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The big event of the day for DDM was the final two rounds of swiss for the Constructed Championship and the single-elimination matches of the top 4.
Second Day of the Constructed Championship
| The Grinder started at 9 a.m. with 30 players. Final standings of the top four players after the last two swiss rounds are shown at right. Their scores are shown in the third column, with three points per win. Only one two-loss player made the top 4. |
| # |
Name |
Pts |
OMW% |
| 1 |
Morey, Jonathan |
24 |
63.3 |
| 2 |
Schneider, Scott |
21 |
65.9 |
| 3 |
Elgaard, Shane |
21 |
54.8 |
| 4 |
Garant-Rousseau, Guillaume |
18 |
62.7 |
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| Warbands of the Top 4 |
Jonathan
Mercenary General
Thrall of Blackrazor
Skullcleave Warrior
Warhorse
Raistlin Majere
Human Sellsword x2
Merchant Guard x2
Goblin Runner |
Scott
Tomebound Arcanist
Thrall of Blackrazor
Oni
Hobgoblin Marshall
Merchant Guard x2
Prisoner x2 |
Shane
Hobgoblin Marshall
Tomebound Arcanist
Thrall of Blackrazor
Oni
Merchant Guard x2
Goblin Runner x2
Prisoner x2 |
Guillaume
Mercenary General
Tomebound Arcanist
Thrall of Blackrazor
Human Sellsword x3
Merchant Guard x2
Goblin Runner x2 |
Check the Gencon forum for more detail on the standings.
The final matches were played at a pair of tables in the middle of the hall, roped off from spectators. Michael Pozsgay sat inside to provide a log of the final match. After the semi-final round, Shane Elgaard remained to face Guillaume Garant-Rousseau in the final match.  Above: In the lower right, Dwayne Stupack (Head Judge) and Michael Pozsgay (Match Logger) watch over the final match. The judge at the other end of the table is Jason Lioi. Guillaume Garant-Rousseau wears a blue sweatshirt on the left and Shane Elgaard wears orange on the right. This shot was taken at the beginning of the match when the spectator crowd was not yet wall-to-wall.  When the dust settled over a hard-fought match, Guillaume Garant-Rousseau of Canada emerged the victor.
City Profile: Montreal
At big tournaments in Montreal, over 25 players show up regularly. This is down from the 40 or more these sanctioned matches drew previously, but the numbers are growing again as players become familiar with the new rules. The player base of Montreal is one of the largest DDM communities in the world.
As a community, Montreal does a number of things to maintain and enlarge its player base. Below are just a few of the key things members of the Montreal community do.
- Members pay attention to what new players want while getting into the game, with the goal of ensuring that new players are having fun.
- Montreal players don't play much on VASSAL or at home. Most games are played at stores, which creates the excitement and energy needed to maintain a critical mass of players.
- A regular tournament schedule with fixed formats on certain dates guarantees to both organizers and players that their efforts will be worthwhile. In order to appeal to the broad community and keep everyone engaged, stores run both DCI-sanctioned and non-sanctioned tournaments. Players have numerous alternative, 'fun-format' tournaments to choose from. The specific rules of these formats are clearly defined in advance so plenty of thought and planning can go into the warbands.
- Blackguard.ca is a French-language DDM forum which is promoted by the stores and very accessible to new players. English-only speakers are also welcome and can expect to get their questions answered quickly. This forum allows connections between all local players (local meaning Quebec, not just Montreal).
- Most local players purchase their cases and singles at stores, not online. Stores are much more comfortable providing full and generous support to a community that they know supports them in return.
These are just a few of the elements that make Montreal such a great city for DDM. Next time you talk to a Montreal DDM player, ask about the vibrant DDM atmosphere there.
Player Profiles
Kevin Tatroe (Not Keith)  When did you start Skirmish/Battle?
Played Chainmail a little, but Harbinger
What are your big DDM wins?
Qualified and played in two Constructed Championships
Where do you play?
Uncle's Games in Bellevue, WA
What are you doing to build community?
Kevin owns and supports hordelings.com, a great community forum for discussion of DDM and other Wizards products. Kevin is the key driving force of DDM Oracle, the tool used by the community to better understand all aspects of DDM.
What other games do you play?
DM biweekly game of D&D RPG, play Pirates of the Burning Sea
What do you do in the real world?
Software Engineer at MMORPG Company
What's your dream job?
Game Designer
Why should your opponents fear you?
Because I write freakin' rules! (Note to readers: Kevin never actually said this …)
What is going right for DDM?
The Battle Rules allow players of all levels to find the system accessible and fun. The strength of the community really makes the game an amazing thing to be part of.
Crystal Wayne (aka lightstryder)  When did you start Skirmish/Battle?
Night Below
What are your big DDM wins?
Third Place in the Constructed Qualifier, Raleigh, NC
Where do you play?
Underground Games in Charlotte, NC
What are you doing to build community?
Playing, with the enticement, "Come on, you can beat a girl."
What other games do you play?
D&D RPG, Pokemon
What do you do in the real world?
Management Program
What's your dream job?
Teaching Third Graders
Why should your opponents fear you?
Because they underestimate me.
Mark Liberman (aka MarkDragon)  When did you start Skirmish/Battle?
Harbinger
What are your big DDM wins?
9th place, Constructed Championship 2006 (6-2)
20th place, Constructed Championship 2007 (5-2)
10th place, Constructed Championship 2008 (6-2)
Where do you play?
The Gaming Pit in Atlanta, GA
What are you doing to build community?
Mark uses the Atlanta DDM group and mailing list to promote tournament activities in the Atlanta area. The mailing list allows the bi-weekly tournaments and format to be communicated to the entire player base. On tournament days, they run two tournaments, a junior and a regular tournament with prizes by draft distribution.
What other games do you play?
D&D RPG, World of Warcraft, boardgames
What do you do in the real world?
Credit Communications software programmer
What's your dream job?
I'm in it now.
What is going right for DDM?
Refinement of the rules is quite good. The glossary makes a lot of sense. Like the link and similarity between RPG and DDM Battle rules.
Declan Lynch (aka littlelynch)  When did you start Skirmish/Battle?
Chainmail and beginning of Harbinger
What are your big DDM wins?
2nd place, Championship Qualifier 2007
1st place, Championship Qualifier 2008
5th place, Constructed Championship 2008
Where do you play?
Battlegrounds in Abington, MA
What are you doing to build community?
Playing. A lot.
What other games do you play?
D&D RPG, boardgames
What do you do in the real world?
Attend school
What's your dream job?
Singer
Why should your opponents fear you?
Declan is clever enough to bring a very strong band to championship events and do well regardless of the conventional wisdom.
What is going right for DDM?
Some maps and creatures might need restriction to make the game more robust. Declan is looking forward to the experience that Scott Larabee brings and hopes that Scott can get the game to really grow.
What else happened for DDM at Gencon Indy 2008?
If you have not had the chance, check the previous daily updates from the convention (listed below). Michael's posts in his Gencon Indy 2008 Blog contain full standings for the two Grinders and both days of the Constructed Championship.
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