Deathrain’s UK Tour: March

Wait this isn’t a LGS, or is it?

This month it’s off to Birmingham, host of the UK System Open. An event that will spring up across Europe and the USA. Every type of X-Wing player, from the pros to the beginners to everything inbetween, will flock here in their hundreds and slog it out for two whole days in celebration of the game we love to play. The best of the best will then fly to America and join up with representatives from the other system opens and fight to the death in a gladiatorial arena, I think that’s how it works.

I think this will be Deathrain’s last outing for a while. I love flying him but there are so many ships on my shelf gathering dust. If you’re still keeping up to date with this ‘blog‘ then you’re probably sick of me banging on about how great he is. My friends could do with a change of pace too, it’s all they’ve seen me fly since December. Next time I build a new imperial list (probably with the reaper) Deathrain will be an auto include. A 500 strong 2 day tournament? Yeah he couldn’t ask for a nobler way out.

I’ll be flying the same list as last time. Deathrain, Vessery and QuickDraw. It’s not that imaginative but it gets the job done. The day is broken up into stages. Stage 1 consists of 3 games. Win 2 to proceed, lose 2 and you’re out. I’d have preferred a full swiss like the previous year so I can see how far up the leaderboard I can climb but it is what it is. I’m ready let’s do this thing!

Stage 1: Game 1 vs. Poe, Fenn, Lowhhrick.

Deathrain jousted the pack as he does, bombed Fenn and a bumped k-turning Poe. Things were going well.

*slap fight*

Then I made a big mistake. Deathrain and QuickDraw chases Poe while Vessery chased Lowhhrick. 3 turns passed and neither group could push through a decent hit. The remaining rebels regrouped at the far end of the board and chipped away at me piece by piece. Game loss 24–100.

Stage 1: Game 2 vs. Redline, Oicunn

Another Punisher on the field? I was over the moon. I never get to play against them as APPARENTLY they’re not cool enough for you kids.

I missed you

Both Punishers took equal Punishment in the opening engagement and perished a few turns later. My opponent flew Oicunn around rocks in a way that I wouldn’t dare to. Unfortunately for him the approach was a little off and couldn’t make use of his ability. Round win 100–34.

Stage 1: Game 3 vs. Chewie, Poe

This game determined wether or not I’d proceed to round 2 and be placed on the leaderboard. The pressure to get it done was on me like it has never been before.

Should have taken the picture earlier. Chewie’s paint job was banging.

Deathrain’s control element helped keep Poe at a distance as I closed in on Chewie first. With countermeasures spent and the Black One title just out of reach Chewie went down. Poe took out Deathrain soon after. Now I was left with a 2v1 in my favour. But Poe is a slippery bugger and I knew one mistake on my part and it would be over for me. As I pushed the last hit through on Poe I was glad it was over. Brain was being pushed to its limits. Round win: 100–34.

Stage 2: Game 4 vs. Ryad, Vessery, Colzet

Both defenders equipped with ion cannons ruined Deathrain’s day. After a few jousts in the middle it was QuickDraw vs Vessery and Colzet and I needed to kill Vessery for the win. Problem was he was behind me and I couldn’t get a good shot on.

Everyone going for the Punisher first :P

With 2 minutes left on the clock I gave up the hunt and sniped a limping Colzet for a little extra mov. Round loss 62–67.

Stage 2: Game 5 vs. Nym, Miranda

My old rivals!

After the initial engagement Deathrain tanked 2 harpoons. Then got the block on Nym, allowing Vess & Quicky to take him out. Spent half the game chasing Miranda around the board. She was expertly flown but my opponent’s dice were just falling short to make real use of the positioning. Oh, and Vessery landed on a rock because greed is a sin. Round win 100–33.

Stage 2: Game 6 vs. Dash, Poe

I have no idea what I’m doing against a ship that can /noclip through walls. Both of us were 3–2 at this point and weren’t really fussed how it played out so we had a bit of fun with it.

Rebels made an arms deal with the Eldar

Deathrain was the last one standing and managed to take half off dash before he exploded. Round loss 28–100.

I keep hidden caches like these around the hotel

Well there you have it. 3–3 finishing in 140th place out of 500 players. I’m ecstatic with the result. I’ve gone from middle of the leaderboard to above average. But it’s not over yet. Tomorrow will be another 6 rounds of explosions for those who didn’t make the top cut. I’m sweating, exhausted, and that was by round 3.

Hyperspace: Game 1 vs. Ghost, Fenn

I had a couple of practice games against this before I came here and was a little nervous but I was ready. The Ghost skirted round the outside and as he approached the corner I went for it.

Flying against this list is all about the approach

My initial target was Fenn but circumstances changed as Deathrain kept Fenn away from being able to support the Ghost and Vess and Quicky had solid shots on the behemoth so I took them and brought it down to about half. Another few rounds of shooting and I was able to remove the bulk of the threat from the board. Round win 100–34.

Hyperspace: Game 2 vs. Rey, Fenn, AP5

I’m out for blood on these little support ships. They don’t move fast and they die quick but if you leave them alone they will ruin your day.

Ramming speed!

There was the initial joust with Rey followed by ignoring her completely and gunning down the 2 support craft. Vessery was on 1 hull and playing grandmother’s footsteps with Rey. Out her arc he’d come in for a shot and when in arc he’d make himself scarce. Round win 100–34.

Hyperspace: Game 3 vs. Dash, Sympathiser

Pretty solid list I felt. Dash is the hammer and the Rebel Sympathiser is the bloody annoying in your face anvil.

Ran outta ‘funny’ captions

Early in the game I had 2 objectives. Make sure Deathrain bumps Dash and make sure VessQuick doesn’t bump the Falcon. Each ship had 2 solid options to pick to achieve this and still get shots on. I chose the wrong move with all 3 of them. Managed to recover a bit and the game ended with the half health Sympathiser putting the last hit on a critical hit riddled, screaming Defender. Round loss 79–100.

Hyperspace: Game 4 vs. Redline, QuickDraw, Sienar Specialist

Another *bleeping* Punisher list I am so proud to see these guys out in force! This guy was on stream and made 4–2 on the first day so you know we’re about to have a fight on our hands.

Hey that’s my bomb is a new game from FFG

Deathrain got caught in a three pronged trap and exploded. My opponent’s QuickDraw was shot at by VessQuick at range 2 and exploded. Well that was lucky. With his ace out the picture I could take my time and chip away. Totally up for a rematch to see if it plays out any different. Round win 75–34.

Hyperspace: Game 5 vs. Rey, Norra

My memory is a little shady on this one. All I remember is the second half where every time I rolled attack dice I would get 2 crits.

*boop*

Deathrain lasted much longer than he normally does and with bombs, bumps, unpredictable movements and chip damage he took all the aggro and kept it on him. Round win 100–34.

Hyperspace: Game 6 vs. Nym, Miranda

This time it was Vessery’s turn to tank 2 harpoons like a champ. After a few exchanges Miranda was on 1 hull.

YOU CAN’T SIT WITH US!

But then I got greedy and chased Miranda instead of regrouping and taking on Nym. My greed cost me dearly as bombs rained down from above. Round loss 0–100.

4–2 for the day I’ll take it. Deathrain done me proud. He has played a pivotal role in all my games as the tip of the spear in the joust, a damage soak, an aggro magnet, a bumper car, an area denier and he’s a lot faster than you’d expect him to be. He is 100% worth the 34pt set up. Against the top lists he can win games. Objective achieved!

Overall the biggest mistake I’ve made is getting greedy trying to finish off a ship and overextending my reach to the point where I put my ships out of position. Not putting a downer on this story at all but the next time I compete it’s definitely worth thinking about.

Obligatory swag post

Handing out my alt arts to anyone I played/met in a lift over the weekend and I wasn’t the only one. Lots of people dishing out goodies and I got some pretty cool stuff in addition to the fabulous prize support at the event. I think it’s time to give out some praise. I’m terrible with names but you know who you are.

Peter showing us the correct way to take on Palp Aces

Thanks to the lads from Chaos Cards for keeping me company during the numerous nicotine refreshment periods.

Thanks to everyone for the gifts, and Jon from Element Games sorting me out with a metal pipe base for Deathrain. I spent day 2 rotating him this way and that.

Thanks to the caterers for serving 500 people within the space of an hour. Pause for a moment and take in that last sentence.

Thanks to the judges for their swift decision making throughout the day.

Thanks to everyone who flew the Punisher. You’re the real heroes!

Thanks to all my opponents for sticking to that unwritten rule of fly casual. It makes tournaments like this so much more enjoyable.

Thanks to Rasta for the honorary title of Warlord. I don’t mean to gush but that’s a dream come true for me it really is. Does that mean I’ve got to start calling you dad now?

And last but not least, thanks to Alex and his team. It was a huge improvement from last year. With the second day switching from 8 player pods to a big 6 round swiss and registration times split between evening and morning it reduced waiting/queuing to an absolute minimum even with a bigger player count.

Veers close

Thanks for stopping by, see you next time. :)