The Learning Curve – Nationals and Worlds! – Jason Collins

Majestix - Team List

jason by Jason Collins

Getting ready for World’s

With Origins Game Fair around the corner that means we’re getting in the mindset for the Heroclix World Championship. So what better time than now to discuss all those steps you’ll need to take to get yourself (and your team) ready for the big show. But of course this is an article by Jason. So I’m not here to tell you what to use or how to make your team. I’m here for the extra little bits you need to get ready to be sure what you already have is going to do what you think.Road to Worlds

Check your rules!

Okay so I attack.
You can’t!
Why not?!?!
The rules!

When you build your team you generally make a series of assumptions based on the rules as you know them. But sometimes something slips through the cracks. Be it a minor rules change or a major rules change may at some point change an important interaction you assumed worked one way, may actually work another way. This is where the all-important rules forum comes in. When you get your team built and your strategy together, be sure to take a few minutes to log into the WIN system rules forum http://win.wizkids.com/bb/ and search for the pieces you’re using. By using the search you’ll speed up the process, and get the most relevant rulings regarding those characters or game elements. There is nothing worse than coming up with a great idea only to find out it won’t work the way you think it does so be ready with that rules knowledge.

Plan your matchups

Gotta play against this team!
Why? No one’s going to play it!
It won, lots of people are going to play it!

We all know that HCRealms is out there and that there is quite a few conversations out there with strategies and figure combinations. In addition, the ROC States/Provincials were run and we all know what worked. When heading out for World Championships you SHOULD have a general idea of some teams that will be good (this year we ALL know that Zombies are still a thing). So take a little time to consider how your team will function against the most obvious matchups. It’s really the best way to get valuable information about how your team will work against what’s already known to be strong. And even IF you’re using one of these teams, know your mirror match, know your strong matches, and most importantly know your weak matches. Nothing worse than getting caught on the board with mistakes you could’ve avoided beforehand. World Championship LogoThis is the culmination of all that value you earned from practice, don’t get complacent now, because it’s too late


Avoid non-game issues

Who reserved the Hotel?
Bill said he was going to!
Bill isn’t here dude!

Nothing worse than travelling and not having all the proper arrangements made. Make sure you’ve got your hotel reserved, tickets bought, and qualifications in order. You don’t want to end up showing up with nothing ready to go. Pack ahead. Keep the team you’re running in a convenient container along with any little extras you’ll need (dice tokens, terrain markers, maps, etc). This is the stuff you NEED to have ready and you don’t want to be stumbling around asking for things of this nature.Be Prepared

As well a good solid Swag Bag to carry all that neat new stuff you’re about to accumulate. If you have a lot of Battle Royales coming, have a container to put all those new shinys and figures you pull in. As well, those purchasable Con-Exclusives come in big boxes, you don’t want to be lugging those around all over the place so having a sizeable backpack to carry them in will go a long way towards relaxing you and making it so there’s less stuff to keep track of.

As well perhaps packing some snacks to get you through the day. Conventions tend to have pretty pricey food, and you don’t want to be paying an arm and a leg for what generally amounts to a hot dog and a pop. So pack a snack and avoid the pricey food options.

Plan your events

Alright I’m qualified you know what that means!
What?
Battle Royales!

These major tournaments aren’t just about the big show. There’s also TONS of side events like Battle Royales and small constructed events. So make plans to attend these events but be aware of your qualifiers. There are 3 chances to get into the World Championship, two sealed qualifiers, and US Nationals (if you’re qualified). As well there’s qualifiers to get into the Team World Championships. If you’re pre-qualified for Worlds, or you happen to be done qualifying for the big show, be aware that these events are going down and to make some time for them. No better way to start racking up those Con Exclusives than these side events.

Remember the Fun

How’d you do?
I lost some of the best games of Heroclix I’ve EVER played!!!!

Don’t forget why we play this game. It’s fun, and nothing is better than playing the game with the best of the best. Games will be intense and close. These are going to be some of the best players to ever play the game. And that is the most fun way to play Heroclix. Not as an easy win situation, but rather as a challenge. There’s nothing that makes a game better than it being an intense challenge.

I hope this gets to those of you who are en route to their first round at Heroclix Worlds. And even if you aren’t heading to world’s this advice will help you get through Nationals, an ROC event, or even a competitive event in another game. Keep your head up, avoid needless distractions, be ready and have fun. Hope to see you all at the Heroclix World Championship at Origin Game fair this year!!