Polar Vortex Bolt Action Escalation is a three-game tournament. Games will increase in size each round, starting with Game 1 at 750pts, Game 2 at 1,000pts, and Game 3 at 1,250pts. Each game will escalate in point value, allowing players to expand their forces with larger units, more squads, or additional weaponry. Victory conditions, deployment zones, and setup types will vary from game to game, offering strategic variety and encouraging adaptability.
Please visit the Polar Vortex website and Facebook page for information on the convention. A Polar Vortex Badge ($25-$45) and a Bolt Action Tournament Event Ticket ($20) are required.
The tournament will occur at the Sheraton Lisle Naperville Hotel on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026.
Army List Submission
Players are required to submit Army Lists in advance for review. Failure to submit Lists by the deadline will result in a points deduction. Lists are due by Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. Submit to Al, Ernie, and Tony at community@eta-games.com.
Note: You will be submitting three separate lists. One for Game 1, one for Game 2, and one for Game 3.
Note on EasyArmy, 2nd in Command, and Warlord Games List Builder – No matter what app or website you use to build your list, double-check your points against the Rulebook, Armies of, and PDFs.
Army Building Requirements
- Players must use the same Nation for all three games.
- For Germany, the United States, Great Britain, the Soviet Union, and Imperial Japan, forces must be built using their Third Edition Armies of book.
- For the 12 “Minor Powers”, forces must be built using the Further Axis & Allied Nations PDFs.
- Players are not required to use the same units from one game to the next.
- Example: The units used in Game 1 do not have to appear again in a later game.
- Units, Platoons, rules, etc., from the Compendium are not allowed.
- The [DATE] FAQ & Errata will be used for the tournament.
The Polar Vortex event is meant to bring newcomers and veterans together for a “friendly” tournament. Please leave any Win At All Costs attitudes at home. We look to keep our events fun, and whilst healthy competition is encouraged, this is not a free license to “break the game”.
Rules for All Games
- Platoon Limit – Players are restricted to one Platoon of each type per force.
- Multiple Launcher Limit – Players are restricted to two Multiple Launchers per force.
- The Leadership Standard – The Morale level of the Platoon Commander must be equal to or greater than the Morale level of the majority of the units in the platoon (rounding up). The Morale level of the Company Commander must be equal to or greater than the Morale level of the majority of the units in the force (rounding up).
Game 1 – 750pts:
- Your Game 1 force is 750pts max.
- Your Game 1 force is 10 Order Dice max.
- Game 1 will last 2hrs.
Game 2 – 1,000pts:
- The Game 2 force contains units from the same Nation as Game 1.
- Your Game 2 force is 1,000pts max.
- Your Game 2 force is 13 Order Dice max.
- Game 2 will last 2hrs and 15 min.
Game 3 – 1,250pts:
- The Game 3 force contains units from the same Nation as Game 1 and Game 2.
- Your Game 3 force is 1,250pts max.
- Your Game 2 force is 16 Order Dice max.
- Game 3 will last 2hrs and 45min.
House Rules
- TBD
Model Requirements
All models used in the tournament must follow these requirements:
- All models must be WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get)
- Minimum three colors
- Based
Any models that do not meet these requirements will not be allowed on the table.
Event Format
Grudge Matches
Have a grudge to settle? Want to challenge an old friend to battle? As long as both players agree, let Al, Ernie, and Tony know, and they will get your Grudge Match set for Game 1.
It’s time to settle the score.
Schedule
Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026:
9am – 9:30am – Check-in and Briefing
9:30am – 11:30am – Game 1 (750pts, 2hrs.)
11:30am – 12:30pm – Lunch and Players’ Choice voting
12:30pm – 2:45pm – Game 2 (1,000pts, 2hrs. 15min)
2:45pm – 3:15pm – Break and Best Battlefield voting
3:15pm – 6pm – Game 3 (1,250pts, 2hrs. 45min)
6:00pm – 6:30pm – Scoring and Awards
Event Scoring and Awards
Tie-Breaker for Each Game – Every game will attempt to break ties using Kill Points. If the Primary Objective ends in a Draw, the player with the most Order Dice killed is the winner. If the Order Dice killed is also a tie, the game ends in a Draw.
Tie-Breaker for Final Standings – Total Order Dice killed will be tracked throughout the tournament and used to break any ties in the final standings.
Players will compete to earn points based on game outcomes, sportsmanship, and painting. Awards will be given for:
- Top Overall General
- Best Axis
- Best Allies
- Best Painted Army
Players and Forces
| Player | Nation | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jeff M | – |
| 2 | Andrew V | Great Britain – Chindits |
| 3 | Noah K | – |
| 4 | Dave C | – |
| 5 | Sean M | – |
| 6 | Walter K | – |
| 7 | Brian W | – |
| 8 | Mark S | – |
| 9 | Shane W | Imperial Japan |
| 10 | – | – |
| 11 | – | – |
| 12 | – | – |
| 13 | – | – |
| 14 | – | – |
| 15 | – | – |
| 16 | – | – |
| 17 | – | – |
| 18 | – | – |
| 19 | – | – |
| 20 | – | – |
Previous Results and Event Packets
- The Polar Vortex 2022 – 2025 results are available for review.
- The previous Polar Vortex Event Packets are available:
Questions?
Contact Al, Ernie, and Tony at community@eta-games.com with any questions.
Chicago Dice 