Welcome back to the Weekend Warmup. Playing at a local is an important ritual that combines competitive showcase, hands-on learning session, and chill hangout. I encourage everyone who plays 2XKO to attend their closest local once to understand why these events keep so many fighting game players in the scene for decades.

If you’ve gotten all you want from the online grind and you’re plucking up the courage to play in your first local tournament, here are a few things to know before you take the drive over.

Your mileage may vary, but this internet-friendly numbered list represents the shared combined knowledge of Riot’s internal FGC (shoutouts to #fightclub) which is made up of a range of generations and experiences. Let us know how you get on!

Don’t know where your locals are? Check the start.gg “Near Me” event search.

1. Get Your Tech Ready

In most cases, locals won’t be held at a PC café or an esports hub; you’re gonna need to bring your own gear. Some locals run on PC, some on console. Make sure you have the right connectors and converters for a range of setups. Both USB-A and USB-C cables are a must. 

2. Bring Friends

If you have online friends who are nearby, locals are a great place to learn, support each others’ play, and riff off each other between sets. Plus, you’re doing the organiser a favour by expanding the event. At most 2XKO locals, your friend can also be your duo partner! 

3. Aim For A Small Win

You probably won’t win the whole thing the first time. In fact, a quarter of players will go 0-2. But winning the bracket isn’t really the point, and you are not your W/L record. You’re there to celebrate the scene, learn from each other, and get practice rounds IRL. Focus on smaller victories: land one combo; punish one Retreating Guard; bait one Break; win one round; win one game… and go from there.

4. You’re Gonna Be Waiting Around

Downtime is part of the rhythm of tournament play. Use this time to introduce yourself to the TO (I promise, they will appreciate it and remember you), watch other players’ matches, share tech with attendees… or if you’re truly just there for the W, bring a crossword or something.

5. Take A Breath

You will likely be nervous. You’ll drop your combos. The chair won’t feel quite right. The screen won’t be what you have at home. (My hangup is audio—turns out I drop everything when I’m lacking my sound cues.) In these moments of nervous discomfort, it is totally fine to take a breath between sets to reestablish your mental and shake off inertia.

6. Just Ask

When can you switch characters or Fuses? Is it Bo3 or Bo5? Where’s the bathroom? Just ask other players or the TO. People will be willing to help you out. 

7. Ride The Adrenaline Wave

Have you ever watched high-tier play and seen a player pop off? That feeling can happen at all levels. When you land that final hit confirm to take the round, your body will light up: your skin will tingle and your head will feel hot. That rush of adrenaline can be addictive and a force for good, so let it happen! Use it as motivation for the next one, and enjoy it in the moment.

8. Talk To Everyone

In my experience, folks in the FGC are not there for the glory and prize money. But everyone has their own background and motivation with fighting games, and it’s the people, not the brackets, that make it truly worth investing in your local community. If you’re introverted, ask the TO to introduce you to your opponents. Or sit at an empty setup, wait for someone to join you, and have them lead the conversation.

9. Go Play Casuals

When you’re done with your bracket, most locals will use the remaining setups for casual play. Go practice in some longer sets with your new friends or rivals. Adaptation is tested quickly in a Bo3, but a longer set will teach you a lot for the next event and give you space to try new things.

10. Come Back Next Time

Perhaps the most important advice I can give: returning to an event is the key thing you can do for your own shounen protag journey. It builds discipline, community, and legacy. It’s also just a good time.

2XKO Reward-Eligible Events

Last week we kicked off a pilot program where you can get rewards by playing at a couple of weekly events in the US. We saw a ton of folks come through for both events, so we’re keeping the train rolling this week. You can claim 1000 Credits just by playing in TNS this week—and five-time attendees will earn the Casual Suit avatar outfit.

TNS Online Weekly

Where: Online (Americas server)
When: Every Thursday, rewards tonight Feb 26!

REGISTER HERE

Game Updates

Bees Megabundle

Bzzzinga. Bees skins and accessories for Ahri, Blitzcrank and Teemo are now available for purchase in the store.

Upcoming Dates

• Feb 26: Bees Megabundle live

• (targeting) Mar 10: Patch 1.1.3

Closing Thoughts

I feel the barrage of existential questions happening at the moment as a fighting game player. There’s a lot of instability out there raising valid concerns and cautious excitement for the future. If I could get off my Riot spokesperson podium and on my personal soapbox for a second, it's the local communities of play that pave the way for future generations of players to grow and thrive. Whether it happens online or offline, we must do more to nurture this scene’s more intimate spaces. I strongly believe giving local organisers tools to grow, sustain, or reinvent themselves to keep up with the changing times should be the priority of everyone working on a current-generation fighting game. Wherever 2XKO can contribute to that, we’ll try and find the right way to use the resources we have to make it happen.