Announcing… The 35th iteration of the League of Extraordinary Riveters Terrain Competition.
The theme:
“By The Book”
For those who have not taken part before, this is a competition about terrain building (as you may have gathered from the title), but it is not strictly limited to pure terrain; dioramas, game aids that double as terrain, dice towers, and other variations have been submitted in the past. To get a feel for how these competitions run and what to expect you may wish to look over the previous rounds, linked below.
Each round has a “theme” or other defining attribute that must in some way be applied to the your terrain project, to compete with other modelers for that most prestigious of prizes, membership in The League of Extraordinary Riveters [LoER]. The winner of each round hosts the next round, and the cycle continues.
The competition is open to everyone registered on Dakka Dakka, and all are welcome to enter regardless of ability, etc. The League’s aim is to encourage fellow gamers, hobbyists and model-makers to up their game through building terrain for their tabletop, be it for wargames, board games, dioramas, and so forth. Everyone participating is encouraged to use this thread to trade ideas, inspire each other, and give feedback and encouragement. Everyone is a winner in a League competition, because in the end, you have a brand-spankin’-new piece of terrain!
For those competing for the first time, welcome! For those returning to the competition, welcome back!
Here is a list, with links to past competitions:
Contest #1
"Lids" (dsteingass)
Contest #2
"Cookie Package” (Viktor Von Doom)
Contest #3
"Fightin' Pit!" (MrMerlin)
Contest #4
"For the title of Master Shrubber" (Meade)
Contest #5
"Vehicles!" (Bruticus)
Contest #6
"We're Not Worthy!" (Meade)
Contest #7
"Fire at Will" (hk1x1)
Contest #8
"Accomodation" (Camkierhi)
Contest #9
“Elementary" (Littletower)
Contest #10
"The Throne" (Camkierhi)
Contest #11
"On The Road" (Red Harvest)
Contest #12
"Wall me up, fence me in" (MonkeyTroll)
Contest #13
"What Went Wrong!" (OneManNoodles)
Contest #14
"Making something extraordinary from the ordinary" (Dr H)
Contest #15
"The Trapdoor" (inmygravenimage)
Contest #16
"Got Wood?" (Viktor Von Doom)
Contest #17
"The (re)cycle of Life" (Guildenstern)
Contest #18
"The Portal" (inmygravenimage)
Contest #19
"Let it Flow!" (Camkierhi)
Contest #20
"Noise Polution" (Tek Thornison)
Contest # 21
"CARD-inal Sins" (Camkierhi)
Contest # 22
"A Series of Tubes" (Cleatus)
Contest # 23
"Child's Play" (Z-Ray)
Contest #24
"Pimpin' Aint Easy" (Fango)
Contest # 25
"For the war effort" (Syro)
Contest # 26
"Hold the Line!" (Camkierhi)
Contest # 27
"Sweet like chocolate" (monkeytroll)
Contest # 28
"Name of the game" (Maniac_nmt)
Contest # 29
"Food for Thought !" (Camkierhi)
Contest # 30
“Double Entendre” (Thumpingbear)
Contest # 31
“A Drink to the New Decade” (Captain Brown)
Contest # 32
“Honor Our First Responders” (MacPhail)
Contest #33
“Unfinished Business” (Mothsniper)
Contest #34
”Dangerous Terrain” (DJJazzyJeff)
And now, without further ado . . .
By The Book
My nerd origin story revolves around many hours spent in my room or on the couch curled up around a book. Most notably, I read all of the Star Wars universe novels that were being written and published back then. The “creative” forces in the realm of Star Wars recently have taken a different direction, and I will save my comments on that for a different forum. Suffice it to say, that books have made me the nerd I am today. It has only been in the last couple years that I have begun to swim in the eddying currents of table top hobbying warfare. And so, I find it fitting to return to my roots and tie this competition into my love of reading. Your entry should in some way incorporate books into its theme.
I do not wish to too deeply influence the outcome of your pieces by providing an exhausting list of examples, but I do want to perhaps present some outlines to help guide those in need of some inspiration. So to that end:
You could create a piece that incorporates in-world books, such as a library or archive of some sort.
Note that scrolls, data cards, etc. could all count as 'books' depending on the setting of the terrain piece.
Alternatively, you could bring to life a scene or terrain piece that comes from a book. There is likely a scene or setting in a book somewhere that sticks out in your memory. This would be an opportunity to pay homage to that scene and the author who created it for your imagination to enjoy.
A note along with your entry about the book or scene would be helpful to allow me and others to “get on the same page” and be able to fully appreciate your piece
This could be something that is made out of a book. Where you literally use a book, or the remains of a book, as the material of your terrain piece.
Not that I want to promote the destruction of books, but I suppose that in the grimdark of the far future, casualties happen.
Any other tie in to the theme would be welcomed. If you are unsure if your idea fits, don’t hesitate to reach out. I would love for there to be many entries in this round of the competition. An extra entry that stretches the theme a bit would be preferable to an extra observer on the sidelines. Observers, however, are more than welcome.
Plenty of
WIP photos and posts will keep the community engaged, so work steadily and post often. Please start with a photo of your core components and materials and/or a description of your setting, your scene, or the book that has inspired you. Then the community will rally and cheer each other on. Regular updates will keep the contest visible,
WIP pics will generate ideas and opinions, and we can all push our abilities forward and have some fun. Ask questions, make respectful comments and suggestions, lament setbacks, and celebrate victories. The more posts, the more awareness of the competition we generate.
However, FINAL pictures should not be shown here. Post in your own P&M threads, but please not in this one lest we distract anyone in the home stretch or spoil anyone’s big reveal.
PM me the pictures and/or links instead when they are ready.
As strange as it sounds, it will benefit your entry to put as much effort into taking photos of your finished model as you have building it; try to finish in time to make your best effort and ask for support if needed. Poorly lit, out-of-focus, blurred, and low resolution photos can harm your chances in any competition. If you want to add some figures for scale purposes or to display your new piece
in situ, do so, as long as it is clear that your entry alone will be judged.
Rules:.
1: Talk about the Competition. Post it in your blogs. Add the banner to your signature.
HTML code for the banner.....
{url=https://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/0/799537.page#11165721]{img]http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2012/11/8/429237_md-.jpg{/img]{/url]
change all the "{" to "["
It should look and work like this one:
2: Must be completed by the deadline. And when I say "must", I mean "about". There is a fair amount of leeway given in these contests but assume there will be no extensions and we'll cross any problems when it arises.
The Deadline is Midnight GMT on Monday 11 October 2021
3: Your piece should be scratch-built or heavily converted in large part. Model kit parts can be used, preferably in innovative ways. This contest challenges us to think outside the box, and beyond printed instructions, so push those model bits in new directions. Innovate, improvise, and experiment.
4: Your model should be a piece of terrain (or a diorama or game aid with strong terrain elements). It cannot be a playable model in itself (a crashed tank must stay crashed), but removable models (people) are fine.
5: Any scale, any setting and any gaming system are welcome. A nice mixture of fantasy, sci-fi, historical, or modern will make this contest all the more interesting. If you don't play a game, that's fine too; just make a display piece, but keep rule 4 in mind.
6: You can make as small or as large a model as you want. Bear in mind the deadline, don't bite off more than you can chew, but don’t be afraid to bite and chew boldy.
7: Final Entry: Six or more photos of your final entry, showing top, front, both sides, back and all the important parts - not to be posted in this thread.
PM me with links to your galleries and albums, and take the time to take the best photos that you can. Together with your photos, please include a summary of the essential materials and a narrative of the project in brief, if appropriate.
8: AMBITION: Push yourself. Try something new! Always wanted to use LEDs? Go for it! Fancied weathering powders? Here's your chance! I'll be looking at your galleries for previous work, entries etc. I want everyone to feel that their best has a fair shot at this.
9: Not so much a rule, but it wouldn't be the League of Extraordinary Riveters if there are no rivets… or other such meticulous detail. Deliberate, specific, and thoughtful inclusion of well-crafted details are what this contest is all about. Your piece should tell a story. The details drive the stories within that story. The more details, the more rich of a story your piece will tell.
10: THE RULE OF COOL cannot be ignored.
If you are unsure of anything, just ask.
Judging:
Modelling: 50 points total.
(10 points) Design - Is the concept clear and effectively applied to the model? Is the piece both visually appealing and functional? Does the design fit the game, setting, genre, or theme?
(10 points) Originality - Is the concept unique and creative? Does it draw inspiration or pay homage while remaining original?
(10 points) Materials - Are the materials diverse and challenging? Are they thoughtfully chosen and integrated seamlessly?
(10 points) Skill and Techniques - Does the piece feature crisp lines, even textures, and sturdy construction? Are both core techniques and innovative approaches used?
(10 points) Attention to Detail - Do small details in both design and execution give the piece added realism?
Painting: 30 points total.
(10 points) Design - Is the color scheme and paint selection thoughtful and expressive?
(10 points) Skill and Techniques -Does the piece start with solid foundations, color blocking, and shading? Is the paint consistent, crisp, and well-executed?
(10 points ) Visual impact - Does the paint job serve to draw the whole model together and enhance the craftsmanship of the model?
Bonuses: 20 points total.
(10 points) Thematic connection - Does the entry firmly relate to the theme?
(10 points) Ambition: Did the project clearly demonstrate the pursuit of some new skill in assembly, in paint, or in both?
Total: 100 points possible.
In the event of a tie, the winner will be decided by order of submission. Work diligently, and bear in mind the deadline.
Prizes:
Membership to the League of Extraordinary Riveters is the top prize. You will be allowed to fly the League's banner and be recognized as a hobbyist
par excellence... as well as host the next round. In addition, the winner (or perhaps top three winners if I get motivated) will receive an objective marker to commemorate their victory. Shipping arrangements can and will be made subsequent to the competition.
People's Choice: As voted for by your fellow Dakkanauts. More warm feelings inside and the bragging rights that your peers love your work.
And though it may not seem much of a prize, anyone who completes a model for this competition may of course request the details of their score. I’ll try to make it useful for your continued riveting ambitions!
So start gathering bits and get building!
Good Luck to All!