Any tips for my first Tournament?

I'm going to be attending the west coast GT this march and was wondering if anyone had any friendly tips or advice for me? I'm rather excited and nervous as I have never done more than play casual games with my friends. Is there anything particular you would recommend bringing besides the usual models dice books and templates?

Make sure to sit down you will be gaming for a very long time and standing for nearly 10-12 hours takes its toll.

Is there a tournament called the West Coast GT? Or is it called something else?


Some general advice.

1) Comfortable shoes. You will be on your feet for long periods of time, most likely on concrete.

2) Copies of your army list for each opponent and maybe some spares.

3) The latest FAQ for your army book and the main rules.

4) Don't forget your Tape measure, dice, templates, or spell cards. Double check you have everything.

Remember that you go there to have a good time and enjoy Warhammer. Be a good sport when you win and learn to lose gracefully!

something to help move your army around is always good, piece of wood or something that saves you have to pack your army up when swapping tables.

I got this for Christmas it's a wargamers backpack.

http://www.thewarstore.com/WARGAMINGFIGUREBACKPACKS.html

It says it takes 7.5x13in foam trays but I haven't found any yet any recomendations? Or maybe something else to out ogres on that would fit in there?

Don't be nervous. It's going to be full of guys that like to play Warhammer and they're all there to play, have fun and kick some butt.

People don't tend to win their first tournament. Some tips on trying to win:

- Get all the free points you can. Paint your army as well as you can and try and scoop up any easy points. A display board can often help with painting points (and useful for transporting your army around the hall).
- Practice with your army! Settle on your list and play it as much as you can beforehand. You don't want to forget you had that potion of speed at a crucial point. Resist the urge to change up your list just before the event... Even if the change might actually make the list stronger you're better off with a list you're familiar with.
- Be as knowledgeable of the other armies as you can be. Forewarned is forearmed!
- Be mindful of the time limit. Need to play as fast as you can really.

Things to remember - obviously army, dice and stuff. A pen/pencil is a really good thing to have! You might want to mark your templates (I'm always losing or gaining templates after an event).

Hope it goes well!

Don't be afraid to ask for help, if you are not sure on a rule or if something seems amiss ask to see the rule or get to explain what is happening.

Helps if you explain whats happening as you go too.

Thanks for all the tips so far guys!

I wan thinking that I'd move away from using a slaughter master and instead use a tyrant with armor of silvered steel talisman of protection iron curse icon and a great weapon. Super hard to kill and yet can still dish it out...


Also anybody got ideas on transport? I really want to use that backpack...

I've put up a list in the army section if anyone cares to take a gander and give me some feedback it'd be appreciated.

http://www.ogrestronghold.com/forum/index.php?topic=26363.new#new

I'm thinking either this shooty heavens list or maybe a variation if it with some sniper/poison maneaters and go character hunting....

Get lots of sleep!  Find somthing to compliment about the opponents army before the battle.  Its sooooo much harder to cheat or other wise abuse nice folks.  Try and remember to smile, i have trouble with that one when im thinking too hard.  I always find the more fun I have the better I do and I have fun I have is directly related to how much fun my opponent is having.  Good luck and have fun:)

How do you guys feel about movement trays? I never really felt the need with my ogres being so easy to move.

Even with Ogres, movement trays are helpful.

Oh god, please, movement trays. Magentised too is amazing, if that's feasible now. Helpful in game, helpful when moving between tables. Once you have them, you'll never want an army without them.

Also, what else have I learnt... try to get some sleep the day before. I don't know if you're like me and *always* painting my army the night before, but try to avoid that. Playing tired is not fun. Makes getting up and enjoying the day far too difficult.

Play for fun, too. Don't be a dick, and it goes a long way to making your games enjoyable. If you get thumped in the first game, that's okay, players further down the tables tend to be more relaxed, which is never a bad thing.

Also, what else have I learnt... try to get some sleep the day before. I don't know if you're like me and *always* painting my army the night before, but try to avoid that. Playing tired is not fun. Makes getting up and enjoying the day far too difficult.

Heh, I have absolutely no idea what it's like to go to a GT and get more than 4 hours sleep a night. Must try it sometime. Might be cool!

I will be there (guys from our club are running it), so I can give you some advice if you want.  Most of the general advice here is very sound.... and will be ignored by most attendees, including myself.  I plan on being drunk all weekend and relying on luck and overpowered armies to win!

But seriously, get movement trays.  If you lack them you will be (rightly) accused of slow play.  Aside from that, treat the GT as a learning experience.  Do your best, expect to lose, and be pleasantly suprised when you win.

Were you that guy last year Phazael? You know who i'm talking about.

Pay attention to the scenarios (if any), especially late game. I tend to get stuck in the "kill every model" mindset and forget things like positioning units for objectives and such.

Bring a board for your army and a bag or box for your stuff. Even if it's just a rubbermaid tote and putting your army on the lid and your stuff inside it's so much easier to manage when you have to navigate over six tables while everyone else in the hall is also trying to get their stuff six tables the other direction.

Amazing to find someone who lives so close and is on this site. For some reason I got the feeling that most of the people on here were from across the pond so to speak.

This is a great thread. I used to play in tourneys a while back and agree with a lot tips here.

EFFICIENT GAME PLAY
- Have your army List printed out for each opponent
-  Use Movement Trays for anything more than 3 figs
- Narrate your movement & dice rolling, make eye contact with your opponent

SPORTSMANSHIP
- Compliment your Opponent's Army, everyone works hard building & painting their army. Find something to praise
- Laugh when your unit gets smashed and make sound effects, just as if you were playing with Friends
- When your opponent has a rule wrong or you are unsure yourself, dont get into a serious debate, just friendly discuss and consult with other players/organziers/rule book as efficenly & nicely you can! However constantly having to go over rules every step of the way with your opponent is extremely annoying.

LOOKING AFTER YOURSELF
- Comfortable Shoes
- Sleep the Night Before (This I never really managed to do)
- Bring snack food and drinks, I've also shared homemade cookies with my opponents for EASY points! LOL
- Must must have a display tray or a large box to transport your army around the tournament grounds.. everyone is doing the same thing at once, it gets CRAZY! You dont have time to pack your army into foam carrier trays in between each battle, thats only for when you are ready to go home.

Go out there and have Fun my ogre brother ( or sister? )

REAL advise tho, Double check EVERYTHING before you go, i even take an extra brick of dice and tape measure JUST incase my opponent is unprepared for battle. No free wins for this ogre. Make sure you sit if given time after every match ( Or better yet during ), the day takes its tole. Bring Sustenance for yourself, At least a Container of Water ( I take a 1 litre and refill it from tap Often) and some sort of food ( I find 2 cups of Gummies to be a good choice ), or you will perish before the day is out. Other than that friend yea, have fun and Swing for the fences.