NiCon, May 30-31 in Napier

[Neil Williamson]

Its nice to hear that you enjoyed the scenarios considering that I made them up by adapting some others I'd read about. I feel its a shame that scenarios seem to be out of fashion at the moment. They do make the TO life harder however so if anyone is thinking of running a tournament just be aware of that. I couldn't get Overlord to do everything I wanted so I designed my own spreadsheet which then needed considerable amendment of extra rows and columns because we played an extra round!
I enjoyed my role as TO and would certainly run another tourny.
I'm not sure if the scenarios do put people off. There are certainly some scenarios I don't like- the deployment diagonally across the table springs to mind. I would be interested to hear if people would not enter tournies because something other than pitched battle is thrown in.
On comp, I was looking for something east to administer. There is no club in Masterton so I didn't feel I could go for peer review. I started with percentage allowances for each category but soon dropped that to allow the player to go heavy on characters if they wanted but would have to reduce specials and rare to accommodate this if they were to keep their comp score up. The hardest armies IMO are when you get combos of characters, specials and rares (Plus magic items) so by rewarding lots of core you are reducing the worst combo effects.
On reflection I definitely put too much of the total score on comp, but it seemed to work OK. As Antony says
1. No mystery
2. In the players hands
3. Easy to administer
4. Doesn't involve any work after setup.... however,
5. It could suit some armies more than others
This last point needs exploring by players with more experience than I.
I would drop the tier part (which was very soft anyway).
I know some of you found it a bit odd, but it has a lot of merits and maybe shouldn't completely get discarded to the weird and wacky pile.
I would be interested in any comments on comp and scenarios
Neil

[Gratnuk Ironfist]

There is no club in Masterton so I didn't feel I could go for peer review.

What about the Wairarappa Wildcats, they meet in Grey town at the St Johns hall? I mean, that's all I can remember about them.

@Neil: Are you going to be organising NiCon at Tauranga next year as well.

[Neil Williamson]

Sadly the Wildcats stopped about 2 years ago when Euan moved up to Masterton and Regal Enterprises who stocked Games Workshop models closed its doors.

[Neil Williamson]

Organising another - far to far in the future yet - also a 6 to 7 hour drive.

[Antony]

also a 6 to 7 hour drive.

From where?

[nik_]

a 6 to 7 hour drive.

It had better be close to an airport with cheap flights. $60 to fly Auckland to Wellington, and $150 Auckland to Napier? No thanks! 

[Fujin]

Isn't Ni-Con in Tauranga next year?

[Neil Williamson]

also a 6 to 7 hour drive.

From where?

Masterton to Tauranga is 520km.
Thats an extra 100km on your journey from Auckland to Napier this year.
So its a bit of a trek for me.

[Philfy]

It had better be close to an airport with cheap flights. $60 to fly Auckland to Wellington, and $150 Auckland to Napier? No thanks! 

Goes to show "competition" is good for something...  on some routes at least...

[Gratnuk Ironfist]

Mate, distance really isn't a problem and these tournaments are one of the major reasons I enjoy this hobbie, becuase it gives a very solid reason for ROAD TRIPS!!

So what would be the best way to Tauranga from Palmy? What route are people from Wellington taking?