The “Island of Blood” Has Been Sighted…
…in the Warhammer Fantasy Battles section of The GameShelf! This is the new starter box set for Warhammer, containing everything you need to play the game, including the new 8th Edition Rules and two complete armies–the noble High Elves and the vile Skaven! If you’re new to Warhammer and want to learn more, or a veteran player who wants to add some of the gorgeous new models to your collection (there are unique models available ONLY in this set!), come into the store and check it out at the new-player-friendly prices of $109.95!
Also, a reminder that on September 5, we’re having a Warhammer Fantasy Tournament…1500 points AND you can swap in models from the Island of Blood set. For this tournament only, both the High Elves and the Skaven from the Island of Blood are crass mercenaries, willing to fight for anyone!
Castle Ravenloft is here!
The master of Ravenloft is having guests for dinner—and you are invited!
Evil lurks in the towers and dungeons of Castle Ravenloft, and only heroes of exceptional bravery can survive the horrors within. Designed for 1–5 players, this boardgame features multiple scenarios, challenging quests, and cooperative game play. We have it in stock now, so if you’re a fan of the old Ravenloft setting, or just like a good horror game, come in and check it out!
Everything Old is New Again!
Today’s word is “Retro”, yes, “Retro” – or it should be!
First up is the new Dungeons and Dragons Red Box!
Yes, it’s almost identical to the original ’80s version, and is designed to allow you to play right out of the box! We have one of the originals in-store, so you can compare – but the new version gives you:
- A 32-page players’ book and a 64-page DM’s book
- 2 sheets of tokens for PCs and monsters
- Cardstock character sheets and power cards
- A double-sided poster map
- 6 dice
In upcoming months, the Red Box will be supplemented by D&D Essentials, a series of add-ons that will extend your D&D experience, so this could be the start of something big – and it’s definitely the start of a new and easy way to introduce yourself and your friends to Dungeons and Dragons!
But the Red Box isn’t our only “blast from the past” this week – we have the new version of DungeonQuest available, too. First printed in 1985, this classic dungeon crawler has be re-released by Fantasy Flight for a whole new generation of gamers.
And the Red Box isn’t even our only D&D retrospective – the new Heroscape Underdark Expansion set 2 “Warriors of Eberron” brings back some classic D&D miniatures. I’m sure it’s purely coincidental that these Heroscape figures have bases that allow them to function on classic RPG maps… 
My favourite right now is the Iron Golem:
but the Fire Giant and Ogre are great sculpts, too. And the Werewolf Lord? Absolutely all slaver and no angst, just the way I like them. 
Most of the miniatures are very close copies of the original sculpts – the most different is the Ogre, who is a repaint of the Brutal Ogre Warhulk from the Demonweb series. He’s now swarthier, with red and black armour.
Obviously, retro isn’t just for movies anymore – it’s for the kid in all of us.
Warhammer News!
Our next Warhammer Fantasy Battles tournament, using the new 8th Edition rules, will be on Sunday, September 5. This will be a 1500 point tournament, with no particular restrictions on army construction (other than the usual ones in the 8th Edition rulebook, of course). Entry fee is $10. There is a twist, however…in order to celebrate the launch of the new “Island of Blood” starter set for Warhammer Fantasy Battles on September 4, if you have purchased the “Island of Blood”, you may “side-board” the models from it and use them in your game! Here’s how it works–once you have been paired with an opponent, you may choose to swap a unit from your army with one from the “Island of Blood” set. You may also choose to swap a character in the same way. You must come within 50 points during the swap; in other words, you could swap a 150 point unit in your army for a 200 point “Island of Blood” unit or character. Yes, this could allow a clever opponent to get a slight points advantage on you…unless, of course, you have your own “Island of Blood” set to use! Moreover, normal restrictions on army construction and allies are waived for the “Island of Blood” forces, so the High Elves will quite happily join a Dark Elf army and the Skaven will find a pleasant home in an Empire force. This time only, the “Island of Blood” folks are pure mercenaries, selling their services to whomever wants to purchase them. And you can purchase them from us…hint, hint.
In Warhammer 40K news, we have a new League starting up in the store. More details will follow, but it will run through the Fall and to the end of the year. So, 40K players, tune up your power armor and charge up your power weapons, because the League will be leading to some great prizes just about in time for Christmas!
Worldwide D&D Game Day!
Today is Worldwide D&D Game Day – a perfect opportunity to try your hand at Dungeons and Dragons.
Come on into the store and give 4th Edition’s Dark Sun campaign setting a try with The Lost Cistern of Aravek !
It doesn’t matter if you’re a long time fan, or if you’re just curious about roleplaying, we’ll be happy to help you get your feet wet – or not, as the Athas world is pretty much a desert!
Campaign Headquarters
We have a new feature in the forums; a category called “Campaign Headquarters”. Game organizers can request their very own forum to post announcements and communicate with participants.
Right now, the category features “King Kauppi’s Campaign“, designed for people participating in the WarHammer Fantasy Battles escalation scenarios – but we’ll happily add boards for any ongoing games, including RPGs and board game leagues. Organizers can just drop me an email and we’ll get you set up!
Dresden Files
Big news for Dresden fans – we have both volumes of the highly-acclaimed Dresden Files RPG in stock!
Hugely popular, this one is hard to find (and hard to keep in stock!) – check it out now.
Pokémon
Heartgold Soulsilver Undaunted is here!
All new starters (Daybreak and Nightfall) that include a bonus booster pack, plus boosters at our regular $3.95 (or 3 for $11). There’s 90 cards in all, including new teamed pairs and six new additions to the ranks of Pokémon Prime. Plus new Stadium and Trainer cards that allow you to really customize your playing experience – this is a great new set!
Game of Thrones – Illyrio’s Gift
We have restocks on the core set, plus the newest chapter pack – Illyrio’s Gift – is in stock. The first in the new “all you can eat” format, this pack contains all the cards required!
Legend of the Five Rings – Bushi League
Between now and the end of October, we’re going to be running a new format for the Legend of the Five Rings collectible card game (CCG), called Bushi League. This is a format intended to encourage casual play and to promote getting new players into the game. Accordingly, the rules for Bushi League are tailored to those ends. Specifically:
-only Celestial Edition-legal cards are to be used. Moreover, no Rare or Promotional cards are to be used. This means that only Commons, Uncommons and Fixed cards from Clan starters can be used in decks. All other normal, Celestial Edition deck-building rules apply.
-all Bushi League games must be played in the store, using decks constructed as above.
-there will be two categories of player in the League–Established and New players. Established players are those who have been playing L5R for at least 3 months prior to August 13. New players are those who have not. Players must declare, upon their entry into the League, if they wish to be considered an Established player or a New player; note that the Tournament Organizer (TO) has the final say as to which category a given player will be designated. Each Established player is encouraged to bring at least one New player into the League, because it will benefit the Established player points-wise (see below). Note that each Established player may bring as many New players into the League as he wishes. Each New player will be “linked” to an Established player (generally, the one who brought them in!)
-Established players get 1 point for each game they play, and one additional point for each game they win, between August 13 and October 31 inclusive. New players get points in accordance with the same scheme. At the end of the League, points scored by New players will be added to the point totals of their “linked” Established players.
-at the end of the League, points will be totaled. There will be prizes for the Established players with the most Games Played and the Most Games Won, and for the New players with the Most Games Played and the Most Games Won. Note that if the same player in each category would win both Most Games Played and Most Games Won, then he/she will win Most Games Won and Most Games Played with be passed down to second place.
-there is a one-time $10 entry fee to play in the League, which must be paid to the TO by the end of August.
Questions should be directed to the TO, Dave Laderoute (dave@thunderbay.com)