Warmachine: First Gaming Event Tips
Here are some things that will come in handy when you go to your first Warmachine/Hordes (WM/H) event.
WM/H is a game system that emphasizes competitive events and these events – local Steamroller (SR) tournaments, book release events, leagues, big gaming conventions – are some of the most fun you can have playing the game. There are a number of things that you can do before going to your first gaming event to make your day go that much better.
(Please note that most of these tips are related to tournament play, as that is the most common WM/H event you are likely to attend. But many of these points are good advice for any big WM/H event, tournament or otherwise.)
Know Your Time Commitment:
This one is most relevant to tournament, as other events will (hopefully) have their duration spelled out pretty clearly in the advertising leading up to it, and gaming conventions are obviously a long, multiple day affair. This is also not going to be news to anyone who has attended a few SR events.
If you haven’t been to an SR event before, know that even a small SR event will take a decent chunk of the day. The smallest an SR event can be is 3 rounds of games; the largest you’re likely to see outside of a convention is 5 rounds (though 6 is possible if you have a really big store and an active gaming community).
At around 2 hours a round (give or take), you’re looking at an SR event taking anywhere between 6 and 10 hours, just for the games. Tack on extra time for registration, possible food break, prizes, etc, and you can end up with some events that hit the 12 hour mark by the time its all said and done.
That is not to scare you away or discourage you from attending; those are likely to be a very fun, lively bunch of hours. But you should also really appreciate going into an SR (particularly local ones that seem “small”) that you’re likely signing up for an all day affair. Plan accordingly!
Bring Snacks and Drinks:
Something that I’ve seen people overlook (to their eventual chagrin) is the importance of refueling yourself during the event. WM/H can be a very taxing game to play, and it can be very easy to wear down as the day goes on. It is very important to keep yourself topped off with food and liquids when you can.
At the minimum, you should bring along enough snacks and drinks such that you can power up again after each round or right before the next round. That will go a long way towards keeping you bright eyed and alert during the event, which will help both in your tabletop execution and your general friendliness as well (full people are happy people).
This varies by location; some gaming locations may not allow outside food or drink, or may heavily prefer that you purchase whatever they offer. Try to find out what the policy is for the hosting location before you go so you know how to prepare.
Related: if possible, try to get a hold of the person running the event (very likely the local Press Ganger) and find out what their policy is on a lunch break for the event. If they plan on having one, plan your snacking accordingly. If they don’t or can’t plan to include one, make sure you have some means of getting yourself a legit meal during the course of the event!
On A Not-So-Silver Platter:
Whatever works.
One thing that caught me off guard when I started going to SR events was how tremendously valuable it was to have some sort of carrying tray. It makes moving from table to table significantly easier, it allows you to put away unneeded cases (often clearing up walking aisles), and it can help speed up your deployment (as well as keep all your relevant tokens and widgets handy).
You don’t need to go fancy with this either – though there are plenty of options available if you want to. I get by with a simple dinner tray I bought at a local Target, and I’ve seen other players use things like cookie sheets to great effect. The most important part is the ability to transport everything easily; you can always upgrade to a fancier ride later on down the line if you want.
Have Fun:
Yeah, yeah, I know it’s cheesy, but its true and it is worth reminding yourself of right before game time. You’re going to these events to meet up with other players and have a good time. Shake off the nerves, brush off bad dice rolls, don’t let a bad decision get you down. Having a good time starts with having the right mind set for it, so start off positively and remember that you’re all just playing with figurines, so have fun with it!
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Have any tips of your own to share about going to WM/H events? Share them in the comments!
Also check out Sticks and Dice for more WM/H articles!
