Relic Knights Week: Getting Into Organised Play & Tournaments
January 20, 2017 by dignity
Justin discusses with John Cadice from Ninja Division the ways in which Relic Knights players can organise games and tournaments including the use of tournament kits and becoming a member of the Ninja Corps!
Watch Relic Knights Week
We also take a look at the Relic Knights companion app and how it can benefit players of the game.
Big Prizes To Be Won
It wouldn’t be a themed week without some prizes to give away and we’ve got some great goodies lined up…
- 4 x Two Player Packs – Starter Forces Of Your Choice + Rules
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1 x Star Prize – Two Player Starter Set Of Awesomeness – Expanded Forces of the Winners Choice + Rules AND he/she gets to work with the design team to Create A Character for Relic Knights!
All you’re going to need to do is comment on the videos next week across Facebook, YouTube and Beasts Of War to be in with a chance of winning these epic prizes.
Enjoying The Week? View The Range
1 x Star Prize – Two Player Starter Set Of Awesomeness – Expanded Forces of the Winners Choice + Rules AND he/she gets to work with the design team to Create A Character for Relic Knights!
Have you ran a Relic Knights Tournament?
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I wonder if there are enough people in my country to run a tournament
Will the improved app give me the option to tap a keyword/symbol on a card and give the explanation?
Great info here
The companion app is a fantastic idea. It must take a lot to develop a good one but it adds so much to a game, just the searchability in text is huge. The idea of the faction fiction finder is really cool as well. Being able to give someone a tablet will help get more people to pick it up and good for multiplayer games.
Hope to see some tournaments soon around here.
I always want to do tournaments and get super into one game, but the people I play with are too hobby ADD. We play one game one week, another the next and it’s hard to get everyone on the same page.
To be honest a lot of other games could benefit for the idea of digital dashboards. I think its a great idea especially if you learning new games systems
The Idea of 4 players worth of minis going at it, thats a cluster fudge! I know I wouldn’t be able to keep my eye on any kind of goal but I know people out there would. It would be hella lotta fun to try but it would fry any ability with tactics I have haha
Same here. It would surely be a great fun, but I don’t think I would even bother with fulfilling objectives. I would just try to mess with the plans of the others! ^^
While having three different objectives can be confusing, quite often your primary will require three different units to be working towards it at the same time, so you can focus on that and ignore the others if you like. In general, I’ve found that ignoring my opponent and focusing on what I’m doing works better than trying to hinder them, especially if you’re just starting out and getting used to your units.
Interesting thought!
I have to try that some time: Focusing on what I am doing. 😀
LOL, okay, that sounded really condescending advice when you put it that way, which I didn’t mean it to be.
Especially in Relic Knights V1.0 (less so in 1.5 due to Guards and Redirects being weakened) I found it possible to almost ignore what my opponent was doing and just look at where I needed to go in order to get my objectives. It’s not the best way to play, but I found it very helpful when I was learning what my units could do. I’m sure not all cadres will work so easily that way, but because all models are relatively resilient, you can often achieve more by just pushing onwards rather than stopping to fight.
@shinygames:
I was only joking! 😉
Thanks for sharing your thoughts about the game! It always helps me to hear what strategies work in a game, when I am thinking of starting it. Which faction did you play then?
@uezguersmaster I was playing with Shattered Sword, with Jeanne Romee as my Questing Knight. With Navarre Hauer and Paragons by her side, she has a core of three units that are very mobile and can get around to the various objectives. A unit of Swordsworn is really useful to have around for protection duties too, and in reserve if necessary.
With all the effort gone into organizing this game, its a shame it isn’t already bigger.
Vapnartak, York UK Sunday 5th feb ( see the web site for more info )
I am running a tournament
Even if you are not taking part and are at the event come up to the top floor and take a look at the game in swing.
Some good ideas here
I own the app and was very happy with it when it released but having it go without updates for over a year has soured me to it quite a bit. I hope Ninja Division and Underbite commit to keeping the app up to date from the point of re-launch on.
When the app is current it is glorious, when it was neglected the whole game felt neglected.
I would love more tournaments. Hoping to build up a player base in my community soon!
The app is cool, is there going to be another kickstarter for v2 and the starter sets
tournament support is always key, love the painting tips part too
Organized play is a must for any successful table top game. So glad to see Relic Knights has it. I’m interested to see what organized play looks like for SDE. Lol.
The companion app is great and I can’t wait for the update. Currently there’s a bunch of units missing like Dan D Starship and all the various cosplay figures. Although I’m a little confused by the fact that I can get the pdf of the rules for Relic Knights for free from their website but their companion app wants me to pay for them… if I do buy the rules through the companion app will it be kept up to date with the current rules at no extra cost or will I have to pay again every time there’s an update?
@invictus: I think you only have to pay for it, because you have to buy the fiction too. It would be nice if you could read the free version in the app.
I dont really go in for proper tournaments but a compaion app grabs me.
Four-way finals table for tournaments could be an interesting way to go.
There aren’t any players in my region. 🙁
For those in the UK who interested in tournament play you are in luck. We have a small but perfectly formed tournament scene here which usually gathers together once every 2-3 months. It’s a relaxed and friendly atmosphere perfect for beginners. We’ve even had several people have their very first game of RK at one of the tournaments, and cadres can be lent if you have no minis and want to try it out. No-one goes away empty-handed, with prizes like the patches and more given out.
As Ninja Cy says a few comments up, the next tournament is at Vapnartak in York on Feb 5th – http://www.yorkwargames.org/Vapnartak.htm
And keep an eye on the UK group for future announcements – https://www.facebook.com/groups/relicknightsuk/
Thanks @redben for putting the link in ( face palm moment )
Sounds like a great community, thanks for the facebook link.
The app has a full painting guide in it? let me at it!
I’m heading to Vapnartak (it’s the most ‘local’ show to me!) as usual, so I’ll be sure to have a nose about upstairs at the tourney! 🙂
It looks a little bit too freeform for a tournament scene. Most games that are a board-token -ump are. Do you have people bring in fresh esper decks to keep people from running a funky or marked deck?
And has playtesting prevented the formation of irritating ‘drag it out forever’ or ‘omni-denial you can’t do anything ever’ armies?
We don’t check the decks. I play a lot of card game tournaments and have never been in one where everyone’s deck gets checked, and in RK it’s nowhere near as big a deal to cheat with your deck as it would be in a CCG/LCG. The only times I have had a deck check in a CCG/LCG is when I’ve made it to the cut in a major tournament, and if RK tournaments get to that point then I can see it happening then too. In small local tournaments I’ve never had it.
There is no omni-denial cadre in RK. The game moves way too fast for that to be a viable strategy.
At events I run I bring extra decks, if anyone has a problem with a deck I will lone one. Cards get worn or lost more than “fixed” so it’s always a good idear to check you have a full un marked deck before play that way no fingers get pointed.
But as Ben points out its small relaxed and friendly.
Malifaux also uses a deck of cards and they have no problems with that during tournaments
The digital support products for this game sound awesome. I might just install the app to have a closer look at the game and learn more about it. Even though I don’t play it (yet).
the tournament play sounds like a lot of fun. think i’d have to go all in an play ninja all stars and SDE competitively as well if I made relic knights my tournament game.
i’d definitely play in local tournaments but the traveling means more than one tournament system on a national level is unlikely for me. but playing for giggles, hell yeah. you never know until you try though and if I have a barrel load of fun playing anything can happen.
I would love to get a ninja all stars league on the go , not really into sports games that support this type of game play like guildball and haven’t played bloodbowl in decades .
I’ve been close to picking up ninja all stars and SDE for a while now and having spent all week looking at the web store thanks to relic knights week i’m going to pull the trigger. i’m probably going to wait for the two player starter for relic knights for now though.
really enjoyed this week, a great job by John, Justin and the BOW team.
I wonder if Malifaux ever has the same problem, but with alternative activations both games seem to work well.
The companion app looks great! As long as the game is fast paced, 3-4 players is a lot of fun. So ought to work excellent for RK. 🙂
Companion apps are always appreciated in these kinds of games less book flipping more playing
Multi player games are really great. I’ve run a three player game and it is very quick-moving and a lot of fun. Relic Knights pretty-much avoids the ‘2 players ganged up on another’ problem of these games because of the way objectives work.
Some of the 1.X rules need a bit of an update to fully cover multi-player, but given the feedback submitted in response to 1.5 playtesting I’m sure they’ll clarify those up for V2 (especially if they’re planning to do multi-player organised play). And there’s nothing that can’t be worked out between friends currently.
The app sounds really useful. I’ve put off buying it, but now I’m tempted…
If I recall correctly, you can download the App without paying and try it out, but can’t save lists. I find it useful and can’t really rate it effectively because I’ve only used it on an archaic iPad. You can also buy the background and story content via the App, which is cheaper than a physical rulebook (although not as pretty really).
Having a good organised play packet is really good stepping stone for growing a community. Stuff like the warmahordes journeymen and infinities escalation league have been great way to introduce newbies or veterans to try new factions.
Never seen this game in any store, needs more people wanting to play for stores to start to stock it
I think that playing a multi-player game would be a lot of fun. Not just because of the greater tactical challenges, but for the increased strategic opportunities as you and your friends begin the forging of alliances and co-operative tactics.
The level of banter and trash-talk would rise as people start negotiating and bluffing. Shouts of “Traitor” and “I’ll get you for this!” increase the cinematic feel of the game.
Unfortunately for me, the FLGS has closed. There are a few other small ones but dedicated to magic and Pokemon. At least I still have a friend to play with. And if I win, it might be easier to introduce one or two other to the game.
If the app is the one I’m thinking of, it did strike me as a bit of a cash grab rather than proper support. That said, I’ve generally disliked apps that pretent to be free, but then try to charge you to do anything useful.
Great Digital support there with the app.
I would definately be up for a 3 to 4 player game of Relic Knights. Not only would it make a very fun and exciting session, but also the tactical possibilities and strategies, (especially if each participant had a different faction) would be endless.
I do love the look of Relic Knights but I don’t know anyone around me that plays. I collect the miniature just because they look cool.
Really nice to see such organised support for the tournament play and smaller games. So unlucky to have no gaming stores nearby where I live.
As much as I love paging through a physical rulebook, when it comes to army building I love an app.
I can see playing a campaign at the local game store, but tournaments just aren’t my thing. And knowing my game group buddies, the only way to get them to play RK, unfortunately, is if the Ninja faeires gift them with fully painted factions. I’m tired of being the one supplying minis for everyone to bait them in.
The app sounds great.
I can foresee a bright future for relic knights with this sort of support behind it. Well, I hope so.
A few more models and will have to do this at LGS, now that new owner is doing not just saying events will happen. And can’t wait for the App to be updated. 🙂
I’ve been playing a bit of WarmaHordes lately using the War room app and I have to say I’m quickly being converted to the whole digital companion app. Still prefer my rulebooks to be in print though.
I would love to get events, even casual play style events, going in my area but my LGS would never go for it. It’s a shame too as this is shaping to be a beautiful game.
I wish there was organised play in my area but the game never really took off here. Hopefully the surge from 2.0 will form a community.
I really like everything I am seeing for this game. The support it seems they want to give to promote the game will go a long way to getting to that next level. Keep up the good work.
Great to see the support from Ninja Division. All games should be this supported!
yes I love organized play, it lets me meat new people
I can’t wait until the new stuff starts hitting and more people get into the game locally. I need to check and see if there is a ninja core member near me.
i was thinking about this the other day – if there is enough interest ill give it a bash
Oh man, the comments at the end about multiplayer gaming with this game really just got me… this would be awesome 3 or 4 player…
This is all very good information… I just don’t have the time for OP, starting my own tournament/league… Time to get a New Job!!!
Relic Knights is awesome!
No time here for OP, setting up my own tournament/ league or even a regular game night night LOL
But this game, multiplayer?!?! Oh man, that right there just about hooked me completely!!!
The app looks great. Awesome way to learn/plan/get inspiration. And I love how you guys try to take in the community for events and such. Game well done indeed.
competitive tournaments aren’t really my thing but I would play in narrative ones.
The digital app is really well done, I like that there is a digital version of the rules that are constantly updated to the latest version. I also like the fact there is access to an “army” builder and digital dashboard. This must help to possibly get the younger generations interested in possibly getting into some miniature gaming, actually come to think of it the anime scifi flavor lends itself to the younger generation as well.
i’m french and i want sodapop support for tournament…. !!!
Not played any tournaments before, but hoping to maybe start playing some this year.
I’ll have to check out the app for this. Listbuilders on you phone/tablet for skirmish games like this are a great idea.
A four-way game of Relic Knight sounds like a wonderfully chaotic good time!
Wow digital support, bye good old 20th century, well come in future =>new mobil?
They are putting a lot more energy and effort in to this game it seems that they have not in the past. I think they finally got a good idea of where they want to take this game for in the future.
I love the idea of multi-player I am actually more interested in this aspect than the tournament aspect. The idea of a battle royal with 4+ players on a club night is what I am interested in trying. As we tend to play as a club more often than not these days we tend to look at games that are multi player capable from the start. With the light and dark(void) aspects you could have 2 sides with 3 forces on each. They can be loosely working together to defeat the other but whom ever scores the most VP is the ultimate winner to discourage cowardly play.
Also the digital dash board is brilliant. Several of the guys in our club really prefer to use their tablets when ever possible.
A club league could be good
As the decks not are to be constructed could the players not just swap decks and then check them to see that it contains the required cards…and then play with the opponents deck in case of any markings?
digital support is the future, I have a feeling these computers are going somewhere
It is nice to see Ninja Division supporting league and tournament play as well as supporting their demo folks and even Cosplayers. Very cool of them.
DC metro ninja here!
Seems like they invested a lot of time, thought and energy into organizing the tournaments. The app seems like a good tool for someone going to the tournaments.
I enjoy the Infinity ITS tournaments so this is of interest.
Playing multi player games is also super great fun and I think the activation sequence in Relic Knights might support multi player options really well.
+
I’ve just downloaded the app for android.
Cracking app.
I always want more player so yes to 3 or 4 player games.
I’ll have to work hard to find people to play in my area, but worth it!
Theres no one at my club that plays this, think I’m going to have to go further a field to find a tournament.
Great info though guys 🙂
Wish there were more tournaments in my area. Hope to see this game become more popular in the Central Coast in CA
New store opened up here, would love to play this there!
Nice app, hopefully Dropzone gets its long delayed version someday. Digital army builders are so, so useful.
I find it so hard to get anyone into this game…. let alone at tournament.
I like multiplayer its fun if you try just one on one with multiple people, downside to our game we all got swept by a ten year old
I just comment to win.
An escalation type of tournament could help this game establish itself in a new community
Cool stuff!