The Battle Standard is a tabletop game and hobby location that has been around since 2010. We have all the tools, resources and amenities to comfortably engage in and enjoy all your favorite strategy games. We have grown two times since we opened back in 2010. We wanted to make more space to accommodate a larger game floor and more retail space for additional product ranges. We want to be a role playing game store that is going to store for all your gaming needs. 

High Quality Role Play

A role playing game is different from other tabletop games. They are different because they focus on characters where they are together in a story line. Creating a storyline could end up differently if a character decides one way or the other. Each decision that is made could impact the game in a different way. When someone decides to play a certain play, the game will change for good or bad. What way will you decide to play? This is the best part: you never know the ending of the game from one time to the next.

Here at The Battle Standard, we work diligently to set the bar for the way in which Tabletop Gaming venues feel and function. We want everyone that comes to our location to feel like they can be supported and have fun when they are at The Battle Standard. We want to be the premier role playing game store. As the premier role playing game store, we have expanded twice since we opened. 

Expanding for Opportunities 

Since we expanded, we have more space for all the different genres of games. We have space for miniature games, board games, card games and role playing games too. When you stop by you will be able to pick your favorite. Not only will you be able to play your favorite game but try new games that you might have not before. When you are able to try new games, you are able to gain new friends and maybe find a new interesting game. 

Once you are done with your role playing games, you can go shop in our large retail space. We have doubled our space so that we have more space for product ranges. This gives you the opportunity to buy and try new games. These games might not have caught your attention if we didn’t have them. When trying a new game, you and your friends can have the best experience because of our location with the amenities. 

Friendly and Welcoming

The best part of our role playing game store is that you and your friends can say “No More”. Our standing tables are designed to be perfect for long campaigns and extended gameplay. Your friends will not have to play in the basement either. You will be able to play in a clean and well lit area. 

We want you to remember why you started playing these games. You started to play because it was FUN! This is what we want to bring you back too. Playing the games for fun. Visit our location at 4 Prospect Hill Road Unit 1 East Windsor to join gaming fanatics just like you!

To my valued customers, my friends & family, my store manager Robert Davis, and the Central Massachusetts gaming community as a whole,

It is with a heavy heart, a clear mind, and an outlook towards returning in upcoming years that I deliver to you the news that The Battle Standard LLC will be consolidating the business to CT. The Auburn, MA property will officially close it’s doors on Friday, June 2nd after Friday Night Magic. This decision was not made lightly. I strongly believe we have a place in Central Massachusetts and I intend to return there in the not so far off future. However, in order to do that I must strengthen the business and continue our efforts at our more successful East Windsor, CT property.

The unavoidable question…why? Why now?

I have had my business in Auburn, MA for two years+ now and I genuinely appreciate the gaming community, the individual player enthusiasm, and the interest shown in sharing in my goal to “Raise the Standard of Tabletop Gaming”. Unfortunately, I was unable to make it work in that particular building in that particular location.

This decision does not come on the heels of any one thing. I cannot blame poor management, a bad location, or a failure of the customer base to support local gaming. I’m sure an argument could be made for any and all of those things along with other factors I have yet to discover, but none are THE reason. It is simply a business decision. We have a 2 year clause in our lease that allows us to vacate this month without being responsible for the full 8 years should the business not be performing well. I, as the owner of the company, made the decision that it is indeed not performing well despite best efforts. Important to note is this, Robert Davis came to me in November of last year (2016) and almost single-handed turned things around for the MA store. In fact, if not for Robert, this decision would not be a very difficult one to make.

The important thing moving forward is simply to exit gracefully, rejuvenate, and return at full strength to resume the position of THE top-notch tabletop gaming venue in Central Massachusetts. If someone assumes that role in our absence, and we truly hope someone does, rest assured we’ll bring our “A” game to raise the standard yet again! My hopes are that you remember The Battle Standard MA as one of the great gaming stores until we return. That you visit us in CT should you have the time to make the drive. And that you continue to enjoy the hobby and promote the fulfilling experience that is tabletop gaming!

PEYTON SHIPMAN BEST IN SHOW AWARD

[LARGE FILES PLEASE BE PATIENT]

SCIFI Categories

SciFi Single

1. Games Workshop Angry Grot by Peyton Shipman  BCPC2015 Best in Show & Crystal Brush 2016 Qualifier!
2. Privateer Press The Butcher by Graham Sternberg
3. Games Workshop Captain Badrukk by M. Tobias Bermudez

SciFi Unit

1. Games Workshop Inquisitor Drax with Retinue by Dylan McManus
2. Games Workshop Blood Angels Tact Squad by Daniel Brescia
3. Games Workshop Command Squad by Anthony Chadwick

Honorable Mention: Khorne Chaos Space Marines with Rhino by Matt McClanahan

SciFi Large Model

1. Games Workshop Inquisitorial Chimera by Dylan McManus
2. Games Workshop Khorne Dreadnought by Matt McClanahan
3. Games Workshop Dark Eldar Talos Pain Engine by Scot Hillier

FANTASY Categories

Fantasy Single

1. Games Workshop Wight King by Greg Person
2. Games Workshop Barnabus Weathervane, Heavens Wizard by Peyton Shipman
3. Games Workshop Festus by Matt McClanahan

Honorable Mention: Seaguard Captain by Jon Vanase

Fantasy Unit

1. Games Workshop Sons of Lethargy by M. Tobias Bermudez
2. Games Workshop Halfling Archers by Peyton Shipman
3. Games Workshop Sisters of Avelorn by Jon Vanase

Honorable Mention: Warriors of Chaos by Garrett Gabbey
Honorable Mention: River Trolls by Greg Person

Fantasy Large Model

1. Fantization Miniatures Skullcracker Bird by Peyton Shipman
2. Privateer Press/Games Workshop Throne of Slaaneshiblight by M. Tobias Bermudez
3. Games Workshop Screaming Bell by Jon Vanase

Honorable Mention: Durthu by Huytien “Andy” Tran

HISTORICAL

1. Black Hat Miniatures Muslim Warrior by Peyton Shipman
2. King Leonidus by Scot Hillier
3. Games Workshop French Knight by Kevin Spear

OPEN Category

1. Games Workshop Dark Angels Command Squad by Matt McClanahan

Honorable Mention: Games Workshop Commander Purelight by M. Tobias Bermudez
Honorable Mention: Games Workshop M’Mahnos House Knight by Dylan McManus
Honorable Mention: Wyrd Miniatures/Games Workshop Piggly by Peyton Shipman

YOUNGBLOODS Category

1. Games Workshop Sentinels by Ryan Perrier

CONVERSION Category

1. Games Workshop/Tamiya Zombie Nazis by Scot Hillier

Honorable Mention: Crabbie by Anthony Chadwick

The Battle Standard would like to thank all of the participants for their entries and continuing support.  We would also like to send a special thanks to CoolMiniOrNot and Crystal Brush Awards manager, Jen Haley, for supporting our efforts by including us in their national painting competition.  We are already looking forward to next year’s Battle Cry Painting Competition!

The Werewolves of Miller’s Hollow: The Pact

The full moon rises, peaking over the dead branches of the trees which surround the outskirts of your village. A chill runs through you, turning your blood to ice in your veins. You hear the howl of a wolf, and you go to sleep, hoping that you will not be the next victim claimed by the bloodthirsty monster lurking the darkened streets of your small hamlet.

No, this isn’t the beginning of a horror movie- it’s another night of The Werewolf of Miller’s Hollow: The Pact, a social deduction game where you will try to figure out who among you are the ravenous werewolves, bent on wreaking havoc and eating as many of your friends as possible. Or then again, maybe you are the werewolf, and you are doing your best to remain undetected despite the special powers granted to the other players- abilities such as The Seer, who can look at another player’s identity, or The Witch, who can brew powerful potions that can either kill another player, or bring them back from the dead.

The game is played over a series of nights and days. Each night, the Werewolves select a player to die, and each day a vote is held which will determine who of the remaining players will be “lynched” by the frightened mob of villagers. If the Villagers lynch the Werewolves- the villagers win. If not, that player is eliminated, night falls again, and the macabre cycle plays itself over again.

The Werewolves of Miller’s Hollow is a modern classic, first released in 2001. Newly released in 2014 is The Werewolves of Miller’s Hollow: The Pact, which includes the base game plus three expansions, New Moon, Characters, and The Village.

So pull up a chair, cover your eyes, and prepare for the worst as you and your friends and family try to determine who among you awakens each night with a murderous hunger. Play The Werewolves of Miller’s Hollow: The Pact, and experience something only board games can offer.

TBS customer and good friend, Jason Hyland, has organized with a local law enforcement agency to have The Battle Standard accept care package items to ship over to an embattled Army Ranger unit in Afghanistan. The men and women of Task Force Tigershark have endured hard combat and suffered major casualties and we want to do whatever we can to ease this burden.

The Battle Standard is honored to help spearhead the efforts as these care package items mean a lot to the troops overseas. To this end, TBS in Connecticut has become a Care Package Drop-off Point until Thursday August 21^st, 2014. The collection box is located near the register at our 1540 Pleasant Valley Road, Manchester store.  At 9PM on the 21st, items will be collected and then shipped to Afghanistan.

All you need to do is simply drop in a few items from the list below and you will have gone a long way to help ease the strain placed on these brave men and women. It only takes a few minutes of your time and a few dollars to truly make a difference in the day of a soldier who may only get one shower a month or spend most nights sleeping on the hard ground under a parachute. Items should be something a soldier can put into a backpack and carry on extended missions.

Care package items include:

• Baby wipes
• Q-Tips
• Batteries of various sizes
• Deodorant
• Powdered Gatorade mix
• Magazines
• Playing Cards
• 5 Hour Energy drinks
• Over the counter pain meds/cold medicine/Tums
• Mouth wash
• Toothpaste/Toothbrushes
• Beef jerky
• Nuts, sunflower seeds
• Clif bars/protein bars
• Individual packets of trail mix
• Individual servings of Chef Boyardee
• Rubbing alcohol
• Razors/shaving cream
• Socks
• Personal letters showing support addressed to Task Force Tigershark

The Battle Standard salutes our brave soldiers and the caring TBS customers who support them!

The Pre-orders are available for the NEW 7th Edition of Warhammer 40,000 and to celebrate we are prepared help you SAVE! Beginning today and continuing until Monday May 19th The Battle Standard will be awarding ALL PRE-ORDERS an increasing discount based on the total pre-orders sold! Here’s how it works…

1. Visit or call TBS from now until 5/19 to… Pre-Order 7th Edition WH40K ($50 Deposit).
2. Tell everyone you know to do the same!
3. We will adjust the purchase price of your Pre-Order (at final payment) by the discount reached in the stretch goals below!

Stretch Goal #1: 10 Pre-Orders – All Pre-Ordered rulebooks will be sold at a membership stackable 5% off

Stretch Goal #2: 20 Pre-Orders – FREEBIE DRAWING! One lucky, randomly selected, Pre-Order participant will receive the new 7th Edition Rulebook for FREE

Stretch Goal #3: 30 Pre-Orders – All Pre-Ordered rulebooks will be sold at a membership stackable 10% off

Stretch Goal #4: 40 Pre-Orders – All Pre-Ordered rulebooks will be sold at a membership stackable 10% off AND include a membership stackable 10% off any one additional item.

Stretch Goal #5: 50 Pre-Orders – All Pre-Ordered rulebooks will be sold at a membership stackable 15% off AND include a membership stackable 15% off any one additional item.

Stretch Goal #6: 75 Pre-Orders – All Pre-Ordered rulebooks will be sold at a membership stackable 15% off AND include a membership stackable 15% off on ALL ITEMS sold in this transaction!

Stretch Goal #7: 100 Pre-Orders – All Pre-Ordered rulebooks will be sold at a membership stackable 20% off AND include a membership stackable 20% off on ALL ITEMS sold in this transaction! 3 randomly selected Pre-order Participants will receive the 7th Edition WH40K Rulebook for FREE!!!

DON’T WAIT, PARTICIPATE TODAY!

BATTLE CRY 2014 results are in!  Thanks to the many participants, Guest Judge Toby Bermudez, photographer Allyssa Williams, Trent at Hickory Arms, Ron & Jill of Ron Lee Casting, Robert Seitz of Bob’s Token Locker, Brace Peters woodworking, Mike at FastSigns of Manchester, all the people that stopped by to view the entries and of course our valued TBS Staff.  Keep painting! Battle Cry 2015 is less than 1 year away!

JEFFREY R. EGAN BEST IN SHOW AWARD

[LARGE FILES PLEASE BE PATIENT]

SCIFI Categories

SciFi Single

1. Games Workshop Chaos Cultist by Peyton Shipman
2. Games Workshop Word Bearer Terminator by Ben Hyde
3. Privateer Press Thor Steinhammer by David Phillip

SciFi Unit

1. Games Workshop Tau Fire Warriors by Scot Hillier
2. Forgeworld Thousand Sons by Toddy Silber
3. Games Workshop Knife Boys of Nurgle by Owen McKenzie

SciFi Large Model

1. Games Workshop Tau XV107 Battlesuit by Scot Hillier
2. Games Workshop Heldrake by Owen McKenzie
3. Games Workshop Ork Stompa by David Anthony

FANTASY Categories

Fantasy Single

1. Games Workshop Ogre Maneater by Jeffrey R. Egan
2. Games Workshop Savage Orc by Peyton Shipman
3. Games Workshop Lothern Seaguard by Jon Vanase

Fantasy Unit

1. Games Workshop Ellyrian Reavers by Jon Vanase
2. Games Workshop Empire Archers by Peyton Shipman
3. Mantic / Games Workshop Orc Boyz “Gnasher’s Leerin’ Ladz” by Greg Person

Fantasy Large Model

1. Games Workshop Hurly-Burly Giant by Jeffrey R. Egan
2. Games Workshop Empire General on a Griffon by Peyton Shipman
3. Games Workshop Frostheart Phoenix by Jon Vanase

HISTORICAL Categories

Historical Single

1. Andrea Miniatures British Officer by Maciej Fitrzyk
2. Battlefront Patton by Michael Cunningham
3. No Contest

Historical Unit

1. Battlefront Shermans by Mike Cunningham
2. No Contest
3. No Contest

OPEN Category

1. Forgeworld Mega Deff Dred Gnork Cogsknob by M.Toby Bermudez

YOUNGBLOODS Category

1. Games Workshop Mafesten by Sean M. Perrier

CONVERSION Category

1. Games Workshop Space Marine Dreadnaught by Ben Hyde

THE WINNERS CIRCLE

Back again for 2014 is The Battle Standard’s very successful painting competition, BATTLE CRY!  In 2013 we started this event with hopes of bringing out of the woodwork those hobbyists without a local venue to show off their skills.  Weren’t we surprised to find so many people interested in the event!  After eighty-seven (87) entries we realized we had a much larger showing than we anticipated and those of you in attendance will recall our delayed finish due to this overwhelming response.  For 2014 we’ve made the changes to accommodate these numbers and more…

More categories, More trophies, More opportunities to win!

NEW! for 2014 TBS has added these categories:

• Conversion: We’ve removed the modeling conversion score from our previous grading system and created a whole category in it’s place.  The Conversion category is for those hobbyists that enjoy the expansive modeling aspect of the hobby.  Hobbyists that enter will be asked to create their own sculpt, kit-bash or unique construction (includes extensive repositioning of an existing miniature) and then…NOT paint it!  This is very important because in order for judges to see the work it must not be covered.  For this reason, we will not permit painted models in this category.  Primed models however, will be permitted, but competitors must understand that it can, and likely will, hinder the judges ability to see your work.  In other words, even just with a coat of primer, you are going to be at a disadvantage to compete.  Judging will be based on creativity and imagination combined with overall feel and presence of the completed conversion.  It’s important to make sure your entry fits in the world for which it’s intended.  Judges will be looking at the quality of added or manipulated features and accents, and of course the overall cool-factor!  This is not a painting category and therefore the winner is not eligible to also win the overall Best-in-Show award.  TBS Staff that are not judging the event are permitted to enter this category.
• Youngbloods: For our up-and-coming hobbyists we’ve created the Youngbloods category.  This category may be entered by anyone of age 15 and under.  We’re very excited to offer this category as it gives a greater chance for those just starting out in the hobby to compete and win.  To honor this competition properly we’ve arranged for a special trophy that may ONLY be won as a result of participating in the Youngbloods category.  This is a painting category and as such the winner is eligible to win the overall Best-in-Show award.  TBS Staff may not enter this category.

We’ve changed some of 2013’s categories:

• Open: 2014’s Open category is now an official no-holds-barred category that allows anything and everything.  TBS Staff is permitted to enter this category provided they are not judging the event.  Former winners of Battle Cry Best-in-Show awards that have been asked back to judge the event are also permitted to enter this category.  The trophy for this event will be an exceptionally well painted Battle Cry “Wallace” bust trophy with colors in the spirit of our actual store logo.
• Historical: In 2013 this category was a mash-up of historical and other small scale entries.  For 2014 this category is all scales and is focused on historical.  The category allows for all miniatures based on various figures and armor occurring within a loose frame of historical accuracy.  This means games that embellish the actual history by taking an alternate timeline or adding mystical elements to enhance gameplay will be permitted.  Examples would be Dystopian Wars or Saga.  One is an alternate timeline on our planet inviting extensive technological advancement, while the other invites magic into an otherwise historically accurate setting.  These would both be permitted in Historical.

Judging Changes…

We’ve made a few changes to simplify and streamline the judging process so everybody can get home on time this year!  Here are the changes:

• Rubric Changes: We’ve changed the Rubric (the guide by which the judges score your entries) in a few ways.  First, we removed “conversion” from the rubric completely and gave it it’s own category in the competition.  Competitor’s will be judged solely on painting and basing their entries going forward.  Second, we combined the “metals” grading score to include both metallic and non-metallic painting.  In general, non-metallic metals are harder to paint well however we felt the old grading system did not do well to properly credit well done metallic painted metals.  The combined score will allow the judges the ability to determine overall how the metals look and then add extra points as they see fit for the technique.
• First Cut: New for 2014 is the First Cut round of judging.  This round is used in most large scale painting competitions and would have helped us keep to our time schedule in 2013 had we considered the amount of entries we had received.  We apologize for that delay and to prevent it from happening again we will be using a first cut for 2014.  This round will help us examine and judge the categories efficiently by selecting the more standout entries to be judged further and more critically later.  During the first cut round of judging, those entries that standout to the judges will be moved to the second tier.  There are no set counts for how many entries can make the first cut but the judges will endeavor to keep it around 10-12 entries whenever possible.  After the first cut round, entries that did not qualify for the second tier may be returned to their owner.  The first cut qualifiers will then be judged using the rubric against one and other to find the entries that will ultimately place in the competition.
• Guest Judge M. Tobias Bermudez!

Best-in-Show winner, M. Tobias Bermudez (Toby) was invited back to Battle Cry in 2014 as our honorary Guest Judge.  This is a tradition we plan to uphold in years to come and we are very grateful to have Toby be the first to agree to return in this capacity.  As Guest Judge Toby will be working alongside the TBS Staff judges to find the winners in our various categories.  As a result of accepting our invitation, Toby will be unable to participate as a competitor, with the one exception of the Open category which the Guest Judge is not included.  Please help us welcome Toby to the judges team for 2014!

We hope to see all our 2013 competitors return this year to compete, along with some new faces for 2014. As always we appreciate the support of our customers and fans and we look forward to continuing to shed a bigger, brighter light on the hobby we all enjoy!

Find all the specific details for this year’s BATTLE CRY PAINTING COMPETITION on the BCPC page here.

Once again TBS has decided to take part in the growing event for small businesses everywhere, Small Business Saturday.  This year we are proud to announce that we are registered with American Express as an official sponsor and therefore by association a partner in the “Shop Small” movement!

What is SBS you ask?

“First there was Black Friday, then Cyber Monday. November 27, 2010 was the first ever Small Business Saturday. Small Business Saturday is the day we celebrate the Shop Small movement to drive shoppers to local merchants across the U.S.

More than 200 organizations have already joined American Express OPEN, the company’s small business unit, in declaring the Saturday after Thanksgiving as Small Business Saturday.

For more info: http://www.smallbusinesssaturday.com/”

In order to pull out all the stops in support of this movement and to encourage you, the shopper, to invest in small businesses like ours during this and future holiday seasons, we’ve come up with some incredible deals and outstanding discounts on items storewide!

On November 30th, for one day only:

• The Battle Standard we will be open 1 hour early for those people with a TBS-X Membership!  (Please show your membership card to enter)
• 10% off ALL in-stock purchases which MAY be combined with other offers and discounts!
• TBS-X Memberships will be available for new members for $40.00!  That’s a $15.00 savings!
• And of course, come enjoy demos of all the great games hosted at The Battle Standard all day long!

So as you can see, we intend to contribute and support the Small Business Saturday “Shop Small” movement as we and so many others have in years past. Our intent is to maintain a tradition with our customers as a way to say thank you for your continuing support. So help support all small businesses and help support The Battle Standard Tabletop Game & Hobby by visiting us on Saturday November 30th for Small Business Saturday!

See you at the gaming table!

– TBS Staff