Format: 200 point Constructed Triad (Standard, Quickstrike, Cave of Pain)
Number of players: 12
Factions: 2x LG, 3x CG, 2x LE, 5x CEWe had two more players than the last tournament and three new players overall. Prizes were again very plentiful. Everyone got at least one booster, their choice of a Gen Con Drow Rogue promo mini or a repain Crucian promo mini, and a sheet of damage and effects counters. By taking last place in two consecutive tournaments, Sydney won the consolation prize: A Gen Con Rhek promo mini from Aberrations.
The biggest drama was figuring out who would be the fourth player in the single-elimination finals. Ryan and Tim had equal points and identical opponent match win percentages. Because we were so short on time, we didn't have time to run a single match playoff between the two; we had to have a dice off. Both players rolled d20, and the highest roll made it to the single-elimination finals! Tim rolled higher, but his luck ran out later...
By fielding a completely rude twenty-two creature warband, Tamiz (former #2 player in California) decided to show us why WotC changed the rules for summoned creatures and minions in tournament play. Well, that and he needed to bolster his record in sanctioned play after delivering mediocre performances at both Gen Con and our last local tournament. He didn't play slow, but twenty-two activations means he had a time monopoly in just about every skirmish.
Tamiz won in the finals after Tim conceded in the second or third round. Tim decided that it wasn't worth the frustration of trying to send his Frost Giant against ten Graycloak Rangers that do 15 damage per hit (Cave of Pain + Giant Bane). Chalk up another tournament victory to CG.
Thanks to Ryan for fetching me two double cheeseburgers for lunch and playing me during his bye in the third round. Thanks also to derry for providing the Archfiends prize boosters.
As usual, the gods of luck decided that Tamiz and derry would face one another in a sanctioned tournament. I believe they've faced each other in every sanctioned tournament that they both participated in.
Winner: Tamiz (3-1 and 3rd place in preliminaries)
Unnamed Warband (CG): 2x Cleric of Corellon Larethian (Cmd 4); 10x Graycloak Ranger + 10x Wolf minions. Assembly tile with difficult terrain; mushroom tangle; shrine; shrine of justice.
Opponents: derry (win, time), Ash (win, time), Craig (win, points), Ray (lose, concession), Ash (win, time), Tim (win, concession)Runner-up: Tim (2-2 and tied for 4th place in preliminaries)
Unnamed Warband (CE): 2x Orc Druid (Cmd 2); Frost Giant; 2x Cursed Spirit; 2x Hyena; 4x Orc Warrior. Assembly tile with statue; treasure room; abattoir; corridor.
Opponents: James (win, time), Brian (win), Ray (lose, concession), Ryan (lose, concession), Ray (win, points), Tamiz (lose, concession)Semifinalist: Ray (4-0 and 1st place in preliminaries)
Unnamed Warband (LE): Lord Soth (Cmd 6); Red Wizard (Cmd 3); Drider Sorcerer; 3x Hobgoblin. Assembly tile with difficult terrain; mushroom tangle; shrine of justice; rubble room.
Opponents: Ryan (win, points), Julia (win, points), Tim (win, concession), Tamiz (win, concession), Tim (lose, points)Semifinalist: Ash (3-1 and 2nd place in preliminaries)
Fire & Ice (LG): Cleric of Lathander (Cmd 4); Large Silver Dragon; Gold Champion. Assembly tile with difficult terrain; mushroom tangle; treasure room; rubble room.
Opponents: Matt (win, time), Tamiz (lose, time), derry (win, concession), Brian (win, concession), Tamiz (lose, time)Tied for 4th: Ryan (1-2 plus one Bye)
Unnamed Warband (LE): Red Wizard (Cmd 3); Githyanki Fighter; 2x Thayan Knight; Displacer Beast; 3x Blue. Assembly tile with difficult terrain; statue room; rubble room; corridor.
Opponents: Ray (lose, points), James (lose, time), Bye, Tim (win, concession)6th: derry (2-2)
Unnamed Warband (CE): 2x Orc Druid (Cmd 2); Eye of Gruumsh (Cmd 1); Orc Champion; Drider Sorcerer; 2x Orc Brute; Orc Spearfighter; 4x Orc Warrior. Assembly tile with statue; shrine; corridor; treasure room.
Opponents: Tamiz (lose, time), Matt (win), Ash (lose, concession), Julia (win, points)7th: Brian (2-2)
Unnamed Warband (CG): Champion of Eilistraee (Cmd 4); Githyanki Renegade; Eberk, Adventurer; Aramil, Adventurer; 8x Drow Fighter. Assembly tile with difficult terrain; treasure room; statue room; corridor.
Opponents: Craig (win), Tim (lose), Julia (win, points), Ash (lose, concession)8th: Craig (2-2)
Unnamed Warband (CE): Tiefling Captain (Cmd 4); Lareth the Beautiful (Cmd 3); 3x Ogre Ravager; Cursed Spirit. Assembly tile with difficult terrain; shrine; shrine of slaughter; treasure room.
Opponents: Brian (lose), Sydney (win, points), Tamiz (lose, points), Matt (win)9th: Julia (1-3)
Unnamed Warband (CE): Vampire Aristocrat (Cmd 3); Lich Necromancer (Cmd 2); Cultist of the Dragon; 3x Cursed Spirit; 2x Orc Warrior. Assembly tile with statue; shrine of slaughter; abattoir; shrine.
Opponents: Sydney (win, time), Ray (lose, points), Brian (lose, points), derry (lose, points)10th: Matt (1-3)
Unnamed Warband (LG): Paladin of Torm (Cmd 5); Large Earth Elemental; Human Dragonslayer; Gold Dwarf Fighter; Bronze Wyrmling; 2x Stalwart Paladin; Protectar; Man-at-Arms. Assembly tile with statue; shrine; corridor; statue room.
Opponents: Ash (lose, time), derry (lose), Sydney (win, points), Craig (lose)11th: James (1-1; dropped after second round)
Unnamed Warband (CG): Arcane Archer (Cmd 3); Silver Sorcerer; 2x Graycloak Ranger + 2x Wolf minions; Half-Elf Sorcerer; Aramil, Adventurer; Half-Orc Barbarian; Medium Astral Construct; 2x Barbarian Mercenary; Elf Spearguard. Assembly tile with statue; mushroom tangle; abattoir; rubble room.
Opponents: Tim (lose, time), Ryan (win, time)12th: Sydney (0-3 plus one Bye)
Unnamed Warband (CE): Tiefling Captain (Cmd 4); Drider Sorcerer; Umber Hulk; Cultist of the Dragon; Small White Dragon; Dire Wolf; Large Monstrous Spider; 2x Drow Fighter; Chitine; Warrior Skeleton. Assembly tile with difficult terrain; statue room; shrine; corridor.
Opponents: Julia (lose, time), Craig (lose, points), Matt (lose, points), Bye
It's time for another D&D Minis tournament at Matchplay in Mountain View, CA!
When: Sunday, Sept 12, 2004. 11 am until 6 pm. (The store opens at 11 am and closes at 6 pm, and the event will probably last the entire time. Warband registration starts at 11 am. The first round will probably start around 11:30 am.)
Where: Matchplay in Mountain View, CA. See below for address & directions.
Cost: $6
Format: 200 point Constructed Triad. 32 players, maximum (first come, first-served).
Rounds: Four or five swiss rounds, followed by a four-player single elimination finals. All rounds have a 60 minute time limit. If time is tight, we may have to run 45 or 50 minute rounds.
Prizes: Two Giants of Legend boosters for 1st and 2nd place. One Giants of Legend booster for 3rd and 4th place. One D&D Minis booster from an older set for most (and maybe all) of the rest of the players. Every player will also receive a Crucian promo mini and a counter sheet.
Contact/Organizer/Judge: Guy Fullerton (guyf@apple.com). Feel free to contact me with any questions.
Notes: The event will be DCI sanctioned. DCI memberships are free and you can sign up at the event if you need to. Don't forget to bring your warband, stat cards, dice, terrain, battle grid, counters, your DCI card (if you have one), etc.
Definitions for some of the above terms (constructed, swiss, triad, etc.) are in the D&D Miniatures Floor Rules, which can be found with the other tournament info:
http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/minis/tournamentsAddress & Directions:
Matchplay (formerly known as Neutral Ground)
560 Showers Dr # 4
Mountain View, CA 94040
Phone: (650) 947-0398Matchplay is in the San Antonio shopping center, near the back entrance of Sears, between Trader Joe's and San Antonio Hobby Shop. There are two pathways that lead past shops between Trader Joe's and San Antonio Hobby Shop; go along the leftmost path, underneath the overhang that has a (not well-lit) Sears sign. When you reach the Sears entrance, look to your right and you'll see Matchplay. (Matchplay is on the opposite side of the path from a tanning salon and hairstylist place.)
To make it easier, the following web page contains a map of San Antonio Shopping Center. Matchplay is #27 on the map, adjacent to Sears:
http://members.aol.com/MVNick/sanantoniosd.htmMatchplay even has their own web site, but their map is a bit out of date. The Super Crown on their map is now the Trader Joe's, and the two other stores (Star Rockets and Philip Shoes) no longer exist. Other than that, it's a pretty good map:
http://www.matchplay.com/location.htmlBeware: Matchplay is somewhat difficult to find. If you have a hard time finding it, don't give up! Don't count on being able to see it from your car as you drive around the parking lot. Just park near Trader Joe's and San Antonio Hobby Shop and walk around the group of shops between them to find Matchplay. If you still can't find it, call their phone number (above) and see if they can guide you.