Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

First, see here.

Next, there is ONE location in California. It's in Hollywood.

You know, California? The state with the largest population in the country? 2 in Texas. 2 in OHIO. Hell, even Nebraska has one.

Guess I'm passing this year - that's too much of a trip for a single-day event. I'm fairly annoyed.

Some states don't even have an event location so I wouldn't be griping too much. Not trolling you, but I think that you're level of access to gaming locations in California is a little greater than say somebody who lives in OK or KS.

barlio wrote:Some states don't even have an event location so I wouldn't be griping too much. Not trolling you, but I think that you're level of access to gaming locations in California is a little greater than say somebody who lives in OK or KS.

For most places in OK or KS, they are closer to a location than I am in the Bay Area - it's 350 miles to Hollywood. It's not about state lines - it's about actual distance, coupled with population density. There are more than 3 times the people in the Bay area than in Nebraska.

Wow, that's not very many! Although I'm not familiar with how many there usually are. I'm in MD, there are two in PA (one at Mike's store, which is definitely where I'll go).

only one for Florida, however, they at least learnt their lesson from last year and made it in the middle of the state rather than the bottom!

Maybe they've figured out that most people just go to regionals for the shot at the free army and are cutting their costs.

Move to a better state?

There are two in ohio, but the toledo one is going to serve the detroit area, as michigan doesn't have a semis at all.

I actually talked with the owner of the Game Room on saturday, apparently he was asked to host last week, after another store dropped out.

It's been my understanding that the limiting factor isn't just GW, but the number of stores willing and able to host.

One of my local game stores has run local and regional qualifiers for 40K and Fantasy in the past. They have a terrific game room with plenty of space for up to 40 players, and I've never heard a complaint about the venue. The manager told me they weren't getting the 40K regionals this year because the GW trade sales guys wanted to spread the love and let other stores run a regional event. The end result in Dayton, Ohio is that we had a 2.5 to 3 hour drive to get to regionals, while northwest Ohio/southern Michigan had four regionals within roughly an hour of each other.

Now, I can understand that the people who run this thing overall are primarily interested in boosting sales, but the distribution of locations is flaky, at least. I suggest the trade sales guys get a map of the US and some pushpins, some graphs of GW sales by geographical volume, then pick the regional locations.

What has been the average attendance at the WHFB Ard Boyz events?

muwhe wrote:What has been the average attendance at the WHFB Ard Boyz events?

Last year's semi-final round was as well-attended as this year's 40k semis.

From reports it seems this years fantasy turnout is very low.. That could be a factor as well

PA isnt exactly a small state size wise.. The two locations are about 6-7 hours apart, but they are both very large partner stores as well

I dont think GW understands what traffic is either.. I cringe for the california and florida people

A lot of people were still building up armies to be powerful enough to do well at 3K under the new rules. So that could be a factor in the turnout thus far, as well... I had jumped the gun and ordered some stuff based off rumors a few months before 8th edition hit, and turned out to be right . But it was quite expensive to raise my previously 3K list back up to 3K for 8th edition! I had to get more core, drop a few units and heroes that were sort of nerfed in the new rules, and get a few to replace them. As well as adding in another monster to take advantage of extra rare slots, now that my lord didn't take a rare slot as well.

I'm happy about the two PA locations, Kirasu, I'll be going to one of them . And you're right, Pitt vs Philly is pretty far still.

Bummer about Cali... :-/

Guys 8th ed killed Fantasy for the old hard core tournament player. It's all good it happens with every rule book they put out. I'll be there to play in showcase. In the 2 Maryland locations for ard boys 4 people showed up, at Clarks 4 people showed up. Good luck to all of you I hope you do well.

On a side note it seems there are allot more fantasy games going on at my local store then 40k, and by new players to so that’s cool.

RiTides wrote:A lot of people were still building up armies to be powerful enough to do well at 3K under the new rules. So that could be a factor in the turnout thus far, as well... I had jumped the gun and ordered some stuff based off rumors a few months before 8th edition hit, and turned out to be right . But it was quite expensive to raise my previously 3K list back up to 3K for 8th edition! I had to get more core, drop a few units and heroes that were sort of nerfed in the new rules, and get a few to replace them. As well as adding in another monster to take advantage of extra rare slots, now that my lord didn't take a rare slot as well.

I'm happy about the two PA locations, Kirasu, I'll be going to one of them . And you're right, Pitt vs Philly is pretty far still.

Bummer about Cali... :-/

Well come to pittsburgh. Im the judge and we run a pretty organized and fair tournament. However, if you cheat and have an illegal list I sell your stuff on ebay

Wow, and dragons den games is not very large either (it's new, and in the back of meltdown comics). They must expect turnout to be very low indeed.

It would be about a two and a half hour drive for me if I was home this year. I'd have to go to Louisville, KY.

Kirasu wrote:Well come to pittsburgh. Im the judge and we run a pretty organized and fair tournament. However, if you cheat and have an illegal list I sell your stuff on ebay

As much as I would like to escape Scooter's army o' doom I'm not really going to have a chance with my army anyway, and will just be going for the funzies and getting to play warhammer! So driving over 4 hours is a little too much when Philly is so close for me.

I'm also seeing a lot of new fantasy players, so that's good news! And if the tourney scene is a little less competitive due to the new randomness in the rules, so much the better from my point of view

I live about 1 minute from my location. I expect a lot of northern/north-eastern South Carolina folks to attend, as well as most of North Carolina. GW at least gave us Semi-Finals this year! Wondering what the turnout will be with the surrounding States offering locations as well.

Props to Rob at Legions and Mike from showcase, glad PA got two spots.

Granted I didn't play this year but am starting a dwarf army (i know, i know...)

Surprising though, if i did my math right thats only 90 spots going into the finals. Any word if GW is splitting up the Finals locations like they did for 40k?

2nd round of 'Ard Boyz for Northern/Central California, Northern Nevada, and Southern Oregon has traditionally been held at Great Escape Games in Sacramento. We have enough space to hold 80-100 person tournaments, but apparently the shop in Reno was begging and pleading to hold an event and either our GW rep didnt or couldnt talk sense into the people that organize these things. The result is everyone except those in Reno get an extra 90 minutes added onto their drive (at least) and get to play in a small shop. Two local players have already said they arent going, too bad really.

Ouch thats horrible Dog. I went by Great Escape in April when I was in the area (I was at the Residence Inn nearby) and liked it quite a bit. Even when I lived in Sacramento as a kid I hated going to Reno, what a horrible decision by GW.

The one in Southern California are run by nice guys, but its the smallest shop I've ever been too and its not in a centralized location. If I read the revised 'Ard Boyz format though they are increasing the finals to 3 spots and one is the LA Battle Bunker which is actually closer to 80% of the So Cal semi-finals players.

Not sure what the hell they are doing.

As much as I would like to escape Scooter's army o' doom I'm not really going to have a chance with my army anyway, and will just be going for the funzies and getting to play warhammer! So driving over 4 hours is a little too much when Philly is so close for me.

Forgive me if I should know but do I know you?

Never the less I agree with you that the regular tournament scene shouldn't be filled with all power but in ard boys anything goes.

Dogstar34 wrote:2nd round of 'Ard Boyz for Northern/Central California, Northern Nevada, and Southern Oregon has traditionally been held at Great Escape Games in Sacramento. We have enough space to hold 80-100 person tournaments, but apparently the shop in Reno was begging and pleading to hold an event and either our GW rep didnt or couldnt talk sense into the people that organize these things. The result is everyone except those in Reno get an extra 90 minutes added onto their drive (at least) and get to play in a small shop. Two local players have already said they arent going, too bad really.

Yup, the difference between Reno & Sacramento is enough to make me pass - I can do Sacramento day-of (2.5 hour morning drive), but Reno is an overnight trip.

Hay folks just wanna say hello from CT, My store will be hosting the semis for ard boyz We have a few spots left and welcome anyone to come join us! Feel free to PM me or email or even call! I also agree with all the thread very few locations for all you dedicated players.

Tommy
The Battle Standard
Manchester CT
8607835334
sales@thebattlestandard.com

Hi

I believe the real problem with the lack of locations may be related to the Magic pre-release event that will be occurring the same day.

If your choice as a store owner is: Magic event with revenue OR Free to play Warhammer... the choice is a genuine no brainer for any store that caters to both crowds, but still has space constraints.

This is not the first time this has occurred.

Cheers,
Nate

Hay folks just wanna say hello from CT, My store will be hosting the semis for ard boyz

This is great news for anyone in New England who qualified. This is one of the local stores for me and its a very well run store in a mall (for food and suchlike between games).

carlosthecraven wrote:Hi

I believe the real problem with the lack of locations may be related to the Magic pre-release event that will be occurring the same day.

If your choice as a store owner is: Magic event with revenue OR Free to play Warhammer... the choice is a genuine no brainer for any store that caters to both crowds, but still has space constraints.

This is not the first time this has occurred.

Cheers,
Nate

Yeah but that assumes GW actually communicates with the stores .. During the 40k 'ard boyz stores didnt even know they were hosting semi finals until GW posted it..

scooter wrote:

As much as I would like to escape Scooter's army o' doom I'm not really going to have a chance with my army anyway, and will just be going for the funzies and getting to play warhammer! So driving over 4 hours is a little too much when Philly is so close for me.

Forgive me if I should know but do I know you?

Never the less I agree with you that the regular tournament scene shouldn't be filled with all power but in ard boys anything goes.

Not really, I've played you but not much beyond that. I play a tree-army of wood elves and have seen you at the Bunker and at mikhaila's store twice. You are rather memorable

I don't have any problem with " ' ard " lists at 'Ard Boyz... it's in the name! Hopefully that's not what my comment sounded like. But I have better chance against some armies than others, and the ones I've seen you field are tough match-ups for me.

Its probably important to note that most people that show up at Mike's events tend to bring Hard or GT effect lists, as we are using the events to test our GT lists.

Speaking for myself, and many of those that attend events there regularly, we all use those events as testing grounds for our idea's and to tweak our lists. We are hoping to run into games that are very challenging, fun, and gruelling. As a result many of us like that style game and opponent and are friends.

If your going to reference someone's army as a "army of doom" expect to get called out on it. I do not think there was any offense meant in your initial post, but might want to re-phrase that on next time

I've played against scooter, he's one of my favorite opponents, and like the fact he's a good general, know's the game, and brings and element of fun to a game that we all know can get pretty stall in a GT scene.