The big deal here is that the prizes can go for pretty decent cash on Ebay. Especially if you are very good. Once you introduce cash into the mix either directly or indirectly you start to bring out the worst in some people. fortunately in AZ we have a great community and we average 1 or 2 events a month. And even though there many of the same faces show up in the cut time and again, these folks out here are such good people that its hard to get mad at them for being so darn good. The couple of times I have placed or won, felt like an accomplishment for me. So I keep playing and keep getting better. And I feel very proud of the swag I have fought hard to win.

I agree, but far too often those 'over-competitive d**ks' are really just people who are playing to win and are using tactics or builds that are either not present, or aren't allowed based on unwritten rules of that player group.

Official tournaments are a free-for-all. No rules other than those written in the Rulebook and the tournament rules. Unwritten rules don't apply. Don't be upset someone is breaking a social contract they didn't make. Now, if a TO wants to create a league with certain restrictions or run a unique event, they can add rules if they so choose. But that should be up front and openly stated in any information about the event.

As for builds that aren't present, I'd welcome the chance to play against something new, personally.

Now, actually being a jerk is another story. But that's what the rules against unsportsmanlike conduct are for.

I feel that the term "prize sniping" is akin to the logic of "but I wanted it more than him"

Some people only play in tournaments to get prizes, so why should they miss out because they dont live close. Can we stop this thread now?

I don't mind out of region players at conventions or regionals, or whatever. However store events I feel like they are advertised as local events. I have no interest in playing against the try-hard pros who are doing well at nationals. Its not even about the prizes. It just feels like someone is swooping in to go seal clubbing. Its not a lot of fun to play against people who are clearly out of your league.

I don't mind out of region players at conventions or regionals, or whatever. However store events I feel like they are advertised as local events. I have no interest in playing against the try-hard pros who are doing well at nationals. Its not even about the prizes. It just feels like someone is swooping in to go seal clubbing. Its not a lot of fun to play against people who are clearly out of your league.

Does it seem strange to you that your name is "theruleslawyer" and you're arguing for a bunch of restrictions that aren't actually... in the rules?

This whole topic is hilarious.

Put your ego in a trash can and be the best sport you can. don't pin your hope on getting a few trinkets or honors. relish the opportunity to see the game played at a higher level.

I can see why this came up in armada given they just had a series of events with costly prizes that were pre-release product. overall I think big prizes are a poor idea because they can tempt even cool players to be jerks.

Its not even about the prizes. It just feels like someone is swooping in to go seal clubbing. Its not a lot of fun to play against people who are clearly out of your league.

EDIT: Upon re-reading, that seems harsh. I don't mean it that way--just that you're fitting your experience to a narrative, but that's optional. You don't need to picture yourself as a hapless innocent; the players "swooping in" don't have any advantage you can't match with practice.

One of the things I like about the x-wing community is that the number of jerks is much, much smaller than other gaming communities I've been part of. People genuinely play the game in a good spirit a large proportion of the time.

I haven't really experienced people 'seal-clubbing' or anything like that around here. Maybe there are too many really good players here for that to work (some of the best players in the country are regulars at tournaments in my area). Maybe because people don't care enough to go seriously out of their way for some pretty plastic and cardboard. Maybe some combination of both.

If someone wants to travel a long way to attend a tournament, and then beats the locals fair and square, I'm completely fine with that, as long as it's all by the rules. Particularly if they're not jerks about it.

Stop complaining. I'm a very casual player and I went to the local FLGS for a friendly tournument and both world champs were there. Most players had won some kind of regional. I'm just happy to not come in last. I'd love to only have to compete with people just slightly out of town as that would be better. some lists were 4 tlt's, fat hans, palpatien shuttles ect. Not an easy day, but hey, just have fun. if you can't fly casual, don't fly. I don't go into it expecting to win a prize. I go and support the store and have an awsome day.

I'm annoyed that FFG has this tournament in November in my area as it seems that people from all around the world will be coming just to take cool prizes like metallic dice and a "World Championship Trophy."

Yeah, it sucks people have too much pride to be able to admit they lost normally, because losing to an out-of-towner is sooooooo much worse than losing to a regular. *rolls eyes*

If you're playing in a tournament and are sad because you got whooped by someone from out of town, ahem, I believe the kids say "git gud m8"

It's a freaking tournament. "Prize Snipers" is a sorry excuse for losing.

Honestly, there probably are players that fit the prize sniper bill but I don't think they are as common as claimed.

For me the only time I think it's wrong is when you have the occasional case of immorality on the TO'S part in any distribution of prizes incorrectly to benefit himself (or herself) or their friends.

In regards to traveling a long ways to go the a tournament, I drive 46 to 50 miles one way to even play a casual game let alone a Tournament. I would therefore say I am an out of towner in addition to being a better player in the three stores in my area does that make me a "prize sniper"?

Heck last tournament I played in I brought XXXZZZ and took 1st with 13 vps and like 480 MOV. I gave away my prize as a door prize since alot of the guys were new and more of an educational tournament than ultra competition.

The last match was the true test though, I played one of my rivals and managed to squeak out that minor victory when all I had to do was finish off an Outer Rim Smuggler with XXZ....

I've posted this else where but I'll post it again because I think it's a good way to do it and CAN help stop complaining by some. The TO who runs our local tournaments will divide the tournament kit into prizes pools that everyone can pick from starting with the winner who gets the medal (what I like to win) and first choice and moves on down the line. Once the cost of the kit has been covered he throws in as many ships as he can as random door prizes. If it's a store champs or higher event he removes the top 8 from the door prizes as they get good stuff from the kit

I like the way he dose it and it makes a lot of people happy especially at one tournament where a guy who just started playing and came last with no wins won an outrider as a door prizes

We do it very similar X Wing Nut

I do this a little bit. I'm in Vancouver, but I've travelled down to Bellingham to go to a tourney at a shop owned by a friend of a friend. I placed both times (didn't win, but I did alright), and got some swag.

The swag is nice, but I'm there for the competition. If I restricted myself to only showing up to the one store, I'd get to play in maybe a couple of tournaments per year. I'm really excited about competitive play; it's fun to craft a list and see how it matches up against my opponents. Competitive play is a more tense, engaging beast than regular play. And that's what I'm there for. The prizes are a nice cookie, if I earn them.

Also, I just don't think you'd have enough of a turn out for each individual store to only cater to their own people.

You've been down to Lynnwood and Bellevue as well haven't you? I know you...

Nope, the only tournament I've been to outside of the Vancouver area was in Bellingham, and only the most recent two. It was at Cosmic Comics (https://www.facebook.com/Cosmic-Comics-Disc-Golf-Magic-Games-108635915852310/).

I did meet a lot of people at the Vancouver Regionals though.

I think maybe people should spare a thought for the flgs owners that host us day in and day out and deserve to make a bit of extra cash by hosting open tourneys. The more players the better i say. Who cares where they are from

Come on down this weekend! We've got a tournament starting at noon on Saturday at Dark Tower Games.

Snipers welcome.

I've been in that store, and it is amazing. If I weren't already playing board games with a buddy on Saturday, I'd get some folks together to come on down.

I feel compelled to point out the obvious. The entire POINT of having prizes, is to get people who wouldn't otherwise have come to attend your tournament.

What is the point of having "prizes" if the only people who you want to have show up are the people who would have been there anyway?

I've posted this else where but I'll post it again because I think it's a good way to do it and CAN help stop complaining by some. The TO who runs our local tournaments will divide the tournament kit into prizes pools that everyone can pick from starting with the winner who gets the medal (what I like to win) and first choice and moves on down the line. Once the cost of the kit has been covered he throws in as many ships as he can as random door prizes. If it's a store champs or higher event he removes the top 8 from the door prizes as they get good stuff from the kit

I like the way he dose it and it makes a lot of people happy especially at one tournament where a guy who just started playing and came last with no wins won an outrider as a door prizes

I got lucky. My first ever tournament, I had no wins at all (one or two close matches, one bye, and a crushing defeat to open things up). I won a Syck as a door prize, then I won the draw for the Imperial Raider.

I have not won a door prize since.

I won a Syck as a door prize, then I won the draw for the Imperial Raider.

I have not won a door prize since.

Can we change the topic of this thread to how great the raider model is?

It is so pretty!

prize sniping is very common in MTG, but on bigger tourneys you can win for hundreds (sometimes thousands) of dollars worth of cards. prize-support in the average X-wing tourney doesn't look that impressive. So I doubt many people will bother.

When i see a tournament announced my train of thoughts is:
1. Am I off work that day?
2. Will my wife ok it on that day?
3. Is it reasonably priced and within reasonable range.
4. Cool, I´ll go

Nowhere in the thoughtprocess is pricesniping involved, I just want to play games and have fun. If I win something then its awesome and deserved, but I am not doing it to rob other people of prices.

Heh, I've driven five hours to go to a 'local' tournament (Australia, where 400 km is the next big town north) and will probably do it again at least once in the next 3 months...
Why? Because "Real Life" often means I can't get local games outside of a tournament, so I set aside a day and make the drive in the hope of getting some more tournament experience and a day of gaming in.

Heh, I've driven five hours to go to a 'local' tournament (Australia, where 400 km is the next big town north) and will probably do it again at least once in the next 3 months...

Why? Because "Real Life" often means I can't get local games outside of a tournament, so I set aside a day and make the drive in the hope of getting some more tournament experience and a day of gaming in.

I flew to a different country to play in the Polish Nationals just for the heck of it with 3 friends. Hotel and Flight was dirtcheap so we might as well go

Heh, I've driven five hours to go to a 'local' tournament (Australia, where 400 km is the next big town north) and will probably do it again at least once in the next 3 months...

Why? Because "Real Life" often means I can't get local games outside of a tournament, so I set aside a day and make the drive in the hope of getting some more tournament experience and a day of gaming in.

I flew to a different country to play in the Polish Nationals just for the heck of it with 3 friends. Hotel and Flight was dirtcheap so we might as well go

Reception of that event was so good that I may have to consider that next year, although it probably won't fit with my universities examination schedules :/