Banding will only be used for the Warhammer Fantasy GT.

Banding is decided by 9 judges from all over the world.  These judges are tournament veterans and have different opinions on what is good, bad, and ugly. The idea is you wont be judged based on 1 particular groups biases and will have a wealth of experience and backgrounds going into the decisions.

There is no cookie cutter formula to the bands.  Each list is evaluated on his own merit. The judges presume the worst possible use of your lists (aka 5 blocks of 25 thunderers that are themed for the Civil War will still be graded on what the list potentially could do).

This also means the judges presume you are a competent player and will use the list as a competent player would.  Just because you don’t win much with the list you turn in, doesn’t mean its not a tough or nasty list.

The judges will submit a vote on which band the list is appropriate in. Judges can veto a list also,  3 veto votes and we will ask you to resubmit your list with comments as to why.   At the start of July we will compile all the lists and make sure those on the bubble between bands land in the band we feel is appropriate.

Band 1 typically includes , gun lines, lists that include many of the best items,  powerful magic phase. It can include characters on flying rank breakers with good saves if the rest of the army is also solid.  Some of the stronger books tend to land in this group such as Deamons, Dark Elves, Lizards, and Vampires. Though there are possible builds from those books that can make it into lower bands.

Band 2 is typically full of balanced lists.  Usually a good balance of core, shooting, magic and tactically important units/characters.  There are also included lists from the tougher books where its apparent there was a honest effort to make a softer than normal list.   There can be some tough stuff in these lists, but also a good mix of core infantry or less obvious choices.

Band 3 is where you can find your lists that do not take many characters, have lots of core troops, minimal magic and some shooting.   You will find Dogs of War, Ogres, Orcs, as well as other armies that have made a considerable effort to leave out the best of the best from their books or balance 1 great unit with several softer ones.

Do not assume band 1 is all hard core players and band 3 is all kids and part timers.  A band 3 player has won 2 of the 3 events.

Edit: Removed references to WPS as it is no longer being maintained.