Tyler: Today, we’re joined by our guest author, Jesse! @jj_swinsanity
A big thanks to Jesse for sharing with us all. We hope y’all enjoy his guide to preparing for a large tournament like the Galactic Championship!
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With Sector and Regional Qualifiers in the rearview mirror, all eyes are now on the inaugural Galactic Championship, coming up at the end of July in sunny Las Vegas. That’s right—Vegas, baby!
The lovely folks at Garbage Rollers have already made a compelling case why you should go. I’m here to help you with how to go. This will be the biggest tournament we’ve seen for SWU so far, with players from across the galaxy ready to battle it out. So before you head off to the desert planet of… Nevada, here’s how to make sure you’re in top shape—mentally, physically, and tactically.
1. Start Practicing Now
Yes, Legends of the Force could shift the meta. But reps matter. Get familiar with your deck’s lines, timing, and matchups—because the archetypes rarely vanish completely. Aggro’s still aggro. Control’s still control. They just wear different helmets.
So get to your locals. Grind some Planetary Qualifiers. Play with friends at the kitchen table. Take notes. Make mistakes. Learn from them. Even if you pivot decks later, the muscle memory, decision-making, and focus you build now will pay off in July.
2. Lock In Your Travel Plans
This should be obvious, but you’d be surprised how many people forget to book flights or hotels until prices spike harder than a serialized Millennium Falcon.
The good news: Vegas is surprisingly traveler-friendly. If you do some research—or better yet, travel in a group—you can split costs and save big. I’m not above sleeping on a hotel floor if it means more credits for carbonite packs.
Whatever you do, don’t realize last-minute that your Airbnb is 40 minutes from the venue and now you’re stress-Ubering while sleeving your deck in the backseat. Book early. Pack early. Sleep well.
3. Sleep Like a Champion
Vegas might not be a hive of scum and villainy, but it is a vortex of shiny lights, late nights, and poor life choices.
You will be tempted—by buffets, blackjack, or “just one more round” of playtesting. Resist. Tournament days are long. Really long. I’ve made the mistake of staying up until 3 AM tweaking my list only to wake up and misplay round one because I forgot what a shield token does.
Get your eight hours. Turn on whale sounds. Dream of top cuts and celebration promos.
4. Take Care of your Body
I know, I know—“drink water” is the millennial version of “did you try turning it off and on again?” But seriously: your body needs it. Your brain especially.
Eat something with protein and fiber before you go. Not just a cold muffin from the hotel cafe. Bring snacks for in-between rounds—granola bars, trail mix, fruit snacks, whatever works for you. We don’t know yet if the Galactic Championship will have a scheduled lunch break, and hunger tilts harder than a missed draw step.
Coffee and adrenaline are not a meal plan. Your stomach—and your win rate—will thank you.
5. Remember to Have Fun
I just told you to hydrate and now I’m telling you to have fun. I get it. Very “mom friend” of me. But seriously: variance exists. Sometimes you draw bad. Sometimes your opponent draws hot. You can play perfectly and still lose.
That’s part of the game. Tilt happens. You’re allowed to be frustrated—but don’t let it ruin the whole experience. This is the celebration of Star Wars: Unlimited. If you scrub out of the main event, hit some side events, trade cards, meet people. Take a photo with the inevitable Boba Fett cosplayer. Explore Vegas a little. You deserve it.
I’ve been to a lot of large events across several games, and if there’s one lesson I’ve learned it’s this: take care of yourself, and your gameplay will follow.
Hope to see you there—hydrated, well-fed, and absolutely crushing it!
Garbage Rollers 
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