So what is the point of Regionals (other than to win LEs) in the scheme of this setup for Nationals? It seems like it would make sense to give the winners from each region an invite.

As far as I know crowfoot that is all regionals are for. The chance to have a big event not as far from home as some of the big conventions. But it doesn't really have anything to do with Nationals and Worlds.

In my opinion sealed is a truer test of skill. However I'm prejudiced, I won the last two sealeds my venue played. Both times I drew two ICE mechs. last time in fact I drew two dump trucks. By the end of the tournament I really began to appreciate the Liao dumper.

Yet many of the players I routinely beat in sealed tournaments have beaten me in constructed. Simply because they are willing / capable to spend more money than me, and thus have a better selection of pieces.

I'm going straight to worlds this year.

I'd rather face 30 than 300.

I disagree. Give a good player a bad pull in a sealed and he's gonna have a hard time beating anyone. Strong tactics and understanding of the game will only get you so far. The ability to build a balanced army is huge in winning in constructed, not just the ability to buy expensive stuff. You look at noetecist's Nationals champion army from last year. He had a DA Unique (this is post-DFA, when Janis could be had for $15.00), and two of the SC LE infantry, also widely available. Mikel Nova Cat was a Fellowship prize, meaning you could win him simply for being a good guy.

Sealed is a test of skill, but it's more about luck of the draw, and for that reason, I don't support it as a viable means of sifting through the best players in the world.

I like the format I heard Worlds was last year. From what I have heard it was sealed, then draft, then constructed. I think that gives you a good picture of how the player is overall.

Yeah, maybe you get a really bad sealed pull, you still have a chance to come back in the draft and constructed.

But, back onto the subject of whose going to nationals:

I was looking at hotel prices last night. Anyone who went to Origins last year - Was it worth the extra to stay in the attached hotels?

Also, anyone know if any girls played in Nationals/Worlds last year? I'm wondering if I'll be the only one. Well, except for the Rules Arb, they run the event right? The current one is a girl, so at least there will be one other there. :)

I do not remember seeing any female players at Nationals last year. I remember one female judge, but there were a lot of players and I did not get to see everyone.

I might go to Nationals if it is held at a gaming convention even if I do not qualifay for the national championship. I did not have much vacation time last summer, so I was able to attend only one Con -- I chose Wizard World East because I qualified for Nationals. I was very disappointed with WWE last year and will avoid all WW convnetion.

only thing i can say, is it is not at WWE, and I was suprised ot see that WK was attending that convention again.

I probly will not be going to nationals becasue I am not into that level of play. tho I will be at origins. I ahve no clue if I am goign ot be going as a player, an evnoy, or Exibitor