More specifically, it was the first full year as a Tau player. This I think can be intimidating, but the 40K group I joined - War Banner - was probably as supportive and helpful as can be. Granted I was the butt end of some jokes, but thats to be expected I think.
I took part in three major tournaments during the year. Namely UpCon, the War Banner Doubles Tourney and my biggest competition so far - ICON.
UpCon:
I think I was being a bit optimistic taking part in UpCon as it was only a month after I started playing 40K. Once again, the gaming crowd there was phenomenal, and never made me feel unwelcome, and were always willing to answer my sometimes stupid questions. I only attended the first day due to work commitments, but those three games opened my Eyes.
My first game was against the new Tyranid Codex, and coincidently one of the Top 10 South African 40K players - Quintus Zaayman. What a game it was. I don't think I was ever in with a chance, as I was confined to my table quarter for most of the game, but I almost managed to secure a draw. Newbie that I was had my Fire Warriors running around instead of being safe in a Devilfish. From then on I have feared the Doom of Malantai.
My second game was against fellow War Banner player John Killian who fielded a rather intimidating Blood Angels force, with a sizable Death Company contingent. I was tabled by Turn 4, I was completely unprepared for the speed and aggression of those Blood Angels. I think John was as surprised as I was, at the speed with which my units were ripped to shreds.
My final game was against an Ultramarines player whose name I have unfortunately forgotten. This was my best game of the day, I managed to keep his larger elements pinned down, allowing me to secure the central objective, attaining a draw.
Mayhem Doubles:
I have to admit, this tournament was a bit vague. My partner for the day was an 9-year old boy. Who, rather worryingly, was better acquainted with the 40K rulebook than me. Most games came down to me running my Crisis Suits around trying to provide cover fire to his 'Boys, who for the most part ran straight up the middle.
I think we ended in the bottom quarter of the tournament.
ICON:
This is South Africa's largest gaming convention, and is host to numerous tournaments, with this being the second largest 40K tournament. I was very nervous as I payed my entrance fee and handed in my Army List. Some of the armies were painted in amazing detail, and I did feel bad for having a few base-coated units. There were Army Lists of every faction, including the old Dark Eldar Codex, and even a Necron player.
My first match was a bye, which was fine by me, as I had to run around to find a another Broadside Battlesuit, as I had managed to leave one at home.
ICON is famous for its use of non-standard scenarios written specifically to force players to make use of non-standard armies. The second match was one such scenario, Exterminatus. Each Army had to evacuate as many units through a central Warp Gate as possible by Turn 6. To make things interesting, before each Shooting Phase two Cyclonic Torpedoes (S7 AP2) would land, drifting 5D6 from the middles of the table.
And to make things interesting, I was playing against the only other Tau player in the tournament. He to, was a newbie, having played for little more than a year. I managed to exfiltrate the maximum amount of units, and blocking more than half of his.
The third game was a hectic Free-For-All melee involving all 36 players. Needless to say it was rather intense. Any character would be Insta-Killed on a Wound Die of 6, unless an invulnerable save was available. After I finally managed to convince the Judges that a Shas'el could play with Shield Drones - as they are technically War Gear - things got off to a good start. My Shield Drones helped my Shas'el survive Chaos Demon Lords, Space Marine Librarians, a Necron Nightbringer, and a few Mephistons, I managed to pull off a Win for the Greater Good!
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