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So do to a LOT of new players (and a few new armies) in my local area I decided to run a 500 point tournament, half learning, half a chance to throw down.

Overall it was a good time by everyone, I had donated $10 in prize support (little tape measures and laser pointers), there was no entry fee. I also provided Pizza...

Everyone had a good time, with the Imperial Knight Player taking the most wins (3 / 0 Record). It was revealed that there had been a rules misunderstanding about how one of his weapons worked (but it was his first time playing). I did decide to allow it to stand, as I believe it to be an honest mistake, and the other experienced player he played also did not catch it, until the end.

I know with a lot of what has been going on, this call would have been controversial, but I feel intent, and general environment is more important...especially in a learning tournament.

All things being equal, for no entry fee and free pizza, getting any kind of prize support is just gravy.

Something you might consider for future beginner events is a draw system, based on position. Bottom half get one ticket each, and each place above that gets an extra ticket. Works best in an 8ish person event. So 4th gets 2, 3rd gets 3, 2nd gets 4, and first gets 5.

This can gather the interest of the "there's no way I'm going to win, but maybe I'll get something out of it anyhow" crowd. It can also ease some of the Waac behaviour, as winning doesn't guarantee a prize.

Someone brought a Knight to a 500 point tournament?

How were points determined? Objectives, kill points?

Each mission was different, but a tabling was an auto-win

1) Retrieval w/Dawn of war
2) custom "Capture the Flag" - Each player placed one object marker, 1 VP for each round you controlled your opponent's marker w/ Hammer and Anvil (Plus warlord/First Blood)
3)The Relic w/Search and destroy

 greatbigtree wrote:
All things being equal, for no entry fee and free pizza, getting any kind of prize support is just gravy.

Greatbigtree is right. I think you did fine, JmOz01.

Get in on the ITC's TO discussion on the floor guidelines to make yourself better prepared as your tourney scene expands. It can only help.

And going forward as your RTT scene expands, for your own sanity and pocket, implement a $5 charge for 1k or smaller point RTT would add to pizza buying, and prizes. I think no one would begrudge five bucks. You won't feel as 'put upon' when the participants carry their weight on the financial part of the proceedings. Go $10 and up for larger, and longer hour, events.

Also, consider Combat Patrol rules for your next 500 point gig. CP is an older set of rules, at least 4e old, if not further. Back when vehicles had armored sides, CP rules capped at 32 points of 3 sides, that is, no Wave Serpents nor dreadnaughts, but rhinos and raiders were okay. All other tanks and vehicles would be disallowed, which at 500 points makes sense.

It would also exclude Imp Knights. They're just too powerful at a small points game. I am not surprised that the Imp Knight list won, because most armies won't have the tools to beat one, and if a player did tailor his list in anticipation of a Knight list, then he'd likely not have enough anti-I to deal with the other lists.

It does suck for the ImpK player, because he'll have to bring something else ... but you can talk to your player base and see what they think.

Cheers

Yah, the knight was tough, my list got him down to 3 wounds however (and would have beat him if my Psychers didn't have one really bad phase....).

The knight player said if we do it again he would bring 3 smaller knights instead of his single big one, so I think it will be okay (yes tough, but I don't begrudge anyone that)

I also don't feel put upon, I did it of my own choice. I actually posted as a counter point to some of the negativity I see around these parts.

Here was a small tournament, that was not super competitive. Yes the "winner" had made a moderate rules error, but no one was upset as it was an honest mistake (as a NEW player he misunderstood how the Flamer worked, he thought auto hit replaced the how many hits roll, so he was always doing 6 hits). Everyone ate, had fun, and NO drama...