Bruce, Braveheart and the blocks
...
WELCOME to the 2009 WBC Hammer of the Scots Tournament!
Like last year, we will be using the latest incarnation of the
rules online (from the publisher, version 2.3) and even for "veteran\"
players, there are a few significant rule changes 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/3215-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) 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 below link
for more details.
All other previous FAQs on card play and rules apply.
Bidding will remain relatively the same, blind bidding (player
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 format will be Swiss for the first three rounds, necking
down to four to fight it out in two single elimination rounds.
IMPORTANT: Noble count accumulation (both with WINS and LOSSES)
will break ties, so it is important to play hard to the finish
to end the game with as many nobles as you can. (i.e. if somebody
is two wins, one loss and has a total of 25 nobles at the end
of all three games, they advance over somebody 2-1 with a total
of 24). Auto victory by killing English King twice or the Scottish
King will result in a 14 Noble win, as it is assumed that if
you kill the other person's King (or second King in the case
of England) that all nobles will bow down to you. . .groveling.
SO; be careful with engaging your King if you have a lot to
lose, and keep all of this in mind when bidding for a side.
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 if 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
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