The Wargamer

Manchester University’s Barnes Wallis Building and Staff House were a hive of activity on Wednesday as the tables, cloths and signage for the UK’s largest wargames tournament were put into place. By Friday evening these same tables will be covered with troops and terrain as our hundreds of players start the competition games, although a good number now turn up a day early for warm up games and socialising (not necessarily in that order!). For such a large and complex event, there are a myriad of tasks which need to be finished before the players arrive to help ensure the smooth running of the show, however at the moment it’s all running smoothly – the only fly in the ointment is that one of the expected beer deliveries from the brewers has not yet turned up !!

Main arena. The lull before the storm.

This year’s event is the largest Britcon since 2002 with most competitions around 25% larger than in previous years. As well as the UK, players are attending from Ireland, Spain, France, Belgium, Germany, Sweden, Australia and New Zealand. Competitions to be played include Flames of War, Field of Glory, DBMM and, Warhammer Fantasy, 40K and even Bloodbowl. One of the most interesting events will be a “beta” competition in which the forthcoming Field of Glory “Renaissance” rules will get a thorough going over in the crucible of a competition environment – we expect these tables to draw a host of interested bystanders throughout the weekend!

All the players will be competing over three days for the mountain of trophies that are now being neatly arranged in the main hall. In addition to the trophies players will receive painted armies, terrain, video games and books from the many sponsors who support Britcon.

A display of the spoils of victory.

We’ve also got a record attendance from traders this year, and there seem to be a lot of new 25/28mm ancients ranges out there being seen for the first time at the show – showing perhaps that the many plastic ranges now on offer have given a shot in the arm to the “larger” scales.

In addition to the tournament games there will also be a wargamer’s pub quiz on Saturday night (where we have a new “secret” round to inflict on the unsuspecting competitors – more will be revealed later!) and a “Spot the Elefant” sweepstake.

This report is brought to you by the Britcon team.

JD Mc Neil flanked by James Hammy Hamiltion and Nik Gaukroger in the command bunker.

For more information on the location, events, and how to get there, please visit the official website:http://www.bhgs.co.uk/Nationals/IntroPage.htm

And if you can't make, keep checking back with The Wargamer, where we'll post daily coverage of the event.