Over the Top 2023 took place this weekend (25-26 March) in Hamilton, New Zealand.
Better known as OTT, I think it is fair to say that this tabletop wargaming event is one of Hamilton’s greatest annual events! This edition attracting over 50 players from around the country (and at least one from Australia!) to compete in one of three Games Worhshop game systems: Warhammer 40k, Age of Sigmar, or Middle Earth Strategy Battle Game.
Hosted by the Hamilton Immortals Miniature Wargaming Club the event received significant prize support from local stores, both Hamilton’s Game Centre, in the form of Games Workshop product, and our store Parker Hobbies – with plenty of Scale75 and Kimera Kolors painting sets, Scale75 basing pastes, and vouchers up for grabs.
We would have been hard pressed to fit many more people in, the venue, upstairs at the Hamilton Cosmopolitan Club was packed, but the adjacent balcony, and downstairs bar and bistro, gave players plenty of opportunity for a relax in between games. Most importantly for me, there was plenty of room to nosey around and check out the paint jobs and kit bashery of the armies being fielded that player's had clearly put a lot of effort into. I didn't see any instances of armies that looked as though they had been painted simply to meet minimum requirements, which I personally love to see.
James Carver's stunning Angmar army used in the Middle Earth SBG tournament, an awesome array of figures tied together by the frosty scene this display board offers
As it is a new found interest of mine, most of my time was spent in the Middle Earth section of the event which had gaming boards that I found exceptionally beautiful on display, which I understand were lent for use in the tournament by James Carver (Carver Craft) and content creator Adam Hague (3D Games - Wargaming & Terrain), as well as terrain from other members of the local Middle Earth community. Adam was recording throughout the event so if we are lucky I believe we could be due for an event overview video on his channel at some point!
Adam's Isengard Urak Hai clash against Andras' Minas Tirith army in a deserted Rohan Village, super thematic game
In terms of results, I understand that Michael Taylor took out first place, as well as best painted in the Age of Sigmar competition with his Son’s of Behemat – which are absolutely stunning Giants, each standing around seven inches tall.
Michael Taylor's award winning Sons of Behemat, these fellas featured some freakishly realistic skin tones - and as they won the tournament I would say they give a proper walloping too!
Charlie Kang took out first place in the Warhammer 40k competition with his Imperial Guard, and Hamilton local Bill Malone took out the Warhammer 40k Best Painted award with his Ultramarines.
Bill Malone's award winning Ultramarine force, lead by Roboute Guilliman, aka Rowboat Gorillaman, aka Gorilla Sillyman, aka Ramshackle Geopolitical
George Costello got first place in the Middle Earth competition, and Cavan Orsbourne took out the best presented award with his stunning Fiefdoms Army – although I understand James Carver’s Angmar army was considered right up there too!
Cavan Orsbourne's award winning, The Fiefdoms, an eclectic mix of knights, archers and clansmen which gave which looked to be a lot of fun to play
Thank you to all the individuals who I know put a lot of effort into organising the event, and to everyone who attended, dedicating their weekend to our shared tabletop hobby.
So that wraps up another fantastic OTT, here is hoping by this time next year I have a finished MESBG or new 40k army I am feeling motivated to enter - it looked like great fun!