I don't place a lot of importance on the high level tournaments mainly because I can't spare the time or money but I would be wouldn't mind trying if that weren't the case.

I do think it is good that WizKid's is willing to at least try to put on high level events and organized play in general.

barring any dramatic rules change that utterly changes the face of the game, I plan to attend nationals. I wont be bringing anything special, as i feel that nationals shouldnt be a place to test a new strategy. You should go with what you know, and thats what ill do. I really hope no one tries to bring some cheese there in hopes of doing well. I do like how they ran it last year, starting off with the sealed portion. Of course, I didnt do so hot in the sealed, but i made up for it in constructed and had a good time. Winning nationals? Placing highly? Nah, doesnt matter to me. I do like to see how my game stacks up to other people game though.

I personally dont put any importance in High Level tournement play. Mostly because I refuse to field the armies mone must to get there and win.

I play for fun, it isnt important to me at all

Put me in the category of someone who plays for fun - when my
other responsibilities permit.

In other words, it's not important at all - to me. ;)

Here is my view:
Im 15, so i can go to nationals yet. If it is near my state (does nationals rotate locations?) i will maybe try to make it next year when i can drive. I actually really want to go. If i have to, i will drive to all the venues around me and keep playing the sealeds until i quilifiy. But when i go to nationals, it will all be about having fun. I dont play to win any matches at all. I want to bring my H/ RotS Pure force, which will contain a Non- BR lego/ arnis mech, and i will play as hard as i can. I voted that it wasnt really important, but that was only for lack of a better catagory. I think nationals is a great thing to have, and it would be fun to win, but its not like my goal to win. but, i would LOVE to go someday...

Important thing for me is testing my skills against others and having same time fun.

I am a new player, only 3 weeks playing as a matter of fact. But I had a chance to collect pieces when I was away in Kuwait/Iraq. When I returned, I attended my first demo and learned from some very excellent players. And for a begginner, I have done competently enough. So for me, competing in a nationals event would help me to see how I compare to others, perhaps discounting the number of games all the veterans have over me. It comes down to talent and out actual battle. It's also why I prefer sealed events. Requires more talent on a more equal playing field. So I would like to compete in nationals at least once, and then decide my feelings after. But I will agree that FUN is the most important motivation for playing, then it's competition.

I like local prize support, which attracts competitive players and fun players alike.
I competed in the Nationals Qualifier, but probably would not have attended (I know that sounds bad) due to the expense and distance. I'd much rather see State Championships. I'd be ready and willing to attend that!

I voted "not important at all".

Does anyone find it stupid that you can have a "championship" for a game that involves rolling dice? You could be in the "championship" match and your opponent rolls nothing but crit misses and gives you the win. Does the "championship" mean anything in that event?

IMHO, a championship only means something if each game is a pure test of skill. A game of MW is not a test of pure skill. It is (or should be) a fun game for people to gather together to play, a product that people want to buy in order to have fun.

Like others have said, a MW "championship" is only good as a diagnostic for the health of the game. It indicates whether it is broken or not.

Luck is a part of the game, but I've found that skill is a much bigger portion. You can most assuredly have a championship in a game which involves luck. Just look at Poker, and a billion CCGs for examples of that. Not to mention Mechwarrior.

Having seen last year's US National champion play, I have to comment that there's quite a bit more than luck involved in winning..

I have zero interest in competing at Nationals or Worlds. From my observations at past conventions, these highest level competitions seem to bring out the worst in some people. Things that I hate about the game, like nitpicking players, impatient players, rules lawyering, arguments, etc. get cranked up a notch or three. I play mainly for fun, because I enjoy the game, and I enjoy relaxed, friendly competition. I don't have fun in a tense environment or against an opponent who takes things far too seriously.

I realize that these people are probably the minority, but as they say, one bad apple ruins the whole lot of them.

I like joedj's post about state and local championships, now that would be something I'd like to be in. As for nationals and worlds, I could careless about them.

As a measuring stick of which units are perceived as best or overpowered it's fairly important, by that I mean if the same unit shows up in every army then WK should realize they have something to look at.
For me personally, I imagine it would be alot of fun, but until you host them in Denver Co. they're not important to me at all.

Steve

It isn't important to me because I'd be going to play a championship for a game is 80% based on luck. (Pulls for sealed and rolls in general) Second, most people cannot go to these things. I think it'd be fun to go and compete, but I cannot spend that kind of money to travel to a state across the country for this game of chance

I would love to play and win in the world championship events. Problem is that the National Qualifier is a SEALED event. I am sorry, but it is a fact that the best players will not be represented there. I pulled 2 mjolnirs and a locust as my mechs....and no art. to back them up. I am not being a jerk, but I am sure I could have beaten all of my opponents that day in a constructed format.

I hope this will change in the near future so that the best players, not the luckiest, will be able to continue on the 'path to glory'