The Road to Adepticon Begins!

Well, technically it began about 3 months ago when I started soaking all my Forge World Resin, but that's besides the point.

Adepticon is held annually in Lombard, IL, just shy of Chicago, and is one of the most anticipated events in the tabletop hobby industry. The first to pioneer and make popular the famed 40K Team Tournament, Adepticon has expanded since it's beginnings to include virtually every genre and style of tabletop gaming, and is host to CMON's Crystal Brush competition.

I've been attending Adepticon starting in 2006, and haven't missed one since. So what's in store for this year?

The first few years I attended were all about the 40K Team Tournament, and really nothing else. Honestly, nothing is more fun than grabbing 3 of your closest friends, coming up with some great, fun or competitive, lists and cramming you and your figures into a hall packed with over 450 other gamers for 12 straight hours.

Wait…I know that doesn't sound like the best situation, but believe me, it's a blast!

For the past few though, I haven't participated in the 40K Team Tournament. I'd branched out into the 40K Single Player Championships and brought home a Players Choice award in 2010, and other Best Artisan awards in their Combat Patrol tournaments. Combat Patrol is a 400 point game that plays fast on a 4x4 table area, and is just a ton of fun. If you've never tried it, I highly suggest it! I've also taken far more Hobby Seminars in the past few years than ever before, and have learned painting and sculpting techniques from some of the best in the hobby

This year I'm going back to the 40K Team event with some great friends, though, and I can't wait. A couple of my teammates and I were waiting on the night of registration at both computer and smart phones, and all were able to register, get into the team tournament and get the VIG weekend passes. I also signed up for a sculpting seminar with Kevin from Hasslefree Minis which I'm very much looking forward to. I took Joe Orteza's advanced sculpting class last year, and would be taking it again if it didn't start during the 40K Team event.

So what does this mean hobby-wise for me? In the next 3 months, I've got 1000 points of Salamanders to scrub, assemble, paint and base. Again, see the vats of resin soaking above. I've also got the Crystal Brush entry (entries?) to slip in-between green marines for some variety. More than likely I'll be using Crystal Brush as an excuse to get some of my Yu Jing Infinity figures painted. Depending on if the Free Mars figures I have coming arrive in time, I may try that as well. Expect a lot of step-by-steps, WiP posts and whatnot associated with all of that.

If you haven't gone to Adepticon, or just haven't been in a long time, I would highly encourage you to check it out. While I know many of the most popular events and whatnot are sold out, there is always plenty to do all weekend long.

So who's going?

- Tim