OK, Please be patient with this one. I need some help as a total 100000% noob to miniatures gaming, and am looking at playing at a local game store for the first time. I'm a bit nervous, and have several questions as this is WAAAAAY out of depth here

Up to this point, I have played a couple campaigns and my son and I have done a bunch of skirmishes. I feel like I have a decent handle on the basic rules, etc. But I was thinking about heading to my LGS and playing in a tournament. I saw on their events page it looks like for the next couple months they are running them twice a week (one weeknight and one weekend day). I have never played in an organized setting before, so I am a bit confused as to what I need to bring and I have a few questions. Just to give context - I am not interested in competing at "Worlds" or whatever. I just am interested in exploring playing a couple fun games.

Here goes (deep breath):

1. I only have the Core set (all cards are sleeved) and a couple ally/villian packs. Can I still show up and play at this $5 "event" ? Or do I need to have all expansions? I have read on these forums about what maps are "in rotation", but I don't really understand what that means, and if that applies for any store organized thing, or if that is just for the official FFG tournaments. I don't know if these are ongoing fun events, FFG events or whatever - I am so confused

2. If I do show up, what do I bring? I would bring sleeved deployment/command cards, and the minis. Do I need to bring damage/condition tokens? Map tiles and dice? Do people usually just roll up to the game store with their whole box?? I could do that, but I wasn't sure if that would be strange. Its like showing up to the casino poker room with your own poker chips and cards.

3. You can't use the cardboard tokens, you need to own the minis correct?

4. How are the maps selected? I have a bunch (well a few) skirmish cards in a "skirmish deck?" do you bring those too? Or does the event determine what map to play?

5. I was also considering bringing my 12 year old son along. Do you think that is appropriate? Or would people think thats out of line? I have no clue the age range of people that usually show up. I'm a 40 year old, regular suburban dad. Not sure if I'll be like the "old guy at the college bar"?? Or if bringing a 12 year old is completely inappropriate? If he were to play, he and I only have one set of tiles (we split the purchase of the Core set :), so not sure how that would work either.

Lastly, I saw someone comment on one of these boards how the game is dead or something to that effect. I'll just say that the last time I was at this LGS (probably in January), they said they didn't play IA events - only X-Wing for Star Wars minis (which they said had a bunch of players). But now I see that they are running a bunch of events - so I guess that is a good sign.

Anyway - thanks in advance for any advice you can give to a total first timer.

1. To play in tournaments, you must have (bare minimum):

Able to build the skirmish map. Currently the 3 maps are Obi-wan (need Obi pack ), ISB HQ (need Blaise pack + Bespin box ), Jabba's palace (need Jabba pack + JR box ) and obviously Core box

You'll notice there are 6 possible skirmish missions from those 3 maps and you'd be correct: the skirmish mission will be from one of these 6

2. You bring your deployment cards, command cards, tokens and dice (not required). Dice not required because you can ask your opponent to share his set of dice: but if neither of you brought dice then there'll be trouble

3. Correct, no proxies

4. see #1

5. Feel free to bring him, as long as he does not disturb other players & don't go running around moving other people's figures & stuff. Make it clear to him that he's a spectator. People are usually very friendly in tournaments

5.1:

2 hours ago, totalnoob said:

If he were to play, he and I only have one set of tiles (we split the purchase of the Core set :), so not sure how that would work either.

is he entering the tournament as well? Normally every player is expected to bring their own stuff. If yes and there's conflicts between you two (ex. you need card XYZ & your son also needs card XYZ), try asking around other people. See my last sentence in #5

edit to add: everything can be found on the FFG site ( https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/products/star-wars-imperial-assault/ ) under "Tournament Resources"

edit 2: Your store might (in order to bring in more people) and advertise saying stuff like "we have dice"/"we have map tiles". Everything I said above leans on the "safe" side, i.e. this is pretty much what you'll be seeing at all tournaments, no matter the actual level (store/regional/national/worlds)

Ricope is right about everything you'll need. I would just add that the store and other players will probably be laid back about requirements. I doubt you'll need the maps since only one player has to have them, so that would reduce what you need by, well, everything beyond what you have. I would call the store and ask if you could just come as you are for your first event, bringing just your list, command cards, and components. My bet is that they'll welcome you heartily.

Welcome to the skirmish scene!

-ryanjamal

Thanks guys for the responses! I'll have to call I guess to find out more information regarding the maps. I have the Obi Wan pack, but don't have anything for the other two maps.

Ricope is right about the rules for tournaments, but I have been to very few events that inforce those rules basically only regional events, and if the store is planning two events a month its organised event not going to be the same if they have any sense, so you need to speak to who ever is running the event on the day, I would bet they will be happy if you can only bring a core set, but you need to check.

As for your son that depends on two factors, first the store event being happy with you splitting you set down there being enough maps extra which normally isn't a problem, and second attitude the other guys if they are laid back fun bunch you and your son should have a good time, last two events I have been to we had a bunch of fathers/sons/daughters everyone had a good time and one of the boys won the event (beat me soundly in the final) but I have played in events in other systems where I wouldn't want to bring a child as the adults weren't all mature enough to play toy soldiers.

I thought the cardboard tokens were tournament legal as they are FFG official product.

Of course, my experience for my first tournament was that people are willing to let other people borrow. the game is more fun with more people, and they will try to make it so that you can play. having all this plastic is cool and all, but if you can't have a new opponent it gets stale, so people will usually be willing to help out..

I'm sorry if this is too obvious, but I would call the LGS to see what they recommend. 1) They really want you to come and play and will try to accommodate, especially if you and your son are new players and 2) they will have a good idea of what resources they will have in the group. Like the people in this forum, they'll probably be very helpful. My guess is that they'll want your son to be involved too. IMHO, 12 is a perfect age to get into this game! My nieces kick my rear end at X-wing and they are 9 and 13. I've still got 10 years before my son plays IA. I just have to keep it in good shape in the meantime and hope that our world leaders don't pull an Alderaan on us in the meantime;)

Thanks for all the responses everyone, I am planning on showing up (by myself at first) and asking some further questions. They don't seem to answer their phone, so I'll just go in person when I get a chance for their next event. I know I need to bring my tiles (at least I can build the Obi-Wan map), condition tokens and my cards (I won't roll up with my whole Core Box )

Everyone was really helpful in your responses - you have no idea how intimidating the whole "scene" is for a complete newcomer. It helps to get some basic information spelled out.

I'm sure you'll be welcomed with open arms. Have fun!

-ryanjamal

21 hours ago, totalnoob said:

...you have no idea how intimidating the whole "scene" is for a complete newcomer. It helps to get some basic information spelled out.

I understand this feeling. Been there - I like to have an expectation and some control over new experiences. Just how I am.

Unless the game is ultra huge (like X-Wing Miniatures or Magic the Gathering, etc) you're pretty safe to expect a friendly reception (even in those other cases, usually). In my experience, the larger a game gets, the 'more' you can expect to find 1 person in the room who takes it too seriously and just isn't about a good social experience...

And by 'more' I mean like 1 in a room of 100. And that's iffy. Bottom line, IA crowds are really chill and happy to help newcomers. Have a good time!