Pete here (punchdub on Dakka), from League of Underwhelming Miniature Painters (leagueofpainters.com) to briefly pitch my latest upcoming tournament. Just over 2 weeks away, on October 3-4, 2015 will be my third event this year, and the first 40K singles GT held in Sacramento in a decade. The event will be, of course, an ITC event, but the format and rules will differ. While I love what the guys here at FLG have done with the ITC scene, playing the same game over and over can get a bit dull – or at least repetitive. Plus, whenever I hear the results of an ITC rules poll I scream at the stereo in my car, much to the dismay of passers by.
I hypothesize that 40K can, in fact, be played out of the box – so to speak. Know No Mercy is taking Warhammer 40K as close to “stock” as we can get it. Fluff bunnies may cry foul (and I can understand why) but in my opinion, CTA allies is the one thing that completely balances the game. Sure, maybe Tyranids and Imperial Knights on the same team is a recipe for a fanboy’s aneurysm, but let’s be honest, its not like GW is actively balancing their codexes or game system. Now, don’t get me wrong, I love dramatic, themed games. I loved themed events. I also love to get dirty and just play with cool toys.
If you haven’t stopped reading, thanks for having an open mind and let me tell you more. Know No Mercy is a two day, six round event. With a 64 player cap, a natural best general will emerge, regardless of their battle points. I think this is important, as battle point victories can exclude certain styles of armies from effectively competing, and I really want to see diversity. Games will be won or lost, ties will not be allowed.
Mission design is also important, and has a tremendous effect on the meta game. I’ve drawn two mission from the ITC, two from Nova, and two from the rulebook. The last two missions will be a Purge the Alien, and a modified version of tactical objective card maelstrom. In my estimation, this diversity of mission design will stretch the minds of our tactical generals while ensuring that army list design moves towards an “all-comers” style of play. If your tool-belt only has hammers, you will run into a screw (and get screwed) out of an undefeated finish.
Finally, we love to have fun playing this game. I’ve got over 50 people coming from hundreds of miles away, and only a handful of people will win prizes for Best Overall, Best General, Best Hobby/Paint and Best of (faction). Since we have such a great partnership with Great Escape Game and Powered Play gaming, there are going to be tons of raffle prizes, and every time you lose a game you get twice as many additional entries as the guy who beat you. If you came to No Mercy 2, Let’s Make a Deal will be returning.
So, if a weekend in Sacramento playing a great game with great competitors sounds like fun, check us out, we have a handful of tickets left.
I think this is a brilliant idea.
After reading a few of the FAQs from various countries a lot of what I see in there seems arbitrary and certainly provides advantages/disadvantages depending on what side of the stick you’re on.
When combined with mission pack it certainly can favour particular lists and armies.
I’d really like to see how this plays out.
The first two events were great, so I expect nothing but more fun from the GT.
Bought my ticket months ago and truly looking forward to this change of pace event!
I love the ITC format but truly look forward to the wide open competive nature of this event!
See you there!
Thanks guys. I have no illusions that this is a “better” format, just different. Variety is nice, and a good general likely wants to test their mettle in as many formats as they can find. Who wants to play the same golf course every weekend, right?
Can’t wait to go 🙂 Bought my ticket a long while back.. will be fun!
If you decide to come, we have 13 spots left, but Alex Gonzalez is looking to sell his ticket as he double booked himself.
I’ve got my ticket only to hear the gnashing of the teeth from the Battle Company players when the pure kill points mission comes up.
Yup, Mr. Sisk has been complaining for weeks now.
I’ll be his huckleberry
Fair enough. Kill points have always been a fairly important element of the game, at least for the last 4 editions. Maximizing the benefit of the Battle Company means accepting that risk IMHO.
I can’t wait. Get ready to witness MURDER!!!! HOWL!!!!
Very much looking forward to this.
I know the GTs around the region have dropped from 6 games to 5 (likely due to a lot of players bailing out for game 6 to start driving home). So, kudos on the 2 in 1 second chance RTT-Sunday format. It’s a really cool mechanism for the Meat-and-Potatoes, mid-range players that are pretty sure they won’t make it to top tables, but have a shot at a RTT level Win.
🙂
Pete,
What about Challenges? Shall a PM be good enough to square off with a specific opponent?