Q: "When do you know if you are ready for tournament play?

A: Everyone is ready for tournament play.  You don't have to win,  just be prepared to 
meet lots of new people and have a good experience.  When I went to my first I was really 
concerned that I wouldn't be good, that I would be embarresed, I was as nervous as hell.  
You know what?  I enjoyed myself thouroughly, and ended up coming 3rd on a countback.

Q: What I mean is these things can be a MAJOR committment in time and money.

A: This is the only real problem with tournaments, and why, when I go to tournaments, I 
usually try and get accomodation from someone that I either know personally, or someone 
that I have chatted to over email.  This is where the list is a real great advantage for 
people wishing to attend tournaments.

Q: First you gotta not only have a painted army, but its gotta be a WELL painted army.
 
A:  Not to enter - only to win, and going to your first tournament, you shouldn't be 
all that concerned with winning.  Have the all painted army, even if it is just a roughly 
painted army.  Use your first tournament as a yard stick and a learning experience.  

Q: Then of course you must take the time to play it and iron out all the kinks.
 
A:   I have only ever playtested one tournament army, and that got beaten in the very first 
turn by an orc and gobbo player.  (His giant rock lobber was off target, scattered smack onto 
my general, killed him, and then the ENTIRE army ran - and made it clear off the table edge.  
My glorious high elven army was nowhere to be seen after his first shooting phase).  I don't 
playtest armies anymore.

> > You play HE ?  Amazing ... it is so ... uh ... uh ... you know all s3
> > troops ... you must be pretty good ...
> >
>         I wouldn't say pretty good.  Average on the most part.  High
> strength, whilst important is not as important as a well balanced army.
> Sure I may require 5's to wound you, but I will hopefully be able to
> flank you, whittle your numbers down with bow fire, hamper your efforts
> with magic, etc.  It is the overall balance of the army, (with a bit of
> luck), that is more important then the profile of the troops.
> 

Yea, you are pretty good ... better than those cheeze balls ...


Q: So Tim, Bill, Julian, Chris, etc., any advice for any budding tournament stars you can 
provide I see as not only welcome, but potentially you could be doing someone a BIG favor 
money wise. Any takers?
 
A:    You seem to have included me in some fairly high profile company, so I will see what 
I can do for you....

        1) Don't play to win - especially at your first tournament.  You won't enjoy it as 
much, nor will you learn as much as you possibly can. Sure don't play to lose, but winning 
isn't everything.

        2) Take an army that you like.  One that you understand and know.  The actual design 
of the army is up in the clouds, but make sure the army is one that you are familiar with.  
(Ie when I went to my first tournament I took High Elves - my favourite and most used army).

        3) Make sure you understand exactly what the tournament restrictions are, how your 
army will cope with them, deployment etc.  

        4) If you can, grab a copy of all the army books and read them.  Not the history, 
(as that isn't that important at the moment) - but the rules, the bestiary.  Know thine enemy.  
It has helped me in many a tournament battle.

        5) Make sure that you take everything you need, or may need.  Ie cards, (WoM, spell, 
Magic Item).  Take dice, and loads of em, take your books. etc etc

        6) Know the army you decide on, (the design of it), back the front.  Know who has what 
magic item, and what they can do with it.  

        7) As Wargy said - take your own food, else it may be not only be your first, but also 
your last tournament.  (The food is quite ordinary - and that is being kind).  

        8) Take loads 'o' money to buy cheap goodies that are getting flogged.

        9) Have fun.  

        10) - oh, and probably even more important then any of the others..... Don't FORGET 
your army!  This can really ruin a tournament...


---------->>>>
"A frozen sun will guide you there
As shadows hide the deep despair....."
                                "The Tea Party - Psychopomp" 

Thanks Julian. ... So ... are you ready ?