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Squad Leader Academy (SQLA) is currently
adminstrating the 2004 Cross of Iron Masters PBEM tournament. VSQL is
the standard interface, participants may elect either PBEM or server play.
This event is not to be Boardgame Player Association (BPA) sanctioned
but rather ran as a SQLA event. The impact is 2004 BPA membership is not
required to participate (although still encouraged) and SQLA will incur
all the charges for the plaques which will be passed on to the participants.
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This
event targets experienced players proficient in the use of VSQL, the SQL
rules, SQLA rule conventions and with a AREA history. This is not intended
as a novice event but rather a steady paced tournament. This is also a
forum to playtest new scenarios.
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This
event will be four round Swiss/Round Robin as a function of the number
of participants (six players have entered). Players will be placed in
pools with approximately two-three preliminary rounds with the final four
or two to move into a championship playoff. All players are encouraged
to play all rounds. Details will be determined by the number of participants.
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All
matches will be AREA rated and SLlist ladder. AREA ratings as of 8/31/04
will be used to seed the participants as a function of the tournament
start date.
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New SQLA scenarios will be used, often
with boards higher than 1-5. This may necessitate some higher level terrain
rules given the limitation of VSQL transformations (i.e. crags, graveyards,
brush, forest trails, orchards etc.). Scenarios will be ‘partial
bid’ as balance will not be tested with 50+ plays prior to use.
Partial Bid Format: Each player sends the GM their preferred side in the
scenario. If players pick opposing sides, scenario is played as written.
If players pick the same side, the lower rated bids first, bidding the
number of dominant squads added to the other sides ‘At Start’
forces. The Lowest bid is ‘0’ and all bids must be integers
only (0, 1, 2, 3…). Bid continues until one player elects to play
the opposing side augmented by the extra at start squads. This data and
game results will work to modify the scenario forces over time.
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A
Personal Leader Counter competition will be conducted within each tournament.
The best performance of surviving leaders as measured by net Élan
points will earn a plaque in addition to the first place tournament winner.
Costs incurred to generate and ship the two plaques per tournament are
estimated at $100 for this tournament. Entry fees and contribution will
be used to offset these costs as the WGA/SQL coffers are empty. Those
with financial hardship (I can personally relate to this) will be granted
a stipend to offset any entry fee. The goal is to maximize participation.
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All
appropriate Squad Leader 4th edition rules and Cross of Iron 4th edition
rules will be used as modified by the 2002 compiled Q&A and superceded
by SQLA Rule conventions will be in force. A SQLA ‘Rule Czar’
with alternates will be defined. Player’s individual ‘House
Rules’ are not applicable to this or any other SQLA event.
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This
event is expected to become annual events, augmenting the BPA Squad Leader
and Cross of Iron PBEM championships (annual January start date), the
BPA Squad Leader Series tournament at the World Boardgame championships
(typically the first week in August, Baltimore, MD, USA) and other FTF
and PBEM events run by SQLA. BPA sanctioning in future years will be assessed
if the participant pool meets BPA requirements (presently minimum of 16
players with 100% BPA membership).
