From: Don Greenwood It was the best of times, it was the worst of times ... enthusiasm was high for the 8th Annual Avaloncon. The faithful were gathering from all across the globe. Attendance was at an alltime high. Imaginative and descriptive team t-shirts were making an appearance as the roots of eight years of Team Tournament comradery took hold. Pre-reg and GM organization was made easier by Email and webpages, part of the wondrous new technology which was slowly strangling Avalon Hill. My personal quest for wood came to exhausting fruition with a 2 AM victory in the 6th round of the BKN finals. But the victory, exhilarating as it was, rang hollow. I knew what lay ahead... On Tuesday, August 4th, the remaining AH staff was assembled and informed that the company had been sold to Hasbro and that our services were no longer needed. While they cleaned out their desks, I stayed to the end of the week to assemble this final report on the 8th Avaloncon, because the sense of hobby I had hoped to elicit with AVALONCON does not end with the final dice roll. More important is the sense of community and comradery that AVALONCON generates among the faithful. To that end, I thought you would appreciate this final summary. It would appear that the GENERAL will no longer be published - at least not by Monarch. I am not privy to the details of the sale so I cannot shed much light on what will happen. The following is little more than conjecture and an educated guess. For accuracy, you'll have to await official statements from Hasbro and/or Monarch. Resolution of issues of compensation liability for subscriptions have not been made known to me, but rumor has it that subscribers will be receiving a letter offering them a like credit for game merchandise or refund in lieu of their remaining subscription credit. It is my understanding that Monarch will continue to sell existing inventory through the end of September. I have been assurred they will honor the awards certificates and therein lies my desire to finish out the week and get the proper paper to the winners. As usual, over a hundred certificates were left unclaimed and I am mailing them today. Two events (ASL and Panzer Leader) have still to post their Winners lists to me and therefore will not be mailed. Inquiries about these two events should be forwarded to Phyllis Opolko at POpolko@AOL.com. She has promised to mail out the certificates to the winners when the results have been forwarded to her by the GMs. I would urge all recipients to cash in their awards certificates asap. Earlier promises to honor those certificates for future AVALONCONs cannot be honored since there may be no future AVALONCON and even if there is, it will be under different ownership. Cash in your Awards certificates now. Orders for plaques cannot be fulfilled. I have requested refunds be sent to all involved. This year's No Shows will be mailed any souvenirs they had pre-ordered. However, as stated in advance, pre-reg fees are non-refundable. I want to thank the hundreds of well wishers who have called or emailed their expressions of support and thanks. It has been my pleasure to serve you in some small way for the past 26+ years, and AVALONCON week has indeed been the highlight of my year for the decade of the 90s. If we have seen the last of it, I sincerely thank you for supporting an all-volunteer championships convention and making it possible. It was great fun, albeit exhausting. The number of people who have come forward pledging support, financial and otherwise, to continue the convention has encouraged me to make inquiries about the possibility of continuing the convention under private sponsorship. If Hasbro has no objections, we will probably explore that possibility and be in touch with you again. Anyone having information regarding this year's events to be used in press coverage are urged to email it to Bruce Monnin for use in THE BOARDGAMER. Bruce can be reached at: MonninB@Bright.net or mailed at 177 S. Lincoln St, Minster, OH 45865. If you object to receiving mailings of this type, please reply with a "remove" subject and I will not send you further AVALONCON updates. On the other hand, if you wish to continue to receive information as it becomes available, please inform me of any address changes - email or snail mail - as they occur. For the time being I can be reached at Donavalon@AOL.Com. Snail mail: 1541 Redfield Rd., Bel Air, MD 21015 410-893-0380. THE WINNERS A5A 22 Terry Coleman; Day Point, CA Michael Sincavage; Sterling, VA Earl Anderson; Taylors, SC Brian Conlon; Waldorf, MD ACQ 48 Justin Childs; Tallahassee, FL Steve Packwood; Eagan, MN Dave Platnick; Charlottesville, VA Larry Krautz; Pocatello, ID ADV 64 Marc Geary; Worthington, OH Bruce Bernard; Fairview, PA Gregory Crowe; Silver Spring, MD Abby Cocke; Baltimore, MD ADV JR 22 Kimberly mayes Abby Cocke Ted Simmons Michael Mayes ACV 34 Eric Gunderson; Plainsboro, NJ Jeff Zarse; Chicago, IL Louis Giannoble; Pine Hill, NJ Ted Mullally; E Brunswick, NJ ASL 81 Bret Hildebran; Maple Heights, OH Neil Stanhagen; Annandale, VA AFK 23 Gregory Smith; Mercersburg, PA James R Tracy; Omaha, NE Michael McCabe; Sterling, VA Barry Smith; Binghamton, NY AOR 124 Mark Giddings; Albany, NY Rob Kircher; Warwick, RI Steve Simmons; Mt Laurel, NJ Nicholas Anner; Buffalo, NY ABN 94 Fred Minard; Camp Hill, PA Joe Jaskiewicz; Ellicott City, MD Bill Levay; Baltimore, MD Jack Jaeger; Glen Allen, VA ABN JR 11 Brandon Bernard ANZ 8 Michael Sincavage; Sterling, VA Tom Oleson; Gig Harbor, WA ASN 10 Carmen Petruzzelli; Lancaster, PA Andy Meyer; Darnestown, MD Stephen Kershaw; Somers point, NJ Michael May; NY, NY ACS 155 Ric Manns; Scottsburg, IN Steve Katz; Fairfax, VA John Wetherell; Mechanicsburg, PA Jeff Otto; W Milton, OH ATS 32 Earl Anderson; Taylors, SC Chris janiec; Carlisle, PA Rob Schoenen; Shillington, PA Jeff Lange Sr; Pasadena, MD AUC 28 Cliff Ackman; Harrisburg, PA Ken Gutermuth; Weston, FL Larry Kratz; Pocatello, ID Bruce Benard; Fairview, PA B17 32 Paul Weintraub; Aberdeen, MD Steve Quirke; Yaphank, NY Jonathon Squibb; Carlisle, PA Rob Schoenen; Shillington, PA BBS 21 Robert Kircher; Warwick, RI Derek Landel; Upper Saddle River, NJ Dan Dolan; Vernon, NJ Chris Palermo; Oakdale, NY B81 13 Bruno Sinigaglio; Delta Junction, AK Jim Falling; Peoria, IL Steve Likevich; N Royalton, OH John Grant; Stamford, CT BM7 8 Robert Ryan; Farmington Hills, MI Scott Sirianna; Binghamton, NY Paul Risner; Sarasota, FL Keith Hunsinger; Defiance, OH BKB 34 Gary Presser; Decmar, NY Theodore Mullaly; E Brunswick, NJ Dewayne Curry; S Charlestown, WV Robert Hahn; E Greenbush, NY BKN 52 Don Greenwood; Bel Air, MD Jim Doughan; Narbeth, PA Henry Jones; Moon Township, PA Clyde Longest; Chesapeake, VA BRI 49 Jim Jordan; Germantown, MD Scott Pfeiffer; Simpsonville, SC Keith Altizer; Jacksonville, FL Brett Mingo; Washington, DC CDT 17 Jeff Otto; W Milton, OH John Coussis; Hoffman Estates, IL Peter Staab; Pittsburgh, PA Al Walgreen; Springfield, VA CMS 84 Mike Stanley; Columbus, OH Brett Mingo; Washington, DC Martin Musella; Centreville, VA Anthony Musella; Centreville, VA CVW 16 Dennis Culhane; Lebanon, PA Henry Rice; Albuquerque, NM Keith Walton; Liverpool, UK Justin Thompson; Crozet, VA CDP 14 Michael Sims; Yorktown, IN Doug Faust; Ellicott City, MD Ric Manns; Scottsburg, IN Scott Bowling; Scottsburg, IN COI 8 Bill Thomson; Austin, TX Pete Pollard; Cordova, TN Tim Goff; Manassas, VA Chuck Leonard; Muncy, PA D91 4 Kevin McCarthy; So Euclid, OH DEC 42 Joe Fuest; Attica, NY ? Pete Stein; Hauppauge, NY Mike Dwyer; Mountainside, NJ DLW 16 John Poniske Jr; Coraopolis, PA Mike Pantaleano Jr; Houston, TX Stephen Dickson; Stockton, CA Abby Cocke; Baltimore, MD DLW JR 24 Ted Simmons Seth Kirchner DIP 64 David Hood; Tom Kobrin Webb Agnew Edwin Turnage DUN 43 Brad Jophnson; Crystal lake, IL Kevin Sudy; Reston, VA Steve Koehler; Charlotte, NC Joe Abrams; Cheshire, CT 830 45 Jon Kwiatkowski; Boone, NC Nicholas Anner; Buffalo, NY Marvin Birmbaum; Coral gables; FL Bernie Norton; Bedford, MA EIA 23 Richard taylor; Montgomery, AL Francis Czawlytko; Balto, MD Paul Toro; Del Rio, TX Patrick Mahoney; Pittsburgh, PA EIS 59 Winston Forrest; Manassas, VA Charles Stanard; Alexandria, VA William Fellin; Richmond, VA Mathew Bacho; Rockville, MD FI5 29 Caleb Cousins; Bangor, ME Pitt Crandelmire; Brookline, MA Steve Cameron; Collingdale, PA Randy Schilb; Columbia, MD 5FT 11 James Eliason; Riverdale, NY David Cross; Cornwall, NY Jack Morrell; Palmyra, NY James Fleckenstein; Sterling, VA FBS 24 Paul ONeil; Balto, MD Winston Forrest; Manassas, VA Debora Bell; Balto, MD George Holland; Philadelphia, PA FSE 14 Paul Koenig; Costa Mesa, CA John Grant; Stanford, CT GSR 40 Stephanie Mayes; Aurora, IN Pitt Crandelmire; Brookline, MA Phillip Thomas; Balto, MD Dan Schulman; Balto, MD GBG 22 Kevin McCarthy; S Euclid, OH D. Zimmerman, Myerstown, PA Vince Meconi; Wilmington, DE John Teixeira; Ruckersville, VA GBL 27 Daviud Middleton; Balto, MD James Sparks; Frederick, MD Bruce Harper; Vancouver, BC Conrad Struckman; Hollis, NH GCACW 8 Ed Beach; Columbia, MD Joe Bellas; Troy, OH Bruno Passacantando; Marlborough, CT Chris Withers; Redondo Beach, CA $GR 36 Kevin Wojtasczyk; Checktowanga, NY Greg Mayer; Ballwin, MO Stephen Kershawe; Somers Point, NJ Joseph Fuest; Attica, NY GUE 30 Forrest Speck; Balto, MD Dan Vice; Arlington, VA Kevin Lerow; Lowell, MA Rob Kilroy; Philadelphia, PA GBD 35 Tom Pasko; Collinsville, Ct Carl Willner; Washington, DC Todd Craig; Chapel Hill, NC Henry Rice; Albuquerque, NM HRC 52 Karsten Engelmann; Rockville, MD Jung Yueh; Boston, MA Sean McKenzie; NY, NY Dan Metzger Jr; Pittsburgh, PA HCR 22 Ed Beach; Columbia, MD Joe Bellas; Troy, OH Patrick Duffy; Tinton Falls, NJ Forest Speck, BAlto, MD HWD 72 Greg Crowe; Silver Spring, MD Phil Rodriguez; Annandale, VA Craig Dudley; Whitefish Bay, WI Roderick Lee; Huntington Beach, CA HWD JR 21 Joe Collinson HWB 41 Harald Henning; Brookfield, CT James Pei; Austin, TX Kevin Wojtaszczyk; Cheektowaga, NY Mike Destro; Cinnaminson, NJ KGM 33 Victor Guerrrera; Furlong, PA Mark francechini; Owings Mills, MD Justin Thompson; Crozet, VA James Lorys; Brownsville, TX KRM 46 Chris Geggus; Brentwood, UK Peter Stein; Hauppauge, NY Jay ODonnell Marc Houde; Washington DC LRH JR 23 Ted Simmons Jeff Ribeiro LBG 18 Eric Stranger; N Canton, OH Todd ornette; Balto, MD John Coussis; Hoffman Estates, IL Mark Jacobsen; Irving, TX MAH 25 Scott Pfeiffer; Simpsonville, SC Henry Rice; Albuquerque, NM Steve Simmons; Mt Laurel, NJ Chris Greenfield; Sparta, NJ MMS 44 Bruce Reiff; Powell, OH Dennis Nicholson; Pawling, NY JohnCoussis; Hoffman Estates, IL Harry Flawd; Lancaster, PA MBT 9 Dave Sidelinger; Bristol, CT Rob Schoenen; Shillington, PA MOV 80 Greg Mayer; Ballwin, MO Lana Hunter; St Charles, MO Dan Crenshaw; Vienna, VA Lee presser; NY, NY MOV JR 23 Stephen Crenshaw Brittany Bernard MRA 167 Dave Long; Greensboro, NC Josh Dunn; Prince George, VA Verity Hitchings; Newark, DE Marvin Birnbaum; Coral gables, FL MUS 16 David Metzger; Pittsburgh, PA Chris janiec; Carlisle, PA Cliff Hansen; VA Beach, VA Mark Jacobsen; Irving, TX MFB 10 Michael Lam; San Jose, CA Davbbid chilcote; Pasadena, MD Mark Jacobsen; Irving, TX Chris Sasso; Columbus, OH NVW 32 Dan Schulman; Balto, MD Phil Thomas; Balto, MD Debbie Otto; Ballwin, MO Peter Busch; Columbus, OH ONR 19 Chris Withers; Redondo Beach, CA Rod Coffery; Falls Church, VA Gordon Bliss; Dedham, MA Jim Pyle; Colonial Hts, VA OW2 16 JohnEmery; Greer SC Jason levine; Cheektowaga, NY Paul Risner; Sarasota, FL Robert Mull; Alexandria, VA PCW 8 Gary Gonzalez; Freeport, NY Roiiger Taylor; Reston, VA Ron Wuerth; Norfolk, VA Stephen Andriokos; Bedford, TX PZB 16 Chuck leonard; Muncy, PA Dave Giordano; Carneys Point, NJ Kurt Kurtz; Grafton, OH John Hasay; Benton, PA PZL 16 Mark Murray-Brown; Gloucester, MA Marty Musella; Centreville, VA Ken Oates; Weslaco, TX Bill ONeal; Caledonia, NY PGG 10 Michael pustilnik; Brooklyn, NY Marv Rabin; Saxton's River, VT PXB 19 Mark franceshini; Owings Mills, MD Chris Carey; Takoma Park, MD Ed Rothenhebber; Columbia, MD Kevin Berry; Collegeville, PA PAYDIRT 16 John Ellman; L:aurel, MD Rodney, MOrris; Bowie, MD PPW 8 Brian Mountford; NY, NY PRS 28 James Stevens; Woodstock, GA Brian kirchner; Florence, KY Paul Bolduc; FWB, FL Phillip Chilcote; Charlotte, NC PRS JR 25 Adam Gugliemini John Conlon PGF 61 Kevin Wojtaszcyzk; Cheektowaga, NY Peter Perla; Alexandria, VA James Tarapachi; Attica, NY Ken Gutermuth; Weston, FL RBN 100 Eyal Mozes; White Plains, NY Chuck Foster; Ft Worth, TX Cathy Kratz; Pocatello, ID Mike Pantaleano; Houston, TX ROR 32 Charles Dunn; Prince George, VA John Keating; Oak Lawn, IL William Romaniecki; Attleboro, MA James garzillo; NY, NY RKL 44 Mike Lescault; Mansfield; MA William Burch; Aberdeen, MD Mark Hunter; St Charles, MO Peter Staab; Pittsburgh, PA RTG 21 Bruno Passacantando; Marlboro, CT Paul Nied; Olathe, KS Ed Beach; Columbia, MD Chris Withers; Redondo Beach, CA RNQG 8 Tony Zilz; Red Lion, PA Carl Olson; Marlborough, CT RNQV 15 Ken Rothstein; NY, NY Thad Gutshall; Arlington, VA SLS 116 Dennis Nicholson; pawling, NY Larry Lingle; Harrisburg, PA Shantanha Saha; Wesley Hills, NY Derek Landel; Upper Saddle River, NJ 776 12 Rob Beyma; Pocomoke, MD Michael Sincavage; Sterling, VA SCT 38 John Weber; Laurel, MD Jeff August; McLean, VA Maria Hawthorne; Burke, VA Michael Stachowski; Colden, NY SCT JR 15 Seth Kircher SQL 17 Pete pollard; Cordova, TN Tim Goff; Manassas, VA Michael Pacheco; San Francisco, CA Bill Thomson; Austin, TX STP 67 Paul Saunders; Sterling, VA Stephen Dickson; Stockton, CA Stephen Quirke; Yaphank, NY Joe Fuest; Attica, NY STP JR 12 Stephen Dickson SPK 8 Derek landel; Upper saddle River, NJ Steven Caler; Huntington, PA SMG 21 Ken Gutermuth; Weston, FL Frank Atwood; Indian Head, MD Mike Welker; Steubenville, OH Steve Cuccaro; Gambrills, MD SJW 13 Bruno Passacantando; Marlborough, CT Paul Nied; Olathe, KS Len Lee; Tunkhannock, PA Mark booth; Vienna, VA SLB 18 Joe Bellas; Troy, OH Jim Pyle, Colonial Hts, VA Bob Jamelli; Hazleton, PA Forrest Speck; balto, MD SOA 17 David Wong; Matawan, NJ Bobby Clinton; Altadena, CA Tom Drueding; Dallas, TX Mike Pachecho; San francisco, CA SUC 32 Doug Smith; Brownsburg, IN Jeff Paull; Twinsburg, OH Rob Seulowitz; Scarsdale, NY Tom Drueding; Dallas, TX SSB 9 Harry Flawd; Lancaster, PA Chris Palermo, Oakdale, NY TRC 27 Gary Dickson; Stockton, CA Phil Evvans; Arlington, VA Tom Gregorio; Norristown, PA Tim greene; Mooorristown, TN TTN 78 Jung Yuph; Boston , MA David Finberg; Cambridge, MA Aaron Fuegi; Cambridge, MA David des Jardins; Berkeley, CA TTA 178 Brian Sutton; Laurel, MD Peter Staab; Pittsburgh, PA Luke Koleszar; Charlottesville, VA Jerry Ohlinger; NY, NY TT2 39 Ed Rothenheber; Columbia, MD Jason Ley; Federal Way, WA Bruno Wolff; White Fish Bay, WI\ Jung Yueh; Boston, MA TBT 32 Dennis Nicholson; Pawling, NY JohnCoussis; Hoffman Estates, IL Tom Vickery; Cranbury, NJ Henry Richardson III; Annandale, VA TPS 12 Henry Jones; Moon Township, PA Byron Stingley; Gary, NC TVW 28 Charles Hickok; Harrisburg, PA Randy Sands; Lititz, PA Joel Tamburo; Justicve, IL Mike destro; Cinnaminson, NJ TVW JR 13 Alex Henning Tyranno Ex 39 Tom DeMarco; Riverside, NJ Mike Lescault; Mansfield, MA Richard Zelano; East grenwich, RI Matt Evinger; Bangor, PA UPF 55 John Emery; Greer SC Don Hawthorne; Burke, VA Ken Katano; Arbutus, MD Bruce Young; Abbeville, SC VIP 48 Joe Dragan; Mason, MI John Sharp; Sarasota, FL Mike Kaye; San pedro, CA Max Zavanelli; Orange City, FL W&P 8 Robert Beyma; Pocomokle, MD Chris Roginsky; Bethlehem; PA WAS 32 Mike Kaye; San Pedro, CA Matt Romaniecki; Attleboro, MA Robert Mull; Alexandria, VA Tom Scarborough; Jamesville, WI WAT 16 Rob Beyma; Pocomoke, MD Phil Evans; Arlington, VA Pat Mirk; Tampa, FL Mike McCabe; Sterling, VA WTP 40 James Pei; Austin, TX George seary; Endwell, NY Chris LeFevre; Mesa, AZ John Poniske; Coraopolis, PA WPS 14 Bruce Reiff; Powell, OH Jim Murphy; New portland, CA WZQ 20 Kevin Wojtaszczyk; Cheektowaga, NY Dan Metzger Sr; Pittsburgh, PA Paul Bolduc; FWB, FL Mark Hunter; St Charles, MO WZQ JR 10 Erica Kircher WSIM 14 Michael Brannaman; travelers rest, SC David cross; Cornwall, NY WSM 10 John Metzger; Pittsburgh, PA Timothy Hitchings; Newark; DE WRS 33 Dan Shulman; Balto, MD Dan Dolan Jr; Vernon, NJ Tim Dolan; Vernon, NJ Brian Kirchner; Florence, KY WBR 36 Susan Ellsworth; Morris, IL Vincent Collura; McKees Rocks, PA Greg Courter; Battle creek, MI John Ellesworth; Morris, IL WRS JR 12 Tim Dolan; WTT 26 Ray and Raymond Stakenas; Livonia, MI Jon Lockwood & Kenin Youells This year's TEAM TOURNAMENT appeared to be taking hold with several teams appearing in team shirts - just the kind of comradery we were attempting to foster when we started the concept eight years ago. The top 25 of 66 teams in the Team Tournament were as follows: 1. BARBAROSSA: F. Minard ABN 9, S. Shambeda ACQ 0, C. Smith TT2 0, J. Wetherell ACS 4 = 13/336 2. PILLAGE, THEN BURN: B. Young UPF 2, E. Anderson ATS 8, S. Pfeiffer BRI 3, D. Gantt ACQ 0 = 13/184 3. ENTROPHY: M. Giddings AOR 9, B. Smith ABN 0, M. Birmbaum WTP 0, M. Rinella BKN 1 = 10/310 4. TACTICAL EDGE: B Monnin HWD 0, J. Jordan BRI 8, K. Hunsinger ACS 2, P Risner B17 = 10/308 5. INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK: G. Mayer MOV 9, D. Otto DEC 0, M Hunter RBN 0, L Hunter NVW 1 = 10/254 6. JAG A: M Dwyer EIS 0, E. Mozes RBN 9, S. Saha ACV 0, F. Schmitt RTG 0 = 9/314 7. MIDWEST MERCENARIES: L. Gehring RBN 0, D. Gehring ABN 1, S. Mayes GSR 8, J. Finkeldey TYX 0 = 9/273 8. WE GOT GAME: B Hildebran ASL 9, P Shelling WAS 0, D Davis A5A 0, K Davis EIS 0 = 9/194 9. TEAM DOILY: B Cleary FBS 0, D Greenwood BKN 8, S Greenwood FI5 0, R Pfeiffer ADV 1 = 9/169 10. OLD GUARD: R Heller FSE 0, J Grant B81 0, R Beyma WAT 7, P Evans TRC 2 = 9/70 11. AUSTIN BRIGADE: J Pei HWB 3, M Hoff RBN 0, B Thomson SQL 1, R Kircher AOR 4 = 8/282 12. LAST GOOD WARRIORS: M. Ussery VIP 0, M Bacho BLB 2, M Sincavage ANZ 6, M Crowe GBL 0 = 8/117 13. GHOSTS: L Lingle TT2 0, C Hickok ACV 0, D Culhanne CVW 7, L Hess SCT 0 = 7/127 14. ACCEPTABLE LOSSES: D Lawall UPF 0, M Brannamon WSM 6, R Jones SUC 1, J Emery ATS 0 = 7/133 15. KOLESZAR PLAT: S Koleszar TTN 1, M Koleszar TTA 3, L Koleszar MOV, D Plotnick KGM 0 = 6/369 16. MIT SGS: A Applebaum VIP 1, A Fuegi TT2 1, D Finberg TTN 4, C Krueger HRC 0 = 6/217 17. THE NULL SET: T Dunning RBN 1, N Anner BRI 1, J Levine OW2 2, K Wojtaszcyk HWB 2 = 6/206 18. MANLY MEN: B Reiff WPS 6, M Stanley RBN 0, G Sauer KGM 0, K Gutermuth MMS 0 = 6/191 19. BENT BAYONETS: A Kaplan TRC 0, K McCarthy D91 4, D Zimmerman GBG 2, M Uhrich W&P 0 = 6/61 20. BOYZ ON THE HILL: B Levay ABN 3, C Lawrence MRA 2, B Knight SMG 0, S Tucker HRC 0 = 5/334 21. TREPPENWITZ: J Matt STP 2, B Edwards UPF 1, B Rood TTA 2, G Rood TVW 0 = 5/328 22. KRUMP ON KREWE: C Godfrey FSE 0, R Taylor PCW 1, M Love AOR 0, P Rodriguez HWD 4 = 5/318 23. WINDY CITY WARGAMERS: L Tokarz ACS 2, J Coussis LBG 1, D Henry VIP 0, R Sommers ASL 2 = 5/302 24. SOUTH JERSEY GAME KNIGHTS: D Wagner BRI 1, T Stokes MOV 1, S Simmons AOR 3, B Destro HWB 0 = 5/294 25. THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT: R Navolis EIS 0, J Squibb BRI 1, J Shambeda TTN 2, L Hickok HWD 1 = 4/258 And so ends another AVALONCON. If it was truly the last one, I want to extend one last thank you to all of you who made it possible - especially the GMs and those who made the pilgrimage every year from great distances. I won't mention any names ... you know who you are. If you are interested in my dedicated gaming weekends mini-conventions in which we play one game for three days for plaque prizes, drop me a line. We had 31 people for three rounds of Age of Renaissance last spring and all vowed to return for another next year. I hope to do Breakout Normandy in November and UP FRONT in February. We stay at the Hampton Inn just a mile down the street from the HVI. The rates are cheaper and the breakfast is free. Come join us. If you liked the focus of AVALONCON you might like these mini-cons even better since there are no distractions at all ... you keep playing the same game all weekend long - even when you lose ... there is no lure to rush off to another event. If everything falls into place and we can keep AVALONCON going, I look forward to seeing you again next year. If not, thanks. Its been great fun. Don Greenwood From: Ed & Sarah Beach Subject: Avaloncon Write-Up: On to Richmond! Bruce- Here is the write-up you requested on the On to Richmond! tournament at Avaloncon. I will also be sending you a brief write-up of the Legends of Robin Hood, Jr. event I also ran. I am copying this message to the Great Campaigns mailing list in the hope that I will inspire the other Great Campaigns GMs to add descriptions of their tournaments. I could give you a brief synopsis of them, but the descriptions will be more detailed if they come from the individual GMs. Let me know if you have any questions. -Ed =================================================== 1998 Avaloncon: On to Richmond! Avaloncon 1998 witnessed the first ever tournament for the newest member of the Great Campaigns series, On to Richmond! Nineteen players started the day with a fight over the Warwick River Line, tenaciously held by Prince John Magruder's outnumbered defenders. Although this first round ran long as players adjusted to some of the rule refinements made for this game, all thought the scenario to be tense and well balanced. For the second scenario, the action moved to Seven Pines. All Union commanders had at least one of the two rickety bridges over the swollen Chickahominy hold up long enough that Sumner's corps could come to aid of the two Union corps south of the river. After this second round, we had 6 undefeated players: Bruno Passacantando, Alan Murphy, Gordon Bliss, Rod Coffey, Charles Ellsworth and Chris Withers. These six were paired up for the Retreat to the James scenario; the three undefeated winners would all move on as semifinalists with one player with a 2-1 record advancing based on strength of opposition. Coffey was the first to advance, followed later by Withers. Passacantando and Bliss had the closest game of the tournament. Bliss's Rebels needed to take Malvern Hill for the win and had these heights surrounded on three sides on the last turn of the game. Unable to secure Malvern Hill, Bliss was able to instead break through to the east and send troops south to capture Passacantando's new base at Berkeley on the James for the win. Jim Pyle rounded out our semifinalists, winning the strength of opposition tie breaker after his third round win over Paul Nied. Due to the early delays, we substituted a second playing of Seven Pines for the scheduled Johnston's Retreat scenario for the semifinals. Next time we'll work this fourth scenario in, as it allows the dramatic use of Union amphibious flanking maneuvers. Withers and Coffey were the semifinal winners, advancing to a finals of Retreat to the James. Withers, as Confederate, used a methodical attack strategy to keep Coffey's Yankees from withdrawing in good order to the James. Withers' Rebels were able to secure a victory based on losses, which were high enough on the Union side that the capture of Malvern Hill was not necessary. Congratulations to Chris and Rod for their exceptional play, and thanks to all players for their patience with the occasional delays we experienced running a tournament for the first time. -Ed Beach, ONR GM __________________________________________ Ed Beach email: waveland@smart.net Web page: http://www.smart.net/~waveland Check out the Great Campaigns of the American Civil War home page at: http://www.smart.net/~waveland/gcacw.htm From: Subject: Avaloncon Write-Up: Roads to Gettysburg Bruce, Here is the write-up you requested on the Roads to Gettysburg tournament at Avaloncon: This year 21 players journeyed to Avaloncon '98 to strive to become the Roads to Gettysburg champion. The first two rounds of the RTG tournament featured First Day at Gettysburg. Each player would play the same opponent during the first 2 rounds, switching sides for round 2. After 2 rounds there were 6 undefeated players: Bruno Passacantando, Ed Beach, Jay Meyers, Mark Booth, Sean Cousins, and Chris Withers. The format of the tournament was such that these players would be pitted against each other. It was imperative to win Round 3, Meade Moves North, because winning round 3 was the first tiebreaker to determine the semifinalists. So losing round 3 would eliminate the players from the tournament. Bruno, Ed and Chris won round 3 to advance to the semis, with Paul Nied (2-1) advancing due to strength of schedule. Bruno was matched against Chris, while Ed played Paul. The semis featured First Day at Gettysburg. Bruno won out against Chris, while Ed's losses in cavalry retreats were the difference to propel Paul to the finals. The final, Meade Moves North, was played with Bruno taking the Confederates with a bid of 6 points. This scenario gives the Rebels 15 VP for holding Gettysburg with no Union infantry units adjacent to it, while only giving 8 VP if there are Union infantry adjacent. The rebels also get 4 VP for capturing Harrisburg. Turn 1 (out of 5) featured both sides marching toward Gettysburg to be in position for turn 2. Turn 2 featured Hill and Longstreet pushing past Reynolds I Corps to capture Gettysburg, while Ewell continued his assault towards Harrisburg. Turns 3 & 4 featured both sides continuing to maneuver around Gettysburg, with the Rebs holding the town but unable to force the Yankees from holding ground adjacent to it. The Rebs captured Harrisburg's VP, but that was balanced by the loss of Early's entire division. While marching from York to Gettysburg, Ewell had been attacked and demoralizec by Sickles III Corps, and eliminated by Sedgwick's VI Corps. Turns 3-4 were tense, as successful attacks from either side would swing the game in their favor. Turn 4 came down to the Union needing 2 VP for a win, and needing to recapture Gettysburg to do it. The first four corps assault attempts against Gettysburg failed (4 6's in a row!), with the next 2 attacks unable to force a retreat from the town. Bruno Passacantando was a deserving winner of the 1998 Roads to Gettysburg tournament, finishing with a 5-0 record, and having played the toughest schedule of any player in the tournament. Paul Nied 1998 Roads to Gettysburg GM From: Ed & Sarah Beach Subject: 98 SLB Avaloncon Report Bruce- I'm forwarding this report on to you from Forrest Speck, SLB GM. -Ed Stonewall's Last Battle 1998 Avaloncon After Action Report Stonewall's Last Battle's attendance was hurt a bit by the ongoing On to Richmond tournament but still managed to attract 13 players. The first round was "Brandy Station" with the Union winning 3 of the 4 games. "Salem Church" proved to be perfectly balanced this year with the 6 matches being split in the second round. "The Great Flank March" was slightly in favor of the Confederates, who took 3 of 5 games. One of those games was a wild one between GM Forrest Speck and game designer Ed Beach. Speck led Jackson on a crushing first day of attacks that left most of the Union army demoralized. Beach was desparate enough to send his only fresh corps, Howard's XI corps (!), on a flank march back around the Confederates to secure Salem Church (and presumably link up with Sedgwick's VI corps). The gamble worked, but Speck was able to finally cut this flanking party off from the rest of Hooker's men, sealing a substantive victory for the Rebels. The four participants who advanced were Bob Jamelli (97 Champ), Jim Pyle, Forrest Speck (96 Champ), and Joe Bellas, who needed a a decisive victory in the third round to overcome a second round loss. The scenario for the semifinals was "The Great Flank March", which showed Jim Pyle's Union forces inflicting severe casualties on Speck's Confederates more than compensating for the loss of Chancellorsville to advance to the finals. Bellas's Confederates swarmed all over Jamelli's Yankees to set up the finals between Pyle and Bellas. The finals was "player's choice" for the scenario. "The Great Flank March" was chosen. Bellas again had the Confederates, and beat the vastly improved Jim Pyle for the title. -- Forrest Speck, SLB GM __________________________________________ Ed & Sarah Beach email: waveland@smart.net web site: http://www.smart.net/~waveland/ Bruce Monnin - 09:54am Aug 13, 1998 PST (#87 of 87) Editor of the BOARDGAMER Avaloncon 1998 War At Sea Recap The War At Sea tournament field was up to 34 entrants this year. I believe the tourney was run fairly smooth this year. The continuation of the changed bidding POC for sides, with the winner of the die roll will be allowed to bid any integer number of POC to play his preferred side, including zero, seemed to work well. 1998 Statistics: Victories: Axis - 30 (45%); Allies - 31 (46%); Ties - 6 (9%) Side Bid For: Axis - 4 (6%); Allies - 15 (22%); Neither - 48 (72%) Overall 8 Year Statistics: Victories: Axis - 200 (51%); Allies - 176 (45%); Ties - 17 (4%) Side Bid For: Axis - 80 (20%); Allies - 67 (17%); Neither - 246 (63%) The victories were fairly evenly spread between the Axis and the Allies again this year. Note that the bidding has changed so that most of the games are played without a POC handicap, but with a greater percentage of games being played with the Allied side being bid for each year. Tom Scarborough was the only past champions in the top eight this year (continuing a recent trend). One of the former champs did not compete this year, and the other five former champions compiled a combined 11-9 record (including a 3-2 mark by your beloved GM who make something of a comeback this year). It seems that the competition in War At Sea continues to be better than ever. The top eight finishers from the 1998 tournament were: 1st - Mike Kaye 2nd - Matthew Romaniecki 3rd - Robert Mull 4th - Tom Scarborough 5th-8th - Andrew Gardner, Michael Ussery, Patrick Richardson, David Zimmerman Mike won by going 6-1 playing the Allied side in all 7 games. (A big change from the early 1990’s when the champion usually played most games as the Axis). Mike defeated Matthew playing the Allied side. Both semifinals were also won by the player playing the Allied side, with Mike Kaye defeating Robert Mull and Matthew Romaniecki defeating 1992 champion Tom Scarborough. Details of the Final Four: In the first semifinal match, Matthew Romaniecki played the Allied side and used a balanced four area Barents on 1 opening. Tom Scarborough challenged the South Atlantic where the Allies had 4 battleships and 1 carrier with all 7 German ships and the 4 Italian cruisers. The airstrike disabled one German, while the battleships sunk a 3-5-7 and a 2-2-5 while disabling another 2-2-5. The Axis in their turn only disabled one British battleship, thus leading to the eventual retreat of all Axis ships to the neutral port. Turn 2 saw most of the Allied fleet in the South Atlantic awaiting to destroy the trapped Axis fleet. A quick Axis concession followed and the 1992 champion was ushered out. The other semifinal match saw Mike Kaye also use a Barents on 1 opening with the Allies (for which he gave a POC incentive to the Axis). Robert Mull’s Axis took the North Atlantic against 3 British battleships without suffering any losses. The game remained tight for the next few turns, with both sides finally committing to a big battle in the Barents Sea on turn 5 which the Allies won but with few casualties on either side This allowing the Allies to gain a 1 POC lead. Turn 6 saw the Axis LBA sink an Allied convoy in the Barents Sea and turn 7 saw the LBA disable another convoy to hold the Allied lead to just 1 POC. Turn 8 saw the Axis in need of a victory, but an attempt in the North Sea failed after 2 German ships were disabled by airstrikes and the battle went downhill from there. The finals featured a matchup between Mike Kaye and Matthew Romaniecki which Matthew has been trying to avoid all day. Apparently these two had tangled in the past, and Matthew was anxious to avoid a rematch. Mike gave up 1 POC to play the Allies and again tried a Barents on 1 opening with 3 Battleships in the North Atlantic. Matthew managed to get 5 German ships there and won the battle, losing one ship while the British lost 2 Battleships. Turn 2 was fairly uneventful, although the second Italian was sunk by Allied LBA. Turn 3 saw the two remaining Italian cruisers and 4 U-boats challenge 4 British Battleships in the South Atlantic. Fortunately for Matthew, although he lost the battle the cruisers were only disabled to the Neutral Port. Despite this failure, the Axis still clung to a 3 POC lead. Turn 4 saw the Allies take control by winning a massive victory in the Barents sea, while a convoy made it to Russia and the convoy in the North Atlantic was missed by the Axis U-boat force. On turn 5, the U-boats broke control of the North Atlantic, but the blockade was held. Meanwhile, the last Russian ship was sunk and another convoy made port in Russia, staking the Allies to a 3 POC lead. Turn 6 saw the Allies win another battle in the Barents to maintain the blockade and keep the 3 POC lead. The battle was not a total loss for the Axis as they lost just one ships while inflicting 3-4 Allied casualties. Turn 7 saw the Axis draw closer as the U-boats broke control of both the North and South Atlantic and disabled the remaining convoy to draw to within 2 POC. Turn 8 saw the game come down to two battles. The convoy in the North Atlantic survived 2 U-boat shots to port in England. A large battle also raged in the Barents sea with 4 British battleships, 7 cruisers and 2 carriers defending against 6 German ships. The Germans did better than expected, leading to a tense ending to the battle when the Allies finally triumphed with their force down to 3 cruisers and 2 carriers to claim the 3 POC win (2 POC after the handicap was applied). Thus, 1998 saw the 7th different champion crowned in the last seven years. From: Ed & Sarah Beach Subject: Avaloncon Writeup: Great Campaigns of the ACW At 02:51 PM 8/24/98 -0400, you wrote: >Ed, > >Two things. First could you take care of writing up the description of >the overall championship at A-Con for the web site. I have forgotten >who faced who and I believe you should have the bracket sheet. Bruce- As you can see above, Ken Lee asked me to write the description of the GCACW Overall Championship at Avaloncon for your Boardgamer magazine. Here it is below. Let me know if you have any questions. -Ed =================================================== 1998 Avaloncon: Great Campaigns of the American Civil War After three years of a total point format to crown the Great Campaigns Overall Champion, GM Ken Lee changed the event to a 8-person single elimination tournament. This format increased the tension throughout the week, for any individual tournament champion became an automatic qualifier for the Saturday playoff. Bruno Passacantando, winner of both RTG and SJW, was the first seed, with event winners Ed Beach (HCR), Joe Bellas (SLB), and Chris Withers (ONR) rounding out the top 4. Jim Pyle, Gordon Bliss, Paul Nied, and Bob Jamelli rounded out the top 8 based on their strong finishes in several earlier tournaments. The tension also mounted before each game, as the game to be played was determined randomly before each round. Players were not allowed to play the same game twice in these playoffs -- forcing the winner to demonstrate skill in at least 3 of the GCACW titles. The quarterfinals followed the seeding exactly, with all 4 tournament winners moving on to the semis. Passacantando, two-time SJW champion, defeated Jamelli in SJW ["From the Rappahannock to Bull Run"]; Beach, SLB designer, defeated Nied in SLB ["Sedgwick to the Rescue"]; Bellas defeated Bliss in SIV ["McDowell"]; and Withers defeated Pyle in HCR ["McClellan's Opportunity"]. In the semis, Beach faced Passacantando in ONR ["Retreat to the James"]; it was their third big match in four years, having split two tournament finals in 1995 and 1996. Ed's stalwart Union line and steady withdrawal hampered the progress of Bruno's Confederates, allowing him to move into the final. Bellas, SLB champion, again demonstrated his success in that game, prevailing over Withers in SLB ["Sedgwick to the Rescue"]. The finals was a rematch of the HCR finals from earlier in the week. Bellas (USA) and Beach (CSA) choose the exact same sides and bid (2 by Beach to play Rebels). Ed was able to prevail a second time over Joe, helped greatly by a devastating counterattack by Jackson and Lee on the second day to the northeast of Sharpsburg. Thanks once again to all who played in the GCACW events this year. Good sportsmanship abounded, as several of our players were nominated for the sportsmanship award (Rod Coffey and Mark Booth). And there were no hard feelings in the playoff group either -- Bruno Passacantando could be seen prevailing over Ed Beach and Joe Bellas at Air Baron in Salon C later that same evening... __________________________________________ Ed & Sarah Beach email: waveland@smart.net web site: http://www.smart.net/~waveland/