The Armour Archive

Well, there is a "worse" topic, now a "best" topic.

What was the best tournament you have ever fought in?

Why was it so good?

The first SCA Combat of the 30, (though technically not a tournament) because it came closest to what I belived the SCA to be striving for.

Tuchuk charity tournement. Any of them but my favorite was at Pennsic 34

Please see:
http://www.pbase.com/darter02/p34_013

Tuchuk rules,i.e. grappling, intensity, no whining, and all for a good cause.
This is me getting slammed in the head by some Atlantian dude.

The Outlands has a southern rapier guard, and runs a Captain's tournament every year.

The day I got my rapier AoA-level award was the day of that tournament.

My knight and I drew each other in one of the final rounds, and did 45 seconds of full-speed, total-zen, matrix-like rapier combat, and then we both stepped back. Looked at each other and said "Passe!" having both completely missed each other by virtue of zen-like parrying.

So we jumped back in and did it all over again, with me winning at the end of the second 30-45 second flurry.

I followed that up with a ridiculous number of double-kills with the guy who went on to win it (something amazingly stupid, like 8?).

I had a blast. Good fights, all of them.

I also second the Thirty, but it really isn't a tourney. Most fun I've ever had in a melee.

As for tournies, I like the Pas/Deed type format of counted blows, either at a barrier or not, with matched weapons.

The 30, while I did not have the pleasure of being in the first the one I was in was exactly what I am looking for.

For one on one fighting Asbjorn's HCS "As Real Men Fought" Scenarios rule; toughest fighting ever the year we did it round Robin with 15 fighters.

Years ago at a Diamond Wars I fought in a bear pit with over 40 people in it. I ended up beating Earl Sir Camric in the finals to win it.

It was one of the first times that I just zoned out and fought and fought. Camric helped train me to fight, so beating one of your mentors is always a good feeling of accomplishment.

Uric

A gladiatorial-style tournament in the northern Outlands.

Double-elimination, every round was 2 out of 3 with the following weapon styles:

1st match: sword and buckler
2nd match: trident
3rd match (if needed): His Majesty's whim

In addition, after the semi-finals, any fighter who was eliminated could win a second chance by challenging and defeating the previous year's champion, Count Bela.

Fighters were instructed that the purpose of the tournament was to entertain their majesties, and showmanship was considered more important than little things like, say, rules.

There were silly fights and spectacular matches. There was vile treachery and exemplary courtesy. There was witty banter and displays of bravado, and it was all set to a killer live drum soundtrack. One fighter did get knocked out and successfully challenge his way back in. It was fun, it was intense and it was exhausting. I had an absolute blast.

I think some people forget sometimes that we do this for fun. It's nice to have a reminder once in a while.

Nissan Maxima wrote:Tuchuk charity tournement. Any of them but my favorite was at Pennsic 34

Please see:
http://www.pbase.com/darter02/p34_013

Tuchuk rules,i.e. grappling, intensity, no whining, and all for a good cause.
This is me getting slammed in the head by some Atlantian dude.

I believe that "Atlantian dude" to be Duke Ragnarr Blackhammer, just so ya know.

For me, the best tournies I have fought in were Squire's Tournies at Pennsic, and the one Best of the Best that I fought into. Great intensity.

College of San Ambrogio Champion Tourney, many, MANY years ago now. Wasn't anything special, just standard double-elim, but it was my first time to the final 4, besting several knights on the way, and the day I realized I might not totally suck at this.

And, this may be a bit of oversharing, but later that evening was the first time I, ahem, enjoyed the intimate company of a lady.

All-in-all, a damn good weekend

Blaine de Navarre wrote:College of San Ambrogio Champion Tourney, many, MANY years ago now. Wasn't anything special, just standard double-elim, but it was my first time to the final 4, besting several knights on the way, and the day I realized I might not totally suck at this.

And, this may be a bit of oversharing, but later that evening was the first time I, ahem, enjoyed the intimate company of a lady.

All-in-all, a damn good weekend

You impressed the ladies that much?

If we could all have an experience that striking. Several times a year....lol

Great story.

Christopher

Meridian Grand Tournament - Its our pagentry tournament, our Look your best tournament, fight your best tournament, be your best tournament.

Pics from the first one here

MGT 2004

From the latest one here

MGT 2008

it has never disappointed us.

Regards,
Ulrich

My shires heavy champion event , beginning of Sept. this year....Mostly because I don't get to travel a whole lot, and the last two years when I went and did a kingdom level tourney, I was either sunburned so bad I couldn't get my armour on, or this year, got de-hydrated so bad I had to pull out after finishing just over half the fights...

But this fall at the Shire event, I walked in to the tourney, not sure what to expect having missed alot of practices this year cause of personal stuff and a big nasty spider bite messing with me...

The weather was perfect for fighting and I ended up in the semi's and then tied for the third spot for the finals...Finally beat the guy who had beaten me twice in the first and second rounds....Course...went out and got smoked by an 18yo who never comes to practice...Little shit is way quick....

But that was my best tourney...

One of my favorites was at a baronial investiture a few years back now. You had teams of 3, and before each round a coin toss would decide who had to put forth a combatant first. It was like a mini-champions bout, with each pairing fighting best 2 of 3.

This added a very cool level of strategy to everything, and made for a lot of good stories afterward. I've won "bigger" tournaments, but that one was probably the most fun (and really challenging; I think I had a good 24 bouts that day since we fought all 3 bouts regardless) since that was when my two teammates and I were still the relatively unknown up and comers.

Nissan Maxima wrote:Tuchuk charity tournement. Any of them but my favorite was at Pennsic 34

Please see:
http://www.pbase.com/darter02/p34_013

Tuchuk rules,i.e. grappling, intensity, no whining, and all for a good cause.

Agreed, except that my only Tuchux tourney was Pennsic 35. This was one of my first ever tourneys, and maybe the deepest I've ever gone. Here's me in my old, old kit, and a dude rolling on the ground grabbing his nuts.

The best 'SCA' tournament was our last Baronial Championship, each person I face I offered matched weapons to from the store I had, spear, axe, sword and buckler, dagger and longsword. I was having so much fun I didn't notice I was winning. By the time I came to my senses I was in the finals and still having too much fun to stop. So this year I get to pass the Baron's shield to another worthy, who will face a most insidious challenge with a nod to The Known World Baronial Championship.

The 'Best Tournament' was the 30 both last year and the first one. It is I imagine close to the behourd fought in by the squires of old. A thug fest designed to both show others and ones own self their individual worth. "For no man can know his own measure until he has felt his teeth crack and seen his blood flow" or words to that effect.

The latest La Prova Dura is way up there....

"The Tournament of the Courtier"

http://www.midrealm.org/sternfeld/courtier.htm

Based on the "Book of the Courtier" by Balthasar Castigleoni.

Long story, feel free to skip this.

I fought a torch light rose tourney in Berlin about six years ago. The loser of a bout had to present the winner's lady with a rose, and, if they did it right, a few words about the great inspiration that the lady gave her champion. It was small tourney, with (I think) four competitors, all of whom were really in it for cool points, rather than victories.

I fought Adena of the West (I may have that spelled incorrectly) and she beat me.

Instead of allowing me to give a rose to her consort, she stopped the tourney (she has that kind of charisma) and asked instead that I give it to my sweetie, The Emerald Lady, and sing my lady's favorite song.

So, I did, and everybody gathered round to hear it.

It made my lady cry.

Adena walks on water with me because of that moment.

Very cool.

After that, it was the tourney to become Queen Thora of Drachenwald's Champion. I cheated. I used poetry.

f

Black Hole, in Japan.

And the great thing is that it ran once a quarter, indoors, no site fee, in front of crowds of cheering Japanese, NO fighting from the knees, points for authenticity, fights until you couldn't fight anymore AND food was provided!

Once again:
4x per year
indoors
no site fee
in front of crowds
NO fighting from the knees
points for authenticity
fights until you couldn't fight anymore
FREE GOOD food!

Oh, and they gave out awards for 1st through 3rd place! I've got two 3rd place awards on my wall, and they look like I saved the Pope and the Queen of England at the same time!

Black Hole ROCKS!


That was bliss.



-Aaron

Haus von Halstern's Winter Wolf tourney a couple ears ago. Nice small, old time tourney. Good fighitng, and it was my birthday. Other assorted things happened that day as well, but who could ask for more?

Mord.

When I was in the Kingdom of the West (proper, excluding the Barony of the Far West because it would make comparisons unfair) the West Kingdom Crown Tournament rocked! It was a very FUN event.

Locally in Atlantia, the best tournament I've been to has been the Tournament of Chivalry. It was relaxed with maximum fighting, nice marshals, lots of laughter and excellent weather. It was my wedding anniversary, Maureen said it would be OK if I fought and I fought with roses in my helm. That’s a tradition I plan on continuing. The Lochmere Anniversary tournament is a close section. It showed me that Atlantia is a place I don’t have to worry about being excessive and everyone still has a great time!

With respect,

-Aaron

I fought in a tournament once so I guess it would have to be considered both a best and worst huh?

Dante di Pietro wrote:One of my favorites was at a baronial investiture a few years back now. You had teams of 3, and before each round a coin toss would decide who had to put forth a combatant first. It was like a mini-champions bout, with each pairing fighting best 2 of 3.

This added a very cool level of strategy to everything, and made for a lot of good stories afterward. I've won "bigger" tournaments, but that one was probably the most fun (and really challenging; I think I had a good 24 bouts that day since we fought all 3 bouts regardless) since that was when my two teammates and I were still the relatively unknown up and comers.

Thank you, Thank you very much!

MarkH wrote:The latest La Prova Dura is way up there....

As a consort and not a fighter, I'll throw my 2 cents on this one. Both beautiful and brutal, this was a sight to behold.
Brekke

Yeah, La Prova Dura 08 was hands down, the most fun I have ever had in a tourney.

Squires Tourney a couple of years ago.....1 hour long......55 fights.....about a 50% win ratio. I was tired but pumped at the same time.

Tournee de Lyonesse in Ansteorra about 10 or 12 years ago

What Earl Timo said!!!

I have 3 in 3 different kingdoms:
The Crapaud Tourney in the West- They're a week night tournament held every month kind of in the middle of no where. When the lists are deep, they're DEEP. I learned a lot at those.

Uncle Uther's Postage Stamp of Pain- It was a one off week night tourney, run as a shieldless bearpit in a fairly small space. It was brutal, but immense fun.

The Deed of Arms at Gulf War. Like the 30, not really a tourney, but it was a lot of fun.

I'll second the vote for Unlce Uther's Postage Stamp of Pain. That was a seriously fun tourney.

Of course, thus far, I've had a blast at every tourney I've fought in.

My Favorite was a few years back at Gothic Wars in Ansteorra. Duke Drake was king and he and Earl Timo came up with a barrier battle with unlimited blows. You stood at the barrier and beat on each other until you either dropped your sword or removed your hand from the barrier. I was so beat up by the end of the night i couldnt fight the next day in the tourneys. The one thing i did learn tho ... is that i could take everything some of the bigger guys could dish out.

Also i later found out that it will never happen again due to it being so brutal.

CathalFinnObriain wrote:My Favorite was a few years back at Gothic Wars in Ansteorra. Duke Drake was king and he and Earl Timo came up with a barrier battle with unlimited blows. You stood at the barrier and beat on each other until you either dropped your sword or removed your hand from the barrier. I was so beat up by the end of the night i couldnt fight the next day in the tourneys. The one thing i did learn tho ... is that i could take everything some of the bigger guys could dish out.

Also i later found out that it will never happen again due to it being so brutal.

Eh, never say never Timo and I were just talking about it again the other night.

For the record, that was me, Timo, and Drake's idea.

JP

Other than the Crown's where I was able to make my inspiration, Duchess Jana, Princess these are the ones that come to mind

The Silver Dollar Tourney Estrella 1994 (my single favorite fight, Duke Brion and I, what a chess match)
Emerald Joust, 1995 (Hard Hitting Atlanteans great fun)
Tolkien Tourney 1984 (My first tourney and Qual day)
Duke Siegfried's Ducal Challenge 1989 (melee in enclosed space, brutal)
Legend's of Chivalry 2000 (Tavern fights also brutal in a differant way)
Drachenwald's First Crown ( In a Castle Courtyard... I fought pick ups and it was awesome. Drachenwalders are so lucky!)