Middle Earth Pre-Con
The Middle Earth Pre-Con is seperate from WBC and requires
its own registration fee. See the Middle
Earth Pre-Con for pricing information. Tribune level members may attend any and all Pre-Cons AND
WBC free of charge.
Tolkien fans rejoice ...
"One ring to rule them all, one ring to find them,
one ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them!"
The quest for Middle Earth renews in 2009 on Sunday night at
the WBC Middle Earth Pre-Con.
In War of the Ring, one player takes control of the Free Peoples
(FP) and the other controls the Shadow Peoples (SP). The theme
and mechanics are highly meshed producing a game which captures
the overwhelming numbers of the Shadow and the glimmer of hope
from the Fellowship's quest. There exists two paths to victory
for each side. For the FP they can win by destroying the ring
in the Crack of Doom, or less likely, militarily by capturing
4 VPs of Shadow strongholds/cities. The SP can win by corrupting
Frodo to succumb to wielding the ring or militarily by capturing
10 VPs of Free People strongholds/cities. All the main parts
of the books are involved in the game via miniatures, event cards
and/or combat cards. From BoardGameGeek http://www.boardgamegeek.com/game/9609
: "Each game turn revolves around the roll of Action
Dice: each die corresponds to an action that a player can do
during a turn. Depending on the face rolled on each die, different
actions are possible (moving armies, characters, recruiting troops,
advancing a Political Track). Action dice can also be used to
draw or play Event Cards. Event Cards are played to represent
specific events from the story (or events which could possibly
have happened) which cannot be portrayed through
normal game play. Each Event Card can also create an unexpected
turn in the game, allowing special actions or altering the course
of
battle."
Rules/Bidding Changes for 2009
In 2009 I will be moving the event to an A -- Advanced class
and all games will use the Twilight of the Third Age additions.
The goal of that is to insure anyone playing has played at least
the basic version of the game and knows the rules to that game.
I will still be running a Demo, on Saturday which will finish
before the start of the HRC pre-con tournament at 2:00pm, to
go through the bidding we will use (same as last year) and explain
the Twilight of the Third Age additions to the game.
I'll also have summary sheets printed out for anyone unable to
make the Demo review but still wanting to play in the event starting
Sunday night. Full use of the expansion is also a direction
I am moving this year. With less than 25% of last year's participants
playing just the basic game, I felt it time to get everyone on
the same playing field by using the expansion additions.
The bidding rules will remain the same as last year, namely
the use of Dwarven Rings. The The full rules can be downloaded
at: http://www.boardgamegeek.com/file/info/28563
In a nutshell, you are bidding an amount of start of the
turn action dice re-rolls. Allowing a bid amount of mulligan
rolls, based on the rules in the link, can temper bad action
dice luck for the side which people figure is at a disadvantage
to start.
Tournament Guidelines
15 minutes before scheduled start time: sign in and setup games.
There will be a 3.5 hour time limit for each game to complete.
A warning will be given when 90 minutes remain and another when
45 minutes remain. Please keep the games moving and avoid analysis
paralysis.
Adjudicated games will take into account action dice rolled,
possible draw ahead hunt tiles, board position and cards in hand.
The GM will make the ruling and end all slow running games no
later than 10 minutes before the next heat starts. So setup ASAP
to start on time and get in more play.
You are free to play in as many or as few rounds as you like.
Just inform the GM at the end of your current game if you do
not plan on playing in the next round. Considerations for keeping
the field an even number are greatly appreciated.
A game owner for sake of these guidelines relates to anyone
bringing a copy of the game to the event room.
Tournament Format
Round 1: Players will be randomly paired with people with
and without games. Anyone with a game should sign in and start
setting up immediately as directed by the GM.
Round 2: Winners will play winners, non-winners will play
non-winners. Please setup games prior to the start times. If
an odd number of winners, a non-winner will be randomly selected
to play one of the winning players.
Round 3: Likewise, 2-0's will face off, along with 1-1's
and 0-2's. If an odd number of undefeated players happens, 1-1's
will be randomly assigned to play the 2-0 player(s). (restriction:
you cannot play the same person you played in Round 1)
Semi-final: The four top players will compete in single
elimination play starting Sunday morning. The four finalists
will be posted the night before on the kiosk once determined
so we can get an on time start for the semi-final round.
Final: The Final will begin within 10 minutes of the completion
of both semi-final games or the two finalists can agree to complete
the game at a different day/time that suits them better so they
could attend a different event that day. The only restriction
would be the
Final has to be completed by the end of the Tuesday Game Auction.
Rules Clarifications
Servant of the Secret Flame Combat effect pertains to both FP
combat and leader re-rolls
Cruel As Death Combat card effect requires 2+ Nazgul leadership
Words of Power can stop a companion using Mighty Attack.
You can not give up leadership twice, for two different effects.
Condensed rules with expansion and FAQ all in one, very good
refresher prior to the convention:
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/thread/307762
Combat card effect matrix, I will have handouts available of
this at the convention: http://www.boardgamegeek.com/file/info/29436
Logistical Items
Tie-breakers for final four
1. Most wins
2. Win for both sides
3. Wins strength, based on combine win/loss record percentage
of your opponents (better % adv)
4. Random selection
Odd number of participants (byes)
Since we all come to the pre-con to play War of the Ring
and not sit and watch it played, here are the bye rules in the
event of an odd
number of players.
No person gets more than one bye.
A bye equals a win vs an 0-1 player of the same side as any of
your actual wins
Players may choose to receive a bye in the following hierarchy
1. Previous year's WBC winner, followed by each previous WBC
year winner
2. Random selection from any other players willing to take a
bye
3. GM sits out the game, if not previously given a bye
4. Random selection from all non-game owner players not previously
given a bye
5. Random selection from all game owner players not previously
given a bye |