Just wondering if having a pen/paper and taking notes would be allowed during my store championship matches? I'd like to be able to write down my opponents squad so that I remember each upgrade they have without having to look upside down across the table, for use during the course of the game and afterwords when looking back on how I played during each match. As long as I'm not wasting time doing this, would this possibly be an issue?

Just wondering if having a pen/paper and taking notes would be allowed during my store championship matches? I'd like to be able to write down my opponents squad so that I remember each upgrade they have without having to look upside down across the table, for use during the course of the game and afterwords when looking back on how I played during each match. As long as I'm not wasting time doing this, would this possibly be an issue?

Not against the rules, but take care to not waste your opponent's or your own time.

Doesn't your phone have a camera?

It's a very good idea to take notes and record mistakes, etc. It's an extremely effective way to better your play and remember what choices are good for you and bad for your opponent.

To Hobo's idea, I take many photos during tournaments. However a photo cannot always remind you to use R2-D2 or Emperor Palpatine's effect, or what maneuver an opponent chose that blocked your stressed Soontir.

That said, with pen and paper... it's time-consuming. In Store Championships this year, people are going to use more than 2 ships in a list (thank the Space Pope). However, that means more time placing dials and moving ships, and every second counts in the game. Only jot something down when, say, you have your dials placed and your opponent is choosing. When their dials are placed, though, drop the quill & ink and get back to blasting

EDIT: Hit post too soon.

I was thinking more for nothing your opponents list so you're not wasting their time on what's already a longish day.

I'm sure most would be cool but there's bound to be someone impatient.

Just wondering if having a pen/paper and taking notes would be allowed during my store championship matches? I'd like to be able to write down my opponents squad so that I remember each upgrade they have without having to look upside down across the table, for use during the course of the game and afterwords when looking back on how I played during each match. As long as I'm not wasting time doing this, would this possibly be an issue?

Not against the rules, but take care to not waste your opponent's or your own time.

Don't waste time, and do ask your opponent's permission. I've never run into someone who isn't cool with it, but asking first tends to avoid any chance of ill feeling.

I was thinking more for nothing your opponents list so you're not wasting their time on what's already a longish day.

I'm sure most would be cool but there's bound to be someone impatient.

Agreed. For list questions, I usually write it down or ask at the conclusion of the match.

I mean, everything in the game is open knowledge, except the maneuvers chosen (single-blind) and the results of dice yet unrolled (double-blind).

Go ahead and take notes. Its good data to gather.

However, as previously mentioned, take notes SWIFTLY, or while the timer is not running, so you don't get accused of slow-play.

Absolutely not.

I always have a pen and notebook and, when asking my opponent what their list is, jot down the list into it.

I occasionally scribble up a little image of asteroid placements and initial ship placement too.

Has never been a problem.

It's a very good idea to take notes and record mistakes, etc. It's an extremely effective way to better your play and remember what choices are good for you and bad for your opponent.

To Hobo's idea, I take many photos during tournaments. However a photo cannot always remind you to use R2-D2 or Emperor Palpatine's effect, or what maneuver an opponent chose that blocked your stressed Soontir.

That said, with pen and paper... it's time-consuming. In Store Championships this year, people are going to use more than 2 ships in a list (thank the Space Pope). However, that means more time placing dials and moving ships, and every second counts in the game. Only jot something down when, say, you have your dials placed and your opponent is choosing. When their dials are placed, though, drop the quill & ink and get back to blasting

EDIT: Hit post too soon.

This is all exactly my thinking behind wanting to do this. I do take photos sometimes, but like you said that's not always gonna remind me of certain maneuvers. And yes, my original post said as long as I'm not wasting time. Just wanted to make sure it wasn't completely frowned upon.

Absolutely not.

Why not? Everyone else has given their opinions and reasons behind it.

I have carried a small notebook to every tournament and casual game so far. I make note of the list and opposing players name, usually after the game while calculating points. Before the game time is more crucial and I prefer to concentrate on the upcoming game than worry about making notes. In between matches I sometimes flesh out my notes but usually I leave it till the end of the day at home and I think back over the game and write my impressions down, what I did wrong, what I could have done better, what my opponent did well. I have found that most of my losses can be tracked back to one turn of poor movement choices, but some games I cannot find fault in my game plan and it was just a matter of not enough hits rolled and not enough evades made.

My local shop uses the squad sheets and the TO makes copies and hands them back to players... then we have a reference right there at the table. Easy to look at during a match, Most players just say "Can I check out your upgrades?" and we exchange sheets and read the sheet- no strained necks.

I keep notes for every match I play. I quickly jot down the opponent's list before play starts and keep track of shields, hull, crit effects, and any other important game mechanics. It cuts down on the mental errors (thiers and mine) durring a long day of gaming. Permission does not need to be asked. It is within the rules.

Absolutely not.

Why not? Everyone else has given their opinions and reasons behind it.

Absolutely not.

Why not? Everyone else has given their opinions and reasons behind it.

Well I have a magic hand box that takes pictures. Polaroid. I use that to take my notes. Works great.

As others have pointed out, there's more to take notes about than just what a picture shows.

Yeah, I make notes on my phone so I can keep match details straight. Just don't make your opponent wait.

Jacob

Take notes if you must be work on speed which may mean figuring out some shorthand notations to use.

I also believe that putting them to paper should be faster, and less distracting, than putting them into many electronic devices. That distraction factor could also come into play if you're taking pictures while trying to play.

Absolutely not.

Why not? Everyone else has given their opinions and reasons behind it.

Well I have a magic hand box that takes pictures. Polaroid. I use that to take my notes. Works great.

A picture doesnt share that i forgot to use Sensor Jammer that turn. Notes do.

I jot my notes down quick in super sloppy shorthand, then re-write it neater after the game is over while i can still remember what the sloppy writing says. It takes less than 30 seconds. I am also a significantly better player because of it.

I mean, does that 30 seconds really, actually piss you off, or are you just being contrarian because it's edgy?

There is list juggler.

You know what would be a little competitive crazy? Jotting down notes on what moves they tend to do. hahaha.

like in Magic when you start counting counterspells during game2 in a best of 3.

Take notes if you must be work on speed which may mean figuring out some shorthand notations to use.

I also believe that putting them to paper should be faster, and less distracting, than putting them into many electronic devices. That distraction factor could also come into play if you're taking pictures while trying to play.

And if you're looking for something to help you remember what the opponent has, a piece of paper is much faster than having to zoom in and out on your phone screen.

If your opponent is expected to remember your mandatory cards, Rebel hostage etc. then a written list given to opponents really should be mandatory as well.

I use shorthand to note each maneuver and damage taken each turn, with each ship at the top (shorthand) and a column below each for maneuvers and damage. for example, a 2-speed hard right would be 2Hr, a same speed bank to the left would be 2Lb, etc. I have shorthands for boosts, barrel rolls, decloaks etc, it all helps me remember what happened so I an learn from it later and also helps me write my tournament reports.

I always write while my opponent is choosing their dials, rolling dice or moving their ships so as not to slow the game down. It's much faster to write on paper than trying to type stuff in your phone, which I generally use to keep track of the time limit.