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Okay, before I get started I want to let everyone know that I'm not saying this to be a douche or anything but that I am just curious what your opinions are. I also don't have a huge head about myself but my confidence is getting better.


My question is at what point is it okay to start referring to yourself as an "elite" or "high caliber" player? I myself haven't played in any tournaments, but plan to this month as well as NOVA later this year.


I play Tyranids mainly (No Skyblight) and have only lost one game with them. With a 21-1 record, including defeating multiple deathstar armies and more than one proven tournament player, I'm more surprised than anything. I heard that Tyranids were a bottom-of-the-barrel codex and yet I've seen nothing but success with them. I actually lost my first game with them yesterday by ONE point. Had the game ended on turn 5 I would have won. Instead, after 6 my opponent was 2 1/2 inches from an objective I was on, contesting it to give him the win because of First Blood.

This player who I have beaten a couple of times now was at one point ranked 7th Nationally on Rankings HQ and hasn't lost to another player in my local area. He regularly frequents tournaments in our state and surrounding others and wins more often than not.


I don't want to refer to myself as anything other than an above average player but someone recently said I was an "Elite" player and I want to know if it was warranted?

What to you guys justifies the title of "Elite", or "High Caliber"?

Again, trying to AVOID a big head, just curious.

With 40k not really recognizing terms like sports, you can say it when every tou wish.

Never, because labeling yourself as 'elite' will come across as being arrogant.

@hotsauceman1 I agree, that you have the ability to do so but when is it justified?

Side Note: Enjoyed watching the BatRep with your Tau facing off against Frankie in the Challenge Match. Very Close game, hopefully you get'em next time.


@snooggums I will not refer to myself as that . Someone else did and I am curious at what point is that type of title warranted. I know some people at the big tournaments that everyone often refers to them as elite or top tier. My question is when do those terms come into play?

I was answering your original question about referring to one's self as elite, not whether it is appropriate to consider one's self elite and your initial expressed concern about coming across negatively since hotsauce1 covered the other part.

Feel free to think of yourself however you want, just know that using labels like elite and top tier are completely arbitrary because they are always in the context of the group you play against, and being good at the game involves a lot more than just being able to win tourneys.

For example, being able to pick up any army and play it well shows a lot more skill in my opinion than being able to win a tourney with a one trick pony.

There are five levels of player. You have not mentioned one of them.

1. New player

Obviously the bottom of the bunch. not experienced at all.

2. Hangofitguy

The guy who's got the hang of the game and can play reasonably quickly.

3. Fluent

The guy who can play an 1850 game with a normal army (i.e;, not horde or daemons) in 2-3 hours reasonably, and doesn't have to consult a rulebook every three seconds/wing it. Consulting opponent's codex because you don't know it is okay at this point.

4. Rules Lawyer/Experienced fluent

This is someone who's thought of every possible rules discrepancy they could and found a way to argue it for their benefit. Not necessarily a bad opponent, but you won't pull a fast one on them too easily. Should be a hard but fair game, and you'll still feel satisfied with a loss.

I rank myself here, and most competitive tournament players would too. Sometimes I drop to 5, but I feel that only happens when my opponent is not letting me have a good time.

5. Douchebag.

This bloke will pull every trick in the book to win, and probably does it. You'll lose and feel dissatisfied.

Lets play a game You local to the NOVA area?

FenrisianStuart21 wrote:My question is at what point is it okay to start referring to yourself as an "elite" or "high caliber" player?

In 40k titles like this are largely pointless.

FenrisianStuart21 wrote:I play Tyranids mainly (No Skyblight) and have only lost one game with them. With a 21-1 record, including defeating multiple deathstar armies and more than one proven tournament player

Then you're just not playing skilled enough opponents. That or, more like, you're just luckier than they are.

FenrisianStuart21 wrote:This player who I have beaten a couple of times now was at one point ranked 7th Nationally

So?

You're beating someone at a dice game, not something that in any way accurately tests player skill.

I'll link you to here to clear up some of your misconceptions. 40k isn't a serious strategy game. Bragging about wins is pretty meaningless.

Call yourself elite if you want, but it won't have any real meaning other than hollow bragging.

Google "elite 40k players" and see what comes up. Frankly, I don't think I'd ever consider someone elite in 40k, any more than I would consider someone elite at Risk.

 FenrisianStuart21 wrote:

What to you guys justifies the title of "Elite", or "High Caliber"?

Nothing. If your local group is impressed with your prowess and you regularly come in at the top of events, they can call you whatever they want, but if some random poster on the internet identified themselves as 'elite' or 'top tier' in a post, it'd only earn an eye roll. It's completely subjective, and easy enough to claim.

Just like being a 'pro-painter.'

40k isn't a skill based its all based around the dice, you won't win a combat based on your gamesmanship but on how the dice gods favour you.

The best laid plan can be derailed by bad dice rolls, units not arriving from reserve or a template going the wrong way.

I won 98% of my games in 2013 some of which I should of lost because I was using experimental builds that were anything but well built but I have the favour of the dice gods and my friends don't.

It extends to other games as well, one game of battletech I killed a mech with my second shot on turn two I got a crit that led to me hitting an ammo bin and doing 200 points of damage.

It's not uncommon in xwing for me to table the rebel players only losing one tie fighter.

I'm not an amazing general I'm just really really lucky which contributes to most of my victories.

I have recently been anointed as an official Declarer of Elite Status for the 40k community.

If you wish to be declared 'Elite' by the power vested in me, please wire me $50 and you'll receive your certificate in the mail.

 Blacksails wrote:
I have recently been anointed as an official Declarer of Elite Status for the 40k community.

If you wish to be declared 'Elite' by the power vested in me, please wire me $50 and you'll receive your certificate in the mail.

You could charge $100 thats what christian paper mills do to make you a PHD in any subject you like, why sell your self short?

Champions don't talk, they perform.

The best of the best never talk, they let everyone around them do it for them. If you're that damned good, people will take notice and talk for you

My criteria is you have to beat me 99/100 times. Therefore you are not elite, nor high caliber.

Bookwrack wrote:Just like being a 'pro-painter.'

Ugh, yes. Exactly like this.

You have an opinion of yourself, you say?

Blacksails wrote:If you wish to be declared 'Elite' by the power vested in me, please wire me $50 and you'll receive your certificate in the mail.

Lol

Justin Cook sent me $50 and went on to win NOVA 2013. James Peterson didn't, and was later hit by a bus. He'll be stuck in a wheelchair for the rest of his life.

To visit my paypal account, simply....

My question is at what point is it okay to start referring to yourself as an "elite" or "high caliber" player? I myself haven't played in any tournaments, but plan to this month as well as NOVA later this year.

You don't. You let other people call you that. Unless your aim is to sound like an arrogant douchebag, you never refer to yourself as a "master" or "elite" of... anything, really. You let other people witness your skill, and if they want to add titles to your name, then you let them do so, but you never, ever self-apply titles like that.

I consider someone an "elite" warhammer user when they can make some money off the hobby, whether it is in the form of painting, tournament play, battle reports, etc.

 Psienesis wrote:

My question is at what point is it okay to start referring to yourself as an "elite" or "high caliber" player? I myself haven't played in any tournaments, but plan to this month as well as NOVA later this year.

You don't. You let other people call you that. Unless your aim is to sound like an arrogant douchebag, you never refer to yourself as a "master" or "elite" of... anything, really. You let other people witness your skill, and if they want to add titles to your name, then you let them do so, but you never, ever self-apply titles like that.

^Well said.

Referring to yourself as "elite" is good proof of being arrogant. It is never OK to do so.

 Zarynterk wrote:
Champions don't talk, they perform.

The best of the best never talk, they let everyone around them do it for them. If you're that damned good, people will take notice and talk for you

This is really it. I would add to this, that in order to really be considered a "top" player you would have to do this on the national scene. People will point out the big tourney winners, you see interviews on them you see people copying their lists on a national level.

Multiple high big tournament placments through a large chunk of an edition or being paid for playing by someone. If you get paid for doing something few people get paid your automaticly a pro , how elite you are depends on how much you get paid.

Makumba wrote:
Multiple high big tournament placments through a large chunk of an edition or being paid for playing by someone. If you get paid for doing something few people get paid your automaticly a pro , how elite you are depends on how much you get paid.

^Î like this.

If you get paid for it and are able to make a living out of it, you are a pro. Not exactly an elite player, but close. Not sure you can do that with 40k anyway, it is more like a hobby nowadays.

And even then, anyone can give anyone money to play 40k. Someone helps me shell out for gas to get a game across state, am I suddenly leet, or do I just have a nice opponent?

Nope.

"If you get paid for it and are able to make a living out of it, you are a pro. "

 Jaceevoke wrote:
I consider someone an "elite" warhammer user when they can make some money off the hobby, whether it is in the form of painting, tournament play, battle reports, etc.

I think that's a respectable definition. I've payed for 4 complete armies thanks to winnings from my Warhammer 40,000 tournament career. I've never referred to myself as an "Elite" or "High Caliber" player, but I am very confident in my playing abilities and most local players sigh when they hear they have been paired with me.

Honestly I think my local reputation makes me out to be a much better player than I really am. I used to win 3/4 of the tournaments I attended in 5th edition, but since 6th dropped my win ratio in tournaments is more like 50%. Now I just play to have a good time and "forge a narrative" - if I want to take people's money, I'll dpo it at the MTG tables