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2013 Invitational Objectives Preview

Zen13 — Wed, 22 May 2013 06:09:29 +0000

First of all, if you are not familiar with the TSHFT Invitational format and its secondary and tertiary objectives, please check them here before reading further. And if you are familiar with the format then please reference these objectives used in 2012′s Invitational.

2012 Secondary Objectives

As we can see, these objectives were designed with 5th edition in mind. Though some of them still work in 6th edition (Surgical Strikes / Covert Ops) and some of them will work with some wording change (Ambush / Overwelm), the rest need major rewording as they were either 5th edition specific or already covered in the BRB’s secondaries. I will post an update of the 2013 objectives in a week, but here are a example of what a player should be expecting.

2012 Tertiary Objectives

Most of the tertiary objectives will get an update and or change just as the secondary objectives. As were the secondary objectives, I am going to give a week to my players to gather some inputs and will update and even replace some of them if the suggestions were sound and fitting to the ideal of the Invitational.

TSHFT Ranking, Take Three

Zen13 — Fri, 17 May 2013 10:17:23 +0000

Another TSHFT, another set of numbers for the statisticians in us gamers (which are apparently lot) to break down what is “hot” and what is “not”. While at it, analyzing the meta in the tournament as well. Though TSHFT has a lot of data to crunch, there is one set of data that should play no role to statistics lovers – the TSHFT Ranking.

The TSHFT Ranking came about 3 years ago after I compiled all the data of the then 3 years of TSHFT. I took the Win/Loss records from all the players and created a system (loosely based off the ELO ranking system used in chess) to reflect a player’s skill level and TSHFT experience. Considering that I had tested this ranking system at my old retail shop 2 years before doing TSHFT, that’s a total 8 years of trials and errors in the making.

TSHFT Ranking Basic

Simply put, you win games, you get points; you lose games, you lose points. And depend on the differences between you and your opponent, you might have gained/lose more points and gained/lose less points.

i.e. Any player that does not have a ranking starts out with 1000. If 2 people with 1000 matched up against each other, then the victor would gained 10 points by winning and the loser lost 5 points for losing.

Before Match

Player 1 1000

Player 2 1000

After Match

Player 1 1010

Player 2 995

* The matrix used in this example does not represent the actual TSHFT ranking matrix.

Unranked

All players enter the tournament the first time are registered as unranked. Now since the winners for each title are competing for their class when they first entered the tournament (not based on their class during the tournament), the unranked class provides the most opportunist for any new players at the event (As long as he/she brought a painted army since the TSHFT Champion is only open to a fully painted army).

Class C – Coolcats

1019 and below (1009 and below in 2013~2014 season)

I call these folks the coolcats for a reason. More often than not, these folks believe that that a game is more fun winning with style (either painting/conversion or insanely handicapped lists) than simply winning. They also enjoy the simple joy of rolling dice (I can never get enough of dicE!) and laugh at the triple “1″s or quad “1″s during armor saves while passing a beer to the opponent. A solid paint score, a good altitude, and couple wins with a few secondary objectives should give anyone in this class a good chance to run for the Overall title.

Class B – Battle Brawlers

1099~1020 (1099~1010 in 2013~2014 season)

This is the biggest class currently. Due to its large size, players who are seeking a title are pitted against players ranging from blooming unranked player after a few TSHFT as well as class A players who got a few unlucky rolls. This would be a fantastic playground for any players who wish to hone their craft and skills before their eventual climb at the class A ladder.

Class A – Achievers

1100 & Up (no change in 2013~2014 season)

Be them achievers or over achievers, the class A candidates are truly a class of their own. Not only do these folks have a winning records, they must win often at various TSHFT format and events. That not only takes perseverance, but good generalship as well as they must adopt to the different rules between each TSHFT. My goal is to have the cut off line for Class starting at 1200, but that will take us a few years go get there. But then again, we might get there soon as more and more qualified generals are joining our ranks at the TSHFT events.

TSHFT Open Team Format

Zen13 — Tue, 14 May 2013 21:44:14 +0000

With the Rose City Rumble only 4 months away, an updated rules section is needed for the growing team event. Thus I am going to post the basic team event before posting them on tshftopen.com in details.

Team: 3 men team

I might increase this to 4 men team in the future if more folks prefer that over the 3 men format. But the choice of a 3 men team is to make travel arrangement and coordination among teammates a lot easier.

Each person will be assigned a position on the team: Vanguard, Support, or HHD. Each of these titles carry no special benefits/penalties to a player’s lists, however, they will affect how each round’s match up is made.

Format: 4 round (individual matches)

We are doing away with the double match format used in previous Open event. Instead the team of 3 individuals will match up squarely against other teams.

Pts: 1500 pts

Since we are scheduled 4 rounds in one day, we will keep each member of the team to 1500 to make match up swift and each match timely.

Mission: TSHFT Standard

We are adopting the TSHFT’s Primary/Secondary/Tertiary objectives for the event.

Pairing: Each round the team will pair up in the following format:

Vanguard vs Vanguard

Support vs Support

HHD vs HHD

If the title seems confusing, just replace them with 1st seat/2nd seat/3rd seat and each round each of the seats will play the appropriate seated opponent.

No Soft Scores

That’s about all the changes thus far, any further updates will be posted on www.tshftopen.com

The List – TSHFT Invitational 6/22~6/23

Zen13 — Tue, 14 May 2013 07:57:50 +0000

Well, the second annual Invitational is only 5 weeks away! And here is the list for all had RSVP thus far.

Ben Cromwell

Jeremy Veysseire

Gerry Sunada

Alex Kim

Allen Barjrmovic

Dan Root

Geroge Spencer

Joel Talley

Steve Glossner

Calen Wong

Chance Townsend

Alex Yuen (Guest)

Matt Lewis (Guest)

Todd Smith (Guest)

Bentley Pascoe (Guest)

Due to the huge waiting list I have accumulated, I will need the following winners to RSVP by May 19, 2013 to reserve their spot for the 2013 Invitational. Otherwise I will be forced drop you to the massive list I have already (with priority of course ). I believe some of you had made mention of coming, but since I haven’t gotten a definite YES, I will need you to confirm it. Thanks.

Nick Hayden

Colin Sherlow

Byran Butler

Jessup Coffin

Jason Peterson

Robert Pace

David Jensen

Kriston Broxton

Paul McKelvey

And the following winners are from our last 40K championship. Please RSVP by May 26, 2013 to ensure you have a spot for this year’s Invitation.

Christopher Long

Carlton Kohnert

Eric French

David Swanson

Jayson B.

Sean Morgan

Darryl Park

2013 BAO 40K winner (no contact thus far )

If you see your buddy’s name on this list and he/she hasn’t replied, please pass down the information to him/her as the TSHFT Invitational is an event that he/she doesn’t want to be missed.

I will update the event info in the next few days (as well as a huge surprise prize for everyone invited). But here are the basic requirement for the Invitational.

1500pts

No FW rules

All models MUST be painted

Hope to see you in June!

TSHFT 40K Changes

Zen13 — Tue, 14 May 2013 06:44:32 +0000

After another event of 40K finished, I have finally (I think ) finalized what the format TSHFT is going to take for the future 40K events in 6th edition. The change from 5th to 6th for 40K was a positive one, but a difficult transition for TSHFT. The change of deployment, reserve and mission system had made the old P/S/T system not only archaic but difficult to manage in a tournament that had truly found its calling in the 5th edition (TSHFT). But after 2 40K championship and 1 40K Open event, and many suggestions and trials and errors, I have decided on the following changes to keep TSHFT both unique and fair in competition.

Missions

I am still going to keep the Primary / Secondary / Tertiary format for all TSHFT events, though with a few changes. I am going to keep the duo mission set up to which one of the book mission will be used for Primary Objective and the other one for secondary objective. To avoid confusion and to better utilize the book secondary objectives, the 3 secondary objectives from the BRB will be used along with the secondary objective to break ties for the Secondary objective only (as opposed to break the primary objective used in the last 40K Championship).

The reason for this is twofold. First, I found the notion of mentioning “the secondary objectives count towards the primary, and the second secondary objective are the other primary objective” silly and idiosyncratic. Best to leave the secondary objectives with the secondary and not tinker with the primary objective. Secondly, I have seen too many games been decided by the objective “first blood”. Though it serves as a good tie breaker to break ties, I found it too much a decider to break an otherwise hard fought draw. And since TSHFT uses BP for match placement anyhow, best leave it a tie breaker for the secondary objectives.

Warlord’s Trait

This is a very important aspect of the game and I have thus been using a modified rule to make sure no players game is decided by a couple die rolls before their game even begin. However, with the release of new codex, I have modified the ruling to the following:

“When rolling for Warlord’s trait, if there is no special warlord’s trait in your codex, then roll the die and choose from any of the warlord’s category provided in the BRB. If your codex has section for warlord’s trait, then please follow the instruction of the BRB, and choose one from either the BRB or your codex then roll the die to decided which Warlord’s trait you will have.”

This change is to prevent the player playing with a new codex the distinct advantage of having more available (and beneficial) warlord’s trait to him than the player playing with an older codex.

Forgeworld Models

I admit I have flip-flopped on the idea of FW models for the past year. But the inclusion of them not only makes the tournament scene somewhat tamed (as the idea of certain FW models deter the popular tourney lists) but they also add another aspect of the game to the hobbyists as well. So I have decided to keep FW in TSHFT until a majority of my players had decided that FW models are indeed destroying the balance of the game.

The only FW free zone is the TSHFT Invitational. Where the champions and class winners shall compete each other on an equal ground and best each other with tactics.

Terrain

Some of the large Terrain pieces received acclaim during this recent TSHFT. I shall continue work on them with my crew and bring more functional and pleasant looking terrain to the event. But like everything else, it is a working process.

Staff & Volunteers

One of my focus is to shift my role from a tournament organizer/event judge to that of a tournament organizer in future TSHFT events. This decision was made as an realization of the rapid growth of TSHFT and my time is better served for the event to finance, promote and plan the event rather than provide hands on support to it at every level. Since my role in TSHFT is going to change, that means I will need qualified individual(s) to administrate and judge the events as well as volunteers to help setup/breaking down the event. I will post a more detailed post on this topic later, but it is a field that I wish to address before the next Emerald City Slaughter.

I am sure there are other changes that needed to be implanted but my mind is growing tired and my fingers errors prone. I am going to bid you all with the above changes for now (effective immediately) and looking forward that these changes will make your next TSHFT bout a fair and interesting one.

Cheers,

TSHFT 40K Championship Results!

Zen13 — Mon, 13 May 2013 06:49:09 +0000

TSHFT Tracking Sheet – 40K 2013 0511

TSHFT Secondary Objectives Changes!

Zen13 — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 05:21:49 +0000

As the old saying goes, “double the objectives, double the fun!”

After a few more test run of the 6th ed. 40K and how it had changed, I realized an overhaul of the secondary objectives for TSHFT is not only necessary but also imminent. And after reading a lot more battle reports from not only my events, but events across the country, I have decided to make the following changes for TSHFT championship and THSFT open series.

Instead of using the FOC as the basis for the secondary objectives, each TSHFT mission will have another book mission attached to it serving as the secondary objective. For example, “Big Gun Never Tire” may have “The Relic” as the secondary objective. While completing the primary objective will reward the winner 14BP, completing the secondary objective will reward the player the remaining 6BP. The book secondary objectives will in turn serve as tie breaker for either the primary objective and/or the secondary objectives. The old FOC based secondary objectives will be reworded and used as tertiary objectives (posted at a later date).

For those of you who had attended the BAO event down in California, you should feel very familiar with this. The only noted (and big) difference is that there is a clear primary objective and a clear secondary objective each round and they will have their own version of BP associated with winning, losing, or drawing on the objective.

Of course, this means that the Invitational will also have major changes added to them (which I shall post in a separate tag). I hope this change meets and reflect the changes we need in the current edition of 40K gaming.

Cheers,

Zen

TSHFT 2013~2014 Event Calendar

Zen13 — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 02:52:26 +0000

Alright, here is the updated TSHFT schedule for the tournament season 2013 and 2014. Hopefully this will give anyone who is interested in showing up plenty time to smooth the talk with their loved ones.

May 11~12, 2013

TSHFT Championship

Hilton Garden Inn

Bothell, WA

This marks the last open TSHFT competition for the 2012~13 tournament season. For those of you who wish to play in the TSHFT Invitational, this would be your last chance to qualify. It is only scheduled for 50 entry, so register early if you haven’t already.

June 22~23, 2013

TSHFT Invitational

Hilton Garden Inn

Bothell, WA

This 2 day, 6 rounds tournament is the perfect retreat and celebration to wrap up the 2012~2013 TSHFT tournament series. There is no soft score in this event, and only the best among the top qualified individuals in the 2012~2013 season are invited to this event. The title “TSHFT Grand Champion” will be decided on this match as well as well as any past TSHFT champion trophies.

September 20~22, 2013

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Portland

Portland, OR

The beginning of the 2013~14 tournament season is marked with this TSHFT Open format tournament. A team tournament is held on the Friday of the event, then followed by two days of grueling competition among nearly 200 competitors.

January 17~19, 2014

Double Tree by Hilton Hotel Seatac Airport

Seattle, WA

The 2013~2014 tournament continues with another TSHFT Open tournament. With over 80+ guest arriving last year, we are expecting at least 200+ attendee to arrive in 2014 to compete for the top prize.

May, 2014 (exact date pending)

And once again, the final qualification for the 2013~14 season will be held in a local hotel where any players who wish to compete once more before the Invitational.

FW Prohibition is over…

Zen13 — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 06:31:32 +0000

After a couple more month of playing, observing and chatting with colleagues and friends who love the game of 40K, I have had a change of heart regarding Forge World miniatures (if you still want to call them miniatures considering a majority of them are large scaled). Before I render my final decision regarding FW pieces for the 2013 TSHFT season, here is a road map of my thought press:

TOPIC: Allowing FW pieces in 6th Ed. 40K (those were given 40K approved)

PROS:

- Most of the FW models were given the “40K approved stamp” and they fit into the main stream of game play for 6th ed. 40K.

- The FW pieces bring a balance against most of the flyer lists.

- They are awesome to look at.

- They give modelers an opportunity to build/convert/paint cool models.

- “I can finally tell my wife the $4000 of toys I bought years ago in the basement were investments not losses any more!”

CONS:

- The revenue generated by FW sales does not necessarily boost the quality of the mainstay game (40K) as it works as a subsidiary of the parent company. This was the main concern of mine when I decided on only 1 FW model per army.

- More rules to learn…

- Most of the FW models are only available for Imperial forces.

- FW models cost a pretty penny

- FW models rules are not fully play tested.

Though there seem to be more Cons than Pros on this list, it had appeared to me that most 40K players (such as my self) welcome the idea of FW models due to the novelties and aesthetics they bring to a normal game of 40K. Though the fear of some FW models will cause unbalance in 40K meta, the truth of the meta is that we can find more ways to skew a game of 40K from regular published official codex. TSHFT has always been an event that is determined by the players rather the TO, and since most of my players wish for FW models to be included in the event or could careless one way or another, I am willing to lift the restriction on FW models for TSHFT from the single entry to the following:

“Forge World models (Not special characters and/or army lists) with the “40,000 Approved” on them in the official FW publication and/or WD magazines are allowed in all TSHFT events as long as players use them by following the normal Force Organization Chart restrictions. Players who wish to construct and kitbash their own FW models are welcome to sport provided they follow the proper dimension, firing point, weaponry, etc. of FW models. If any of these privately construct models were found abusive and/or inaccurate interpretations of the FW models they tried to represent, they would be removed from the event (by their owners) with the points paid for them in their respecting army lists voided.”

Best of lucks!

TSHFT OPEN – Rose City Rumble!

Zen13 — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 21:58:50 +0000

Just in case you were wandering whether Oregon GT is going to happen or not. I am proud to announce that after couple weeks of tug of war, and haggling, the Oregon TSHFT Open is a go and will be held in the Exhibit Center in the DoubleTree by Hilton in Portland, OR. The date of the event is September 20 through 22, 2013.

More details for the event will be posted on the www.tshftopen.com home page as well as this blog. But for now, we have the following for our avid tournament goers:

40K Team Challenge (24 teams)

Sept 20 (this is a one day event)

3 round team event similar to the style ran in Emerald City Slaughter in January. Projected time slot (1200~2300)

40K Individual Challenge (120 spots)

Sept 21~22

5 round, 2 day single challenge (1750 pts). Projected time slot (0830 Sep 21 ~ 1630 Sep 22).

Since we have roughly 17,000 sqft of space, more events will be added to Rose City Rumble as we finalize our event schedule in the next few weeks. If you are interested in certain events or wish to organize a small event during TSHFT Open, feel free to chime in below and we’ll take them into considerations.

The tickets will go on sale within a month as well.