Warhammer Fantasy Packet Available

The Warhammer Fantasy tournament packet is now available.  From this point on, the core of the packet is finalized.  There may be some minor tweaks, but the scenarios will largely stay the same, the scoring is set, and all of that jazz.  Note that this packet provides some information about painting requirements.  We will post a separate pdf that has more detail about painting requirements, the three painting awards, and some picture examples of what we’re looking for.

The Fantasy packet is just the first of three packets to be released.  The aforementioned painting info will be released soon, along with the 40k packet.  Again – we reserve the right to make some changes up until a month prior to the tournament (we’re still doing some tweaking to scenario #4).  You will be notified of those changes.  After the one month mark, we will only change a packet if we realize there is an absolutely serious flaw with a mission or rule that is published.

You can download the packet by clicking here. You will also be able to see the scoring sheets you will fill out after every round.  We’re just about three months away!

Ideas for Under 16 Players

As we’ve discussed those younger Warhammer enthusiasts (those under 16), we’re considering some options for what they can do at the Bugeater GT.  One idea was a discount to encourage their attendance, but another was to have a separate youngbloods competition.  Nothing is decided yet, so I’m looking for attendee feedback.  Please let me know if you’re interested – or no a son/brother/friend who would be interested in a separate youngblood competition.  This would possibly be one day only, and at a much reduced cost (like $20), but they would only get a swag bag or something restricted.  Let me know what you think!

March GT Update

This is a brief update about the GT.  We are in the peak of debate season right now, so I don’t really have time to post too much.  After this week, however, it is go time on giving you updated GT coverage.

Our Friday night events will be held at the Game Shoppe, which I reviewed back in the fall here.  This gives an off-school grounds venue for the open and specialist gaming, hopefully making an enjoyable Friday evening.  They have a ton of space and looks to be a great night of gaming.  The Game Shoppe has been very supportive of the Bugeater GT, and I’m very appreciative.

Good news on two levels: 1) We already have $1700+ in prizes.  2) Most of those were donated by Fantasy Flight Games, Black Library, Forgeworld, et cetera., and because I didn’t have to purchase those I’ve revised my expense estimates.  Because expenses are down, I’m keeping GT ticket prices at $45.  Next year, if costs stay low, I’ll push it down to $40.  This is a fundraiser, so it has to generate some money, but I want to find the right balance between giving money to the debate team and encouraging people to attend.

There are a few spaces left in fantasy, and healthy space left in the 40k bracket (registration is dead tied in both divisions, but I planned on double the 40k spaces).

More updates to come.

Warhammer Fantays Missions Pack

The Warhammer Fantasy missions are finally out!

The general restrictions on army construction and magic use had already been released about a week ago, but now the five missions are available to view and test.  These missions are pretty standard from the book, with just a few changes.  This is the first version being playtested in our home shop, so they are by no means the final product.

One thing that was noted elsewhere was the restrictions on special characters were changed.  Instead of a blanket ban on special characters, now only three characters are banned:

Kairos Fateweaver, Thorek, and Teclis

The missions pack can be found here, go download it and give us feedback or plan your path to victory this June!

Warhammer 40k Mission Pack

As noted on the Bugeater blog, today marks a seven day stretch of updates concerning the Bugeater GT.  Today is the release of the Bugeater GT Mission Pack for Warhammer 40k.  There are still some changes to be made, but this gives you a general feel for what the missions will look like.  Tomorrow, the initial fantasy pack will be released as well.

Here is the direct link, and the pdf is embedded below:

Read moreWarhammer 40k Mission Pack

Hotel Block: Hilton Garden Inn

It has been a while since some news was posted, but we’re still more than six months away from the Bugeater so that is to be expected.  However, it looks like we have locked in some rooms for those of you who are planning on attending from out of town – it looks like it will be the Hilton Garden Inn on 180th and Dodge streets in Omaha.  That is a straight shot 4 miles north from the tournament site, and just about a 10 minute drive.  There were some closer hotels, but the Hilton Garden Inn offered a price that was $30 cheaper than other places.

The tricky thing about our weekend was finding one that didn’t have another GT already taking place and was free to use at the building.  That weekend put us smack dab in the middle of the College World Series, an event that brings in millions of dollars to the city.  The initial phone calls I made were quoting me $210 a night as a block rate, then I got down to about $189, and now I’m at $159 with the Hilton Garden Inn.  Still pricier than I would have hoped, but I made sure all the rooms in the block are double rooms so people can put 2, 3, or 4 people in a room to split cost.

I’ve got to sign the agreement this week, but the copy of the paperwork I approved gives the Bugeater GT up to 20 rooms at $159 a night, a steal during CWS time.  As long as you make your reservations before 45 days of the event you’ll have a spot in the block.  I’ll keep you posted as I hear more, but this is the big update for December.

Friday: What to do?

Friday night is currently labeled as open and specialist gaming, which is what we intend to have happen, but the details are still wide open.  I’ve talked with one individual about running a mini Blood Bowl league that night for anyone interested, and I’ve had a couple of people suggest Mordheim.  That’s all fine and good for those people that love those games or are possibly interested in learning about those games, but we want to have options available for everyone.

The good news is we have an entire gym to work with, so there’s plenty of space to have Blood Bowl AND another game system on top of eight plus tables for opening gaming.  One idea that has intrigued me is what the NOVA Open and the Battle for Salvation (another tournament based on the NOVA system) have done – “celebrity” games on Friday night.  I think it could be interesting to do a few different things:

1. Store vs. Store.  This is something we used to do in the Omaha/Lincoln area, and we even had some Iowa clubs show up.  The best from each club/store would compete to see who the top store was.

2. Omaha vs. the World – Have a few players from the Omaha area square up against the out of state folk to see how the local boys do against the out of state folk.

3. “Celebrity” fights – I don’t know if any of the famed interwebz bloggers will be making it out to the Bugeater, but I know that once Stelek said he was showing up to NOVA Open, there was a noticeable traffic spike (I’m quoting the TO on that one) so even if the local players could care less it would be an interesting way of generating buzz for the tournament.

Anyway, more thoughts to come.  If you have any ideas for the Friday night events, feel free to email me.

The site is live!

Welcome everyone!  The website for the Bugeater GT is now online and ready to roll.  We have early information on hotels, location, rules, schedule, and more for the June 24th-26th GT taking place in Omaha.  After attending a local RTT this weekend, I heard from several people that they wanted to see some advertising start now, and even a couple of people said they wanted to lock in and purchase tickets right away.

Tickets are now on sale, and at $5 off for the first 20 people to sign up.  If you pay online (using the link on the menu), it will be $46.75 to cover the charge PayPal adds for using their services.  If you pay in person, it will be a flat $45.  As soon as 20 total sign up, it will go up to full price of $50 ($52 if purchasing online).