Natcon 2014 - National NZ Wargaming Convention

A while since the last update, as I've been busy with work as well as with wargaming. However last month I attended Natcon 2014, the annual New Zealand Wargaming convention, on 18-20 April. When I first started going to Natcon in the 1990's, it was the one big wargaming convention in New Zealand, but now there are many so it isn't quite the big deal it used to be. Nonetheless the range of games played is still often higher than at other conventions so it's nice to see the variety. I took a bunch of photos, so here's some of them, starting with the display games, and some 28mm Napoleonics from the massive collection of Chris Packer. Russians vs some French with Bavarian and other German allies I think the game was, using General de Brigade rules.

Chris Pooch and his mates put on a display game of their 28mm Moderns skirmish rules.

Another moderns display, in 6mm scale this time.

Another display game was this detailed "Fallout" 28mm skirmish, based upon the computer game with homegrown rules.

There was also a American Civil War 28mm game, using the new "Longstreet" rules, but unfortunately I didn't get a photo of that. And some other things including Malifaux.

The competition games were spread over two halls. This was the hall that contained the historical games, including 15mm Renaissance using DBR rules (which I was playing in), 15mm Ancients using FOG, 15mm Napoleonics using FOG, WW2 using Flames of War (FOW) with two periods (early and mid war I think), and also a Warmachine competition and the display games.

The other hall contained the fantasy gaming, including Warhammer Fantasy, Warhammer 40k, Dystopian Wars, X-Wing (I think), and possibly some other things... I snapped a photo during the lunch break so it's pretty empty. The bar joined between the two halls and can be seen in the top left area.

I took some photos of many of the competitions so here they are:

15mm Renaissance

This was the competition I was playing in, using my Hindu Indians. I will do another post about my Indians once I've finished the army, still some cavalry to finish painting! I used lots of rocketeers and elephants which was bit of a crazy combination. Here's my Indians fighting Keith's Sumatrans who were also keen on elephants. 

And earlier in the game, before my rockets had his infantry fleeing all over the show.

Keith's Sumatrans.

My Indians taking on some Scots.

The winning army, Spanish.

15mm Napoleonics

There were 8 players in this competition, and no French! As has been pointed out though, most of the armies were technically French allies at one time or another...

One of the armies was Ottoman (I think it came last...).

15mm WW2

For some reason I took a heck of a lot of pictures of the WW2 tables and armies... so here they are. These guys put some great work into their scenery, so maybe that had something to do with my photo snapping.

And some pictures of a few armies.

A New Zealand force.

And another picture showing some great modelling work on the infantry in particular.

Russell Briant won the competition, with the aid of battleship artillery barrages I believe!

Dystopian Wars

I didn't get many photos from the fantasy hall, but here's a few. I was quite taken by the Dystopian War competition. This is a "steampunk" naval game set in an alternative 19th century setting.

40K

Just a couple of pics, I liked this Iron Warriors army...

...and also this Tyranid army - because it used to be mine! I sold it several years ago to Higgins from Dunedin, who has been adding bits to it in the same style. I note the Tyranid Warriors in the upper centre have sprouted wings too. Great to see it being used, as it had just sat in the cupboard for years when I had it.

This Harridan (big flying gribbly), is his latest edition. Great work, looks like he'd be a morale boost to the little fellas!

So there we are. In other news I've been finishing off my 15mm Hindu Indian collection, and I acquired a big batch of Napoleonic Russians from Perry (more Napoleonics to paint!). More about them in future posts shortly.