Goatboy here, thinking back to my favorite old school 40K tourneys of my entire 20 year history of throwing down on the tabletop. These make me smile to this day!
I’ve been playing 40k for a good amount of time and always strived for a competitive slant to my game play. I love the lore and art behind it all but striving to win the game in an even battlefield was what I always enjoyed the most. I didn’t like my dice taking a game off but for the most part if it was a competitive game I enjoyed it. Today I want to talk about some of the events I remember from back in the day with some wins, a lot of losses, and a ton of fun.
Early Days – Driving to Adepticon (circa 2008)
I remember meeting Larry and the initial BoLS crew at the local game store run by a friend who I originally sold models to when I worked at another game store. The BoLS group were going to the 2nd or 3rd Adepticon and I decided I wanted to go too. I had bought myself a flight, got one for my girlfriend (now wife), and proceeded to get an army ready of Chaos Space Marines. At the time American were the airline of choice to get to Chicago but some Hail damaged a bunch of planes in Dallas, TX. This meant our flights were canceled and would have to get our hotel rooms refunded etc.
Well let me tell you we didn’t do that and proceeded to hop in our cars and make the drive up there. I think we even saw a tornado as well. We made that crazy 19+ hour trip, saw a transformer explode in Chicago, and got to the event ready to play. I didn’t do that well but had a ton of fun as my partner explored Chicago. I think we even went out with some friends on the last night, found out Chicago doesn’t close till very late, and then proceeded to drive home on very little sleep. Oh the things you can do when you are in your 20’s that would kill you for a few days right now. It was a wild trip and cemented going to Adepticon for myself and made it one of the best events to go to year after year. I think we made the drive two more times and decided to fly after that 3rd one.
My First ATC (circa 2008)
The next event I remember pretty fondly is the first ATC event where I had to fly into Chattanooga, TN. This was well before running around with mini computer cell phones so I got on the flight, got there, and proceeded to see that none of my team mates were around! This had me trying to figure out how to get to the event hall and complete my trip to getting ready. As per usual Goatboy luck/charm I happen to run into someone I have met before at Adepticon. This turned out to someone I still friends with a paint models for a lot of the time. Greg is this giant dude and I am so happy to see him again when I head out to Adepticon as well as some of the GW events. All it took was for a lonely Goatboy trying to figure out how to get to his event.
The “Coffee Vodka” Baltimore GT (circa 2009)
The final one is a bit of a wild one due to being young and kind of dumb. This was at one of the Baltimore GT’s that was right around the beginning of 5th edition and the coming out party for the Nob Biker army. I had went with the same Austin Crew up there and had good time figuring out some cool food and just hanging out. The Ard Boyz event was right before the GT and while I wasn’t a part of that my good friend Nick Rose was there trying to win a giant Warhound. The fun comes in from the night before where myself, a ton of 40k players, and some GW staff went to the local bar right across from the convention hall. Somehow I had made a decent impression on the bartender because I don’t remember my beer glass never being filled, trying some coffee vodka, and getting this treatment for the rest of my friends.
Let’s just say the next morning (twelve beers and cocktails later) my poor little brain could only focus on one thing – that was crushing my opponents with old codex Orks. I went on a tear and ended up getting 3rd best general while laying my head on the table and wishing form something to quiet the pounding in my brain. I guess when Goatboy turns off all other thought and only lives for competition you better watch out. Of course old man Goatboy gets hurt walking on ice right now so maybe I shouldn’t try to bring out this old Goat.
All of these events have amazing memories of meeting new people, making amazing friends, and just having a good time. These are all the reasons I keep going to events. This is why I keep playing this game each and every year. What kind of stories do you have from old events you’ve gone too?
Don’t Miss:
Thomas Reidy, aka Goatboy, the ever-evil member of BoLS. I do arts, play 40k, and even paint a lot of stuff. I have been playing Warhammer 40K since the 1990s, and have won multiple national events including Adepticon and GW GTs. I’ve been writing for BoLS for 15 years. Look at my Instagram to see what I am working on – or working on for someone. I am always doing something hobby related.
Source: Bell of Lost Souls
