This tournament was a lot larger – 26 Fantasy players total. I feel like I’m in a little bit of a daze since I left, so I don’t think this post will be as comprehensive as the one for ConquestBC.
There were 4 people there whom I know pretty well from my local gaming store, so that was fun. A difference – when you don’t know anyone (or those whom you do know are busy) you make friends or you sit around being bored. At ConquestBC, I mixed it up – had lunch alone to unwind, but talked with people I didn’t know the rest of the time. At WCP, there wasn’t really any time to sit around by yourself. There was always someone’s game to go cheer, people to get lunch with, or people just chilling out talking. I like being around people, but I also like my alone time. I don’t have any value judgments to offer.
After going to two Fantasy tournaments in a row, I think I can say that people need to think more about Fantasy scenarios. WCP’s were a little more interesting scenario wise – for a couple you had to “do more things”. But their “bonus points” weren’t interesting either. ConquestGT had “you have more standards” “your general is alive” “his general is dead”, boring. WCP had “you have more table quarters” “you got 2 messengers off and he got none” – at least some of them were related to the scenarios, but they still didn’t add another layer to the game. What I love about the scenarios that Astronomi-con puts together, is that they, if you want them to, give you another level to choose from. You can win the game. Or you can win the game big. You can lose the game. Or you can lose the game big. I had a thought to try writing a Fantasy scenario based on something from Astro.
At one point this weekend two players decided they were going to have a special game. The stated rules were that there would be 8 shot glasses of tequila lined up on each side. Anytime one of them wanted a re-roll, they took a shot. They ended up just pouring from the bottle, and apparently were at 10-11 shots each when the tournament organizer cut them off. The story of this game was one guy rolled double 1s, two-fisted two shots, re-rolled both and rolled double 6s (it was some wounding roll or something). Crazy :).
I came firmly middle of the pack overall. Most favourite opponent votes, but my sportsmanship score sucked. You get votes for favourite opponent, and then each of your opponents give you check boxes after each game, totaled to give your sportsmanship score. Tied for second painting votes, but my painting score wasn’t terrific. Again, votes from the populous combined with scores, but these scores were from the judges. I agree with the judges here – I have a few nice models, but there were a couple armies of beauty there. End result – 2nd place Sportsman, and then somewhere between 4th and 10th in painting (their results sheet is slightly confusing – your votes count towards your final, but they don’t mention the vote-scaling factor anywhere)
I lost 4 games and won 1. I think the caliber of competition at this tournament was much greater than the last one. My second to last game, only my general survived, and then only because I ran him into a forest in my last turn instead of charging – depriving my opponent of the scenario bonus. My last game, turn 4 I offered my resignation to my opponent and suggested that we might drink a beer instead of playing anymore. He accepted, and I drank my beer in his honor – long may he push pink knights across the table.
I lose a lot of games in general. But there’s nothing like getting stomped 4 times in rapid succession to make you doubt yourself. I’m thinking of increasing the power level of my Lizards a little. A Skink/Krox unit, and an Engine of the Gods have both been recommended. We’ll see how that goes.
And now, I think I’ll sign off. I want to go open Army Builder and play with this list idea…
Have a good one!