Squirrel Duel

 Hello fellow challengers and tree-dwelling rodent aficionados,

When I asked our most benevolent Snowlord about the status of the annual side duels, I was informed that nothing official was happening this year, but that if I wanted to run a Squirrel Duel, I could.

So, it falls to me, to once again put on the hat and bushy-tailed uniform of the Squirrelfinder General and invite you all to partake in the Squirrel Duel.

What is the Squirrel Duel? What are you blathering about?

For any newcomers, or amnesiacs joining us, the Squirrel Duel is a side challenge to the main AHPC event. During the course of the AHPC, challengers are encouraged to paint models from as many different scales, genres and periods as possible. It is a celebration of diversity and disorganisation over focus and discipline, an opportunity to get those odd models out of the to-do pile, and a way to have fun between batch painting your 1000s of identical figures.

So, if you have a hard time focusing on something for more than 30 seconds, have a pile of shame a mile high, and are just generally a little nuts, feel free to join. Entry is free, there are no minimum targets, but there are also no prizes beyond the envy of your peers and the adoration of the masses.

What do I need to do?

The Squirrel Duel is simple. All you need to do is paint 25 unique points of models (See the Snowlord's post on points scoring), to score 1 Squirrel Point, and make sure you tag your post with 'Squirrel' in addition to any other tags you add. Now, having done this before, I worry that I may not have been clear enough. When I say, tag your post with 'Squirrel', I mean you absolutely must tag your post with 'Squirrel'. If you do not do so, I cannot find your post and you will not accrue points for the duel. Is that clear? Good. (Narrator's voice "But, it was in fact, not clear and many challengers failed to tag their post with 'Squirrel').

At the end of the challenge, the challenger with the most Squirrel Points wins. 

What do you mean 'unique'?

The Squirrel Duel isn't just about painting as many models as possible, it is also about painting different models. So, each Squirrel Point requires you to paint something different.

The guidelines are as follows.

Painting models in different scales. (E.g. 28mm Romans and 6mm Romans) - That's a Squirrel Point.

Painting models in different genres. (E.g. Vikings and Elves) - That's a Squirrel Point.

Painting models in different periods. (E.g. Victorian British and WW2 British) - That's a Squirrel Point.

If two units would normally be considered part of the same army, then they do NOT count as a Squirrel Point, even if they are wearing different uniforms. If you would expect to see them on the same side of the table during a game, they are NOT a Squirrel Point. If you need to be an expert in uniforms from a particular date to understand the difference in the lace on the cuffs marks the unit as being part of a different army, they are NOT a Squirrel Point. 

Terrain will not be counted towards Squirrel Points.

Finally, some models can be difficult to clearly differentiate. You may paint two Pirate crews, one in red and one in yellow, for your own games and hobby, but both would be counted as 'pirates' and therefore are NOT a Squirrel Point.

Sorry for being so strict, but every year there is some confusion as to what is or isn't counted.

Additionally, bonus points awarded by minions are not counted towards the 25 point threshold.

If you split a Squirrel entry over several posts, make sure to include a group shot in the post claiming the point.

So, what do I need to do to enter?

Simply respond to this post below. Let me know your blogger handle (and your posting name if they are different). Then, simply tag any posts you think are applicable for entry with the tag 'Squirrel' and I will have a look at them during the course of the challenge. Anyone can enter at any point in the challenge, and I will be posting periodic updates to keep everyone informed.

It isn't required, but it is helpful if you include a list of your Squirrels at the bottom of each post, so I can see what you think you have scored and can hunt down any rogue rodents that I may have missed. 

Anything else I should know?

Sandbagging (Holding back the majority of your work until the very last post) is heavily frowned upon. While a surge at the end is expected, I'd like to see a steady pace of Squirrels from all entrants please.

I will be joining the duel myself so any claims of cheating or underhanded tactics are probably merited. :)

And don't forget to tag your post with 'Squirrel'.

(Narrator's voice "But in the end, half of the posts were not tagged with 'Squirrel' and the Squirrelfinder General had to spend hours of his free time reading through page after page looking for the missing entries.")