May 1, 2015:  Year 5; Edition 9 
2015 NOVA Open Registration

First Four Hundred: That opportunity is almost out of your grasp. Our renowned swag bags are limited - and reserved based on the date of registration. At the convention, unclaimed bags (for no-shows) are passed on to the next person on the timeline.  It benefits our attendees to register now.

These swag bags are always top notch and more valuable than the convention pass itself - if fun giveaways appeal to you, register now!

In This Issue:
X-WING NARRATIVE EXPANDS
Wait List Released; Open to All
  
The new NOVA Open X-Wing Narrative sold out early and a wait list was started. Two weeks ago, the wait list released.  There are still rebel and imperial slots remaining.

Act now to register to play in this fun new X-Wing offering today.

Registration Swag Bags: Awesome & Limited! Only available to First 400 registered.  Act now.

X-Wing Narrative Primer HERE.
NEW at NOVA Open 2015
Introducing The Hobbit/LOTR

A lot of excitement was generated in the NOVA Open ranks when we were approached by Devin Moreno with a pitch to back GW's . . . Hobbit?  You heard it right - and you heard it here first!

Spearheaded by the fantastic guys behind the DC Hobbit League, with terrain support from one amazing talent named Alex Wright (Wright War Game Terrain), Hobbit and LOTR are coming to NOVA Open in a HUGE way this year! Five unique games over four full days are available for the consummate or new player. Check out the primer for all the details, but know the powers behind this effort are super enthusiastic, the game plans are action-packed and every attendee is likely to see some of the coolest terrain yet at the NOVA Open 2015.

Event space is limited for the Hobbit / LOTR, and the event is being put on with the support of one of the more passionate groups of gamers out there, so register quickly or miss your shot!

Registration Swag Bags: Awesome & Limited! Only available to First 400 registered. 



NEW SCHEDULE: Adds All Five LotR Events!
GREX AIRBRUSH & TRENCHWORX!
Tank Model for Contest Announced

NOVA Open welcomes Trenchworx as the tank provider and sponsor of this year's newest art competition:


This contest takes place as an exhibition-style airbrush painting race over all four days of the NOVA Open. Top three places win GREX airbrushes! Go to the NOVA Open Store and choose to compete in any one of six different time slots!  Designed to be a fun and exciting public event, it is nevertheless limited to just 20 contestants.  Check out the rules HERE and REGISTER today.

*There are no rules prohibiting any player from practicing with a GREX airbrush or on a Trenchworx FT-17 Tank!




2015 NOVA Open Marketing Poster 
Success!  Ask for Yours Today

After our April 15 newsletter, we shipped posters to Florida, Texas, North Carolina and distributed throughout Maryland, D.C. and Virginia. Thanks to those NOVA Open attendees, news of our convention now hangs in more local gaming stores, university game rooms and lounges, Starbucks and hobby stores than ever before!

NOVA Open's graphic design intern, Alice Johnson, created this awesome "movie poster" for our 2015 campaign. It features the NOVA Open Narrative's Virtue amid the war torn landscape of Planet Earth. 

Would you like to help us spread the word that the NOVA Open continues to grow bigger and better each year?
 
Simply write to us today ([email protected]) and we'll drop some of these beautiful posters in the mail to you right away - asking only that you find a way to get them up in your local area!
NOVA Open NARRATIVE
Newest Supplement Just Released

In addition to radical missions and an awesome experience, the NOVA Open Narrative seeks to expand the play options of participants in terms of the types of armies and builds they can bring and leverage. Following their extremely positive reception last year, the Narrative Team updated and continues to work on Optional Supplements that players may use when fielding Warhammer 40,000 Armies in the Narrative Events (Warlords and Nightfighters).

So Narrative players can track all updates and changes, supplements are now LIVE on google:
 
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1wq_pG1Em_aW1IIprZbPEhAiv7AlHk5Mw0VrGIFtFJLg/pub

40K Players have noticed several more recent Codex Releases and still more being developed. Additionally, certain niche codex releases such as Khorne Daemonkin, Inquisition, Assassins, and Skitarii may not receive Supplemental Updates due to the already thematic and focused design of their codices.

The NOVA Open, as always, welcomes your feedback regarding the types of changes or armies you'd like to see enabled in these few outstanding items. 
Please contact us if have any questions or input you'd like to share regarding the supplements, and stay posted! Based upon feedback, we will finalize those Supplements still in Draft form or being determined by the May 15 Newsletter.

The Narrative is VERY excited about a special debut this year. Something "miniature" this way comes for SuperNOVAs, certain lucky Narrative participants, and first come/first serve visitors of the NOVA Open Store at the Convention. The one complaint we've fielded over the years is that the radical concept art behind our Narrative homegrown race of intergalactic "peacekeepers" (known as the Virtue) didn't have an actual model representation. Well, the NOVA *is* known for responding to attendee concerns ... so stay tuned for a VERY exciting reveal in the VERY near future!
INTRODUCING TRENCHWORX!
What Makes Someone Do This?

Help us welcome Trenchworx to the 2015 NOVA Open!  We are pleased to announce them as the provider of the FT-17 tanks for the first GREX Airbrush Art Competition ever (see above).  Beyond that, we were fascinated to learn about TRENCHWORX in a conversation with its owner and designers and thought the community would enjoy their story, too:

It all began when David Baker formed Worxsimple in 2007. Their original mission provided management and training in the engineering services field. Within two years, they were contracted to provide validation services for machine runoff and installation. As these became more complex, Dave found himself designing small fixtures and assemblies needed to execute project plans. First-of-a-kind equipment solutions then became the building blocks for Worxsimple to become a much larger and more successful business.

 
The company has now grown from a Sandy, Utah, basement with Dave as its sole employee to a 10,000 square foot facility with 15 extremely talented engineers, artisans, technicians and administrative staff. Worxsimple now supplies customers around the world with products ranging from simple fixtures to 3D printed components to very complex automated systems.  3D printer, did you say? Dave's comment:  "Our printers print machines... Think Skynet!"

 
It wasn't long before Dave and Nate Brooks, a 3D Modeler at Worxsimplewere thinking about how to use their in-house 3D printers to create "other things." As tabletop wargamers, their first thoughts were, "wouldn't it be cool to have . . ." and, voila, Trenchworx!  The rest is fast becoming history as they manufacture some of the finest and most accurately detailed tanks on the market - receiving accolades for reaching all new "ease of assembly" status.  Recently, they have even provided prototyping services and limited runs for other kickstarter customers.

 
Visit Trenchworx today.  Boltaction.net and other like forums that've been tracking and discussing the advancements of this exciting new company!

BOMBSHELL MINIATURES
Joining NOVA 2015

Bombshell Miniatures joins the NOVA Open as a sponsor this year, providing First Five Hundred attendees with special use discounts. As the name implies, these aren't your average miniatures!

Patrick Keith, Bombshell sculptor, has also committed to donating a painted Special Edition Maelee set to the NOVA Open Charitable Foundation for this year's Silent Auction. Preview the set HERE.

 
Show your appreciation for our newest sponsor and shop Bombshell today!

NOVA Open FOUNDATION NEWS
Battle for Craftword Updates!

NOCF Update from the Artist Consortium lead for this year's Battle for Craftworld Altoic Eldar Army, Brian Ballard:

"I've got the new codex in hand and it's fantastic. The Eldar art is really good and they've brought back the mojo of the aspect warriors - which is great since we have both hawks and scorpions in this charity army. Also relevant, nothing got axed in the new book and everything is good from a force org perspective.  Max (our resident jetbike guru) will be painting up 6 of the newly released bikes to help drive some excitement from the new models.  Other than that, there are no changes to what we've already planned for.

 

"As for the general update, the progress so far has been excellent!  These guys are all amazing.  Here are some of the blog/WIP posts from the past week's milestones ~ makes me all warm and fuzzy seeing these come together. These armies are going to look fantastic in their group photoshoot!"

 





MAX DUBOIS' MUSINGS ON JETBIKE BUILD


 

John Stiening is the Artist Consortium lead for Battle for Craftworld's Sons of Orar Space Marines.  He has also been moving his team forward as well: 40KHOBBYBLOG
 
Dave Taylor is High Lord Overseer of the NOCF Artist Consortium: 

**Raffle Tickets will go on sale July 1, 2015 at novaopenfoundation.org (currently undergoing updates). Watch for more updates in NOVA Open newsletters or follow artists at their blog sites. 

SECRET WEAPON MINIATURES
Base Extenders
  
Justin McCoy, owner/founder of Secret Weapon Miniatures, has been one of the NOVA Open's most steadfast supporters, the impetus behind seminars at the convention, head judge of our Capital Palette miniature art competition and a sponsor/painter in the Foundation's Artist Consortium. There is little this man will not do for our convention and charitable activities - and little we wouldn't do to bring an awareness of his generosity to the community.

We would like all our readers to visit Secret Weapon Miniatures today - this company is not just for bases and washes anymore!  
  • SWM is now delivering on a very successful kickstarter campaign which launched its Tablecape Tile line. 
  • For NOVA Open Narrative players, SWM produced limited edition bases which can be purchased HERE.
  • Beyond all that, SWM produced the Omega Base series which benefits the NOVA Open Charitable Foundation.  
 
SHOP AT SWM and pick up a game of ANGRY SHEEP today!
LAST WEEK FOR BEER MUG PURCHASES
Extended One Week to May 8, 2015!
  • T-Shirts:
    • NOVA Open 2015 Convention T-Shirts
      • Original Custom Art Design Sneak Peak (at right) by intern Alice Johnson 
      • Hard to Fit? Order to guarantee 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
      • 4th Year / 4th Style
      • Limited Editions - Won't be Back 
      • Limited onsite stock in NOVA Open store
      • Online Sales Extended one week: MAY 8, 2015 
 
Hope everyone is collecting on these limited editions!
  • 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
       
40K INVITATIONAL: NOVA Open 2015
Fun, Amazing, Rewarding

 

The NOVA Open's 40K Invitational is entering its most exciting year yet! 32 of the world's best players will square off in a tournament seeded by a community "selections committee" in a tournament of champions styled on NCAA March Madness! 

Mike Brandt, Reece Robbins, and other key community members will team up to seed the field, while the 40K global community will be able to participate in our very own Bracket Challenge to pick who they think will be end up on top [based on factors such as army list, seeding, and - of course - fantastic good looks!] What's more, our Bracket Challenge component will even benefit charitable causes! Click HERE for more info on the most exciting and community-engaging NOVA Invitational yet!"

Questions? Contact [email protected]
NOVA Open TERRAIN BUILDS 
Join Us
Follow at Road to NOVA!
 
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:  
  • 5/23
  • 6/27
  • PLEASE NOTE: Date change to SATURDAY, JULY 11
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.  


 

  • Blood Bowl
    Have you been BloodBowl fans! TAKE A LOOK at one of the teams we'll have available this year! (2xThrowers, 2xCatchers/Runners, 2xWerewolves, 2xBlitzers, 8xLinemen)

    The Norse are stepping up first: Fully painted and ready to go. There's plenty of models for a solid 1.1mil gp team in a variety of configurations. We'll have an official team list prepared for use on the spot but feel free to make your own if you want to personalize.

    If you want to field these Meade swilling bad boys, just let us know.

    On-Deck: Chaos! Contact us ahead of time or step up the day of - we'll make sure you have everything you need: [email protected].

    Latest BLOOD BOWL PRIMER HERE.
     
  • Warhammer Fantasy
    Hmmmm?
  • Dropzone Commander
    There is no longer a conflict in the NOVA Open store preventing anyone from registering for both events. The Dropzone Linked Narrative Event is designed to provide hours of great entertainment and strategic game play for any Dropzone player not playing in the Tournament Semi-Finals and Finals.  PLEASE NOTE: If you choose to sign up for both events and qualify for the semi-finals or finals, there are no refunds for the Linked Narrative Battle; alternatively, players will be able register to play in the Linked Narrative Battle at the convention.
  • Warmachine/Hordes
  • Infinity
  • Malifaux
  • X-Wing
  • CMON (Dark Age & Wrath of Kings) 

REGISTER NOW! 

First 400 to Register Receive Swag Bags

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 May 1st 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 
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
 
UPDATED with HOBBIT/LOTR schedule. 

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].