Written by Jim Ziegler

General George S. Patton once said that good tactics can save even the worst strategy, but bad tactics can destroy even the best strategy. We generally use “tactics” and “strategy” pretty interchangeably, but the two words have very different, distinct meanings: Strategy is the overarching goal, while tactics is the small steps to reach that goal.

 

Some people think that the difference lies in size, but that isn’t entirely accurate. A battle plan to weaken an enemy force before attacking is a strategy, while attacking their supply lines to cut off access to food, water, and ammunition is a tactic. Building a deck to force your opponent to draw out is a strategy, while using Maddening Cacophony with Bruvac the Grandiloquent under your control is a tactic.

 

Warhammer is often described as a strategy game, because although outsiders might just see two armies trying to wipe each other off the face of the planet, wiping out your opponent’s entire army is only one way to win. If you lose a quarter of your army but control all of the objectives, you might still come out ahead. Compare this to games like Final Fantasy Tactics, where most levels can only be completed a single way, and you start to see key differences.

 

So how does bad tactics destroy a great strategy? If your strategy is to hold a certain point, but you only send a few units to attack against a hoard of enemies, you’re going to lose time and time again, even if your opponent isn’t bothering to hold the objective in favor of farming your Blood Angels. You may need to create a diversion to pull them away, disrupt the formation, or just use the U.S. Army’s favorite tactic of overwhelming force.

GATHER FOR MAGIC

Modern Horizons 3 Prerelease

Friday & Saturday, 6:00 PM

The Eldrazi continue to spread, infecting and transforming countless classic creatures into new, terrifying abominations. And you can add them to your favorite decks! Entry fee: $65

 

Standard Showdown

Saturday, 3:00 PM

It's boots and chaps, it's cowboy hats. It's spurs and latigo. It's the ropes and the reins, and the joy and the pain and they call the thing Standard Showdown! Bring your best deck, and battle it out for fun and prizes. Entry fee: $7

 

Casual Commander

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 6:00 PM.

The most popular format in Magic, Commander, is back on the table. Bring your favorite deck, or playtest a new one against other magicians. No entry fee: These battles are for honor, not prizes!

IN THE WORLD OF POKÉMON

Standard Constructed Tournament

Sunday, 3:00 PM

Show everyone that you’re the best! Like no one ever was! Join the battle at the weekly Standard Constructed Tournament! Regulation F, no deck list required. Entry fee: $6

Pokémon League Casual Play

Monday and Saturday at 6:30 PM, Sunday at noon

The $6 entry fee comes with a pack of your choice from any in the store.

 

TIME TO DUEL! Yu-Gi-Oh!

Advanced Constructed Tournament

Wednesday, Thursday, & Friday, 7:00 PM

Duel for supremacy in the Yu-Gi-Oh Trading Card Game. Earn OTS Tournament Packs while demonstrating your skills as a duelist. Entry fee: $5

A WHOLE NEW WORLD

Ursula's Return Lorcana League Deck Tournament

Saturday, 6:00 PM

This tournament will be a core constructed format, so bring your 60-card deck (no more than two colors), put on your Mickey Mouse ears, and sing your way to victory. Entry fee: $10

Ursula’s Return Lorcana League

Monday, 6:30 PM

The adventures in the Inklands continue with Locana League. Bring your sealed deck, or join the fun! The initial entry fee includes a starter deck of your choice, a booster pack, and a 200-card deck box to keep your sealed cards from getting mixed up with your collection. Entry fee: $25 (one-time charge)

THIS MEANS WAR(HAMMER)!

Kill Team

Zoom in on the action and lead a single squad into combat, with modified rules to keep the action moving. Bring your best squad and prepare to battle. We will be hosting learn how to play Kill Team events throughout June and July.  Kill Team Tournament in August.

 

Casual Warhammer

Sunday, 5:00 PM

In the grim darkness of the far future, there is only war. At Gam3Escape, there is only Warhammer! Whether it’s a Tyranid terror or a Blood Angel battalion, stage your army and prepare for battle at the weekly Casual Warhammer event. 

 

Cardfight! Vanguard

overDress Constructed Tournament

Monday, 5:30 PM

Bring your cards and get ready to fight! Cardfight! Vanguard is back with weekly tournaments, every Monday night. Entry fee: $6