I’ve always been aware that credit should be given where it is due. So when Tom Haswell messaged me this morning, to point out that my original post was incorrect. Tom co-founded the LXG with 4 others, who all contribute to the site.
Other than Belgarath97, Second Class Elitist and LXG; I’m not aware of who the other members are; however this shouldn’t detract from the contributions of the other members. If you haven’t already, check it out at League of Extraordinary Gamers.
While there was lots of teams, the one common thread between them all; was their friendliness to everyone. Despite this being a competition, there was always time to talk or chat; even during a game.
I didn’t get to know them all, with 54 teams and about 6 different languages; it was hard sometimes to hear your own voice in the vast hall upstairs. I did however get to know several of the teams, so big thank you to Team Powder Keg for making me feel welcome right from the start (typical Irish craic). Also thanks to Team Bazinga, showing the rest of the teams that you don’t have to win (all the time), to have fun at these events. The dayglo green tutu, was a lovely touch for the winners in your team.
Good to talk to several other PG’s as well, who were part of their respective teams. This included Matt and some of the players from Team Avalanche. Overall a good weekend to connect with people I only know from online, but also to meet new people; who I hope to keep in touch with.
(I will post random pictures from the event, as I took over 140 during the weekend).
There are some things you get to do once in a life time, some you take the chance while it is going. When the call went out for PG’s at the European Team Championships, I was eager to get my teeth into something big; but daunted by the enormity of the whole prospect.
I want to say this now, that without the backing of my wife; I wouldn’t have gone. She was fantastic about me doing this, even encouraging me to take this step in the first place. As it was, it turned out to be the longest, most rewarding and enjoyable WM/H weekend I have had so far.
To give you the scale of this event, there was (in the end) 54 teams; of 4 players each. That is 216 players all in the same place, playing the same game; at the same time. GenCon, Lock and Load; I hear you all cry. Well yes they are bigger with multiple events (Masters, Hardcore, Iron Arena, etc). ETC’s is the largest single WM/H tournament in the world, to have been part of that is mind blowing in itself.
Held at Maelstrom Games, the venue was ideally suited to this large numbers of players. With onsite shop, bar and catering; it was an ideal base for players. Between games players from all over Europe, could socialise and catch up with friends they had made previous years. Or like me, make new ones; or put faces to names from the PP forum/WH forum.
I’ll finish this post with a big thank you to Tim King, the Event Organiser for Maelstrom Games and all the staff there. Without them, the weekend would have been chaos (probably was for them); their hard work made it run smoothly. Would I go back next year? I’d love too either be a PG at the event, or even take the plunge and enter a team. Who knows what will happen, I am just glad I was able to be there THIS year.
Since buying Lord Exhumator Scaverous last year when the model was released, I have played him a couple of times; even ran him in the Glasgow tournament. Today I headed down to the shop, for our usual Tuesday night session; where I pulled out Scavvy for a couple of games against Khador.
My opponent, Dougie had brought Sorcha, with two Juggernauts and a Descimator; MoW Demolition and Winter Guard Bombadiers.. Lining up against that……
Second game was against Irusk, Juggernaut and Destroyer; with MoW Kovnik, Manhunter, Marksman, Assault Kommando’s + WA and WG Infantry + UA/WA. The only change I made to my previous list, was take out the Pistol Wraith to add in Gorman Di Wulfe. The reason for this, was I completely forgot about the Pistol Wraith; so was wasted 3 points.
The biggest problem with Scaverous, is that he lacks any kind of punch. To get the most out of him; you need those Arcnodes to open up charge lanes with Telekinesis. The ability to turn the model’s back to you, is another great advantage; which can be capitalised on using heavy Jacks or charging Weapon Masters (Bane Thralls). This is pretty much how I played both games, thought attrition was the killer for me. Even with two Tough units, the dice were dire today; rolling lots of 1′s. I messed up the Irusk game, but TK’ing the Juggernaut in a position to back strike Erebus; who was breathing down Irusk’s neck. Losing him, pretty much ended the assassination attempt.
Overall I am pleased with how the games went, some stupid mistakes; but generally a fast decisive set of games.
It seems like ages, that we started this; but sadly it is drawing to a close tomorrow. This was the deadline set for all models to be finished, by the PG’s taking part. I think part of the problem I had, was that I finished the Kayazy Assassins so quickly. Even painting Nicia, Tear of Vengence; didn’t take me too long. So most of April, has been spent watching others finishing their models; hoping to spot the one painted for me.
Tonight though, I think it has finally been posted up. The list we had to supply, was to include one 30mm, one 40mm and one 50mm based model that we would like. We could also include 2 additional models of any size base, which would mean a choice of 3 – 5 models we had to look out for. The models I chose were:
I also added in eSkarre and Dire Troll Mauler. For the last few weeks, there has been an eSkarre painted by Meg Maples; painter for Privateer Press; posting up WIP. Now whoever is getting this, is getting an awesome model; which Meg has turned into a diorama. There was a few times, my excitement built; thinking “Could this be for me?”.
However, there was an eGrissel posted up tonight, that I think will be winging its way across Europe. From the skin colour to the tartan, it matches everything I was looking for. It’s that good, that even if I isn’t for me; I’ll be asking the painter how he did the skin tones; as it looks fantastic.
I might try again, to organise an Exchange in our LGS; as it is great fun to do and not just limited to WM/H. You only get what you ask for, so I could paint tanks for someone who plays Flames of War, but still get WM/H models from whoever paints for me.
