TH Tournament, round 1 now, room for more players!

[thecasualoblivion]

The first one failed to get off the ground, so I'll try to restart this again. To enter the tournament, choose a figure from the following list, first come, first served. Once I get four or so entries, I'll start the tournament, with latecomers welcome to join until I declare round two.

I will build a team using my collection around a figure or group of figures. Here are your choices:

Minicon and Omnicon
Rodimus
Battle Ravage
Starscream
Excellion
Landmine
Scorponok
Ransack and Crumplezone
Overhaul
Dirtboss
Skyblast(both modes)---House rule in effect states Transformed figure enters play where the fallen figure lies.
Super Optimus Prime(all versions)
Megatron(all versions)
S4 Darth Vader
S4 starter Han Solo
Endor Han Solo
S4 starter Boba Fett/Bounty Hunters
Ewoks
S2 starter Obi-Wan
General Grievous launcher
Jedi Knight
Yoda

And now, the original post/Tournament rules:

In honor of the 100pt squad building challenge over on the Star Wars Attacktix section, I'm bringing my own challenge here. This challenge will be 200pt teams based on Transformers in my collection. Star Wars Attacktix will still be involved, since I have them and its good to know how they work with Transformers, but all times will include and most likely feature Transformers.

Here are the general rules of the challenge:

1. Teams will be based around a single(or group) of figures in my collection. Board members will chose their own figure to sponsor, and they will have that figure as their team leader for the challenge.
2. Teams will be 200pts. 200pts lets you do more.
3. All teams will include and feature Transformers. My Transformers Attacktix outnumber my Star Wars Attacktix by more than two to one, so this is almost necessary. I also really don't play games without including Transformers anyway.
4. I will be proxy-ing figures heavily. Just because a figure is someone's team leader doesn't mean it won't be on other teams, and if I don't have enough for both teams, I'll have to proxy.
5. I am a fairly good shot. Shooters will work well.
6. I'm not really good at getting multiple hits with strikers. Yodabreakers style of play didn't really seem fun to me, so I don't plan on practicing it anymore either. I am still good enough to get kills at nearly 100% success rate with strikers, and I'm a master of Battle Ravage.
7. I'm not really big on using formations. I almost always use formations to advance strikers across the table. I occasionally use formations for other reasons. The majority of the time though I usually don't do anything more than hide figures I want to protect a few tix behind more solid or expendible figures.
8. To get a better feel for what figures can do, the tournament will be a few rounds of swiss format(magic: the gathering tournament veterans will understand this). Losing does not eliminate a team from playing, but one or more losses will likely eliminate a team from winning.
9. I may get new figures as this progresses, and I may update teams as time goes by.
10. **NEW** the playing surface will be a 3x3 card table
11. **NEW** House Rule: Transformed figures replace the dying figure where it fell(this makes a BIG difference for Skyblast!)

The guidelines for entering:

1. I'll give you guys until friday to sign up. I'll then put the names in random order to draft the figure for your team leader which the team will be built around.
2. If you don't feel you'll be around to pick your leader, PM me with a list of figure's you'd prefer in order, and when it comes to your turn, I'll give you the top figure on the list.
3. If you have some input on what you think the team should be, PM me and I'll take your advice into account when I pick the team.
4. Feel free to choose a figure you don't think can win, just to see how it does. Like how would a Crumplezone/Ransack team do, or a team based on Dirtboss.

Here are the figure or team of figures available to head teams:

Minicon and Omnicon
Rodimus
Battle Ravage
Starscream
Excellion
Landmine
Scorponok
Ransack and Crumplezone
Overhaul
Dirtboss
Skyblast(both modes)---House rule in effect states Transformed figure enters play where the fallen figure lies.
Super Optimus Prime(all versions)
Megatron(all versions)
S4 Darth Vader
S4 starter Han Solo
Endor Han Solo
S4 starter Boba Fett/Bounty Hunters
Ewoks
S2 starter Obi-Wan
General Grievous launcher
Jedi Knight
Yoda

This list does fail to include some quality figures, that either I don't feel are team centerpieces, or I don't have the figures to support. Examples would be Grand Moff Tarkin(don't have AT-ST drivers) or Kit Fisto(a support figure, not a centerpiece). Feel free to suggest a figure that needs to be on the list.


Any questions or stuff I haven't explained, let me know.

[Locke333]

super optimus prime robot version

[thecasualoblivion]

hansolo333 said:

super optimus prime robot version

Choosing Super Optimus Prime gets you both the black and gold versions, as well as the truck.

Three more or so and we can get started. More can join after the start.

[Phoenix]

I choose Scorponok.

[grievous]

Overhaul for me, please.

[thecasualoblivion]

We have three teams so far!

Team Super Optimus Prime(hansolo333)

1x Gold Super Optimus Prime
1x Super Optimus Prime(truck)
2x Skyblast(Jet)
2x Omnicon
1x Minicon
1x Kit Fisto
2x Jedi Knight
1x S4 Starter Han Solo
Backups--2x Skyblast(Robot) 1x Super Optimus Prime(Robot)

Team Scorponok(Phoenix)

2x Scorponok
2x Battle Ravage
1x Starscream
1x White Decepticlone
1x Megatron(Jet)
3x S4 Greedo
Backups 1x Gold Megatron, 6x Insecticon

Team Overhaul(Grievous)

3x Overhaul
3x Minicon
3x Omnicon
1x S4 Darth Vader


A few more teams and I'll start the tournament, with more players welcome to join after we start.

[Phoenix]

cool! look forward to see how it goes!

[notpicard]

I'm in for Battle Ravage.

[profanicon]

Landmine!

[thecasualoblivion]

We have two new teams to announce:

Team Battle Ravage--notpicard

5x Battle Ravage
1x Starscream
2x S4 Chewbacca
3x S4 Greedo

Team Landmine--profanicon

2x Landmine
1x S2 Starter Obi-Wan
1x Jedi Knight
2x S4 Starter Han Solo
6x Minicon


I'm still surprised nobody has picked a Star Wars figure yet. Maybe I'll ask the SW boards to defend their honor.

First match will be played later today, and it will be Team Scorponok(Phoenix) vs. Team Landmine(profanicon).

As this tournament is happening in Swiss format, feel free to join in late, as I can add as many latecomers as care to arrive. The more, the merrier.

[profanicon]

Awesome! Landmine + Minicons can do some damage!
However, I'd put my money on Team Scorponok (awesome back-ups) or Team Battle Ravage (NOTHING CAN KILL THE GRIMACE... OR BATTLE RAVAGE!)

[thecasualoblivion]

profanicon said:

Awesome! Landmine + Minicons can do some damage!
However, I'd put my money on Team Scorponok (awesome back-ups)

Its funny you say that. You fought Team Scorponok in round one and beat the living crap out of them. It wasn't even close. In this match at least, Landmine was a FAR better figure than Scorponok. Here's the story:

MATCH #1 Team Scorponok(Phoenix) vs. Team Landmine(profanicon) best of 3

The idea behind team Scorponok was to put together a solid Decepticon team based around Scorponok. The three Greedos are there to add some needed firepower, since the Decepticons are somewhat lacking in shooters. Team Landmine is centered around two Landmines and six Minicons to use the shootback. Striker Obi-Wan seems a natural with six troopers on the table, and two Hans take advantage of all the warriors. The Jedi Knight adds a fourth warrior and lets me put together a 4pc formation.

Team Scorponok--Phoenix

2x Scorponok
2x Battle Ravage
1x Starscream
1x White Decepticlone
1x Megatron(Jet)
3x S4 Greedo
Backups 1x Gold Megatron, 6x Insecticon
Total--10 figures, 7 backups

--VS--

Team Landmine--profanicon

2x Landmine
1x S2 Starter Obi-Wan
1x Jedi Knight
2x S4 Starter Han Solo
6x Minicon
Total--12 Figures, 0 backups

Game 1: Team Scorponok goes first

Team Scorponok round 1: I move the strikers ahead 8tix in a block formation, move the Starscream behind the formation to hide, and advance everything else. I take two shots with Greedos against the Jedi Knight. The first misses, as does the second, which hits Obi-Wan who wobbles and ends up with his base slightly leaning up off the table which is a kill. Obi-Wan is white and lives(Obi-Wan recoveries-1)

Team Landmine round 1: I move ahead slowly, putting all but the Han Solos in three formations, two Minicon formations of three and the strikers. I take two shots with the Han Solos on Greedos. I kill one and it comes up black.

End of round one, Scorponok 9 figures, Landmine 12 figures.

Team Scorponok round 2: I advance one Scorponok and Battle Ravage, while making a formation with the Starscream and the other two strikers. I also advance Megatron(Jet) and the Greedos. I kill a Han Solo with Megatron, coming up black. I then kill another with Scorponok, and this one is white and lives.

Team Landmine round 2: I advance the Landmines against the two forward strikers, and disperse everything else, hiding the Jedi Knight behind one line of Minicons. I kill the Scorponok with a Landmine(black). I then kill the Battle Ravage with the other Landmine, and don't bother checking the special since it doesn't matter.

End of round 2--Scorponok 7, Landmine 11

Team Scorponok round 3: This is where it starts to get bad. I disperse the figures, and begin my attack by killing a Landmine with my remaining Scorponok. Its power is white, and the Minicons are fairly close. It takes two shots to kill Megatron's Jet mode, which comes up white which puts the robot where the Jet fell(House Rule). I fire the last Minicon at the Scorponok that killed Landmine, score a kill, and Scorponok comes up black. I then take a shot with Megatron at point blank range against the Jedi Knight, which doesn't have a chance(special was black).

Team Landmine round 3: After two kills in the opponents round, its time to get to work. I disperse everything and the table is now a big jumble. I move Landmine against Gold Megatron, who dies and comes up white. I sacrifice the white Dececpticlone towards the back. I then send Obi-Wan against the Battle Ravage, killing it. It comes up white, and brings the dead Battle Ravage back from the starting line.

End of round 3: Scorponok 5, Landmine 9.

Team Scorponok round 4: The Battle Ravage has just enough movement to get to Obi-Wan, and I get a double kill, sending Obi-Wan into a Minicon, killing it. Obi-Wan is white(Obi-Wan whites-2) and the Minicon isn't. I then take a shot with Starscream, killing the other Landmine, who also comes up white. It takes two shots to kill Starscream, coming up black. The remaining Minicon kills a Greedo at nearly point blank range. Team Scorponok is looking screwed.

Team Landmine round 4: I advance Obi-Wan against Megatron, but first take a shot at the remaining Battle Ravage with Han Solo, killing it(its black). I then easily kill Gold Megatron with Obi-Wan, and since there are no remaining Decepticons, his power is useless.

End of Round 4: Scorponok-1, Landmine-7

Team Scorponok round 5: Down to a single Greedo, I take a potshot at Obi-Wan and miss. The end is near.

Team Landmine round 5: Greedo dies to Obi-Wan, game over.

Team Landmine's remaining figures: S2 Starter Obi-Wan, S4 Starter Han Solo, and FIVE Minicons.

Game 2: Team Landmine goes first

Team Landmine round 1: I move the strikers in a block ahead 8, flanked by two pyramids of three minicons. The Hans stand alone and fire. The first misses Scorponok. The second kills a Battle Ravage, who was sadly and uselessly white.

Team Scorponok round 1: I move everything ahead 2-3 tix, and form up the strikers and Starscream. I take shots at the two Han Solos with Megatron's Jet and Starscream, and I miss twice.

End of round 1: Team Scorponok-9, Team Landmine-12

Team Landmine round 2: I disperse the Minicons and advance a Landmine, one Han Solo, and the Obi-Wan. I form a formation with the Jedi Knight, Landmine, and one Han Solo. Landmine prods Jet Megatron, who unfortunately comes up black. Han Solo takes a shot at the closest Greedo and misses.

Team Scorponok round 2: I disperse the entire team and advance the Scorponoks, one against the forward Landmine, and one against the Obi-Wan. I launch the Obi-Wan clear off the table with Scorponok. Obi-Wan is white(this makes three), and comes back into play on the starting line. The other Scorponok kills Landmine, who for once is not white.

End of round 2: Scorponok 8, Landmine 11

Team Landmine round 3: Everyone moves forward, and I make a new formation with Obi-Wan, Jedi Knight, and Han Solo. I move the other Han and the Landmine up against the two Scorponoks, who both die. The one killed by Landmine comes up white, giving us two Insecticons.

Team Scorponok round 3: Its battle royal time, so I'm not going to bother with movement again. Starscream kills a Han Solo, which turns up black. Battle Ravage then kills a Landmine, who for the third time in this matchup comes up white. The Minicons miss a bit, but manage to kill the Battle Ravage that killed Landmine, and that Battle Ravage is Black.

End of round 3--Scorponok 7, Landmine 9

Team landmine round 4: Its much closer this game so far. With the Landmines dead, its time for the Jedi to take over. The Jedi Knight advances and kills Starscream, who unfortunately turns up black. The Decepticons really needed Jet Megatron back. Obi-Wan then kills a Greedo, who triggers a Shootback for another Greedo, who shoots down Obi-Wan. Its white again(This makes it four survivals for Kenobi).

Team Scorponok round 4: The Insecticons enter the fray and get close enough to the Jedi for some easy shots. They kill the Jedi Knight, coming up black and no help, and Obi-Wan who is white yet again(now at five survivals).

End of round 4: Scorponok 5, Landmine 8

Team Landmine round 5: Some slight adjustments, but all the figures are mostly still in a jumble at the table's center. The Insecticons are next on the hit list, and Han Solo and Obi-Wan advance to take them on. Han shoots one down who doesn't come up white, and Obi-Wan kills the other without seeing white as well.

Team Scorponok round 5: The two remaining Greedos advance on Han and Obi-Wan. The first Greedo kills Obi-Wan, who rises yet again(for the sixth time). The second kills Han Solo, who does not since he's black.

End of round 5: Team Scorponok-3, Team Landmine-7

Team Landmine round 6: A Minicon closes in on the forgotten White Decepticlone, while Obi-Wan walks up to a Greedo. The Minicon takes out the Decepticlone with a close range shot, and there is no Salvation for the Decepticons as it doesn't come up white. Obi-Wan easily strikes down the Greedo, who upon being white, gives the other Greedo a free shot at a Minicon, who dies without being white.

Team Scorponok round 6: A lone Greedo is all that is left for Team Scorponok. Against four Minicons and Obi-Wan, I decide to be heroic and take a not so close shot at Obi-Wan(about 10 tix). I miss.

End of Round 6: Scorponok-1, Landmine-6

Team Landmine round 7: Obi-Wan and Minicons close in, and Obi-Wan finishes off the Greedo.

Team Landmine's remaining figures: S2 Starter Obi-Wan and five Minicons

Game, set, and match for the winner TEAM LANDMINE!



As for the thoughts on the match, I was surprised how much more strategic capabilities were to be had from Landmine. Shootback times three really isn't anything to sneeze at, even with Minicons. I waited until the Minicons were reasonably close before releasing the Landmines, and I was rewarded for it. Even with weak shooters, the three free attacks was still powerful. And Landmine himself is too much of a threat to not kill. Obi-Wan Kenobi was also devastating thanks to having six troopers on the table. He came up white six times over two games, and was never eliminated. As for Scorponok, I love his attack, but his power really doesn't do anything. The highlight for Scorponok was throwing Obi-Wan off the table, which I did on purpose so the figure would have to go back to the start. Two free troopers doesn't compare to three shots from Minicons. During three activations of Landmine's power, I killed Jet Megatron, Scorponok, Starscream, Greedo and Battle Ravage. That's worth more than six Insecticons, and did far more to mess with the opposing team's game. Landmine lent itself more to strategy and a suporting team than Scorponok. I find myself less impressed with Scorponok, and more impressed with Landmine than I would have ever thought.



Again, we're looking for more players. This is Swiss format, so in round two the winners will face the winners and the losers will face the losers, so Team Scorponok isn't necessarily eliminated. You have until the end of round one to join. We still need teams with a Star Wars figure as a leader, and there are still some interesting choices.

[profanicon]

Yes! I told you Landmine was underrated!

[YodaBreaker]

I'd be curious to see what you'd do with an S2 Starter Kenobi as the center of a team, rather than as an auxiliary figure - so much Recovering goodness Teamed up with some Wickets, he could be a naughty one, indeed.

[thecasualoblivion]

I'll take that as Yodabreaker joining the tournament. I'm sure I can come up with something for Kenobi, and I do have two of them for good measure.

I will do the second match tomorrow or saturday, not sure which. Depends on when I'm doing my toy run. This match will be:

Team Super Optimus Prime(hansolo333)

vs

Team Battle Ravage(notpicard)


WE STILL HAVE PLENTY OF SPACE TO JOIN!!

here are some brief thoughts on some of the remaining teams:

Minicon and Omnicon--A rush of 10pt figures, definitely will try to go 14-16 figures strong.
Rodimus--don't have much faith in this team...
Starscream--Trading away some of my Starscreams takes some of this team's style away.
Excellion--Excellion with Star Wars troopers and Wickets
Ransack and Crumplezone--Doesn't anyone want to see how this team would hold up?
Dirtboss--Dirtboss/Starscream recruit/rally
Skyblast(both modes)---thanks to the house rule, this is a 20pt shooter than transforms into a striker when it dies, and this team will include three of them
Megatron(all versions)--Megatron's still a good figure, and I have two jets.
S4 Darth Vader--Two S4 Vaders with support
S4 starter Han Solo--Three of these with some Jedi, Landmines, and Minicons
Endor Han Solo--Similar to the Excellion and Overhaul teams I would imagine
S4 starter Boba Fett/Bounty Hunters--Multiple Fetts and Greedos with 4 Battle Ravages or so
Ewoks--A pile of Ewoks with Autobot shooters
General Grievous launcher--I've built this team already and its pretty good.
Jedi Knight--This would be a majority Jedi army with some TF support.
Yoda--Yoda plus S4 Vader and a bunch of shooters.