Episode 105: The Road to LVO 2020

In this episode, we talk about planning for the Las Vegas Open 2020. We discuss the process of settling on an army, getting it ready, and practicing with it so you are ready to play. We also offer some practical advice on attending the LVO, including a checklist of items to pack, transporting models, and what to do between and during games to be as successful as possible. Finally, we talk about what we intend to bring and what our goals are for this LVO.

Introduction

The bigger the event, the more you should prepare. Unless you are a constant tournament attendee with a shelf full of painted units to choose from, you will need to start preparing for a big event like LVO.

Choosing an Army

The hardest part is to nail down your list. Unless you are a top player, it’s better to pick a list early and practice it a lot. List knowledge is more important than changing at the last minute.

Mathhammer

It’s useful to determine what the expected damage output is per unit in your list, look at GEQ, MEQ, Vehicle, Knight, Flyer. It’s also useful to determine what weapon profiles your units are susceptible to.

Painting

Once your list/group of units is settled (with some options), you need to get them painted up to the new standard.

But, you can practice with the right proxies, or paint to a rough standard and improve between gaming sessions. It’s Important to get your army in a place where you can practice with it.

LVO Paint Standard

Practicing

Play all missions against a variety of opponents you are likely to see at LVO with players that are at your skill, or better.

Try and vary the deployment zones and go second when you can so you have a plan.

Look for secondaries your army can achieve, and find out if your army can hold or kill more.

What to Bring

Your army, double, triple check your units as you pack and pull them out when you get to the hotel to check for breakage. You need super glue for quick fixes and a  few extra infantry models just in case.

1. Dice, wound counters, and CP counter for you and your opponent.
2. 2 tape measures
3. 6 objectives
4. All the books in physical or tablet format; your opponent may ask to look at it.
5. Folder with mission pack and mission scoring sheets for all 6/9 rounds, plus cheat sheets.
6. Pen/pencil
7. Chess clock if desired.
8. Phone with BCP downloaded/ITC battles, maybe a portable rechargeable battery.
9. Army tray! This is critical, you need an army tray.
10. Backpack/bag to tote around your non-army stuff. You need to be comfortable walking with your tray/bag between tables each round.
11. Water bottle
12. Snacks!
13. Aspirin/Ibuprofen

Transporting your army

Pack and check your army several times

Air travel with KR Multicase and Battlefoam.

Arriving at your table

Find a SAFE place to put your army down.

Grab a mission/scoring sheet, pen, and a die to begin pre-mission sequence.

Exchange lists, be prepared to answer questions, do NOT be afraid to ask questions from your opponent; don’t be pressured to skip past this!

Write it down on their sheet! (experience with dreadnoughts at Nova).

Pick your secondaries, write down yours and your opponents on your sheet/in your application.

Adjust and define terrain is important! Always do this each game, be sure to define the edges of ruins.

During Play

Try not to engage in too much small talk or ask questions while its your opponent’s turn, it can be distracting. Let them do their turn.

Ask questions if you have a concern, call a judge when needed to settle a dispute.

Always keep track of CP for both of you.

Always roll dice so your opponent can see the roll.

Announce your actions and play with intent.

End of each turn

Score at the end of each battle round, talk with your opponent to verify and make sure you both agree. Never leave it up to your opponent to score your round for you.

Overall

When playing at a big event, you should try to be as efficient and organized as possible, communicate clearly with your opponents, and strive to play as cleanly as possible and give your opponent a good game.

Our lists

What Mark and Matt are bringing and how they expect to do.

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