First Tournament Advice

[tylertt]

I'm playing my first real tournament on Nov 7th. I've played in a few GW store tournaments but it was pretty laid back overall I would say.

I was looking for some general advice regarding tournaments. Anything special you guys/gals do for prep, playing, making things smoother as a player, etc?

[yoritomo]

Don’t sweat it.

You are not going to win the tournament. That’s not an insult to you or a comment on your ability as a player; it’s just a fact. Even the best 40K players don’t win in tournaments they are a part of.

If you can go into the tournament with the mindset that you aren’t going to win you’ll have a much better experience. You’ll also be the guy that your opponents enjoy playing, which helps you win best sportsman and/or sportsmanship points if your tournament does that kind of thing. Focus on enjoying the experience, especially if this is your first tournament.

And if you do end up doing well, then you’re only stressing out over the last game or two. That’s better than stressing of the whole tournament.


As for preparing, just know your army. You should have played it a couple times as a whole before the tournament. Know the units you are playing like the back of your hand. There often a time crunch in tournaments (especially when playing tyranids), you cannot afford to be looking everything up. If you know the missions before hand then read up on them as well. The more you know before the games start the better it will go for you.

Make sure you have a copy of every rule you plan to use; and know where to find it if asked. Many tournaments require you to submit an army list to the organizer, but not your opponent. Bring enough copies of your list for your opponents anyway, it will make things easier in the long run.

[gigasnail]

Know your army, know the rules, know the mission pack and stick to it.

Have fun and make some friends.

[brianb9999]

Oct 4, 2020 16:30:32 GMT gigasnail said:

Know your army, know the rules, know the mission pack and stick to it.

Have fun and make some friends.

You beat me to it. Having fun and being a good sportsman despite good dice or bad will make your experience that much more enjoyable. Changing my attitude towards the game did me wonders when I returned in 8th and I was able to work my way in to a local competitive group. The last 2 years are the most I’ve been able to enjoy the game over the last 20.

[No One]

Quick response for now: Know your army, know the mission pack. Get clarification on anything from TO. Ideally have a look over other lists and get an idea of what they do and how you'll deal with them. Similarly look at tables on the day.

[wormlord666]

Agree on all the above. Have fun. Know your army. Expect to loose.


Don’t be afraid to ask your opponent what certain units do or if they have some special rules that are essential to know. They do not need to tell their whole gameplan but if there are certain key strategis that will affect the game. (Like can you redeploy units? Can you scout-move? Or so you have ways to get easier charge etc?)

If you are uncertain of what happens, ask them to explain.

If you loose, ask your opponent afterwards, what could I have done different to do better next time? Then you’ll learn and by that even the losses are good.

Drink water. Bring some headchepills. Bring some snack. Use deodorant.

[kazetanade]

Especially deodorant.

Mark your squads before the game - so that's easier to tell one from the other during crunch time.

If anything ever seems fishy or counter-intuitive, ask straight away. Even if it doesn't seem fishy, ask anyway. I have had people denying off minostorum priests and giving Move Move Move orders to Bullgryns.

If someone is being very difficult, don't fear calling for a TO to adjucate. Its your right.

[nackanid]

Have a good tray to transport the army between the tables. Always put models back on the tray in the original pattern, saves a lot of time between matches and you keep your sanity

[tylertt]

Really appreciate all of the advice everyone!

Definitely building my list to give a good showing but as mentioned, I'm setting expectations not to win and just enjoy the experience.

As much as it is fun getting the W, if its a good game for myself and the opponent regardless of the outcome I will be happy.

Will do my best to try and get a report or overview of the tournament on my channel to share.

[niiai]

Get some games in with your list before hand.

Get a good night rest beforehand. Get breakfest and have a lunch plan. Be a pleasent opponent. Focus on finishing games instead of winning if this is your first tournament. Have fun.

[timcz]

Oct 5, 2020 22:41:10 GMT tylertt said:

Really appreciate all of the advice everyone!

Definitely building my list to give a good showing but as mentioned, I'm setting expectations not to win and just enjoy the experience.

As much as it is fun getting the W, if its a good game for myself and the opponent regardless of the outcome I will be happy.

Will do my best to try and get a report or overview of the tournament on my channel to share.

Sounds great.

Definitely keen to hear how it goes.

[nidnewbie]

How did it go?

[yoritomo]

His event is still 3 weeks away.

[LordPathos]

Still tweaking the list? Never too late to add a Fleshborer Hive or ten.

[innerm]

0. Bring good mindeset. for ex:"I came to have good time"
1. Learn your rules if posible. (to minimise time for checking in codex)
2. I write and take little notes with rules and advices (last one was difference from 8 and 9 redactions)
3. Having own transport tray is very comfortably
4. Bring water and snacks
5. Have good time)))