Kurt J Hanson

The Warmachine & Hordes ETC was held in Maelstrom games in Mansfield, Notts. 40 teams of 4 players from 8 different countries across Europe.

Game 1 – Diversion

Tom from Crossed Swords

Khador – pButcher – Spriggan, Destroyer, Juggernaut, 5 Man-O-War Shock Troopers, 10 Winter Guard + UA & Kovnik Joe, Widow Makers, The Great Bears & Kell Bellock

Grim took initial control of the game and advanced his beasts quickly as the Dygmies burrowed.  The Runeshapers flanked by Bombers with Grim and Impaler and Earthborn just behind Janissa’s Wall.  Butcher’s response was also rapid, Winterguard ran down the left flank as a wall of metal, 3 jacks wide, advanced across the middle, with Man-O-War behind, shielding the man himself.

The Dygmies surfaced and, aided by the Fellcaller, charged headlong into the middle Jack, the Juggernaut, as well as the Widowmakers close to the right hand flag.  The Widowmakers fell, but the jack’s armour proved too much for the list Pygs.  The rest of Grim’s forces moved up behind as the left Bomber stepped into the woods and threw bombs at the closing Winter Guard, killing a few.  The other Bomber ran to try and secure the right hand flag, left unguarded by the dead Widowmakers.  Butcher’s forces advanced again where they could, the Winterguard killed several Dygmies as the Jacks in the middle maked short work of the other tiny Dygmies, The Great Bears charged in hard against the Bomber and killed it convincingly

Grim then sprung his trap and launched a full assault on the heavy jacks, The Runeshapers charged in and completely failed to knock down the jacks or do any damage to the Great Bears.  The Earthborn charged in to the Spriggan and Juggernaut and although the Juggernaut was left a wreck, the Spriggan took almost no damage at all.  Grim took cover behind Janissa’s wall again as the inevitable reprisals came.

Butcher’s jacks pushed forward as the Man-O-War took a step or two to help remove the Runeshapers.  The Earthborn took a barrage of attacks from both jacks and Man-O-War, but eventually fell.

Grim retreated into the safety of the woods just as the Khadoran forces parted and the Butcher himself charged in to finish Grim.

Game 2 – Overrun

Christian from Team Bitch Slap

Khador – The Old Witch & Scrapjack – Behemoth, Widowmakers & Marksman, 10 Kayazy & Underboss, The Great Bears & Nyss Hunters.

The Old Witch gained control early and her forces quickly covered the ground towards Grim.  Nyss on one flank, Kayazy on the other.  The Bomber stepped forward and threw wild bombs into the woods the Nyss were hiding, killed a few of them as the rest of Grim’s forces advanced quickly, but carefully.  The Dygmies burrowed.

The Witch pushed her forces even harder, driving down the throat of the Trolls at a frightening speed.  The air was sudden full of strangling chains, threatening to cut Grim’s forces to ribbons if they dared advance.

Grim could see his defeat looming – but yet there was still a chance.  The Dygmies surfaced at a conservative distance and aimed at the nearest Kayazy assassin.  It took all 5 of them in range, but he eventually fell to slug gun fire.  Grim took a risk of the chains and stepped around the nearest Kayazy and shot at one of the GreatBears guarding the Witch.  A line of fire now opened, the Impaler helped his big brother, the Bomber throw further as the Bomber stepped into the breach and threw bombs at the crone.  It only took one good hit and she was no more.

Game 3 – Gauntlet

Tom Hutchings from Team CGC Awesomesaurs

Circle – eKruger – Pureblood Warpwolf, Feral Warpwolf, Megalith, Woldwarden, Tharn Ravagers + Chieftain, Shifting Stones & UA, Blackclad Wayfarer.

Grim took an early chance and literally charged up the table as his beasts ran and the Dygmies burrowed under.

Kruger advanced his beasts rapidly as the Ravagers tore down the right flank and the Blackclad advanced up behind the building on the left.

Grim took a pot shot as he advance and the Blackclad fell.  The Runeshapers took up defensive positions as the other beasts advanced behind Janissa’s wall.  The Dygmies surfaced and charged into Megalith and the Woldwarden, with the encouragement of the Fellcaller.  Neither heavy beast fell – but the Woldwarden took significant damage from the little Pygs.  Megalith stomped on some Dygmies as the Feral Warpwolf delt with a few more and the Ravager continued their dash down the right flank.

Grim saw the narrowest possibility of a strike and sprung his trap, making his enemies easier to hit and harder to move.  The Earthborn dashed forwards and wailed on Megalith until he fell and followed up with a few swings against the Pureblood.  The Runeshapers tried to knock down the two Warpwolves, but to no avail, leaving the Bomber to edge forwards and shower bombs on eKruger. After minor damage for himself and a few hard hits for his beast, Kruger used his magic to move the Pureblood forward to the edge of the Shiftingstone’s influence.  The Pureblood then suddenly appeared next to Grim and wailed upon him.  But Grim’s whits and armour held out against the assult.  Janissa slid the ground out from under the hulking wolf as Grim stepped to one side and combined his fire with the Bomber again to finish Kruger.

Game 4 – Killbox

Paul Mansfield from PM4Life

Skorne – Mordikaar – Bronzeback, Titan Gladiator, Rhinodon, Nihilators, Paingivers, Gatormen & Paingiver Task Master

Grim took to the field early and led his forces up quickly as the Dygmies burrowed.  A wall of Titan and Rhinodon muscle advanced as the Gatormen with their Task Master sped up the right flank.

The wall across the middle of the table was a far too tempting point of defense.  One Bomber ran up the left hand side as the Runeshapers spread out and took out one of the Void Walkers.  The Dygmies surfaced and charge in against the heavy Rhinodon and Gladiator, but only managed to inflict minimal damage with their slug guns.  The rest of the Trolls advanced up close to the wall as Janissa put another obstacle next to it.

With the heavy beasts held up by the mini Trolls, The Rhinodon swung his tail out wide and killed several of them.  The Gladiator took out a few more as the Nihilators moved between the beasts to almost finish them off as well as getting up close and threatening with Grim.

The nearest Runeshaper took care of the Nihilator as Grim sprung his trap – it was now or never, he knew that if he didn’t act now it would be an uphill struggle. Grim’s rifle rang out as the Bombers stepped forward.  But it was not to be, several bombs fell short of Mordikaar, and other failed to do enough serious damage to threaten him.  The Earthborn killed a few Nihilators, but more seemed to get up than fell down.  The Gatormen charged in from the right flank and quickly began taking huge chunks out of the nearest Bomber.  Mordikaar reinforced his position, inciting the spirits and making his army much harder to hit.  The heavy beasts advanced and removed what was left of the Dygmies.

Nothing in Grim’s army could hit anything, except Grim himself.  The tide had turned … and not in his favour.  The Earthborn tried in vain to bring down the Rhinodon, and only succeeded in leaving Grim vulnerable.  As the Bomber fell to Gator snapping the Earthborn was shoved out of the way allowing the Titan Gladiator a clear charge on Grim.  After only a few hits, it was all over.

Game 5 – Command and Control

Andrew Galea (rapidly becoming my tournament arch enemy) Team Rage Quit.

Cygnar – Kraye – Hammerfist, Cyclone, StormClad, Squire, The Black 13th, Arlan Strangeways, Ayana & Holt & Journyman Warcaster.

Grim was the first to make a move and as the Dygmies burrowd, he advanced his forces cautiously, warey of the power of Cygnar ranged fire.  The Runeshapers out in front, with the Bombers just behind and Grim safe behind Janissa’s wall.

Kraye was also conservative in the approach of his jacks.  A line of big blue heavies took up station close to the large central zone and the Cyclone laid down surpressing fire.  A large electrical storm errupted as the Black 13th took up position next to the jacks.  Kraye remained a safe distance behind as the Stormlance cavalry dashed towards the woods on the left hand side.

Grim’s response was again, careful.  The Dygmies surfaced – but rather than dash themselves againsy so much Cygnar armour, they ran towards the far table edge and fanned out.  The Fellcaller made his way up the right flank, behind a building, should the Pygs need his support.  The Bombers both took turns throwing at the Hammersmith, who was just visible between the hails of fire, but the hulking jack took very little damage.  The Runeshapers spread out in front and aided by the Earthborn and Grim, looked more sturdy than ever.  Janissa, Grim and the Kreilstone until took cover behind her wall.

Kraye saw a potential opportunity, even from so far out.  He increased the speed of his warjacks and launched the Hammersmith at the right hand Bomber as the Sentinel raked Dygmies with fire.  The Bomber stood firm and after a devestating initial strike, the Hammersmith’s mighty blows either failed to connect or glanced off the beasts hide.  The Stormclad then came in as fast as it could to finish off the poor Bomber as several Dygmies died to Sentinel cannon and Gorman’s acid bombs.  Stormlances streaked across the field towards the other Bomber and Earthborn, but both beast’s remained strong.

With so enemy units so close, Grim was pinned in.  But these Cygnar jacks and cavalry were also a long way from the rest of the force.  Janissa stepped up as tight as she could to the remaining Bomber and lifted the ground, sliding the engaging Stormlance well out of the way.  The bomber then stepped around and pounded one horse into the ground, but couldn’t reach the other.  Grim stepped back out of the way and sprung his trap, he directed the Earthborn as he marked the Hammersmith.  The Impaler threw a cheeky spear, but failed to knock the Hammersmith off his feet as the Earthborn charged in.  The Hammersmith was quickly scrap and the Stormclad followed soon after.  As the Dygmies re-burrowed, the battle had swung.

Kraye could see action had to be taken, lest he be sorrounded and out numbered.  He increased the speed of the remaining heavy, the Cyclone, who, despite Grim’s trap, was still able to make it to the exposed Bomber.  He picked up the huge beast and threw it down towards the waiting Cygnar infantry.  The combined fire of Holt, Black 13th and the Journeyman quickly reduced the huge Bomber to ash.  To prevent reprisals, Gorman stepped into the open and threw a black oil bomb at the Earthborn, causing no damage, but incapacitating him for now.

Grim saw one last opportunity, as the Sentinel stepped back to try and guard Kraye as best he could.  The Impaler charged and removed Gorman from the picture as Grim took a shot at Kraye.  The Sentinel took the hit for him as the Dygmies charged in.  The Sentinel was soon a pile of scrap, but he had done his job, very few of the vicious little pygs could get in close enough to Kraye.  And those that could – were unable to inflict significant damage.

Kraye stepped away from the wrecked Sentinel as the Cyclone picked up the Earthborn this time and threw it directly at Grim!  Both of them collapsed as the huge beast landed.  Grim was still behind Janissa’s wall – but prone on the ground.  There was little he could do.  Aiyana ‘Kissed’ Grim as every gun that could be brought to bare on Grim fire.  Kraye’s second shot rang out in the end and finished Grim.

The ETC has been my most enjoyable of the big 3 weekend tournaments.  More than anything it has a more relaxed pace, you are playing with team mates and it’s very social in general.  I had also learnt a lot about my lists and big game play in general (both the numbers of people, and playing well at 50pts) which helped with the weekend.

I’m already signed up with Firestorm Fairies for next year.  Time for a hiatus from Trolls for me, but I’m sure Domination will change that as all the new shiny toys arrive.

The Welsh Open was the largest Warmachine tournament I have attended so far, with 64 entrants and 6 games over 2 days. 3 x 50 points on the first day and 3 x 35 points on the second, each warlock could only be used once on each day.

I chose to stretch myself a little by running 5 different Warlocks and quite varied lists of Trolls. My warlocks of choice (in order of use) Grissel, Gunnbjorn, eMadrak, Grim Angus and Calandra.

First game of the weekend was Incursion against Dean and his Retribution.  Vyros took the initiative and his army of Dawnguard raced up the table at full speed.  Grissel responded with even greater pace, her Kriel Warriors impossibly engaging the enemy in their own territory while the Dygmies burrowed.  The Pygs Bushwackers managed to only scratch a Destor, before advancing again as her battle group and Kriel Stone moving up close behind.

With the left hand objective removed, Vyros responded, advancing as much as his troops were able, several Kriels fell, but the line held.  The Dygmies surfaced and quickly moved to help the Kriels push back the countless Dawnguard. Grissel’s battlegroup surrounded the central objective as Pygs on the right flank held up the pair on Destors further.  So 2 objectives held? Not quite, a single Dawnguard just about contested the middle while a Destor did the same on the right. (big mistake, as the Dawnguard would have been so easy to dispatch).  More Kriels and Pygs fell before Grissel’s Axers and Bouncer managed to remove the contesting Dawnguard and Destor. 2 control points!

Vyros was now desperate and empowered the Phoenix for all he was worth, which then charge straight at Grissel. After Grissel had been forced to make her warbeasts take several lethal blows for her, Vyros had to step in himself. He wailed on her as well, but she was just too tough for him.
Grissel had survived an onslaught, but before she could complete her plan, the flames from the Phoenix fiery sword got the better of her and she fell.

My second game was Close Quarters against Aaron and his Cryx led by pDeneghra.  Denny took the initiative and came quickly up the field.  Gunnbjorn’s Bombers laid down surpresing fire in response, but the Satyxis only took minor casualties. The Scouts then charged in, but again only brought down one of the Raiders.
The Deathjack advanced as the Raiders charged in.  Dygmies came up but found the rear of the Deathjack protected by Bane Thralls. They charged into the Banes instead, with help from the Fell Caller and removed most of them. But that was nearly the end of the Cryx casualties.  The Banes nearly wiped out the Dygmies, leaving the Deathjack free to murder a Bomber. The other Bomber fell to Satyxis hands and Gunnbjorn found himself paralysed as the Deathjack finally rounded on him.

Game three was Command & Control against yet more Cryx in the shape of pSkarre and Marc Morgan.  eMadrak took control early and advanced his army of Fennblades, beasts and Champions up the board.  Skarre came up fast as Dygmies surfaced and did considerable damage to the Seether and a BoneJack.  Satyxis charged Thrullg, but failed to hurt him. Madrak moved up and empowered the Fennblades to hit harder as they charged the Seether and some Mech Thralls.  All the Mechs disintegrated and the Jack quickly followed.  The Reaper tried to skewer Madrak, but Janissa’s wall gave him enough cover to avoid the shot as the BloodGorgers rushed forwards.  The Mech Thralls killed a few more Dygmies as the Champions rushed through the gap left behind and Madrak saw his best chance.  The Pyre troll stepped behind him and shoved him just close enough to hit all 3 of the closest blighted trolls.  The 2 Bloodgorgers died, but Gerlack held on.  The Champion swung at him, but he was just too tough.  Mulg swung at everything close to him before charging, and destroying, the Reaper as Madrak stepped nearly past Gerlack and removed him.  Skarre was so close, but too far for Madrak to reach.  His attempt failed, Madrak waited for Skarre to step forward and remove him from Caen.

So after 3 losses on day one, day two could only get better.

Up first was John with his Mercenaries led by Fiona the Black fighting over the Sacrifice scenario.  eMadrak took the initiative and his army moved up at full speed as the Dygmies burrowed.  Fiona’s forces moved up, the Nyss and Alexia on the right with Freebooter, Nomads and the Devildogs heading towards the control point.  The Dygmies surfaced and charged several of Alexia’s thralls, a Devildog or two and ran infront of the approaching Jacks.  The Jacks responded by killing a few Dygmies along with the Thralls.  Madrak helped his Fennblades hit harder as they charged the Jacks before them, causing significant damage to all three.  The Dygmies reburrowed as Madrak then had the Fenns all hit again, scrapping 2 jacks and leaving the last Nomad heavily damaged.  Fiona’s remaining forces tried to fight back, but with such massive hitting power all but gone, they struggled.  Except the Nyss that is, who swung round to guard the Flag and tried to kill off the Fell Caller, but he was just too heroic.  Three Fennblades finished the Nomad as the rest rushed forwards towards a retreating Fiona.  Dygmies surfaced and charged her, but failed to hit as the Fell Caller took the Flag and paid the ultimate price for it.  Fiona responded by killing 2 Dygmies and forcing Fennblades to turn on one another.  Several were lost as the Nyss advanced and also killed a few members of the Kriel Stone unit.  The Runebearer granted Madrak his own brutal power just as the Pyre Troll shoved him forwards to help the Charge into Fiona.  Two hits later, Fiona was lying on the ground.

The next game was Process of Elimination against Andy.  Back to Cryx and pDenny again.  Grim Angus has always seemed to have a personal hatred of Cryx and his forces sped up the board as the Dygmies burrowed. Rorsh and Brine went up the right flank, Scouts up the left, the rest in the middle.  pDenny bought her army up quickly as well, confident in their stealthy protection, as a PistolWrath took an early pot shot at Brine, chilling him to near death, momentarily at least.  The Dygmies then surfaced as Grim shot Tartarus right between the eyes and removed the Bane Thrall’s defensive stealth at the same time.  The Fellcaller lent the Dygmies his booming voice as they charged the Banes.  Almost all fell to Dygmy axe or gun.  Denny advanced and bespelled poor Brine yet again as the other forces killed several brave young Dygmies.  Grim came forward again and spread the net, closing the trap.  Even with his disabilities, Brine trashed a Bonejack, securing the right hand zone.  Dygmies killed one of the Withershadow combine and dented the other bonejack as Grim’s rifle rang out again and scored a few valuable points off Denny herself.  Unable to come back from Grim’s paralysing abilities, Denny’s army limped forward, but did minimal damage as the FellCaller and Swamp troll dashed across to secure the left hand zone and close out the game.

The last game of the weekend was Capture the flag against Sabiel with his Garryth led Retribution.

Calandra took the initiative and as the Dygmies burrowed the 2 Earthborn Dire Trolls ans the Scouts, on the right flank, ran up the table.  Calandra and her battlegroup advanced up behind a wall with the Fellcaller on the left hand side.  Garryth’s forces advanced, but were cautious not to just run into charge range.  The Mage Hunter strike force however, ran down the left hand side into cover, as Nayl ran out into the open as a MageHunter assassin charged one of the Earthborns, inficting only minimal damage.  As the Dygmies emerged Calandra stepped forward and twisted the hands of fate.  The Fellcaller lent them his influence as he bellowed at the Magehunters, killing 3 of them. The Dygmies then charge both the Phoenix and Griffon warjacks.  Both remained standing after the assult, but both suffered significant damage.  As the Axer charged and killed Nayl, the Scouts also charged the waiting Halberdiers, which survived unscathed.  The Halberdiers then struck back, killing 2 Scouts as the Phoenix was mysteriously appeared on the other side of the Dygmies and charged up the field, inflicting minor damage to one of the Earthborns.  A volley fire from the Stormfall archers wounded the Axer, which was then finished by the Dawnguard’s guns.  The right most Earthborn charged into the Phoenix, wrecking it.  The pile of parts then helped the other Earthborn’s charge reach across to the waiting Griffon and finish off the second jack as the Fellcaller killed another 2 of the Strikeforce unit. The battle between the Scout and Halberdiers swung back and forth until last Halberdier fell, allowing the Scouts to claim the Flag as the nearest Earthborn charged in to remove the only contending model.  The Stormfall archers then managed to remove the last of the Scouts as Garryth came across the rear of his force … too late to stop the Earthborn advance again and take the flag for a second time.

Chris Cawthorn, hot on the heels of the successful ‘friendly’ intro tournament in October 2010, held a Warmachine/Hordes Tiers only event last weekend (9^th April 2011).  It presented an interesting twist for list building, especially for me as I do, at times, have to fight the urge not to be obsessed with the Theme lists.  I find it hard to turn free points away.

When I came to look at creating a competitive list, I found my usual go to Troll warlocks somewhat lack luster.  I love eMadrak – but his current Tier really doesn’t do much for me (and no free Horthol? ).  So I broadened my scope and toyed with several lists for weeks until I discovered Calandra’s Tier 4.  At 35 points I really didn’t think it was viable until I just put it on the table and tried it – I was blown away by my options (and Advanced Deploy EarthBorn Dire Trolls!)

After very little tweaking my list ended up as:

Calanda, Runebearer, 2 x EBDT, Axer. Full Pygmy Burrowers, Troll Scouts and a Fell Caller.

The day didn’t start as well as it could.  I over slept and arrived at the event approximately 10 minutes after the first game has started.  Talent: that’s what that is.  I was fortunate that Chris knew I was en route and had listed me as a bye (due to an odd number of players).  So I was awarded a win for being late – but without any points (obviously).

My first game (round 2) was a Capture the Flag scenario against Mike Chomyk with eButcher and 24 Doomreavers!  I had met Mike before and we regularly abuse one another on Twitter ( @MrChom btw) … but this was our first game across the table.  The rest of Mike’s Khador was made up of Fenis, a Berserker and a Spriggan.

More Doomreavers that should have been possible raced across the table as Dymies did what they do best (burrowed!) and both Dire Trolls moved up on the right hand side, trying to make the best of the terrain with the Scouts outside them on the flank.  Doomreavers tried to mob the Dygmies marker, but misjudged the location and they appeared behind them, charging both the Spriggan, the rearmost Doomreavers and a few brave souls made for Butcher.  The Scouts laughed off the flailing Doomreavers who charged them, and double teamed each of them, seeming them off with relative ease.  One of the Earthborn trolls charged and very nearly scrapped the Berserker as his counterpart Trampled yet more Doomreavers to engage Fenris.

On the opposite flank, yet another unit of Doomreavers failed to secure the objective as the Fellcaller shouted several of them out of existence as yet still more approached.  The objective was lost while one Earthborn made short work of the damaged Berserker and the other knocked Fenris of his mad horse.  Butcher gathered all his strength to remove Calandra once and for all.  After wading through several Dymies he enhanced the closest Doomreavers to her.  They charged and wailed 7 attacked on her between them, but Calandra’s abilities enabled her to avoid all but one of the blows.  The Axer then removed 2 of them, allowing Calandra to heal the Earthborn and confuse the Spriggan.  As the Scouts finished Fenris, the Earthborn then mercilously charged Butcher head on … and even Butcher couldn’t take many hits from those his fists.

Round 3 was against Matt (who I was apparently lined up to play in round 1) and his Cryx.   The scenario was Sacrifice, a knew one for me, and Matt’s Mortenebra army was very jack heavy: A Leviathan, 3 Slayers, 2 Warwitch Sirens, a Skarlock and The Deathjack.

The objective point was on the other side of the board, but the area objective was on mine … Calandra took the initiative and sent both Earthborns straight across towards the point as the Dygmies burrowed and the Scouts made for the area.  The Cryx jacks all came up fast, holding a line as the Deathjack ran at the Scouts.  Calandra lent her gift of fate to her army as one Earthborn charged the Leviathan and reduced it to spare parts.  The Dymies charged at a pair of Slayers stood next to one another, scrapping one and crippling the other, while the Scouts tried to tangle with the Deathjack but failed to do any damage.

Mortenebra clearly felt threatened, she charged and killed one of the Dygmies and drove the Deathjack on.  The Deathjack then moved around the Scouts, killing one, but fell short of threatening Calandra and had to settle with killing the Fellcaller.  The Earthborn then turned on the closest Siren and tore her in half as the Scouts mustered a charge on Mortenabra herself.  Thrown axes bounced off Morty’s armour, but once they had closed, it only took a few hits to ruin her.

Round 4 was a Killbox against Chris Roberts and his Ashlynn led Mercenaries.  I had played Chris in the first round in October, and I could see he wanted payback for all my well timed tough rolls back then.  With Ashynn he had 2 Vanguards, 2 units of GunMages, a Mangler with the DevilDogs together with Gorman, Taryn di la Rovissi and Anastasia di Bray.

Ashlynns forces came across the table fast.  Quickly taking up position behind obstacles and buildings.  True to form, the Dygmies burrowed and the Earthborns went up the flank while the scouts moved through trees just inside them as they ran to engage the closest GunMage unit.

Ashlynn tilted the board in her favour as the rest of her army advanced, the Gunmages stepped out of combat with the Scouts unscathed and opened fire, cutting all but 2 of them down.  Gorman approached the outermost Earthborn and blinded it with a grenade as the other advanced on the Gunmages and Ashlynn.  The Dygmies came up and advanced on the front rank mix of Gunmages, jacks and solos and utterly failed to hit anything.  One of the Vanguards neatly sidestepped the advancing Dygmies and readied itself for an attack.  It slammed violently into the Axer, shoving him back into Calandra.  With both of them on the ground the free GunMages advanced on them and cut Calandra to ribbons before she could get up.

Over all I came 6th and only lost to the overall winner.  If I had actually managed to arrive for a 1st round there was a good chance I would have been better placed.  It was a really good training ground for my Calandra list, which has now more than proven itself.

Warmachine: HardCore. 50 points. One list.  7min turns.

2011 is the first year of the UK Hardcore series One.  Several heats through the year culminating in a final in October. http://www.rankingshq.com/ukhardcoreseries/

I rolled up to Firestorm Games in Cardiff for heat 3.  eDoomshaper in my bag with his trusty Dire Troll force: Mulg, Earthborn Dire Troll, 2 Maulers, 2 minimum units of Champions, Runebearer, a Skinner and 10 whelps.

My first game was again Gary with his Menoth led by ESeverius.  With him he had The Blessings of Vengance, The Avatar, 2 Reckoners, a min TempleFlame Guard unit with UA 3 wracks and the usual support solo plethora.

I won the initiative and 3 of the 4 Dires ran up the table, with one of the DTMs loitering around Doomy, flanked by Champions.  eSeverius moved up a little, but was clearly warey of the charge range of Doomshaper’s Trolls.  The heavy Trolls moved up aggressively again, taking position on or passed the half way point.

The Blessings of Vengence then darted to the left and with a swift stroke, dispatched the rapidly advancing Skinner.  The Templeflame Guard charged the forward Mauler and Mulg, dealing very little damage.  Very little had a chance to move up to engage as Gary’s time had ran out, and to his shock and mine … eSeverius was not inside the 24” kill box.  He had handed me the game before a Diretroll even threw a punch.

Game 2 was again Ruth with her Circle and Kromac the Ravenous.  Kromac brought all three varieties of Warpwolf (Feral, Pureblood and Stalker) as well as an Argos, a unit of Ravagers with Shaman, a Whitemaine and WarWolf.

I won the initiative again and Dire Trolls thundered up the table.  Kromac took up position on the nearly central hill, his Warpwolves forming a living shield before him as Ravagers made rapid progress up the flank.

Doomshaper saw an opening and the Earthborn launched forward and made short work of the nearest Warwolf, the Feral.  Before being goaded out of the way.  Then the Mauler charged in and shredded the Pureblood before also moving clear. Doomshaper then popped his feat, stepped forward into the edge of the woods and unleashed Mulg.  Mulg charged up the hill, through the gap made by the other Dires and set to work on Kromac.  After only 2 swings Kromac was saved by the bell, literally.

Kromac, understandably not wanting to remain stood before the towering Mulg, beasted out, stepped sideways, before leaping clear over him and swung his axe at Doomshaper. The rear guard Mauler took the damage for Doomy, but Mulg was not impressed.  He immediately turned and swung at Kromac, forcing him to make a beast take his damage.  For every swing Kromac made at Doomshaper, Mulg swung at him.  His Fury fast depleting he put all his effort into a final swing, leaving nothing left to defend himself, Mulg’s tree-club brought him to his knees.  Having done his best to recharge himself, Kromac swung again, but it was just not enough.  And the mighty club of Mulg finished him.

Game 3 was against Andrew and his Cygnar.

Now, here I felt I made a school boy error. We were drawn and deployed before the lunch break.  Then wondered up to Subways together.  Those of you who know me, know I talk.  I like to talk.  I talked too much on this lunch I feel.  I basically showed my entire hand without realising that Andrew was doing no such thing.

I won the initiative and went first.  Doomshaper’s Dires flying up the table at max speed, as before, but the fun ended there.  Haley rushed up the table and practically froze all Doomshaper’s massive Trolls as the rest of her force advanced around her, the Thunderhead in the middle at the front.

Doomshaper’s forces staggered vaguely forward as the huge Trolls took what cover they could beside the Menoth alter.

Haley then mentally shoved the Thunderhead forward, before helping it’s movement and retreating herself.  The Thunderhead then strode round the Menafix and electrocuted everything it could reach.  Doomshaper stumbled, but took the hit.  The Thunderhead then pulsed again and again.  The Mauler took the next few hits for Doomshaper, but the last nearly finished him.  Katherine Laddermore then carefully advanced and added her electrical influence to score the final wounds on Hoarluk.

Game 4 was again the infamous Pat Vance and his favourite 3 Ravagors (oh, and some Legion).

I went first and the Earthborn hugged the centre wall for the ARM bonus as everyone else came up just behind.

Lylyth and the Seraph both moved up and helped 2 of the Ravagors up the table a little … then both took pot shorts at the EBDT.  Both Ravagors also spat at him as the Striders moved over and added their firepower to finish off the hulking beast.

Mulg charged at the Striders and managed to chew through several of them before reaching the left hand Ravagor. One of the DTMs ran in as well andheld up the other 2 Ravagors as Champions moved to cover Doomshaper.  The Ravagors then focused their strength on Mulg and together with the BlackFrost Sharde managed to kill Mulg.  The DTM then wailed on the centre Ravagor, ripping it to shreds before stepping to oneside as the other Mauler charged at the right hand Ravagor.  As the Ravagor fell, the Mauler stepped forward to Lylyth, but his fist missed her.

Doomshaper panicked slightly as both beasts had fully exerted themselves, leaving him somewhat defenceless.  Lylyth stepped to oneside of the Troll beasts and sniped at Doomy a few times, doing minor damage, but softening him up enough for the Ravagor and BlackFrost Sharde to finish the job.

My final placing was 6th. Absolutely gutting when only the top 5 qualify for the final in October.

This is not the first event where I have won my first 2 games and lost the next 2.  Hardcore is a fantastic, yet unforgiving format, and despite the night-before coachings on twitter from @Blackear77, it would still appear I was unprepared.  It always feels good to get the early win, but the following games are always going to be harder.  If there are 2 things I took away from Wales HC … it is that I must not chill out or take my eye off the ball after round 2 and that Beasts look after themselves if you can just keep your caster alive.  Both the losses were due to mistakes relating to Doomy. One where beasts were over furied and the other was all about positioning (and underestimating the threat range of eHaley and the Thuinderhead).

I’m already looking forward to the Birmingham heat – there will be a list change, but not a big one.  4 Dires is still scary for anyone to have running across the table at them.

As a warm up to the impending Warmachine tournament season and my first since November last year, I wondered up to Ross-On-Wye last Sunday to play in a 25pt Steam Roller.

It was a 2 list, 25 pt Steam Roller. My lists were:
eMadrak, Pyre Troll, Bouncer, Rune Bearer, Fell Caller, Min Fennblades, max Pygmy Burrowers and max Kreil Stone unit.
Grim Angus … With some Gators and other stuff (its not really relevant, lol).

Game 1 was against Martin, he was new to Warmachine, and was playing with a borrowed Menoth army.

Martin was using Amon with Castigator, Dervish, Devout & Crusader. Plus Choir, 3 Wracks and I’m sure a solo or two.  The scenario was Outflank, Outfight, Outlast (the one with the 2 huge circles) I quickly read through the paper, as SR 2011 has a few changes.  Offered the scenario to my opponent who didn’t seem that interested.  I lost the initiative roll, but a Martin offered me the first turn!

The Dygmies Burrow with Blood Fury on them as Madrak charged up the middle of the table with his beasts close to him, the Fell Caller on the left, Fennblades on the right and the Kriel Stone bringing up the rear.  The Menoth ‘jacks gingerly came around the buildings on the far side, the Crusader in the middle and the others over on the right.  Amon tight in behind the larger group and the Choir stopped me from shooting them (with what I wasn’t sure).  The Dygmies then appeared within charge range of the Crusader, and with the help of the advancing FellCaller (and Blood Fury still) proceeded to bring significant pain to the ‘jack.  But failed to do any crippling damage.  The Fennblades advanced into the middle of the right hand objective, while Madrak, his beasts and the KSB took up the middle of the table.

The Crusader smashed a few Dygmies which his mace, while the Dervish came around and killed a few more.  The rest of the army advanced up as the Castigator was given a spell to increase his speed and advanced on the Fennblades before killing half of them with fire.  But without anything contesting the left hand objective, the FellCaller secured it.  The Castigator was the only enemy model in the right hand objective – I knew that all I had to do was remove it and it was all over.  The Fennblades failed to do much more than superficial damage to the huge jack.   Madrak charged the Castigator, with help from his Rune Bearer and Pyre Troll, and left it a smouldering heap after only 3 hits.  It was all over.

In fairness, it was Martin’s first tournament game and first Steam Roller scenario game.  The only thing that let me down was the lack of VP I secured.

Game 2 was against John Stanford from Dudley Darklords, playing Cygnar

John was using eNemo with the Thunderhead, IronClad, Firefly.  2 Storm Smiths (might have been 3) and Min Sword Knights

The scenario was Destruction on a board with more woods than open ground.  I should have gone with Grim, but I chose eMadrak again (eMadrak is like pringles).
John won the initiative and went first, deploying most of his force on the far right hand side, opposite the objective he had to destroy.  I then setup opposite him, I couldn’t see the objectives playing a huge part in this game – unless I slipped up massively, it was more likely to be able a caster kill.
The Cygnar ran at me en mass.  The Firefly in the woods in the middle, the Thunderhead over on the far right and the Ironclad between them.  The Swordknights stayed relatively back with Nemo.
In predictable form, the Dygmies burrowed while the Fennblades ran up to oppose the heavy jacks.  Madrak advanced with his beasts and KSB.

The Thunderhead, accelerated by Nemo, stepped up and electocuted half of the Fennblades as the Ironclad charged down another one.  The Firefly advanced further towards the middle and Swordknights behind.   In response, the Dygmies emerged behind the Ironclad found they couldn’t charge the Thunderhead due to polarity shield, so they advanced on both jacks and, with the help of the FellCaller, cut both their damage boxes in half with their pickaxes and guns.  The Fennblades consolidated to the right as Madrak charged up through the middle, straight into the Ironclad and cut what was left of the jack in half with ease with his flaming axe, courtesy of the Pyre Troll and Runebearer.  The Bouncer then moved up to cover Madrak’s left, and all were bolstered by the KSB tight in behind.

Nemo saw his opportunity, with Madrak only protected by a thin curtain of Dygmies, he looked vulnerable.  Nemo came forward a little cast a few spells and popped his feat, enhancing all his jacks.  The Firefly moved in and attacked the Bouncer, without much success, but it’s little friends the StormSmiths arced with him to snipe out several Dygmies and one of the remaining Fennblades.  The Thunderhead, still without a charge lane to Madrak, stepped forward and killed most of the remaining Dygmies and Fennblades before punching the last few.

With no attacks left to inflict damage, Madrak saw an opportunity to retaliate.  With Blood Fury still on him, the Pyre once again added fire to his weight and he charged at the StormSmith directly in front of him, only just in range.  Killing him with ease, Madrak then stepped sideways into the first SwordKnight, dispatching him as well.  He then swung at the last 2 SwordKnights together (via his feat) and stepped again, bringing him within axe range of Nemo.  After missing the first swing, the remaining blows both connected and Nemo fell.

Game 3 was against Stuart Hunter with his Skorne

Stuart ran pMorgul with BronzeBack, Titan, Cyclops (shield), Basilisk Drake. Paingivers and a Totemhunter.

The scenario was Incursion (the 3 flags, one of which disappears in round 2) I tried very hard to use Grim, but failed again.  I won the initiative role and went first.  Deploying in the middle of the table edge ready to take the middle and swing which ever direction the flags did not vanish.  Stuart deployed his beast heavy Skorne opposite.  Madrak and co advanced as fast as they dared – staying behind linear walls and a small building, Dygmies burrowing of course as usual.  The Skorne in turn took up position on the edge of a wood across the board, Titans threatening to charge anything that stepped forwards towards the objectives.

The Dygmies appeared in response, and with the help of Blood Fury and a Fell Call, charged both Titans.  They killed neither – but both had their wounds halved.  The left hand objective vanished, so the Fennblades ran up to cover the right hand one as the Madrak, his beasts and Kriel Stone crew took up the centre objective.  Morgul then darted forward, cleaving the middling stragglers of the Dygmies unit, before jumping back into the safety of the wood.  The Paingivers enhanced all of the beasts just before both Titan’s trampled forwards over the Dygmies.  The Gladiator wailed on the Bouncer at the end of his trample, but failed to inflict serious damage through his considerable armour, while the Bronzeback found itself unable to make any additional attacks due to spiritual damage done by the Dygmies.  The Totemhunter charged in from the left and managed to kill one of the Kriel Stone Scribes, but another was too tough for him.

It was then time for Madrak to just take a step forward and swing his axe.  A single hit brought down the Titan Gladiator, two more swings brought down the Bronzeback and the position was secured.  Over on the right flank the Fennblades consolidated to secure the right hand objective while the last few remaining Dygmies utterly failed to do any damage to the Cyclops Brute.

With 2 objective points and the centre well and truely held, there were very few options for Morgul.  The Cyclops stabbed and bashed a few Dygmies to death as the Drake killed a few of the Fennblades and managed to get close enough to contest.  But as the end of the turn closed, it was obvious Madrak was unmovable in the middle and so a 3^rd objective point was secured for the win.

Game 4 was against Adam Stone with his Cryx.

Adam ran pSkarre with 2 Stalkers, 2 units of Satyxis Raiders, 2 Stitch thralls and more Mechanithralls than I thought existed.

The scenario was Revelation with 2 flags in the middle.  Having said that – very early on (pre deployment) I think we have both silently agreed that the scenario was going to play very little part in the game.

I won the initiative and opted to go first.  The middle of the table was dominated with a huge hill, so first turn both armies rushed towards it, the Dygmies burrowing and the Mechanithralls just about making it up to the edge of the summit.  It seemed that for the whole of the rest of the game, the whole world revolved around what happened on that hill.  Any figures not on the hill were forgotten or discarded.  Literally.

The Dygmies appeared, charged the front rank of Mechanithralls, with a few of the back ones where they would reach through the gaps, and wasted them.  Madrak’s and his beasts then moved up onto the hill with the Kriel Stone in tow.  The Fennblades were completely lost and forgotten.  In response, several Mechanithralls were reanimated and others advanced on the Dygmies, finding them tougher than expected, but many brave Pygs still fell.  Satyxis moved in on the bored Fennblades as both Stalkers moved down the opposite side.

The mess of melee continued until Skarre bravely came up the hill, having enhanced her armour with a massive amount of Focus from a previous turn spell (don’t ask me what’s it’s called).  Madrak saw a slim opportunity of success and charged her, taking out several of her escorting Mechanithralls on the way.  He swung at her again and again, inflicting blow after blow.  But to no avail.  His energy spent, Madrak waited patiently for the end to come from Skarre’s blade.

So after 4 games, I had only lost one game and that was against Adam who was declared the overall winner.   The one lesson I take away from this day is to pay a little more attention to victory points for killing things.  I went for the throat a little too much a few times and didn’t cause any more casualties than I needed to.  Very fluffy approach for Trolls, just kill those you have to, but not so great for potential tournament standings.

Hard to argue with a day like that though,  I was placed 3^rd in the end, so I went away very happy with my performance.



My blog has taken a definite hit over the last few weeks.  My intention of weekly posts have met with utter fail.

But! (you knew there was a but) It is not without good reason … and that reason is my new baby girl.

She arrived on January 5^th 2011 … so it’s more than about time that I made a new post and got my blog back on track.  Or at least make vague attempts at it.  Anyway … here are a few more pictures.