Post by asuryanmark on Nov 13, 2014 0:29:28 GMT -7
You may or may not have heard that my brother passed away a couple of weeks ago. I would like to do a Flames of War tournament in his honor. So I'm posting this here as sort of a proposal to gauge interest in such a thing. I think I have a few people with their curiosity piqued but I'd thought I'd post here to get a broader feel for any interest. Please note, I have not yet talked to any of the stores regarding this, but I do want to find out how many people would be interested in doing such a tournament before getting too carried away.
So, without further ado, the proposal. Let me know what you think, and if you're up for it.
Why this tournament?
This is to honor my brother. This was his favorite miniatures game by far.
Why not some other game?
This is the game he liked. I don't see how I can honor him with a game he didn't enjoy.
Why the "Foxhole Memorial"?
The name has a certain ring to it for me, so I'm going with it.
How big a tournament is this going to be?
I'm looking for at least 10 players on 5 European-styled-terrain 4'x6' tables.
Will there be a fee?
To be determined. It's a safe bet though. Gaming space isn't free after all.
Will there be prizes?
To be determined. I would like there to be an ongoing trophy for the first place winner, assuming there's enough interest to keep things going.
Awards would be in categories (still to be determined what they are) as follows:
* The Rommel
* The Patton
* The Montgomery
* The Zhukov
I don't have the time/money to play
Time and money are precious commodities, I get it. That's why I'm planning this tournament to take place late in 2015, so that there is time for people to figure out the rules and to be able to slowly pick up the forces they need. It's not like I'm asking for people to pick up everything they need tomorrow. June/July maybe, just to have time to get some practice games in, but not tomorrow.
I'd like to see what it's like before I dive into a game
For videos on playing/learning Flames of War, have a look at www.beastsofwar.com/flames-of-war/
I can probably setup a demo game upon request as well.
I don't like World War 2, it's not my thing
Alright, fair enough. I'm not here to force anyone to play. I am asking people to come out of their comfort zone to help me do something in memory of my brother. If that's not a noble cause then what is?
I won't be able to play, but is there any way for me to help?
Terrain. Lots of terrain. Given that Flames of War is a different scale (15mm scale to be exact) than what we're used to playing, this is what I would need the most assistance with. Building, hills, trees, farm fields, roads, rivers, bridges, hedge rows, bocage, etc. Whether it's bought or hand made, and it doesn't have to be too fancy, any and all terrain donations would help a lot, especially if I'm trying to get five tables going!
Google searches on "15mm wargames terrain" or "making 15mm terrain" would be a start if you would like to help out in this manner. Another suggestion would be picking up something from PaperTerrain www.paperterrain.com ... The Russian and European villages and hamlets in 15mm would be nice to have.
Terrain can be returned to the people who donate it once the tournament is over if they so wish.
Are the rules hard?
If you can play Warhammer 40000, you can play Flames of War. Each turn has 4 phases: starting, move, shooting, and assault. The basic shooting mechanic follows the "roll to hit, roll to save (if possible), roll to kill" style.
How competitive is this tournament?
While the plan is there to be prizes and awards, this is in all respect to be treated as friendly matches. More experienced players, while encouraged to still fight to win, are expected to be friendly and helpful with assistance with the rules first and foremost.
Rule Number One: We are all here to have fun.
Rule Number Two: See Rule Number One.
What is the tournament format?
Tournament format will be a Swiss Chess style round robin, with random draw for the first round. Scoring is based on a maximum 6 points per round, with scores for sportsmanship as well. Each round will be 1 hour and 30 minutes long, with 4 rounds to be played.
What era and point limit are there for armies?
Armies are to be drawn from any Late War list, of forces fighting in Europe, with a1500 1750 point limit.
Target Date
"D-Day" is planned to be the first weekend of November, 2015.
What you will need
For the bare minimum
*The Flames of War mini rule book or large rulebook bundle
*If you're not using the default forces included with the large rulebook bundle then a book with the Late War army list you plan on fielding. Suggested starting points for books include:
-Overlord (US & British)
-Atlantik Wall (Western Front German)
-Grey Wolf (Eastern Front German)
-Red Bear (Russians)
*Artillery Template
*Dice
*And of course your army.
What army would you suggest is for me?
The "big four" armies are typically the Germans, the Americans, the British, and the Russians, so I'll frame it in terms of those four.
If you like being the bad guys, then the Germans are obviously for you. Powerful guns, elite troops, and the ability to get an extra 4" move every turn make them very difficult to deal with most of the time.
If you like throwing down a lot of models, then look at playing the Russians. Lots of tanks and infantry, and while not the highest quality, the sheer number of dice they can throw at anything makes them scary indeed. As Stalin said, quantity has a quality all its own.
If you like giving your opponents a broadside all the time, perhaps the British are for you. The Brits are tough troops with a penchant for dropping a lot of fire on target from a distance. Apparently, captured Germans asked to see the belt fed artillery the British were using, because there was so much firepower being dropped on them all at once.
If you like yelling out "Rommel, you magnificent bastard! I read your book!" then join the Americans. They may not have the elite troops of the Germans, but they have some nice toys of their own to put the hurt down on anyone they face. Like their sneaky tank destroyers.
If you find other Late War armies you might be interested in, by all means, throw a force together.
Will proxies/third party models be allowed?
If it looks close enough to be easily identified as to what you have on your list, then it's good enough for me. Since this is not a Battlefront sanctioned tournament, if you want to use third party models that are the same scale, then go for it.
What's the painting standard?
Some people are sticklers for authentic World War 2 paint schemes. While I would appreciate it, I'm not enforcing it. I will be happy for two colors and flocking where appropriate. Something more visually appealing than just primer. My preference is that it should look like it could fit in with World War 2 theme.
So, without further ado, the proposal. Let me know what you think, and if you're up for it.
The Roman Andron "Foxhole Memorial" (FOXMEM) Flames of War Tournament 2015
Why this tournament?
This is to honor my brother. This was his favorite miniatures game by far.
Why not some other game?
This is the game he liked. I don't see how I can honor him with a game he didn't enjoy.
Why the "Foxhole Memorial"?
The name has a certain ring to it for me, so I'm going with it.
How big a tournament is this going to be?
I'm looking for at least 10 players on 5 European-styled-terrain 4'x6' tables.
Will there be a fee?
To be determined. It's a safe bet though. Gaming space isn't free after all.
Will there be prizes?
To be determined. I would like there to be an ongoing trophy for the first place winner, assuming there's enough interest to keep things going.
Awards would be in categories (still to be determined what they are) as follows:
* The Rommel
* The Patton
* The Montgomery
* The Zhukov
I don't have the time/money to play
Time and money are precious commodities, I get it. That's why I'm planning this tournament to take place late in 2015, so that there is time for people to figure out the rules and to be able to slowly pick up the forces they need. It's not like I'm asking for people to pick up everything they need tomorrow. June/July maybe, just to have time to get some practice games in, but not tomorrow.
I'd like to see what it's like before I dive into a game
For videos on playing/learning Flames of War, have a look at www.beastsofwar.com/flames-of-war/
I can probably setup a demo game upon request as well.
I don't like World War 2, it's not my thing
Alright, fair enough. I'm not here to force anyone to play. I am asking people to come out of their comfort zone to help me do something in memory of my brother. If that's not a noble cause then what is?
I won't be able to play, but is there any way for me to help?
Terrain. Lots of terrain. Given that Flames of War is a different scale (15mm scale to be exact) than what we're used to playing, this is what I would need the most assistance with. Building, hills, trees, farm fields, roads, rivers, bridges, hedge rows, bocage, etc. Whether it's bought or hand made, and it doesn't have to be too fancy, any and all terrain donations would help a lot, especially if I'm trying to get five tables going!
Google searches on "15mm wargames terrain" or "making 15mm terrain" would be a start if you would like to help out in this manner. Another suggestion would be picking up something from PaperTerrain www.paperterrain.com ... The Russian and European villages and hamlets in 15mm would be nice to have.
Terrain can be returned to the people who donate it once the tournament is over if they so wish.
Are the rules hard?
If you can play Warhammer 40000, you can play Flames of War. Each turn has 4 phases: starting, move, shooting, and assault. The basic shooting mechanic follows the "roll to hit, roll to save (if possible), roll to kill" style.
How competitive is this tournament?
While the plan is there to be prizes and awards, this is in all respect to be treated as friendly matches. More experienced players, while encouraged to still fight to win, are expected to be friendly and helpful with assistance with the rules first and foremost.
Rule Number One: We are all here to have fun.
Rule Number Two: See Rule Number One.
What is the tournament format?
Tournament format will be a Swiss Chess style round robin, with random draw for the first round. Scoring is based on a maximum 6 points per round, with scores for sportsmanship as well. Each round will be 1 hour and 30 minutes long, with 4 rounds to be played.
What era and point limit are there for armies?
Armies are to be drawn from any Late War list, of forces fighting in Europe, with a
Target Date
"D-Day" is planned to be the first weekend of November, 2015.
What you will need
For the bare minimum
*The Flames of War mini rule book or large rulebook bundle
*If you're not using the default forces included with the large rulebook bundle then a book with the Late War army list you plan on fielding. Suggested starting points for books include:
-Overlord (US & British)
-Atlantik Wall (Western Front German)
-Grey Wolf (Eastern Front German)
-Red Bear (Russians)
*Artillery Template
*Dice
*And of course your army.
What army would you suggest is for me?
The "big four" armies are typically the Germans, the Americans, the British, and the Russians, so I'll frame it in terms of those four.
If you like being the bad guys, then the Germans are obviously for you. Powerful guns, elite troops, and the ability to get an extra 4" move every turn make them very difficult to deal with most of the time.
If you like throwing down a lot of models, then look at playing the Russians. Lots of tanks and infantry, and while not the highest quality, the sheer number of dice they can throw at anything makes them scary indeed. As Stalin said, quantity has a quality all its own.
If you like giving your opponents a broadside all the time, perhaps the British are for you. The Brits are tough troops with a penchant for dropping a lot of fire on target from a distance. Apparently, captured Germans asked to see the belt fed artillery the British were using, because there was so much firepower being dropped on them all at once.
If you like yelling out "Rommel, you magnificent bastard! I read your book!" then join the Americans. They may not have the elite troops of the Germans, but they have some nice toys of their own to put the hurt down on anyone they face. Like their sneaky tank destroyers.
If you find other Late War armies you might be interested in, by all means, throw a force together.
Will proxies/third party models be allowed?
If it looks close enough to be easily identified as to what you have on your list, then it's good enough for me. Since this is not a Battlefront sanctioned tournament, if you want to use third party models that are the same scale, then go for it.
What's the painting standard?
Some people are sticklers for authentic World War 2 paint schemes. While I would appreciate it, I'm not enforcing it. I will be happy for two colors and flocking where appropriate. Something more visually appealing than just primer. My preference is that it should look like it could fit in with World War 2 theme.