Warhammer Fest 2017: SBG Open

This weekend just passed saw Games Workshop's new version of Games Day, Warhammer Fest, return to Coventry. You can check out the sales pitch here.

I was persuaded by Mr Ed Ball to attend the Hobbit SBG Open event which was happening as part of Warhammer Fest. 500 points, 2 armies (good and evil), 6 new scenarios. It sounded like a fun event so I signed up. At this moment in my gaming career, I am all about the fun, fluff and theme so I took two matching forces that were so fluffy...

For my good force, I took:

Thorin Oakenshield - King Under the Mountain

Fili, Champion of Erebor 

Kili, Champion of Erebor w/ Dwarf Bow

Dwalin, Champion of Erebor

Balin, Champion of Erebor

Ori, Champion of Erebor

For my Evil force, I took:

Bolg

6 Gundabad Berserkers

2 Gundabad Ogres

1 Gundabad Troll w/ Scything Gauntlets

I picked these forces because they look so cool on the table top. Who can deny the awesomeness that is the charge of Thorin's Company out of Erebor in The Battle of the Five Armies? That was very much my game plan for this event, just charge headlong into every battle like Thorin would do. 

I'm not going to detail every game but I did take plenty of photos. 

One interesting thing to note was that all the tables were Neoprene gaming mats from Frontline Gaming instead of the Realm of Battle boards we are all used to. 

It's fair to say this wasn't my greatest tournament performance but I had so much fun with my armies. 

I finished joint bottom, the 'annoyance' being I missed out on the Golden Spoon aware because I had beat Marc earlier in the tournament haha. There were a few issues with the organisation of the event which threatened to overshadow the entire event but the events team tried their hardest to rectify all the issues. Hopefully they will listen to the feedback and learn and improve for next year. 

There was also chance to go and talk to the Middle Earth team about all the exciting projects they are working on. As always, there were plenty of shiny new toys in the cabinet. In the seminar with Adam, they also revealed they were working on Goblin Mercenaries, Hilda and Percy.

Happy Wargaming! 

The Grinstead Cup Review

Well that was a blast! Thanks to everyone who supported our very first Guild Ball event here at Mid Sussex Wargamers! Massive thanks to Jay Finnegan (Pundit Quartermaster and 1/2 of Guild Ball Informer) who came down from Manchester to run and TO the event. It was very much appreciated. Also a massive thank you to all the guys (and girl) from 1066 in Hastings! Your support is invaluable and I look forward to repaying the favour at Field of Screams!

Onto some pictures from the event itself and of the winners:

PUNDITS ASSEMBLE! 

1st Place - Sam Page and his Fish! 

2nd Place - Oli Curant and his Masons

3rd Place - Daniel Adams and his Butchers

Best Goal - Ed Churchman and his Brewers

Best Painted Guild - Charles Nurser and his Engineers

Final Standings

I was completely amazed to win all 5 of my games in only my second tournament. I went in with the aim of winning maybe 1 or 2 but all 5? Didn't even consider it. I had 5 fantastic games which culminated in claiming a hard fought victory over my Butcher nemesis Daniel Adams (I was on a 6 game losing streak to him).

Shark was definitely my MVP with 7 goals in 5 games but then he is my captain and that is his job. Snakeskin gets an honourable mention for scoring a vital goal against Dustin's Engineers in game 4 when the game was finely balanced. That momentous tackle/ 1" dodge result is the best.

Pretty much all I hear when Shark does his thing! 

Thanks again all for attending and we hope to see you all again down south soon! 

Happy Wargaming guys!