2016
TNW 5
GM TEAM:
Gareth Williams
Phil Rodriguez
Francis Czawlytko
This will be my 5th year of running TNW5 and we now have 4 years’ worth of balance data to look back on. For the full number crunching check the Data Crunch
The data suggests that TNW is, on some measures anyway, considerably more balanced than we might have expected and the only power that might need assistance is Austria. However I’ve rejected the idea of instigating any tournament rule to fix that.
Instead side assignment in the 2nd and 3rd heats will be based on performance in the previous heats and what sides each player has already been played. As such players need no longer fear having to play Austria twice in a row.
Heat I Monday – Duchess of Richmond’s Ball – CAT A:
Normal CAT A rules apply.
Random Seat and Table assignment
Heat II: Wednesday – Austerlitz – CAT A:
Normal CAT A rules apply.
Random Table assignment, power pick based on bid points
Heat III: Thursday – Collingwoord – CAT C.
For most players this will be a normal heat, however there will be one or perhaps two coached games for new players. If you wish to participate in a coached game please attend the demonstration also.
Random Table assignment, power pick based on bid points
Rules:
2nd Edition Rules with the current FAQ will be the default.
House Rules and Pacing:
GMs will review the pace of the games throughout the tournament. Games are intended to finish within the time indicated; going beyond this will only be acceptable if all parties are in agreement.
We will attempt to put those with the same preference in the same game but this is not guaranteed, as noted above the planned finish time will be the default.
Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday:
Any game not finished by midnight will finish at the end of the current turn
Thursday:
Any game not finished by 1800 will finish at the end of the current turn
From precedent this suggests that games with a time limit will go to three turns.
Side determination and drawing:
Table allocation will be random. However players will stay with their own set and players will be grouped according to preference for finish time where possible. Cat-C players will also play separately.
For the first heat side assignment will be random, however players will accumulate bid points that will be used to assign seat pick in the 2nd and 3rd heats
Pick order is highest to lowest. New players start at 0. Resolve ties by dice off or mutual agreement.
Won Previous Heat -1
Played as France -2
Played as Britain -1
Played as Prussia 0
Played as Russia 1
Played as Austria 2
Semi Finals:
Number and format of semi-finals will be dependent on the total number of players and the winners from the heats. No more than half the field may advance to the semis.
Possible formats for the semis and finals include:
Semis: 4 x 4 player Final: 4 player
Semis: 5 x 4 player Final: 5 player
Semis: 5 x 5 player Final: 5player
Tie-breakers and place assignment will be as follows:
3 wins + overall VP count + bid points
2 wins + overall VP count + bid points
1 win + overall VP count + bid points
3 second place + overall VP count + bid points
2 second place + overall VP count + bid points
1 second place + overall VP count + bid points
Second place in a 3 player game, if any take place, will not count towards advancement
Win or 2nd place in a game you are coaching still counts, but at 0 VP.
Only positive VP will count, not negative
The format decision for semis and finals will be taken on the Thursday night, because of possible no-shows it is there may will be some wild card assignments.
We will try to avoid 4 player games in the semis- and finals where possible
Final:
Winners of semis proceed; side pick in the final will be based on performance in the semis based on VP total
2nd place semi-finalists:
Ranking amongst these players will be decided as follows:
VP count in semi
In both cases in the event of tie, previous performance will be used to break the tie as above –best total of Wins, 2nd Places, VPs and bid points
Extra Prizes:
TBA