Prezcon has long been a quality gaming convention, and this year was no different. While there are many games that are played at Prezcon, this article will focus on a game that those around this website are extremely familiar with: Hammer of the Scots.
Having just finished my Atlantic Storm final, where I placed 2nd, F2F President Tom Pasko directed me to one of the side rooms where the Hammer board gaming final was being played. I entered just as Derek Croxton, one of the two finalists, was finishing his wintering phase.
The other finalist was George Seary, who also is the GM and defending champion of Hammer. It was a lighthearted atmosphere as the two men put the game on hold to have a little chat with me. For the tournament as a whole, the player turn out was low, only 11 people played during the 3 qualifying heats. When queried about the low turnout, Mr. Seary pointed a finger at a nearby schedule, saying, “We were put at some of the same times as Liberty, Europe Engulfed and Crusader [Rex]. A large portion of the pool that Hammer pulls from also plays those games, so they obviously made the choice not to play Hammer this year. Not much you can do about that.” As for the final that was being played before me, Mr. Seary said, “It’s a quality final. We both know the game, and each other. Oh, and I have a great hand for the next year,” he finished, rousing a round of laughter from the spectators that had gathered around the table. This is not the first time these two men have met in a game final at Prezcon. In fact, they had met in a final earlier in the week, at the We the People final. “This guy,” Mr. Seary said, pointing his finger at the 2-0 finalist across the table, “beat me in the We the People final. I’m out for blood here,” which roused another round of laughter, only accenting the lighthearted atmosphere. One thing that Mr. Seary pointed out that was different in the board gaming tournament than what is played here on F2F is the rules set. As many of you know, the rules set used here on F2F is the 2.03 rules, whereas the board game tournament plays with the 2.0 rules. When asked why he chose these rules, Mr. Seary shrugged and said “I like them better.” The defending Hammer champion was at ease in the setting, playing as the English, and Mr. Croxton, who was practically silent during the interview, was confident in his skills as the Scottish player.
The board version of Hammer of the Scots was a success at Prezcon 2006 and looks to grow in numbers and popularity in 2007.
-Billy Fellin aka Biohazard |