On the weekend we will be running the Warhammer World Series, which (despite the grandiose name) is a small 1500pt one-day tournament with a difference. There will be no comp scores, nor will there be any painting scores. Neither of these things are applicable, because players are not turning up with their own armies. Instead, the armies are already allocated to the tables, and the players arrive at the table and play with what they find there. The scenario is also pre-determined for the given table.
This is not a concept I have ever seen tried before, but I think it's quite exciting. I was looking forward to playing in such an event, but in the end I've put my hand up to run it instead, to try to ensure everything goes smoothly. There are a number of advantages and potential pitfalls for a tournament using this approach:
Pros
Players don't need to worry about making armies, and there are no comp restrictions or scoring required. Entering an event like this couldn't be simpler. This is a particular advantage for those who don't like the underlying game of writing competitive army lists and trying to "beat the system" as some might.
Armies and scenarios can be balanced in advance. Not all armies in a tournament like this need to be of a similar strength. All that matters is that they face off well against the force on the other side of the table. You can even field unusual, unbalanced armies that would be a serious liability in a normal tournament, because you know what they will be up against. You can make it work.
Players will be tested in ways they never have before. It is a rare player that has used every army in Warhammer - many tend to focus on one or two. Entering a tournament where they could find themselves with a different unfamiliar army each game will test their versatility and overall game knowledge. It also adds variety for the players - no chance of getting bored with the using the same list all day. For players who are looking for a new army to collect, this offers quite the opportunity to take a few for a test drive.
Cons
Organising an event like this can be problematic because you need a sufficient supply of armies that people are willing to let other people (potentially strangers) play with. With the amount of time and care that goes into preparing armies, people can be quite protective of their work. You also need a wide variety of armies available, or the whole point of the exercise is somewhat lost. If everyone just brings along a Daemon army, you haven't gained much. In our case we have every army represented except Tomb Kings, so we're doing well. some armies are more numerous than others, but that's partly my fault - I'll be contributing 15 of the armies (not looking forward to setup)...
Whilst it's all well and good for players to try to adapt to new things, it will inevitably slow things down. In our case this promises to be a particular problem because we've ended up with a very tight schedule. Combine that with people picking up a new army every round, and we may be headed for problems. I'll be trying to keep on top of that, but people can expect to be hurried up. Under different circumstances, the learning process could be better accommodated by allowing extra time for each round.
Being able to pick the armies that will face each other round after round and choose an appropriate scenario is definitely an advantage when it comes to game balance. However, there is still the requirement to get this bit right. An unbalanced match-up could see one player on the table with a disadvantage each round. Of course, in a normal tournament you are relying on a comp panel to get the scoring right (or a set of caps to level the field), so the element of risk may be no greater overall.
The Armies
So, having looked at the potential advantages and pitfalls of this unusual tournament, let's have a look at the armies we have lined up. Ideally with more preparation you could actually playtest the pairings to determine how well they stack up, but we will have to make do with the analysis of several experienced players.
Each table will have the army lists clearly laid out, with some form of cheat sheet to serve as a quick reference for most of the rules the players will need. Having to refer to army books that will need to be shared between tables is another potential issue - the quick reference rules will be a must.
TABLE 1 - BATTLELINE
Beastmen
Doombull with Arabian Carpet, Gnarled Hide, Charmed Shield, Sword of Swift Slaying, Dragonbane Gem, Heavy Armour
Gorebull (BSB) with Armour of Destiny, Great Weapon
39 Ungor with Shields, Full Command
5 Raiders
5 Raiders
Tuskgor Chariot
Tuskgor Chariot
5 Harpies
Razorgor Chariot
Jabberslythe
VS
Vampire Counts
Vampire Lord (L1 Vampires) with Red Fury, Quickblood, Armour of Destiny, Sword of Might, Shield
Vampire (L2 Vampires) on Barded Steed with Battle Standard, Heavy Armour, Shield, Dispel Scroll, Dawn Stone
Cairn Wraith with Great Weapons
30 Crypt Ghouls with Ghast
23 Zombies with Standard, Musician
9 Black Knights with Barding, Lances, Full Command
Varghulf
TABLE 2 - BATTLE FOR THE PASS
Ogre Kingdoms
Slaughtermaster (L4 Maw) with Armour of Destiny, Dispel Scroll, Great Weapon
Bruiser (BSB) with Armour of Silvered Steel, Dragonbane Gem, Ogre Pistol, Lookout Gnoblar
9 Ironguts with Command
4 Mournfang Cavalry with Ironfists, Heavy Armour, Full Command
Sabretusk
Sabretusk
Ironblaster
VS
Orcs and Goblins
Orc Warboss on Wyvern with Armour of Destiny, Sword of Striking, Shield
Orc Shaman (L2) with Dispel Scroll
Black Orc Big Boss on Boar with Battle Standard, Heavy Armour, Sword of Might, Dragonhelm
39 Orc Boyz with Shields, Command
5 Goblin Wolf Riders with Spears
5 Goblin Wolf Riders with Spears
Orc Boar Chariot
Giant
Rock Lobber
Doom Diver
TABLE 3 - BATTLELINE
Wood Elves
Glamourweave Spellweaver (L4 Life) on Unicorn with Dispel Scroll
15 Dryads
10 Dryads
10 Dryads
6 Wild Riders with Standard Bearer, Musician
4 Treekin
Treeman
VS
Tomb Kings
Liche High Priest (L4 Nehekara) with Earthing Rod, Talisman of Preservation
13 Skeleton Archers with Musician
13 Skeleton Archers with Musician
3 Chariots with Musician
5 Horse Archers
3 Sepulchral Stalkers
Warsphinx with Fiery Roar
4 Carrion
Tomb Scorpion
Tomb Scorpion
Casket of Souls
TABLE 4 - MEETING ENGAGEMENT
Empire
Arch Lector on Barded Steed with Heavy Armour, Shield, Dragonhelm, Mace of Helstrum, Dawnstone
Captain on Barded Steed with Battle Standard, Full Plate Armour, Charmed Shield, Talisman of Endurance
Battle Wizard (Level 2 Heavens) on Steed with Talisman of Preservation
15 Inner Circle Knights with musician, great weapons
5 Knightly Orders with lances
5 Knightly Orders with lances
5 Outriders with musician, sharpshooter
Steam Tank
VS
Chaos Dwarfs
Sorcerer-Prophet (L4 Hashut) with Enchanted Shield, Luckstone, Dispel Scroll
Dark Castellan (BSB) with Mask of the Furnace, Shield
15 Chaos Dwarf Infernal Guard with Great Weapons, Full Command, Banner of Swiftness
16 Chaos Dwarf Infernal Guard with Standard Bearer, Musician
14 Chaos Dwarf Infernal Ironsworn with Musician
1 Deathshrieker
1 Magma Cannon
TABLE 5 - BATTLELINE
Empire
Templar Grand Master with Full Plate Armour, Barded Steed, Shield, Giant Blade
Captain on Barded Steed with Battle Standard, Full Plate Armour, Shield, Talisman of Endurance
Battle Wizard (Level 2 Shadow) with Dispel Scroll
10 Inner Circle Knights with lances
40 Spearmen with full command; detachment of 5 Archers
12 Crossbowmen with std, musician
4 Demigryph Knights with halberds, std, musician
1 Great Cannon
VS
Dwarfs
Dwarf Lord on Shieldbearers with Rune of Stone, Rune of Resistance, Rune of Preservation, Great Weapon
Thane with Battle Standard, Master Rune of Gromril
Runesmith with Rune of Spellbreaking, Great Weapon
20 Longbeards with Shields, Command
20 Hammerers with Command
10 Thunderers
Grudge Thrower with 2 Runes of Penetrating
Organ Gun
Gyrocopter
TABLE 6 - BATTLELINE
High Elves
Archmage (L3 High) with Talisman of Preservation, Dispel Scroll
Noble with Battle Standard, Great Weapon, Armour of Caledor, Guardian Phoenix
30 Sea Guard with Command, Banner of Eternal Flame
2 Bolt Throwers
2 Tiranoc Chariots
16 Swordmasters with Command
VS
Daemons of Chaos
Herald of Nurgle (L1) with Stream of Bile
Herald of Slaanesh (L1) with Battle Standard, Torment Blade
30 Daemonettes with Full Command
31 Plaguebearers with Full Command, Standard of Seeping Decay
Beast of Nurgle
4 Fiends
TABLE 7 - DAWN ATTACK
Orcs and Goblins
Goblin Warboss on Gigantic Spider with Armour of Destiny, Sword of Might, Shield
Night Goblin Great Shaman (L4)
Night Goblin Big Boss with Battle Standard, Talisman of Preservation, Warrior Bane, Light Armour, Shield
Night Goblin Big Boss with Great Weapon
Night Goblin Big Boss with Great Weapon
35 Night Goblins with Shields, Standard, Musician, Netters, 2 Fanatics
35 Night Goblins with Shields, Standard, Musician, Netters, 2 Fanatics
30 Squig Herd (20 Squigs, 10 Herders)
Wolf Chariot
Giant
Doom Diver
VS
Ogre Kingdoms
Tyrant with Sword of Strife, Giantbreaker, Armour of Fortune, Ironfist
Bruiser with Battle Standard, Heavy Armour, Great Weapon, Talisman of Preservation
Butcher (L2) with Dispel Scroll
8 Ironguts with Standard, Musician
3 Ogres with Musician
3 Leadbelchers
3 Maneaters with Heavy Armour, Great Weapons, Scout, Stubborn
Sabretusk
Sabretusk
TABLE 8 - BATTLELINE
Chaos Dwarfs
Sorcerer-Prophet (L3 Hashut) with Charmes Shield, Dispel Scroll, Talisman of Preservation
Dark Castellan (BSB) with Enchanted Shield, Dawn Stone
Hobgoblin Khan on Wolf with Light Armour, Spear, Shield
33 Infernal Guard with Full Command, Banner of Swiftness
10 Infernal Ironsworn with Standard, Musician
Magma Cannon
Deathshrieker
5 Hobgoblin Wolf Riders
VS
Skaven
Grey Seer with Talisman of Preservation, Skalm, Dispel Scroll
Warlock Engineer with Doom Rocket
40 Slaves with Musician
40 Slaves with Musician
29 Clanrats with Shields, Full Command, Plague Wind Mortar
3 Rat Ogres (2 Ogres, 1 Packmaster)
8 Warplock Jezzails
Hellpit Abomination
30 Giant Rats (27 Rats, 3 Packmasters)
9 Plague Censer Bearers
TABLE 9 - BATTLELINE
Empire
Wizard Lord (Level 4 Light) with Fencer's Blades, White Cloak
Captain with Battle Standard, Full Plate Armour, Enchanted Shield, Talisman of Endurance
40 Swordsmen with full command
10 Handgunners
5 Knightly Orders with lances
5 Knightly Orders with lances
29 Flagellants
Great Cannon
VS
Skaven
Warlord with Armour of Silvered Steel, Talisman of Preservation, Potion of Foolhardiness, Halberd
Chieftain (BSB) with Armour of Destiny, Halberd
Warlock Engineer (L2) with Doom Rocket, Warp Energy Condenser
Warlock Engineer (L1) with Dispel Scroll
35 Stormvermin with Full Command, Razor Standard, Plague Wind Mortar
35 Plague Monks with Full Command, Plague Banner
5 Gutter Runners with Poison, Slings
5 Gutter Runners with Poison, Slings
1 Warp Lightning Cannon
TABLE 10 - BATTLE FOR THE PASS
Wood Elves
Highborn with Bow of Loren, Arcane Bodkins, Stone of the Crystal Mere, Great Weapon
Noble with Battle Standard, Asyendi's Bane, Hail of Doom Arrow
Spellsinger (L2 Athel Loren) with Dispel Scroll
Branchwraith with Annoyance of Netlings
15 Glade Guard with Musician
10 Glade Guard with Musician
8 Scouts
6 Wild Riders with Musician
Treeman
VS
Empire
General on Griffon with Full Plate Armour, Dragonhelm, Great Weapon, Talisman of Protection
Captain on Barded Steed with Battle Standard, Full Plate Armour, Charmed Shield, Talisman of Endurance
Battle Wizard (Level 2 Light) with Dispel Scroll
Warrior Priest with Armour of Fortune, Great Weapon
10 Inner Circle Knights with lances, musician, champion
40 Halberdiers with full command; detachment of 6 Archers
5 Pistoliers
Helblaster Volley Gun
TABLE 11 - WATCHTOWER
Wood Elves
Treeman Ancient with Cluster of Radiants
Spellsinger (L2 Athel Loren) with Dispel Scroll
Noble with Battle Standard, Asyendi's Bane, Hail of Doom Arrow
Branchwraith with Annoyance of Netlings
15 Glade Guard with Standard Bearer, Musician, Banner of Eternal Flame
10 Glade Guard with Musician
8 Dryads
8 Dryads
7 Wardancers with Musician
3 Warhawk Riders
VS
High Elves
Archmage (L4 Shadow) with Talisman of Preservation
Noble with Battle Standard, Great Weapon, Armour of Caledor, Guardian Phoenix
30 Spearmen with Command
10 Archers
16 White Lions with Command
5 Dragon Princes with Musician
Lion Chariot
Great Eagle
TABLE 12 - BATTLELINE
Warriors of Chaos
Sorcerer (L2 Slaanesh) with Mark of Slaanesh, Dispel Scroll, Dragonhelm
Exalted Hero (BSB) on Barded Steed with Mark of Slaanesh, Talisman of Preservation, Charmed Shield, Halberd
38 Marauders with Full Command, Great Weapons, Mark of Slaanesh
18 Warriors with Full Command, Halberds, Shields, Mark of Slaanesh
5 Marauder Horsemen with Flails, Musician, Mark of Slaanesh
5 Marauder Horsemen with Flails, Musician, Mark of Slaanesh
Chaos Giant with Mark of Slaanesh
Chaos Chariot with Mark of Slaanesh
VS
Vampire Counts
Master Necromancer (L4 Vampires) with Talisman of Preservation, Dispel Scroll
Wight King BSB with Armour of Destiny, Great Weapon
30 Crypt Ghouls with Ghast
30 Zombies with Standard, Musician
35 Grave Guard with Great Weapons, Full Command, Banner of the Barrows
2 Fell Bats
2 Fell Bats
2 Spirit Hosts
TABLE 13 - BATTLELINE
Daemons of Chaos
Daemon Prince of Khorne with Armour of Khorne, Winged Horror
Herald of Khorne (BSB)
28 Bloodletters with Full Command
15 Bloodletters with Standard, Musician
15 Bloodletters with Standard, Musician
5 Flesh Hounds
5 Furies
VS
Dwarfs
Dwarf Lord with Great Weapon, Master Rune of Gromril, Rune of Resistance
Dragon Slayer
Dragon Slayer
20 Longbeards with Shields, Command
12 Quarrellers with Great Weapons, Command
20 Ironbreakers with Command
12 Troll Slayers
5 Troll Slayers
Grudge Thrower with Rune of Accuracy, 2 Runes of Penetrating
Gyrocopter
TABLE 14 - BLOOD AND GLORY
Orcs and Goblins
Orc Great Shaman (L3) with Talisman of Preservation
Goblin Big Boss on Wolf with Battle Standard, Light Armour, Charmed Shield, Spear, Potion of Strength, Talisman of Protection
20 Night Goblins with Short Bows, Standard, Musician, 1 Fanatic
14 Goblin Wolf Riders with Spears, Shields, Light Armour, Command
5 Goblin Spider Riders with Musician
30 Black Orcs with Command, Standard of Discipline
6 Trolls
Orc Boar Chariot
Rock Lobber
VS
Warriors of Chaos
Chaos Lord on Juggernaut with Dawnstone, Sword of Might, Mark of Khorne
Exalted Hero (BSB) with Charmed Shield
30 Marauders with Standard, Musician, Great Weapons, Mark of Khorne
18 Chaos Warriors with Full Command, Shields, Halberds, Mark of Khorne
5 Marauder Horsemen with Flails, Musician, Mark of Khorne
6 Chaos Knights with Standard, Musician, Mark of Khorne
5 Chaos Warhounds
5 Chaos Warhounds
TABLE 15 - BLOOD AND GLORY
Orcs and Goblins
Black Orc Warboss with Armour of Destiny, Sword of Strife, Shield
Black Orc Big Boss with Battle Standard, Talisman of Preservation, Heavy Armour
Orc Shaman (L2) with Dispel Scroll
38 Orc Boyz with Shields, Command
5 Goblin Spider Riders with Musician
28 Black Orcs with Command, Banner of Eternal Flame
Giant
VS
Warriors of Chaos
Sorcerer Lord (L4 Nurgle) with Mark of Nurgle, Talisman of Preservation
Exalted Hero (BSB) with Mark of Nurgle, Talisman of Endurance, Charmed Shield
15 Chaos Warriors with Full Command, Shields, Mark of Nurgle
30 Marauders with Full Command, Flails, Mark of Nurgle
5 Chaos Warhounds
5 Chaos Warhounds
5 Chaos Knights with Standard, Musician, Mark of Nurgle
Chaos Warshrine with Mark of Nurgle
TABLE 16 - BATTLELINE
Bretonnians
Prophetess (L3 Heavens) on Barded Steed with Ruby Goblet, Dispel Scroll
Paladin (General) with Gromril Great Helm, Wyrmlance, Shield
Paladin (BSB) with Enchanted Shield, Dawnstone, Biting Blade
8 Knights of the Realm with Full Command, Standard of Discipline
8 Knights of the Realm with Full Command, Banner of Swiftness
16 Peasant Bowmen with Full Command, Braziers
3 Pegasus Knights with Full Command
5 Mounted Yeomen with Shields, Standard, Musician
5 Mounted Yeomen with Shields, Standard, Musician
VS
Dark Elves
Supreme Sorceress (L4 Dark) with Focus Familiar, Lifetaker
Master (BSB) on Dark Pegasus, with Cloak of Hag Graef, Dawnstone, Shield, Heavy Armour, Lance
29 Spearmen with Full Command, Banner of Eternal Flame
20 Crossbowmen with Shields, Full Command
5 Shades
5 Shades
14 Black Guard Full Command, Banner of Murder
Chariot
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