Tournament Meta

Hey guys a quick post talking about my thoughts of the Meta in 40k with 6th edition. This is an observational and opinionated post based on what I have read recently concerning Nova, Local Tournaments, and my Experience. This post is being made right after the Space Marine Codex release so we have seen Tau,Eldar, Dark Angels, Chaos Daemons, and Chaos Space Marines released as well as the Ivanden and Farsight Supplements.
I feel the Meta as of right now exists in that it really doesn’t exist. Now that may sound confusing so let me break it into a wider perspective. With new Codexes coming out about every 2 months we see a fluctuation in what is good and what people are playing Rapidly. I think the best way to play the Meta is be prepared to fight the next big thing. CSM had Heldrakes, Tau have Riptides, and Eldar have Wraithknights and Wave Serpents. If you are ready to fight these now what will Space Marines bring that you have to deal with. Have a good idea what automatically feels would be good in the next codex since that is what people will be using. Unpredictability in your list will bring something that people won’t be ready for. A local Blood Angels player uses all drop pods and Dreadnoughts with Frag Cannons which people did not see as viable so they don’t prepare for it and have a really difficult time fighting against it.

In a quick summary what I feel the meta is breaks down to this. Be ready to fight what people are already using, be ready to fight what the next big thing is, and don’t be caught in the two previous categories is how I feel the meta is right now.

My Tournament Play Attitude

Everyone loves the satisfaction of a well deserved win. You fought your hardest. Climbed up the dangerous terrain reaching the summit and as you look down upon your achievement you can say I deserve this feeling of greatness. Now winning isn’t everything and I have had very few times where I placed first in a Gaming Related tournament. But usually I can take from those tournaments a feeling of a good challenge and fun games had by both me and my opponents.

It is easy though to ruin that mood for your opponent and maybe his opponents from your game. I know the feeling on both sides of being completely outclassed. When your being utterly defeated and you feel like nothing you can do to win. On the other side when your opponent is put into a situation where you seem to be the only one doing anything meaningful. What can you do in these extremes to still have fun?

There is no simple answer and it all depends on the person. For me when I am being outclassed I set a small short time goal for a moral victory. I only have 2 Squads of Space Marine left and I am facing the onslaught of a Chaos Daemon invasion with Bloodletters, Bloodcrushers, and the Mighty Skarbrand coming down upon me. I set the goal of taking out one of those forces. I put all my focus into it and say this is where I make my stand. The enthusiasm you get from that is contagious and can bring a smile to you and your opponents face.

If you are the one outclassing your opponent there is not much you can do. Give them a pep talk some helpful advice after the match. It all depends on how they take it and the attitude you give them while playing.

To sum it up even losing can be fun as long as you try your hardest and have a positive attitude towards your game. If your opponent wants to argue rules with you the whole game just smile and pick up the rule book since if you are wrong you now know better. If you are being utterly defeated set yourself a small term goal. The thing you should take from every game is a sense of accomplishment no matter how small.