The Basics
Location: Left Hand Brewing - Longmont, CO
When: August 13, 2022 - 11am Skirmish registration - 12pm Skirmish start
Format: The Skirmish format is Blitz - darn near every other format will be represented throughout.
Cost for the day: $35 (Pre-reg by contacting Heart of Gold Games)
(If you ONLY want to be a part of the Skirmish, reach out. We offered a partial day option last time...nobody picked it. Those who did, changed their mind very quickly 🙂 )
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The Pitch
What is it?
We take over Left Hand Brewing Company and have a celebration of Flesh and Blood, filled with amazing formats, prizes, drinks, and camaraderie! This year, we will be running Heart of Gold's Skirmish as the main event.
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A brewery? I'm not really a drinker.
That's ok! They have many other options for beverages and are even kid friendly. Everyone is invited!
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I wasn't here last year. Was it actually good?
Last year brought 58 people together for an ARMORY event and more than 80 throughout the day. There were no incidents, the bar staff LOVED us (literally asked the next day when we'd be coming back - and I STILL get comped beers for it), and it got worldwide attention. Colorado's community has a phenomenal reputation. This is a great way to see why.
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That's a lot of people. Competition's going to be intense...
There are prizes for winning, but a majority of prize support, including many of the best prizes, is participation based. Additionally, there will be a plethora of on-demand side events: Classic Constructed, Blitz, Chaff Goblin, Ultimate Pit Fight, Chaff Goblin UPF, and PvE (The BlessCards variant is back!)
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Will it be worth it?
Biased, the experience alone is worth it, ask around, BUT on top of Skirmish prize support, there will be pack support from all Mon1 and forward, playmats, alpha cards, cold foils, EA Heralds, art prints, alts, posters, and an abundance of other prizes offered up by myself and other partners!
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Some helpful details
- The Coaxing was inspired by the card Coax A Commotion, and the challenge returns! Last year, Coax a Commotion was required in your deck (and provided as part of registration), that is NOT the case this year. The Skirmish has bigger stakes; I don't want to damage its integrity. Though you are not required to have Coax, if you have Coax, and WIN by dealing the final blow with Coax a Commotion, you'll win a free drink from Left Hand! - This challenge is in effect throughout the entire day, and will need to be confirmed by all players in that match.
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- Left Hand has their own food truck! You will be able to get food throughout the day!
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- The Left Hand Patio and Biergarten should be open! Last year, there were tons of outdoor games, as the inside got a little packed (a lot packed...). Being in August, outside should be a better bet throughout the entire day (hopefully not TOO hot). The Biergarten is a massive yard within walking distance where we can set up some side events...I'm still trying to figure out the BEST logistics...but they have a tent, and a bar. And space.
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- There's LOTS of parking. An entire lot across the street from the brewery. Completely free.
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How prizing will work
Static Prize support
In addition to Skirmish prizing, the winner of the Skirmish will receive a Mark Poole signed Flashfreeze Artist Proof, with a truly one-of-a-kind sketch made specific for The Coaxing!
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Side events will still be on demand 4-8 man pods depending on the format (I am pondering having one special event mid-day also) and will provide plenty of pack support for players (say that 3 times fast...) on top of plenty of raffle tickets (see below). Just like last year, Ultimate Pit Fight support will be doubled - this INCLUDES Chaff Goblin Ultimate Pit Fight pods
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Raffle Draw prizing
I liked the system last year and this year I'll have both help and a projector so I can run it better! A MAJORITY of prize support will be run by raffle, with tickets being earned as you play. There will be three kinds of raffles:
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The Blue Ticket Raffles
1. Lucky Draw - Big pile of everything. Cards, packs, playmats, drinks, just a plethora of things where I'll draw a bunch of names every few hours. If you were here last year, I had some fun tricks up my sleeve with that. Those are back 🙂 - You will need to be present to win.
2. Targeted Raffle - Instead of just throwing tickets into a pile, you can target your strikes for bigger prizes! Posters, spicier playmats, art prints, things like that. - You will not need to be present, but need to write contact info on each ticket for this.
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The White Ticket Raffles
These are a bit more special and have few places to use them. Like last year, there will be an official Coax a Commotion mat involved, but I'm adding more options, including Legendaries, and a sealed box of Monarch 1st Edition. - You can also pick the raffles you want to be a part of, and write contact info. You won't need to be present to win.
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Special Thank Yous
In the next week or so, I'll be making up fliers to drop off at our local partners Heart of Gold Games and Smetch Rat Games. Stop by! Bring people! Buy things! Grab a flier, get $1 off your first drink!
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Heart of Gold Games
We made a damn petition to LSS for HoG to get a major event, let's show James White why it was a good decision. Mike and team have been an amazing force in the FAB community, incredibly generous and passionate, always putting players first (like...WAY first). Mike has become a personal friend to many of us, sharing knowledge and insight about the industry, and constantly reminding the community that his real joy comes from making us feel welcome and appreciated. Though he'll never feel it's necessary, it's our turn to say thank you.
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Smetch Rat Games
A tourney-testing hotspot, Smetch Rat Games's has that "by players, for players" vibe, amplified not just by Tyler's knowledge and passion for games, but by him being a genuine fan and player. He'll travel to competitions, stay open late, and always have his Rhinar at the ready if you want to get a game in, while also being a genuinely fun person to play against and talk to.
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Michael Lipsky
Lipsky just needs a shirt that says "I got you." A backpack-retailer who's "known to locate certain things from time to time," he is all about making sure if you need something, you'll get it, even if it's extra cost and effort to him. Very dedicated to the community, looking out for the greater enjoyment to be had be all, he is truly a traveling treasure.
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Left Hand Brewing
A beertender who saw me, Keenan, and Casey (and I feel like someone else) jamming some games before an event said "I have an idea." That idea turned into the second largest non-LSS event in the country at the time...the first being an RTN. Left Hand hasn't just been a "location," they've been a genuine partner and the staff can't wait to see us all again!
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Still needing more
Store partnerships
If any stores would like to partner up and donate or offer up prize support - or dedicate resources in some other way, please reach out, let's chat about what we can provide for each other! Right now, most of the prize support is coming from my own pocket and collection, on top of needing to rent the room at Left Hand. Humbly, I can definitely use the help and will find ways to return the favor.
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Staffing
Let's not make the same mistake as last time where it's me running around like mad for 10 hours, feeling bad that I don't have a good answer to MANY who asked "what can I do to help?" I am looking for DEDICATED help this time. What those "positions" are, I'm still thinking about. But I know wrangling for pods, general admin, very very likely a judge or two for the Skirmish, things like that I am going to need. If you are willing to give up the day...or know someone who would (maybe a non-FAB player so you can enjoy), let me know. We can talk needs, compensation, all of that.
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Goals
Last year, we had 80 people. I'd LOVE to crack the 100 mark. We shocked the world last time, there are Discord messages and screenshots of people, even in Malaysia...I think...that heard about this. "Colorado has all the awesome things" is a line that has come from someone's mouth.
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Since then, the community has almost doubled. There are competitive teams now, Denver got a major LSS-event in the Battle Hardened tournament, and I heard tales that we are a thorn in Alan Hale's (director of North American OP) side when it comes to scheduling because we are so massive and so active. In a way, you can say we started an Uprising.
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Now let's become a Dynasty. 🙂
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Thank you all for everything so far...and making this crazy idea of mine a force to reckoned with.
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Joey
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