Dwarfs always look small
For TK house rules we use the VC/ET rules for healing, but keep the Hierophant. We also use a BSB option for a Tomb Prince (its sometimes free). Its the general house rules that help them a lot, though. AP on spears is big as there's a lot of those in the army - even basic skellies benefit. Combined profiles are nice, too, Warsphinxes and chariots can be good options.
Greatswords are a solid unit, especially with a Priest nearby. They suffer in comparison to other elites, though. Even with S4 they're hardly a match for a Longbeard, let alone a Hammerer or a Phoenix Guard.
Report.
Turn 1
Dwarfs start the battle - the Longbeards enter the cemetery, while the Hammerers speed up the hill in the south. The Rangers secure the chapel. Cannon fire is largely ineffective, but Organ Gun manages to cause 2 wounds on the wraith and the Grudge Thrower lands a direct hit on the Greatswords, killing about 10 men...
The Empire line advances cautiously, respectful of the enemy firepower. Their own guns are well aimed as well, however and they manage to destroy both Dwarf Cannons! The reminder of the shooters cause 2 wounds on the wraith (making it 2:2). Magic sees an irresistable Banishment wreck havoc on the Hammerers.
Turn 2:
Longbeards keep advancing and the Hammerers relieve the Rangers in the Chapel. The Grudge Thrower continues destoying my infantry - this time killing several Halberdiers. The Organ Gun causes 4 wounds on the War Altar, but I manage to keep it alive.
My men keep on advancing, but neither wing has the strenth to challenge the Dwarfs in thei positions. I keep shooting them, but also target the wraith (who keeps drifting towards the cemetery), causing another wound (3:2).
The Dwarfs get the first points for occupying the cemetery.
Turn 3:
Longbeards charge my Demigryphs but are very unlucky and so I hold. The Diribibles fry my Halberdiers as it their custom, rendering my unit totally incapable of assaulting the Chapel...
The units on my left flank reform, as I keep bombarding the Chapel with spells and bullets. The Greatswords assault the Longbeards from the side, but are attacked by the wraith and suffer 8 wounds. This turns the combat against me - the Demis flee, and the Greatswords are left for dead...
Turn 4:
The Dwarfs mop up the cemetery area, some Miners coming in from behind to destoy my Cannon. Dirigibles fry some handgunners, but the losses are acceptable. The Grudge Thrower scatters into the Chapel, killing several Hammerers!
I finally manage to breakthrough - shooting destroys the Dirigibles and the remaining Hammerers (even my archers got one of the buggers!), leaving the Chapel undefended. I move in to block the Irondrakes - the only Dwarf unit left in the area.
Turns 5&6:
The Dwarfs strike a picnic in the cemetery, but are unable to retake the chapel. Only half a dozen Halberdier defenders remain to fight off the inevitable assault by the Irondrakes, but they are aided by Timewarp and so I prevail
Elsewhere the Dwarfs, seeing that the Wraith will be the key objective turn their guns against him. They manage to cause 3 wounds, but a massed volley of the Outriders and Handgunners deals 2 in return, making it 7:6 for me!
Objectives:
"Guardian of the Necropolis" - 7:6 for the Empire
"Rats, rats in the walls!" - 1:0 for the Empire
"City of the Dead" - 5:0 for the Dwarfs
Final outcome - 2:1 for the Empire!
Sorry for the lack of details. I'll try and remeber some specific information is you have questions. Random comments are very welcome as well