The Painting Bunkerc y

So I’ve decided to run a 30k tournament.  I’ve actually wanted to run a tournament for some time now however I’ve just not had the time or whatever.  Late last year, around November I think, I decided to just get it started.  One of the reasons it took me so long to get it going in the first place was all the ideas I’ve had bouncing around in my head for a tournament.  It was a little overwhelming.  Then I thought, I really am enjoying 30k, I can keep a 30k tournament manageable size wise, and I’ve pretty much got enough scenery to run a modest sized event.  I didn’t want it to run along the usual tournament formula that we have here where I live.  No disrespect to our tournament scene organisers, TO’s are seriously unsung heros, and endure a lot with little to no thanks or rewards.  So much respect to all the TO’s I know.  I just want my event to run along a different formula.

So basically what I’ve done is put together an event that is something I’d really like to go to myself.  I also wanted to explore a few e-commerce tools I’ve been wanting to use for some time now.  e-commerce intrigues me, and to incorporate what is now available (most of the time free, or very cheaply) to increase efficiencies in the planning, administration and delivery of a tournament was an aspect that interested me too.

So I’ve played in enough tournaments now to know what I like and don’t like about them,

Some of the things I like about attending tournaments is;

• meeting other hobbyist and making new friends – some of the most talented modellers and painters I now count amongst my friends I met through the tournament scene
• getting to show off my army to other players, and have their army shown off to me – there is nothing like two really well painted armies clashing over a tabletop

Some of the things I don’t enjoy about attending tournaments…

• Two day events – a whole weekend of gaming is a bit too much for me to bear
• crappy scenery/tables
• unpainted armies
• I hate to say this, but I’m going to – the 40k meta game.  It’s way beyond a joke now.
• The ‘hobby’ side of our hobby is marginalised/lip service given to.
• Difficult to access for new hobbyists – going to a tourney can be a little scary, and if you go and find there are a lot of WAAC players, crappy scenery, unpainted armies it may put new players off – I really don’t like this.
• Tournaments that are set up to cater for player tournament ranks maintenance

So I’ve spent the last 3 months planning a tournament I’d like to attend.  The Emperors Legions is what I came up with.    It’s a one day, Horus Heresy, 1,000pt, 5 game event that concludes with a meal, a few drinks, a 30k triva quiz and awards ceremony.  It’s limited to 10 players too, and is being held in a quality inner city hotel.  There is a strong emphasis placed on painting, sportsmanship and army composition.  Obviously winning games is important too, however this is not the man focus of this event.  In fact ‘generalship’ makes up only 25% of the overall score.

All the tables are going to consist of high quality scenery.  I’ve got some posts in the pipe line documenting the construction of some new scenery too.  They’ve just not come up yet as I’ve had other things to post.  They’re there, all done, just waiting in the que…. You’ll be in for a pretty big shock when you see what I’ve been working on too!

I’ve put together a 30k triva night too (with some help from a good friend of mine who I call a ’30k scholar’) I wanted to do this so that at the end of the event, all the players can hang around, share a meal together, make some new friends, swap stores of the day, and have a laugh.

I’ve made it 1,000pts so that we can get the event over and done with in a day.  Spending two days wargaming is a pretty big ask for me, and I’m guessing a lot of other people too.  1,000pts is a good size force, but isn’t too difficult to put together either.  So its accessible for new players.  One of the army lists I’ve received for the event already is 11 models!  If you’d like to see how a game of 30k plays out, have a look at my World Eaters v Iron Hands battle report

It’s also been interesting for me actually planning the event and incorporating some of the e-commerce solutions I’ve been wanting to explore.  Currently all tournaments (to the best of my knowledge) are advertised on a local forum.  I really wanted to move away from that and have a stand alone site dedicated to the administration of the tournament.  So it’s been enjoyable learning new skills (Thanks Jen)  and putting these things together.

If this tournament formula is successful, I’ve got some pretty big plans I’d like to see rolled out in subsequent events.  However this one is all about laying the ground work, getting a few of the bigger planning aspects proven.  I’m really excited about it and cant wait to see how it all goes.

So, if you live in Brisbane (or are willing to travel for the day) head on over to The Emperors Legions, download the players pack and register (there are only a few spots left though) Also, go like the Facebook page too.  You’ll be able to see plenty of pics of the day when it rolls up if you don’t live nearby.  If you just want to come and look, you’re more that welcome too!  If the painting standards of the current attendees is anything to go by, you’ll be seeing some of the best 30k armies on the planet (and scenery too)

Thanks for dropping in

John