Conventions and Events

By Kreighton Long

I recently wrote an article about a Bolt Action tournament I attended in February.  One of the commenters made me think about how different Tournament Organizers across the country approach the time management piece of running a tournament.  So I set out to collect some answers.

I reached out to TOs from coast to coast, some I knew from attending their events and others via Facebook or recommendations from others, and started to compile some ideas.  The conversations began with point/order dice limits, how long rounds lasted, scenarios chosen or avoided, and additional measures put in place to help ensure well timed events.   Take a look below on comments made by eight TOs.  At the end you’ll find my key take-aways from this experience.

By Kreighton Long

On 21 February, thirteen players gathered at the Williamsburg Muster in Williamsburg, VA to compete in another one of Kalissa Skibicki’s Bolt Action tournaments.  Most of the participants were returning players with friendly catch-ups throughout the weekend.  A few new faces joined the usual gang over three rounds on gorgeous tables prepared by David Skibicki.

By Kreighton Long

This past December I was introduced by a friend to a new hobby store in Culpeper, Virginia — Brickhammer.  I quickly made a trip to the store and met the owner, Kevin, and offered my services as someone who knows a bit about Bolt Action.  He eagerly accepted my offer and we scheduled a demo game at the store in January.  This was my first demo game and I challenged myself to do quality work for a group of potential new players.

By Richard Steer

Every year, our wargaming club in Upper Hutt, New Zealand, runs a one-day tournament for club members at the final meeting of the year. Named Remember December, this event commemorates club member Nick Garden, who passed away in 2015. The 2025 edition of the event was held on 13 December, playing Flames of War.

Remember December often has a themed format or unusual list restrictions, and this year was no exception, The format used was 55-points Late War, with infantry formations only. In addition, your force could not include more than one tank unit, a maximum of four vehicles, and a maximum Front Armor of 7. Three 1.5-hour rounds were to be played using the Extended Battle Plans mission selector, and each player had to use each stance once during the event.

By Aaron Kamakawiwoole

Hey Reader!

I had a chance to sit down with Jesse Marcelo (the 2025 Bolt Action Maryland State Runner-Up) to discuss the unique army he took to the event.

Sporting a Polish Partisans list (with Partisans being one of the armies in the new edition that people seem to be most displeased with since they lost so many of the tricks and unique elements that made them interesting), Jesse finished the day 3-0, with his final win being against me (the previous Maryland State Champion from last year).

The list performed really well, even though it defined conventions, so I sat down with Jesse to chat about what went into his choice of army. Take it away, Jesse!

By Aaron Kamakawiwoole

Hey Reader!

I had a chance to sit down with Joe Lint (the 2025 Bolt Action Maryland State Champion) to discuss the unique army he took. Having chatted with Joe in advance of the tournament on lists, Joe mentioned that he wanted to challenge himself and run with no tanks, which is a big loss for the US since they have a really good suite of tanks and tank destroyers.

So he went full swing into the 2nd Ranger Battalion for D-Day, complete with a display board with grappling hooks for ascending the cliffs, landing craft to showcase the men (they were not part of the army), and a painted fighter for his Air Observer to call in:

Seeing this army in-person was a real treat: it looks even better in-person, as the battle patches on their arms pop more, and the highlighting job in particular was very, very good.

But the list also performed well, so to guide that discussion, I had a few questions for him. Take it away, Joe!

By Kreighton Long

Two weekends ago I had the opportunity to compete in a Bolt Action tournament organized by Jesse Marcelo at Your Hobby Place in Alexandria, VA.  This was Jesse’s third time as Tournament Organizer since hosting his first tournament last year in an effort to help grow the community.  Each player was permitted a 1100 point list not to exceed 20 order die.

The mood of the event was friendly and light-hearted.  All three of my opponents were a pleasure to play against with no absence of good humor and laughter while we worked through the three, two hour rounds.  What I overheard throughout the day was that most of the players were congenial and friendly — minus one exception that the TO dealt with quickly and quietly. Overall, it was an excellent atmosphere for both green and veteran players alike.

By Paolo Paglianti

Even though I’ve been playing wargames since way back in 1992 and have travelled across half of Europe, I had never had the chance to visit Romania. When my friend Quentin Taylor — a Canadian but Romanian by adoption — told us he would be organizing the Nationals near Sibiu, we booked our flights almost immediately!

Moreover, the Romanian Nationals are part of the European Series, a circuit of National tournaments which this year — in its second edition — includes Belgium, Germany, the UK, Poland, and also Italy, where I will be organizing the event on March 14–15, 2025. Together with Rob and the others, we wanted to create a network that would encourage players to take part in tournaments across the Old Continent.

By Kreighton Long

On 11 October, sixteen players gathered at the Call to Arms Convention in Williamsburg, VA for a 1250 point Bolt Action tournament hosted by Kalissa Skibicki.  This is Kalissa’s fifth time running the Bolt Action tournament for Southeastern Tabletop Gaming Organization (SETGO)’s autumn convention.

This continuity has allowed relationships to grow between the repeat attendees even if it is limited to a once-a -year interaction over a tournament involving toy soldiers and measuring tape.  The camaraderie is ever-present throughout the weekend especially as players arrive to the event and are heartily greeted by their soon-to-be competitors.

By Kreighton Long

On 24 May, 25 players assembled at Bazooka Games Westminster for a 1000 point Bolt Action tournament.  The tournament was organized and executed by Mike Kehs who had to move the tournament to a new location due to unforeseen circumstances.  The new location featured a separate room with sufficient space for all the players and tables and was mostly-set aside for the event.

A few tables of various other games occupied the tables in the back.  A variety of quick dining options in the area appeared to appease the players as everyone came back after lunch refueled and ready to roll more die and move toy soldiers around well dressed tables.

Mike’s tournaments continue to draw larger crowds each time. Being a TO has made Mike more familiar with the rules as he is often responding to calls of “TO!” from across the room to clarify or settle rules disputes. There were a lot of repeat players which is a reflection of the well-earned expected quality of Mike’s tournaments.

As competitive as his events are, veteran players are welcoming to new players and Mike often sees veteran players taking the opportunity to mentor new players.  In addition to all these highlights, Mike loves to see the reactions of players when crazy stuff happens on the table such as a FUBAR at the worst possible time or a lucky 6 from a mortar that takes out a key unit.