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So I keep seeing all these great looking GT's go by, but much to my dismay as far as I can tell there are no GT's held in SoCal. Just a question for those more familiar with tournaments(I only started attending local RTT's about a year ago and have never been to a GT), is there a chance for any GT to be held in SoCal? And what qualifies a tournament to be a GT and not just a big tournament?

Game Empire Pasadena is looking at doing a 2 day GT in 2014.

That'd be fantastic! Thanks for the info!

There are 2 main types of tournaments. One is called a RTT (Rogue Trader Tournament back in the olden days), which is usually a smaller, 1-day tournament with 3-4 games. The other is called a GT, or Grand Tournament. These are larger events, usually 2-days, and go anywhere from 5-8 games.

To my knowledge, there are several SoCal GT's include:

Broadside Bash - San Diego (April)

Anime Expo - LA Convention Center (July)

There was also 1 more - Comikaze - but unfortunately, it got canceled.

Pretty much just watch frontlinegaming.org for their events, they run most of the SoCal events. The broadside bash is the only one they don't I think. Reece is the grand overlord of the southwest US 40k haha.

I expect there to be several GT options in Southern California beginning in 2014.

The problem with the Ca GTs is that they are all pretty similar.

For example: If you want to play in a GT that does not allow Forge World you have to leave the state.

 Blackmoor wrote:
The problem with the Ca GTs is that they are all pretty similar.

For example: If you want to play in a GT that does not allow Forge World you have to leave the state.

Sometimes even the time zone! lol...

 Blackmoor wrote:
The problem with the Ca GTs is that they are all pretty similar.

For example: If you want to play in a GT that does not allow Forge World you have to leave the state.

If you've only got one drum, be sure to beat it loudly, huh?

 Blackmoor wrote:
The problem with the Ca GTs is that they are all pretty similar.

For example: If you want to play in a GT that does not allow Forge World you have to leave the state.

I think it just happens that the people willing to put in the time to run the GT's in california don't find forge world to be anything other than the spice of life addition to 40k.

We don't have a variety of different types of tournaments mainly because the BAO is a strong setup for a fair tournament, add in large LoS and coverage terrain and you have the makings of fun tournament level 40k.

BAO packet encourages you to take the army you want, and play toward the mission that best suits your army while keeping your opponent from thiers.

And to the main question about GT's we will see more come out of so-cal soon, I also think so-cal is probably one of the best areas if you want to do RTT's you can probably find 1-2 one day tournaments a month within a two to three hour drive which most other places in the country can't say.

 Blackmoor wrote:
The problem with the Ca GTs is that they are all pretty similar.

For example: If you want to play in a GT that does not allow Forge World you have to leave the state.

Talk to Travis, maybe you can negotiate for the GE GT to be sans FW?

We're working on one for 2014, right now the hangup is where to put it on the calendar. There's a lot of good events coming up and finding a place to fit another one in is tricky. Of course, anything I do down here will be primarily locals the first time or two, but I'm a big fan of continuity, so I want to find a place to put the event where I can keep it from year to year, even as it (theoretically) grows and draws in a wider range of players from the big wide world.

As ever, dakka will be the first to know!

tiber55 wrote:

 Blackmoor wrote:
The problem with the Ca GTs is that they are all pretty similar.

For example: If you want to play in a GT that does not allow Forge World you have to leave the state.

I think it just happens that the people willing to put in the time to run the GT's in california don't find forge world to be anything other than the spice of life addition to 40k.

That is my point...variety is the spice of life.

It would be nice to have one or two GTs without forge world.



Automatically Appended Next Post:

 mortetvie wrote:

 Blackmoor wrote:
The problem with the Ca GTs is that they are all pretty similar.

For example: If you want to play in a GT that does not allow Forge World you have to leave the state.

Sometimes even the time zone! lol...

Boy, you are not kidding. I was looking at TSFHT (a Seattle GT) and they are FW, and then Duelcon in Phoenix was FW.

I think the closest major GT that does not have FW is Feast of Blades in Denver so you have to travel 1000+ miles not to have it.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 tomjoad wrote:

 Blackmoor wrote:
The problem with the Ca GTs is that they are all pretty similar.

For example: If you want to play in a GT that does not allow Forge World you have to leave the state.

If you've only got one drum, be sure to beat it loudly, huh?

It would be one thing if we have options in California...but we do not. All of the GTs have FW. A little choice would be nice if we prefer to to play without FW.

Listen if you want to have several GTs with FW that is fine, but a couple without would not kill anyone.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 OverwatchCNC wrote:

 Blackmoor wrote:
The problem with the Ca GTs is that they are all pretty similar.

For example: If you want to play in a GT that does not allow Forge World you have to leave the state.

Talk to Travis, maybe you can negotiate for the GE GT to be sans FW?

I have been thinking about running a GT for So Cal that does not have FW.

Allan, for a dash of irony, you could then have the prize support be forgeworld product!

Only in 40k tournaments does less variety equal more variety

FW is only now gaining acceptance amongst TO's, FW was banned from tournaments from its inception up until the last couple years, and as a southern California resident, I couldn't be happier at the situation we have here. Retrograde motion on that front because some people are afraid of having to adapt to a couple new things thrown into the metagame isn't going to do much for anyone.

Fundamentally, restricting FW is about removing your opponent's choices and options, not about exercising one's own personal choice and options.

 jy2 wrote:


To my knowledge, there are several SoCal GT's include:

Broadside Bash - San Diego (April)

Anime Expo - LA Convention Center (July)

There was also 1 more - Comikaze - but unfortunately, it got canceled.

In previous years, there were a number of 2 day 40k events in So-Cal and this year it definitely feels like there has been a step back.

Events included:

The So-Cal Slaughter
The Braodside Bash
Kingdom Con (Now merged with the Broadside Bash to make only 1 tournament)
Slaughter in Space
Game Empire in San Diego held a specific 2-day GT
Comikaze
Anime Expo

It is definitely weird (and to be honest a little disappointing) that there hasn't been more down here this year. I hope that there are more events down here next year for sure.

We are NOT having yet another FW at tournament discussion in this thread.

We shall go on to the end, we shall fight Forge World in France,
we shall fight on the seas and oceans,
we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our game, whatever the cost may be,
we shall fight on the beaches,
we shall fight on the landing grounds,
we shall fight in the fields and in the streets,
we shall fight in the hills;
we shall never surrender, and even if, which I do not for a moment believe, this game or a large part of it were subjugated and starving, then our 40k beyond the seas, armed and guarded by the rules, would carry on the struggle, until, in God’s good time, Games Workshop, with all its power and might, steps forth to the rescue and the liberation of the old.”

 Blackmoor wrote:
We shall go on to the end, we shall fight Forge World in France,
we shall fight on the seas and oceans,
we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our game, whatever the cost may be,
we shall fight on the beaches,
we shall fight on the landing grounds,
we shall fight in the fields and in the streets,
we shall fight in the hills;
we shall never surrender, and even if, which I do not for a moment believe, this game or a large part of it were subjugated and starving, then our 40k beyond the seas, armed and guarded by the rules, would carry on the struggle, until, in God’s good time, Games Workshop, with all its power and might, steps forth to the rescue and the liberation of the old.”

The History teacher in me is happy.

Diversity is always a good thing and keeps people on their toes.

Space is super expensive in SoCal and the crowd is very fickle. Slaughter in Space is done for good, with Scott Tiveron moving to Tx. The Fantasy one that I run will be a year to year choice made by Chuck, Travis, and myself, since I am doing it at GE Pasadina. With Reece moving on to greener pastures, the only SoCal GTs at this point are the Broadside Bash and the BAO, at least for 40k. There are actually a fair number of Fantasy events in the area (Bash, Slaughter, QCR, SAWS, West Coast GT, to name just the ones I go to), but that's a more laid back crowd that's easier to please than the 10 second attention span 40k crowd.

My first big GT was in 1982, Denver. I have been a several since but none lately. I can say that the sign of the times and the state of the game makes GT more a function of the crowd. Like Travis pointed out, it be "locals" that come the first few times. That makes having one a really problem. One game system GT really don't need to be in huge spaces. The space will grow as the event matures, which could take years. I see the attendance at events in GE go from 20 to 4 with little or no warning.

I don't think FW is really that huge, but I am not a really competitive player, so I would have to say not allowing FW is not really a good thing. GW has let go of the tourney seen and they have stopped helping it in WD, so where would one advertise, 40K radio?

The real issue is money. Who wants to take a gamble on renting or reserving a big space only to have it bomb? So the big GT in December at GE is Fantasy, but I have not seen a RTT in Fantasy for so long? I am not sure I understand how that is going to work. My guess is the SD crowd will be making the hike. I play fantasy and have done their league stuff, but the RTTs are really a whole different crowd.

I don't think I would attend a GT unless I knew the organizer. I have see pictures of BAO and I was really not impressed. Of course, I am use to GTs in college campuses, not tents. I wish GE would do one because I know Travis could pull it off, but my question would be, why?

 sgtpjbarker wrote:
My first big GT was in 1982, Denver.

'82? Was Cheap Trick the house band?

 sgtpjbarker wrote:
I wish GE would do one because I know Travis could pull it off, but my question would be, why?

1. You get to see a lot of cool armies and the diversity that goes with 60+ armies.
2. The 40k community of Calif and further gets closer. I now know a lot of faces that go with the names on dakka because of going to BAO and the GE SD '12 GT. This in-of-itself will breed more likelihood of travel to other RTT & GTs, as you make friendships and establish fun rivalries that you'll want to continue. jy2 is a Bay Area guy, but I know he sets up games with big GTs guys down here ... and even lowly 40k players, too.
3. 5 + games in a weekend? Awesome!
4. The atmosphere of a GT is that *really* fun Disneyland feeling, only appropriately aged, now that we're older and not so enamored with Mickey Mouse, but Stella Artois.
5. Did I mention lotsa 40k gaming?

Paul, I've only been to 3 GTs, lost most games, but had tons of fun.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 Blackmoor wrote:
I have been thinking about running a GT for So Cal that does not have FW.

If it's a summer GT, I would have the time and inclination to help out.

Casey,

FW, what is your take on it with regard to GTs?

@Q

Scott moved to TX?

Bummer, I love your guys events! Some of my favorite to go to on the west coast.

KindomCon is in SD, that is a fun event!

BAO is still in effect, we'll likely be in Oakland this year, right next to the airport if I can swing it.

And Frankie and I are open to running a SoCal event, just after the stupid Comikaze fiasco, we want to have administrative control over our events as it makes it easier.

At any rate, no matter who runs the event, if it is in CA (or the West Coast/Western States) you can count on Frontline Gaming support and representation! We love us some tournament.

 sgtpjbarker wrote:
Casey,

FW, what is your take on it with regard to GTs?

Ha! Not touchin' that one! We can kibbitz over it at the Saturday kill team gig in two weeks after Thanksgiving.

@Reece-
Yeah they left for Dallas last week. I am more or less burned out, anyhow, after ten years at doing things big and small and want to play, especially since the wife has been picking up Fantasy too.

@Thread-
As for how the 2 day GE thing is going to work, it is an experiment and there will be a bunch of the south county guys making the trek, so I am expecting 20-30ish, which is fine for a gamestore fantasy event. I just do not want to drop a couple grand on a rental space and Chuck was nice enough to entertain the option of trying it at GE.

but it is Fantasy, not 40K?