Irresistible Force Warhammer Fantasy Masters 2009

The 2009 Irresistible Force Masters will be held on the 5th/6th of December at Hendra High School, Brisbane, Queensland.  As in previous years a field of 16 players will contest the Masters via an invitation only process.

Invitation Criteria
The invitations were allocated as follows:

1. Winner of the 2008 Masters - Andrew Galea
2. Top 10 ranked players in the overall category of the Irresistible Force Warhammer Fantasy Australian rankings.
3. Number 1 ranked New Zealand player (utilising New Zealand tournaments only).
4. Highest ranked player from each of the following Australian state groups:
   • NSW/ACT
   • QLD/NT/WA
   • VIC/SA/TAS

The 2009 Irresistible Force Masters Competitors

Tournament Format
The tournament will follow a similar format to previous years with 6 rounds played over 2 days. The first round will be random draw whilst rounds 2-6 will be determined using the "swiss chess" system.

Players will accumulate points from the painting, sportsmanship and battle categories across their 6 games. The final placings will be determined by the total overall score for each player. Tie breaker will be battle, sportsmanship and then painting.

Painting Section
Painting scores will be determined using the following criteria via tournament organiser judging:

• Is the army fully painted (3 colours minimum)? 2 points
• Are the bases flocked? 1 point
• Does it have movement trays for units that require it? (Contact organiser if unsure what requires movement trays) 1 point
• Does the army look like a cohesive force? Consistent colour scheme etc. 1 point

From the listed criteria a total of 5 points is available should a player’s army score the maximum for each one.

Sportsmanship Section
After every game each player will answer the 5 questions below regarding their opponent’s sportsmanship attributes throughout the game. A player's tournament points for sports are calculated by their opponent's responses to these questions.

1. Were all rules queries resolved amicably and without too much argument?
2. Did your opponent always state what they were doing clearly before proceeding rolling dice and/or moving models?
3. Did your opponent move their units correctly? I.e. did they not use a "rubber ruler" and therefore moved their fast cavalry, skirmishers and other units the correct distance each time?
4. In your opinion, did your opponent play the game in the right spirit? Did they maintain a sensible approach and demeanour when things were not going their way?
5. Would you be happy enough to play your opponent again? Maybe not today but at another tournament perhaps?

So from the 6 games a player could possibly receive 30 sports points (perfect score) which will contribute 30 points to their tournament score.  Note that answering "Yes" to all 5 questions will give your opponent full sports for the game.

Battle and Army Composition Section
The battle and army composition section of the Masters is where the major change for 2009 are being implemented. The composition component will implement a set of custom restrictions on armies based on their "Tier" as well as some individual restrictions. The battle points table used by each army will also be modified on their "Tier".

I would like to acknowledge Ben Curry from http://www.baddice.co.uk from which this composition system is based.

The "Tier" for each army is as follows:

• Armies in Tier 1 are allowed only 1 rare choice.
• Armies in Tier 3 are allowed 3 rare choices.
• All armies are 2250 points in size.
• Special and Named characters are not allowed.
• No Dogs of War or Regiments of Renowned are allowed in non Dogs of War armies.
• Rare choices may not be repeated with the following exceptions. High Elves are allowed to repeat a rare choice once. Since they can have 4 rares that basically means they are allowed to have 2 Bolt Throwers and 2 Great Eagles. Tier 3 armies are also allowed to take two of the same rare choice. Note that a 2 for 1 choice such as Pump Wagons are still a single rare choice, therefore an Orcs & Goblins general can field 4 Pump Wagons (a single choice of 2 pump wagons repeated once).
• Maximum of 2 of the same Special choice.
• Maximum of 3 of the same Core choice, except ranked infantry without missile weapons and beast herds.
• Maximum of 3 chariots (including characters). For Tomb Kings armies the restriction is 3 units of chariots (characters mounted on chariots count as a "unit" of chariots).
• Maximum of 9 power dice and 10 dispel dice in an army. *
• Maximum of 2 units of flyers (including characters).
• Maximum of 70 shots fired per shooting phase with a range of 20 inches or more (not including war machines). Note this limit implies the army has the capability to fire no more than 70 shots per shooting phase. You cannot take an army that can shoot more than 70 shots a shooting phase (of 20 inches or more) and then just choose to shoot with 70 or less. You are limited to having the ability to fire 70 shots per shooting phase in your entire army.
• Maximum of 5 war machines.
• Maximum of 2 terror causers.

Power/Dispel Dice Explanation

• You can use a maximum of 9 power dice in each magic phase.
• Each bound spell you use count as 1 power dice, all following bound spells used in the same turn counts as 2 power dice.
• Every ability that grants the bearer complete knowledge of a single lore counts as one power dice in each magic phase.
• All dice you would not normally generate, such as 2nd gen Slann free dice, Skaven warpstones, Night Goblin mushrooms, power of darkness etc., also count in the total number of dice you can use in a magic phase.
• Tomb Kings count each dice they use for a spell as 1 power dice and casket of souls counts as 2 dice total. They cannot choose not to use all the dice when casting an incantation, for example a Liche Priest can’t choose only to use 1 dice on a spell. You can however choose not to cast a spell with a model. The 2 basic power dice all armies get only counts if the Tomb Kings player uses them to dispel RIP spells with.
• Max 10 dispel dice per army.
• First dispel scroll (and similar working items) you have in your army counts as 1 dispel dice, in EACH magic phase. The second and all other scrolls, counts as 2 dispel dice in each magic phase. So if you have 3 scrolls you can use a maximum of 5 dispel dice each magic phase.
• Dice from magic resistance does count in this maximum.
• Being allowed to reroll your dispel dice counts as 2 dispel dice.
• Dice removed by the Chaos Dwarf Chalice of Darkness count as dice used. You remove 3 power dice, you can use only 6 more in your magic phase.

Race Specific Restrictions

DAEMONS OF CHAOS :- All Greater Daemons count as an additional hero choice; Herald BSB may take either daemonic gifts or a daemonic icon, not both; Daemonic Gifts may not be duplicated; Horrors are limited to 0-2. Siren Song counts as a hero choice. A Blood Thirster with Immortal Fury takes up an additional hero slot (so therefore he takes up a Lord and 2 Hero slots). Flesh Hounds are a 0-2 choice. The 2nd Flesh Hound unit counts as a Rare slot instead of a Special.

DARK ELVES :- Ring of Hotek counts as 3 dispel dice each phase; Every assassin counts as a hero choice; Shades limited in unit size to max. 8 models; The Pendant of Khaleth counts as a hero choice.

EMPIRE :- Steam Tank and War Alter count as 2 War Machines each.

HIGH ELVES :- Star Dragon takes 2 additional rare slots.

LIZARDMEN :- Characters mounted on Stegadons also use the relevant special or rare slot; Terradons limited in unit size to max.3 models ; Discipline Becalming Cogitation count as 2 dispel dice. Temple Guard count as a Terror causer; Number of units of Skink Skirmisher cannot be greater than Skink Cohorts.

OGRE KINGDOMS :- A Slaughter master can be taken without a tyrant.

ORCS & GOBLINS :- Max 6 goblin fanatics.

SKAVEN :- Cannot use the just released army book, they must use the previous edition book; Max 3 ratling guns; Jezzails count as war machines (ration 4:1 always rounding up).

VAMPIRE COUNTS :- Drakenhoff banner, Helm of command and the Skull Staff all count as an additional hero choice. Each character that has +1 to cast counts as a power dice in each phase, therefore reducing the number of power dice available to them by 1 each time. 

WOOD ELVES :- Treeman Ancient counts as Treeman.

BEASTS OF CHAOS :- Beast herds will rank up to a minimum of 5 wide.

Victory Point Tables

Victory points are worked at the end of the battle as per the Warhammer Fantasy rule book with the following exceptions/amendments.

• The player who captures the MOST unit standards is awarded 100 victory points. Note an additional 100 victory points is awarded for capturing the opponent's army standard).
• Table quarters can only be contested by the following units:
  • Not a single model.
  • Non flying.
  • Unit strength 5+.
  • Started the game worth 100+ victory points.

Each tier has its own victory points table as follows.

• When two armies from the same tier play each other they both use the "Default" victory points table above.
• When two armies from different tiers play each other the army with the most victory points will use the chart for their particular tier.

Example 1: A Daemons of Chaos army is up against a Dark Elves army. They will calculate the victory points as per normal and then consult the "Default - Tier 2" chart above as they are both from the same Tier (i.e. Tier 1).

Example 2: A Lizardmen army is up against an Ogre Kingdoms army. The Lizardmen army wins the game by 610 victory points. As the two armies are in different tiers we look at the winning armies tier and consult that tier's chart. In this case the Lizardmen army is in Tier 1 and a 610 victory point margin results in a 12-8 win to them.

Example 3: An Ogre Kingdoms army is playing against a High Elf army. The Ogre Kingdoms army wins by a victory point margin of 700 points. As they are in different tiers we look at the winning army's tier, in this case it is a tier 3 army and on that chart the 700 points margin results in a 16-4 win to the Ogre Kingdoms player.

Tournament Awards
As the tradition of the Masters grows from year to year we introduce new elements that enhance the experience for the players involved. As in previous years we will be presenting the "5 year Veteran" award to those that are attending their 5th Masters, and we also will be presenting the "Best Army General" awards for the highest ranked player for each army at the end of the tournament season.  This year we shall be introducing the "yellow jersey". Similar to last year at the start of the event each player will be awarded their Masters shirt, however the previous year's winner will be presented with a different coloured shirt embroidered with the year of their triumph.

Masters Side Event
For the first time in 2009 Irresistible Force will be running a Masters side event - Mini Me. Played at the same venue (Masters tables will be separated) the side event will provide players with the opportunity enjoy a Warhammer tournament amongst the atmosphere of the Masters. The side event will be available to anyone who wishes to attend and as usual rankings points from the event will contribute to each player's 2010 ranking. Full details regarding the Masters side event including ticket sales can be found here.