I've often thought that if I were a TO, I'd set up several tables each with radically different terrain density (and theme) and then assign players to tables randomly. I think that's be fun to play. Interesting to try at least once.

1 hour ago, Albertese said:

I've often thought that if I were a TO, I'd set up several tables each with radically different terrain density (and theme) and then assign players to tables randomly. I think that's be fun to play. Interesting to try at least once.

I have thought something along those lines. A bunch of normal tables, and then 10% that have only 1 or 2 terrain features, and 10% that are virtually Space Hulk/Imperial Assault boards that take up a full 3x6 table. If it was horrible at least we'd learn from it and adapt.

At a store level, you kind of get what you can get. Hopefully they've a history of WH40k and have plenty of stuff that "will work."

Beyond store level play, I agree with the poster. Even if FFG went as far as to make terrain that came on a base, that base size could then be copied by the community and custom terrain made that fits the measurement standards presented by the "official" terrain so that, eventually, 22.5-27.5% coverage is average.....as stated in the rules of the game.

On 9/1/2018 at 4:31 PM, CaptainRocket said:

Anything less than 45 degrees is legal. If you can bump or nudge it lightly and it doesn't fall over you're good.

Hey, where does this 45 degree rule come from. Me and an opponent were trying to figure this out, and have heard it quoted a bunch, but neither of us could find it.

Thanks!

14 minutes ago, Crewgar said:

Hey, where does this 45 degree rule come from. Me and an opponent were trying to figure this out, and have heard it quoted a bunch, but neither of us could find it.

Thanks!

In the updated RRG (v 1.1.0), page 38, topmost bullet point of the right-hand column.

Also (having now gotten to the end), terrain doesn't have to be expensive... sure if you buy pre-made stuff or GW stuff it is, and it looks great for little effort, but as a number of people have said, you can cool stuff from lots of places. Rocks washed off make great cover (especially if painted after). Styrofoam packaging from that tablet/computer/laptop etc? A great building after it's sealed and painted (and blocks line of sight as well), though maybe peiople can climb on top if desired?), go to a hardware store and buy a sheet of pink or blue insulation Styrofoam, and a hot wire Styrofoam cutter,m and cut in into tons of hill for pretty cheap. again a quick sealing, some sand and pain and they look great! Cut up some old boxes for enclosed buildings, or, pick up some foam-core or think cardboard and cut into buildings.... lots of options that can be made cheaply, though they can take time, and can be quite fragile.

I was in a 100 person 40 tournament a few weeks back and the organizers followed a lot of the suggestions. First they have run it for a few years now, so have built up the size slowly, but it's a bunch of terrain they've brought together, as well as a few boards that were brought by localish online streamers, stores, and people. Those groups were also generally playing, but got to put up signs and got a mention (and thank you) from the organizers. All the terrain was top notch and there was a bunch, though some definitely had more l.o.s blockers than others.

Another point to make is that while some people are saying, play the table, even without enough terrain, that works if you know what you're getting into, but changes things... my Stormtroopers, with good defence dice would love to sit, aim and shoot, but if they have to keep moving to keep los, then they're not as powerful. Sure Rebel troopers keep their dodge, but they also want to aim, or to just not be shot, so again that all helps. Bikes are great, but if they have to take a bunch of pistol shots because lining up their arcs so they won't crash next turn because of the terrain means that they're a lot less effective. Or maybe makes they take a move action instead of just aiming and firing after their compulsory, so again, when written as a game rule, are things that all play into a unit's point cost. And with Veer's and Leia's command cards, snipers, and the defence cannon, they're all things that will continue to be important.

12 minutes ago, nashjaee said:

In the updated RRG (v 1.1.0), page 38, topmost bullet point of the right-hand column.

Thanks!

Most recent local tournament had at least a decent amount of terrain.

However, there are two big issues I have no idea how to handle. I've told friend to speak to the organzier, but something tells me he isn't going to just listen and change. But at same time presenting a lot of evidence and debates usually just makes people shut down...

The two biggest problems now is our organizer randomly draws one card from each category and makes everyone play that. For example, draws top of his own deck "everyone is playing key positions, hostile terrain, and battle lines" (he also only allows each card played once. So next round no key positions, hostile terrain, battle lines). This makes it "fair" he feels. (Especially since he settles "ties" by victory points. IE: if two people were 3-0 but one gained 6 tokens entire tournament and other gained 5 thats what he does. Probably too lazy to understand strength of schedule)

Other issue is that he hosts tournament on the one day store closes early so games end early always. Its a pain

4 hours ago, MajorSmexy said:

However, there are two big issues I have no idea how to handle.

That all sounds like it's due to (real or imagined) time constraints.

Well time constraint is the reason for shorter game. He picked one day or week store closes 3hrs early to tournaments.

But the no condition selection is just awful imo. Red player can't veto key positions. AT-STs cant veto limited visibility etc

20 minutes ago, MajorSmexy said:

Well time constraint is the reason for shorter game. He picked one day or week store closes 3hrs early to tournaments.

But the no condition selection is just awful imo. Red player can't veto key positions. AT-STs cant veto limited visibility etc

We did this once, never did it again lol. It was our first tournament so we were noobs. Picking the battle cards is a huge part of the game snd strategy.

12 hours ago, MajorSmexy said:

For example, draws top of his own deck "everyone is playing key positions, hostile terrain, and battle lines" (he also only allows each card played once. So next round no key positions, hostile terrain, battle lines). This makes it "fair" he feels.  

You might want to review my posts (specifically mine are applicable to any wargame) in this Armada thread

I could be way off here, but my immediate thought was him just not recognizing those elements as part of the competition. That he comes from the perspective that those choices are simply part of the set up, so why would anyone mind streamlining it.

16 hours ago, MajorSmexy said:

The two biggest problems now is our organizer randomly draws one card from each category and makes everyone play that.

I ran a tournament once and played with a pre-set mission on each table (for flames of war) and one of the biggest criticisms I took was that players on this table were playing a different game to the players on that table and how could I compare the scores. Perhaps, what we have here is a fellow that believes you have to play the same mission to have comparable scores. Which is not overly relevant here because your result is pretty simple, you win or you lost, you don't add VP to a score or anything it's a nice simple binary.

Overall you have to talk to the TO, plan out what you have to say and do so politely and constructively. "We like that you are running the tournaments for us, the terrain is great but we have a few ideas that would make them better. We would like to select our own battlefield cards as per the rules as we like that part of the game and we find that the last game is always being cut short because of the opening hours." Now, if he takes on board your requests all will be good, even if he doesn't he may have an explanation that makes sense as to the store times and such. If he doesn't make the changes, then either you are looking for another venue or you just have to play the only gig in town and enjoy what you can.

The single scenario per round type tournament is something that comes from a lot of 40k tournaments that I've played in and heard about. It tries to make things a bit more balanced, as everyone is playing the same scenarios, and they're laid out ahead of time. But there scenarios are otherwise always randomly picked, and deployment picked by a roll off.

In comparison FFG games have a specific system for picking, and one that effectively costs you points (in bid), so moving away from that is not speeding things up and making sure everyone is playing the same games like in 40k, but ignoring an actual part of the game and list construction (why not add that minor upgrade that may never matter if you don't get first pick of scenario mitigation?).

Also, if it is an issue with the store hours (and they're not willing to stay open late/open early, which some stores will for a tournament), ask if you can reduce all the games a little to make it work. Then, rather than one game that's really short, each game is a bit short, but should mean you get a better third game.

I have been slowly collecting terrain. Here is the battle I am about to start. I believe it is 1900 vs 1900 pts.

https://www.dropbox.com/sc/z2o9nl1hr88lb83/AABGzZyD4kmfAp-szMbqMzAXa