WELCOME to the WBC Hammer of the Scots Tournament! A new GM brings an ambitious new format with a thee-round swiss advancing four players to Single Elimination. Tiebreakers will be based on strength of schedule. Play will be continuous rounds with the usual caveat that the finalists may agree on an alternate time of their mutual choice.The 2009 rules, version 3.0, will be in effect. Refer to the Columbia Games website for a copy.

Here are the significant rule changes over the last edition of rules that affect play and might influence your bidding:

1. A few Scottish units have been upgraded: The Scottish bowmen (Etterick) block now has movement of 3, and another Scottish Infantry (Fraser) block now has a combat rating of C3 (identical to the MacDonald block), rather than C2. (to see all the blocks online, here's the link: http://www.columbiagames.com/pix/3161-hammer-labels.gif) We don't recommend you mutilate your pieces, but that is how they will be played.

2. The "Reserves" in combat rule has changed: Reserves sit out the first round (just like they used to do) but if the force that they are supporting gets wiped out, the Reserve Units ARE revealed AND engage in combat in Round 2. Another major change is that if it is the DEFENDER that is wiped out in Round 1, its Reserve forces that arrive are now the ATTACKERs. (Not only does the attacker then get to fire first, but if they have a native noble, he now "defends" at B3). See the link below for more details.

All other previous FAQs on card play and rules apply.

Bidding will remain the same, blind bidding (players write bids on their entry card) either for the English with a number representing the number of round Edward 1 is "face up" in the levy pool, unavailable for play. (ie. a written bid of E3 means that you want the English and are willing to let Eddie sit out the first three rounds). With the rule changes AND the below tournament rules, there may actually be some Scottish bidders this year - they bid addtional blocks the English will add to their initial levy of 4 (i.e. S2 means "I want the Scots and will give the English two more blocks Round 1). In the event of a tie (i.e. both bid E3) you roll a die and the person with the highest roll "wins" the bid - they pay it and play it. In the odd instance that the bids are opposite in nature (somebody bids English the other Scots) both sides get the side they want and "cancel out" the relative difference - if the Scots bid 2 and the English 1, then ONE block would be added to the English levy.

The past few years have seen the bids reduced to 1 for either side. . .occasionally a "2" for the English. . . . but, the online tourney sees almost none. . . if you're a new player, recommend you bid nothing and pick the side you want . . .

Time limits will be strictly enforced, so if you have a "sandbagger" please let the GM or Asst GMs know discretely and we will take appropriate action. If a game just runs out of time with no clear violator, the current round will be completed and the nobles counted. . . . with additional adjudication by the GM as required.

If you have a dispute, have both warring parties appeal simultaneously to the GM for adjudication. Remember, if you are not having fun, you are certainly doing something wrong . . .

Email me with questions - or check out the Hammer forum on Consimworld at http://talk.consimworld.com/WebX?14@263.cK7dcaJgB5V.5@.ee6f6e0/2464

The link to the official rules can be found here at the Columbia Games website:

http://www.columbiagames.com/cgi-bin/query/cfg/zoom.cfg?product_id=3215

"Nemo me impune lacessit" - Royal Motto of Scotland