Rattler Cup Midseason Review

We are just past the midpoint of the 40k Season, so now would be a great time to breakdown the standings for the Rattler Cup so far.

We take the top 4 scores from the entire season of ITC events to determine the rankings. So if you played in 5 events, we throw out the lowest score. Those who attend ITC events outside of Arizona, we take the highest score of the non-AZ events and your top 3 AZ events. We still want you representing Arizona on the national stage!

The Leaders

If you are in the middle of the pack, the idea of earning 300 points just to come in 3^rd is daunting. However, when looking at the system, our three front runners have a unique challenge for themselves for the second half of the season.

All three players have played 4 games, so any additional games will simply replace their lowest score.

Our midseason leader Derek Page continues to stomp with his Imperial Knights. After starting the season with a win at the Scorched Earth Open, he has continued to finish near the top in each event.  Looking at this top 4 games

Scorched Earth Open     112 points

Empire Games RTT         90 Points

Power 9 RTT                  56 Points

Crusaders Retreat #1     56 Points

So to improve his leader over the pack, he will need to score more than 56 points in an upcoming ITC event. Keep in mind that events with 16 or less players award 1/2 the usual points, he will have to face some stronger competition to bulk up his score. Or he show up and make no else wins, keeping his lead safe.

Whoever thinks Grey Knights are not competitive in 7^th edition hasn’t played Nathan Cartnell. Currently in second, he has played fewer tournaments than our leader yet only trails by 38 points. Looking at his season so far:

Scorched Earth Open     95 points

Empire Games               80 points

Crusader’s Retreat #2    52 points

Crusader’s Retreat #1    49 points

To catch our leader, Nathan will need 87 points in an event provided Derek does not improve on his point total. Based on the past few tournaments, 87 points is a top 5 finish which well within his grasp based how he has been playing this season.

In third place is Don Hooson, who has matched Derek’s 53 points per event. Don has been a model of consistency. A strong performance at the BAO gives him a 13 point advantage over Derek in the out of state tournaments. Now he can focus on events closer to home. Like our other leaders, Don needs to improve upon his lowest score to move up in the rankings. His events so far:

Scorched Earth Open     77 points

Empire Games               72 points

BAO                              69 points

Crusader’s Retreat #2    48 points

To make up the 49 points on Derek, Don will need 97 points in event, so a top 3 finish, in an event with more 16 people.

The Contenders

The next few players are in a unique spot. Unlike the three leaders, these players have not played four events, so each additional event the play in this season will add to their total. Each has played enough events to qualify for the season finale. With the second half still to come, they each have plenty of opportunity to move in the rankings.

Jaminho Vo has two strong outings at Scorched Earth Open & Empire Games, averaging 71 points per event. This the highest among all players who have plaid more than one tournament. If he can continue at that pace, he could amass 280 points and move into second place.

Tournament veteran Jay Gardner-Hajek has three events played this season. His next event will add to his score, while another strong outing will replace the 34 points from Empire Games event last month. Two top 5 finishes could get him into the 270 point range, enough for 3^rd place.

Aaron White has been dominant in his two appearances this season, scoring 65 points per event. At that pace he could move into the top 5 after two events. If Aaron continues to do well in larger events, he will easily be a contender of the championship.

Zeke Price is no stranger to the tournament circuit. After 3 events this season he finds himself in the 6^th spot. His 33 points at Empire Games was more about unfortunate match ups than game play. Two strong outings, which he has a history of doing, and he too can challenge for the lead.

Sorry I couldn’t get to everyone.

If you have any questions please post them below and hope to see you at the upcoming events