Over the years, 'paint duels' and side-challenges have grown to be a time-honoured tradition of the Painting Challenge. These affairs of honour help motivate participants to keep up the steam and help create a fun atmosphere of smack-talk and brush-baiting.
For those who are new to this here's the essence: side-challenges, paint duels, etc. allow small groups of participants to test each other against any criteria they wish to dream up. Maybe it's to see who can produce the most age-of-sail ships over the entire 3 months of the Challenge, or who can paint the most figures within a particular historical period/genre. Other duels may be established to see who can get to a specific points threshold first. Some challenges may involve just two painters, while others have had well over ten participants in the scrum. Really, the sky's the limit - it's just up to your imagination.
From edition to edition, the side duels have become an important part of the event, with many of these clashes of brush and paint become part of Challenge lore.
We'll dedicate an area of the blog so we keep track of the fun all in one spot. You can find the link to the Duels page on the top navigation bar.
PaulOG has kindly offered to take on the mantle of 'Duels Wallah' this year, so he is the man in charge of keeping track of this madness. ALL updates on duels must be sent to him for tabulation and posting - he will manage the official scorecard of the duels. No other flim-flam spreadsheets, heretical documents or bogus scorecards will be recognized. So send him a note to get your duel registered and keep him appraised of your progress throughout the Challenge.
Paul will able to be reached at:
challengeIXsideduels@gmail.com (address to be established shortly!)
Again, when you finish an entry that's eligible for scoring in a duel please send Paul a quick note, giving the name of the duel and the points you wish to add. He in turn will update the blog. Simple!
In the meantime, please feel free to issue your challenges in the comments section below.
To formally kick things off I'm going to issue a challenge to any participants who think they can best me at 'Squirrel!'
This challenge is me embracing my hobby butterfly to see just how many periods/genres I can paint at least 25 points over the next three months. For example five figures of Swiss Renaissance infantry counts as one, seven 15mm Napoleonic cavalry would would score as well, while three 20mm vehicles would give me another pip, and so on. If anybody else wishes to set their unfocused self against me the buy-in is one painted 28mm figure, chosen by the vanquished, to be awarded to the winner. My personal target is to see if I can touch upon 10 different genres throughout the Challenge.
Okay, let's have some fun folks! I want to see brushes selected at dawn and paint pots spilled in wild melee.In the meantime, please feel free to issue your challenges in the comments section below.
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This challenge is me embracing my hobby butterfly to see just how many periods/genres I can paint at least 25 points over the next three months. For example five figures of Swiss Renaissance infantry counts as one, seven 15mm Napoleonic cavalry would would score as well, while three 20mm vehicles would give me another pip, and so on. If anybody else wishes to set their unfocused self against me the buy-in is one painted 28mm figure, chosen by the vanquished, to be awarded to the winner. My personal target is to see if I can touch upon 10 different genres throughout the Challenge.
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Duels! Still recovering from the severe beating last year at the hands (and brushes) of KentG
ReplyDeleteYou shouldn't feel bad, Benito. Kent absolutely plastered everybody with his output!
DeleteBut with no Kent this year the rest of us may have a chance... Black Powder again?
DeleteUnfortunately this year my focus is 2WW so the BP duel won't work for me
DeleteCool.
ReplyDeleteResurrecting Rennaisance duel,late 15th to the end of the 17th,most points,any takers?
ReplyDeleteBest Iain
Iain, I'd like to get some Renaissance stuff done, but I don't think I'd be good competition against you unless you accepted some sort of handicap.
DeleteThat's fair enough Curt (as you will be doing so many other things with your squirrel duel!)
DeleteI'm hopeful Sidney will join in again but I am of course happy to accept some sort of handicap,what would you suggest?
Best Iain
Hmm, how about 2:1?
DeleteWhy not? Your on,I will try and paint something apart from Italian wars as well!
DeleteBest Iain
Hello Iain, hello Curt!
DeleteI'd love to take part in another Renaissance duel - and yes, happy with your handicap, Curt. I appreciate you have many irons in the fire, this year, Snow-Lord!
Iain, it will be a huge pleasure to cross rapiers again in the Challenge.
Messieurs, I accept your Challenge!
Count me in for the Renaissance duel. I've a few odds and sods to paint up!
DeleteFantastic, Ray! Great to add your rapier to the Renaissance duel!!
DeleteThe more the merrier!
DeleteBest Iain
I might shadow dual this as I'm not sure if I'll do any Renaissance this challenge, but it's on my list of things I want to do. Will be fun to watch.
DeleteChristopher
As one of the main themes of this year for me is Italian Wars it would be madness not to join the side duel if I may.
DeleteKen
That's great Ken! We will all try and keep up with you!
DeleteBest Iain
Oh and just to clarify,are we all agreed that the the Victor receives a 28mm painted command figure from the vanquished at the end,as per previous duels?
DeleteBest Iain
A warm welcome to your rapier in the Renaissance duel, Ken !!
Delete(...and yes, Iain, agreed, Sir!)
Millsy’s handbag will suit him
ReplyDeleteAhh, I remember something about 1502 points. What do you two have cooking?
DeleteI must admit I've been too busy with real life to give it much thought! I was operating on the premise it was first to 1502 points. Don't know about spoils to the victor though. Dave, any thoughts?
DeleteFirst to 1502c, or higher if in the same week .. donation to uk or AUS veterans charity of the winners choosing
DeleteSnow lord, I accept your challenge as I've scads of minis with the pile of the forgotten.
ReplyDeleteIt'll be fun to see what I have stashed in the depths! ;)
I'll also challenge one and all to paint up some true warriors being tribesmen. Not just natives in native garb, but also an Apache hidden in the ranks of Napoleon's Middle Guard, an Iroquois lurking in the Swiss pike block, a Sioux commanding a T-72, or even a Mayan in space toting a BFG...an extra point for stealthy tribe placement. The Victor will be the one who gathers the largest count of tribesmen( and women) the vanquished have to submit a painted mini to the Victor as tribute.
Great to have you pick up my gauntlet Davide - this will be great fun.
DeleteI challenge anyone to paint up a full 24-point retinue for Osprey's "Lion Rampant." Anything from 1100 to 1500 AD is fair game, it just has to add up to a legal retinue under the game's rules. First one to a full 24-point retinue (or who comes closest by the end of the Challenge) is declared the winner. Vanquished submit a painted medieval miniature to the victor in recognition of their victory.
ReplyDeleteBill, just for folks who may want to participate but don't have a copy of 'Lion Rampant', how many figures are in a typical 24-point retinue. I seem to remember it's around 60, is that right?
DeleteThis might help http://merseybooks.blogspot.com/2014/04/lion-rampant-unit-types-and-building.html
DeleteMounted units have 6 figures
Infantry units have 12 figures with exceptions
Foot men at arms and Bidowers have only 6 Figures each
Mounted
Mounted Men-at-Arms @ 6 points per unit
Mounted Serjeants @ 4 points per unit
Mounted Yeomen @ 4 points per unit
Foot
Foot Men-at-Arms @ 6 points per unit
Foot Serjeants @ 4 points per unit
Fierce Foot @ 4 points per unit
Foot Yeomen @ 3 points per unit
Serfs @ 1 point per unit
Missile
Archers @ 4 points per unit
Crossbowmen @ 4 points per unit
Bidowers @ 2 points per unit
BTW Bill I'll take your challenge.
DeleteBill How do you want to handle up grades when it comes to hitting the 24 point total? I would suggest that only those upgrades that apear on the modle should count. So you could do Mounted Men-at-arms with bows and they would be worth 8 point but you couldn't say your Mounte Men-at-Arms are "Drilled" to make them 7 points instead of the normal 6.
DeleteAdam that sounds eminently reasonable.
DeleteIf you will accept a Dragon Rampant army built to similar standards (no Reduced Model Units unless the models are much larger eg a giant)
DeleteI intend my army to be goblins so, no RMUs for me!
I would be OK with this
DeleteWould anyone be interested in a Liberty or Death duel - most points of AWI over the course of the challenge? Loser(s) to provide one 28mm AWI figure to the winner?
ReplyDeleteCurt - I'll pick up the Squirrel gauntlet.
Great stuff, Pete!
DeleteI'd like to join the Squirrel duel if I may.
ReplyDeleteI did have a couple of questions though.
Do models entered for other challenges (e.g. the fellowship bonus challenge) also count towards the squirrel score?
How different do things have to be?
For example:
-Zulus and Afghans? They never had any contact, look distinct from each other, but both were opponents of the British around 1879-1880.
-World War 2 and Wierd World War 2?
-How about broad genres like Fantasy or SF? Would minis for Warhammer count separately alongside models for Dungeons and Dragons?
Or am I overthinking all this?
Either way, it seems like a fun addition to the challenge.
Thinking is good! :) I would imagine Zulus and Afghans to be two separate genres, same as WWII and Weird WWII (as long as the latter is discernibly 'weird'). Fantasy is a bit more difficult, but I think iconic units like WFB Dwarf Ironbreakers vs Dwarven units from The Hobbit would be relatively easy to say as being from two 'settings'. Nonetheless, I always try to err on the side of caution with my own entries in order to be fair.
DeleteGreat, thanks for clearing that up.
DeleteWhat do you think about different scales?
DeleteAnd these:
Normans/ Vikings?
FIW/ SYW?
8th army / DDay Brits
I'm thinking that if you wouldn't put them on the same table for a historical club wargame then they are different genres... however if the standard was convention demo game then things like Saratoga dress AWI might be considered different genre from Southern.
Finally - if you paint 2 sides of same conflict will that count as one or two?
I agree with your assessment, Pete, that if you weren't comfortable setting them on the same tabletop then they would be different entries, but if they are two sides of the same conflict then they still only count as one entry for the purposes of the duel.
DeleteAnyone for a duel on 2WW vehicles in 28mm scale?
ReplyDeleteSquirrel Challenge sounds just like a perfect excuse to be unfocused while having a focus. Challenge accepted.
ReplyDeleteYou're on Teemu!
DeleteThe Squirrel challenge sounds interesting thought I'm focused on Saga Dark Age and Crusades this year.
ReplyDeleteCurt: I accept your "Squirrel Duel" challenge and look forward to delving into the depths of my lead pile for periods obscure.
ReplyDeleteAs for other Challenge, if I may, I'd like to issue a general Naval Challenge - to see who can paint the most points from boats. I believe the Duels wallah himself might be participating in this one.
Great stuff, Miles. Delighted to have you with us.
DeleteI'd join your Naval Challenge if the loser gets a figure from the winner. ;P (though my 'Cruel Seas' stuff is crying to get done-up)
Done
DeleteThen I'm in.
DeleteGauntlet accepted Sir!
DeleteIs there a place for a powder monkey? I'd gladly join but I 'm not sure whether I'll be able to contribute more than the boats from the starter set...
DeleteWelcome Stefan. I'm in much the same boat as you (ahem) with this duel. :)
DeleteAnyone interested in a Games Workshop duel? I've got a lot of unpainted GW in my pile and I was thinking I would use this years challenge to make dent in it.
ReplyDeleteHi Michael - I’m in for a GW duel. With a few companies’ worth of Space Marines in the pile, a duel would be helpful motivation. Now we just need to drag Jamie into this mess...
DeleteOoh, this should be fun to watch!
DeleteCount me in! Incidentally and in no way related to this challenge, have you seen all the great new Team Yankee stuff they've probably released Greg? You should definitely take a look ;)
DeleteAfternoon. GW you say? I may have a couple of those lying around ready for the Challenge. Sign me up for the duel :)
DeleteIf you need me to distract Jamie just give the secret nod and wave...
Cool! So it's currently at Greg B, JamieM, and Nick.
DeleteI have a feeling I'm gonna be like the guy who brought a chain-sword to a meltagun fight, but whatever.
DeleteI do have a majority of GW models in my pile, if room, I'll accept this challenge!
DeleteOk, I've sent an email off to Paul and listed all those above including David. Btw, I'm including Forgeworld in this as well if there are no objections.
DeleteAnd I'd also like to join the squirrel duel please. There's something about joining duels asking for broadly opposite things that I can't resist! Willpower is so overrated.....
ReplyDeleteI'm right there with you, Jamie. Even with a duel that explicitly encourages distraction I still find myself getting distracted. Pathetic really.
DeleteI think we need a Posties Rejects Duel as well, so the three member myself, Fran and BigLee and any blogger who's visited Rejects HQ, that means Curt, Tamsin, Christopher S and Miles.
ReplyDeleteAre you all up for it?
Only if the 'prize' goes to the worst Reject (seems fitting). :)
DeleteThe most Rejected as if you will Curt?
DeleteHaha, indeed.
DeleteI pick up the glove you have thrown at my feet. Challenge........accepted! :)
DeleteI am in
DeleteIt almost seems Postie is needed as an arbiter. ;)
DeleteYes I think I'll do it, but it should be titled which reject can get closest to Miles in points.;-)
DeleteChristopher
I'll throw my hat (or should that be gloves?) into the ring for the 'Squirrel' challenge if I may? Although there is a strong possibility that I will not complete it due to getting too easily distracted!
ReplyDeleteExcellent Pete, its wonderful to have you in with the scrum.
DeleteThe email above is now active for duels notification - I'll update the side page and in the next few days and post it up
ReplyDeleteAnyone else up for a Naval / Cruel Seas challenge?
Wallah 9 Actual
They fear us Paul
DeleteI have a few BFG ships in the pile, I should get them colored up. Would spaceships be acceptable in the naval challenge? If so, I could be tempted...
DeleteAbsolutely David!
DeleteCurt - given my usual proclivity for working on a wide ranges of projects, I think it would be incredibly rude of me not to join the Squirrel duel :)
ReplyDeleteIt would be rude, so I'm delighted you've decided to kick in. :)
DeleteSomehow I missed out on this year I did pop over earlier in the month not sure what happened oh well good luck to all, happy painting
ReplyDeleteWe'll miss you Kent. I guess my duel tribute will be headed to someone else this time.
DeleteGood luck mate I'll be watching
DeleteI'm definitely up for the squirrel side challenge. My painting queue is already embarrassingly varied so this shouldn't be a problem at all!
ReplyDeleteAwesome! Welcome aboard Samuli.
DeleteThe Squirrel side challenge seems (hang on a minute! what was that? - oh just Warlord announcing Warlords of Erehwon - of course I'm not interested) unlikely to attract (hey! seen the Kickstarter for a fantasy halfling army?) gamers like me, I'm too (what's that? there's a new Frostgrave expansion?) focused on key periods (not the Perrys new plastic Agincourt cavalry!! No!!n Anything but that!) to be distracted.
ReplyDeleteOkay, count me in.
Great stuff Noel - keep your eye on the prize, if you can. :)
DeleteI would like to propose the Vertically Challenged Challenge. The most figures of folk of diminutive stature such as goblins, dwarves and halflings. 6 and 15mm humans don't count, they're just full sized folk further away.
ReplyDeleteI think Iannick and I agreed to a duel for who can paint the prettiest skeleton.
ReplyDeleteHaha! Brilliant.
DeleteI can't say I am in any way going to win a squirrel duel, but I will keep track of my squirrel points alongside my regular points.
ReplyDelete