The Road To Kublacon – Tournaments
This year there will be several tournaments and organized play events that members of your FLGS will be participating in. Collectively members of the Bulwark often call themselves “Team Chico” when playing in these events to represent a solidarity and consistency of butt whoopin’ us Chicoans deliver; this also helps organizers either separate us or keep us together to ensure a fair seeding, go with whatever story you want.
That being said one of the worst experiences imaginable is to roll up to a tournament only to find out you cannot participate because of banned cards or an incomplete knowledge of the rules. A lot of these tournaments take time to prepare for. Painting, planning, and playing dummy games are all fun but really just whet the appetite for a more hard core and competitive gaming moment.
Fear not, below is your hyper linked salvation! The Bulwark has compiled the tournament rules for some of the most anticipated Kublacon events. There are major changes in some, smaller tweaks in others, and some just point out the audacity that is needed sometimes to ensure gamers play a fair match. The Bulwark’s unofficial motto of “If you have to cheat at [insert game here], then you have more problems in life than cheating at [insert game here]” is all well and good when playing with locals, but while it remains true even in the strangest lands, miscommunications can sometimes lead to people becoming frustrated. The rules below sort out what happens when pride, ego, and Kublabucks are on the line to make sure everyone has a great weekend; especially the winners.
A Game of Thrones – Apparently there is a banned list! The format each game at Kublacon is in LCG Constructed. Also, note the tweaks in supporting with titles.
Common/Uncommon Grab Bag – This event uses the Magic: the Gathering Comprehensive Rules as revised February 1st 2010, which is a mere 171 page document. On top of that, when you approach the grab bag bin, you must dip your hand in and remove a grips worth of cards. You will be expected to hold on to these cards from anywhere between 5 – 15 seconds, and/or to turn your grip up and down. All players will abide by a consistent set of rules.
One World By Night, Always Comes Evening LARP – While the game’s own house rules can be found here, One World By Night has their own set of rules by it’s representative player council. Those rules can be found here.
RPGA – Even the RPGA, a fan club and cooperative player body, has its own set of rules to abide by. While most of the rules are common courtesy and can be summed up with “Don’t be a dick” and “if you have been a dick about it, please don’t play with us”, there are a few points that are interesting. Mostly Wizards of the Coast is just covering all it’s bases with this one.
Warhammer 40K – Warhammer has a set of rules for tournament play that not only rewards savvy generals, but also well rounded hobbyists and people who are just fun to play with. The Rogue Trader system judges wins versus losses, sportsmanship, and craftsmanship of an individual’s army. Along with the almost Biblical tome known as the Warhammer 40K Fifth Edition Core Rulebook, the Rogue Trader system has its own set of rules here. Unlike other games Warhammer is very modular, keep this in mind when building your army. Points totals, special rules, and special events may all be included in the specific tournament you are playing in.
With all of these events going on, it’s very likely some where missed. Many of Team Chico’s Diplomacy players “the Beer and Blades Club” will be trying to get into pick up Diplomacy rounds early on, and remember Catan regionals are held at Kublacon. If you would like to see something posted, comment below! The entire program for the convention can be found at Kublacon’s website or behind this link.
If you were a part of the dozen people who preregistered for Kublacon with the Bulwark you already know about all the events that are happening leading up to one of the biggest gaming conventions on the West Coast. For the next six weeks the shop will be open 7 days a week prepping for the event. Up until Kublacon you can assume that we are open and doing business while offering some exciting events.
A fun event newbies and veterans alike, 40K for Pinkslips, is a game where you get to see some odd unit combinations and a quick escalation as the tournament continues. Bring two, painted, 200 point legal units from any valid Warhammer 40k codex, force org doesn’t matter. They don’t have to be from the same codex, but they can be. Play a few high-stakes game of 40k. Winner will take all.
This Sunday the Bulwark will be opening it’s doors at 3:00 PM for 500 points of Warhammer 40K. If you are working on an army this is a great time to try new tactics, learn the rules, or just come in to paint and socialize. Last week we had a very competitve game of Kill Team and it was a great chance for people to learn the basics of how infantry move, shoot, and to meet the people they would be moving against and shooting at. Also, if you are interested in Warhammer 40K come in an check out this great game, with a great group of people!