I am not sure what others thought of the tournament, but I thought it wen't well with certain exceptions (bias warning I am the plyer who brought the cheesy Gaim fleet and won):
1) Pathetic local participation--only one person (me) from the cincy/dayton area was there, at tleast 5 others no showed. Because of waiting for the no show locals, the tournament started late. THis is not a reflection on the orginisation, but on the locals.
2) The Gaim fleet I brought was completely unbalenced. 2 Battle Queens (permitted in place of a War level Ship) and 6 Skirmish Queens. This was the second (thoguh fouth) time I have played the fleet and found it ridiculous and compelty out of line. The problem isn't necessarily the Fleet as a whole, but it is the Skirmish Queens who are too good all around: they have enough weapons to significantly contribute to the firepower of the fleet, more than enough breaching pods to capture other ships, and enough fighters to overwhelm any defence. This is not to say that the fleet I had brough cann't be beaten, but only to say that it is over the top.
3) And this was a somewhat personal matter, but there appeared to be a culture clash/differnece of opinion between myself and the group who came form Indiana. I have no problems with any of the gentleman I gamed agaisnt and found them all to be fine sportsman and gentleman, but I was struck by the vehemance that was directed at me for feildig the fleet I did.
I acknowledged at the start of each game that i felt the fleet I had was broken, and woluld like to see it fixed. However, this being an official Mongoose torunament, I felt this was an appropriate forum to demonstrate the overpowered nature of the fleet. Also, if I am entering a tournament, I play to win. I like to think I am a good sportman, but I do n ot beleive in pulling your punches or handicaping yourself unnessarily. If something is within the rules, then it should be used, and if somethin is to overwpoered, that is something to be addressed by the game developers.
Good Points:
1) The organization and facilities were very good (admit hometown bias).
2) The toernmaent list structure. I thought that requiring a flag ship and supporting craft was an excellent Idea for enforcing fleet variety (although I will acknowedge that I personlly feilded the most swarming of fleets present).
3) I enjoyed meeting the group from Indiana and would have enjoyed meeting other ACTA players form the Midwest (but once more, was extremely disappointed in the local turn out.
I will post more of my thoughts on the gaim later. But I would like to hear peoples thoughts on bringing a self acknowledged cheese fleet to a tournament? As I have said, it never struck me as poorsportmanship, but then, I am reltively new to gaiming (ACTA beign the first game I have gotten involved in)? This in not intneded to be vain, but I am interested in hearing peoples views on the subject.
Heck even if you use the Mississippi river as the dividing line your east. LOL
