Autumn Offensive: Bolt Action Tourneys in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana
By Troy Hill
Forces are gathering in the Tri-State area of Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio for a full-on offensive of Bolt Action tournaments. As lockdowns eased, game conventions, game days, and especially tournaments have blossomed like dandelions across the world. And gaming tournaments in the tri-state area of the Ohio Valley are no different.
Over the next eight weekends, across three states, players have the opportunity to play in one Bolt Action state championship, and three beginner-friendly Bolt Action tournaments in a variety of convention styles and locals. There may never have been a better time to be a table-top gamer with all of the opportunities available.
If you’re in, or want to come to the Ohio Valley area (Michigan, Indiana, or Ohio) between now and mid-November, you’ll find the details for the gaming below.
Even if you’re not a Bolt Action player, each of these events is held at a convention, from HMGS-Great Lake’s Advance the Colors, to GT style (Michigan GT, and Rumble on the Rivers) events, and even a new kid on the block, Hold The Line.
Details below:
Saturday, Sept 16 TO: Jackson Horigan Crackerjax514@gmail.com
This event falls this weekend, at the Hold the Line convention in Port Clinton Ohio. This is a first-year convention held at the Liberty Aviation Museum in Northern Ohio.
As of this writing only a few spots were left.
The Operation Cricket Bolt Action tournament
Basic Info: There WILL be a painting requirement for this event – your army must have a minimum of 3 colors.
Anyone not already registered for the event should contact Jackson the TO (crackerjax514@gmail.com)
Army Construction:
Points: 1250 Order Dice Limit: 16 Platoons: 1-2
The Leadership Standard: The Morale level of the Lieutenant must be equal to or greater than the Morale level of the majority of the units in the platoon (rounding up).
Note: The Leadership Standard applies to BOTH platoons should your army contain more than one.
Note: Armored Platoons MAY NOT be taken for this event.
Note: Players are required to use the “Generic Reinforced Platoon” but may use units only found in certain theater selectors. Ensure that you clarify with the TO when you submit the list that the unit will be allowed and that you have the necessary campaign book(s) to show the entry to your opponents.
Back to the Front: Bolt Action Michigan State Championships
October 7-8 (Sat-Sun) at the Michigan GT convention in Lansing Michigan
TO: Jeff Wiertalla
Army Construction: Players will bring a 1000-point army. Up to 2 Platoons. No more than 16 order dice total. *including free units*
Theater Selector Armies may be used in this event. Restrictions noted below:
Note: It is recommended that players have a good understanding of the rules and how their forces operate.
Restrictions:
No Special Characters/Heroes / War reporters / Naval Observers
Warplanes (as applied to optional Rules)
No Turrrent Jam / Units that cause Tiger Fear are Immune to TF
Unit restrictions: per army, not platoon.
Max 1 unit with a flamethrower
Max 1 unit with a heavy howitzer
Max 1 multiple launcher weapon may be taken.
2 hr 30 min rounds – The players must finish their current Turn, and then the game ends automatically. Times must be strictly enforced at this tournament.
Saturday, Oct 7th, 2023
- 08:30AM – 09:00AM Check in and Briefing
- 09:00AM – 11:30AM Round #1
- 11:30AM – 12:30PM Lunch Break
- 12:30PM – 3:00PM Round #2
- 3:30PM – 6:00PM Round #3
- 6:30PM Out Brief
Sunday, Oct 8th, 2023
- 08:30AM – 09:00AM Check in and Briefing
- 09:00AM – 11:30AM Round #4
- 11:30AM – 12:30PM Lunch Break / Paint Judging Display
- 12:30PM – 3:00PM Round #5
- 4:00 PM Outbrief and awards
Higher Authority Bolt Action Tournament
Advance the Colors convention Springfield Ohio Oct 13-14
Tournament Oct 14: TO: Jason Saiter
1,250-point army consisting of 1 or 2 Generic Reinforced Platoon(s) of the same nation. 17 dice limit.
No Theatre Selectors or Campaign-Specific Units can be taken outside of ones that specify in their entry that they can be taken in a generic reinforced platoon.
16 order dice/unit limit *INCLUDING FREE UNITS*
Armies can be created from any current “Armies of XYZ” or similar book.
3 color standard for painting
Local Rules:
The Turret Jam rule will not be used.
Armies of Germany: Tanks that cause Tiger Fear are not affected by Tiger Fear.
Army Construction Clarifications:
Maximum of 1 flamethrower can be taken – whether they be a unit upgrade, vehicle upgrade, or weapon team.
Maximum of 1 unit with a heavy howitzer may be taken, either as an artillery unit or mounted on a vehicle.
Maximum of 1 unit with a multiple launcher weapon may be taken, either as an artillery unit or mounted on a vehicle.
No special characters, war correspondents, or naval observers.
Max 1 free unit in any army.
It’s a StuG Life
Rumble on The Rivers Convention
November 11. The Grand Wayne Center in Fort Wayne Indiana
TO: Troy Hill
This tournament is considered a beginner-friendly event.
Scoring will be detailed in the Player Pack – will include both Win/Loss/Draw Tourney points as well as soft scores (Paint, Sportsmanship, list construction)
Deadlines
List Submission due date: NOVEMBER 5th 10 pm EST
Army Construction Rules
(More info in the player pack)
1200 Point Single Reinforced Platoon using the “generic” theatre selector
No FREE squad or individuals (eg: Soviet squad, British Artillery Observer, etc), no heavy howitzers, no vehicle-mounted flame throwers
BONUS: Gain one additional Tourney Point if your platoon includes: One Armoured Tank Destroyer in the Tank Slot…. It’s a StuG life after all…
Event Schedule
SATURDAY
- Check In: 8:30AM
- Round 1: 9:00AM – 11:30AM
- Lunch: 11:30AM-1:00PM
- Round 2: 1:00PM – 3:30PM
- Break: 3:30PM – 4:00PM
- Round 3: 4:00PM – 6:30PM
If you’re in the area, any of these tournaments would love to have you as a player. Reach out through the links for each event.
Special thanks to Warlord Games, and Father and Son Gaming for sponsoring some, if not all of the events. Other support from Rubicon, Michigan Toy Soldier, Goat Guns, Things From The Basement, Tabletop Terrain, Golden and Rhino Games, Prize support varies across the tournaments.
May your dice be fair, your tables level, and your opponents fun.