Kind of linked to what Lingula said about having fun is your own mental state. I played in a local tournament a couple of months back with a Poe, Corran, A-Wing list. First game out I lost Poe for no enemy loss in a flurry of appalling dice, I *almost* decided I'd lost that game straight away. I took a few seconds, told myself to man up and let Corran and his wingman do their thing, and concentrated on making the best of a bad situation. I ended up winning that game, and all the others save the final game against the eventual tournament champ. I've seen a lot of players hold their hands up in despair at the slightest set back, and you simply can't play your best when you're in that frame of mind. Stay positive, stay focused and put your trust in the Force.

As a by-product it makes you a much nicer person to play games against too!

You have a knack for stating the obvious. Some people need that (see the abundance of motivational speakers and life coaches). Congrats on being a Melnik, I guess.

You would do well to be mindful that you know nothing about those you're speaking too, especially on an online forum.

As someone who's been a gamer for decades, I remember the fun of rolling noobs and "exploiting the meta", but then I grew up a recognized that going for thematic is a perfectly valid choice, just as yours to be competitive is.

Fly casual is the reason why I got interested in x-wing, I don't have enough time not to prioritize fun, and that sometimes means playing in a way that is not you preferred way to make sure both players have a good time.

If you want actual competition, go to world's and then come back to tell us how you crushed Paul Heaver, I'm sure people would love those stories.

Fly casual!

Not sure what your issue is... maybe I somehow gave you the impression that I considered competitive play to be " better" than how you choose to play or something?

All I can say is that if this so painfully obvious to you or not in line with your interests then you're not the target audience (which I feel like I covered). Honestly, this is like leaving a negative review for a book about beginner's arithmetic because it didn't teach you anything about Astrophysics or Painting.

Maybe if you hadn't been dismissive of non competitive players (or those who do it "wrong") then made fun of the one person you found who shared the same insights you're sharing now in another game you would have come off better.

As I said, useful common sense tips, but it didn't warrant you making fun of others who came to the same conclusions you did and shared them just as you're doing now (ie "the great Melkinian theory"). Nothing is new under the sun and all that.

wtf.... F*** off and go fly casual somewhere else, you clearly lose alot.

I'm trying to read this fantastic thread and I keep trawling over your garbage!

Kind of linked to what Lingula said about having fun is your own mental state. I played in a local tournament a couple of months back with a Poe, Corran, A-Wing list. First game out I lost Poe for no enemy loss in a flurry of appalling dice, I *almost* decided I'd lost that game straight away. I took a few seconds, told myself to man up and let Corran and his wingman do their thing, and concentrated on making the best of a bad situation. I ended up winning that game, and all the others save the final game against the eventual tournament champ. I've seen a lot of players hold their hands up in despair at the slightest set back, and you simply can't play your best when you're in that frame of mind. Stay positive, stay focused and put your trust in the Force.

As a by-product it makes you a much nicer person to play games against too!

I had an experience like this the other day. My gaming group is super competitive and no mercy given, trolls to the end. But we love it and it makes us better.

I've locked myself into Paul heavers 2015 worlds list. I love the ships, I love the t-70 and Poe, i love the Y-wings, its just a great solid list. So im trying to master it.

that being said, I had lost Poe and the Z-95 early on, and Poe being my fav, I like him to stick around to the end. I was ready to pack my things up and call GG. but no, i took a breath and tried to play it out for the sake of my friends well being and enjoyment. I ended up winning with the two Y-wings. Was a sweet sweet victory and now I know not to be disheartened because I know that list can still win.

Learned valuable lessons that will help me in the future.

How to play on a tournament:

You need to make sure that you got more coffee then your opponent.

If no coffe is available, take beer instead.

If no beer is available, you are screwed.

I would advocate [3] as being the most important. Pick a list you enjoy flying and fly it a lot.

After each game where you get slammed into the floor (and there will be many), ask "why did I lose?".

For the next few games, try using different tactics - different deployments, routes of approach, etc - then change your list. Slightly. Then repeat.

This blog post from BGG is relevant here, I think. In fact, it should be mentioned as a source for my earlier post:

https://boardgamegeek.com/blogpost/22629/what-does-win-look

Good to know some people are finding my thoughts/experience to be somewhat helpful.

I was able to play in my first X-Wing tournament last weekend - a small one of about 15 people. Despite the fact that the dice gods chose not to favor me that day (one game I lost a TIE Fighter a turn for three turns to a single 3 attack turret), I ended the day with a respectable 3-1 record for 3rd place.

I'd also like to add that my one loss was not due to bad dice nearly as much as it was to me making two fairly large mistakes. Still, lessons learned and had fun. Hopefully I'll get a few more of these under my belt in the next month or so and I can write up a tourney guide that's more specifically X-Wing than this one is - though, once again, most everything I already knew about tournaments from other games translated over just fine.