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| Now with fancy facial hair! |
Ryan's list for the tournament included:
- Eltharion on Stormwing (this dude is broke!);
- Dragonmage on Dragon (also broke!);
- 2 units of 12 archers with musician and standard bearer;
- 1 large unit (28 I think) of Lothern Seaguard;
- 3 bolt throwers;
- an eagle;
- and a Frostheart Phoenix.
If you picked anything out from the above list, it should be that all of Ryan's core can shoot, and all his back-up units also shoot or cast spells. That makes for one nasty little list to have to go through to get to the points of the army, if you can.
As I had traveled farthest for the tournament, I got to chose who deployed first (and by default, who got to take the first turn). Knowing that I was going to have to get to Ryan's shooting as fast as possible, I chose to deploy first, thereby guaranteeing me the first turn (there was no chance to steal in the scenario).
Before we deployed, Ryan rolled spells. Eltharion was taking the Lore of Death for the tournament and rolled both Soulblight and Spirit Leech this game (two spells I was not looking forward to seeing played against my poor monsters). The Dragonmage came to battle with both Flaming Sword and Fireball (which was going to be put to good use throughout the game).
Deployment:
For deployment, I deployed in a strong line across the entire deployment zone. In response, Ryan deployed with a strong shooting line mirroring my army, while putting his heavy hitters on my right flank.
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| Deployment before vanguard moves. |
Looking at the deployment map above from my left to right flank, I deployed my first unit of Doomfire Warlocks, followed by the BSB and Beastmaster on the hill. This was followed by a unit of Dark Riders, the lone medusa, Kharybdis and then another unit of Dark Riders. In the center of my line I deployed the second Doomfire Warlock unit next to both hydras. Finally, on the right flank I deployed the remaining two units of Dark Riders.
Following Ryan's deployment in a similar manner, we have a bolt thrower and a unit of archers protecting the Frostheart Phoenix. Another bolt thrower, the seaguard, and the other archer unit were deployed in the center of the board. The last bolt thrower was placed on the hill in the right flank. Finally, the eagle, Eltharion, and Dragonmage were deployed on the right flank.
Knowing that I was going to go first (thanks, scenario!) I vanguarded heavy and moved every single fast cavalry unit 12" straight forward to make sure I would be right in front of Ryan's battle line on his first turn. With those strong moves, we shook hands, talked some trash, and began the game in earnest.
Turn #1: Dark Elves
After a minute of trying to figure out how I was going to get through Ryan's army, I realized my best chance was to drive straight at his battle line and hope his first turn did not go very well. With that decided, I surged everything forward putting most of my units only inches away from the bolt throwers. As you can see from the picture below, I surged forward with everything, only leaving my BSB in the back field in case the Frost Phoenix flew towards the center of the board.
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| And with that, I was on top of the High Elf forces. |
The Dark Elf magic phase was particularly poor, seeing only a Soulblight be cast on the Frost Phoenix to further help dissuade it from moving toward the center of the board.
In shooting, the Dark Elf fast cavalry proved particularly ineffective, managing to only kill two archers from the unit in the center. Things were not looking particularly strong for the Dark Elves.
Turn #1: High Elves
Ryan played his Turn 1 more conservatively, choosing not to risk the long charges and instead taking advantage of his 20" flight moves to maneuver his monsters and characters into better positions. To this end, the Frost Phoenix turned slightly to see the flanks of any monsters that pushed forward too close to the High Elf battle line on Turn 2. Meanwhile, on the right flank, a flurry of wings beat the air into a wild commotion as the eagle, Dragonmage, and Eltharion moved to target the closet Dark Riders. The Dragonmage in particular took extra time positioning, lining up to breath fire over both units.
With the rest of his units, Ryan decided that shooting was the better part of valor (just like a High Elf) and chose to stay put with all his archer units trusting in their bows to keep them safe from harm.
In the magic phase, a Fireball hit the warlocks in the center of the board, burning three of the shirtless elves into molten slag. However, being made of sterner stuff than their High Elf brethren, the remaining two warlocks just smiled at the death and destruction around them.
In the shooting phase, the Dragonmage called upon his powers once again and sent a cone of flame over both Dark Rider units, kill three more dark elfs. Luckily, the riders also did not care for the death of those around them and looked hungrily at the elves in front of them. In the center, the High Elf shooting was much less effective and failed to account for a single wound (not even the mighty bolt throwers could penetrate the might hides of the Dark Elf monsters). However, on the left flank, the archers knew that only death awaited them if they should fail to kill their targets. Drawing their bows back, the archers shot at the Dark Riders directly in front of them, killing the entire unit outright!
With the rest of his units, Ryan decided that shooting was the better part of valor (just like a High Elf) and chose to stay put with all his archer units trusting in their bows to keep them safe from harm.
In the magic phase, a Fireball hit the warlocks in the center of the board, burning three of the shirtless elves into molten slag. However, being made of sterner stuff than their High Elf brethren, the remaining two warlocks just smiled at the death and destruction around them.
In the shooting phase, the Dragonmage called upon his powers once again and sent a cone of flame over both Dark Rider units, kill three more dark elfs. Luckily, the riders also did not care for the death of those around them and looked hungrily at the elves in front of them. In the center, the High Elf shooting was much less effective and failed to account for a single wound (not even the mighty bolt throwers could penetrate the might hides of the Dark Elf monsters). However, on the left flank, the archers knew that only death awaited them if they should fail to kill their targets. Drawing their bows back, the archers shot at the Dark Riders directly in front of them, killing the entire unit outright!
Turn #2: Dark Elves
Well, Turn 1 went better than expected. I did lose quite a few models from the army (11 in all) but almost every unit was still in fighting shape and more than a match for their chosen targets. There was now nothing to do but charge with everything I possibly could. I began with all the easiest charges sending the warlocks on the left into the bolt thrower (with an overrun into the archers' flank), the dark riders into the center bolt thrower, and the dark riders on the right into the last bolt thrower.
In the center, I charged the seaguard with the Kharybdis, the High Beastmaster, and the warlocks. Unfortunately, only the warlocks made it into combat. Finally, I charged the last dark rider unit into the center unit of archers' flank, hoping to break them and push through into the seaguard.
With my remaining moves, I positioned the hydras to be able to charge Ryan's monsters (if they came over) while moving my BSB to protect myself from bad leadership tests. The medusa also moved forward hoping to come to grips with the Frostheart Phoenix at some point this game.
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| Charges. Charges everywhere! |
As all the Dark Riders were in combat, there was no shooting.
In combat, the Dark Elves massacred all three bolt throwers. The warlocks on the left flank overran into the archers' flank while the other two units of Dark Riders pivoted to give the phoenix and eagle their front. In the center both combats fared poorly for Malekith's ilk. The warlocks killed a few seaguard, but were themselves wiped out in a single round. The dark riders managed to kill a few archers, but took a wound in return. The archers, who had remained steadfast, easily passed their break test, though they failed to reform to face the lone remaining dark rider.
Turn #2: High Elves
Seeing his carefully planned battle line fall into disrepair so early in the game, Ryan chucked his earlier caution to wind and began his turn with a series of charges. The Frostheart Phoenix charged the Dark Riders in the center of the board who promptly turned their mounts around and fled from the flying monster. The eagle on the right flank charged the Dark Riders on the hill who opted to stand and shoot. However, after all bolts had been fired, the eagle landed among the elves unscathed.
Seeing a target of opportunity, Eltharion charged the leftmost hydra in the center of the board. I unwisely chose to stand (as it was unlikely that Elthation could have caught the hydra), but at the time I didn't want to have both hydras fleeing on my turn and in my back field. I remember thinking that it wasn't going to me a big problem and that I needed to put the pressure on Ryan's remaining elves with my monsters. Eltharion easily made the charge and lined up on the corner so that a small overrun would take him right into the BSB (and negate my lance and Cloak of Twilight bonus).
Here is how the board looked after Ryan's movement phase:
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| Eltharion makes his move. |
The seaguard took aim at the Manticore, but failed to push through a single wound.
In combat, Eltharion destroyed the hydra before it even had a chance to attack. I guess that's what happens when the mount also has Always Strikes First! The Dark Elf center held, but Eltharion overran right into my BSB. In the archer combat on the right flank, the remaining Dark Rider was killed (wiping the unit). Over on the left flank, the Warlocks killed 7 of the archers (leaving only 5 High Elves, but also leaving the unit Steadfast) for the loss of only one less-than-skilled warlock. However, the High Elves passed their break test but failed to reform (why couldn't it have been the other way around?). Things were beginning to look grim for the Dark Elves.
Turn #3: Dark Elves
Knowing that I had to keep the pressure on Ryan's forces (and to get out of the way of Eltharion's killing spree), I pressed forward. I only had a single charge, the Manticore into the seaguard, as I wanted the Kharybdis to dissuade the Dragonmage from either charging my Beastmaster, or moving into the center of the board. The medusa moved closer to the phoenix finally bringing its deadly gaze to bear. The remaining hydra moved back slightly to see the Dragonmage as well while putting itself in the woods away from the closest archers. Finally, the Dark Riders rallied, and moved to face off against the eagle on the hill.
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| The pressure is on as both sides try to outmaneuver their foes. |
On the left flank, the medusa turned her deadly gaze on the phoenix, but only managed to cause a single wound.
In combat, the warlocks on the left flank whiffed with all their attacks and failed to cause a single wound. The archers, in return, also failed to cause a wound. However, because the archers had both a standard and a musician, the warlocks lost the combat by one. Flabbergasted at their inability to kill some archers, the warlocks turned and ran, only to be caught by pursuing archers. (Ryan and I couldn't stop laughing at this particular turn of events. This was one moment in the game that neither of us thought possible. Not only did the warlocks fail to wound, but they were caught by the archers, giving Ryan complete magical superiority going into his Turn 3. Things were going to get really bad soon.)
In the center, the seaguard champion bravely stood up to the Beastmaster, only to be swiftly cut into several pieces for his impertinence. However, his sacrifice bought the seaguard another turn of combat, and hope that maybe they could turn the tide in their favor.
Finally, in the epic combat between Eltharion and the poor Dark Elf master, Eltharion drew his magical sword speaking words of eternal hate and fury and swung all four attacks at the lowly Dark Elf lordling. However, Eltharion, apparently expecting an easy battle, telegraphed all his swings allowing the Dark Elf to duck the attacks. In return, the Dark Elf master plunged his weapon into Stormwing's flank, gouging two deep gashes despite his drained strength. Astonished at the strange turn of events, Eltharion turned and fled away from the Dark Elf, Stormwing letting out a cry of pain. Unfortunately for me, the BSB was caught off guard and failed to run down the High Elf.
Turn #3: High Elves
With Eltharion fleeing and the Dragonmage not wanting to commit, Ryan's only charge came from the eagle on the right flank who flew straight at the last unit of Dark Riders (and the one with my Man of Intrigue). The Dark Riders decided to stand and shoot, and managed to drop the eagle on its way to the combat (with a nice set of three 5s).
Eltharion rallied and turned to face the BSB. The Dragonmage moved to see the BSB, probably thinking that a nicely placed Fireball would wipe the smile of the BSB's face. Meanwhile, the Frostheart Phoenix moved back slightly and turned to see the Beastmaster on Manticore, readying for a Turn 4 charge.
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| Monsters, monsters everywhere. |
In the shooting phase, the archers on the left flank dropped the medusa with a few well placed shots. In the center, the other archers tried to shoot the hydra, but failed to wound the giant monster.
In combat, with no champion to block his fury, the Beastmaster and Manticore tore through the seaguard, killing a dozen of the smug elves. In return, the seaguard cut a long gash along the Manticore's thigh, but the creature seemed unperturbed.
Turn #4: Dark Elves
Turn 4, time to pull the game around and make the magic happen. Seeing Eltharion standing around looking sullen, I decided that the little pansy elf needed to be removed from the battlefield. To accomplish this feat, both the Kharybdis and the remaining hydra charged in (with the hydra hitting Eltharion's flank). The BSB charged the archers, who opted to flee and ran off the board. Finally, the last unit of Dark Riders moved to take pot shots at the Dragonmage and hopefully push through a couple of wounds.
Unfortunately, the Dark Riders failed to wound either the dragon or the Dragonmage.
In combat, the Beastmaster and Manticore mauled the seaguard causing the unit to break and flee. The Manticore pursued, but rolled poorly, and ended up within the phoenix's charge arc.
In the center of the board, Eltharion cut four chunks of the Kharybdis off its tough hide, but his mount "Slow"wing couldn't cause the final wound. In return, both monsters tore into the griffon, killing it and dropping Eltharion on his ass. Luckily for the elf, both monsters rolled poorly on their Thunderstomp attacks and Eltharion stayed in combat with a single wound left.
Turn #4: High Elves
Seeing a nice juicy target, the phoenix charged the Beastmaster on Manticore. Meanwhile, the Dragonmage moved to see the Dark Riders and the remaining five archers loafed around on the left side of the board.
In the magic phase, a boosted Fireball managed to slay the remaining Dark Riders, taking my Man of Intrigue with them (and costing me a bonus objective). Also in the magic phase, Eltharion irresistibly cast a boosted Soulblight (making my poor Beastmaster and Manticore strength 3 in the combat). The resulting miscast was a dimensional cascade (of course! why wouldn't it be?) and the ensuing explosion managed to kill the Kharybdis (who was already on his last wound), put a wound on the hydra, and kill Eltharion himself (so some good came out of the spell).
In combat, with the combination of lower toughness and poor armor saves, the Beastmaster was dropped to the ground as his Manticore was killed underneath him. And then the poor, unlucky Beastmaster (who couldn't seem to roll a 4++) was squashed beneath the phoenix's bulk. To add insult to injury, the Beastmaster failed to put a wound on the phoenix before he died.
Turns #5 & 6:
With very little on the board, the remaining two turns played out very quickly. The hydra charged the phoenix, and over the course of two rounds of combat (and some wound regeneration on my part - three to be exact) the hydra killed the phoenix. The BSB tried to line up a charge on the Dragonmage, but the two flying characters had each other's measure and kept flying around each other. Finally, while the hydra was trying to move towards the last few archers, the creature was destroyed by another boosted Fireball (as I failed to make the necessary 5+ saves to keep him alive) by the Dragonmage.
In the end, Ryan had won the game by a little over 300 points and the only things left alive were 5 archers, the Dragonmage, and the Dark Elf BSB. It was a brutal bloodbath. Had the hydra survived the last turn, it would have still been Ryan's win - though not if the warlocks had killed those 5 archers (well-wishing) - but I would have come out of the game with a 3 instead of a 1 for battle points.
All in all, this was an incredibly fun game with a lot of back and forth dice rolls and I look forward to getting a chance to play Ryan in the future (and maybe get some payback to those evil High Elves).
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