Here I Stand (TM) is a multiplayer card-driven game (released by GMT in February, 2006). Come fight the religious and military battles of the Reformation, explore the New World, and keep Europe safe from the Ottoman menace! For the first time, we will have a longer Final - instead of the tournament 3-turn scenario we will be using the 1532 6-turn scenario! Same start as the tournament scenario, but it will allow for more subtle diplomacy and attention to the "long game". It will be scheduled for eight hours and will be tightly monitored by the GM for time and pace.

The event will continue to use the Tournament Scenario supplied from each game for the preliminary heats and the semifinal rounds, but the Final will use the 1532 scenario. The game designer, Ed Beach, will be closely involved in helping to organize the tournament but he has passed the reins to a new set of GMs so he can build the Virgin Queen tournament into the success enjoyed by HIS. Jeff Burdett, Jeromey Martin, and Justin Rice will be running demos and be available for questions at all times. For the latest details on these games see the designer's web site: http://home.comcast.net/~ebeach/

Tournament Format
The tournament will conform to the WBC standards for a Heats Most Wins (HMW) event. We will have opening heats on both Tuesday and Thursday nights (7pm each night) to determine our 18 semifinalists (or, if we have enough entrants we will expand to 36 for a SIX game semifinal).

Based on these selections, the GM will form an appropriate number of tables of each game. Preference will be given toward setting up 6-player Here I Stand tables, but will use 3-player tables if necessary.

Semifinalists are chosen and ranked according to these criteria (the official WBC tie-breakers, adapted for an event with only two heats):
Anyone with two wins
Win in first heat entered
Win in second heat entered
GM Tie-breaker: Total VP earned in all preliminary games played
Average finish in all heats entered
Latest average power selection in heats entered

Here I Stand prelim and semifinal games will continue to use the "Natural Enemies" system introduced in 2008, but with only the Ottoman and Hapsburgs as natural enemies. The one impact of this special tournament rule is as follows: if your natural enemy is the winner of a heat or semifinal, your VP earned will drop five (5) points or 1 point below the last place finisher (whichever is highest).

All semifinal and Final games will be 6-player games. Finalists are chosen first from the semifinal winners; then from those non-winners with the highest semifinal point total (ties go to player with higher rank from preliminary rounds). If we have enough prelim entrants to justify a 6-game semifinal, then the winners from each table will advance. Alternates will be posted after the second preliminary round. Alternates are encouraged to appear before the start of the semifinals at 9am Friday so we can ensure that all semifinals are played with a full allotment of six players. Alternates will also be chosen for the Final on Saturday morning.

Pairings and Power Determination

Preliminaries: All table assignments are determined at random (though Team Tournament teammates will be separated). Players choose powers in the numerical order assigned to them during the random draw.

Semifinals: Table assignments are done according to rank from preliminary rounds (distributing the highest ranked players to different tables). Highest ranked players get first choice of power at their table.

Final: Semifinal winners get first choice of power (in order of semifinal point total, ties going to player with highest rank from preliminary rounds). If advancing from a 36-player semifinal, order will be based on semifinal VP total and ties broken with prelim rank.

Rules Interpretations
Please check the Official Errata and FAQ posted at: http://home.comcast.net/~ebeach/

Please note these two entries in the Here I Stand Errata that have been added to improve balance in the Tournament Scenario (if you have the 2010 reprint edition these changes are already incorporated):

1532 Scenario Setup: The Papacy now begins in control of Siena (SCM) and Florence (HCM). Initial Papal VP thus start at 17. One Papal regular moved in the initial setup from Rome to Florence.

Tournament Scenario: The card 'Dissolution of the Monasteries' (# 63) is normally added to the deck at the start of Turn 5 or 6 if Henry VIII has married Anne Boleyn on the previous turn. For this scenario, set this card aside at this time. When dealing cards to the English player for the turn, please give this card to the English player instead of the first card they would have been dealt from the deck.

ADDITIONAL CHANGE (new for 2013): the Copernicus card will be added in Turn 5 AND will only be worth 1VP.

GMT will provide merchandise certificates for all laurelists of this event in the amount of $20 for 1st, $15 for 2nd, $10 for third, and $5 for 4th thru 6th.