Your next UKTC weekend: what to expect at your first event

When James booked his first UKTC weekend, he was looking forward to five games with the army he loved painting. The bit he worried about was facing a model he’d never seen and missing a rule everyone else seemed to know. As it turned out, his opponents were happy to explain what their armies could do. By Saturday evening he was out for a meal with his clubmates, swapping stories about their games. Read Charles Gould’s interview with James.

Here’s how to choose your first UKTC weekend, prepare at home and find your first table. Our new player hub is the page to bookmark. It brings together the current game packs, event documents and judges’ rulings.

Which weekend would suit me?

James chose a two-day event within driving distance because he wanted to play people outside his usual circle. Try that conversation at your next club night. Who fancies the trip? Which game do you all want to play? You can travel to a singles event together and meet up between rounds. At a team event, choosing who plays which opponent is part of the game itself. From a local club to your next UKTC event will help you plan a club outing. For a captain’s-eye view of the difference, start with the team pairings guide.

I’ve bought a ticket. What happens next?

Save the order number from your confirmation email, especially if a clubmate bought your ticket or your Best Coast Pairings account uses a different email address. Your registration invitation comes separately. Then open the event page with your diary handy. The location pack is where to look for travel and arrival details. The game documents cover what you’ll play, what to submit and when. Check the registration instructions for your particular event before putting the list deadline in your diary. Our after-booking guide walks you through the steps. If the document names are new to you, the UKTC reading list explains what each one is for.

What should I take to my last practice game?

Take the army you plan to bring and try one of the event maps. James found that a little practice on those layouts helped him settle in once he saw his table. Use the game to rehearse the fiddly bits too. Can you find a unit’s rule quickly, fit your models through the gap you had in mind and keep track of the score? If you’ve converted a favourite model and you’re unsure how it will be treated, check the hobby standard while there’s still time to ask about it.

When you pack, think through a turn at the table. You’ll reach for dice, a tape measure, your rules and something to record the score. Then think through the hours between breakfast and the last round. Comfortable shoes and a way to charge your phone deserve space in the bag as well. The tournament checklist includes a version you can save or print.

What happens when I get to my table?

When the round pairings are available, look up your opponent and table number in Best Coast Pairings. If you’d like to see how registration and pairings fit together before you travel, the New to the UKTC guide takes you through them. Give yourself time to find the table and say hello. Tell them it’s your first UKTC weekend. Before deploying, ask what their army can do that might catch you out, and point out the same things in yours. Our first-event walkthrough gives you a picture of the day. For a look inside an actual hall, browse the Nottingham Super-Major photo gallery.

If a rule matters to the next move and neither of you is sure, leave the models in place and call a judge. Show them the position and explain the question together. James found the staff helpful when both players were stuck. Our guides to asking a judge for a ruling and sportsmanship at UKTC events are good reads for the journey.

Choose your first weekend

Pick a game you love and a date that gives you time for a practice game or two. Browse the UKTC event calendar, then open the event page to check which games are running and how the journey fits your plans. If you’re going with clubmates, borrow one last idea from James and book somewhere for Saturday dinner. By then, everyone will have a game they want to tell you about.