Gaming in Misawa

I've had the pleasure to talk with Ryan Posey. He is a gamer living in Misawa and has a good handle on the scene there. I spoke with him via email about how gaming works up north. Full interview after the jump.

Bash in the New Year: Warhammer 40k Tournament

This January 17th 2015, A-Z Gaming Club will host the first Wargamers in Japan event linked with Frontline Gaming's Independent Tournament Circuit (ITC). More info on ITC .

The Event will be held at the Camp Zama Community Club at 1000 am. Registration to begin at 0900am.

 

There are a total of 32 open slots available for this Tournament
There is a $25 entry fee per participant

Those that live locally can make it to Camp Zama by walking from Odakyu lines Sobudaimae station to the back gate the morning of the event. Map.
You can plan your train schedule here to make your travel plans.

Attendees that are in the military traveling from out of area can make reservations at the Zama Army Lodge
Attendees not in the military can make a reservation at a local hotel. Machida is the largest local area for reservations or Yokohama is also within a 20-30 minute travel. Hotels.

Anyone coming in from out of country should know that not all places in Japan accept American Credit and ATM cards. If you wish to withdrawal money the best place is to do it at the Japanese Post Office or Seven-Eleven (called 7 and I holdings).

All NON-Military are required to bring your Passport or Gaijin Card to gain access to the base. Passport is the best option.





Warhammer 40,000 Tournament

Format

There are a total of 32 open slots available for this Tournament
There is a $25 entry fee for participants



1500 point limit.

2 Detachments Total. You may take any 2 detachments you wish, but may not repeat any detachments.

• Detachments may be produced from a maximum of one Codex / Codex Supplement
• Example – You may not selectively include units within one Combined Arms Detachment from both Codex: Eldar and Codex Supplement: Iyanden, despite them being within the same Faction per the Detachment creation rules in the 40k Rulebook.
• Exception – Units that are added to various Factions by means other than the primary or supplemental Codex are exceptions (i.e., Dataslate Characters, Forgeworld 40K approved units where they are permitted, etc.).
• Codex Supplements will be considered their own Faction, ie. Farsight Enclave, Black Legion, Crimson Slaughter, Militarum Tempestus and Legion of the Damned, etc.
• In the case of a Forge World unit having a profile in a Forge World book and Codex or Codex Supplement, the rules in the Codex or Codex Supplement are always used.
• Forgeworld is in as long as it meets the requirements below (just in case you didn't notice that already).
• Codex: Imperial Knight count towards your LOW allowance as well as any other detachment requirements.

• 0-1 Codex Specific Detachment (CSD) or Combined Arms Detachment (CAD

• 0-1 Allied Detachment
• Your Allied Detachment may be the same faction as your  CSD or CAD.

• 0-1 Formation
• See the Black Library for examples of Formations.
• No Fortification or Apocalypse Formations will be allowed.
• All formations must abide by the allies rules in the BRB.

• 0-1 Fortification 
• All of the rules may be found in the Stronghold Assault supplement.
• The following fortifications are allowed:
• Aegis Defence Line
• Imperial Bastion
• Skyshield Landing Pad
• Wall of Martyrs : Firestorm Redoubt, Imperial Bunker, Defence Emplacement, Defence Line, or Vengeance Weapons Battery
• The following upgrades can be purchased: ammo store, booby trap, escape hatch, magos machine spirit, searchlights, ammunition dump, comms relay, gun emplacement with either Icarus lascannon or quad-gun 

• 0-1 Lord of War
• Limited to 25% of the army (375pts)
•  special character LOW's provided in codices may be used.

We will be using the scoring system from Frontline Gaming to score and rank the tournament.

Every scenario has a total of 10 possible points.

Whoever has the most points at the end of the game, wins. Equal points is a tie.

The tournament is W/L/D format, with accumulated points used to determine standings within a given final bracket. For example, if you end the event with a 4-2 record, you will be ranked within that bracket according to how many battle points you accumulated throughout the event. The official scoring is 1,000pts for a win, 500pts for a tie and then accumulated points within the game. So, a player with a 3-0 record who accumulated 6 points in each of his 3 games would end with a final score of (3,018points). We score it this way so that the W/L/D record trumps accumulated points, but points earned throughout the tournament matter in determining your precise ranking in the event.

Pairings are Swiss style, based on strength of schedule.

The top 4 players after 3 rounds will play in the final that day to determine

We will be using Missions 1 through 4 of the LVO/BAO missions. You can find the information for those missions on Frontline Gaming's Website

Rules Judgments

Rules issues will be dealt with swiftly by a roaming judge. Rules questions will be handled in this order.

1. Main Rule Book
2. FAQs and Erratas
3. ITC FAQ
   1. Please note, the change to the 2+ reroll save is still in effect. Ie., any save of any type of a 2+ that can be rerolled are failed on the second roll of a 1,2 or 3.
4. All rule judgments are final! Do not argue with the judge!

Painting

All models must be painted to a 3 color minimum. We count primer as a color. If you have any models that are not painted to a 3 color minimum, you will be ineligible for prize support at the end of the event. Your paint score is determined by the paint judge.

Sports

Sportsmanship will be handled as a simple thumbs-up, thumbs-down check box on the results sheet.

The temptation to ding someone on sports after a tough loss is often too much for many players to resist. We therefore are providing a very narrowly defined set of terms under which a player may mark their opponent with a thumbs down mark on sportsmanship. This system is intended to punish those who are being abusive, but to not allow chimpmunking. After a great deal of real world use, we have found this system to work very well.

Legitimate reasons to give an opponent a thumbs down on sports:

1. Your opponent was 15 or more minutes late to the round.
2. Your opponent was verbally abusive. This does not mean you argued with your opponent or that your personalities clashed, but that they were verbally abusive and insulting.
3. Your opponent intentionally cheated. Be prepared to support your case to a judge.
4. Your opponent slow played. We define slow playing as not completing 3 game turns of play.
   1. In the case of 20 or less minutes left to play, divide the time remaining between players to complete one full GAME turn. Time each other during this period to ensure that each player has an equal amount of time to complete a full game turn. If one player does not finish within their limit, the other player can force them to stop and then begin their turn. This mechanic is in place to ensure no one is slow played out of a turn of play.

What does NOT constitute a thumbs down on sports?

1. You argued over rules with your opponent.
2. Your opponent beat you.
3. You didn’t like your opponent’s army.

A negative mark on sportsmanship will be met with administrative action as follows:

1. First thumbs down: A verbal warning from a judge, up to reversing a win to a loss.
2. Second thumbs down: Reversing a win to a loss, up to disqualification from any prize support.
3. Third thumbs down: disqualification from any prize support, up to expulsion from the event with no refund of the ticket price.
4. Fourth thumbs down: Expulsion from the event with no refund of the ticket price.

WYSIWYG 

All models are expected to be WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) as much as is reasonable. Proxies are not permitted. "Counts As" armies with counts as allies will only be permitted if they represent a clearly concerted effort to build a unique army around an obvious theme. For example, an Adeptus Mechanicus army using extensive kit bashing and conversions will be fine.

If you go this route, YOU ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE A HANDOUT TO TO GIVE TO YOUR OPPONENT THAT SHOWS WHAT EACH UNIT IN YOUR ARMY IS ALONG WITH ITS STATS AND PERTINENT RULES! You must also present this to them prior to the game so that they have time to understand what they are playing against. There will be no exceptions to this.

If your army uses only a single Codex but if for example you have Crimson Fists models using the Blood Angels Codex, or Chaos models using the Space Wolves Codex, that is acceptable. Allies for this type of army however, MUST be represented by their actual models. This is to avoid confusion. No exceptions.

If you are using converted or scratch built models with Forge World rules, this is acceptable so long as your model is as close to the represented model as possible in terms of equipment, size and shape. We will not be lenient with this.

If you have any questions about your army, ask us prior to the event so that we can let you know if what you have will be acceptable or not.

Summoned models must be accurately represented! Again, counts as in a clearly themed list are allowed, but proxies are not.

Modeling for Advantage

There is a fine line between creative freedom and modeling for advantage. We do not wish to stifle anyone’s creativity, but in the end, this is a game that relies heavily upon the physical characteristics of the models being used.

Modeling for advantage will be handled on a case by case basis. To resolve a possible abusive situation, follow these steps:

1. Ask the player to play the model as if it were a GW standard, modern version.
2. Call a judge to ask for a judgement.
3. Possibly substitute the model with an appropriate replacement.

Examples of what we consider modeling for advantage:

1. Using out of date and inappropriately sized models such as the rogue trader era Eldar Avatar (which currently is a large, monstrous creature model but back then, was the size of a Space Marine, which would now grant huge advantages due to being so much smaller) or Gorka Morka Trukks (which are less than half the size of modern versions). If an army is made predominantly of Rogue Trader era minis (or any era) and is clearly going for a theme, then exceptions will be made. If it appears to a judge that the player is in fact modeling for advantage, then action will be taken.
2. Increasing or decreasing the size of models to gain an advantage in gaining or granting cover. Custom Battle Wagons often fall into this category.
3. Altering a model to increase the range of a model or to benefit your LOS.

Terrain

Hills: All rolling hills are open terrain, granting 5+ cover via LOS blocking/interference as normal but do not count as difficult terrain.

All other terrain functions as outlined in the book BRB pg. 108-113.

Terrain Data Slates from the BRB will not be used.

What you must bring

• Your Army
• Tape Measure, Dice, Game Aids, etc.
• 3 Objective Markers on 25mm bases, 2 Objective Markers on 40mm bases.
• 5 Typed Copies of your army list. Be sure to notate who your Warlord is on your army list. (1 for the TO, and up to four for your opponent).
• All pertinent rules for your army. Codices, White Dwarf Articles, Foregworld Rules, etc.
• If you are using a counts as army, YOU MUST HAVE YOUR PLAYER HANDOUT FOR YOUR OPPONENT IDENTIFYING WHAT EACH UNIT IN YOUR ARMY IS.

Prizes!

OF COURSE there will be prizes!!!!!

Bash in the New Year – 2015 Privateer Press Steamroller Event!

Welcome to the A-Z Gaming Club’s annual Steamroller event for Warmachine and Hordes. It will be held on the 17th of January, 2015, during our Bash in the New Year mega-event! Start time for the tourney is 1000hrs. Please arrive on time for gate pick-up/sign-in.

The rules and guidelines that we’ll be following can be found here:
Privateer Press Steam Roller Guidelines

There are 8 slots available – 70 minute games – 7 Minute rounds (with standard extension time of 5 minutes). Certificates and Badges will be awarded for the top 3 players. Templates for the various scenarios will be provided as well as full terrain tables.

Bring your 35 Point list and your miniatures. If a super cool and well painted miniature is spotted… there may just be an on the spot prize! So, try your best!

Ask questions now and look to this spot for updated information.

See you on the 17th – Let’s Bash the heck out of this New Year event!

Crushing at Kandavar Part 2

The second game of the Kandavar Campaign came swift and terrible with the invasion of the Tyranids. Before the game began, the primer "The Devourer Strikes" was given to all players. This set the scene for an all out pitched battle for survival against the unending Tyranid horde.

Did the Imperials hold off against the ever hungry talons of the Tyranids? Did the gun line of the Astra Militarum bring enough shells to do the job? What exactly do Blood Angel vets taste like? All of these questions answered and more after the jump! More pics too!

Crushing at Kandavar

If you haven't been following the Facebook page, you might have missed out on the Crushing at Kandavar campaign we've been running. But worry not humble reader, we have all the narrative and pics you could want to get caught up and stuck in.

The event is being run by Ryan "The Selsword" via the A-Z Gaming Club. So far we have finished 2 events and the third is coming up soon. Ryan lays down the scene for this epic story in his first post "Kandavar Campaign".

Then we move right in to our introduction to the Tau conflict with "Destiny of the Greater Good". The full story of the Tau fight for Tanacus can be read in this wrapup post "The Fires on Tanacus".

More Pics after the Jump

Wargamers in Japan + Independent Tournament Circuit

In order to bring you the most bang for your buck for our events, Wargamers in Japan has teamed up with the guys from Frontline Gaming and joined the Independent Tournament Circuit.

What is the ITC? click here to find out: Independent Tournament Circuit

This new change will apply to both Tournament style events that we hold starting in 2015.

First up is "Bash in the New Year" which will be held Martin Luthor King Jr. Day weekend  on January 17th.

Following that will be "Save versus Summer" to be held on 4th of July weekend.

Stay tuned here for more information on these events as we ramp up for them in the future.

JUGS Interview

I had the pleasure recently to conduct an online interview with Damian from Chiba. He and his friends have been running the club JUGS (Japan's United Gaming Society) in Chiba since 2009. Their group might be small, but they are always on the hunt for new players in the greater Chiba area.

Before the interview though, here is the quick and dirty coverage of their club. This is all available on the page link to the right of course. This will give you a good feel for the group before we dig into the meat of the interview.

Club Name: J.U.G.S. Japan's United Gaming Society 

Club Location: Chiba 


Focus: provide a gaming space in Chiba that caters for and integrates both foreign and native players interested in playing Wargames


Structure: Our bilingual friendly group is free for anyone interested in coming (either English or Japanese speakers). We have a playing space that can cater for up to 8 players playing 4 games at once with room for a couple more to watch. There are no fees.


Games played most often: Warhammer, 40k, Blood Bowl, Mordheim, Infinity, Dystopian Wars, War Machine, Gorkamorka, Settlers of Catan, Flames of War, Bolt Action, Dark Future, Space Hulk and Saga. We are very open to trying new games.We also have a couple of experienced Roleplayers and we are looking at running  some English language role-plays such as Dark Heresy, Call of Cthulu in the near future if we get enough interested players. 

Special Considerations: none


Point of Contact: JUGS Japan's United Gaming Society Page on Facebook and/or deimimix@yahoo.comWargamers in Japan is interested in learning who all of our gaming neighbors are. 

Read on for the full interview!

Wargame Club & Store Map

Not sure where the closest game store or club is? Then check out this handy link! You can even add your own club or shop if you don't see it on the map. Lets make this a great tool for everyone by contributing and not abusing :)

https://maps.google.co.jp/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=216748909237183114663.0004d78934bac31379008