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 :/

It was well worth the trip. We had a great time and the minor points we had for critique, where really very minor things that would be easy to fix the next time.

We have no LGS be it F or non-F in Southampton. I go to play at shops in Bournemouth and Portsmouth. I'm not really a local to either areas community but no one seems to have an issue with me or any of the guys from the local club turning up. Last tourney in Bournemouth we went to out of the 4 of us from our city we took 3 of the 5 prizes on offer and everyone was congratulating us and shaking hands etc.

I can kind of understand if someone's just out and out hoarding. For example; going to every tourney with the same kit just to win all the alt art Dash cards or hitting every Massing at Sullust they can to scrape up 5 ISD's. That just seems a bit... not fun to me. I mean; when are you even going to run 5 ISD's? Leave a couple for the wider community without involving eBay

Long story short; prize hoarding sucks. Playing at tourneys in other areas doesn't.

• Not everyone has a LFGS/local community in which to play games
• Not everyone can regularly make it to their LFGS
• Not every LFGS runs official FFG tournaments
• FFG tournaments are "open" events - there are no restrictions on who is able to enter. Nor should there be.
• A full, guaranteed day of gaming often appeals to and is more accessible to a wider range of people than would normally be able to attend
• Who doesn't enter a tournament with the idea of playing to win?

If this so-called "prize sniping" (which is really just people travelling to, supporting and playing at your local store who may not otherwise do so for any number of perfectly valid reasons) bothers people so much, there's a simple solution. Organise, fund and run your own private event for your local community.

i have a major local x-wing scene, as i live in London. when store champ season rolls around, i sign up to as many events as possible, as long as they don't clash. i try to attend at least six events because i want the best chance of getting the top prizes, especially the bye for the regional.

i do not hesitate to drive to some pretty out of the way locations to get this, because the scene in an around London is of such a high level that it becomes extremely difficult to do well. sure, at least three of my six events will be local, because i love the competition, and playing with my friends, but i am not ashamed of going a bit further afield for a better chance of winning.

is that "prize sniping"? yes, it is. do i care? not one bit. i sign up for these events, i pay my ticket fee, i drive all the way there at my own expense, i play the same games as everyone else, and i am never, ever an unpleasant person to play against. i have as much right to those prizes as anyone else.

i have a major local x-wing scene, as i live in London. when store champ season rolls around, i sign up to as many events as possible, as long as they don't clash. i try to attend at least six events because i want the best chance of getting the top prizes, especially the bye for the regional.

i do not hesitate to drive to some pretty out of the way locations to get this, because the scene in an around London is of such a high level that it becomes extremely difficult to do well. sure, at least three of my six events will be local, because i love the competition, and playing with my friends, but i am not ashamed of going a bit further afield for a better chance of winning.

is that "prize sniping"? yes, it is. do i care? not one bit. i sign up for these events, i pay my ticket fee, i drive all the way there at my own expense, i play the same games as everyone else, and i am never, ever an unpleasant person to play against. i have as much right to those prizes as anyone else.

You don't have to be unpleasant as your feedback swarm is filth enough

I like to play players I haven't played before. The local group is very good, but playing the same people can get stale and you end up knowing how you rank up against everyone after a short period of time.

I like when people that are good at the game show up to play, especially when I get to play them.

I will also travel to play in areas where I haven't played before.

To be honest, I think most of the people that are traveling are traveling to play the game not win prizes. I mean if I showed up and they old me just sit in that chair for 6 hours and at the end we will give you prizes, I would walk out the door.

so I decide to go to some other store to fly those lists in hopes of winning a tournament, is that inherently uncool?

No it's not. The only rules that matter are the ones that are printed in the book, FAQ and on the cards. That was my point, you can't be expected to abide by unwritten rules for a place you've never been. So anyone who gets upset about someone coming in and not abiding by them is the one who's in the wrong.

But rather than recognizing that they have unrealistic expectations and are in some cases intentionally playing under the power curb of X-Wing. They call them prize snipers or make allusions to them clubbing baby seals.

Unwritten rules don't apply. Don't be upset someone is breaking a social contract they didn't make.

Exactly

I like to play players I haven't played before. The local group is very good, but playing the same people can get stale and you end up knowing how you rank up against everyone after a short period of time.

I like when people that are good at the game show up to play, especially when I get to play them.

I will also travel to play in areas where I haven't played before.

To be honest, I think most of the people that are traveling are traveling to play the game not win prizes. I mean if I showed up and they old me just sit in that chair for 6 hours and at the end we will give you prizes, I would walk out the door.

Exactly this. There is absolutely nothing wrong with travelling to and playing at any game store's open event, in fact, I'd say getting the opportunity to meet new players, see what they're flying, how they play the game and use their ships is one of the most compelling and fun things you can do, and that's even discounting the possibility of winning a prize.

Hell, when me and my friends first started playing, we inadvertently ended up doing some things wrong, and we didn't have a clue about it until we travelled to a store for an event.

That's right - travelling to competitions, meeting and playing other people outside my own regular gaming circle literally improved my understanding and experience of the game.

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?

Not at all. If you look at the tournament rules it specifies 3 tiers of play. A national level player showing up to a out of region small local event certainly doesn't fit with lower tiers. TOs are given a lot of leeway to manage their players.

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.

Then stop being a baby seal. You have access to all the same components and information everyone else does.

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.

Yah, I'm not *that* bad of a player. I'm no regional champ or anything. I'm just trying to explain why having someone come in isn't fun. That's why we're all here I hope. Sure there are no rules explicitly prohibiting it, but does it result in a negative play experience? I'd be like you and your buddies planning on having a local pick up basket ball game then having some dude who plays semi-pro show up and smash you all. That's only fun for one person. (And what sort of person gets off on smashing people clearly worse than them?)

So people can go on about how its 'legal' and I won't argue that point. However I'll say its against the idea of the tier system and it creates a negative play experience for a lot of players.

Tiers Of Tournament Play:

Casual

Casual events emphasize fun and a friendly atmosphere. These events help build local communities and are a great way for new players to experience their favourite game without worrying whether they know every little rule. This tier may include leagues, weekly game nights, and any event using a X-Wing variant.

Competitive

Competitive events require players to have general knowledge of a game’s rules. While experienced players will come to these events to compete for prizes, players should not be punished for their lack of understanding in the finer points of Star Wars: X-Wing™ Miniatures Game rules. Players can come to these events expecting a consistent experience from store to store. This tier includes Store Championships and unique, one-off events such as the X-Wing™ Wave 4 Assault at Imdaar Alpha event.

Still not seeing the problem here.

It sounds like you're wanting a casual experience or private event for friends and locals. If you want to play in a private event for you and your local community, either organise one yourself or ask your LFGS if they'll organise one (they might help you out, even if a closed tournament isn't necessarily in their best interests).

You'll need to fund the event (and prizes) yourself through entry fees or whatever, though, because - as above - FFG's Store Championships and one-off events are classed as competitive events and, as such, are open to all comers.

If you look at the tournament rules it specifies 3 tiers of play. A national level player showing up to a out of region small local event certainly doesn't fit with lower tiers.

The tournament rules doesn't even hint at such a thing. You are making that up out of whole cloth. The rules effectively say "You must be this tall to ride this ride" it says nothing about people being too good to play at those events.

If you look at the tournament rules it specifies 3 tiers of play. A national level player showing up to a out of region small local event certainly doesn't fit with lower tiers.

The tournament rules doesn't even hint at such a thing. You are making that up out of whole cloth. The rules effectively say "You must be this tall to ride this ride" it says nothing about people being too good to play at those events.

That's an interesting interpretation. Its establishes expectations for what sort of competition you can find at each tier. If you get your jollies off curb stomping new players and bathing in their tears, that's on you I guess.

Edit- Everyone one wants to talk about what's 'legal'. I'm talking fun, fair, and right. Like I said, I don't doubt the legalness of it. I still think showing up as a pro at small local events to curb stomp n00bs is a **** move.

Its establishes expectations for what sort of competition you can find at each tier.

You're right it does. That however does not mean that people who play at regionals are unable to play in a casual event. It simply sets what level of competition people should expect.

If you get your jollies off curb stomping new players and bathing the the tears, that's on you I guess.

And that comment got you reported, and added back onto my ignore list. Because anyone who makes a comment like that is not worth my time.

From that last post, I'm guessing that you don't actually want to play in a competitive event at all - you simply want FFG to fund prizes for you and your friends.

Well, good luck with that. Here endeth the topic.

If you look at the tournament rules it specifies 3 tiers of play. A national level player showing up to a out of region small local event certainly doesn't fit with lower tiers.

The tournament rules doesn't even hint at such a thing. You are making that up out of whole cloth. The rules effectively say "You must be this tall to ride this ride" it says nothing about people being too good to play at those events.

That's an interesting interpretation. Its establishes expectations for what sort of competition you can find at each tier. If you get your jollies off curb stomping new players and bathing in their tears, that's on you I guess.

Edit- Everyone one wants to talk about what's 'legal'. I'm talking fun, fair, and right. Like I said, I don't doubt the legalness of it. I still think showing up as a pro at small local events to curb stomp n00bs is a **** move.

This ain't Magic. There are no "pros". What you are saying, is that once you play in Regionals or Worlds, you shouldn't be playing in local tournaments. Which is beyond idiotic.

Some Store Championships are going to be more competitive then certain Regionals. Certain Regionals are going to be more competitive then even Nationals.

The level of play that you will find in these events is no way dictated by the level of event.

From that last post, I'm guessing that you don't actually want to play in a competitive event at all - you simply want FFG to fund prizes for you and your friends.

Well, good luck with that. Here endeth the topic.

On the contrary I've explicitly said it isn't about the prizes. Its not even about me. I think people forget sometimes that if you're on this forum you're probably like the 1% of the xwing crowd.

If you look at the tournament rules it specifies 3 tiers of play. A national level player showing up to a out of region small local event certainly doesn't fit with lower tiers.

The tournament rules doesn't even hint at such a thing. You are making that up out of whole cloth. The rules effectively say "You must be this tall to ride this ride" it says nothing about people being too good to play at those events.

That's an interesting interpretation. Its establishes expectations for what sort of competition you can find at each tier. If you get your jollies off curb stomping new players and bathing in their tears, that's on you I guess.

Edit- Everyone one wants to talk about what's 'legal'. I'm talking fun, fair, and right. Like I said, I don't doubt the legalness of it. I still think showing up as a pro at small local events to curb stomp n00bs is a **** move.

This ain't Magic. There are no "pros". What you are saying, is that once you play in Regionals or Worlds, you shouldn't be playing in local tournaments. Which is beyond idiotic.

No, what I'm saying if you're a guy who is winning large events traveling to small events that are out of your region isn't a particularly nice thing to do.

And that comment got you reported, and added back onto my ignore list. Because anyone who makes a comment like that is not worth my time.

Can't handle opposing opinions I guess?

No, what I'm saying if you're a guy who is winning large events traveling to small events that are out of your region isn't a particularly nice thing to do.

You are assigning motive that is not necessarily there. I have seen a few posts about people traveling, and looking for games while they are away. I would say the majority of the players are more interested in the actual game than prizes.

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.

Then stop being a baby seal. You have access to all the same components and information everyone else does.

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.

Yah, I'm not *that* bad of a player. I'm no regional champ or anything. I'm just trying to explain why having someone come in isn't fun. That's why we're all here I hope. Sure there are no rules explicitly prohibiting it, but does it result in a negative play experience? I'd be like you and your buddies planning on having a local pick up basket ball game then having some dude who plays semi-pro show up and smash you all. That's only fun for one person. (And what sort of person gets off on smashing people clearly worse than them?)

So people can go on about how its 'legal' and I won't argue that point. However I'll say its against the idea of the tier system and it creates a negative play experience for a lot of players.

It's not about legal or illegal. It's that I reject the entire framework that assumes somehow every out-of-towner is somehow a hawk among chickens. You can drop into a casual tournament in a sleepy little town with your carefully tuned metagame list and Nationals-level tournament experience and get kicked in the guts by someone you've never played before with a "casual" list that just works for them.

Winning or placing well in large events doesn't guarantee success at small events. It provides experience, but the thing about experience at big tournaments is that all the people there take that experience home with them to their smaller local metagames.

What I suspect you actually mean is that someone who doesn't enjoy competitive play and doesn't have a great deal of competitive experience isn't going to provide a good matchup for someone who does and has. But that's true regardless of where they're playing and where those two players are from. And moreover, both of those players entered into a sanctioned tournament--for which one was prepared and one wasn't. Why is that the fault of the more experienced player?

I'm for and against. As a TO I have to travel if I want to play for a Store champ. I don't want to play in the Store I run since I want to show no one person over the other. Plus it allows me to move around the tables. If I then can't travel then I don't get to play in one. I know you want the locals to win but really it's about being the best. What spring,summer, and winter kits are for (casual).

It's not about legal or illegal. It's that I reject the entire framework that assumes somehow every out-of-towner is somehow a hawk among chickens. You can drop into a casual tournament in a sleepy little town with your carefully tuned metagame list and Nationals-level tournament experience and get kicked in the guts by someone you've never played before with a "casual" list that just works for them.

Winning or placing well in large events doesn't guarantee success at small events. It provides experience, but the thing about experience at big tournaments is that all the people there take that experience home with them to their smaller local metagames.

What I suspect you actually mean is that someone who doesn't enjoy competitive play and doesn't have a great deal of competitive experience isn't going to provide a good matchup for someone who does and has. But that's true regardless of where they're playing and where those two players are from. And moreover, both of those players entered into a sanctioned tournament--for which one was prepared and one wasn't. Why is that the fault of the more experienced player?

I don't think every out of towner is a hawk among chickens either. Mediocre players travel too. However we're talking about 'prize snipers' who are presumably traveling with the explicit intention of finding weak competition. I'm the absence of any official ranking system competitive success at larger event is really the only way to define these players. Or at least the ones anyone cares about. If you're bad and traveling hoping to win prizes, nobody cares.

Sure you might have a random upset even as top player. Its still a dice game and things happen. If you're a top player and traveling and want to get some games in that's great. Just showing up at a casual night would be awesome. Especially if you take the time to explain what you're doing. Its the traveling + intent to find weak players that I take issue with. It feels very much like bad sportsmanship to me.

Can't handle opposing opinions I guess?

Opinions don't require personal attacks, or to impugn the character of someone else. Which is what you did.

You are assigning motive that is not necessarily there.

He's also spewing nonsense.

Just because someone plays at the FFG event center doesn't mean they're a better player than someone who plays at my LGS. Even if you win Regionals that doesn't mean you have no place in a smaller venue. There could still be people there that would hand a regional winner their head, but they for whatever reason simply don't want to go to Regionals.

This whole 'players from small stores can't compete' is complete and utter nonsense.

Opinions don't require personal attacks, or to impugn the character of someone else. Which is what you did.

Man, I was hoping I was on your ignore list. Maybe next time.