On Saturday morning it was time for our second game. This time we were facing a Norwegian team composed of people from Bergen, including two of this year's ETC players. We had to get up early but we had a good night's sleep, so we were ready for a new day with another tough challenge.
.::. Match Report - BSK #2 vs Donkey Punch (ETC comp) .::.
Points Before the Game: 38/55
Our lists:
Daemons of Chaos (rusty)
Herald of Tzeentch: Level 2, Lore of Metal, General, 125
Herald of Tzeentch: Level 2, Lore of Metal, 125
10 Horrors: Musician, 140
4x 10 Horrors: 4x 130
4 Beasts of Nurgle: 240
2x 1 Beast of Nurgle: 2x 60
2x 5 Furies: 2x 60
2 Nurglings: 80
2x 5 Flesh Hounds: Ambush, 2x 165
4 Plague Drones: Champion, Standard Bearer, Gleaming Pennant, Plague Proboscis, 265
3 Plague Drones: Champion, Standard Bearer, Plague Proboscis, 200
Skullcannon: 135
Army Total: 2400
Dwarfs (strange)
Dwarf Lord: General, Shieldbearers, Shield, Master Rune of Adamant, Rune of Might, 313
Runesmith: Shield, Rune of Stone, 2x Rune of Spellbreaking, 113
Runesmith: Shield, Master Rune of Balance, Rune of Spellbreaking, 138
Thane: Battle Standard Bearer, Shield, Master Rune of Groth One-Eye, 168
25 Longbeards: FCG, Shields, Great Weapons, 3x Rune of Sanctuary, 450
10 Quarrelers: Veteran, Great Weapons, 150
Cannon: Rune of Forging, 145
Cannon: Rune of Forging, Rune of Burning, 150
Grudge Thrower: Rune of Forging, Rune of Accuracy, 130
Grudge Thrower: Rune of Forging, Rune of Accuracy, Rune of Penetrating, 170
2x 1 Gyrocopter: 2x 80
20 Irondrakes: Musician, 310
Army Total: 2397
Dark Elves (Dark Reaper)
Dreadlord on Dark Steed: General, Repeater Crossbow , Heavy Armour, Sea Dragon Cloak, Shield, Giant Blade, Dawn Stone, The Other Trickster`s Shard, 282
Supreme Sorceress: Level 4, Lore of Death, Dispel Scroll, Ring of Hotek, Ironcurse Icon, 300
Master on Dark Pegasus: Lance, Heavy Armour, Sea Dragon Cloak, Shield, Cloak of Twilight, 188
Master on Dark Pegasus: Lance, Heavy Armour, Sea Dragon Cloak, Battle Standard Bearer, Talisman of Preservation, Charmed Shield, 211
Master on Dark Pegasus: Lance, Sea Dragon Cloak, Shield, Armour of Destiny, 184
5 Dark Riders: Repeater Crossbows, Shields, 100
10 Dark Riders: Repeater Crossbows, Shields, 200
24 Darkshards: FCG, Banner of the Eternal Flame, 328
5 Harpies: 75
4x 1 Reaper Bolt Thrower: 4x 70
2x 5 Doomfire Warlocks: 2x 125
Army total: 2398
High Elves (Olannon)
Prince on Star Dragon: General, Dragonhelm, Star Lance, Golden Crown of Atrazar, The Other Trickster`s Shard, Shield, 598
Noble on Ithilmar Barded Elven Steed: Battle Standard Bearer, Banner of the World Dragon, Heavy Armour, Shield, Lance, 172
Noble on Ithilmar Barded Elven Steed: Enchanted Shield, Heavy Armour, Ogre Blade, 134
Mage on Elven Steed: Level 2, Lore of High Magic, Dispel Scroll, 155
Mage on Elven Steed: Level 2, Lore of High Magic, Ironcurse Icon, 135
17 Silver Helms: FCG, Shields, 421
5 Ellyrian Reavers: Champion, Bows (Swap), 95
5 Silver Helms: Champion, Musician, Shields, 135
3x 1 Eagle Claw Bolt Thrower: 3x 70
Frostheart Phoenix: 240
2x 1 Great Eagle: 2x 50
Army Total = 2395
Their lists:
Hermund Vigerust Endresson Furu - DoC
Herald of Tzeentch, lvl2, Lore of Metal - 125 Pts.
Herald of Nurgle, Regen, BSB - 160 Pts.
12 Pink Horrors - 156 Pts.
31 Plaguebearers, M, S, C, Std. of Swiftness - 448 Pts.
3 Screamers - 120 Pts.
3 Screamers - 120 Pts.
3 Screamers - 120 Pts.
4 Beasts of Nurgle - 240 Pts.
3 Beasts of Nurgle - 180 Pts.
5 Chaosfuries, Mark of Tzeench - 70 Pts.
5 Chaosfuries 60 Pts.
5 Plague Drones, Poison upgrade - 300 Pts
5 Plague Drones, Poison upgrade - 300 Pts
Total: 2399
Lars Morten Thu - Bretonnia
Bretonnian Lord, General, Knights's Vow, Shield, Barded Warhorse, Virtue of Heroism, Sword of Swift Slaying, Dawnstone, Dragonhelm - 234 Pts.
Prophetess of the Lady, lvl4, Lore of the Beasts, Steed, Crown of Command, Scroll - 300 Pts.
Damsel of the Lady, Lore of the Beasts, Steed, The Silver Mirror - 120 Pts.
Paladin, BSB, Knights's Vow, Lance, Shield, Barded Warhorse, Gromril Great Helm - 110 Pts.
Paladin, Knights's Vow, Lance, Morning Star, Barded Warhorse, Virtue of Confidence, Gauntlet of the Duel, Dragonbane Gem, Enchanted Shield - 130 Pts.
3x Paladin, Knights's Vow, Lance, Morning Star, Shield, Barded Warhorse - 82 Pts.
11 Knights Errant, M, S, Std. of Swiftness - 256 Pts.
11 Knights Errant, M, S - 241 Pts.
11 Knights of the Realm, M, S, Standard of Discipline - 303 Pts.
2x 5 Mounted Yeomen, Shields - 80 Pts.
4 Pegasus Knights - 220 Pts.
2x Field Trebuchet - 90 Pts.
Total: 2500
Hallvard Haugen - VC
Vampire Lord, General, GW, HA, Talisman of Preservation, Nightshroud, Aura of Dark Majesty, Lore of Vampires - 346 Pts.
Necromancer Lord, lvl4, The Book of Arkhan, Lore of Death - 225 Pts.
Necromancer, lvl2, Scroll, Lore of Death - 125 Pts.
Necromancer, Obsidian Amulet, Scroll of Shielding, Lore of Vampires - 110 Pts.
2x Banshee - 95Pts
32 Skeleton Warriors, M, S, C, Std. of Swiftness - 205 Pts.
39 Crypt Ghouls, C - 400 Pts.
3x2 Fell Bats - 32 Pts.
10 Crypt Horrors - 380 Pts.
7 Vargheists - 322 Pts.
Total: 2399
Spellweaver: Scroll of Shielding; Moonstone of the Hidden Ways; Talisman of Preservation; Level 4 Wizard; Lore of High Magic; Asrai Longbow; Elven Steed 345
Glade Captain: Charmed Shield; Hail of Doom Arrow; Battle Standard; Great weapon; Elven Steed 149
Spellsinger: Dispell Scroll; Ruby Ring of Ruin; Level 2 Wizard; Lore of metal; Elven Steed 175
10 Glade Riders: Trueflight arrows; Musician 230
10 Glade Riders: Trueflight arrows; Musician 230
8 Glade Riders: Musician 162
7 Wild Riders: Banner of Eternal Flame; Shield; Standard Bearer 216
7 Wild Riders: Shield 196
7 Wild Riders: Shield 196
1 Great Eagle 50
1 Great Eagle 50
10 Waywatchers 200
10 Waywatchers 200
Total: 2 399 points
Pairing
In this matchup, I could play favourably against anything. At least that was our thinking. As such, we decided to go with High Elves as a counter instead of our usual approach. We absolutely did not want Dwarfs vs WE, so we chose strange's army as our first to control. They revealed Bretonnia as their output army and we countered with DoC + HE. In hindsight, I believe DE + HE might've been superior. Anyway, they countered our DW with VC + DoC. We ended up choosing DW vs VC and DE vs DoC. This would prove to be a huge mistake as the DE DoC matchup was very hard: The list is untraditional in the sense that it has a lot of pushing power and units and little magic and no cannon. VC DW also turned out to be a nightmare. By swapping these around, we would've been way better off. Our opponents also made a big mistake however as they paired HE vs BR, leaving our DoC to face their WE (!). This would certainly prove to be an interesting match.
Pre-battle thoughts and deployment:
Drawing Bretonnia means I have a few things to take care of. First of all, I need to beware of the Trebuchets and the Heroic Killing Blow Lord. Thankfully, he is not flying. Secondly, I need to pressure his Trebs somewhat. The typical Bretonnia deployment sees one in each corner. A unit of Helms/Reavers should suffice. With no Falcon Horn (half the reason this matchup is playable), my Dragon + Frostheart can do as they please. Lastly, the bus needs to take care not to get combo-charged as lances really hurt.
Our overall game plan here was again to go out aggressively, trying to get the big points. Thus, the knowledge of going first vs Bretonnia helped me deploy to this end. I had flyers on the flank ready to pressure him early, with the bus in a commanding, central position should he wheel to help out his flank. His HKB Lord was in the middle unit, so I had to somehow keep him away from the fighting on my terms.
With him praying, I went first.
:: Early Game ::
The bus charged his vanguarding Pegasus Knights, which elected to flee. Dragon + Frost moved up outside of Treb LoS, the latter placing itself to taunt his closest Knights to charge. This would have several, favourable effects: At LD10 with re-roll, I woud probably be looking at an LD7/LD6 test with re-roll, roughly 70% chance to hold. This would allow my Star Dragon to counter-charge while also isolating his Lord away from the main fighting. If I broke, I'd still have a ~50-50 shot at escaping. Therefore, I was calculating a 1 in 6 chance of the bird dying, which is worth the risk seeing as if this panned out, I would basically just evaporate one lance for no cost.
Shooting took care of some chaff and killed a couple of Knights. In his turn, he charged said Phoenix. Trebs did nothing, Pegs unfortunately rallied (otherwise they would almost be out of the game). Phoenix unfortunately broke, but he failed to catch me.
Helms congalined to block his other lances out. Star Dragon counter-charged along with Reavers (champ to eat challenges). Walk on the Frostheart positioned it in a counter-charge position. Combat became a grind and he eliminated the conga'd Helms, unfortunately the random pursuit distance brought him towards my bus rather than crashing into his own block.
At this point I had a tough decision to make: How do I save the bus? In the end, I decided there was only one sensible thing to do: Sacrifice a mage. I chose the one with a scroll, seeing as I believe the most crucial magic phase would be coming up regardless and I wanted the Ironcurse Icon vs the Trebs.
Frostheart entered the central fray as well and I got IF Walk Between Worlds (spell selection was also a big part of why I chose the scroll mage for sacrificial duty, I had Apotheosis + Walk on the other guy) to get the bus away. My Eastern Eagle rear-charged his Peg Knights, I figured that with charge + rear, I had a decent chance of actually breaking him if I could just survive. The bird had no intention of surviving however. The central grind kept on going.
Pegs flank-charged my bus. This could get iffy. Magic saw the scroll come out. Trebs did little or nothing. In combat, the Peg Knights who had shown their value vs my Eagle completely fluked, I don't think I suffered a single casualty (perhaps 1). In return, I dealt a couple of wounds and won combat. He broke, I caught him, furthermore getting a very juicy flank charge on his last lance.
The Frostheart found itself out of combat due to Reavers + Dragon taking up all the available space. It moved away from the HKB bus and my Helms charged the last lance. In combat I won big, but elected not to pursue as I wanted the central unit instead: Complete with a L4, an L2, BSB and General.
In his turn he charged the Reavers. He killed them while the Star Dragon finally finished off the lance (I was challenged by cheap heroes for what seemed like forever). This left us in an awkward spot as my T5 was about to begin:
So basically, the HKB Lord was on the right corner. I wanted to triple-charge his unit, but with him being 3 wide and me being 5 wide, that would not be possible (bad call on my part not to reform the Helms accordingly). I thought about what to do for ages but could not come up with any good way to charge him. I was later discussing this situation with a few guys from 2d6 and it was suggested that I could've solo-charged out with the Ogre Blade Noble with the Frostheart on the left corner and the Star Dragon on the right. With Star Lance + ASL from Blizzard Aura and TOTS, the Lord would likely go down before getting to strike the Star Dragon. Even if he did get to strike it, he'd be looking at 4 attacks without re-rolls to hit, roughly 1/3 of a chance of killing blow.
Anyway, what I ended up doing was to sacrifice my last mage to block him, setting up for a T6 charge.
He solo-charged the Lord out, I fled, he caught me. He then spread everything out and left the bus to die.
I placed the Dragon to block his BSB, charged his lance and placed the Frostheart where it could not be seen by Trebs. RBTs, all 3 still alive and kicking, single-bolted his Lord to death. I killed off his lance and combat reformed Silver Helms to a congaline to ensure his Trebs would have a hard time getting half points for them.
In his T6 a boosted Amber Spear took out the Frostheart (it had taken one wound previously) and with that, the game was over. Counting up Victory Points, I was ahead by just enough to give the High Elves a
16-4 victory! On the other tables, things were not faring too well: Dark Elves were losing badly, looking like a 0-20, and Dwarfs were definitely losing 20. Rusty however was massacring Wood Elves left, right and center, keeping us in the fight. In the end, Dark Elves gave up all 20 points and Rusty wiped his opponent, leaving us with a 36-44 loss.
Evaluation
We screwed up in the pairing for this game, which cost us heavily. While DoC might not be a good matchup for Dwarfs, DE can play VC easier than 0-20, at the very least. Miscalculating the DoC - DE matchup basically cost us the game.
As for my own game, I have little experience vs Bretonnia and this shows. The Peg Knights proved to be a big pain and I struggled with all his characters keeping my Dragon busy, largely because I could not get the bus in. In hindsight I believe the monsters should be centrally deployed here, with the bus on an extreme flank. This makes it easier to protect it and isolate him.
T4, end of my turn, I should've combat reformed the Helms 3 wide to combo-charge him with all 3 heavy hitters T5. As it were, this was not the case but I probably still should've solo-charged the Ogre Blade Noble out seeing as I knew we were losing big on 2 tables. The odds of this move succeeding are quite good.
In the end, a 16 win here is decent and I was happy with it. His central and close treb placement allowed my monsters to remain unharmed throughout the game (although the SD took a couple of wounds from Amber Spear at one point). With more Bretonnia experience, this probably could've been a 20 game. However, the lack of Falcon Horn was what made this game possible in the first place.
Opponent Team Final Placing: 7/24
Our Points: 74/110