Beginners and veterans are welcome to play this classic battle game of the age of sail. Command one or more frigates or ships of the line. Attend the demo where Game Master Tim Hitchings and assistants will be happy to show you the ropes (and guns and cutlasses, etc.). Play as many or as few games as you like during the Swiss preliminaries. Don’t forget the multi-player Fleet Action open to all comers, even those who have not been playing in the tournament!*

FREE FORM FORMAT: Swiss play begins on the First Saturday. If you cannot make it then, no worries. Come aboard well into the week and still be competitive. Play runs daily. Check in at any time to meet up with opponents, but especially at 900, 1300, 1600, and 1900, or use the convenient sign-up sheet to find opponents in the off hours.

Play as many or as few games as desired. Sign in and choose a scenario. The GM or Assistant GM will provide scenarios with prepared logs, match sheets, and miniatures for each game. All players who win a single-ship match may advance to a two-ship match to earn more tournament points. Winners of two-ship matches may try out a three-ship match to earn even more points. Larger scenarios earn more points than smaller scenarios. Your best three games during the Swiss segment will determine who advances to the Semifinal. Players are awarded bonus points based on the records of defeated opponents.

Single Elimination Round: Semifinal and Final are on Second Saturday.

Changes For This Year: An update of the Tournament Rules used at WBC since 2000, Version 4.5, is available by email from the GM (hitchings@juno.com) and by free hard copy at the convention.

Additional Prizes: Each finalist will be awarded two miniature metal ships.

* Participants in this event agree to waive any and all claims against the Boardgame Players Association, Seven Springs Mountain Resort, the GM, and the Assistant GMs for damages caused by, including, but not limited to, round shot, double shot, chain shot, grape shot, musket shot, cutlass thrusts, shipboard fire, magazine explosion, drowning, scurvy, seasickness, yellow jack, rat bites, falling rigging, falling from rigging, bad grog, good grog, maggoty bread, weevilly bread, decks made slippery by the blood of fallen comrades or the GM’s sense of humor. Have fun!

Links: