2024 West Coast Rumble

ASL Tournament Report

The 2024 West Coast Rumble (WCR) drew eight enthusiastic ASL players from Alberta, Washington State, Vancouver Island, and the Lower Mainland of British Columbia to the bustling BottosCon game convention in New Westminster, BC, from November 8 to 10. Held amidst the Pacific Northwest's signature rainy weather, the tournament was marked by camaraderie, intense play, and close matches, culminating in a climactic Sunday showdown.

This year’s WCR followed a four-round Swiss format with one round on Friday evening, two on Saturday, and a final round on Sunday morning. After four rounds of skillful strategy and tactical maneuvers, the final standings placed Terry Gray as the tournament champion with a score of 37 points. Following closely were Greg Barsness and Andrew Simpson, tied at 36 points, with Greg edging out Andrew in a head-to-head tiebreaker to claim second place.

Final Standings:

  1. Terry Gray – Champion (37 points)

  2. Greg Barsness – 2nd Place (36 points)*

  3. Andrew Simpson – 3rd Place (36 points)*

  4. Jim Rudek – 24 points

  5. David Wolfe – 22 points

  6. Steve Slunt – 21 points

  7. Steve Buckley – 10 points

  8. Andreas “Andy” Thaler – 0 points

     *Head-to-head tiebreaker

  

Special Awards and Highlights

  • Panzer Ace: Steve Slunt, with an impressive 6 tank kills.

  • Most Snake-eyes: Terry Gray, with 14.

  • Most Boxcars: Jim Rudek, also with 14.

  • Highest ROF: Jim Rudek, who fired 9 consecutive shots with a Russian 57LL A-T Gun.

  • Good Sportsman: Andy Thaler, for his positive attitude and perseverance.

Wheel of Death Winners

  • Round 1: Greg Barsness, pair of dice courtesy of Battleschool.

  • Round 2: Steve Buckley, scenario pack from Kansas City ASL Group.

  • Round 3: Terry Gray, coffee cup from Lone Canuck Publishing.

  • Round 4: Andy Thaler, Action Pack #18 Road to Rangoon from MMP.

 

A Warm Welcome and Thanks

The WCR welcomed newcomer Andy Thaler, who made his debut after less than a year of ASL experience. Representing the Victoria ASL Group, Andy brought enthusiasm to every game, learning and growing with each match. Kudos to all his opponents, who generously shared their expertise with him—Andy’s sportsmanship earned him his well-deserved award.

A heartfelt thank you goes to the tournament sponsors—Lone Canuck Publishing, Battleschool, MMP, Kansas City ASL Group, Bounding Fire, Dispatches from the Bunker, and the Gamer’s Armory. Their generous contributions ensured that every winner was celebrated and rewarded for their achievements.

Special acknowledgment also goes to Rob Bottos and his diligent team for orchestrating another well-run BottosCon, overcoming the “herding cats” challenge of convention coordination with aplomb. The Inn at the Quay staff provided consistent support, keeping the venue clean and well-stocked, though a few hiccups with food service were noted. Morning breakfasts at nearby Angelinas Dutch Corner, offering a 10% discount to convention-goers, provided a warm start for players each day.

With the 2024 West Coast Rumble now in the books, the ASL community shifts its gaze south to the Northwest ASL Championship, set to take place at the Game-On Convention in Bellevue, Washington, from February 5 to 9, 2025. We look forward to another series of thrilling matches and memorable moments. Until then, roll low and rally well!
 
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