I'm going to go on the record now, before the tournament starts on Friday, as saying that I think at least 3 players from the Omaha (Bellevue), NE league will make top 16.

(Provided that the pairings aren't whack and they have to play each other in the prelims.)

Any other groups out there want to make predictions on how their players will fare?

I'd be able to toss down predictions if I knew what fleets folks were running..... Just going by region is a level of Metagaming for which few are prepared.

Any other groups out there want to make predictions on how their players will fare?

I'm going to predict that all of the top 16 will be in Minnesota when they play.

That's pretty bold, Chrome. How many other venues have you played at? How many players from other venues, besides me, have you played against? How many people from your group made Top 16 at Nationals?

I could see 1 from your group making it to the top 16, but I'm not even sure _I'm_ making the top 16. This tournament will be the highest caliber tournament to date, I think even beating out Gencon for sheer skill level. And that's saying something. The top players from around the WORLD will be there. European Champions (yes, plural), who had to submit their travel itineraries for approval back in July, don't necessarily want to fly all this way just to play on Saturday. Not to mention all of the people traveling from all over North America (yes, including Canada and Mexico). The _scores_ of Regional winners that will be there all get first round byes. And you think at least 3 of your group are going to make top 16? That's bold, man, but I guess we'll see.

But, on topic, you wanted predictions? OK. If 3 people from the same state make it to the top 16, I put that state as Wisconsin over Nebraska. Jacob, Ryan, and Tom all have legitimate chances to make top 16, and that's not even including Jacob and Ryan's women (not sure of relationship status, so don't want to step on any toes). Both of them could easily make top 16 as well.

I think Andrew and Anthony from Indy could make top 16, not to mention Randy and Adam. All of them are strong players.

Look for Dom and Lyle from Chicago, and if Matthew comes, any or all of those 3 could make top 16.

I'd like to think myself and Troy will be top 16, but won't guarantee either of us will be there.

Then there's the Minneapolis players. I'd say there's a good shot 2 of them make top 16.

And oh yeah, there's a multitude of players coming in from other states that all could be playing in Sunday as well. Gabriel from Florida, Scott from Oregon, among many, many others. And did I mention the European Champions? I don't think I've played Marten on vassal yet, but he will be there. Lemurr from Poland will be there. And I don't remember the English winner (Chris?), but he will be there as well. Any of those people could be playing on Sunday.

The Omaha group? Likely Aaron, possibly Jim, and I've known Jim for years, so I don't mean to degrade him at all. I know he's an outstanding player, which is why I give him a possibility. Dustin is a possibility as well.

And of course, there's Ricky and Greg from KC. There's the Cincinnati group, the DC group. I'm not sure who from Ottawa/Toronto are coming, but they are not to be counted out at all.

So, it will be a very diverse and highly skilled group playing on Saturday. Everyone will have to be on top of their game every round if they plan on playing on Sunday.

GO MEXICO GO¡¡¡¡¡¡¡, greettings.

I predict that all predictions, so far, will in fact be predictions.

I refuse to vouch for the quality of said predictions.

yea really, kind of ballsy man. especially if you're group doesn't travel much out of your area for play.

we thought we were cutting edge here until we traveled out of state to a few tournies and even though we placed really well in all of those events some of the stuff we saw blew our minds. made us scramble to the forums and try some of the lists being developed so we wouldn't grow stale with how we were evolving our meta.

I think his faith in his friends and his overconfidence is his weakness.

Not sure if all da byes from Dildo Newfoundland will make it, but if Rennie and the Jesso Twins get round to bringin in their bottles and buy plane tickets I thinks all you fellers are in fer some deadly scrap. You knows......

A Padawan, this poster is.

"Come, boy, see for yourself. From here, you will witness the final destruction of the Alliance and the end of your insignificant rebellion."

Hothie,

You are so awesome. Thanks for the props to Wisconsin.

I don't think I'll make top 16. I have a chance but between pairings and dice the force will have to truly be with anyone who makes the top 16 and I've got nothing but respect for anyone who has ever, won a regional, was a semi finalist at worlds last year, semi finalist at gen con either year, won a world title already (Hothie that's you), or won a national title.

That is honestly a lot of people that have a legit shot at the title.

May the force be with everyone playing this weekend.

I think I'll make the top 16, all of it. After I spike the drinks with iocane powder. I've spent the last few years of my life building up an immunity to iocane powder.

Wont be me i can't make it:'(

But good luck to all

look forward to meeting you all one day

Not sure I care so much how well I place; I just want my juice box afterward...

Based on my 10-1 record with my wife, I should have a good chance getting to the top 16 if all I play against is people's wives who only play the game because their husband has no one else to play with.

NO WAY phild0!
you will be crushed under the awesomeness of my undefeated streak (13-0), earned playing my fiance's 14 year old son who keeps bumping asteroids and has no idea what focus fire means....clearly I expect the same level of competition from everyone else... right?!!

I'm a shoe in.

I think I'll make the top 16, all of it. After I spike the drinks with iocane powder. I've spent the last few years of my life building up an immunity to iocane powder.

Dammit, that was my plan too! Well at least no matter which one of us pervails in the finals, we can look forward to starting our new league in prison. (MN doesn't have the death penalty for mass murder! )

Based on my 10-1 record with my wife, I should have a good chance getting to the top 16 if all I play against is people's wives who only play the game because their husband has no one else to play with.

Don't forget to consider children under 10 who've never actually been made to play by the full rules!

That's pretty bold, Chrome.

*snip*

I could see 1 from your group making it to the top 16

It wouldn't make for good Interwebs bragging if I kept it realistic, now would it? A post like that would only get a couple people replying with something like "uh, OK. Good luck."

I think that Aaron and Evan from our group have extremely good shots at making the cut. Dustin would be my choice for the 3rd guy to make it. Jim is a wild card depending on what he flies. I thought that predicting 4 guys making the cut might be a little over the top though.

I predict that 16 players will make the top 16.

Go Team DC/NoVA! Bring the title back home!

I'm betting our 3 Indiana players (that I know of) will make top 16! We did in nationals and have a burning fire in our hearts to claw our way to the top again.

I was going to try and make it, but decided my USS Reliant and USS Enterprise D would be outmanuvered.

Well they did it! Just not in the order that I expected. Jim, Dustin, and Aaron made top 16, with Jim going 5-0. Way to go guys!

And my main fear came true right off the bat when Dustin and Evan had to play each other in the first round.

Dustin was incredibly tough - I flew against him today and it was my only loss in the day. The dice were definitely in his favor and he admitted as much, but I think his piloting and the brutality of the squad in general still would have eked out a win against me even if the dice weren't so swingy. I can't wait to see top eight tomorrow (and somewhat relieved, surprisingly, to have lost from top sixteen so I can sit back and enjoy watching the action tomorrow).

What a day! So many awesome, friendly competitors flying casually!

Well they did it! Just not in the order that I expected. Jim, Dustin, and Aaron made top 16, with Jim going 5-0. Way to go guys!

And my main fear came true right off the bat when Dustin and Evan had to play each other in the first round.

Was a pleasure to meet, play, and watch the Omaha gang at Worlds! Glad to see the prediction came true and that the "honorary Omaha" took the whole thing down

- Dean