Time and 40k, part 1

Time......... This is the one opponent that always wins. Always marching on, always a part of the game. How does time affect your lists, your play style, the moves you make. How much time do you need to play?

This will be a two part series on time.


Part one will focus on tournaments and running them. Part two will focus on how time affects you as a player.


Tournaments and time.... They seem to go hand and hand yet are always fighting with each other. How many times have you heard, I could have won if we had more time. Or how about this one, we only got 4 turns in.

How much time does it take to play a game? The big black book lists an hour for a 1000 point game, and "an evening" for games 1000+ to 2000. An evening seems like a long time. Most people agree that you can get a 2000 game done in 3 hours easy. Ard boys is 2.5 hours for 2500 points. Most tournaments give players between 2 hours to 2 hours and 15 minutes. These tournaments run 1750 to 2000 points.

Is this giving players enough time? Many factors goes into whether you have enough time or not. Some of them are the responsibility of the tournament, some are the players responsibility.

Tournaments can help players out by making sure table assignments are prompt and on time. You can loose 10-15 min simply because you or your opponent have not arrived at the table in a prompt manner. Players can help by having a display table and being able to "pack up" and move in a timely manner. It would also be nice to see tournaments not start the clock till everyone is at their table.

Tournaments can also help players by providing enough time in between rounds for bathroom breaks and such. I think if they get table assignments out early and announce the round starts in so many minutes, players would have a better chance to get done what they need to.

4+ judge!

Tournaments can help players out with time by having judges present and ready to answer questions. Judges can help by being prompt and efficient in finding answers. Either using a 4+ system, the INAT, or some other system.



Yeah, I'm going to need a ruling on that...Judge!



I don't think you should let players have extra time. Add up who won, but no more turns or dice rolling. I have had too many games where one more turn could win it, and giving top tables a break to finish is not fair to others. Time warnings with a "Dice Down" call is fair for everyone, no exceptions.



I said dice down now!


So alot of it comes down to organization, for both the players and the tournament organizer. (lol, look it's in his name!)

In the end I think 2 hours is enough for 1750 and 1850 point games. 2000 points you might need to run 2 hours 15 minutes. I believe this is enough time if you get the full amount to play.

Well that's my 2 cents. Make sure to check out part 2 on how time affects you as a player and your choices.