Common Rules for Organized Tabletop Events at Creative Pursuit Games, Inc.

Painting, Modelling, and WYSIWYG (What you see is what you get) - Warhammer 40,000

---Updated 09/20/2023---

For organized events, all models in a force must:

+ Be fully assembled.

+ Be at least in their primer coat (NO bare plastic/resin).

+ Observe the following WYSIWYG standards:

--- NO obvious / inappropriate proxy / substitute models. For instance, a Space Marine Primaris Lieutenant can make a good Primaris Captain, if they have the correct weapons, as they are both heroic looking, fully-armored humans from the same faction - but neither would be an acceptable stand-in for an Ork Warboss, which is a savage looking, partially-armored alien with notably different weapon options.

--- Conversions must be logically representative of the model / weapon they are depicting. Additionally, they must be CONSISTENT and easily identifiable throughout your force.

--- Special weapon troopers and squad leaders should be fielded, wherever reasonably practical, with the correct weapon they are meant to be carrying according to your army list. Where this is impractical, logical and consistent substitutions may be made - but should be brought to the T.O. and each opponent's attention. Regardless of how accurately your special weapon troopers are modeled, you should be clear with your opponent how your special weapon troopers are armed before the start of play.

--- You may always field a model with the base (or lack thereof) which was intentionally sold with it from Games Workshop (even from older versions of models). Minor, scenic alterations to a model's base size are generally acceptable, but players should not "model for advantage."

--- Conversions or base size changes made which are (in the Tournament Organizer's judgement) a clear attempt to gain an unfair in-game advantage will not be permitted on the table in organized games - if you are concerned about a conversion you wish to field, ask the Tournament Organizer (T.O.) in advance.

+ Use of legacy models for advantage is prohibited:

--- We consider ourselves very friendly to Games Workshop's legacy model range, but the size and profile of some models have changed so dramatically over the years that a small selection of legacy models will now grant players significant advantages on the tabletop. For example - the use of legacy Space Marine Infantry on 25mm bases is essentially harmless, but the Craftworld Eldar "Avatar of Khaine" has more than doubled from its original size to now tower at a very significant height, and its diminutive legacy model would be inappropriately easy to conceal.

--- Our determinations will also be based on context. If you have brought out a beautiful 3rd Edition Space Marine army that was clearly built and painted in 2003 using period-correct colors and techniques, we are unlikely to claim that your use of small, half-metal, half-plastic first-generation Space Marine vehicles is an attempt to gain any kind of advantage. However, the presence of such a vehicle in an otherwise thoroughly modern, Primaris-based Space Marine force might be called into question.

--- If you have a question about the use of a legacy model, please contact the T.O. in advance.

+ Unofficial Models are generally prohibited:

--- "Recast" and resold (or gifted) duplicates of official Games Workshop models are criminal IP theft, and are prohibited on our tables.

--- Fully 3D-printed duplicates of official Games Workshop models are also usually criminal IP theft - whether resold as a complete model or merely an STL - and are also prohibited on our tables.

--- "Legally distinct" unofficial models do not support the game creators or the store where you play (the tables where you play are funded by model sales). We do not outright prohibit their use in the store, but they are not permitted in official tournaments.

--- We do not zealously spend our time "hunting" for illegal models - but if you are bragging about your illegal models, encouraging others to use them, or otherwise drawing attention to their presence in your force, know that this will provoke a response from Event Organizers and/or CPG Staff.

Modelling and WYSIWYG (What you see is what you get) - Flames of War / Team Yankee

---Updated 07/15/2023---

For organized events, all models in a force must:

+ Be fully assembled.

+ Observe the following WYSIWYG standards:

--- NO obvious / inappropriate proxy / substitute models. For instance, a Panther "A" looks virtually identical to a Panther "G," and could be fielded as such. However, if you have both Panther As and Panther Gs in your force list, you MUST model them appropriately to prevent confusion. The same could apply to M4A1 and M4A3 Sherman Tanks.

--- Conversions must be logically representative of the model / weapon they are depicting. Additionally, they must be CONSISTENT and easily identifiable throughout your force.

--- Infantry Heavy Weapon teams should be fielded, wherever reasonably practical, with the correct weapon they are meant to be carrying according to your army list. Where this is impractical, logical and consistent substitutions may be made - but should be brought to the T.O. and each opponent's attention. Regardless of how accurately your infantry teams are modeled, you should be clear with your opponent how they are armed before the start of play.

--- Conversions which are (in the Tournament Organizer's judgement) a clear attempt to gain an unfair in-game advantage will not be permitted on the table in organized games - if you are concerned about a conversion you wish to field, ask the Tournament Organizer (T.O.) in advance. 

+ Unofficial Models are generally discouraged:

--- "Recast" or other resold duplicates of intellectually protected sculpts/models are criminal IP theft, and are prohibited on our tables.

--- Unofficial models do not support the game creators or the store where you play (the tables where you play are funded by model sales); while unofficial models are not prohibited in small numbers, they are discouraged - and in significant numbers (25% or more of a force) they are prohibited.

--- We do not zealously enforce unofficial model restrictions, but if you are bragging about your illegal models, encouraging others to use them, or otherwise drawing attention to their presence in your force, know that this may provoke a response from Event Organizers and/or CPG Staff.

Sportsmanship

For all organized events, players must:

+ Be fully prepared for games:

--- Bring any necessary dice, tokens, templates, tape measures or game aids needed to run your force, including all required models and their official rules.

--- Be on time for the start of the round, un-distracted by food or bathroom requirements.

--- Have your legibly written force list ready for your opponent's review at any time (physical or electronic are both acceptable).

+ Conduct yourself in a Sportmanlike manner:

--- Do not be belligerent to your Opponent or Event Organizers.

--- Do not throw things, bang your fist on tables, or risk damage to persons or property.

--- Resolve rules disputes calmly and coolly; ask Event Organizers for a ruling if necessary.

--- Make the game a positive experience for all involved.

+ Follow the Rules:

--- Know the basic rules of the game you are playing, and applicable special rules for your force.

--- Deliberate cheating is utterly and completely unacceptable, and a single incident may result in your ejection and permanent barring from all future CPG events. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CHEAT. IT WILL END YOUR GAMING EXPERIENCE HERE.

Flames of War / Team Yankee Game Timers

CPG Flames of War and WWIII: Team Yankee Tournament Events will use chess clocks to time all player actions.

All-over Game times are generally 2.5hr.; the following rules assume a 2.5hr. game:

+ Any game which reaches a natural conclusion (one player wins, the other loses) in that time frame is unaffected by the chess clocks.

+ If one of the players exceeded 1.5hr of play time on their chess clock, and the game fails to reach a natural conclusion within the all-over 2.5hr time limit, the player who exceeded 1.5hr of playing time will be considered to have lost, and their opponent will win. Points for destroyed units will determine the exact player scores normally.

+ All-over time extensions to finish a game may be granted at the Event Organizer's sole discretion. The chess clocks will continue to run during that extension.

+ The chess clocks should be started as soon as the Mission and any applicable Attacker / Defender for each game is determined. 

+ The chess clocks should be paused for rules disputes which are brought to the Event Organizer's attention. Frivolous disputes or inquiries clearly and intentionally (in the Organizer's judgment) made to waste time may be penalized with a reduction to a player's available time (whatever value the Organizer believes is most fair).

+ The chess clocks will NOT be paused for bathroom breaks, smoke breaks, etc. If a player must temporarily leave their table (even during their opponent's turn), the clock should be switched to that of the absent player.

Table Preparation

At CPG, tables for Organized Events are generally set up the evening beforehand.

Players are welcome - and indeed, encouraged - to come help set up tables. We strive to create tables which will provide multi-various opportunities and challenges for a great variety of forces. If you want a say in how the tables are set, please feel free to come and help set up the tables.

The "Gallantly Obliterated" Award

Many CPG Tournament Events will issue a prize called "Gallantly Obliterated." This is a combination of a traditional "consolation prize" and "sportsmanship award."

The "Gallantly Obliterated" prize is to be awarded to a player who was upbeat, sportsmanlike, and an all-over excellent and fun sparring partner to the very end - even though they were badly mauled in nearly every engagement.

After the final round of a tournament is complete, players will be asked to submit votes for their favorite opponent who they defeated (or fought to a stalemate - or, in the absence of any wins, just their favorite opponent).

If there is a tie for the award, the award will go to the player with more losses. If there is still a tie, lowest score, followed by inverse strength-of-schedule will be the secondary and tertiary tie-breakers.