FOB Event Structure for 2020

With the 2019 tournament year over, I thought I would post a breakdown of the events that Fields of Blood will be running next year.

Fields of Blood NZ Open

• 21/22 March
• Cossie Club, Upper Hutt
• Participants - 90 (87 tickets have been sold)
• 2000 points
• 5 Rounds
• ITC format
• Included: All codexes, Campaign books, Supplements, Forgeworld
• Excluded: Legends

The Long War (in conjunction with Wellington Warlords) - Five Separate Events

• 5 dates TBA
• Warlords venue, Ganges Road, Khandallah
• Participants - 20-24 (free for Warlords members, $25 each for casuals)
• 2000 points
• 3 Rounds
• ETC format
• Included: ETC acceptable books
• Exclusion: FW, Legends

Fields of Blood Team Championship

• 27/28 June
• Cashmere Ave School, Khandallah
• Six teams of five
• Five Rounds
• ETC format
• Exclusions: FW, Legends

Fields of Blood NZ Grand Tournament

• 26/27 September
• Khandallah Town Hall
• 72 participants
• 1750 points
• 6 Rounds
• Hobby event - painting/selection/sportsmanship/battle
• Inclusions: Pretty much all including Legends

Fields of Blood 13th Annual NZ Masters

• 5/6 December
• Cashmere Avenue School, Khandallah
• Invitational
• Top 20 players as per the FOB NZ 40k rankings for 2020 (31 Oct cutoff)
• 2000 points
• ITC format
• 5 Rounds
• Included: All codexes, Campaign books, Supplements, Forgeworld
• Excluded: Legends

Hope to see you along for one or more of the events

6th Annual NZ Masters Results

The 6th Annual NZ Masters were recently held in Hamilton and run by Rob Shirley.

This was the 4th time that Flames of War have been included while both 40k and Fantasy have been there since the inception.

Here are the 40k results:

Well done to Haydn Korach for winning his first Masters. He just edged Charlie St. Clair who would have secured a fourth crown.

In Flames of War the results were as follows:

Congratulations to Michael on his first Masters title. The tiebreaker between 2nd and 3rd was the result of their game, won by Paul. The event this year was run using Early War armies.

The 7th Annual NZ Masters will be held in Wellington the first weekend of December 2014, organised by myself.

FOB NZ Warhammer 40k Rankings - Updated for Lords of War

Last weekend Lords of War was held in Wellington, hosted by the Wellington Warlords and umpired by Carson Turnbull.

The event attracted 20 people and was won by Thomas Max using Tau. In fact, three of the Top 4 were fighting for the Greater Good.

Results have been uploaded to the rankings.

FOB NZ Rankings - Updated for Warhammer 40k

Guardcon has been run and won. This year the victor was NZ ATC Captain Nikola Jaksic, capping off a very good month for him.

The results have been included in the Rankings and Nikola has catapulted into the Top 10.

FOB NZ W40K Rankings - Updated for Call to Arms

The Warhammer 40k rankings have been updated for Call to Arms.

The event's winner, Glen Burfield just squeezes into the Top 20 of the rankings. It capped off a good weekend for Glen who also won Best Presented Army for his Eldar Iyanden.

FOB NZ Rankings - Warhammer 40k Nicon Update

I received the Nicon 40k results yesterday and the rankings have been updated accordingly.

This has seen Scott Birrell and Anthony Davy enter the Top 10 and Masters contention. Steve Davis, Pascal Roggen and David Foster also improved their ranking score.

NZ Masters Event Information

One of my aims with the Masters is to have it in different centres. In 2011 the event was run by Phil Wu in Auckland and this year Rob Shirley from Hamilton is running the event. 

Rob has sent out the first event information for the 2013 Masters and you can download it here

Thanks to Rob for getting this information out so early in the piece, it makes planning for travel and accommodation much easier for participants.

I will post further updates as they are released.

FOB NZ Rankings - System Update

This morning we launched the first system update to the FOB NZ Rankings (button below banner).

All players now have individual page with:

• results - both current and historical (intention is to extend this results back as time allows)
• the points value of each of those results
• results colour coded to show what is included in their current ranking
• any icons that they hold

Players will now be able to work out the effect of results rolling out of their ranking and the points that they need to score to improve it.

To access your page just click on your name. To access results just click on event.

A big thanks to Jack for all his work in getting this up and running.

The next update with focus on army success rates.

July White Dwarf Observations

My July White Dwarf arrived yesterday. As expected it is almost totally devoted to Apocalypse....so not much in there for the Fantasy or Heresy gamer.

The Khorne Lord of Battle is on the front cover. I'm not enamoured by the model though I concede that it is close to the old Epic model. To me it just looks like military technology hasn't advanced too much in the next 38,000 years. The profile of the model seems wrong for a tracked model.

However what really amuses me is some of the detail on the model. Why, why, why are there Jugger heads adorning the vats on the back of the model?

They just seem so out of place.

However, there is absolutely nothing to fault with the Necron Tesseract Vault. What a spectacular model!

If you haven't seen it go to the GW site and have a look at the 360 degree view of it. It is phenomenal. This model would almost get me to play Apocalypse if I had a Necron army. From the Scarabs on the faces to the topdown view this is a piece of work.

There were also some Space Marine characters released for Apoc. Now I don't know what they do but I was surprised by what I suspect is the fragility of the sculpt. In both these two models I'd be very worried about breakage. I'd certainly hope Finecast is sturdier now than at release.

Both these look like an accident waiting to happen.

Finally we have the ultimate Xmas present for any Apoc gamer - The Siege of Angel's Redoubt

Two RoB gameboards plus assorted scenery kits, this purchase will set you back $2,565 NZD. Little Timmy will have to do a lot of yardwork for Santa to bring this come Xmas.

EDIT: If you want a more "cynical" look at the new Apocalypse releases you should listen to the Jaded Gamer Podcast episode entitled "Ribbons". They pick apart the new release and give such gems of info such as the number of exhausts the LoB has - 12 - and there take on the SM characters and how to fix the C'tan. It was very funny.

Wellington Warlords "Call to Arms" Convention

At the start of August the Wellington Warlords are holding their annual convention "Call to Arms". This convention has been going for over 35 years and is unique among Wellington events in having the full breadth of games and genres on offer.

You can check out details here

Hoping for a good turnout for the Fantasy event.

Warhammer 40k Apocalypse Reboot in July - White Dwarf Picture

Okay, I've said it before "Has GW finally jumped the shark?" The answer in the past has been "Yes" but then they release something that takes it entirely to a new level.

Some were expecting Lizardmen but anong the wiser heads it was always going to be a 40k release for July. Summer in the Northern Hemisphere and Timmy is off school wondering what to spend Gran's birthday money on.

Think no further Timmy because have we got the answer for you.

It's a giant Khorne Berzerker (cos everything is GIANTZ now) mounted on a bulldozer with a cattle grill off Thomas the Tank Engine. And we can use bits of the Skullcannon too.

So what do you think this thing will be called? Based on a study of GW nomenclature I suspect we'll see the Marketing Department christen this the SKULLGRINDER!!!!!! 

I am hoping that there is a Chaos God and there is no crossover potential for Fantasy. Pleasssssseeee.

Review - Quartermaster App for iPod Touch, iPhone and iPad

For those of you that have an iProduct there is a very handy little app that provides all your list building functionality for a minimal cost.

Over the past 3-4 years I've been waiting for Lone Wolf Development to put Army Builder on the iPad. Although there have been numerous promises over that time it has never eventuated. Now it may be that they needn't bother.

Sean Rogers has completed and refined the Quartermaster app to a point whereby it does most of the list building functionality required for WHFB and 40k. His app is a framework which allows you to download and utilise fan-built templates for the armies in both those games.

You can view the application here

Here are some screenshots from the application:

 The key to this product (and the reason that it doesn't infringe IP) is that game-specific content is provided by users at no-cost. This is a similar model to Army Builder. Where this appears to score above AB is with the speed that new content comes to market. The High Elf template was up within 2-3 days of book release in time for users to start constructing lists. Generally with AB there is a one month period before new content is uploaded.

The templates for various armies can be accessed here at no cost.

So where does this set vis a vis Army Builder?

Pros

• Cost - it is only $5.49 in NZ Apple App Store. And there is no annual licensing fee
• Portability - AB is PC/Laptop/Netbook only. No phone or tablet version has been created to date. Therefore you can construct lists far more conveniently and take them to your games
• Speed to Market - the user templates are available almost upon release of new books
• Editability - any template errors are easily corrected. I found one in the DoC template which I was able to instantly amend. However the instance of errors appears far less than in initial AB releases for new books

Cons

• Apple only? I'm not sure if there is an Android version?
• No automatic advice of updated templates

Overall I am very very happy with the app and think that it is almost a must-have if you have an Apple product - especially as it costs no more than a large trim soy moccachino with a twist of lemon.

Zuzzy Gaming Mats

Neil Williamson is looking to do an order for Zuzzy Gaming Mats. You can see them at the Zuzzy website but here is a picture of one:

If you are interested contact Neil here

Tablescapes Kickstarter Successful

The Tablescapes Kickstarter was successfully funded and the theme I was after unlocked quite early in the process.

I was very keen on the Urban Streets theme as I wanted a series of tiles I can use for 30k/40k battles. Urban Streets was offered in "Clean" or "Damaged". The concept art for the "Damaged" theme is shown above.

In the end I have pledged (and paid) for an 8' x 4' table or 32 tiles. I intend to take 16 Damaged and 16 Clean tiles. This cost USD 225 including postage.

Here are the first renders back from tooling:

I have also bought a four tile Display Board option where I will be able to get additional Urban Street Foundation tiles. The Foundation tiles are non-street tiles - effectively plazas where you can put buildings. Some come in the main sets but the additional four unlock far more setups.

So all up the Kickstarter has cost me USD$275 including shipping for a 9'x4' (or 6'x6') urban table.

I'll let you all see the product upon delivery (expected before October 2013).

"Hammers of War" Video

The following is a rather nice video on the hobby that I was pointed to while listening to the Jaded Gamer podcast. It is called "Hammers of War" and was made by a group of film students in Canada. Although it focuses on a Warhammer 40k tournament it covers aspects of the hobby applicable to all.


I understand that there is now an Indiegogo kickstarter to fund a full length documentary.

FOB NZ Rankings Updated

The FOB NZ Rankings have been updated.

Warhammer Fantasy

Horned Rat Gobbo V has fallen out of the rankings - reached its 12 month anniversary - which has had the effect of giving us a new #1. Tim Joss has regained the position he held before Runefang VI. The previous #1 has dropped to #19 but has taken the treasured Skaven icon with him.

The current Master drops to #11. Other than that their is little change except the Chaos Dwarf icon shifts from Sam Whitt to Richard Barby.

Warhammer 40k

Battle Above The Brynderwyns 2013 has been added to the mix. The winner of this, Nikola Jaksic, finally forces himself into Masters contention securing #12.

Little other change given that the event was minimum size at 12 participants.

NZ Rankings Updated

The NZ Rankings for Warhammer Fantasy and Warhammer 40k have been updated for Runefang VI and Auckland Open, respectively.

Warhammer Fantasy

There is a familiar name back atop the Fantasy Rankings but this is likely to be shortlived as HRV falls out within the next week. The most important icon "Best Skaven" has returned "home" after a year of wandering.

Sam Whitt moves higher and continues to accumulate icons - adding the "Best Chaos Dwarf" to his entourage. James "Kenny" Milner retains his tenuous grasp on "Best High Elf" but you've got to think that is shortlived with a new book inspiring many to want to be "Best Girly-Man".

Warhammer 40k

Charlie St. Clair remains all Charlton Heston over his #1 Ranking but the big news is that we have a new #2. Fresh from his 1st Place at the Auckland Open, David Wilson has catapulted over Mark Buttle.

Steve Davis has the Tau icon but for how long? Rumours abound that Charlie will be breaking out the Riptides soon.


Jack has amended the model so that events roll off on their 12 month anniversary date and the rankings update automatically. More functionality - including individual player pages - is planned for the university break.

And Not Just Elves But Space Elves - Plastic Eldar Farseer Sighted

Down in the village, the Seers are stirring!

There has been rumours that Eldar would be redone but nothing concrete. Well still your beating heart and take a look at this:

Yes! That is what you think it is. The Ulthwe will rise again.

Adepticon 2014?

Adepticon is on this weekend and by all accounts it's set to reinforce its status as the world's premier wargaming convention. Four days of gaming, seminars and trade stands sounds like nerd heaven to me.

This got me thinking. I'm keen to tick this event off my list and wondered whether there was any other New Zealand interest in attending Adepticon in 2014. The convention has both Singles and Teams Tournaments in most genres - including 40k and Fantasy but also Malifaux, Warmahordes etc.

Planning would need to happen pretty early - effectively once this year's event is finished. However I'm sure given the potential travel distance we could look to secure some early tickets.

Anyone interested should let me know.

The Sales Life of Warhammer Rules, Codexes and Army Books

I found the following information on line. As I understand it, the information was included in the material Games Workshop presented as part of the Chapterhouse lawsuit (GW are suing CHS for copyright infringement).

I'm going to make the assumption that these are USD and relate to sales in the USA.

There's a lot of interesting info in there. Here's a few of my observations:

• Using rulebook sales as a guide, 40k sells about 3x Fantasy
• A new edition sells about 50-60% of its volume in the year it is released (5th Ed 40k was more front-ended which suggests it failed to attract new customers at a similar rate to 7th Ed Fantasy or 4th Ed 40k. I'd love to know 8th Ed Fantasy trends)
• Eldar 2006 Codex was better long term seller than previous version - I'm surprised
• High Elves are bigger seller than Empire
• Tau died.......Empire, what empire?
• It looks like Space Marines really need a new codex....the last version was major flop.