Zion's Finest

ATLANTA REGIONAL BATTLE REPORT(S)! You might not know this, but one of my Grandmas is from South Carolina. When she first moved to Utah I remember her ALWAYS complaining about the weather. She'd say something bad about how my beloved mountain valleys were really just the devil's refrigerators and then follow up with "the weather back home is always fiiiiiine," with the sweetest southern accent AND YOU BETTER BELIEVE I LOVE MY GRANDMA. Whew. Sorry for that tangent. In this first part, Episode 091, Ryan and Jeremy from North Carolina give reports on their Swiss matches at the Atlanta Regional. Ryan ran Spectre with Motivation AND NO PUMMELS and Jeremy ran the Lovers' Explosive Box (Han, Drokkatta, Leia, and MHD).  When you're done, listen to Episode 092, where they give their reports on the cut! JOIN THE SLACK AND CLEAR YOUR CALENDARS FOR MARCH 9! WE ARE HAVING A REGIONAL BABY AND IT'S GONNA BE EPIC.

Heaven help me, I let Ben Huckleberry and Jamal take over the podcast in order to give a report on their excellent showings at the recent Omaha Regional. It was a great way to divide and conquer in our hectic regional schedule, and neither Ben nor Jamal cast too many aspersions on my character during the episode (don't worry, I know where they'll be sleeping at Worlds), so we'll consider it a success. Enjoy the episode! It was fun to listen to while editing and not have to hear my obnoxious jokes. Thank you all for your continued support of the podcast and on Patreon!

Sam ran Spectre at the Utah Regional and acquitted himself admirably, as was completely expected. Listen to his great tournament report and recap of his top eight game vs. someone who cheats like no one's business. Sam is a big proponent of all-out aggression with Spectre, and I think his success with that style has led to some big meta-shifts in our local community in terms of our approach to playing with and against Spectre. ENJOY! IF YOU ARE A US PATRON, don't forget to order your tournament kit through my Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/listing/645098901/patron-exclusive-fulfillment-packet?ref=shop_home_active_1&crt=1 I am going to be taking down the listing soon, so get your order in. Join us on the Slack by sending an email to zionsfinestia@gmail.com Support us on Patreon at patreon.com/zionsfinest

GOT EM! In this episode, Dave Seefeldt and Ryan Jamal come on the podcast to give an epic retelling of their ascent through Swiss and into the final match at the recent Kansas Regional. The midwest crew has some of the best IA players in the World, and this regional--while not as awesome as the Utah regional--is one that I've been looking forward to. Listen to Dave's summary of his Scum Pointers list, and Jamal's repeated reps with his infamous Rebel Hero team. Thank you for listening! IF YOU ARE A US PATRON, don't forget to order your tournament kit through my Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/listing/645098901/patron-exclusive-fulfillment-packet?ref=shop_home_active_1&crt=1 I am going to be taking down the listing soon, so get your order in. Join us on the Slack by sending an email to zionsfinestia@gmail.com Support us on Patreon at patreon.com/zionsfinest

REGIONAL REPORT! Aaron Ross ran Spectre (Motivation) at the Utah Regional. He went undefeated in swiss, with one of the strongest strengths-of-schedule among twenty-one players, and ending top four on the day. In that run, Aaron played nothing but Han Rangers ran by JK and Matt and the Box (both in swiss and the cut). Talk about a brutal slog. In this episode, he recounts his games and discusses his theory for approaching long-distance lists (lose one Spectre, kill them with the rest) and has a lot of great insights for Spectre players, and for those looking to take on Spectre. I know you will enjoy it. Here's the fix for the Spire: https://community.fantasyflightgames.com/topic/277389-imperial-assault-official-rulings/?do=findComment&comment=3587574 IF YOU ARE A US PATRON, don't forget to order your tournament kit through my Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/listing/645098901/patron-exclusive-fulfillment-packet?ref=shop_home_active_1&crt=1 Join us on the Slack by sending an email to zionsfinestia

The Box done did it, dadgum. With a whole lot of luck and a somewhat coherent strategy. Listen to Scott and I discuss the top cut and our final match. IF YOU ARE A US PATRON, don't forget to order your tournament kit through my Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/listing/645098901/patron-exclusive-fulfillment-packet?ref=shop_home_active_1&crt=1 Join us on the Slack by sending an email to zionsfinestia@gmail.com Support us on Patreon at patreon.com/zionsfinest GOOD LUCK

REGIONALS REPORT! Scott and I give our swiss report from the recent Utah regional. I was running the Box, he was running Vader, which was a sweet victory all on it's own. This is part one, make sure to listen to episode 86, which will be part two. IF YOU ARE A US PATRON, don't forget to order your tournament kit through my Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/listing/645098901/patron-exclusive-fulfillment-packet?ref=shop_home_active_1&crt=1 Join us on the Slack by sending an email to zionsfinestia@gmail.com Support us on Patreon at patreon.com/zionsfinest GOOD LUCK

PART TWO! Make sure to listen to episode 83 first in order to get Ben's discussion of his rise through swiss on his way to the Zion's Finest Vassal League Championship! In this episode, he reports on his game with DT and discusses his list in the context of the looming meta, enjoy! IF YOU ARE A US PATRON, don't forget to order your tournament kit through my Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/listing/645098901/patron-exclusive-fulfillment-packet?ref=shop_home_active_1&crt=1 Join us on the Slack by sending an email to zionsfinestia@gmail.com Support us on Patreon at patreon.com/zionsfinest GOOD LUCK

ZION'S FINEST LEAGUE BATTLE REPORTS! Ben Varnum, everyone's favorite Episcopal priest in Omaha, was the runner-up in the recent Zion's Finest Vassal League. In this episode, he gives an overview of his list and how it fared in the swiss rounds of league, leading through the cut in anticipation of his final game vs. DT (really sounds like an epic adventure, complete with a boss and everything). Because I have been so busy with our regional, Ben and I decided to have him record his swiss rounds solo and then have me interview him for his final match with DT. This is the first part, enjoy! IF YOU ARE A US PATRON, don't forget to order your tournament kit through my Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/listing/645098901/patron-exclusive-fulfillment-packet?ref=shop_home_active_1&crt=1 Join us on the Slack by sending an email to zionsfinestia@gmail.com Support us on Patreon at patreon.com/zionsfinest GOOD LUCK  

REGIONAL PREP! In this episode, I'm joined by my brothers Drew and Grant from Southern California to talk about regional prep, especially in the context of Utah's regional tournament transpiring on January 5 (tomorrow). We talk about why Drew has lost faith in the Empire, why Grant thinks he should be more aggressive with Spectre, and what we guess will surprise us the most on Saturday. IF YOU ARE A US PATRON, don't forget to order your tournament kit through my Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/listing/645098901/patron-exclusive-fulfillment-packet?ref=shop_home_active_1&crt=1 Join us on the Slack by sending an email to zionsfinestia@gmail.com Support us on Patreon at patreon.com/zionsfinest GOOD LUCK

BATTLE REPORT / STRATEGY DISCUSSION! Jason Brege and Collin Hambrick join me to talk about the Kentucky Regional and their experiences playing Spectre and vs. Spectre. It is awesome. Jason does not run Tools for the Job (I KNOW) but he is a genius and has very solid reasons justifying his decision. Let's see if he convinces you. In the tournament, there  were eight players, swiss rounds only, with three players with 3-1 schedule and Collin being crowned the champion on strength of schedule. I hope you all had a Merry Christmas and are going to have the best New Year of your life! Thank you!

BATTLE REPORTS(S) AND STRATEGY DISCUSSION! We held our regionals prep tournament today at our local store in Salt Lake City, Utah. Ten players showed up, two of whom were running Spectre, and we had four rounds of swiss. It was a great tournament. I was able to talk with some of the participants in the tournament. Listeners will recognize Scott, Sam Sweeten, and Robert, and I led off with a discussion with Josh Weight on his Jedi list that he built to take on Spectre. Scott was running VPT, Sam was running Spectre, and Robert was running Scum Pointers. Each of our discussions in couched in the context of matchups; for example, Scott talks about why he thinks that he needs to start running Spectre over Vader. Thank you all and Happy Holidays!

FRENCH NATIONALS REPORT! Alfonso is the French Nationals Champion! And what a champion! Alfonso joined me on the podcast to give a summary of his rise to the top of a very competitive field with Han Rangers. He gives great breakdowns of his matches, as well as turning points and tips for study and discussion. He's a genius and it shows. Check the Regionals schedule! Join the Slack! Register for events! Have many happy holy days! Pray for world peace! In that order! (Unless you've already done them, then skip onto the next!) Thank you all!

Our days have passed as if it were a dream. Somehow we find ourselves having made it to a full year. I can't believe it. In this episode, JK and I discuss the top eight lists from French Nationals (and I'll have Alfonso, the French Nationals champion, on next week to give a report). We give some general thoughts on the meta, but try to keep it focused on current competitive play. Thank you all for your support. I honestly can't believe we made a year. You are all incredible. If you're not on the Slack, well, I don't know what to tell you. God bless you all, and good luck to those of you who are starting Regionals this weekend.

STRATEGY DISCUSSION. We have been grinding in our local community and on Vassal to get Spectre figured out. On this night, JK and I played three games back to back to back on Lothal. The first was Fluctuations, the second and third were Blitz. The first match was non-specter (Ahsoka Rangers vs. Vader), but we quickly got down to brass tacks and ground out some games with JK playing Spectre on Blitz. We share our thoughts on what Spectre players and their opponents need to think about on Lothal, particularly regarding early game positioning and what Rebels can do in order to gain an advantage vs. Spectre Cell. Happy Thanksgiving! Thank you for listening! Join us on the Slack Channel by sending an email to zionsfinestia@gmail.com! Tweet out to @FFGOP (https://twitter.com/FFGOP) and tell them we need more Worlds space!

STRATEGY DISCUSSION. Scott and I played back-to-back games on Lothal Wastes (Fluctuations). Scott threw VPT vs. Spectre in game one and I took the Box into action vs. Spectre in game two. Spectre won both games. Scott gives his initial impressions of the map (I have played it several times previously), and we talk about general strategies both for and against Spectre players. Let me know if you get word about a regional! Send and email to zionsfinestia@gmail.com. Support us on Patreon at patreon.com/zionsfinest!

PART TWO! In this second part of our two-part series with Ryan Janway, he gives a report on how he did at Nationals (amazing) and what his thoughts are for the current meta. Ryan is the best and you are going to really enjoy his insights. Here is the OP Google Doc. The Regionals are listed one tab to the right. Join the Slack so you can get in on Wave 3 of our Vassal League. We are going to be starting soon. Send and email to zionsfinestia@gmail.com. Support us on Patreon at patreon.com/zionsfinest!

TOURNAMENT PREP AND LISTBUILDING! In this episode, which is the first of a two-part series with Ryan Janway, Ryan discusses the process that led to the creation of the "Carolina Swarm," an unholy monstrosity of armor and stun batons that wrecked many a dream at US Nationals. Seriously. Ryan ran a list with two sets of eRiots, four sets of rRiots, and two sets of rOfficers. With reinforcements, this list is clocking in at around eighty-five hit points, AND THAT DOESN'T EVEN INCLUDE THE DING DANG ARMOR TOKENS. Seriously, who came up with this list? You're going to really enjoy this, and as soon as it's over, hop on over to Episode 075 to hear how he did at Nationals. Here is the OP Google Doc. The Regionals are listed one tab to the right. Join the Slack so you can get in on Wave 3 of our Vassal League. We are going to be starting soon. Send and email to zionsfinestia@gmail.com. Support us on Patreon at patreon.com/zionsfinest!

STRATEGY DISCUSSION. I this episode, I am joined by Robert and Aaron to talk about Spectre Cell. We have been trying to play it pretty frequently in our testing and I wanted to get the brothers on to share their particular musings regarding the meta and how to crack Spectre. Watch Brett's awesome game here. He edited a two hour, very competitive game to 25 minutes and it is amazing. Here is the OP Google Doc. The Regionals are listed one tab to the right. Join the Slack so you can get in on Wave 3 of our Vassal League. We are going to be starting soon. Send and email to zionsfinestia@gmail.com. Support us on Patreon at patreon.com/zionsfinest and let me know your thoughts on the Force Vision token!

ITALIAN NATIONALS! ALL RIGHT FINE I KNOW THAT THERE IS NO RECORD OF GREGORY PECK AND AUDREY HEPBURN GOING TO BOLOGNA FOR ZANY ADVENTURES, BUT THAT IS THE BEST I COULD DO ON SHORT NOTICE. Fun fact, the University of Bologna is the oldest continually operating university in the western hemisphere. It was founded in 1088, which also coincidentally was the last time that we received news from FFG regarding our beloved game. KIDDING YA NERDS. In this episode, Greg gives a report on his runner-up placement at Italian Nationals. Greg was running Spectre and is able to give an excellent bead on the lists strengths--which are many--and weaknesses--which are currently few and far between, though Greg is confident that it can get figured out. We will be finishing Wave One of our Slack Vassal League shortly. Wave Two just started. Please join us on the Slack channel so you can get in on Wave Three! It has been a ton of fun and a great way to get games in as we prep for regionals. Send an email to zionsfinestia@gmail.