“Excitement” update as the Field of Kings approaches

This year I’m running one event in Bristol for Kings of War. It’s a bit of an experimental day that rejects the traditional approach to UK tournaments and embraces soft scores for painting, themed scenarios and themed units.

It’s intended to be something different, and I think in just about every way it’s turning into that for me. Since starting to run tournaments I’ve been seeing how other people have adapted their events and really wanted to depart from the standard one-day event approach. After a lot of thought I finally put together a pack which I decided was either going to be loved or hated and booked a small number of tables at Bristol Independent Gaming.

The day has a competitive element, in that there is scoring and a prize for the winner, but it’s primarily about having fun. Three gentle games at 1,600 points, no masters scoring and some fun scenarios based around a themed piece of text in the opening of the pack (you can read it here – there are also a couple of places still available if you’re interested).

The soft score element comes from adapting two specific units to align with the theme, if you can be bothered, if not, just enjoy the games. This approach is intended to move the creative element away from soft skills being scored purely on how good a painter you are and make it more about how enthusiastically you embrace the theme through your models.

I was really encouraged when I put the pack out by a few people who contacted me to say they loved the concept of the event but wouldn’t be able to attend. I’m really grateful to everyone who did that as it gave me a bit more confidence that someone might want to come and have the time. The slots have filled up and I’m excited to say that at this moment we have ten players signed up.

What’s been really exciting so far has been seeing some of the things people have been working on. I’ve even had a great piece of background sent to me this weekend, which means one player has already picked up some points before their army has set foot on a table! The biggest surprise though is my son has decided he’d like to join us. He’s been on the fence about tournaments for a while and when I mentioned the size of the games and the lack of masters scoring I was surprised when he said it was something he would come along to. The only downside is that I’m now trying to paint up a nightstalker list (thank god for contrast paints and that he plays nightstalkers), whilst finishing up a model for the spare army and painting the trophy.

All in all, things have got a little hectic in the final few days, but on the whole, I couldn’t be more excited.

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