Con gear

[Norellicus]

A post on Kotaku today talking about preparing for SDCC got me thinking about the kind of gear that one should take with them to such a massive event; Kotaku covered some of it in brief but left it open to the individual's needs without pointing at a whole lot of things that aren't necessarily essential, but are pretty nice to have.

So while I'm reading this I can't help but start reading it sort of in the context of going to PAX; since I'll be going to prime come September, I realized I probably ought to plan out my gear so I can maximize the experience...I fully expect to be spending all day at the convention center with no break time pretty much all three days, as the general impression I get is that there's already too much to see in the available time even if you could move instantly from event to event without walking time or lines.

So my question to you is, to those of you who regularly attend these kind of extended cons with tons of stuff going on (and particularly those who've attended PAX!), what do you take with you, and in retrospect what did you wish you had brought along that would have made the experience better?

Be as specific as you like, all the way down to the bag you used to tote it all in. I figure it'll help me cover my bases and even share tips amongst eachother that some people may not have thought of before

[Cephius]

Pax East go'er here.

DS is numero uno. Bring it, don't forget the charger. There's seriously thousands of people with DSs, bring one. The most popular game was pokemon, I found a bunch of people who were playing TWEWY also. So if you're a pokemon fan, it's a no-brainer. I liked having a backpack, with some snacks in it. Getting food at a con isn't always easy... helps to have a few granola bars and stuff so you don't starve. I brought my PSP too, but like, no one else seemed to have one. Bring a camera too!

I honestly didn't really feel like I needed anything else. At least at PAX, everything in terms of console or PC gaming was provided.

[Eratosthenes]

Gatorade or whatever you like to prevent/cure hangovers.

[Wizrow]

Water and snacks are a must. I go to ACEN every year and you don't want to get caught paying $4 for a slice of pizza. I would also recommend bringing some sort of cologne. It sounds like your going to be doing a lot of walking around with a bunch of other people who are doing the same. For their sake, please bring cologne. It really helps after the 10th hour of non-stop conning.

[Fhqwghads]

Water and snacks are a must. I go to ACEN every year and you don't want to get caught paying $4 for a slice of pizza. I would also recommend bringing some sort of cologne. It sounds like your going to be doing a lot of walking around with a bunch of other people who are doing the same. For their sake, please bring cologne. It really helps after the 10th hour of non-stop conning.

Don't bring cologne, bring a travel deodorant. The only thing worse than rank-ass BO is some tard who tries to mask it by bathing in cologne. Grats, now you smell like ass and cologne.

[Correction]

There is never anywhere comfortable to sit at very large conventions. I bring a small cushion (fits in the bottom of a backpack) just in case I'm sitting in a multi-hour line for an auditorium.

[Melena]

For Blizzcon, this is what I try to keep with me.

Water/Gatorade
Camera
Book/Pamphlet showing all the panel times and locations
Cell Phone (may not be able to call due to noise but can still text people you need to get hold of)
Wallet

With that said, make sure your in comfortable clothes and shoes. I did E3 back in 2000 and wore my old beat up tennis shoes that the soles were unevenly worn. My foot and ankle were so sore by the third day I could barely walk, blisters that looked like they merged with each other to form omega blister, and was just downright miserable.

[Cyn]

Hah, I saw the thread title and immediately thought GENBU'S KABUTO.

And then I remembered that it's vitality in FFXI and not constitution.

[Cephius]

Don't bring cologne, bring a travel deodorant. The only thing worse than rank-ass BO is some tard who tries to mask it by bathing in cologne. Grats, now you smell like ass and cologne.

This. I recommend finding a place you can shower once a day at least, else you're going to feel pretty disgusting (and smell worse).

[Meat]

condoms

[Warudo Ecksu]

I go to pax every year. The most important thing I can say to take with you is either an extra suit case/bag or a REALLY big suit case that you don't fully pack. The bf and I come home with so much crap every year, & it's always a struggle to figure out how we're gonna get everything on the plane.

While at the convention, you don't need much more than you DS, money, and camera/iphone/whatever you use. I always carry things like imodium in case my bf gets the shits, advil, those little shot size energy drinks. Expect to get very little sleep each day lol Really you don't want to be carrying around THAT much at the convention cuz you're walking around shoulder to shoulder with ppl, and it makes it hard to get around if you're slapping everyone with your gigantic backpack

[Kaisha]

Gloves to wear to avoid skin contact when shakin' hands, unless you're a fan of being sick the day after the con ends.

[Kohan]

If any of the above are stashed in a fanny pack, you'll be the sort of nerd who deserves death, and I hope someone punches you in the face.

Do the world a favor: don't attend a con as a representative of unwashed Wal*Mart shoppers.

[Warudo Ecksu]

Gloves to wear to avoid skin contact when shakin' hands, unless you're a fan of being sick the day after the con ends.

dont shake hands, and take some hand sanitizer. don't rely on the bathrooms there having any. ppl got swine flu and shit last year at pax

[Cyn]

dont shake hands, and take some hand sanitizer. don't rely on the bathrooms there having any. ppl got swine flu and shit last year at pax

From what I've heard from a couple friends who have been to these conventions, it's a safer bet to worry about catching the clap than a cold.

[ozz]

Interesting point, is there a lot of bangin at cons?

[Cephius]

Interesting point, is there a lot of bangin at cons?

If there is, it's a lot of homo banging. At least at Pax, the male:female ratio had to be something like 200:1.

[Correction]

Interesting point, is there a lot of bangin at cons?

Only if you bring your girlfriend with you or are gay, particularly at PAX.

http://www.theonion.com/articles/pla...001-fails,260/

[ozz]

I guess i wasn't thinking when i asked that, i shouldve known it would make gatech look like south beach