It was my first time at WTC and I was obviously going to bring Khador. It is 50 teams from 19 different countries. I expect to meet a whole lot of different armies that I’m not used to seeing, nice people and a lot of playing Warmachine. What more is there to ask for?

My ambitions is, as always to win at least one and not come last. 

Obviously, I’m playing Khador. If it is not the last time in MKIII, it is very close. I’m also clearly going to bring K2D2 as he is the current hot stuff (17 lists of Khador running K2D2 and 10 in Cryx, out of 500 lists) in Jaws of the Wolf. K2D2 needed a partner. Who better than The Old Witch 2 (only two lists in Khador and one in Grymkim)? I have always loved the long legged lady. Clearly Zevanna needs some eye candy, so she is accompanied 40 naked buffed up men (well some of the are women, but details) in Wolves of Winter. So, my two lists are: 

[Theme] Wolves of Winter [Old Witch 2] Zevanna Agha [+29] – Destroyer [13] – Destroyer [13] – Greylord Adjunct [3] Alexia, Mistress of the Witchfire [6] Greylord Forge Seer [4] Greylord Forge Seer [4] Koldun Lord [3] Koldun Lord [3] Battle Mechaniks (min) [2] – Battle Mechanik Officer [1] Doom Reaver Swordsmen [10] – Greylord Escort [3] Doom Reaver Swordsmen [10] – Greylord Escort [3] Doom Reaver Swordsmen [10] – Greylord Escort [3] Doom Reaver Swordsmen [10] Greylord Ternion [0(5)] Greylord Ternion [0(5)] Greylord Ternion [0(5)]

[Theme] Jaws of the Wolf [Karchev 2] Malignant Fusion [+27] – Behemoth [20] – Devastator [14] – Juggernaut [13] – Juggernaut [13] – Marauder [11] – Greylord Adjunct [3] Death Archon [9] Greylord Forge Seer [0(4)] Greylord Forge Seer [0(4)] Kovnik Apprentice Kratikoff [0(4)] – Rager [9] Battle Mechaniks (min) [2] Kayazy Eliminators [4] Kayazy Eliminators [4]

I’m not going to run through the two list in many details. Just some rough ideas as to why they are as they are, and why they are together. 

I went with Wolves of Winter to counter infantry spam (one should always counter spam with spam – and ham perhaps); also to a certain degree as an anti-shooting list. The combination of Zevanna’s Windstorm covering 18″ using Vexing Alignment, the two Koldun Lords using Wind Ravager, and all the clouds on Doom Reavers from the Ternions should provide some protection against shooting.

Alexia is there to pick souls and pop three Thrall Warriors in inconvenient places to threaten ‘caster or score and contest. The two Destroyers are there to do a bit of heavy lifting and shoot at Objectives and other stuff. 

So, the plan is more or less to run the Doom Reavers in two waves. The first (potentially carrying clouds) to jam opponents and just be annoying. The second wave is there to hit back at what ever kills the first wave. Alexia will pick up a few souls and hurl them at something, and the Destroyers will clean up the rest. Solid plan! What can possibly go wrong?

The opposite to lady long leg and fast half naked people is clearly K2D2 with all the ‘jacks. This list is slow, robust and hits hard (though, very few attacks). It does, however have a pretty good feat giving the ‘jacks (and K2D2) SPD 8. Along with Sorscha0 this gives a threat range of 14″ (SPD 8″ + 3″ charge + 2″ Boundless Charge + 1″ Reach). 

All ‘jacks have Pathfinder (except K2D2), which is nice. The four Eliminators are there to score, contest and just being annoying. The Death Archon give an additional +2 ARM when the opponent is living (a Devastator can go to an effective ARM 29 against melee with a base of 23 + 2 from Locked Horns +2 from Death Ward and + 2 from Mortal Fear. It can also clear out enemy Archons. This is what Khador armour should be.

The plan is, again strait forward: Lumber forward until one can reach the enemy under feat, the feat and bring axe to face. A classic point and click army. 

So far, so good. Now on to the six battles.

First up is Retribution. This is not one of my favourites. I really dislike the lawn mover a lot. Goreshade has a very annoying feat. So it’s either bad or bad.

[Theme] Defenders of Ios [Issyria 1] Sibyl of Dawn [+29] – Sylys Wyshnalyrr [0] – Hemera [15] – Manticore [14] – Chimera [8] Dawnguard Trident [16] Arcanist Mechanik [2] Arcanist Mechanik [2] House Ellowuyr Warden Executioner [6] House Ellowuyr Warden Executioner [6] Hermit of Henge Hold [0] Ghost Sniper [0] Ghost Sniper [0] House Ellowuyr Wardens (max) [14] – Soulless Escort [1] House Ellowuyr Wardens (max) [14] – Soulless Escort [1] House Vyre [5]

[Theme] Defenders of Ios [Goreshade 4] the Forgiven [+28] – Sylys Wyshnalyrr [0] – Chimera [8] – Harpy [9] – Harpy [9] – Aeternae [16] Hermit of Henge Hold [0] Aelyth Vyr [0] House Ellowuyr Warden Executioner [6] Lys Healer [2] Arcanist Mechanik [2] Arcanist Mechanik [2] Arcanist Mechanik [2] Ryssovass Defenders (max) [15] – Soulless Escort [1] Ryssovass Defenders (max) [15] – Soulless Escort [1] House Ellowuyr Wardens (max) [14] – Soulless Escort [1]

The scenario is Invasion, which requires a lot of troops. So, I’m dropping Old Witch since there are enough bodies for some of them being frozen whereas I can’t really afford the ‘jacks in K2D2’s list to be frozen. The Wolves also has a lot of could immunity. Finally, the anti-shooting tech can hopefully interfere with the lawn mover.

Issyria floats onto the table along with the lawn mover. My plan is to get up the table fast and press for scenario; whilst getting anti-shooting close enough to be annoying. Then see where it takes us. The picture below depicts the starting situation.

The plan kind of worked to being with. Enough Doom Reavers to make the Retribution struggle. The anti-shooting kind of worked, however, the Wardens are no picknick. So in the end I’m struggling with time and scenario. I simply have to minimise the damage.

I had my eyes set on the lawn mover and tried to remove it twice, using a Destroyer. Getting rid of that would make my life so much easier. It obviously shoots a lot. Yet, more importantly it takes up a lot of real estate making it next to impossible to get an assassination run on Issyria; which to be honest is my only chance. 

The Destroyer tried twice. Fully loaded and charging should at least put a dent in the lawn mover. Our of the six (or perhaps seven, I might not have charged both times) attacks, I manage to hit only twice and put an impressive four points of damage on it. It is base DEF 12 and ARM 20 (perhaps with a bit of modifications). Yet, on the average the Destroyer should have been able to put in around 25 points of damage (assuming the lawn mower was unbuffed). So, four points of damage is slightly below average.

Nevertheless, it was not dice alone that made me loose the game. A better player on the Retribution side also contributed a lot. The picture below depicts the sorry state of the Old Witch when she ran out of time.

I’m not convinced I could win this. Yet, I still think it was the right drop; unless I had known it would be Issyria, that K2D2 would probably have been better (there is a Marauder to take care of the annoying lawn mower).

Anyway, it was fun playing and I also think my opponent had fun. The game ended on time with a scenario score of 5-2 in the Italian’s favour. The rest of the team did no fare a lot better. We lost 2-3 and are a bit shaken going into round 2.

Second round is against the French. I get the foreign legion (of Everblight). Again, I’m not a huge fan of Legion. I do, however, have a history of doing OK against them. The two lists presented to me are:

[Theme] Children of the Dragon [Lylyth 4], Mekanolyth [28] – Azrael [17] – Ravagore [14] – Ravagore [14] – Nephilim Bolt Thrower [9] Yssylla [0] The Forsaken [0] Beast Mistress [2] – Naga Nightlurker [7] – Mekanoshredder [4] Blighted Nyss Shepherd [1] Spell Martyr [1] Spell Martyr [1] Blighted Nyss Raptors (max) [15] Blighted Nyss Archers (max) [13] – Blighted Nyss Archer Officer & Ammo Porter [0] Ice Witches [5]

[Theme] Primal Terrors [Kallus 1], Wrath of Everblight [+30] – Ammok the Truthbearer [0] – Blightbringer [30] Thagrosh Hellborne [0] – Harrier [3] Warmonger War Chief [0] Spell Martyr [1] Spell Martyr [1] Chosen of Everblight (max) [20] Chosen of Everblight (max) [20] Hellmouth [6] Hellmouth [6] Blighted Rotwings (max) [9] Blighted Rotwings (max) [9]

The scenario is Split Decision, which requires scenario pressure. I’m thinking Old Witch can do this and also deal with Mekanolyth; despite having no idea what she does. I don’t think I have anything against Kallus. I can only hope that Doom Reavers can kill enough when the annoying Incubus arrives under feat.

So, again I opt for Old Witch. Obviously,  Kallus arrives on the table. The picture below shows the starting position of the battle. 

There really isn’t a lot to say. Kallus throws everything up the table as fast as possible (going first). Old Witch attempts the same. However, in the second round the same happens and Kallus feats. It is basically game over.

Zevanna looses on scenarion with a score of 6-1 in Kallus’ favour. I basically had my rear end, and several other body parts handed to me. I think it is a very well designed army in the way that the models supplement each other well and it is more a less a point a click army: go first, move fast, move again, feat, win on scenario. I’m outmatched. 

The rest of the team kept up their approach. Again, we went 2-3 and are now low on morale. There is one more battle left on the first day. On to round 3.

It is only fitting that the island of druids should present a Circle list to me. I like Circle; not that I consistently beat them. But I think I actually got a chance here. As long as I can keep Ghetorix away from anything (or everything) of importance I at least stand a chance. The two lists presented to me were:

Druids of the islands about to kick Khadorian ass

Round 4 – Trolls of Belgium

Alexia finally doing her thing. Kolgrima having visitors in her back

End of game

Round 5 – Cryx of the Netherlands

Let the battle commence

Round 6 – The Spanish Grymkin

Off to bumping thing in the night

Summary

Legion is not a faction I see too often. I have only faced them once before, but that was against Absylonia1 using Irusk2’s WGK list (list detailed here, and battle report here). That time Irusk was victorious. However, this Legion list is a completely different beast, and I’m opting for my AC list (list detailed here), which I’m quite happy about as I’m pretty sure that Winter Guards would die like flies against this Legion list. The two lists facing of are as follows:

This Legion list is the theme Children of the Dragon, which is apparently primarily a Blighted Nyss theme. The theme gives the Nephilim Bolt Thrower Unyielding, and the player a +1 to the starting roll. This list is controlled by Kallus2, and only has two heavy Warbeasts (Characters, though) and one light. However, there is a lot of Blighted Nyss on evil Rudolfs.

Kallus, Devastation of Everblight is all about fire. His Warbeasts gain continuous fire, his sword can give Continuous fire to nearby models if he boxes one. He even has two fire spells: Blazing Path, which gives friendly faction models in his control Fire Immunity, and opponents suffer Continuous Fire is they end their activation with 2″ of one of his models and in his Control Range; and Brand of Fire, which deals Fire damage and models with 5″ of the target hit suffers Continuous Fire. All of this fire leads up to his Feat, where everybody already on fire suffers a POW 12, and his beast can charge for free with a +3″ to their movement.

He can do some other suff besides being a pyromaniac. He has Hyper-regeneration (d3 per turn) and Reposition 3″. He also has an OK sword (2″ reach P+S 15, with fiery extras); being his own Cavalry he can also do Critical Knockdown. He has our old friend Battle Lust (model/unit gets addition dice on damage roll), and Overrun (if the target model kills something, a model in the Battlegroup can make an advance).

Kallus is accompanied by three Warbeasts and an attachment: Azrael, a Nephilim Bolt Thrower, and Zuriel; and a Succubus. The latter can upkeep one of Kallus’ spells for free, and cast three of her own. She can produce a 3″ cloud, cast Hex Bolt (no Special Attacks or Actions, or Power Attacks for one round); and can Influence. She is basically just an annoyance.

The Nephilim Bolt Thrower is basically just a light Warbeast that can shoot stuff up to 16″ away (6″ move and 10″ shot) at POW 14, and push the victim 3″ (Knockdown on Critical). The most annoying bit is probably that it can see through Sorscha’s clouds.

The two real beasts are Azrael and Zuriel. The former is not surprisingly another fire lover. To begin with it, like most other Legion stuff, ignore clouds; so Sorscha’s feat it somewhat hampered. The main thread from Azreal is its ability to shoot really hard. It can throw two spears (via Reload), with a base POW 17, range 10″. Of course it causes fire, and it has a Critical Smite. Not too shabby. The same spear is used in close combat. So, Azreal can put out five POW 17 attacks per round; that is 20 points of one of our Warjacks. If Kallus has put Battle Lust on it, it will kill a Warjack.

Zuriel is a highly mobile beat-stick, with a spray to Assault with. It has two P+S 16 swords, with a twist: they have Precision Strike so it gets to choose which column to affect. This is always bad news for our ‘jacks. Luckily, Sorscha brought Mechaniks.

In addition to the Warbeast, Kallus brought three units: one unit of Ice Witches, and two units of Blighted Nyss on evil Rudolfs with their support solo Annyssa Ryvaal. The Ice Witches are there for two reasons: to manipulate dice through Puppet Master; and to lower DEF through our own friend Ice Cage. The latter doesn’t really do a lot against Armored Corps (I mean anything that lowers DEF 10 is really not going to anything spectacular), except perhaps stationary.

The Blighted Nyss Raptors is some of the annoyingly fast cavalry that can both shoot and Reposition. Always a difficult one for the slow Man-O-Wars. They can move 9″, shoot 12″, and then Reposition 5″. So there is basically no way of catching them if they are in shooting mode. They do an average of 21 points of damage with their bow (extra dice due to Poison). If they opt for charging, they can on the average do 19 points on Impact, and then 24 points of damage on the charge attack. Easily enough to take out a Man-O-War, except for the Shocktroopers. However, they are only DEF 14 and ARM 15, with 5 boxes; so, this sounds like work for the Bombardiers. A two-man CRA should be able to take one Raptor out per shot. Unfortunately, the Raptors can shoot and reposition, and stay just outside the threat range of the Bombardiers, unless they have Desperate Pace.

The Raptors are accompanied by their solo Annyssa Ryvaal.  She is basically an assassin that can gallop around and shoot poisonous arrows at the poor Man-O-Wars.

Finally, Kallus bring the ubiquitous Blighted Nyss Shepherds, who are there for fury controle and healing; and Craelix, Fang of Everblight, who is another shooting annoyance. Despite being able to shoot a lot, and do some damage, I don’t think she is too dangerous for heavy armoured Man-O-Wars.

We are playing the 2018 Steamroller scenario Recon II, and Legion goes first. We both opt for the Stockpile objective (remove d3 point of damage within 4″). 

Kallus deploys Raptors on each flak. The left one also with Annyssa, and the right one also with Craelix. Kallus himself goes in the middle with his attachment and his beasts around him. Ice Witches and Shepherds in the back.

Sorscha deploys the Bombardiers and the Kodiak on the left flank. They both have Pathfinder and can get through the forest. They are supported by a unit of Mechaniks. On the right flank goes the Demolition Corps along with Beast, also supported by a unit of Mechaniks. In the middle is the ambolt of Shocktroopers along with the two Suppression tankers. In the back goes Sorscha, Atanas and the Kovnik. The picture above shows the deployment after Advance Moves.

Kallus begins by moving everything forward. On the right flank, the Raptors move far ahead along with Crealix, Zuriel, and the Nephilim. They clearly look like they want to eat Demolition Man-O-Wars. On the left, the Raptors are a bit more hesitant, as they are probably a bit afraid of the Bombardiers’ granades. All the rest just moves forward. So far uneventful. 

I forgot to take a picture at the end of the round. So the picture above depicts the situation at the very beginning of turn 2 in the first round. Just before Sorscha has started the show.

On the right flank, the Demolition Corps runs into the zone and activates Band of Brotherhood. Beast also runs op towards the zone. Finally, the Mechaniks follow suit. On the left flank, the Bombardiers run into the zone. The Kodiak runs along side of them, and the Mechaniks follow up behind. In the middle, the Kovnik moves up and gives Desperate Pace to the Shocktroopers, who them move up into a Shield Wall. They split up into two walls to protect Sorscha and to bait Zuriel. Both tankers just move forward, the rightmost up to the flag. Just before Sorscha activates, Atanas move forward and puts Heroic Call on the Demolitions Corps, as they are probably going to be shot a lot. Finally, Sorscha moves up casts Stoke the Fires on both ‘jacks, Iron Flesh on the Shocktroopers, Wind Rush on herself, and feats. She gets five clouds that she puts between the forest to the left and the house, and to the right of the house. She is now nice and cozy next to the healing objective, and behind a wall of clouds and Shocktroopers. 

It is now time for the lines to crash. 

Kind of surprisingly, the Raptors on the right flank decides to charge the Demolition Corps instead of shooting them (only three though). Had I known that, I would have put Unstoppable Fury on them instead. They do manage to take out two of the proud Man-O-Wars. I think they might have been sprayed first by Zuriel and/or the Raptors spiked their dice. Just three Raptors should not make more than 33 points of damage on the unit, which should leave roughly two remaining boxes on each model. Anyway, two goes down. Craelix also moves up and takes out the whole Mechaniks unit through shooting and Blight Spasm.

On the left flank, the other unit of Raptors move up and and shoots at the Bombardiers. Somehow the manage to take out two. They then Reposition away again. Azrael throws two spears at the leftmost Tanker, and thanks to Eyesless Sight can ignore Sorscha’s pretty clouds. This kills the Tanker. That was it. I think it was more than enough. The picture above shows the end of Kallus’ turn.

End of turn 2, end of round

I’m in a good place I think. There is sufficient pressure far up the board. I’m ahead on scenario points with no clear opening for Kallus to score any. 

Kallus commits the remaining Raptors on the left flank, along with Zuriel to removing the Shocktroopers at his doorstep. They are surprisingly inefficient, and manage to remove precisely none. It is a different story on the right flank, where the Demolition Corps is already heavily damaged. The combined forces of the last Raptor, the Nephilim Bolt Thrower, and Azrael manage to remove the remaining troops. Azrael also throws a spear at Beast, which then advances a bit towards the its attacker. Something, which I can’t remember what was also managed to remove the Kodiak. Sorscha scores another scenario point, Kallus does not. The picture above shows the situation at the end of Kallus’ turn.

End of turn 2, round 3

We are a Kallus last stand. The scenario score is 4-0 in Sorscha’s favour. Something drastic has to happen to stop a loss on scenario.

Kallus starts by finally committing himself to battle. He charges in, and together with Zuriel cleans up some the of Man-O-Wars on the left flank. They manage to remove three Shocktroopers and Azrael chips in by removing the officer by throwing spears at him. On the right falk, the Nephilim runs within 4″ of my flank, and the Succubus toes into the zone. A Shepherd also runs into each of the zones. That was basically it. Not a lot happened. The scenario score remains at 4-0. The picture above depicts Kallus last stand.

End of turn 5

Final thoughts

Until next time.

For the Motherland!

Legion is not a faction I’m too familiar with. I generally think they look scary. This list consists of three hugebase models and a few bits and bobs. This looks like it should be just the kind of thing the new version of Irusk2’s WGK list is made for. Irusk is packing three Marauders and Winter Guards, all capable of taking hugebase models down. The Legion list is as follows:

I really haven’t got a great idea about what to expect from an Oracles of Annihilation list. This version is led by Absylonia1, who packs an interesting combination of innate abilities and spells, and a feat that can really ruin the day for Irusk2, who doesn’t pack any Grievous Wounds capabilities – which incidentally doesn’t matter against huge-based models.

Absylonia, Terror of Everblight is helping her warbeasts perform even better. Her innate ability Spontaneous Mutation is clearly nice for her, but it is really nice when it is applied to a warbeasts through her spell Playing God. It can give one or more of the following abilities: Ashen Veil (concealment and -2 to attack rolls within 2″); Warp Strength (+2 STR); or Wings (+1 SPD and Flight). She can also cast Refuge (allowing the target model a super Reposition, whilst being immune to free strike, if it hits something). Finally, Wild Aggression is not to be frown upon. It give boosted melee attack rolls and free charge, etc. As a bonus, she has Resourcefulness so she can upkeep them for free.

Her feat, if applied at the right time, is really good. It heals all damage from her beasts within her control range, and gives them Rapid Healing. So killing her beasts will be a pain.

Absylonia1 brings two gargantuan to the party: the Archangel and the Blightbringer. The former is the scary classic looking dragon, and the latter is the even more scary looking monster.

The Archangel is a high flying very mobile infantry slayer, which also packs three potent melee attacks. It is the only gargantuan in the game that can do the equivalent to Reposition for 3″. It also hampers shooting at it by applying a -3 RNG modifier on who ever is shooting at it. Its d3+1 AOE 3″ dragon breath threatens a potential 17″ (in addition to the 1.5″ extra from the AOE), whilst keeping the dragon 13″ away from the point of impact (due to the reposition-style Flying High). Combined with its Animus, Draconic Aura it does 2d6+16 (average of 23) points of damage on the impact and 2d6+9 (average of 16) in the blast area (within 10″). Luckily, Irusk’s trusted Winter Guards are very likely immune to blast, and tough when near this abomination. Also, with its low DEF and ARM 19, two fully loaded Marauders should quite easily one-round it (they should do in the vicinity of 70 points of damage to it). So no worries here (unless it is on Absylonia’s feat turn).

The Blightbringer is a huge scary looking crab-like monster. It is, to my mind an odd choice in this list, as it appears to be better in a list where supporting infantry would play an important role; but, then again, I’m not a Legion player. In this list, it seems to be a beat stick. If Absylonia casts Playing God on it, it will be a flying monster hitting once for POW 20 and twice for POW 19 as its initial. That could hurt. It can also deal with tough within 2″. Finally, its animus gives it sprays when hit, so this model should clearly be Marauder food. As with the Archangel, its low DEF and ARM 19 means that two fully loaded Marauders should quite easily one-round it (they should do in the vicinity of 70 points of damage to it). So no worries here (as long as Irusk can keep his Marauders alive and functioning).

The final huge-based model is the Throne of Everblight, which perhaps should be known as the Throne of EverSpray. It has one initial 8″ POW 12 Spray, and then one more for each time it kills one or more enemy models, which is four if it hits with all of its tentacles. Winter Guards do really not like sprays, irregardless of how tough they are.  Once again, two fully loaded Marauders should quite easily one-round it.

In addition to the three huge-based models, Absylonia brings a small group of infantry. Some of them are kind of inconsequential. These are: the Blighted Nyss Shepherd that can heal, force and remove one fury form nearby beasts; the Blighted Nyss Sorceress & Hellion has the nasty ability of being able to put a 5″ AOE that makes models suffer one point of damage, if an attack against it fails to exceed the ARM (as a small note, my opponent forgot to put this one on the table, and we didn’t discover until end of turn 2. So it never arrived); and the Bog Trog Mist Speaker, which doesn’t really matter too much.

Finally, Absylonia has brought some stuff that is important to avoid for the Marauders in particular: The Blighted Nyss Hex Hunters and Bayal, Hound of Everblight are a real annoyance to the Marauders. They can Hex Blast (Marauders can’t do Power Attacks) and Shadow Bind (Marauders can’t advance); and the Ice Witches are capable of throwing Ice Cages around, which again could spell trouble for the poor Marauders.

We are playing Recon II. Legion won the roll-off and opted to go first. We both opt for the Stockpile objective (remove d3 point of damage within 4″).

Legion deploys a wall of huge-based models in the middle, along with Absylonia; and with the support pieces scattered loosely around in the back. Finally, the Hex Hunters are Advanced Deployed in the middle. The Theme Force allows for upkeep spells to be on models from the beginning. So Playing God goes on the Blightbringer; Refuge goes on the Throne of Everblight; and Wild Aggression on the Archangel.

Irusk deploys in more or less the standard pattern. That is, one Rifle Corps on each flank, having a Field Gun on the inner side. Himself in the middle with the Winter Guard Infantry, the Mortar, the solos, and the Marauders in from of him, behind the forreste in the middle (yes, the two green areas that look like hills are forrest). The picture above depicts the situation at the end of deployment.

First turn is almost alway uneventful.

The Legion basically just runs everything forward. The Archangel has its eyes (or not, it does have eyeless sight) on the rectangular zone to my right. The Blightbringer moves towards the left zone, and the Throne shambles up the middle. All the small models just shuffles along. The picture above shows the end of round 1.

Irusk casts Solid Ground and Fire for Effect on the left most Field Gun. He still haven’t thought about casting this on a Mortar. Tradition is a hard thing to break. He also casts Artifice of Deviation on the right flank, for a Rifle Corps to move into. It will bring them up to DEF 16 against the dragon breath from the Archangel. The Marauders move in behind the forest hoping to hide from the Hex Hunters until Irusk is going to feat. On the right flank, most of the Rifle Corps move into the Artifice of Deviation. On the left flank, Joe gives the inspirational speech of Courage of the Forefathers to the Rifle Corps, who then takes a wide left swing around the house. In the middle, the remaining models just move forward. The Mortar and the Field Gun goes into the trench for better protection. As usual, a not very eventful round. Somehow I did manage to use 11 minutes on deployment and the first turn. That is far too much. The picture above depicts the end of turn 1.

The two lines crashes and the Winter Guards will finally get to be tested against the dragon spawn.

Absylonia upkeeps her spells for free. She also hurts herself for all three bonuses due to Spontaneous Mutation, which the Blightbringer also will benefit from. She then promptly heals using fury. Somehow she manages to also cast Blight Burst on the leftmost Marauder, making it very close to an inanimate lump of iron. The Blightbringer then moves up and proceeds to remove the other Marauder. On my right flank the Throne and Archangel moves into the zone. On the right flank, one of the solos moves next to the flag, and the Hex Hunters move forward.

OK, one Marauder down, that is to be expected. There is a reason I have three. One should never underestimate the power of backups. Irusk upkeeps his spells, assigns focus to the functioning Marauder, and remains where he is. He is not particularly interested in getting near all the sprays. As an afterthought, he should perhaps have moved up a bit more to protect the advancing Rifle Corps on the right flank. The Artillery Kapitan moves up to the flag to score and give the Mortar Artillerist on the way. The Adjunct drops his cloud on Irusk, just in case. Next up is the artillery, which shoots  and kills the objective and shoots the rest at the Blightbringer. The two Maraduers finish it of. One huge monster down, two to go. On the left flank, Joe gives the speech For the Motherland to the Rifle Corps. They then move up and starts shooting at Hex Hunters, and removes two. On the right flank, the Rifle Corps runs forward and spreads out to block the two remaining mosters and contest the zone. The Infantry shuffles forward. This leaves us at 2-1 for scenario score, in Irusk’s favour. The picture above shows the end of turn two (I’m not completely sure what the AOE to the left of the Marauder is).

Legion fight back, but learns what really mad Winter Guards can do.

So, Absylonia is a bit shocked to discover that her Blightbringer went down so easily. I can see revenge spelled all over her face. She upkeeps her spells, save Playing God and moves to hide behind her gargantuan. The Hex Hunters moves up and manage to put Shadow Bind on the same unlucky Marauder. The Throne then activates and removes a huge chuck of Winter Guards through the application of tentacles and sprays. Next up is the Archangel that moves forward and kills some more. She also back off from her flag. This enables Irusk to score another point, leaving the scenario score at 3-1 in Irusk’s favour. The picture above shows the state of affairs at the end of round 1.  

Absylonia has spend a tremendous amount of time so far, which is nice. Irusk feels kind of confident. He upkeeps Solid Ground and Fire for Effect, fils up the functioning Marauder, the other one shakes Shadowbind. He then activates and feat, and cast Battle Lust on the Infantry. He is quite happy where he is so he just leans back at watches the battle unfold. The functioning Marauder moves up and hammers away at the Archangel. This is followed up by Joe shouting Bear’s Strength to the Infantry, and runs towards Absylonia’s flag. The Infantry the proceeds to charge to Archangel and removes it with out too much effort. Two monster down, one to go. The Rifle Corps on the left just moves forward, and in the interest of time forgoes any actions. The Rifle Corps on the right, and the artillery shoots at the Throne. The scenario score is now 4-1 in Irusk’s favour. The picture above depicts the glorious battle field at the end of turn 3.

Absylonia is in serious trouble in so many ways. Here comes her last stand

There really isn’t much to do for Absylonia. She has lost her beasts, is really behind on scenario score, and is quickly running out of time. In short: the Throne moves in and removes a lot of Winter Guards along with one of the Marauders. A few Winter Guards also drop of on my left flank. That’s about it. She looses to scenario. 

This was a strange match. I did expect more from all those scary looking monsters. However, I think that Irusk performed marvellous this time. Hiding Marauders behind the forest and striking under feat. Also, finally the Infantry got good use out of Bear’s Strength and Battle Lust. The lesson here is that it is not sufficient with just one of them. To really perform, they need both.

Until the next time:

For the Motherland!