April 1, 2015:  Year 5; Edition 7 
2015 NOVA Open Registration

2015 NOVA Open registration is off to a record-breaking start, and this year's brand-new, completely revamped shopping cart has been a big success!

Most X-Wing events are sold out; wait list has reached critical mass . . . watch for expansions in upcoming newsletters!

In This Issue:
BREAKING NEWS!
Celebrities Attend 2015 NOVA Open
  
We could not let this day go by without sharing the news: tabletop wargamers ask "What celebrities play our games?" and "When are they coming to our convention?"

. . . today, of all days - CHECK IT OUT!

Remember, only the first 400 attendees who register receive the NOVA Open Swag Bag!
NOVA Open 40K NARRATIVE
Major List Construction Changes for Warlords & Nightfighters!


 

We heard you! Based on player feedback, the current state of 40k, and our diabolical top secret plans, the Narrative Team has several important changes that affect both Warlords and Nightfighters:
  1. List Construction - All players are to bring a 2,000 point battle-forged army list AND a 1,000 point battle-forged army list. The 1,000 point list may only draw from Factions used to craft the 2,000 point list. Previously only Warlords had the 1k requirement, but we've decided to bring everyone into the fun! You should expect to play in at least one team-based encounter during the course of the nightfight and warlords tracks. More details on the nature of this fight are classified for now.
     
  2. Supplements NO LONGER Mandatory - While almost all players used the narrative codex supplements last year, we've decided to keep them optional again in light of the many different new detachments that players may wish to use. We still plan to have updated codex supplements for the majority of the major armies by end of April, so stay tuned for the April 15th Newsletter!
     
  3. No super heavy or gargantuan lords of war - We have decided this year not to allow these units in either the Nightfighters or Warlords army lists. You are still free to bring Imperial Knights and other super heavies and gargantuans that are NOT lords of war.
Stay tuned to the Newsletter for more exciting Narrative updates! The team has finally come out of winter hibernation and we just finished outlining this year's missions and major plot decision points. All we can say is that this year the players have the opportunity to permanently alter the course of the Human and Virtue factions.

REGISTER NOW - Waitlist Expected
Swag bags reserved for First 400 Registered Attendees Only 
NEW 40K GT PATHWAYS
Forging Narrative for Thematic Competitors
  
So, one of the things that makes the NOVA's 40K GT format unique is its refusal to cater to only one player type.

To expound, most formats choose to sacrifice their preference for one personality or player type in favor of another, seeking the most popular compromise. NOVA's GT format does the opposite - it expands and adds parallels within the format to address a broader range of players instead of what we deem to be the broadest single type of likely attendees.

W/L Track - Battle Point Track - Overall Track - and the One Not Named

Read the whole story at Mike's Whiskey&40K Blogspot.
INFINITY CHANGES
Spec Ops Replaces Campaign

Infinity Player Alert:

Changes and additions were made to the NOVA Open Infinity Schedule. Primer Now Available.

Remember: First 400 Attendees to Register receive NOVA Open Swag Bags

MALIFAUX at NOVA Open 2015
Word from the Leads 

 

Malifaux has been known to produce some amazing podcasts, which keep the community informed about tactics, upcoming releases, the background of the strange alternate world of Malifaux. One of the other things that they do is keep the community informed of upcoming events, and the Nova Open's Malifaux events are no exception. While Mahtias Crestborn is working on the rules and scenarios for the Malifaux events, Matt Stanley loves to get out and talk to people about the upcoming year's events.

Recent Podcasts:
FOOLS DAILYhttp://malifools.s3-website-us-east-1.amazonaws.com/daily/fools_193.mp3
BEFORE WE BEGINhttp://beforewebegin.podbean.com/e/nova-open-with-matt-stanley/
[Dan Johnson and Matt Stanley break down the scenarios for the Official Wyrd North American Championships, going over in detail what selections they might make based on the now published schemes and scenarios.]

As the North American Championships draw ever closer, play testing through the various Nova Open scenarios will be taking place in order to break them down even further! 

If there's a podcast you'd like to have Matt on, please feel free to contact [email protected]
NOVA Open 2015 SCHEDULE
New Way to View
 
We've had quite a few NOVA Open attendees write to us requesting that we consider putting a second schedule up that allows for quick linear viewing.  Always excited to accept a challenge and accommodate our attendees . . . HERE IT IS! 

The first three people who identify scheduling errors between the Gantt Schedule and this Linear Schedule will receive $10 of NOVA Open credit in their carts ~ and our sincere appreciation!

NOVA Open Lead Corner
News Updates from All Event Leads

The NOVA Open now has ten separate game systems running. The Leads of each will be using this "Corner" of the newsletter for Minute Updates.  


 

  • 40K GT & InvitationalVisit Whiskey & 40K Blogspot for Updates.
     
  • 40K TriosIn the nature of the event - and to embrace the fun nature of the event - we have decided on a case by case basis to allow fw army lists.  However, please contact the TO through [email protected] for prior approval.  We believe this will enhance the playing field and embrace theme and team spirit, but are limiting it due to the nature of fw rules.
     
  • 40K Narrative
     
  • 40K Highlander CMEs
     
  • Blood Bowl
    Have you been wanting to play Blood Bowl, but just didn't have a team? Did you come to the NoVA Open and just couldn't fit one more tiny thing into your travel-stash? Have you just recently discovered the glorious mayhem that is Bloodbowl or have you grown tired of playing the same team over and over? We can get you onto a brand new pitch today!
     

     

    Most of us have all the teams we can possibly handle, but inclusion and variety are part of what makes Blood Bowl so much fun. At NOVA Open, we will have multiple teams (choose from different races) painted and ready for use on-site as loaners for newbies, or for those whose teams are lost in transit. Contact us ahead of time or step up the day of - we'll make sure you have everything you need. Latest BLOOD BOWL PRIMER HERE.
     
  • Warhammer Fantasy
     
  • Dropzone Commander
    The Dropzone Commander tournament is already about 1/3 full, and we are still 5 months out! Be sure to sign up soon to reserve your spot. Either David or Simon from Hawk Wargames will be at the tournament, and will be available to chat about game design and the future of Dropzone Commander and Dropfleet Commander. Details will be coming soon about paint judging!
     
  • Warmachine/Hordes
     
  • Infinity
     
  • Malifaux
     
  • X-Wing
     
  • CMON (Dark Age & Wrath of Kings) 

REGISTER NOW! 

First 400 to Register Receive Swag Bags

Pre-Purchases Available for 2015
Watch for Closing Dates!
  • T-Shirts:
    • NOVA Open 2015 Convention T-Shirts
      • Custom Art Designs
      • Get them in your size
      • Online Sales End:  JULY 1, 2015
  • Beer Mugs:
    • The NOVA Open Charitable Foundation Lounge discounts draft beers $1 when you use your new 2015 Mug
      • 2014 mugs sold out in 20 minutes
      • 5th Year / 5th Style
      • Limited Editions
      • Online Sales End next month: MAY 1, 2015 
  • Frontline Gaming / Tablewar Mats:
    • These Gaming Mats are beautiful, durable mats, perfect for tabletop games. NOVA Open Convention Special saves nearly $20 in shipping fees. Extremely durable, printed on a water resistant surface affixed to a neoprene backing all means the mat won't slide around on the table, lays flat, resists water and looks amazing. They now come with a sturdy, nylon zip-up F.A.T. Bag for storing and transporting your F.A.T. Mat, and full color F.A.T. Tag so that you can see which mat is in the bag without having to open it, and to write your name on to show which mat is yours.
    • New Designs, More Styles (Check Them Out Here)
    • New Pricing
    • Pick Up at NOVA Open - No Shipping Costs!
    • Online Sales End next month: AUGUST 1, 2015
       
NOVA Open Terrain Builds 
 
The 2015 terrain build season is underway - but far from over!
You can follow all builds at the Road to NOVA blogspot which is managed by our Minister of Terrain, Bob Likins. Better yet, you can join the team and become part of the magic.

The NOVA Open and its amazing volunteer builders arguably make the highest caliber terrain of any convention on the planet.  The terrain build days bring together players of all types for hours of social and community fun.  Contact us if you'd like to be on the invitation list for these events: [email protected].


 

Terrain builds take place in Vienna, VA - mark your calendars:  
  • 4/18
  • 5/23
  • 6/27
  • 7/18
2015 Hotel Block Open: Book Early - No Risk!
 
The rates for NOVA Open 2015 are at $91 per night, up just $2 from the previous four years.
 
Reserve room at Hyatt now ~ last year nearly sold out. Remember that reservations can be cancelled up to 48 hours before the NOVA Open.  

 
The NOVA Open is your "End of Summer" convention, and with its proximity to Washington, D.C. (with its free museums, memorials and monuments). With the lowest hotel costs available in the D.C. area, think about taking advantage of the room rate to turn your trip into a family vacation!
 
Room rates are available from the Friday before NOVA Open through the Tuesday following the convention. If you'd like to extend those dates, please contact us:  [email protected]
Schedule: Tournaments - Seminars - Foundation Lounge
 
Spend some time with this important resource so you can plan your best trip to the NOVA Open!
 
The schedule lists all game tournaments and any new Critical Mass Events (CMEs), over 45 art-paint-hobby seminars taught by some of the best talent in the industry, Foundation Lounge hours/presentations, and much, much more. 
 
New Schedule Formatting provides attention boxes with news items for each day:
 
primers
2015 NOVA Open Draft Primers
 

Thanks to the heroic efforts of the NOVA Open event leads and staff, draft primers for game systems and events at the 2015 NOVA Open are now available!
 

Non-Game Primers:
All questions for all games, events and leads may be sent to [email protected].