by Jason Collins
Getting that last prep in for the ROC World Cup
Time to get the team ready
Alright I brought the teams we expect to see
Let’s get PLAYING!!!!
It’s that time of year again. The Wizkids World Championships have come and gone, and it’s time to get our game faces on for the ROC World Cup. So in this article we’ll be talking about all those last second steps you need to take to be ready to go!
Prepare for your route to success!
How many ROC points you got
200!
I have 20
You’ve got a ways to go…
The ROC World Cup is played in 3 major tournaments that have their own requirements as far as qualifications. So first you need to know when each event is and what events you are qualified for.
Friday October 14th @ 6PM EST
The Quarter Finals
Cost: 20 ROC Points
Format: 300 Points Modern age
Saturday October 15th @ 5PM EST
The Semi Finals
Cost: 50 ROC Points, or BYE, or Advancement from The Quarter Finals
Format: 300 Points Modern ROC Limited
Sunday October 16th @ 10AM EST
The Finals
Cost: 200 ROC Points, or BYE, or Advancement from the Semi-Finals
Format: 300 Points Modern
*Byes for the Semi Finals are earned by the State/Provincial Champions
*Byes for the Finals are earned via the following criteria:
-Automatic Final Berth (Placing in the Top 4 in the previous year)
-2016 Wizkids Heroclix World Champion
-ROC National Cup Winner
-ROC Regional Winner
-Winner of two Super Qualifiers
-Super Qualifier Winner plus 100 TCGPlayer Max points
-Super Qualifier and State/Province Champion Winner
-State/Province Championship plus 100 Max points
With all this information crammed into your head, hopefully you now know your route to the finals. Of course the hardest route will be for those coming from the Quarter Finals as they have to place in the top 50% to qualify for the next level. Along with that, players coming from either the Quarter or Semi Finals also have to be ready for TWO formats. The 300 Point Modern format and Meta game has been clearly defined, but we have yet to get a good idea of what’s going on in the new Modern Limited format.
Since the last Limited tournament we have seen the release of several 
sets and some of those figures can be extremely threatening in the format. Testing for that is roughly black box as the format is lacking full definition for a proper test gauntlet. That said, it can be very safely stated that Krang is more of a threat in the format, and Devil Dinosaur will be seen without a shadow of a doubt along with mainstays such as Mr. Mxyzptlk and Klarion. You may even expect to see Nick Fury actually played on the map again in this format. However, without an established idea of what’s being played, this will be a tricky format to test and build for ahead of time. Although it also leaves the format WIDE open and allows you to be somewhat experimental. Just be aware of the steps you need to take to make an overall successful team as this is a competitive environment and we’re all playing to win in these events.
TEST NOW!!
Are you testing now?
I’m at work!
NO EXCUSES!!!!!
Regardless of what you’re testing for, you need to be getting as many of those test games in as soon as possible. The goals of course being to know how to play your team and all the possible scenarios you will be finding yourself in. If you know that a bad map exists, play on it. Know of a team that’s hard to play against? Try to create a scenario you can win in. Make sure you’re getting all the quality testing you can get in, as much as you can at this point. Playing your team should be a form of muscle memory by the time you arrive in Atlanta.
The modern competitive environment is fully defined and out there. 
There may be a few outliers but at this point those teams will be variations on the functionality of what already exists so you can get a good idea of what to do against everything that is out there.
As far as preparing for the Limited format, as stated above, a lot of the mechanics in use in the Modern environment can still translate into the game, and practice at this point should be focusing on making sure you know how YOUR team functions. Just try to be aware of some of the most likely culprits out there.
In the end, you should be getting together with as many of your fellow gamers or friends willing to help and trying out all things in all possible scenarios.
Before the Event Checklist
Clix
Check
ID Cards
Check
Beer
In me
There are a number of things you should have ready to go for the event, and it’s always good to have that list of things you need. So why not get your checklist together for the event.
ROC World Cup Checklist
- Your Team(s) – For the love of god if you forget this, turn around NOW
- Your Tokens, objects, dice, etc. see above
- Some possible last second tweaks to your team that you’re considering – keep em small but consider this totally optional
- A few extra Meta-Game figures – For those last second practice scenarios
- Figures to trade – You’re about to be in a large building full of Heroclix players why not?
- Money for gaming – There’s tons of games going on at all times. If you can squeeze it in, get it in
- Money for figures – there will be vendors
- Money for food – Eat for the love of god, you need to do it to live
- Hotel room Info – If you’re travelling abroad or from out of state, make sure you have your hotel information ready to go
- Directions to Holiday Inn Atlanta-Perimeter/Dunwoody, 4386 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, Atlanta, Georgia 30341 – Google maps it from where you’re coming from so you know how to get there (or set up the GPS whatever it takes)
- Water Bottle or Other drink receptacle – Sometimes you’re stuck in a game and get thirsty, a water bottle will make your life easier as being thirsty could definitely throw you off and you don’t want that
- Small snacks – the eating equivalent to the Water Bottle situation. For the love of god, live.
- Your game face – show me now! You’re going with that? Go practice in the mirror.
- Clothes – It’s 3 days of clixing, make sure to change your clothes for yours, and everyone else’s sake
- Cleaning supplies – Cleanliness is an important part of being human, let’s all smell good.
- Bring your love of Heroclix – It’s why we’re all going!
Hopefully this all helps to get you ready for one of the biggest clix events of the year, and that you get a chance to meet some fantastic players there! Good Luck and have fun!
