What is TSHFT?

TSHFT is a privately hosted gaming event that focuses on servicing the Northwest gaming community, particularly in the miniature gaming department.  Instead of waiting for an organized gaming event hosted by any game providers, the organizers of TSHFT decided to take actions to their own hands and bring such events to the local gamers.

How long has TSHFT been around?

We started our first TSHFT event in the Feburary of 2008.  Thus far all of our events had been GW related and we are sitting have done 7 already.  Our goal is to do 2 WFB events and 2 40K events each on a semi-annual base. We hope that with our players’ support and enthusiasms we can grow and support larger, better events in the future.

Why 2500 pts limit on WFB?

The Goal for TSHFT is to provide our players the same experience any players would receive when walking into an event hosted by any game providers (in this case, Games Workshop).  There is no official points level set for 8th Ed. WFB at this moment.  We decided to pioneer 2500pts at TSHFT starting November 2010 and see how our players will enjoy it.

Why 2000 pts limit on 40K if other GT ran them at other variable pts?

Again, our goal is to stay concurrent with the official event.  IIt is unclear whether the GT held in 2011 will be at 1850 or 2000 in the next official event.  But we have based on feedbacks that most tournament players prefer the game played at 2000pts at this moment and we are sticking with that.  We will make changes according upon the most recent news.

Why the difference in scoring system if TSHFT’s goal is to stay concord with the official rules?

Though our goal is to mimic the official event, it does not mean we have the full resources and/or the experts to paint judge for us in a professional manner.  Since we do not have any professional painters at our disposal (and even if we did, their opinions may not match the game providers’), we have to keep the scoring system simple for the painting part simple and limit its total points.  We kept the sportsmanship scoring simple for a similar reason.

It is also in our goal to keep the scoring as simple and as objective as possible to keep our players focused more on gaming rather than how to “dink” others with scorings.

I did not see Best Painted in the prize section, was that a mistake?

That was no mistake.  Half of the reason is already explained in the paragraph above and the other half is that we believe painting is subjective and it should be a majority vote to see what army that players loved best.  Thus the idea of Player’s Choice Award came in mind.  The player’s army that is best painted and converted will surely loved by all and deserve this fair award.  Please keep in mind any kind of group voting irrespective to any elements of painting and modeling is against the spirit of judging Player’s Choice and may face serious punishment from TSHFT organizer.

I also did not see Best Sportsman in the prize section, was that a mistake?

That too was no mistake.  We believe that sportsmanship is a mandatory tribute for a gamer.  Being awarded for doing something mandatory seems a bit silly, in principle.  We, however, included Favorite Opponent award from past suggestions in which the opponent that has received the most votes from his opponents will receive this honor.  And for those of you who enjoy composition in a game.  We've included the Flavor of the Game award, giving to player who has received the unamious vote for being the best composed army at TSHFT.

I didn't see much soft scores in your WFB tournament. It seems this event is more an invitational for power gamers.  What gives?

Well, the goal of TSHFT is to bring GT like gaming back to the northwest.  Since there hasn't been one in Seattle for the past 3 years during TSHFT's creating, we as organizers felt very strongly to make something similar for our players - we deserved at least that much.  And one of the biggest complaints for Indy GTs is how much its soft score saturates the overall scoring system.  Any power gamer can buy an army off eBay, put on a fake smile and play a few games then walk away with some prize in a soft score heavy environment.  Though that may make a few folks happy at the event, we do not want to reward such people for their "achievements".  We much rather make the rules simple and clean cut and have players show their true colors at the event.  If any player ended up disturbing the event, we will just throw the player out on the road. (after a quick hands on lesson of sportsmanship, of course )

I am still not convinced, why do I feel that I have to bring my killer army list in order for me to win?

Well, if you feel that you must bring such list, then BRING IT! sm.  However, I must let you know that our previous Best General and/or Overall winners had all been players that brought a balanced but tough list (you have to find your own inner blance for that one though).  The idea of a tournament is for players to gather around and have fun in a competitive yet civil environment.  Show respects to your opponents by giving them the challenge that they signed up for, and then have a laugh of the game no matter who ends up the winner. 

After all, the object of the event is to have fun.  For example, if a player brings a SAD list in WFB, he is just robbing himself the opportunity for fun.

I am still a bit worried, how do you make sure every player is a good sportsman?

Hmmm, a tricky one, and the answer is - we can't.  Since sportsmanship is developed individually when a player matures with his personal losses/successes, it would be impossible for us to ensure every player is a good sport.  We can, however, provide the opportunity in which every player can learn and grow into a good sportsman.  By putting players in a competitive setting such as we had provided, players can either realize their own shortcomings and become a better sport or give up tournament playing all together thus avoiding jeopardize other players in the future.

I see your point, but why are you allowing players to play with unpainted army?

Think our event as the GT training ground, or a mock trial before the real thing.  If a player wishes to get placed in a GT, there is no better place than TSHFT.  Not only will the player get a chance to test out his list, he would also get a chance experience 2 days of hardcore gaming.  Since that is our main goal, we left the painting to the individual.  If a player decides to pursue further in his tournament plays, then he will definitely paint up his army.  Even if the player decides not to attend future GTs, seeing other nicely painted/converted models should inspire him enough to get back to the paint table.

What is your standpoint on cheating and judges involvement? 

We take a no nonesense on cheating.  If a player is caught cheating at the event and reported to the TO or has sufficient evidence against him (either from multiple testimonies or from concrete evidence), we'll put that indivdiual on the TSHFT's Blacklist and ban him from participate in future TSHFT for a year.  The details of how the Blacklist function can be found here .

We otherwise take a none-involvement regarding rule judgeing.  The TO and the rule judges will walk about the tournament premise, but will not stop any players from misinterpret the game terms or special abilities to another.  It is our belief that any miniature game is a contract between two individuals and should be interfered by a third party.  We will, however, stop by the table briefly in case the other party would like a clarification of the rules.  The rule judges and the TO will warn players believed to demonstrate cheating in the following (but not limited to): Pre-measurement (GW games), fast dice rolling, not retracting tape measure, intentional misplacements of models, point ambigiouty between army list and what has been fielded.  Any tempting with measuring devices (tape measure, rulers, blast masters, dice) would be considered cheating and resulting the participant's explulsion.  We urge our players to not interfere with other's gaming as well, reporting to us instead if they see any dubious behaviors. 

Will there be Scenarios in TSHFT?

TSFHT 40K uses 2 additional deployment and 2 additional missions which expand the possible missions from 9 to 25.  The 40K event also uses a special secondary objective system that favors folks who expand their force organization list instead of just taking what is cost efficient. 

TSHFT WFB uses scenarios that will have a carry over effect to your following game instead of simplly granting BP.  

Do you host any other events aside from Games Workshop products?

After our initial success in 2008, we have scheduled 2 40K event and a 2 WFB event a year.  We've gotten the green light from Privateer Press Recently and is working on hosting a Steam Roller event in the year of 2010~2011.  Time is a deciding factor as we do not wish to coincide with other game conventions in town.  If you have idea of running or hosting for a good size organized tournament, feel free to post your comments/suggestions on our forum.

Wow, all those sound great.  Where do I sign up?

Go ahead and click the “Buy on line” tab and our automatic system will guide you through the ticket purchasing process.

Who are the sponsors for TSHFT?

The main sponsor is Fire and Sword Gaming Center , a gaming center that provides a club environment for the veteran gamers located in North Seattle.  With 2 bi-weekly tournaments a month for WFB and 40K and operating hours till stupid for gamers who just to have get their gaming fix after a long day of work.

Our other sponsors include:

morethanblogs.com - Thank you very much for designing the TSHFT.com.

OrdoFanticus - A local gaming club that have served the Northwest since the 70’s.  Thank you very much for providing the detailed terrains and other gaming elements to get our virgin event off on a positive start.

Gamesworkshop - The mother company behind all the GW products and a good promoter of our indy events.  

And all the TSHFT staff

The TSHFT staff consists from die hard gamers to friends and family members related to them.  They all have volunteered precious time and efforts in making TSHFT happen for any gamers alike.  Thank you very much for your efforts in preserving the oldest tradition known to man– gaming.