been to a kind of large SC before.

It's important to fly a good list, but it's also important to fly something you enjoy flying.

Also, if someone forgets to do a free action or whatever, don't let them. Crush their spirit and win at all costs.