August 1, 2015:  Year 5; Edition 15
COUNTDOWN TO NOVA OPEN

33 DAYS UNTIL NOVA Open!

In This Issue:
MAGIC: THE GATHERING  
Tickets On Sale; Pre-Reg Wise
 
MAGIC: The Gathering at NOVA Open 2015! Events begin on Friday and continue through late Sunday afternoon. Space and Seating is currently limited to 200 players only.
 
*If you already have a SuperNOVA Pass, Convention Access Pass or Convention Day Pass, you are eligible to sign up for MTG events now. 
 
*If you LOVE MTG, plan to stay at the Hyatt and have a great 3-day experience!  BOOK NOW for great rates; share with friends for better rates!

*If you're coming with friends or family who do not tabletop game or hobby seminar, we recommend they register to play MTG with a discounted MAGIC ONLY Pass (3 days or choose Friday, Saturday or Sunday).

*If you're an MTG Die Hard Player, pick up a MAGIC 3-Day Pass with a Headliner event or with an On Demand event included.

Nic Myers of MTG DC Meetup is working with Island Games to offer THREE FULL DAYS of MAGIC:
  • Two-Headed Giant Sealed (8-32 teams)
  • Sanctioned Modern Melee (200 max)
  • Sanctioned Standard Constructed (200 max)
  • On-Demand events all day, including: Standard Win a Box, Modern Win a Box, Legacy Win a Box, Origins Booster Drafts and Multiplayer Commander Pods

Check out the FULL SLATE of MAGIC EVENTS and NOVA Open SCHEDULE.

 

Visit the novaopenstore, check your schedule and REGISTER TODAY - space and seating limited.

2015 Hotel Block Open:
Block is Loading - Act Today
 
 
King or Double?  Choices are becoming limited. Act now.

If you have any trouble booking room nights using our special rate portal, please contact us: [email protected]

The rates for NOVA Open 2015 are at $91 per night for this 4-star property.

Refrigerators and Roll-Aways are limited. Valet parking is half price to NOVA Open attendees, as is wi-fi (which is free if you become a Hyatt Gold Passport member; register today?)
SOLD OUT:
CAPs With Swag Bags

The first 400 Convention Access Passes have been sold, and with them, the swag bags are officially sold out.
Does that mean there's no chance of receiving one? Not exactly: the order of registration is also the order by which uncollected swag bags will be given away. On Saturday afternoon, if people have not shown up for their swag, NOVA Open staff will begin delivering left overs to CAP purchaser #401, #402, #403, etc.  Will that be you?   
FANTASY/AGE of SIGMAR:
Welcome AoS Leads

 

After substantial surveying, communication with previous NOVA Fantasy attendees, board member debates, and more, the NOVA Open was finally able to idenetify two highly motivated leads to bring Age of Sigmar to the 2015 event on quite a short schedule. They are busy planning a full weekend of events for Age of Sigmar, with information coming soon in a subsequent splash newsletter regarding formats. Suffice to say, there will be a variety of gaming styles available for Age of Sigmar all weekend, including introductory games, organized play leveraging some basic army construction concepts, open play, and organized social gaming events (to include happy hours in the charity lounge with attending Age of Sigmar players to discuss their take on the game and the many different ways to go about playing it). 

All players registered for Fantasy this year will be automatically enrolled in all Age of Sigmar events, with further information forthcoming in the next several days.

We do not have a clear primer or plan yet. Any Fantasy player who prefer a refund per our earlier email (based on the possibility we would have to cancel the Fantasy GT) need only reply to [email protected]. We ask, however, that you give the two AoS leads a chance to produce their primer and plans before you decide.  Thank you.
NOCF to HOST ON-SITE RAFFLES
Corvus Belli / Infinity Maverick
Massive Voodoo Miniatures

Exclusively released in July, Corvus Belli is donating a studio miniature painted "Maverick with a Boarding Shotgun" to the NOVA Open Charitable Foundation. This model is only available from the USAriadna pack and not sold separately!  Tickets will be on sale throughout the weekend and the drawing at Final Ceremony on Sunday evening, 9/6/15.

Watch this space in two weeks as we bring you two more exclusive miniature donations from massivevoodoo's Raffaele Picca and Roman Lappat, which will join "Maverick" as on-site raffle items at NOVA Open 2015!  
CAPITAL PALETTE: MINIATURE ART COMPETITION
New Weathering & Lighting Awards - No Fear! 
http://www.novaopen.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/NOVA-Open-2013-Art-Competition-Capital-Palette.pdf

We're proud to present new awards for the Capital Palette on behalf of Powered Play Gaming and Secret Weapon Miniatures!

Powered Play will be offering a prize for "Best Lighted Miniature," while Secret Weapon will be offering a prize for "Best Weathered Miniature." 

Roll out your best painted miniatures and compete for beautiful crystal trophies, great prizes (including Grex Airbrushes) and bragging rights as renowned artists Justin McCoy, Raffaele Picca & Roman Lappat judge your offerings. Best in Show qualifies for airfare to CoolMiniOrNot's Crystal Brush (April 2016/Chicago, IL)

Register One Mini:  Just $5 

No Fear!  Justin, Raffaele and Roman are champions of the hobby and dedicated artists in their own right, but they will be judging Capital Palette entries on each model's characteristics against other entries in the competition - not against their own work!  Take advantage of their hobby seminar classes while you're at the NOVA Open and learn the secrets of the masters!

FOUNDATION LOUNGE:
Live Music During Happy Hours! 

The NOVA Open Charitable Foundation is pleased to announce that there will be live music in the Foundation Lounge during happy hours (4:00-7:00pm each day). 

It seems many of our sponsors, guests and staff members have been hiding their musical talents until recently. Stop in to drink Cocktails for Charity, down Beer for a Better Cause or just sip a favorite beverage to help fundraise for Breast Cancer Research Foundation and NOCF.

The Foundation Lounge opens for coffee at 7:30am each day; last call is 1:00am. For 2015, the Lounge has extended its hours to include Sunday for Post-Con revelry. Check the NOVA Open SCHEDULE for dates/times of our free hobby centric presentations: Infinity, Wyrd, Secret Weapon Miniatures, CMON, Fantasy Flight Games, Torrent of Fire, and more!
LAST CALL / SALES END TOMORROW
Frontline Gaming Mats

This is your last chance to order your Frontline Gaming Mats for pick up at the 2015 NOVA Open.

These mats are not only appealing to the eye, but they're also extremely durable, printed on a waterproofed surface with a neoprene backing.  This means that the mat not only lays flat, but it also won't slide around once placed.  Now they even come with a sturdy, nylon zip-up bag for storage!

Remember though, this sale is only for pick-up at the convention, so order yours TODAY!
40K HIGHLANDER:
There Can Be Only One!


There can be only one! Sorta! This year, the NOVA is taking its next step in the types of gaming offered with our Critical Mass Events. These are events where players show up ready to play, and when an event hits a certain # of ready participants, it fires (when it hits its Critical Mass, natch). The 40K equivalents are this year's Highlander Quickenings. These events are 8-players per (though several could in theory be running simultaneously) and will run all weekend, beginning on Thursday. After much ado, we've finished up the primer for these events to enable you to prepare an army list should you desire to participate in them. We anticipate numerous Highlanders ongoing Sunday, especially, as players drop out of the final rounds of the GT (Sunday's Highlander events are collectively known as The Gathering).

Highlander Primer 

NARRATIVE PRIMER UPDATE:
Necrons and Grey Knights

Thanks to one particular eagle-eyed reader, the 40K NOVA Open Leads have made two balance tweaks to the Necrons and the Grey Knights for this year's Narrative Event:

  • Necron Phalanx bonuses no longer stack with Orikan
  • Grey Knight Aegis buffs no longer stack with Sanctuary
You can check out the completed Narrative primer HERE!
NOVA OPEN 40K:
Final FAQ

After a great deal of time and effort - spearheaded by NOVA staff including Neil G, Chip B, Phil R, and Jesse N - coupled with great questions and input from 40K players - the NOVA Open has put together our final draft FAQ for NOVA 2015's 40K events.


 

If you have any questions about the FAQ or feel there are important keynotes not yet addressed in it, please let us know. We're excited to host our 6th straight year of 40K events, with nearly 200 40K players already signed up for the Narrative, Trios, GT, and Invitational events. Let friends know we have some room left in most events, and we look forwarding to hosting all of you in a little over a month!


 

FINAL 40K FAQ 

NOVA OPEN NARRATIVE:
Story Update

13 September 2319:
Two weeks after the Siege of Lagos Spaceport

 

Secretary General Avinashi Yu brooded over the scars of her foundering world some 330 kilometers below. There: Nigeria was just coming into view through a gap in the all-too-present cloud cover. She considered the vast smoke clouds gushing out of the fissures the Virtue had opened with their tectonic disruptors. Aboard the Aegis of Terra, the poisonous plumes looked almost beautiful.


 

WANT MORE?  READ ON . . . 

HOBBIT SCHEDULE CHANGES
Chaos in Arda & Doubles

Chaos in Arda event moved to 11am-3pm on Friday (one hour shift back);

Doubles event will begin at 4pm on Friday
(It still ends at Midnight).
 
We are pleased to announce that the Hobbit community is exceeding all expectations as they cruise toward 30+ registrations on an initial offering of 16 players. If you're a closet Hobbit player, it may be time to break out your models and connect with this NOVA Open community which already includes players from across the US, Canada and the United Kingdom!  Beyond that, you'll be playing on a fair bit of Wright Wargame Terrain!

Check the SCHEDULE and make sure you have no conflicts. If so, let us know as soon as possible:  [email protected]
THE COMPASSIONATE FORCE NOCF Around the World!

Sales for the 2015 Charity Army Raffle continue. Please support our efforts to demonstrate the Power of the Compassionate Force to fundraise for Doctors Without Borders. The Compassionate Force is what we like to call the estimated 10 million tabletop wargamers from around the world who dig deep into their hearts and pockets to demonstrate commitment to great charitable organizations.

How do we know we're reaching a worldwide consortium of players? Raffle Tickets went on sale one month ago. In that short time, we've sold almost $5K in tickets to people in 15 countries, including 5 Canadian provinces, 29 US states, Australia, Finland, France, Germany, Italy Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom. 

 

The NOCF will ship to winners anywhere in the world with a deliverable address. The goal for this year's fundraiser was $15K which we believe we can reach if the Compassionate Force helps spread the word and support these great causes.  

 

PLEASE VISIT www.novaopenfoundation.org and purchase raffle tickets to win charity armies:

 

ALAITOC ELDAR

SONS of ORAR SPACE MARINES

FLAMES of WAR BATALION PIECHOTY

 

WATCH FOR MALIFAUX COLLECTION - expected to go on sale later this week!

 

THE NOVA Open NEEDS YOUR HELP:  
Write [email protected]
Sign Up to Support this Con!
 
Calling all attendees, guests, family and friends! If you are thinking about attending the NOVA Open to check us out or support a friend or family member, we need your help.

If you're attending to play, but have a window or two in your schedule, perhaps you'd like some first-hand knowledge about what it takes to run a convention? Contact us!

The NOVA Open is run by an all-volunteer board and staff. They do it because they love it. They do it because they are proud of this convention and its reputation for being well run and attentive to its guests. But they're often over-extended during the 24/7 conventions. Can you help?  Contact us!

There are four daily shifts which run Thursday through Sunday. If you can commit to any one or two of those shifts - or any part of any shift, contact us!
  • 6:30 AM - 12:30 PM
  • 12:30 PM - 5:00 PM
  • 5:00 PM - 8:30 PM
  • 8:30 PM - 1:00 AM
The areas you'll be asked to help with are in need of warm bodies and occasional legwork to support the leads - who will teach you what you need to know in a nanosecond or two: Registration, SuperNOVA check-in, Foundation Lounge, Photography, Lemonade Raffle and Final Awards Ceremony - as well as the NOVA Open Charitable Foundation desk and Silent Auction.

BOARD GAME ROOM:
Still More to Do at NOVA Open!
 
Atlantis Games & Comics:
  • Virginia based store front
  • NOVA Open Vendor
  • NOVA Open Sponsor
  • NOVA Open Charitable Foundation Sponsor
  • Board Game Room Manager
That's right, Atlantis Games & Comics is bringing a full library of board games to the NOVA Open. Exchange your license for a game, play in the hall or in the Foundation Lounge or in your own rooms!

BOARD GAME LIBRARY LIST: If we're missing your favorite game, let us know asap and we'll see what we can do to help!  Contact [email protected]
NOCF SILENT AUCTION 
Sneak Peak at Amazing Donations
 
The NOVA Open Charitable Foundation (NOCF) will be again hosting a Silent Auction at the 2015 NOVA Open, from September 3-6. This is your chance to win any number of fantastic prizes, ranging from Warpainter's Baneblade tank (pictured) to signed art prints from Germany's Florian Stitz.

All proceeds support Breast Cancer Research Foundation, so please stop by and place bids throughout the weekend. Take home great prizes and support awesome charity at the same time. 

DROPZONE COMMANDER:
Exclusive Donation/Silent Auction

There's a unique Hawk Wargames donation coming to NOVA Open 2015 for the NOCF Silent Auction:  A special edition, extremely limited, hardcover core rule book, autographed by David J. Lewis!

This is a one-of-a-kind prize, so be sure to stop by the Silent Auction and place your bid during the convention. Most Dropzone players know Simon Edwards. He will be at the NOVA Open and is hand delivering this prize to the Foundation.

You will not only have a chance at winning this exclusive, but you will be supporting Breast Cancer Research Foundation, which receives 95% of all funds raised in the Silent Auction.
FOOD TRUCKS:
They're Baaaaaaaaaaaack! 

Food trucks will be making a comeback to NOVA Open 2015 - more trucks, more choices, more fun!

Healthy Fool, California Sliders, Over the Rice, and Fava Pot locked in. An even wider variety currently pending!

NOVA Open finding ways to give our attendees more of what they want!  You asked for Fast food - Great food - Low Cost food - and parked right outside the Hyatt Regency's front doors. Done!

We're working on having four trucks with us from 11am-2pm ... and also 3pm-6pm ...Friday-Sunday. 
NOVA OPEN'S NEWEST SPONSOR:
Fallout Hobbies!

Coming off a successful Kickstarter Campaign, Fallout Hobbies is all about the best decals and stencils available. Ron Gamble, owner, tell us, "Fallout Hobbies is the culmination of my professional career as a graphic designer and my enthusiasm for sci-fi and wargaming models."

We are excited to welcome Ron and his fabulous products to the Vendor Hall. Make time to check out his wares in the hall this year. Unique designs and custom decals, this is a great stop for the tabletop wargame hobbyist.

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA
We Need Your Support
 
Help us spread the news about the NOCF Charity Army Raffles by visiting our social media sights and sharing our links!

As we approach the convention date, NOVA
Open's social media presence is in full swing. Follow us on Twitter, Flickr, Instagram and at our blogs (Whiskey40K & novacf). Like us on Facebook. Thanks to Mike, Dewey, Dave and Nora, you can stay up to date with the latest on all things NOVA Open & NOVA Open Charitable Foundation:


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 Invitational
    See promo HERE
     
  • 40K Trios
     
    As usually happens with a new system, there are things that should be included that we missed.  A place to list team members for events like Trios is one we missed in our new NOVA Open registration system. Please send the names of your team members to Marti Seraphin ([email protected]). We'll get the same info from all the other teams and get it entered in the registration system from our end.  Sorry about the glitch, but it's an easy one to fix.

    New:  Updated Primer
     
     
  • 40K Narrative
  • Primer still planned; no worries - these events are on site registration only
  • Dropzone Commander
    We're getting excited about the upcoming Dropzone Commander tournament! The narrative campaign has been released, and you can find the campaign info HERE.
     
    Simon from Hawk Wargames has confirmed that TEN of the event-only, limited edition battle buses will be available for purchase. Get your ticket now!
  • CMON (Dark Age & Wrath of Kings)
    New:  Updated Primer
      
  • Lord of the Rings/Hobbit                    
    New: Updated Primer  After much communication in the Hobbit community, our lead revised the primer. Check it out now.
  • Infinity
    New:  Updated Primer
  • Magic 
     
    Located in the heart of Centreville, Virginia, The Island Games is one of the newest and most exciting game companies to take the stage in the Northern Virginia area.  Started by Kaleo Scull and Ian Whittington, who have been gaming since a young age, the two wanted to create an environment which focused on meeting the needs of every gaming community.  Barely one year later, they have succeeded beyond their expectations by not ony hosting a multitude of local tournaments and events daily, but also by providing a huge selection of games and card singles at reasonable prices.  If anything, the store's motto rings true:  "A clean shop we want everyone to admire, aiming to provide all the games you desire, and every accessory you require, for all details, please inquire."
  • Malifaux
     
     New:  Updated Primer
  • Warhammer Fantasy

     

    On May 27, the NOVA Open Executive Board wrote to Jerry Parsley, chairman of the USA Masters committee for Warhammer, seeking its help and support in keeping Fantasy as an offering at the NOVA Open.  Steve Gant, our WFB lead, is unable to act due to a work conflict; the player base is reporting overt concerns about 9th edition and delays in release as is evidence by sluggish registration.
     

    Players should know, first and foremost, that this game has been a mainstay at the NOVA Open since 2011 and we would very much like to continue hosting the WFB community and their events. Even with these concerns, our terrain staff has continued to work creating more and improved WFB terrain to enhance this large GT. 

     

    We hope the USA Masters committee will be able to work together with the NOVA Open to identify an optimistic and courageous lead willing to run a big GT with a new edition dropping just weeks before. If you can help, please contact us:  [email protected]. If we are unable to find a lead, current registrations will be refunded.
     
  • Warmachine/Hordes
     
    New:  Updated Primer
     
  • X-Wing
     
    Events have sold out - championship tournament is nearly filled; don't miss a chance to play on our 11-foot star destroyer, NOVA Astrabellum!

REGISTER NOW! 

First 400 to Register Receive Swag Bags