UK Nationals

As of today (30th May), there are just 6 spaces left for what is shaping up to be the best WM/H tournament in the UK……if not Europe.  So what makes this so special?

First of all, this is the first time it has been held outside the UK Games Expo.  Even though there was a Masters event at the Expo, the UK Nationals is an official PP event.   Much like Lock and Load or Gen Con, Privateer Press have organised and providing all prize support for this event.

So what do we get for the entry fee?  Other then fact that you are taking part in the premier WM/H event, you will get to compete against the best in the UK; while meeting some great people.  Ok you also get an exclusive UK Nationals t-shirt, hints of other ‘goodies’ and food during both days; but they are the fluff to the crunch of butting heads with the best in the UK imo.

So why not come along, you could even come fight me for the wooden spoon (yes my sights are set high); or just experience something different to anything you might have seen before.  It promises to be a fantastic weekend, which will hopefully lead to bigger things in the future.

 

UK Nationals

Last year the decision was made to take the UK Nationals out of the UK Games Expo and create something more in keeping with the American events like Lock and Load.

On 29th – 30th June, the first ever UK Nationals will take place; with 128 player tournament; as well as the Iron Gauntlet qualifier.  For those not familiar with the new Iron Gauntlet, the UK Nationals will be the last place (this year) to be able to qualify for essentially the World Championships of Warmachine/Hordes.

It’s been a tough decision, but I have booked my hotel and bought my ticket and I will be going down to Stockport to play in the UK Nationals.  I don’t expect to do well, but it is more for the experience of it.  As of this time there was still 15 spots left, so if you fancy taking on some of the UK’s best players; head over to this thread on Warhammer Forum.

What hit me?

Walking out the door to run my first 2013 tournament, fully loaded with 3 bags and a laptop; I wind up flat on my back and in agony from slipping on the 2mm ice sheet covering the path.  Sadly this unplanned activity lands me in A&E (ER for our American readers), where I am poked, x-ray’d and sent home with painkillers.

From what I remember of it, I went full horizontal; coming down hard on my back just between the shoulder blades.  At least that is the area, that is hurting the most this morning.  I have to thank PG Kallas (Tom), for stepping in at the last second to run his first official tournament as a PG.  Hopefully I can return the favour for him one day.  Painting wise, I might be a little slower; but I am stubborn enough to meet my target of painting all my Dystopian Wars for the 9th February.

Painting Progress

It’s kind of ironic that the thing to get me back into painting, is the Paralympics; sports for people with disabilities like me.  Sadly Warmachine/Hordes won’t be there for Rio in 4 years time, so those dreams are shattered.

On to the painting though, the reason your here.  Finally got finished on the Freebooter model for my wife, it still needs some matt varnish on it; but I’m ok happy with this.  Biggest problem I have just now, is skin tones; which I can use my normal method.  This consisted of Vallejo Basic Skin Tone, with GW Gryphon Sepia as subtle shadows.  I liked this method as it allowed me to control the darkness of the shadows, better than thinned paints.  However, as I can’t get hold of the Sepia any more (thank you GW….not); it has resulted in moving to a new way.

Here’s some pics of the finished Fairy of the Woods from Freebooter, along with the Carnivean I started months ago; but only just getting around to finishing.

Sponsorship

There are exciting things coming for the world wide WM/H community, as well as the grass roots level of the game.

Recently it was announced there would be a World Team Championships, to be held initially in Belgium in 2013.  Each country would be allowed 2 teams of 5 players, to compete against the worlds best.  So this got me wondering about how people would finance this kind of venture, from a team POV; not the WTC organisers.

Certainly in Scotland, the 10 best players would be pretty easy to find; but would they be able to pay for it?  Not only that, does their real life situation even allow them to contemplate a venture like this; when jobs and family are considered.  I think realistically, Scotland could definitely field one team; two would need some planning.  This is where the sponsorship idea comes in, where there are many avenues that could be looked at.

• Game Related Sponsorship – Kind of like ‘Team Scotland will use X Product to compete at the WTC’
• Companies do have sponsorship programs, which might be applied to this.
• Fund raising, which could be put towards an overall fund for this kind of thing.
• Kickstarter, which has been banded about recently for Team England.
• Lastly, just asking for discount, special offers or arrangements.  It’s not begging, when all your doing is making a polite enquiry; as to the possibility.

Having worked with a charity in Scotland, I know some of the issues this can bring; but don’t let those rejections get you down.  It just takes one kind person, to make all the difference.