NagoyaHammer 2013: Competition ideas

[Primarch]

@Badruck - You can do a 40K model, but we had a variety of stuff entered in this years painting contest and I dont think it did any harm.

@M_i_J - Those were just two ideas off the top of my head, hence me asking for suggestions. However, unlike major painting contests, I dont think many people will be doing extensive conversions, sculpting their own parts or anything else like that. You might, maybe one or two others, but on the whole, simple is perhaps best, no?

[me_in_japan]

simple is definitely best, but I think themes based on location are too limiting and cut some genres out of the running completely. That's why I thought of "hero" first of all. Any mini going "lookit me! I'm all heroic!" would be fine. Plenty of those around, no?

ps - I just suggested "d'oh!" because I've always wanted to enter a pair of smoking boots as a painting contest entry

*edit*

how about:

My trusty steed

?

[Admiral-Badruck]

Not to argue for the sake of it. But I really think it should be about 40k something

Not everyone likes 40k best. Nagoyahammer is not exclusively a 40k event, and nor should it be. I think that the more we limit what minis people can enter, the less people will be inspired to try something new. Personally (and it is purely my opinion, not saying anybody should listen to it), I would like to see minis chosen and painted because people think they look cool, with absolutely no understanding of how they play or what theyre supposed to represent, fluff-wise. In fact, I'd go so far as to stipulate that folks should enter a mini from a system they dont play, but I appreciate that might not suit some folks.

*edit* the trouble with "urban war" or "jungle" is that it puts the emphasis on what you paint, rather than how you paint it (or base it.) Jungle, for example, would be good for catachan IG, nids, or lizardmen, but would look a bit odd for Valhallans, Khador, or any kinda shiny-future setting (infinity, fr example). Sure, you could paint anything and slap it on a jungle base, but some minis would defo be favoured over others. Likewise, "urban" could cause problems for a lot of fantasy minis. Depends on what you want in the compo, of course. tis, of course, up to you

Agree to disagree I guess.

[Tenorikuma]

I think I'm with Badruck here, but it doesn't matter too much, since I'll probably enter something 40k related in any case. I don't mind a theme that is somewhat specific, like the jungle idea.

[Colonel Voss]

Not to argue for the sake of it. But I really think it should be about 40k something

*edit* the trouble with "urban war" or "jungle" is that it puts the emphasis on what you paint, rather than how you paint it (or base it.) Jungle, for example, would be good for catachan IG, nids, or lizardmen, but would look a bit odd for Valhallans, Khador, or any kinda shiny-future setting (infinity, fr example). Sure, you could paint anything and slap it on a jungle base, but some minis would defo be favoured over others. Likewise, "urban" could cause problems for a lot of fantasy minis. Depends on what you want in the compo, of course. tis, of course, up to you

It might also open up different games. Battletech would work well for urban or what not. But Hero would be a lot harder to do. Then again a good one might be 'the face of death' or something.

[jus]

I like kojibears fluff competition idea.

Don't know if this will fly with everyone, but how about this:

Participants of the 40k tournament must submit a page of background about their army detailing the reason of its composition. Why are there three land raiders in your list?
The late inquisitor Toth, requisitioned them for use from a mechanicum forge world, but had the decency to get fragged during an air raid, decidely leaving them in your generals most capable hands.

Why are the blood angels grudgingly allied with necrons? Why is there a contingent of guardsmen standing alongside the ultramarines? In the name of Holy terra, why the heck is there eldar in your black Templars list?

Make your armies come alive with your imagination! Make sense of the "why" we are playing the game. Wouldn't it be fun to know that the army you playing against isnt just some mindless stomp your face in list, but is actually on the table in defense of a spaceport or sacred relic or e.t.c e.t.c,

...you get my point.

[ashmie]

Justin's idea is spot on and is what he was driving for in this years WH campaign. Only wish the 'Orrible Lot had had more games this year. Still, there are 5 months remaining so technically I could get some in.
How about Jus' idea for themed fluff army with descriptive list. I'm up for building my Space Hulk list. Then MIJ's idea about heroic figure contest is good. Keep it simple though so people can run with their ideas. There's my thre'penny bit.

[me_in_japan]

how about we just cut to the chase and say "painty contest minis should really be something painted specifically for the painty contest, and not just the best-painted dude from your army." Personally, that's what I'd liek to see.

btw, re fluffy armies - I went upstairs today to put a couple of minis away. Came back down again 2 hrs later after having constructed my first squad of eldar corsairs. The wierd thing is, I didnt actually use any of the FW corsair bits I have. It's funny how inspiration can skulk around the periphery for ages, leaving you listless and uninterested in painting/sculpting, and then it'll just bite you in the ass and have you rummaging around in bitz boxes like Yoda on the hunt for a munchable. I had initially done them with the FW jetpacks, but then I realised that there is bugger all point in giving eldar with power swords jet packs, as it means they cant get in a vehicle and its not like it makes em get into combat faster. I then pulled the jetpacks off (carefully. Dang thin resinny wingy thingies) and stuck on some spikes instead. What I have now is a squad of 5 corsair cap'n bodyguard, all with power weapons and spikes ahoy. When it suits me, they're all gonna have fusion pistols, too. (I didnt twig to this particular combo until recently. A whole squad of WS4 BS4 guys with power weapons and fusion pistols! Sweet! I may actually paint targeting crosshairs on their asses, just to be clear about which squad you should shoot first )

I'll start a hobby section bit for my pirates once I actually slap some paint on em. I have a plan for a colour scheme, too. I just need a name for my cap'n and we'll be set. Ahoy, me hearties! Splice the main wraithsail and run up the rigging! It's piratin' time!

*edit* just to reassure those of you who dont have the Doom of Mymeara, most eldar corsairs aint so hot. They have lasblasters like Hawks, BS4 like hawks, but otherwise have stats like guardians. There's a coupla cool wee things in there, but basically theyre a mish mash of eldar and dark eldar (e.g. you can give you cap'n a shimmershield (like a dire avenger exarch), a harlequin's kiss, and a webway portal. Pretty cool, actually

[Primarch]

To be honest, I can see more than a few issues with having a story based competition.
First of all, not all of us read and write in the same language or even with the same characters.
Secondly, not everyone can string a sentence together coherently.
Thirdly, I seem to recall quite a bit of commotion when I asked people to bring along printed army lists.
Finally, it would take a while to read through them all.

Sorry guys, but I dont think that this will be happening. Having a narrative is all well and good, but not in a time restricted competition. It's far more suited to a campaign.

[me_in_japan]

Jus makes a good point about explaining your army by writing a bit o fluff. Prim also, sadly, makes a good point about most of us not being able to find our literary asses with both hands and a helpful diagram. I think, as grown gamers, we shouldnt need "rules" to supply an explanation of why our army ticks the way it does. As of some time ago Ive decided to approach 40k in a far more story driven manner, so regardless of what other folks do, I'll be bringing the background. I will probably also bring a lot of dakka (sorry, daquaaaah), as I was not born yesterday and I know what kind of lists appear at tourneys.