Adepticon 2017 Bolt Action Coverage

Adpeticon 2017 is in the books and it was another one to remember. 4 days of Bolt Action, 4 different styled events, one ultimate weekend. Bolt Action happened!

Before we go into results and coverage, I would like to thank our sponsors organizers.

Warlord Games

Trenchworx

Cigar Battle Mats

Pworks Battle Mats

Stoessi’s Heroes

Noble Knight Games, WI

Of course the big one, Adepticon. Without the continued support, trust, and ass kickery, we would not be able to have these events. On top of that, our local terrain contributions should not go unrecognized.

Jeremy Olsen

Mercenary Miniatures

Brent Sinclair

Friday, March 24

Bolt Action Team Event

22 teams entered the arena and fought 3 games of tough, 4 way order dice battle. Teams brought 1600 total points, 800 per side. 1 armored platoon per team. Reinforced, theater selectors, and campaign books all included. We organized proper Axis vs Allied match ups and had an even mix of those sides for the event. With one willing partisan team swapping sides where needed….

Nationality make ups included, Japanese, Finnish, German, US, Soviet, Italian, Polish, Vichy French, British, Sikh, Aussie, and Romanians.

The theme for the event was Spring Awakening. The Axis generals were organizing one last offensive to repel the Allied invasion. There were not predetermined missions. Each round, the results were weighed, and whichever side had 51% victories, dictated the direction on the flow chart we would follow. A choose your own adventure if you will.

The Allies carried the day through each round, so we followed the far left track on the chart below. Sectors, Key positions, and No Man’s Land. 

I also had made up secret bonuses to be achieved and rewarded depending on certain map results and depending on which side may need a little more support. Some included, Increased AP shells +1, out of fuel chart, misguided air and artillery strikes, bonus medic model etc. These were given out on the judge’s discretion to whichever side need a boost. The Axis more or less given battle results.

Winners and Awards

For those that attend my events in the past, this will be no surprise, but I do not award a “Best Overall” in this team event. I find it encourages a harder mindset and more aggressive lists. I award “Sportsmanship” as a top prize followed by Generals and Appearance.

Best Sportsmanship

Ben Thompson and Andrew Verticchio

Best Axis Generals

Sean Vilmont and Ryan Carlson

Best Allied Generals

Ryan Miller and Chris Pawl

Best Appearance

Dan Van Hese and Jeremy Olsen

Saturday/Sunday, March 25/26

US Nationals

The second annual US Nationals continued its success with 34 registered players, over two days and five games. The missions chosen were slightly modified 2^nd edition missions.

Again, we had a great mix of armies with a slight leaning towards more Axis players. A significant drop in USA forces, I believe can be attributed to the increase in AA gun power in 2^nd edition.

Winners and Awards

Best Overall

Dexter Wallis

Best Sportsmanship

Matt Doyle

Best Axis General

Sean Vilmont

Best Allied General

Geoffrey Wing

Best Appearance

Dan Van Hese

For the first time I have ever seen in a tournament, we had a dead tie for best overall. Battle scores were used to break the tie.

Full photo coverage can be found here and to the right on the “Adepticon 2017 photo album”

Disclaimer: You may see some odd tables or photos of those said battles. These campy or cheesy looking tables were deployed for a reason. We all have the great opportunity to play this game and have a good time. Sometimes this is forgotten and tempers rise or arguments ensue. These tables were meant to remind us to not be so serious and laugh at ourselves instead of scowl. Taking us back to when we did just play cops and robbers or setting up elaborate battlefields for our toy soldiers with whatever we had around us. Children at heart.

Depending how one may react to seeing these tables in use for a  historical game, maybe you should ask yourself, “why so serious?”

Adepticon Bolt Action: Webcart LIVE! 11/23/2015

Warlord Games US Nationals (2-day, Singles event) Adepticon 2016

Adepticon March 31-April 3rd, Chicago Illinois USA.

AdeptiCon is proud to announce that it will host Warlord Game’s 2016 Bolt Action U.S. Nationals Event. This two-day tournament will test the skill and luck of every participant in what is bound to be an historic event. Armies will consist of 1250 pts and a maximum of 16 order dice. Pack all the ammo you can carry!

This is a event will celebrate the hard work and efforts of players, communities, and organizers across the country. We look forward to facilitating the best run event, terrain, and environment for Bolt Action players; from all walks of life and experience levels!

Full Draft Rules and Formatting can be found here.
http://www.adepticon.org/wpfiles/2016/2016bagt.pdf

Webcart preview found here. Webcart goes live 11/23/2015
http://www.cvent.com/events/adepticon-2016/event-summary-01df4466111c40aa81d0521e7861b012.aspx

World at War Doubles (team event)

NOTE: When using the webcart, ONLY 1 team member need buy a ticket for this event.

The more casual, fun sister event to the singles. Here is a quick preview of details. FULL draft packet and rules will be posted within the week.

Team Doubles Format: (2) players per team
Army Points: 1600 total, 800 per team member
Order Dice: 16 total, 8 max per team member
Platoon: Single platoon per team member, each player must include an officer. (2 platoons total/army)
Tank Wars armored platoons are limited to (1) per team. No skills, experience, or crew upgrades


If you are unsure about attending due to a teammate, we have a local forum for helping match folks up.
http://adeptuswindycity.com/viewtopic.php?f=48&t=9229

Adepticon 2015: Bolt Happened

 

Adepticon has come and gone and what a show it was! This was the premiere of an entire WEEKEND of Bolt Action events; team doubles, combat patrol, singles, and tank wars!

I was in charge of organizing the doubles event and unofficially speaking, it was the first official doubles event of its kind. :)

 We begin the day with the BIG WAR BOARD! This would be used to track each allied and axis victory as the day went on. 

Next up were the war documents. These beauties were saved by my family back during the war. Chicago Tribune articles from the invasion of Poland, Belgium, and France; to the day after Pearl Harbor, complete with the wild eyed rumor mill reporting we are used to today.

We had 16 teams in total. That meant 8 games with 1 table extra for a little rotation. Each table had a specific scenario tailored to fit the historic nature of the conflict.

 La Rochelle Sub Pen

 Utah Beach

 Pegasus Bridge

 Stalingrad

 Tunisia Airfield

 Caen

 Foy

Battle of Belgium

We wanted the players to really feel immersed in the battles while also generating a larger sense of each side of the war. We placed poker chips on each table. These pieces of "Intel" were tallied over the first 2 games. The third game began with the Allies gathering more intel and could place a secret airmail package anywhere on the center table line. 

Either team could claim the prize, what awaited inside was a D3 roll, ammo, medicine, or nothing!

The rough nationalities of the day were. (Individual team members forces)

It was a 2:1 split in Allies:Axis

9 German

1 Italian

12 American

3 Russian

1 French

5 British

The results! 

In our local scene and I think one could surmise from the national scene, we all want to play fun games. Being a good sport is a much a two sided game as the models we move. For the reason we award the Sportsmanship award first. 

Another difference in how we have adapted to giving out awards is similar to the NBA draft. Lottery ticket style in that the higher you rank the more tickets you get, thus increased chances for picking first. 

In the prize pool we have generous vouchers from Warlord games, tanks from Trenchworx, US paratroopers from Offensive Miniatures, unique 3D kits from Mad Bob Emerson and paint sets from Flames of war. 

Best Team Sportsmanship: Market Garden Polish Paratroops and US Armor

Best Theme: USA Normandy (seen below)

Best Axis General: Waffen SS and German Panzer

Best Allied General: USMC

Best Painted: Italian Armor and Waffen SS

I cannot thank all the sponsors, supporters, and local help we received for this event. From the local teams that PERSONALLY built these beautiful tables, to the huge support Adepticon put forward to help make this THE location for Bolt Action. I have to thank these generous companies who put their name and product out there. 

Warlord Games

Offensive Miniatures

Mad Bob Miniatures

Trenchworx

All these companies really blew peoples minds. 

With that, I excitedly would like to announce, the official unveiling for  Adepticon 2016. 

Bolt Action US Grand Nationals

In conjunction with Warlord Games and Adepticon 2016, we will be hosting a 2 day, 5 game National event for the Bolt Action Community, world wide!

That is right, we are calling you out Australia! UK! Europe! East Coast USA! Alaska! and anywhere else that Bolt Action is played. You are all welcomed to join us on the battlefield for glory, stories, and friendship.   

Please check back here, Boltaction.net, and warlord games for more information and news regarding this exciting announcement.  

Lego My Eggo

4Ground terrain shipment arrived and it took me right back to the time of building legos. It was such a crazy feeling to be building wargames terrain and not having to take it to the next step of painting afterwards. Quite a relief to be honest.

Once you the hang of the instructions the kits build quite quickly but they go take some time getting used to.

So I popped on Patton and The Longest Day and got to work gluing...

 That escalated quickly...

The Adepticon build has gotten back on track. Even had the exact amount of ballast to seal this baby...

February 1st is the final edits to rule packets for Adepticon so things are getting close. I have something really special planned for all those in attendance at the doubles event. 

My great Uncle was part of an observation crew that mapped enemy positions from the air. He was involved in the end of the Africa invasion and primarily flew missions in Italy. His family saved all the big headlines from the Chicago Tribune back in the day. 

I framed the big names ones, 1939 German attacks, French blitzkrieg, Pearl Harbor, liberating Rome, and D-Day. Complete with maps and all the speculation of the day.

We will also be tracking all the results of the days battles on a world map. Seeing how people change history fighting in some of the most famous battles of the time. Normandy, Pegasus Bridge, Stalingrad, Foy, Caen, Berlin, Tunisia. 

On the space front, the United Defense Force has discovered a secret Zentraedi asteroid base.

Really happy with this table. Last minute touches will be mounted it about 6 inches taller on PVC pipe stands. Get that floating look.

Pink Party

 Terrain update here. Been firing on all cylinders. Have two 4x6 tables on the work bench. The first is a Pegasus Bridge table for Warlord Games Bolt Action. It will be the best terrain event at Adepticon 2015, so make sure to stop by and check it out!

 Ground has been cut and since this photo, the river has been cut. Waiting on a 4Ground bridge to arrive to make sure measurements are accurate... but this is gonna be an epic table.

 The 2nd table is one for Palladium Games Robotech. The first ever event for this game system that was birthed from the mega successful kickstarter. The rules are great and streamlined for quick access but have a bunch of layers to them for advanced tactics and micromanaging an army.

The beginnings of Asteroid M. If you get the reference you get bonus points.

 The foam was flying hot and heavy on this one.... The pieces are about 6-7 inches thick and each 2x2 will be mounted with its section mate so the board will be in three 2x4 sections. THEN it will have PVC pegs that it will sit upon to give it the floating illusion.

Let me warn the general public, blow torching this much foam was kinda trippy....it could still use a lot more, but short of making a  flame thrower it won't get to that level. In the end the onyx stone look I think was achieved. I believe height is the future in terrain building and these caves, tunnels, and ledges are just scratching the surface of scenery construction!

Cannot wait for first quarter 2015!

Priority Phases

Sometimes you just need a refreshing keg while you are breaking down a cow...
 Gets the job done. 

A lot has transpired in the last couple weeks; mainly food related stuff being Thanksgiving and all. Establishing priorities in life is what we do on a daily basis. Do I need to leave at a certain time? Complete a task? But sometimes you need set your taste priorities right. 

Tis the season for dry aged rib-eye. Top shelf Wagyu has arrived and will be nice and aged in time for a Christmas roast.

Add squash, sweet potato, or parsnip to your sweets; like this apple crisp with delicata squash. This sounds totally like a food network tip....

franken-pig

Or if pork is more your game. Lazyman's suckling pig: de-boned, confit, and whole roasted.

So if you are in the business of trying out new whiskeys, stay away from this brand on the right. Koval: very over priced and must be mixed to be bearable. A local Chicago distillery that just hasn't figured it out.

That being said, I had to find a use for this bottle. It started with the French 75. A classic cocktail named for it's ability to get you hammered. It was named after the French 75 howitzer that inspired hammering effects, just like the 6th or 8th one of these. The 75 has two variations of either gin or cognac, lemon peel, simple syrup and champagne.

I made a variation dubbed: "The American 105" Whiskey, lemon simple syrup, and prosecco. Basically stuff I had in the fridge. It will get you just as hammered. Success.

On that note, we travel to the shores of France.... where the Allies did they're own artillery assaults during the D-Day invasions. 

 This is a little tease as we call it in the industry. The completed 6x4 Bolt Action Normandy beach and trenches. This is one of a couple fine detailed boards that will be making a debut at the Chicago 2015 Adepticon convention.

A little blurry... maybe the camerman had 1 too many American 105s.... or it is the fog of war.

Check back for more progress on this Normandy table, Pegasus Bridge table, and a very unique moon base table for Palladium games Robotech event.

WAR!

Hold Your Fire: After Weekend Report

This past weekend was Chicagolands first local, dedicated Bolt Action Tournament. While these Italian gunners were lining up a perfect shot on a T-34, lots of Bolt Action was happening!

We had 17 players attend with a lot of new faces to our older group. A great networking and meet up of lots of different players in the state.  From experienced to brand new players, all the games were tense and exciting!

Lots of great terrain, tables, and time were donated from the community to continue the local tradition of exceptional scenes to set our combats upon.  Here are some of the featured tables.

plastic legions great French village

Belgium fields

European Town

Tunisia Airfield

Rhineland Farm

The weekend was a blast and everyone is super stoked to play more Bolt Action and looking forward to Adepticon!

We had a pretty good spread of Nations.

3 Russian
1 Japanese
1 Italian
3 US
2 British
7 German

Two of the US players were closely separated for the top 1 and 2 spots.



My African Italians were awarded a Best Appearance recognition; always a close race and a great reason to keep improving!




I will leave everyone with some action shots, but check back for an exciting announcement concerning 2015's Adepticon Bolt Action Events!

 German trucks try to storm a Russian ruin.

 British Red Devils attack the German held airfield.

 The Allies defend a key town from a German count offensive.

 A German machine gun team rethinks engaging that Russian tank.

 An Italian tank scouts the ruins...

 ...while the Fiat 3000 provides cover from the trees.

 A German assault gun is discovered!

The Italian gunners adjust they're aim to the new threat.