Last Chance Open wrap up and painting competition

The Last Chance Open was this weekend and I have to commend Martin, Aceface and all the other folk who chipped in. I can definitely say the event was well run and once the free wi-fi settled down even updating the Best Coast Pairing App was straightforward [although the judges could fill in the details for you!]. I had some really great games and met some really nice people and had a good time. That said I am feeling a disconnect with 40k and how it is played. I absolutely love the idea of running knights but there were so many of them at the event it feels like a cop-out to take them. Losing even one can feel devastating and on the flip-side outgunning your opponent with them is equally disheartening because it's just not fun to take someone apart in that way. Anyway, I'll discuss my feelings in depth at a later date.

Keith Martin-Smith with Astra-Millitarum [tanks and conscripts] was my first match.

Dominik Brundler with Nurgle Chaos Marines was Game 2

Andrew Davies and mixed Chaos Daemons [Nurgle/Tzeentch] Game 3.

Sadly I missed getting a pic with Rick Martin who I faced in Game 4 with his Deathwatch. Last Game was with Robin Neill and he had Iron Hands Space Marines.

The painting competition was of a high standard. Unfortunately I didn't get chance to take pics on day one of the individual categories but I got pics of the Best Army nominations with these Tau

And they're awesome energy shields.

Otty got nominated for best army with his Tyranids and his 'nid Bastion, which won best conversion.

Ad Mech and Knights.

Liam's Renegade Knights were also nominated.

His Warglaives were a new addition to the force.

 
As was this new dual battle cannon Knight.

Apparently this eyeball took 5 minutes to paint, it's amazing how much you can hate one of your own friends ;)

Unsurprisingly Liam came away with the honours for best army.

Apparently I gave him a challenge though with only a few votes in it, not that I mind.

I did have a quick chat with the Honest Wargamer guys about how they're review of our lists had failed to recognise that not everyone is choosing a list on a competitive basis.

It was really funny when I said to Liam "why did you take the Bloodthirster?" [a question Jon had asked himself on the stream] - "because I like the model" was the answer. When I asked Otty "why did you take the Bastion?" [noted by Jon as the only Fortification brought to the tournament] - "because I never take it!". When I asked Ben about the Eldar Cobra it was also "because I never take it"!

And the final query based on Jon's surprise at seeing me take the Lancer - "Why did I take the Lancer? Because these were the only two Knights I had painted!" So we had a good laugh at our reasons.

Almost a week on I'm still feeling a glow of satisfaction about the tournament. There's a real dichotomy between just how much I enjoyed the event and the people but feel there are continuing flaws in 8th edition. Previously those flaws would be levelled at the Codex but now I think there are things inherently wrong about the game. There are also things very right and I can't quite put my finger on what the flaws are, which is why I need time to dissect what they might be, but I am both looking forward to a break but also going to miss the satisfaction brought on by the efforts of Martin, Aceface and the crew. On top of that they raised £1107.50 for Alder Hey Children's Hospital Charity, which given my circumstances is amazing news. Well done all!