And now the really important bit - the Ruddock & Gaukroger in depth (erm), unbiased (cough) and most definitely objective (ahem) commentary on the armies selected. Read on ...
BAGS
Dan Martz Jr - Urartian: [DR]This looks similar to the Urartian I use, so by definition it has to be brilliant
A word of warning to Dan - this list is very powerful but requires careful handling. Can Junior carry it off? [NG] Urartian is an obvious choice for this pool and quite hard to cock up, and Dan hasn’t. Dull though.
Marco Ulloa Jr - Later Republican Roman: [DR] Has managed to avoid the all too obvious problems with the list and needs to try hard to force the pace. My guess is that this is an army destined for draws. [NG] LRR is the real man’s Roman army of choice, and Marco has avoided the traps the list sets for the unwary or over-optimistic. Can be hard as nails, but in which case it can usually be avoided leading to Benny Hill games, however, given the ploddy nature of the armies in this pool it should be a solid choice.
Dan Martz Sr - Later Welsh (South Welsh): [DR] Against some opponents this army is quite powerful. Against most opponents this army can really only be described as a speed bump. [NG] Lots of cheap longbowmen available make this a reasonable choice for a pool where cavalry armies can be expected, however, needs a bit of terrain otherwise it can be rolled over. Need to know what you’re doing – does Dan?
Graham Unger - Ghaznavid: [DR] An interesting take on the Arab type army. Designed for use in period, this army could cause significant problems against the usual suspects. [NG] Unusual, possibly brave possibly inspired, choice for this pool. I like the options chosen, but it will need to be used with skill or the general can look foolish (like Dave calling it Arab when Turkish is more appropriate).
We suspect a mixed bag for this team... If it all fires it could surprise and give somebody a real kicking. Alternatively it could be on the end of a real pasting.
Barbarians At The Gates
Hank Esslinger – Later Minoan or Early Mycenaean: [DR] On the face of it this is a very simple army, but it requires quite a bit of skill to make it effective. [NG] More interesting than most of the armies chosen in this pool, alas it is in general a below par army. The list choices made fall down in a couple of places meaning it may well struggle.
Rick Harwell - Early Successor (Ptolemaic): [DR] Bit unusual, seems to have avoided the pit traps associated with armies of this type, but in my opinion will struggle to force a result. [NG] Normally a poor choice as it can be danced around far too easily, however, with the enemies in the pool this may be avoided.
Charles Canfield - Later Heian to Muromachi Japanese: [DR] Definite candidate for first to the bar. [NG] Either a choice of irrational brilliance, or just plain awful. Suspect the latter. Could look very pretty though.
Bill Sierichs Jr - Medieval Crown of Aragon: [DR]The army is solid enough though, a touch of "jack of all trades", so may struggle to hold off more numerous opponents. [NG] The Oafs of Futility version is better.
Can't see the Barbarians causing a panic in Rome, but should be mid table.
Beltway Bandits
Dan Hazelwood - Neo Assyrian Empire: [DR] A solid list with similar toys to the last one, with experience in the period and a good list I expect this to be near the top of the pile. [NG] Dull and predictable choice, but good enough in Dan’s hands to do well. May be trying to be a touch too clever with the list though.
Ethan Zorick - Palmyran: [DR] Palmyran can be vulnerable and with a couple of setbacks can become a real problem - can Ethan get the right troops in the right place at the right time? [NG] Presumably chosen on the basis that Mr Z could choose an army commander whose name begins with Z (and that possibly Ethan has taken up cross-dressing). Will be able to dance around the rest of the pool so shouldn’t lose a game, but some dodgy list choices in here.
Marc Crotteau - Early Byzantine: [DR] The one bandit who didn't roll over and die horribly in Lisbon in 2011, finishing mid-table. This army will need to win quickly as it won't win a war of attrition. [NG] Marc returns to an old favourite. A perfectly good choice for this pool but vulnerable to a string of poor dice.
Bill McCampbell - Ordonnance French: [DR] This army can pick itself and is full of nice toys. No mistakes made and I expect this to be in contention for the top. [NG] A real tournament tiger army this one, does well in the hands of a good player, but can fall apart badly if the player is not so good. List more or less picks itself, but an odd choice or two in there IMO.
As ever, the team to beat, even carrying a passenger or two.
Bunnies from Birmingham
Lee Cleveland - Neo Assyrian Empire: [DR] Another solid Neo Assyrian list. Can Lee do as well as Dan? [NG] Sensible but dull. Will do OK.
Joey Miller - Later Carthaginian (Hannibal in Italy): [DR] I suspect this army may be on the receiving end of some hidings. The support troops simply aren't up to the task - this will be a death of a thousand cuts. [NG] With a Hannibalic touch this could do well against its rather ploddy opponents in the pool, or it could just crash on the rocks. Is Joey up to it?
Christopher Anders - Komnenan Byzantine: [DR]A bold choice, but I suspect will not be able to force a fight when it wants to. Will then suffer as the support troops can't handle the job. [NG] Brave, but I fear flawed, choice. One massive list cock-up has rendered this list much less effective that it should be.
Vince Solfronk - Later Anglo-Irish: [DR] Potentially a very powerful list, but very unforgiving. If deployment is bad then this army won't be able to re-deploy, but if match-ups are right this army can monster most opponents. [NG] Solid army with sensible choices, put them in the right place and you can beat most opponents in this pool.
Will the bunnies name be well chosen? Surprisingly not - we suspect they could do well and claim a podium place, alternatively we have misjudged them badly.
Central Texas
Chip Miller - Median: [DR] A very average list (boom boom). This army looks good on paper, but against the opponents it is likely to face will suffer, rarely gaining a POA and relying on luck to survive the impact phase. Lacks the punch needed in this period. [NG] Some very interesting choices made, possibly one big flaw, but the opponents in the pool may not be able to exploit it. Bold, but controlled handling could bring great rewards and upset more obvious choices.
Bob Huey – Later Seleucid: [DR] This army is as good as Seleukids get, but still suffers from the problems of being expensive, slow and small. In period, may get into a fight, which would be good. Bit of a drawmeister army though. [NG] Solid if uninspired – fits into the pool well.
Everett Chunn - Carolingian Frankish: [DR] This army is about as subtle as a brick. I really can't see a plan 'B', so let's just hope plan 'A' works eh? Going to either win or lose, with no draws involved. [NG] Will struggle IMO. Everett likely to be first in his team to the bar, possibly to meet Charles from the Barbarians for a drink or three.
Alvaro Erize - Medieval German City League (North German): [DR] I've seen this army at 900 pts where it is effective, the 800 pt version looks like it needs another 100 pts to make it work... [NG] No idea what anyone sees in this army at all. Dull, ploddy and all too likely to chase shadows for 3 hours or be an option for King of the Corner. Sorry, Alvaro, don’t like it.
Only two types of people come from Texas..... suspect this will be on the receiving end unless Chip and Everett come up trumps. No pressure lads ...
Death Panel
Sylvio Marra - Median: [DR] I rate this average army as better than the Texas average army, but still suffers from the same problems. [NG] Avoided the issue I have with the Texas version, but has oddities of its own. However, as with the above could be the downfall of more obvious choices.
James Mundt – Principate Roman – [DR] Principates were once described as a "Hamstrung Dominate Roman". Nothing I've seen disputes this statement. [NG] Although it is in many ways the archetypical Roman army (think Asterix) it isn’t often seen on table, lacking the potential focus of the Late Republican or the cheesiness of the Dom Rom. This list is a fair stab at an army, however, its weaknesses could let it down, although like others in this pool it may get away with them due to the lack of opponents who can really exploit them.
Chuck Hines - Later Welsh (South Welsh): [DR] The same problems as the other Later Welsh army. [NG] Same comments as with the BAGS one.
Spike Monahan - Santa Hermandad Nueva Castilian: [DR] An army that needs to be better than the sum of its parts. At least in theory, if handled well, with all the troops complimenting each other this can be very potent. Otherwise it is a conglomerate rabble that can be taken out piecemeal. Which will Spike achieve? [NG] Spike continues with the original morally bankrupt army. Didn’t do well last year, can see no reason why it should do better this time around. What was that about not reinforcing failure …
Looks like this team will define mid-table mediocrity.
Fantastic Four
Mark Scarborough - Later Mycenaean or Trojan (Achaian): [DR] An interesting choice, but I have the feeling it will be overwhelmed by more armies in period. [NG] One of those armies that looks attractive in the lists, but doesn’t quite cut it on table. Can Mark raise it above mediocrity?
John Hovey - Later Republican Roman (Brutus & Cassius): [DR] Another army that could end up chasing thin air – it takes a master to manage to get the best out of the list – can John manage?[NG] The second real man’s army in the pool, alas has fallen into some of the traps for the unwary. Won’t do as well as the BAGS version.
James Hovey - Norman: [DR] This is not an army that is going to die wondering....I like the choice and will be interesting to see how it fares. [NG] Winner of this year’s Balls of Steel Award. Like the style.
Larry Light - Medieval German City League (North German): Slightly better than the other German, but still 100 pts short. [NG] Different, but no better, than the Texas version.
The Fantastic Four may well be fourth, or maybe not.
New England
Bob Rioux – Neo-Assyrian Empire: [DR] Another well constructed Assyrian - I sense an interesting mini-tournament developing here. [NG] Good army like the other Assyrians.
Paul Georgian - Later Ptolemaic: [DR] An army with a plan, unfortunately, I don't think that plan will work against the other armies in period. This may take quite a kicking. [NG] Has fallen into the classic trap for a Hellenistic army, fortunately for Paul the opponents in the pool can’t exploit it.
Chris Burr - Western Turkish (Khazar): [DR] A nice army that should do well if handled carefully. This army should do well. [NG] An army I’ve always liked and a good version of it as well. In theory should get good results.
Matt Iverson - Ordonnance French: [DR] I don't like the way this army is constructed and I think it will struggle as a consequence. [NG] Good player with an army for a good player. Will do well, could top his pool.
Touch of disagreement by the judges here. One says New England may struggle with results like a bag of nails, whilst the other thinks they could put in a strong performance if Burr and Iverson deliver.
SLAKRS
Hilton McManus - Early Zhou: [DR] An army that will work better out of period, it has the toys to do well, but there aren't enough of them. I also think it will struggle against Assyrians and since there are quite a few of those... [NG] The list confused Hilton, no doubt playing it will as well. Another one that looks better on paper than on the table.
Chris Johnston - Early Achaemenid Persian: [DR] Well somebody had to take one... a solid enough list, it will be difficult to beat, but also be difficult to win with. [NG] The good old 479BC version is definitely out of favour stateside. This one is safer, but probably can’t string a series of good results together.
Mike McGee - Koryo Korean: [DR] An interesting army that has the potential to do well, needs to be careful though as it can all fall apart very quickly. [NG] Used by a Beltway degenerate last year when we described it as almost a good army, but not quite. No change of opinion here.
Walt Burgoyne - Medieval German City League: [DR] Obviously there is something in this army that I am missing.... This version has the strategic vision of Blind Pew and the tactical awareness of a lemming. [NG] I can only assume Walt is using this for a bet, possibly one Hilton has fooled him into. Bad version of a poor army.
A team destined to be fighting in the relegation places. And that's without Hilton's hindrance.
SMAC
Thomas Demers - Neo Hittite and Aramean: [DR] Looks solid enough and will challenge the Assyrians, despite the author being unable to spell chariots... [NG] Appears to have been designed to fight Assyrians, which it can do OK against if the player has a suitable plan. However, it has limitations. Do you have a plan Thomas?
Rich Olier - Early Successor (Macedon): [DR] I suspect another army that looks solid on paper, but will get shredded by the opposition. [NG] Likely to do OK because Americans don’t seem to take the armies to shred these Hellenistics.
Ricky Jones - Sassanid Persian: [DR] An army where the author appears to have changed his mind halfway through the design over what it is trying to be. I don't think the army supports itself particularly well and will struggle in consequence. [NG] Definite loss of focus when writing this list, with some BGs that just don’t fit in. Should not do well, however, as we know that Rickaaaaaay has sold his soul to the dark powers in return for dice luck, it will do far better than it should.
Gino Agnely - Ordonnance French: [DR] I don't like this version of Ordonnance French either, as there it suffers from the same issues as the New England version. [NG] A good list for a good player. Alas, Gino is using it …
Can SMAC repeat their surprise of last year? I don't think so given the evidence. 2011 may have been their high point.
YMCA Vets
Steve Payne - Urartian: [DR] Following his experiences at Lisbon 2010 Steve has abandoned his Hittites and nicked one of the Urartian armies he played against - but which one! Steve has a plan with this army, but will he be able to pull it off? [NG] Least good of the Urartians. Suspect Steve chose the wrong one.
Ryan Payne - Early Successor (Seleucid): [DR] Yet another Early Successor? I don't see the appeal, I like this version the best of the Early Successor bunch, but still think it will struggle against non-Early Successors. [NG] Best, and most imaginative, of the Hellenistics chosen. Will do better than his dad …
Dave Lauerman - Hephthalite Hunnic (In India): [DR] It's a different army, will be difficult to beat but has a slight chance of winning, along the lines of 10% I win, 90% I draw. [NG] Imaginative choice which could pay dividends with careful management. I like it. Would have liked it even more in pool 2 …
Dale Shanek - Later Sicilian: [DR] An army with a plan in mind and I think it might work if played well. Could go very wrong very quickly though. [NG] Again some imagination has gone into this choice, pity I don’t like it and think it may well come badly unstuck.
A solid set of lists that should do well and be challenging come Sunday, probably the most likely to unseat the Bandits from top of the pile.
Mercenaries
We have been asked not to provide comments as the players have been drafted in at last minute and fall more into the social players bracket. However, it must be noted that the army lists provided are better than some of the other dodgy offerings given months to plan ahead …
Overall
1. Bandits (Hazelwood and McCampbell will carry Crotteau and Zorick to victory)
2. YMCA Vets
3. Bunnies from Birmingham
Outsiders: New England (Iverson and Burr could carry them a long way)
Potential spoiler: if BAGS get it right they could give anybody a seriously bad day
Pool Summary
Pool 1
Urartian
Later Minoan or Early Mycenaean
Neo-Assyrian Empire
Neo-Assyrian Empire
Median
Median
Later Mycenaean or Trojan war
Neo-Assyrian Empire
Early Zhou Chinese
Neo-Hittite and Aramean
Urartian
Early Skythian
8 different armies from 12 isn’t at all bad for a pool taken from just one book, although it could be suggested that the Assyrians and Urartians are fairly similar lists, so 5 from the 11 may well look quite samey. The Medians are the ones that might cause upsets.
Pool 2
Late Republican Roman
Early Successor
Palmyran
Later Carthaginian
Later Seleucid
Principate Roman
Late Republican Roman
Later Ptolemaic
Early Achaemenid Persian
Early Successor
Early Successor
Mid- Republican Roman
Although there are 9 different armies in the 12 all the Hellenistic ones are from the same mould, and the Romans have similarities. All the armies are very much from the Classical period and the Mediterranean, more or less. Whilst this could be said to be a good thing as it is the core period of ancient history, it seems to show the lack of imagination that afflicted this period at the 2011 ITC, although the avoidance of the Dom Roms is to be applauded. But why, for example, no Bosporans, which can smack most of the armies taken?
Pool 3
Later Welsh
Early Byzantine
Komnenan Byzantine
Carolingian Frankish
Later Welsh
Norman
Western Turkish
Koryo Korean
Sasanid Persian
Hepthalite Huns
Andalusian
11 armies from 12 teams shows this to be the period where most imagination has been spent, although some could be said to have similarities in very general terms. The main theme appears to be riding to war on 4 legs rather than marching on 2.
Pool 4
Ghaznavid
Medieval Crown of Aragon
Ordonnance French
Later Anglo-Irish
Medieval German City Leagues
Sant Hernandad Nueva Castillan
Medieval German City Leagues
Ordonnance French
Medieval German City Leagues
Ordonnance French
Later Sicilian
Mongol Conquest
8 different armies from 12 looks OK. Having 3 of the French makes sense as it is a good competition army, 3 of the Germans much less so. Biggest surprise may well be the lack of any Ottomans.
Overall
Given that this is a very competitive tournament we are a bit shocked that some of the perceived “Big Hitters” appear to be missing. Bosporan, Later Ottoman Turkish, Hungarian, Dom Rom and Seljuq Turk are all not present, which is a big surprise. Have people perhaps outwitted themselves? There are good reasons why these armies are good performers. On the plus side there does seem to be a wide range of armies used, apart from perhaps in period 2, where they are pretty much of a muchness for reasons we cannot fathom.
This could be a long checking process 
