2013 NAF Dice Announcement on thenaf.net

[Olaf the Stout]

Well, I'm never registering for NAF again.

Why? Is it because you only saw value in paying for the new coloured Block dice? Or are you angry at the NAF for what has happened? Some other reason?

I'm interested in knowing what prompted this reaction.

It's because the block dice were the only reason I ever registered in the first place. I like collecting BB merch including many and varied block dice colors. To be honest, I can't think of a single benefit to being registered that I would pay money for, now that the block dice aren't continuing.

Just to be clear, I don't blame them for what's happened. My statement wasn't meant as some sort of act of retribution. I'm sure NAF guys did everything they could. I feel sorry for them and all that. I just don't however feel sufficiently sorry for them to pay money for a service that I personally see no value in.

I imagine a lot of people will feel the same as me. Registration numbers in the coming year will demonstrate this one way or another.

I think that's fair enough, and I agree that a lot of people will feel the same way. If the NAF don't come up with some alternate custom Block dice for 2014 I fully expect membership numbers to fall sharply.

Olaf the Stout

[Lychanthrope]

On the flip side of that, I'm looking forward to the custom NAF non-blocking dice this year. I agree that it's probably not a long term solution for the membership, but I think they will come in handy, and make a nice "marker" in our collections. They will be the dice that separates the GW years from the post-GW years. Although I think we need a different name for what comes after.

[Oly1987]

I think if people are going t not renew purely because they aren't getting block dice then it just shows how fickle they are. The naf is more than just block dice. They put a lot of effort into making sure tournaments are well organised and the results and rankings are kept up to date. If they cant make custom block dice then it isn't the end of the world. I'll be happy with some nice d6/d8/d16 combo in the future if that's what they have to offer (though on a side note, not a big fan of the 5's on the d6, look too much like the 2's at a glance). As long as they continue to support tournaments and update the rankings etc I'll be renewing my membership

[sann0638]

(though on a side note, not a big fan of the 5's on the d6, look too much like the 2's at a glance).

This is true. I used mine as a casualty marker, because I was using necro so they kept regenerating. Sadly, I needed 2d6 in one game.

[GreedySmurf]

I think if people are going t not renew purely because they aren't getting block dice then it just shows how fickle they are. The naf is more than just block dice. They put a lot of effort into making sure tournaments are well organised and the results and rankings are kept up to date. If they cant make custom block dice then it isn't the end of the world. I'll be happy with some nice d6/d8/d16 combo in the future if that's what they have to offer (though on a side note, not a big fan of the 5's on the d6, look too much like the 2's at a glance). As long as they continue to support tournaments and update the rankings etc I'll be renewing my membership

I think that's showing off a Eurocentric/tourney heavy view Oly.

I'm mainly a league player, so I have very little interaction with the NAF. Never the less I have been a member of the NAF for 6-7 years, and to be honest the thing that keeps me coming back is the dice. I generally only attend 2 or 3 tournaments a year, One of those I have to travel 1,000kms for, and while I admire what the NAF does, is that worth 15 bucks (AUD) a year to me? Probably not.

I'll likely renew this year, if for no other reason to show my support for the NAF. But after that? Doubtful.

I'm not blaming the NAF by the by. This squarely at GW's feet. But I've had zero to do with GW for years now.

[Oly1987]

The NAF site also has a league thing for keeping track of your league results if you want to. And attending 2-3 tournies a year still justifies renewing NAF membership as if it anything like in the UK if you are not NAF registered and enter a tournament you pay an extra £5 for not being registered and that pays for a years membership

[Darkson]

The NAF site also has a league thing for keeping track of your league results if you want to.

Which isn't that great, especially if you have non-NAF members in your league. Certainly better options out there (Halfling Scribe for one, and I assume OMBBL is even better).

The discount seems to vary from place to place - there are a few UK tournaments that don't do it, so it's by no means universal.


Again, not a knock on the NAF, but I agree there are more than a few members that only sign up for the dice, for various reasons.

[lunchmoney]

(though on a side note, not a big fan of the 5's on the d6, look too much like the 2's at a glance).

I'm not a fan of 2's on my dice either.... See them to often

[Darkson]

I'm not a fan of 2's on my dice either.... See them to often

That's an improvement on "nipples" though.

[Lychanthrope]

The NAF site also has a league thing for keeping track of your league results if you want to. And attending 2-3 tournies a year still justifies renewing NAF membership as if it anything like in the UK if you are not NAF registered and enter a tournament you pay an extra £5 for not being registered and that pays for a years membership

I have never been to a tournament in the US that gives a discount for NAF members. Most of us are members and you very quickly learn who everyone is because it's mostly the same people at each tournament; dice, rankings, and a sense of supporting the larger community are our incentive to join.

[Gaixo]

Absolutely. Those of us lucky enough to go to several tournaments every year have all of those reasons to justify supporting the NAF. The issue is that people with no local tournament scene are struggling to find a reason to continue their membership. I'd like to think that I would continue to sign up just to support the cause ($10 is such a nominal cost, really), but it's not surprising that others feel differently.

[spubbbba]

Absolutely. Those of us lucky enough to go to several tournaments every year have all of those reasons to justify supporting the NAF. The issue is that people with no local tournament scene are struggling to find a reason to continue their membership. I'd like to think that I would continue to sign up just to support the cause ($10 is such a nominal cost, really), but it's not surprising that others feel differently.

Well part of the issue will be that what you get this year is a less good deal than last year. Custom D6's, 8's and 16's are a lot easier to come by and cost less than a set of custom block dice. Plus you couldn't legally use those exact designs on your own dice.

My NAF membership has just run out and I probably won't attend any tournaments in the next 12 months so will have to decide if I need any more dice. Better pics of the new logo would be nice as I'm not sure what it is.

[Gaixo]

I think it's a spiked globe?

[robsoma]

I dont really get the complaints, yes block dice would be nice but its not like youve paid your subs and then been advised your getting something different? also for the time being if you dont like the d6, 8 and 16 you can ask for some of the back issue dice which is pretty awsome. surely if you just wanted block dice and didnt attend tourniments or want to use the naf league service there are plenty of alternatives about?

[Darkson]

I dont really get the complaints, yes block dice would be nice but its not like youve paid your subs and then been advised your getting something different?

From the NAF front page:

Sign up now and get a set of official NAF block dice!

But if you don't use this forum, how would you know to ask for older ones? You can't read the part of the NAF forum where it's mentioned if you're not already a member (though I suppose the front page is another symptom of the apathy of the NAF site ).