Lyr - write it down. Write it all down - your analysis of why you lost, and how you can prevent yourself from making the same mistakes in the future. Writing is cathartic. Once you have all your thoughts on paper, and have revised it a couple of times, then you can walk away from it more easily.

But be sure to put a good couple of hours of work into it, so you're satisfied that you've covered every angle.

This helped me improve my 40k game when I was first starting, and getting regularly shellacked at tournaments.

Lyr - write it down. Write it all down - your analysis of why you lost, and how you can prevent yourself from making the same mistakes in the future. Writing is cathartic. Once you have all your thoughts on paper, and have revised it a couple of times, then you can walk away from it more easily.

But be sure to put a good couple of hours of work into it, so you're satisfied that you've covered every angle.

This helped me improve my 40k game when I was first starting, and getting regularly shellacked at tournaments.

We all have good days and bad days.

Competition is always going to have a mix of one or the other. When I was fencing competitively there were days I could execute a cut-over and plant my sword in my back pocket and other days I couldn't miss. Then you had the days where the referee may as well have been Mr McGoo and other days that you got the really good ref and he saw what you had done and all was good.

Now, if you did the best you could on the day there is nothing else to be done and there is no shame in it. What you have to do is to take the lessons learned and move forwards and don't dwell on the past beyond that.

I did my best round 1 and 2 but did not in round 3. In round 3 I could of gone 5-5 and won. . . I need to learn to run more often

Keep your chin up Lyraues for I have a tale of how a first time miniture player gits gud from loosing most of the time!

I know two things to be true in miniture gaming. A loss can be more valuable than a win and we only improve through learning from losses.

I started playing 6 months before Wave 2 and I ******* sucked. I had never played minis before. I can't find the 2015 sheet but my inital results were something like 12th-10th-6th-7th. The only prizes I won was the lucky door prize, wooden spoon and most sportsman like....

Then i started going to Tuesday nights every time. Then weekends, week days, work days and peoples houses on weeknights. I sought out the best players in the area, never saying no to a game...and i still got my ass handed to me. I was not winning even casual games. But i was making friends with the most inclusive, welcoming and consistently top placing group in the region.

Then Wave 2 happens. Wave 1 is over and i never had a win! But now i know what i want to play and most importantly I know it know how to play and now my results are starting to go up...the start of 2016 goes 6th-3rd-2nd.

I'm feeling pretty good. In practice play I'm undefeated with my list. My buddies are telling me it's my time, time for that first win.

Then I change it up. The Gladiator I ran was the Demo/Intel/Expert/Apt/Tech. But during the Newcastle Store Champs (where i came second ) I played an opponent running Glad II/Demo/Ruthless Start/APT...it shredded my Rhymer Ball! I like that ship. I think I will copy it. I play against my friends. It killed 5 tie Advances in one Activation. That's awsome I think im onto something here! With my wins behind me and encourgment from friends I approached the next tournment with the mentality not that i would win but that i could win.

My next Tournment Results were 5th-7th. ****. I was spanked for two days straight where my friends were egging me on. If I was ever going to rage quit Armada, this was it.

Overcoming this rage or dissapointment is critical to rebounding to a win. This two day beatdown is where the idea that loosing has more lessons than winning solidified in my mind. Winning against the Tie Advance screen masked the weakness of the list. Using Gladiator as a Squadron shredder meant that I lost much firepower against ships. By looking to gain advantage out of Ruthless I also put Glad in bad positions. Playing Squadron centric people in practice had given me a completely bias view as to how effective this Glad II setup was against a wider selection of lists. I could not/would not (or at least it would be incredibly difficult) see anything of these issues if not for the looses.

But no amount of reflection can help your feelings. By this point I was tired. The 2nd place and subsquent losses really took the wind out of my sails. Next tournment i played a jank list to try out HTT (they suck) and my place was no better (6th).

I had a break. And that's okay. I have played a bucket load of tournments and my ranks was improving but I really just needed to consolidate what i had learnt.

I went back to my list and redesigned it keeping in mind everything that had causes losses/wins:

* Glad II/Demo is so strong vs squadrons it is justified to run it. But it also needs to kill ships.

* Don't fly the Glad recklessly or put it in bad positions (this had cost me 92 points in far to many games)

* Meta wise the bids are getting to high for me to play for a bid/squadrons at the same time. I need to go to 400 points and play second player.

* But I had always bid for first! I need practice going second.

This was the final list i came up with. What I shall now call the "Keep Your Head Up Special!"

http://armadawarlords.hivelabs.solutions/view_list.php?token=25963

My last Tournment Results was 3rd Winter Kit andddd 1st in the 3D6 Store Champs. Yippe!

It took me getting my arse beat down for 6 months straight to start posting results and another 4 months of this year to win. What does all this mean? Beyond a list the most important aspect of winning was all of the looses I had had over various months which taught me what worked and what didn't. This list started as an ISD I/Expanded Hanger Bat/Boosted Comms/Wulf/Gunnery Teams/Xi7, 6 Tie Fighters, 1 Rhymer 5 Tiebombers. It has gone through some changes to say the least.

So when I take a loss I cool off and calmly consider i) how did they win? ii) how did i loose? iii) where do i go from here? Because i know from experience that loosing has more valuble lessons than winning.

I feel like most of us (myself included) have come at it from the intellectual/thinky aspect. Lots of good advice on how to process losing, how to learn from it, how to keep things in perspective.

If I may venture on the emotional aspect: if your success at an Armada event is important enough to you to cause an extreme sense of loss when you don't win, then I'd recommend diversifying the things that give you a sense of worth/belonging. Most of the guys I've met who go on extreme tilt due to losses don't tend to have a lot of friends, local family, other hobbies, or causes to call their own. It's really important to them to win because (insert minis game here) is one of the few things they really belong to or take pride in, so proportionally it's extremely important to them. When they lose, the guys I know who have a lot of other connections just kind of shrug, curse a bit, and then go home to their loved ones and it doesn't bother them past their initial disappointment (which is totally normal, mind you!). Those kinds of connections help keep everything in perspective. Whether I win or lose I go home and my wife asks me how pew pew spaceships were and I smile and give her the quick version (win or lose) and then we continue on with our lives together.

I wish to clarify that I do not intend for the previous paragraph to be a put-down. We could all be there given the right circumstances ("there but for the grace of God go I" would be the saying in older times) and as someone who's seen it before and experienced a bit of it when I was younger, I sympathize. My recommendation would be: do what you can to diversify your interests, make some good friends (in Armada or not, when in doubt look into Meetup groups or events at your local community centers), and potentially go on a little Armada break for just a while. When Armada-playing and your skill at the game is just one of many things that defines you, your losses (and successes, even!) at it won't be so proportionally important. It's easier to keep the big picture in mind that way and be content in life. That kind of approach will serve you well even if/when you're no longer playing Armada because we're all fleeing from the cannibal ash mutants and fighting wars over stockpiles of cat food. Or the game isn't around any longer. You know, whichever is more likely.

You know, whichever is more likely.

I don't know... Based on his post, even today, Lord Admiral Nelson has decreed it Dead already....

Trizzo2 and Snapfish have great advice. I personally do have other miniature hobbies but none that I do tournaments with.

Armada is something I have helped build, started at the beginning with, and have worked at. It means a lot to me.

You are right Snapfish, I don't have a lot of friends. My personality mixed with aspergers scares people away. As for family, well, being a foster kid from Hawaii kills that. I have other hobbies, from Dropzone and Dropfleet Commander, Malifaux, and Infinity coupled with trying to become a better painter, I have other things go to do. None however are Armada.

When you help build something, take the time and effort to create content, and put the effort one does into something they like it gets demoralizing when things go wrong, when people don't show to game nights, or it seems all your effort was for naught. At least that is my opinion.

So after dominating my Regionals at Vancouver, I lost in round 3 bad and I just can't stop thinking about it.

How or what do you do to get over a loss?

So...what do you mean exactly? You dominated your first 2 games and lost bad round 3?

I got an 8-2 which put me at top table due to MOV, then got a 10-0 on a 3 ship Rieekan squadron list due to picking his Advanced Gunnery objective which was on his MC80 (which died hard), then lost to a 10-0 without killing a single ship. . . I didn't play my game that last one I played his and it cost me likely my only chance at world's.

You can still go to world's. Not sure how this is related. Byes aren't that big of a deal in this game compared to the others (well they might be better for big events that actually have cuts like nationals etc. but still). A bye for a national is far from a bye for world's and or actually winning world's. Still a long road.

You can still go to world's. Not sure how this is related. Byes aren't that big of a deal in this game compared to the others (well they might be better for big events that actually have cuts like nationals etc. but still). A bye for a national is far from a bye for world's and or actually winning world's. Still a long road.

As he has stated:

Last year, Worlds, to the Public, Sold out in about 3 seconds.

A Regionals Win in the US or Canada, books you a reserved position.

Yes, he could still go - but its a total and utter and absolute crapshoot, to not only organise it so you have the flights, travel, accommodation pre-planned, and actually get a Ticket.

I would suggest the use of mindfulness. If you are feeling overwhelmed you can use this to really examine how great life is, by focusing on something simple like the feel of the wind or the colour of the sky or the taste of a food.

... or the taste of blood.

That is how I read that...

... or the taste of blood.

That is how I read that...

I used to do that a lot when snowboarding on a dry ski was my thing, if I didn't face plant and bleed a bit at least once a week I was not trying hard enough.

You can still go to world's. Not sure how this is related. Byes aren't that big of a deal in this game compared to the others (well they might be better for big events that actually have cuts like nationals etc. but still). A bye for a national is far from a bye for world's and or actually winning world's. Still a long road.

As he has stated:

Last year, Worlds, to the Public, Sold out in about 3 seconds.

A Regionals Win in the US or Canada, books you a reserved position.

Yes, he could still go - but its a total and utter and absolute crapshoot, to not only organise it so you have the flights, travel, accommodation pre-planned, and actually get a Ticket.

I can't go to Nationals (I believe that is at Origins this year) so winning a Regionals is pretty important.

I don't have the best of jobs and live in an expensive city. So if I do everything to get to world's I would need a garentee that I have a slot saved for me. Otherwise the variables are too high and not worth the time or headache that one would get.

Also, as I havn't weighed in yet...

Even if you had your shot and "blew it".

I envy you for even having a shot.

Also, as I havn't weighed in yet...

Even if you had your shot and "blew it".

I envy you for even having a shot.

Also, as I havn't weighed in yet...

Even if you had your shot and "blew it".

I envy you for even having a shot.

You have Calgary

No. No I don't.

You see, it falls on a Saturday. Lion Rampant restricted us to the Date, and it is set in stone.

My Wife works Saturdays.

This is why all of the Armada Events I promote and run, are on Sundays.

I will be at home, looking after my 2 (3) year old.

So why am I still so vocal about it?

The community deserves it.

Also, as I havn't weighed in yet...

Even if you had your shot and "blew it".

I envy you for even having a shot.

You have Calgary

No. No I don't.

You see, it falls on a Saturday. Lion Rampant restricted us to the Date, and it is set in stone.

My Wife works Saturdays.

This is why all of the Armada Events I promote and run, are on Sundays.

I will be at home, looking after my 2 (3) year old.

That sucks! Hmmmmmm wonder if there is a way for some of us to put together a fund to hire a babysitter for you that day. . .

The day that happens to fall on a Long Weekend here, so all of the usual Babysitters are already either Booked, or gone away for the Long Weekend.

Trust me.

I've exhausted all options ever since we heard about it back in March.

That sucks! Hmmmmmm wonder if there is a way for some of us to put together a fund to hire a babysitter for you that day. . .

The day that happens to fall on a Long Weekend here, so all of the usual Babysitters are already either Booked, or gone away for the Long Weekend.

Trust me.

I've exhausted all options ever since we heard about it back in March.

We're also very restricted in who we can have Babysit our boy. He has speech language difficulties, which is why I am at home with him full-time rather than try to have him in daycare - a lot of places simply won't take him.

That sucks! Hmmmmmm wonder if there is a way for some of us to put together a fund to hire a babysitter for you that day. . .

The day that happens to fall on a Long Weekend here, so all of the usual Babysitters are already either Booked, or gone away for the Long Weekend.

Trust me.

I've exhausted all options ever since we heard about it back in March.

We're also very restricted in who we can have Babysit our boy. He has speech language difficulties, which is why I am at home with him full-time rather than try to have him in daycare - a lot of places simply won't take him.

Sorry to hear that. Wish there were other options.

Some Times, there are.

Some Times, there Aren't.

You just have to evaluate said options when they come up...

You have another shot already, no matter how straight-up you are dismissing your own chances...

And you may well be able to investigate others given the time frames involved.

You're only lost when you say "I give up."

I know that, because I've given up plenty of times.

That sucks! Hmmmmmm wonder if there is a way for some of us to put together a fund to hire a babysitter for you that day. . .

The day that happens to fall on a Long Weekend here, so all of the usual Babysitters are already either Booked, or gone away for the Long Weekend.

Trust me.

I've exhausted all options ever since we heard about it back in March.

We're also very restricted in who we can have Babysit our boy. He has speech language difficulties, which is why I am at home with him full-time rather than try to have him in daycare - a lot of places simply won't take him.

Sorry to hear that. Wish there were other options.

Some Times, there are.

Some Times, there Aren't.

You just have to evaluate said options when they come up...

You have another shot already, no matter how straight-up you are dismissing your own chances...

And you may well be able to investigate others given the time frames involved.

You're only lost when you say "I give up."

I know that, because I've given up plenty of times.

Buddha?

Joking aside, that is the most profound thing I have seen on this thread. Thank you

Lyr, I'll be honest, I generally keep you on my ignore list. I find you generally difficult to talk to.

But I read this topic.

You're not asking the right question. The question is not 'how do you deal with a loss'. And all the answers talking about learning from your mistakes and being thankful you got as far as you did are missing the point. You might as well ask how to deal with not getting a good parking space, or how to deal when the store is out of your favourite brand of bread.

The question you should be asking is why is a loss so important to you? Why do you care so much? It's just toy space-ships.

Look, we all have priority lists. Things in our lives that are important to us, ranked from most to least important. And sure, winning games of Armada is on my list. But there's so much other stuff higher on the list, like my wife and daughter, my home, my work, my health and fitness, my extended family, my finances, my dream of owning a nerd/games store, etc. My sense of self-worth is tied to my ability to make sure these priorities are on point.

If I'm not being a good husband or father, then I need to sit down a re-think my life. If I lose my job, my ability to be a good husband and father is impacted. If my health and fitness fails then I could lose everything.

But losing games of Armada? Who the hell cares! Sure, we all want to win, but I'm never going to lose sleep over not winning.

It's just toy space-ships!

I'm only guessing, but I reckon winning games of Armada is much higher on your list than it is on mine. And I think the question you need to be asking is why that is.

I can hazard a guess, but it's important you come to your own conclusions.

Lyr, I'll be honest, I generally keep you on my ignore list. I find you generally difficult to talk to.

But I read this topic.

You're not asking the right question. The question is not 'how do you deal with a loss'. And all the answers talking about learning from your mistakes and being thankful you got as far as you did are missing the point. You might as well ask how to deal with not getting a good parking space, or how to deal when the store is out of your favourite brand of bread.

The question you should be asking is why is a loss so important to you? Why do you care so much? It's just toy space-ships.

Look, we all have priority lists. Things in our lives that are important to us, ranked from most to least important. And sure, winning games of Armada is on my list. But there's so much other stuff higher on the list, like my wife and daughter, my home, my work, my health and fitness, my extended family, my finances, my dream of owning a nerd/games store, etc. My sense of self-worth is tied to my ability to make sure these priorities are on point.

If I'm not being a good husband or father, then I need to sit down a re-think my life. If I lose my job, my ability to be a good husband and father is impacted. If my health and fitness fails then I could lose everything.

But losing games of Armada? Who the hell cares! Sure, we all want to win, but I'm never going to lose sleep over not winning.

It's just toy space-ships!

I'm only guessing, but I reckon winning games of Armada is much higher on your list than it is on mine. And I think the question you need to be asking is why that is.

I can hazard a guess, but it's important you come to your own conclusions.

Actually, the answer was covered a couple of times by various posters.

The main issue is (and it always sounds like a cop out to me but), I have Aspergers. So going out and doing new thugs such as going to clubs, bars, meetups, etc freak me out. It is a deep anxiety that dwells in my dislike of new things.

With Armada I can bypass the because my mind is on Armada. It is also something I am decent at. Having failed a majority ofy life through so many things, Armada is something I am good enough at that I can see my self trying for Worlds and maybe succeeding.

I don't have a girlfriend, a wife (though I have been married), or a child, so i don't have those intrinsic desires like you and many others do. Maybe I need a pet. . .

Maybe I need a pet. . .

I actually think a pet might be a really good idea