Hey everyone! Adam, FLG Head Judge and TFG Radio host, here with a recap of the AoS event at this year’s BAO.
This year we have a very in depth wrap up and analysis by the AoS TO, John “Firehead” Feuerhelm. It is a long and informative piece so enjoy.
The Bay Area Open Age of Sigmar Championships for 2023 was another resounding success! This year’s
event saw a fantastic turnout and fierce competition, making it the largest Age of Sigmar gathering in
Northern California to date. Over the course of five rounds, players showcased their strategic prowess,
encountered unexpected twists, and demonstrated incredible sportsmanship. Congratulations to all the
deserving winners!
Allow me to begin by expressing my heartfelt appreciation for the exceptional folks that played a
significant role in making the recent AoS event at the BAO a tremendous success. Having had the
opportunity to work closely with the Frontline Gaming staff, I witnessed their diligence, passion, and
unwavering commitment to our gaming community, which truly deserves recognition.
Reflecting on this amazing event, I would like to extend a huge round of applause to the indomitable
Kicker Kalozdi! Your tireless efforts make these gatherings not just achievable, but truly extraordinary.
I also want to give a special shoutout to my buddies, Ben Schimmoller and Matt Nguyen, who each
walked away with a well-deserved shiny new Faction Specialist pin. Your exceptional performance truly
shone through, and I couldn’t be prouder!
Now, let’s take a moment to recognize our champions:
Hobby Paragon: Collin Venables
– Collin’s exceptional dedication to the hobby, showcased through his Skullfiend Tribe from Blades
of Khorne, earned him a well-deserved place among the top five competitors.
Best Appearance: Jessica Schimmoller
– Jessica presented one of the most stunningly painted armies, demonstrating her unmatched
creative skills and craftsmanship. Everyone was super impressed with the hand done “tartan”
patterns on the cloaks and kilts of each of her models.
Best General: Benjamin Hosking
– Benjamin displayed his mastery over the chaotic forces of the Slaves to Darkness, claiming the
title of Best Chaos with an impressive 5 victories. His consistent performance helped him climb to
the top of the leaderboard.
Additionally, let’s give special shoutouts to the following outstanding players:
Best Order: Noe Aquino
– Noe’s leadership of the Fyreslayers resulted in notable victories, showcasing his profound
understanding of his faction’s strengths and strategies.
Best Destruction: Christopher Schelling
– Christopher’s strategic planning guided the Gloomspite Gitz to a strong performance, earning him
a well-deserved 3rd place overall.
Best Death: Mathew Hunt
– Mathew’s unwavering command of the Ossiarch Bonereapers, coupled with his unyielding
determination, led him to a commendable 6th place overall.
It was wonderful to see friends and familiar faces at the event. I had the pleasure of catching up with my
buddy Paul McKelvey of BCP fame, who not only participated but also performed impressively in the
Warhammer 40k event. Likewise, it was a delight to see my friend Israel Sanchez, who taught a painting
class over the weekend, sharing his artistic talent and patience at Kubla Con. Their contributions truly
enrich our community.
The success of this event wouldn’t have been possible without the aid of the Best Coast Pairings App. As
a Tournament Organizer myself, I can attest that it is an invaluable tool for running smooth and efficient
tournaments, especially for larger-scale events. I am deeply grateful to the creators for their continued
work and improvements.
In the same vein, I must commend Games Workshop for their unwavering commitment to empowering
Tournament Organizers and players alike. Their generosity extends not only to providing us with the Age
of Sigmar app, which offers real-time access to rules, FAQs, and Battletomes but also to offering the
rules to vetted TOs at no charge. This gracious gesture reinforces fairness and accuracy in our gameplay,
for which we are immensely appreciative.
The BAO Age of Sigmar event provided a fantastic experience for all involved, not only due to the
thrilling games and friendly competition but also because of the collaborative efforts and unwavering
dedication of everyone involved. Kicker, Adam, and the entire FLG team, your contributions played a
pivotal role in delivering an exceptional gaming experience.
Now, as a little bonus for those eager for statistics, let’s take a look at some notable performances:
Top Performers:
Slaves to Darkness, represented by Benjamin Hosking, emerged as a dark horse in the
tournament. Despite being outnumbered by other factions, Benjamin put on a remarkable
show, securing five wins and amassing a total of 2,098 battle points. However, his strength of
schedule was relatively low, suggesting he faced less challenging opponents on average.
The Fyreslayers, represented by Noe Aquino and others, entered the arena with just two
players but demonstrated their strength. On average, they accumulated 1,468 battle points
each. Noe Aquino deserves special recognition for his exceptional contribution, accumulating
1,855 battle points. Their average Wins Strength of Schedule indicated they faced relatively
tougher opponents throughout the tournament.
Beasts of Chaos charged into the competition with two players and achieved an average of
three wins. With an average of 1,840 battle points, this faction demonstrated its raw power.
Matt Nguyen emerged as a strong contender, accumulating an impressive 2,105 battle points.
They also had a Wins Strength of Schedule indicating a challenging level of competition.
Blades of Khorne boasted the highest representation among the top factions, with seven
players. On average, they clinched 2.86 wins, demonstrating a strong performance across the
board. Their average battle points stood at 1,444, with their Wins Strength of Schedule
reflecting consistent performance against stiff competition.
Ossiarch Bonereapers, represented by five players, showcased their prowess by averaging 2.8
wins. They maintained an average of 1,218 battle points, with Mathew Hunt standing out for his
exceptional performance. Their Wins Strength of Schedule reflects the challenging opponents
they faced throughout the tournament.
Gloomspite Gitz, carried into battle by five players, averaged 2.4 wins. With an average of 1,388
battle points, this faction performed admirably. Christopher Schelling deserves special mention
for his contributions. Their average Wins Strength of Schedule suggested they faced challenging
opponents throughout the tournament.
Strugglers:
Flesh-eater Courts, represented by Max Weeks and Tariq Zahroof, achieved an average of three
wins. However, they could only accumulate an average of 1,076 battle points, which fell below
the tournament average. Their Wins Strength of Schedule indicated they faced relatively
tougher opponents.
Maggotkin of Nurgle, represented by Larry Walsh and Michael Genoni, had a challenging time,
managing an average of just one win. Their average battle points stood at 848, the lowest
among the analyzed factions. However, their Wins Strength of Schedule suggested they faced
relatively tougher opponents, which could explain the faction’s performance.
Lumineth Realm-Lords, also represented by two players, faced difficulties, managing only an
average of one win. They amassed a meager 307 battle points on average, the second lowest
among the analyzed factions. Their Wins Strength of Schedule was also low, suggesting that this
faction may be struggling in the current meta.
Kruleboyz, represented solely by one player, had a rough tournament, managing only one win.
With 556 battle points, their performance was below average. Furthermore, the Wins Strength
of Schedule was the lowest, indicating less challenging opponents compared to all others.
Interesting Observations:
Despite being represented by only one player, Slaves to Darkness and Fyreslayers were the top-
performing factions in terms of wins. This might suggest these factions are underrepresented
and could perform well if more players used them.
The strength of schedule varies greatly among the top performers, suggesting the ranking might
be different if everyone faced opponents of equal strength. For instance, while Benjamin
Hosking (Slaves to Darkness) won the tournament, Noe Aquino (Fyreslayers) faced more
challenging opponents on average and still achieved the same number of wins.
The Ogor Mawtribes, despite being represented by four players, had a below-average number of
wins and total battle points. This might suggest that this faction is either challenging to play
successfully or it was up against particularly strong opposition.
While the Blades of Khorne had the highest representation, they didn’t dominate in terms of
performance. This could indicate that success in the game doesn’t necessarily correlate with the
popularity of a faction.
Scott Reed, our trusted Las Vegas Open head TO, traded his organizer’s clipboard for a Kruleboyz
horde. Maybe he forgot that his new squabbling Orruks weren’t as obedient as tournament
participants! Still, he seemed to be having a blast, proving that even in the midst of defeat, his
love for Age of Sigmar remains undeterred. Perhaps in the next BAO, his Kruleboyz will grasp
that they can’t seize a win just by meticulously explaining the rules instead of actual strategic
combat maneuvers!
It’s worth noting that these statistics provide insights based on a statistical analysis and may not capture
the full range of factors influencing tournament performance, such as player skill and experience,
specific game scenarios, and elements of luck.
As I conclude, I express my sincere thanks for the trust placed in me to run this event. It was a pleasure
collaborating with all of you, and I eagerly anticipate working together on future FLG events.
To all our readers, whether seasoned players or newcomers to the scene, know that you’re part of a
thriving community supported by dedicated individuals who work tirelessly to ensure your gaming
experience is nothing short of excellent. Let’s continue to support them and each other as we strive for
more epic battles and shared moments of triumph.
Being a Tournament Organizer is about more than just the game; it’s about the community, the shared
camaraderie, and the love for Age of Sigmar. It’s always a joy to see these aspects manifest at events like
the Bay Area Open.
Here’s to the future, to more dice rolls, more games, and more shared memories. Let the good times
roll!
Note, all data used in this analysis was exported from the BCP TO app and analyzed in MS Excel.
