I'm packing for my first trip to Gen Con and trying to pack light because of flights. The reason I'm going is to pick up 2.0 and to have the opportunity to play some alt-format game events. I'm signed up for the 2.0 Release Tourney, Mario Kart, HotAC, Trench Run and a Hanger Bay event. Beyond those official events, I hope to get some 2.0 pick up games if time allows.

The only event that requires me to pack my own stuff is the Hanger Bay event. So, I know I have to bring enough 1.0 stuff for those two lists. So, I'm trying to decide if I should pack some extra ships I'd like to try in 2.0 just in case I get free time for some pick up games?

Any Gen Con experienced advice? How much are you taking to Gen Con?

9 minutes ago, drail14me said:

I'm packing for my first trip to Gen Con and trying to pack light because of flights. The reason I'm going is to pick up 2.0 and to have the opportunity to play some alt-format game events. I'm signed up for the 2.0 Release Tourney, Mario Kart, HotAC, Trench Run and a Hanger Bay event. Beyond those official events, I hope to get some 2.0 pick up games if time allows.

The only event that requires me to pack my own stuff is the Hanger Bay event. So, I know I have to bring enough 1.0 stuff for those two lists. So, I'm trying to decide if I should pack some extra ships I'd like to try in 2.0 just in case I get free time for some pick up games?

Any Gen Con experienced advice? How much are you taking to Gen Con?

I'm taking only my NA Championship list, everything contained within this!

As far as GenCon advice...I would actually advise you to play fewer X-Wing events and explore more. Demo some games, take your time meandering the vendor hall, etc. Then there's the generic "con" advice...have a bag with you, comfortable shoes, a water bottle and healthy snacks.

43 minutes ago, drail14me said:

I'm packing for my first trip to Gen Con and trying to pack light because of flights. The reason I'm going is to pick up 2.0 and to have the opportunity to play some alt-format game events. I'm signed up for the 2.0 Release Tourney, Mario Kart, HotAC, Trench Run and a Hanger Bay event. Beyond those official events, I hope to get some 2.0 pick up games if time allows.

The only event that requires me to pack my own stuff is the Hanger Bay event. So, I know I have to bring enough 1.0 stuff for those two lists. So, I'm trying to decide if I should pack some extra ships I'd like to try in 2.0 just in case I get free time for some pick up games?

Any Gen Con experienced advice? How much are you taking to Gen Con?

Only what I need. Couple of fighters and a Death Star.

and hand sanitizer. avoid the con crud!!

18 minutes ago, LagJanson said:

Only what I need. Couple of fighters and a Death Star.

Be careful not to let the fighter get close to the Death Star.

It's my first GenCon as well. I'm only entered in one FFG event, the NA Championships. I'm bringing 9 small based ships, in 4 lists total, with just the dice, dice cup, tournament tray and tokens to support them. This gives me enough of a variety of lists to use in other events I might play in. These all fit nicely into a backpack that will be my carry on bag for flying. Also I'm using a suitcase that's bigger than I need for the clothes I'm taking on this trip. This way I'll have room for purchases made in a VERY large dealers room for the trip home.

6 hours ago, drail14me said:

. So, I know I have to bring enough 1.0 stuff for those two lists. So, I'm trying to decide if I should pack some extra ships I'd like to try in 2.0 just in case I get free time for some pick up games?

You definitely want to pack only your lists for the events you need them. You are going to be suffering from major X-Wing fatigue with all of those events you're in, so the last thing you're gonna want to do is to spend free time trying to find pick-up games of 2.0 to tinker with (especially since it's nearly impossible to find open usable table space that will accommodate a 3x3 game of X-Wing. Every table at the convention is effectively already rented for the entirety of the event, so you'd be trying to find spaces to play after hours or in one of the hotels or something).

Also, Gencon is an amazing experience, and it would be a travesty to waste the entirety of it playing different forms of X-Wing. There is far too much to see and do. I spent my first Gencon doing nothing but FFG events (X-Wing and then X-Wing/Armada). Going into my fifth Gencon, I am not playing in any FFG events, because it's not worth burning the majority of a day in my opinion while so much better stuff is there to do and see.

You also need to travel as light as possible since you are flying, and especially so because you'll need to fly home with any new stuff you buy at the convention.

6 hours ago, gennataos said:

I'm taking only my NA Championship list, everything contained within this!

As far as GenCon advice...I would actually advise you to play fewer X-Wing events and explore more. Demo some games, take your time meandering the vendor hall, etc. Then there's the generic "con" advice...have a bag with you, comfortable shoes, a water bottle and healthy snacks.

...and wear deodarant - arguably the most important thing to remember!

I'm bringing a 250 Imperial point list for Grayskull that also includes my mini-tournament lists. Everything fits in my tackle box and I'll have room to spare for 2.0 stuff.

44 minutes ago, AllWingsStandyingBy said:

You definitely want to pack only your lists for the events you need them. You are going to be suffering from major X-Wing fatigue with all of those events you're in, so the last thing you're gonna want to do is to spend free time trying to find pick-up games of 2.0 to tinker with (especially since it's nearly impossible to find open usable table space that will accommodate a 3x3 game of X-Wing. Every table at the convention is effectively already rented for the entirety of the event, so you'd be trying to find spaces to play after hours or in one of the hotels or something).

Also, Gencon is an amazing experience, and it would be a travesty to waste the entirety of it playing different forms of X-Wing. There is far too much to see and do. I spent my first Gencon doing nothing but FFG events (X-Wing and then X-Wing/Armada). Going into my fifth Gencon, I am not playing in any FFG events, because it's not worth burning the majority of a day in my opinion while so much better stuff is there to do and see.

You also need to travel as light as possible since you are flying, and especially so because you'll need to fly home with any new stuff you buy at the convention.

I’m curious about things other than x-wing to see or do? I don’t play any other games so not sure what to look for. I do have some blocks of free time to wander so I do plan to explore and see what peaks my interest.

24 minutes ago, That Blasted Samophlange said:

...and wear deodarant - arguably the most important thing to remember!

Deodorant seems to be a common theme. I’m starting to wonder what I’ve gotten myself into.

9 minutes ago, drail14me said:

I’m curious about things other than x-wing to see or do? I don’t play any other games...

Well, prepare to be awed, I suppose. It's worth noting that there are 'overflow' sites where events are going on (for instance Lucas Oil Stadium, the Marriott, etc.) and the convention center itself is two-stories (some people never even venture upstairs).

The best way to do Gencon is to have tickets for anything you might want to do, because otherwise it can be quite hard to find stuff to do on the spot. In the Dealer Hall, you can talk with companies/designers and check out and try products they have set up or on display. But outside of that, you'll need tickets for any demos or events going on in the broader convention. It would be worth just searching the Gencon Events List for "demo" and sifting through what's there and has spots left available, as those are events where you will be taught new games so no experience or knowledge required ahead of times. Maybe pick a few that strike your fancy?