by David Carl and Andrew Hartland[1]
In Steamroller tournaments, players face off in a series of matches and pit their skills against increasingly
challenging opponents to determine who will emerge victorious over all the rest. Steamroller is ideal for groups
of 8 to 32 players and promotes fast and furious play while stressing the ability to adapt to a variety of
scenarios. Painted models are not a requirement, but a Steamroller event is a great place to display your
painted army with pride.
Player Responsibilities
Players participating in a Steamroller event must bring all their own models, stat cards, dice, measuring
devices, tokens, markers, and templates they require for play. The Tournament Organizer (TO) must approve
any printed media used to track damage.
Players must also bring at least two printed or legibly handwritten copies of all their army lists complete with
point costs and an army point total. They must register one copy of these lists with the TO prior to the start of
the tournament. A player's opponent can view the army list upon request.
Players should check with the TO before the event begins on any rules questions they think may arise based
on their armies.
Sportsmanship
The objective of tournament play is for everyone to have a good time. Players must fully cooperate with their
opponent to answer any questions that arise when resolving attacks, abilities, or other game effects. Refusing
to do so is explicitly unsportsmanlike. Players must remain courteous and patient with their opponents and the
TO. The TO always has the final word on rules questions or debates. Players must accept all rulings made by
the TO whether or not they agree.
We assume all players are good sports who understand fair play. If a dispute arises, call a TO for assistance.
Players will remain mature, polite, and fair to their opponents. Failure to do so will result in immediate
disqualification.
A TO can eject a player for any incident deemed unsporting. This includes but is not limited to offensive or
abusive conduct, bullying, cheating, constant rules arguments, stalling game play, and other immature actions.
If stalling is suspected, the TO should be called to monitor play.
Painting, Modeling, Proxies, and Conversions
Privateer Press encourages players to have a fully painted force on the table. Games with painted armies are
more interesting to watch and generally enhance the experience for everyone. Although painted armies are not
required, players should take this chance to show off all aspects of the hobby.
Proxies (substitute models) are not allowed under any circumstances, nor can a player enter a tournament with
a model that has not been released to the general public.
All models must be WARMACHINE or HORDES models. Conversions (modifications to Privateer Press
models) are acceptable as long as they are clearly based on WARMACHINE or HORDES models.
Conversions must represent the model from which they are most obviously drawn. For example, a heavily
converted Haley model is not a substitute for Sorscha. Weapon changes are acceptable provided they
represent the same type of weapon replaced. For example, trading a sword for a sword is legal. However,
mixing and matching warjack weapons is not allowed.
A TO may make exceptions and approve any reasonable conversions. To avoid confusion and conflict,
players must have an unaltered version of the model available in case a TO asks that a questionable model be
replaced. The TO makes the final call on any particular model.
Steamroller Rules
Players participate in a timed format with all players participating in every round. The format aims to pair up
players of equivalent skill levels each round in order to maintain a good level of competitive play. The number
of players participating in the tournament determines the maximum number of matches played. The chart
below breaks down the number of rounds relative to the number of players in the event. The event will run until
there is a clear winner, which usually means when there is only one undefeated player at the beginning of a
round. Once a clear winner emerges, the event ends without additional matches.
- 8 or fewer players: 3-round event
- 9 to 16 players: 4-round event
- 17 to 32 players: 5-round event
Tournament Points and Standings
Players score tournament points based on their performance during each match. Tournament points determine
a player’s current standing in a tournament. The player with the most wins will have the most tournament
points. This scoring system encourages the pairing of players based on tournament standing and relative skill
level. The player with the most tournament points after the final match wins the tournament.
A player gains 1 tournament point for a win and 0 for a loss or draw.
The top two players will be paired during the final round of the tournament to determine the overall winner.
Strength of Schedule System
In the case of two players with the same score, determine which one ranks higher by adding the tournament
score of all of the opponents each faced over the previous four rounds. For example, say that after four rounds
Jason and Rob are tied for second place. To determine who gets to face Matt in the final round, the TO adds
up all the tournament points of Jason’s opponents for the previous four rounds and compares the total to the
combined score of Rob’s opponents for those rounds. The player whose opponents have the highest total
score had the stronger schedule and retains the higher rank. If this number is the same for both players, the
player who accrued the most control points throughout the tournament is the overall winner.
Byes and Odd Numbers of Players
Steamroller matches take place between two players. In the case of an odd number of players, one player will
receive a bye. A player receiving a bye sits out of the current matches and receives 1 tournament point and 0
control points for the round.
If a tournament begins with an odd number of players, the TO will randomly determine which player receives
the bye. After the first round, the TO will randomly determine which player receives the bye from the players
with the lowest tournament point totals. The TO should ensure that the same player does not receive a bye
more than once per event.
The Clock
In a Steamroller event, matches and turns are timed. Time limits vary based on the point scale of the event.
Each match has a variable match length. Before each match begins, the TO rolls a d6 and doubles the result
to determine the variable. He then adds the variable to the base match length to determine the match length as
shown in the following table. The TO will not announce the result of this roll or reveal the amount of time
remaining in a match to players.
After the time limit for the match has expired, the TO calls “dice down.” When dice down is called, the game
ends immediately unless the active player is in the midst of moving or attacking with a model. If the player is in
the process of moving a model, he finishes that movement and then the game ends. If the player is in the
process of making an attack roll, scatter roll, damage roll, or damage location roll, he completes the attack and
then the game ends. If a game goes to dice down, check the scenario for how to determine the winner.
When estimating the overall length of a tournament, a TO should add approximately 30 minutes per round to
cover the variable and allow time to do pairings, get people to their new tables, and get the next round started.
Steamroller also uses timed turn length to ensure a fair play environment. Players in each match use a clock
to track a fixed amount of time in which they play each turn. This time limit is based on the point size of the
event. When a player moves a model or makes an attack during the other player’s turn, the player whose turn
it is has the option of stopping the clock while the move or attack resolves. When the time for a turn expires,
the active player’s turn ends following the same guidelines detailed in “dice down,” above.
Once per game, each player may extend his turn length with a clock extension. A player can extend his turn
length by declaring he is doing so within 30 seconds after the time allotted for his turn runs out. At this time, the
active player’s opponent resets the clock for 5 minutes, and the active player continues his turn. Remember
that this extension is only for a player’s turn length and cannot extend a turn past the match length.
| Event Point Size | Base Match Length (minutes) | Turn Length (minutes)
| | 35
| 80
| 10
|
| 50
| 100
| 12
|
| 75
| 120
| 15
|
| 100
| 160
| 20
|
|
Army Lists
Army list point totals cannot exceed the point size chosen for the game and cannot fall more than 2 points
under the point size chosen for the event. Remember to include a warcaster or warlock’s bonus warjack /
warbeast points in this total. A 50-point Kaelyssa army, for example, must include 55 to 57 points of models.
In the Steamroller format, players may bring a second army list containing different warcaster(s) or warlock(s)
than their primary list for use at the event. Both lists are subject to the same point constraints (factoring in
bonus warjack / warbeast points), must be from the same faction, and must be registered with the TO before
the start of the event. Mercenary players can use different contracts or theme forces for their two lists.
Players choose one of their two lists after the pairings and scenarios for the match have been announced (see
below). Before deploying any models, players place their selected army lists face down on the table. Players
cannot change their lists after making this selection. Both players reveal their lists simultaneously, and set up
continues normally.
Players can ask to see their opponent’s two lists at anytime, including before final list selection before the start
of the match and during play. A player must take care not to disrupt the flow of the game while doing this.
First Round
The TO should try to pair up players of differing factions as much as possible in the first round. Shuffle all the
tournament record sheets together. Take the top sheet and set it to one side. This gives you the first player for
the first pairing. Then look through the remaining sheets until reaching the first sheet from a different faction.
Place this sheet with the first and set the pair aside. This is your first pairing.
Without shuffling the pile again, remove the top sheet and repeat the process until all players have an
opponent. As you work your way through the pile you may find it impossible to pair players from different
factions. Same faction pairings are perfectly legal and do not affect play, should be avoided if possible.
Once you have completed the pairings, note the opposing player’s ID on each player’s sheet to track that
player’s opponents. Record the tournament point and control point scores for each player when the round
ends. Ignore the subtotal boxes for now; they only matter for rounds after the first.
Second and Subsequent Matches
From here on, all pairings and ranks are based on tournament point subtotals and consider pairings from
previous rounds. After all matches in the previous round have completed, sort the tournament record sheets
into piles based on the number of tournament points, arranging them from highest point totals to lowest.
Take the top sheet of the pile with the greatest number of tournament points and choose the first opponent in
the pile he has not already played. Set this pair aside and repeat the process. When you reach the end of a
pile move to the next pile. If a pile has an odd number of players, pair the last player against someone from the
next-highest tournament point pile. Again, once you have all the pairings, write the opposing player’s ID in the
appropriate column of the third row of boxes on each player’s sheet. Note that it may take several attempts to
find pairings that avoid duplicating match-ups.
Some TOs use additional criteria for their pairings. This is fine, but keep in mind that any additional criteria
must come after matching players with the same number of tournament points who have not already played
one another. Avoiding in-faction match-ups is an option that keeps matches closer to the story of the Iron
Kingdoms, and avoiding having a player oppose the same faction repeatedly is an option to keep things fresh.
Scenarios
During each round of the tournament, the TO selects a scenario. All players play that scenario that round. The
TO keeps scenarios secret until the start of each round of matches.
Scenarios can be played in any order, including repeating or not playing some scenarios, at the TO’s
discretion. Not every scenario will be used in every tournament. Once the TO declares the scenario, he reads
the rules for the scenario aloud. The TO should then plan on taking a few minutes to answer player questions
concerning the scenario and terrain. Players are responsible for making sure they understand the scenario at
this time.
(Veterans of past Steamroller formats should note that most Steamroller 2010 scenarios allow players to score
points on either player’s turn. This method rewards players more accurately for holding ground as well as for
taking ground.)
At the start of the game, players use a standard starting game roll to determine who sets up first. The player
who wins the roll has the option of setting up first or having his opponent set up first. The player who sets up
first takes the first turn.
Victory and Tie Breakers
Assassination Victory
When only one player has warcasters/warlocks remaining in play, that player immediately wins the match. If
time runs out before a player has won the match, the player who has the most warcasters or warlocks
remaining in play wins the match. If both players have the same number of warcasters or warlocks in play,
check the primary tiebreaker to determine the match winner.
Primary Tiebreaker
The player who has the most control points wins the match. If both players have the same number of control
points, check the secondary tiebreaker to determine the match winner.
Secondary Tiebreaker
Tally each player’s remaining army points that are remaining in play as shown below. The player with more
army points wins the match.
- Warcasters/Warlocks: 5 points for each warcaster/warlock (regardless of warjack / warbeast bonus points)
If a warcaster or warlock consists of multiple models, all the fielded models with the warcaster or warlock subtype
must be in the specified zone. Models automatically included with the warcaster or warlock but without the warcaster
or warlock subtype do not affect warcaster/warlock scoring.
- Warjacks/Warbeasts: Points equal to the model’s army point cost
Ignore inert warjacks and wild warbeasts when counting army points.
- Solos: Points equal to the model’s army point cost
Ignore fleeing solos when counting army points. If a solo consists of multiple models, all models included in the point
cost of that solo must be in the specified zone for the card’s army point value to be applied. Otherwise, they are
ignored.
- Units and Unit Attachments: Points equal to the unit’s army point cost
Ignore fleeing units when counting army points. Ignore units that have fewer than 50% (rounding up) of their starting
number remaining in play when counting army points. Models with the Attachment ability add to the unit’s value and
also add to the number of models needed. (For example, 10 Long Gunners need 5+ models in play to be worth 10
points, and 12 Long Gunners including their unit attachment need 6+ models to be worth 12 points.)
Scenarios
Convergence
Special Rules
Summary: Players attempt to take control of a circular zone in the center of the table.
Mark a 12˝-diameter circle centered on the table. This is the control zone.
At the end of each player’s turn, starting on the second player’s second turn, either player can earn 1 control
point by controlling the zone. A player controls the zone if he has one or more models within it while none of
his opponent’s models are within it. For a unit to control the zone, all models in the unit that are still in play
must be within the zone. For a solo to control the zone, it must have an army point cost of 1 or more. (For solos
that are purchased in multiples, divide the cost of the solos by the number purchased to see if they are worth at
least 1 point each.)
Ignore inert warjacks, wild warbeasts, and fleeing models when checking for control or tiebreaker conditions;
these models cannot control the zone and do not prevent an opponent from claiming control.
Victory Conditions
The first player to earn 2 control points immediately wins the match.
If time runs out before a player has won the match via scenario or assassination victory, break the tie as
outlined in “Victory & Tiebreakers.” For the secondary tiebreaker, count only the army points’ worth of models
within the control zone.
Overrun
Special Rules
Summary: Players attempt to take control of a rectangular territory in the center of the table.
Center a 24˝ x 6˝ area on the board running east to west; this is the control zone.
At the end of each player’s turn, starting on the second player’s second turn, either player can earn 1 control
point by controlling the zone. A player controls a zone if he has one or more models within it while none of his
opponent’s models are within it. For a unit to control a zone, all models in the unit that are still in play must be
within the same zone. For a solo to control a zone, it must have an army point cost of 1 or more.
Ignore inert warjacks, wild warbeasts, and fleeing models when checking for control or tiebreaker conditions;
these models cannot control a zone and do not prevent an opponent from claiming control.
Victory Conditions
The first player to earn 2 control points immediately wins the match.
If time runs out before a player has won the match via scenario or assassination victory, break the tie as
outlined in “Victory & Tiebreakers.” For the secondary tiebreaker, count only the army points’ worth of models
within the control zone.
Outflank, Outfight, Outlast
Special Rules
Summary: Players attempt to take control of two circular zones on the centerline of the table.
Mark two points on the centerline of the table, one 16˝ from the western table edge and one 16˝ from the
eastern table edge. These points mark zones that are 8˝ diameter circles centered on the corresponding point.
At the end of each player’s turn, starting on the second player’s second turn, both players earn 1 control point
per zone they control. A player controls a zone if he has one or more models within it while none of his
opponent’s models are within it. For a unit to control a zone, all models in the unit that are still in play must be
within the same zone. For a solo to control a zone, it must have an army point cost of 1 or more.
Ignore inert warjacks, wild warbeasts, and fleeing models when checking for control or tiebreaker conditions;
these models cannot control a zone and do not prevent an opponent from claiming control.
Victory Conditions
The first player to earn at least 3 control points and have more control points than his opponent immediately
wins the match.
If time runs out before a player has won the match via scenario or assassination victory, break the tie as
outlined in “Victory & Tiebreakers.” For the secondary tiebreaker, count only the army points’ worth of models
within the two control zones.
Destruction
Special Rules
Summary: Players attempt to destroy two objectives on the opponent’s side of the board.
Each player places two large-based objectives as shown on the map, one 14˝ from the eastern table edge and
the other 14˝ from the western table edge.
The objectives are non-living friendly Faction models. Each has DEF 5, ARM 20, and 30 damage boxes as well
as the following qualities:
- 360 degree front arc
- Do not activate
- Cannot move, be moved, or be placed
- Do not suffer continuous effects
- Cannot be knocked down or made stationary
- Cannot be targeted by attacks or damaged on the first round
Victory Conditions
Players earn 1 control point for each cumulative 10 points of damage that have been dealt to their opponent’s
structures. Players only earn control points the first time that the damage is inflicted. The first player to earn 3
control points and have more control points than his opponent immediately wins the match.
If time runs out before a player has won the match via scenario or assassination victory, break the tie using
only the primary tiebreaker rules outlined in “Victory & Tiebreakers.” If those criteria do not determine a winner,
the player with more combined damage boxes remaining on his own objectives wins the match.
Process of Elimination
Special Rules
Summary: Players attempt to dominate the middle of the table by sequentially taking control of the two
central zones.
Mark two 6˝ x 12˝ territories on the board in accordance with the diagram below.
At the end of each player’s turn, starting on the second player’s second turn, both players earn 1 control point
per zone they control. Each player can earn only 1 control point in each territory during the course of the
match.
A player controls a territory if he has one or more models within a territory while none of his opponent’s models
are within that territory. For a unit to control a territory all models in the unit that are still in play must be within
the same territory. For a solo to control a territory it must have an army point cost of 1 or more.
Ignore inert warjacks, wild warbeasts and fleeing models when checking for control or tiebreaker conditions;
these models cannot control territories and do not prevent an opponent from claiming control.
Victory Conditions
The first player to score 2 control points and have more control points than his opponent wins the match. If
both players reach 2 control points on the same turn, then scoring is reopened in all territories, and the first
player to score 4 control points and have more control points than his opponent wins the match. (Repeat with
a new target of 6, 8, 10, etc. points if needed.)
If time runs out before a player has won the match via scenario or assassination victory, break the tie as
outlined in “Victory & Tiebreakers.” For the secondary tiebreaker, count only the army points’ worth of models
within the two territories.
Capture the Flag
Special Rules
Summary: Players attempt to control a flag on the opponent’s side of the board.
Each player owns one flag (40 mm base) centered 16˝ from his respective table edge. Center one player’s flag
20˝ from the western table edge and the other player’s flag 20˝ from the eastern table edge.
A model cannot end its activation on a flag, but models can move across it without penalty, as long as the
model has enough movement to move completely past it.
A slammed or thrown model does not stop if it is slammed or thrown across a flag. However, if there is not
enough space on the other side of the flag to place its base, the model is placed in base contact with the flag
stand as if it were an obstruction. Flags cannot be targeted and do not block line of sight.
At the end of each player’s turn, starting on the second player’s second turn, a player earns 1 control point
when he controls his opponent’s flag. A player controls a flag if he has one or more models B2B with the flag
and his opponent has no models within 3˝ of that flag.
- If the model is a unit, all models in the unit remaining in play must also be within 3” of the flag
- If the model is a solo, it must also have an army point cost of 1 or more to control the flag
Ignore inert warjacks, wild warbeasts, and fleeing models when checking for control or tiebreaker conditions;
these models cannot control a flag and also do not prevent an opponent from claiming control.
Victory Conditions
The first player to earn 2 control points, and have more control points than his opponent, immediately wins the
match.
If time runs out before a player has won the match via scenario or assassination victory, then break the tie as
outlined in “Victory & Tiebreakers.” For the secondary tiebreaker, count only the army points’ worth of models
within 3˝ of the opponent’s flag.
The Gauntlet
Special Rules
Summary: Players attempt to control a rectangular territory on the opponent’s side of the board.
Mark two 6˝ x 10˝ territories on the board in accordance with the diagram below.
At the end of each player’s turn, starting on the second player’s second turn, a player earns 1 control point if he
controls the territory on his opponent’s half of the board. A player controls a territory if he has one or more
models within a territory while none of his opponent’s models are within the same territory. For a unit to control
a territory, all models in the unit that are still in play must also be within the same territory. For a solo to control
a territory, it must also have an army point cost of 2 or more.
Ignore inert warjacks, wild warbeasts and fleeing models when checking for control or tiebreaker conditions –
these models cannot control territories and also do not prevent an opponent from claiming control.
Victory Conditions
The first player to score 2 control points, and have more control points than his opponent, wins the match.
If time runs out before a player has won the match via scenario or assassination victory, break the tie as
outlined in “Victory & Tiebreakers.” For the secondary tiebreaker, count only the army points’ worth of models
within the territory on the opponent’s side of the board.
Incursion
Special Rules
Summary: Players attempt to control two flags on the centerline of the board.
Place three flags (40mm base) on the east-to-west centerline, 12˝ away from each other.
A model cannot end its activation on a flag, but models can move across it without penalty, as long as the
model has enough movement to move completely past it.
A slammed or thrown model does not stop if it is slammed or thrown across a flag. However, if there is not
enough space on the other side of the flag to place its base, the model is placed in base contact with the flag
stand as if it were an obstruction. Flags cannot be targeted and do not block line of sight.
At the end of the second player’s first turn randomly remove one flag from the board.
At the end of each player’s turn, starting on the second player’s second turn, a player earns 1 control point for
each flag he controls. A player controls a flag if he has one or more models B2B with the flag and his opponent
has no models within 3˝ of that flag.
- If the model is a unit, all models in the unit remaining in play must also be within 3” of the flag
- If the model is a solo, it must also have an army point cost of 1 or more to control the flag
Ignore inert warjacks, wild warbeasts, and fleeing models when checking for control or tiebreaker conditions;
these models cannot control a flag and also do not prevent an opponent from claiming control.
Victory Conditions
The first player to earn 3 control points and have more control points than his opponent immediately wins the
match.
If time runs out before a player has won the match via scenario or assassination victory, break the tie as
outlined in “Victory & Tiebreakers.” For the secondary tiebreaker, count only the army points’ worth of models
within 3˝ of each flag.
Close Quarters
Special Rules
Summary: Players attempt to take control of a circular zone on the opponent’s side of the board.
Mark a point 20˝ from each player’s respective table edge. One player’s point is 20˝ from the western table
edge while the other player’s point is 20˝ from the eastern table edge. These points mark control zones, which
are 8˝ diameter circles centered on the corresponding point.
At the end of each player’s turn, starting on the second player’s second turn, a player earns 1 control point
when he controls the zone on his opponent’s half of the board. A player controls a zone if he has one or more
models within a zone while none of his opponent’s models are within that zone. For a unit to control a zone, all
models in the unit that are still in play must also be within the same zone. For a solo to control a zone, it must
also have an army point cost of 2 or more.
Ignore inert warjacks, wild warbeasts, and fleeing models when checking for control or tiebreaker conditions;
these models cannot control a zone and also do not prevent an opponent from claiming control.
Victory Conditions
The first player to earn at least 2 control points and have more control points than his opponent immediately
wins the match.
If time runs out before a player has won the match via scenario or assassination victory, break the tie as
outlined in “Victory & Tiebreakers.” For the secondary tiebreaker, count only the army points’ worth of models
within the control zone on the opponent’s side of the board.
Kill Box
Special Rules
Summary: Players attempt to bring their warcaster(s) or warlock(s) forward while attempting to
assassinate their opponent’s warcaster(s) or warlock(s).
Mark a 24˝ square centered on the table parallel to the board edges. This is the kill box.
Victory Conditions
At the end of each player’s own turn, starting on the first player’s second turn, a player loses the match if he
ends his own turn with any friendly warcaster or warlock not within the kill box.
If time runs out before a player has won the match via scenario or assassination victory, break the tie using
only the assassination and secondary tiebreaker rules outlined in “Victory & Tiebreakers.” For the secondary
tiebreaker, count only the army points’ worth of models within the kill box.
References
- 1 http://privateerpress.com/files/Steamroller_2010_v2(3).pdf
