Friday 24 April 2015

Haley3, Sqweeeeee! Also games 16 & 17

Haley3

Haley3 is coming out, the models look super awesome, can't wait for her rules to be available hopefully this will be at Lock & Load in June.


Game 16/100
Caine2 Vs Vayl1
Opponent: Mike Porter
Scenario: Fire Support
List:
Captain Allister Caine
* Squire
* Hunter
Arcane Tempest Gun Mage Pistoleers(
* Arcane Tempest Gun Mage Officer
Black 13th Gun Mage Strike Team
Rangers
Greygore Boomhowler & Co.
Reinholdt, Gobber Speculator
Lady Aiyana & Master Holt
Journeyman Warcaster
Eiryss, Angel of Retribution
Horgenhold Forge Guard
Madelyn Corbeau, Ordic Courtesan
Objective: Effigy of Valor

Mike and I have another game and we decide to play Caine2 into Vayl1 by randomly rolling for our lists.

I run everything forward, Boomies 4+ tough and Forges get AS, Caine Heightened Reflexes the Boomies and settles into his safe wall position, threatening Mikes flag. Mike Leash and Slipstreams the Seraph to take pot shots at the Hunter, the Raptors tag a Boomhowler.

Cygnar Turn 1.5

I move up and get some decent shots with Caine into the Seraph but don't kill it, although it only has about 8 boxes left, then I Gatecrash back. Ryan Magestorms a Raptor. The Boomies 4+ it and run in to Jam.

Cygnar Turn 2
Mike Feats and sprays down a lot of the Boomhowlers, the Raptors are able to pick off Gregor as well. The Hunter goes down in a flurry of Seraph shots. Then everything pulls back.

I am able to Kiss the Raptors and the Gun Mages and Black 13th take them out. I put a bit of incidental damage onto Zuriel, all the Forgies run up and spread out waiting for the retaliation.

The Scythean can only get to a Boomhowler, and takes him out, sprays and shots kill off all but 3 of the Forge Guard, Zuriel has to position for the best angle.

Kiss, Rangers, combined arms and Caine take Zuriel and the objective down, Madelyn runs to score me a point. Thunderbolts knock down and push back the Scythean who is full on fury.

I score 2 points
Gun Mage eye view
The Seraph moves up to contest as does Typhon but they fail to shift Madelyn, The Scythean has to run round to come close to Mikes flag.

I harm Typhon and I am able to kill him with shots, I still have my feat held and Madelyn is still scoring. I get up to 3 points.

Typhon goes down

The Seraph Kills Madelyn and the Sucker! Rangers that are available, the Schytean goes into Aiyana and removes her.

I feat and am able to remove the Scythean and Seraph from the board whilst hiding away behind my wall, Mike only has Vayl left with a minute on his clock and no way to get to me so we call it there.

Endgame

Scenario WIN!

Game 17/100
Nemo1 Vs Stryker1
Opponent: Pat Dunford
Scenario: Close Quarters
List:
Commander Adept Nemo
* Squire
* Stormwall & Lightning Pod
* Lancer
* Dynamo
Tactical Arcanist Corps
Journeyman Warcaster
Reinholdt, Gobber Speculator
Rangers
Gorman di Wulfe, Rogue Alchemist
Black 13th Gun Mage Strike Team
Objective: Fuel Cache

Mr Pat "Diceman" Dunford is looking for a game so I opt to try out a pNemo list I've been itching to use but really isn't great against Legion.

Turns out Dynamo can't do much shooting against Storm Blades, Lances and the Stormwall. And Chain Lightning looses a lot of its worth...

#pNeems4Lyfe

I end up with my Jacks getting disrupted and generally out threatened by the Lances, I have no real targets that Dynamo can be meaningful against and have to press forward to not get fully scenario'd.

Unfortunately it is not to be and all my things die, pNeems has a last turn of smacking some Stormblades on the head and bashing a Lance to death before getting assassinated.

Assassination LOSS!


I'd also to give a shout out to this article over on Muse on Minis, someone made a Doom Reaver Circle Beastie, amazing sculpting.


Wednesday 22 April 2015

Games 13, 14 & 15

Monday and Tuesday saw me getting in 5 more games, 4 against my little brother, who features a lot in my gaming schedule as he keeps his toys at my house and is, until next Monday, unemployed.

This is him during a post toys session.

Not a sane man.

Game 13/100
Haley2 Vs Abby2
Opponent: Mike Porter
Scenario: Close Quarters
List:
Major Victoria Haley
* Squire
* Stormclad
Arcane Tempest Gun Mage Pistoleers
* Arcane Tempest Gun Mage Officer
Storm Lances
Stormblade Infantry
* Stormblade Infantry Officer & Standard
* 2 Stormblade Infantry Storm Gunner
Journeyman Warcaster
Stormblade Captain
Anastasia di Bray
Rhupert Carvolo, Piper of Ord
Gorman di Wulfe, Rogue Alchemist
Eiryss, Angel of Retribution
Objective: Effigy of Valor


Deployment
I win the Roll and chose to go first and unpack very aggressively with the Lances heading up the middle, the Gun Mages have to run to become relevant.

Cygnar Turn 1
Mike can't really unpack very far and can't get off conferred rage this turn, he has to advance to stop me just winning on Scenario.

Eyriss removes Spiny and Tenacity from the Carnivean and I alpha it hard with the Lances, they also engage (at reach) and damage the Ravagore. the Stormclad shoots the Deathstalker down. I cast deceleration and feat.

Mike leaps the Raek into me and tries to engineer a throw with Elanor (Archangel) but nothing really comes of it and then he concedes.

Assassination or Scenario WIN!

With things looking grim we call it.

Next game I get to try out the Nemo2 Chargerpalooza.

Game 14/100
Nemo2 Vs Abby2
Opponent: Mike Porter
Scenario: Close Quarters
List:
General Adept Nemo
* Charger
* Charger
* Charger
* Charger
* Charger
* Charger
* Charger
* Charger
* Charger
* Charger
* Charger
* Charger
* Charger
* Charger
Objective: Fuel Cache

Turn 1 front.
Turn 1 back
Legion turn 1

I Energizer for 3, walk everything up and put Force Field on Nemo. Mike runs up behind a wall aggressively with Tenacity on Abby, camping 1.

I feat and need boosted 14s to hit at boosted dice -3, 7 Chargers manage to get it done. 

Assassination WIN!


7 Guys get the job done!

Game 15/100
Caine2 Vs Abby2
Opponent: Mike Porter
Scenario: Close Quarters
List:
Captain Allister Caine
* Squire
* Hunter
Arcane Tempest Gun Mage Pistoleers(
* Arcane Tempest Gun Mage Officer
Black 13th Gun Mage Strike Team
Rangers
Greygore Boomhowler & Co.
Reinholdt, Gobber Speculator
Lady Aiyana & Master Holt
Journeyman Warcaster
Eiryss, Angel of Retribution
Horgenhold Forge Guard
Madelyn Corbeau, Ordic Courtesan
Objective: Effigy of Valor


Legion turn 1

Cygnar Turn 1
Mike unpacks using a forest as an Anchor, I run up with key pieces hanging back using the wall to keep things safeish, Eyriss relocates. The Carnivean moves up to kill some models and the Raek does the same, I am able to remove the Raek with Forge Guard and harm + shooting takes care of the Carnivean. I run other stuff up to jam Elanor and the Ravagore.

Carnivean and Raek removed, Jammin'

Miek feats and procs conferred rage, clears out the jam and models in the way of Elanor who then charges Caine, he's ARM 21 and DEF 19 behind the wall, he needs boosted 11s to hit, and doesn't get any of them. I feat and harm Elanor, remove her and the Ravagore and I'm out of Abbys threat range.

Elanor and Ravagore go down.
After that theres one chance for Paul (the shredder) to get into Caine but he can't do it and at that point I can just walk about scoring and shooting things whilst staying away from Abby.

Scenario WIN!


So, final thoughts;
Game 1 was a matchup that was always going to be rough and my alpha and feat just meant it was so hard to come back from especially with Abbys predictable threat ranges.
Game2 was a one trick pony.If Mike had known about it then it never would have been on. Although probably would have been interesting to play out, see how much stuff I could remove.
Game 3 was a big grind and I was lucky but two attacks would have needed to hit and roll averages to get me down.


I have a couple more games I'm going to put up but they can wait until tomorrow when I can scribble them.






Sunday 19 April 2015

Game 12 - Trollin'. High Voltage!

I played game 12 on Thursday. Haley2 got bussed out against what is seemingly fast becoming a popular, fun and pretty heavy skew list, Evolutionary Elementalism - Tier 3.

I just want to take a minute to reflect on how fun this looks to be to play and how silly it is that it exists.

Firstly theres the tier benefits, two of which are pretty huge;

Tier 1 - Decrease the point cost of warbeasts in Truthsayer's battlegroup by 1.
This, when combined with 11, yes 11 light beasts means you're facing down 20% more points than you have.

Tier 3 - Light warbeasts in Calandra's battlegroup gain Advanced Deployment.
Oh and now they are an extra 6" up the board already.

So here's the list:
Calandra Truthsayer, Oracle of the Glimmerwood
   - Trollkin Runebearer
* Pyre Troll
* Pyre Troll
* Pyre Troll
* Slag Troll
* Slag Troll
* Slag Troll
* Slag Troll
* Winter Troll
* Storm Troll
* Storm Troll
* Storm Troll

Krielstone Bearer & Stone Scribes - Leader & 5 Grunts
   - Stone Scribe Elder


You really need to be able to shift 11 light beasts (with 21 Boxes), under stone (ARM 18 or 19) and Star Crossed.
Not to mention if you hit or are hit by a:
Pyre troll you're on fire
Slag troll continuous corrosion
Storm troll disrupted
Winter troll stationary (only if you  hit it)

With this all in mind, it looks really fun to play and has a huge amount of variety and stuff you can do.

Game 12/100
Haley2 Vs Calandra
Opponent: Pat Long
Scenario: Fire Support
List:
Major Victoria Haley
* Squire
* Stormclad
Arcane Tempest Gun Mage Pistoleers
* Arcane Tempest Gun Mage Officer
Storm Lances
Stormblade Infantry
* Stormblade Infantry Officer & Standard
* 2 Stormblade Infantry Storm Gunner
Journeyman Warcaster
Stormblade Captain
Anastasia di Bray
Rhupert Carvolo, Piper of Ord
Gorman di Wulfe, Rogue Alchemist
Eiryss, Angel of Retribution



So my list hasn't changed, I lose the roll to go first so I avoid the side with more forest but the terrain is pretty irrelevant.

Trolls Turn 1
Everything runs up and get soothing songed, the stone auras and runs.

Trolls turn 1

Cygnar Turn 1
I Deadeye, Dirge and Arcane Shield the Lances, Haley charges forwards after Decelerating and feats.
The Lances get 3 shots into trolls directly opposite them, the Stormclad runs up and the blades follow, Gun Mages run round the flank.

Trolls Turn 2
It's Haley feat time so nothing happens, 3 trolls are in range of 3 Lances but they are 15/22 currently against shooting, Starcrossed and stone aura goes off, one slag advances towrds my flag.

Cygnar Turn 2
I allocate 2 to the Clad and Deadeye the Lances and Blades and move up to dominate my flag. I am able to remove 2 Storm trolls, a Pyre and seriously damage the slag near my flag. I black Oil this troll after it doesn't die. I'm unable to score.

Troll Turn 3
Now comes the backlash, Calandra feats and I lose the Clad to 1 slag and a spray from the winter troll, all but one of the Lances go down thanks to big meaty fists.

Cygnar Turn 3
Calandra came up forward to get the feat off and I see a chance, I deadeye the stormblades and aim with a gunner who is in range of her and I'm able to hit, the rest of them are able to make damage rolls on her, doing half her boxes and burning through her 4 transfers. I remove the contesting model and score 1 point. Gorman blinds a storm troll to protect the gun mages from electro leaps, I was hoping to get more but it deviated.

Troll Turn 4
A few beasts invariably frenzy after a big turn beforehand, two slags walk up and pop some shots into Haley, leaving her on 5 boxes and corroded. More of the blades get cleared and the last Lance goes down. Troll Moses casts Bullet Dodger on Calandra.

Cygnar Turn 4
My clock is low, Haley is on not many boxes but Calandra is only on half health with 3 transfers. She is hidden behind the stone bearer and a storm troll. DEF16 ARM16. Gorman goes first, advances to just outside melee of the stone dude and chucks a black oil onto him, it misses but as Calandra is in B2B it can't deviate far enough to miss her. Jr steps up and hits the stone bearer, forcing a tough. he passes but a line is now opened up. The Squire runs into position, Haley now walks up and boosts a Time Bomb into a now DEF 12 Calandra. She hits and boosts damage, doing a fair chunk, then uses a fully boosted hand cannon to do a bit more. The Gun Mages then step up and throw a whole pile of snipe shots into a DEF 10 Calandra, all of them hit and slowly whittle her down with damage, she passes one tough check and then dies. I still had 2 Gun Mages left as well as 3 storm blades, 2 of them gunners.

I just realised that I also sniped with Eyriss earlier, it would have removed bullet dodger, oh well.

Assasination Win!

The final game state
Overall its a really tough list to chew through, thankfully there are only a couple of things that can potentially kill Gorman and Anastasia at range so avoiding electro leaps is key.

I think had Pat started to work on Scenario after killing all my Lances and most the Blades he would have been able to get ahead of me and not lose Calandra, this was his first game with this list and its only going to become scarier.




HIGH VOLTAGE

So, after chatting to a fellow Team Ireland, but not Team Craic, member I have embarked on an eNemo test project, HIGH VOLTAGE!

His feat, by the above name, allocates 3 focus to each Warjack so why not 14 Chargers? Although I'm not going to pay €10 a go to try a silly list so I got a bit Blue Peter!

I printed and assembled my Chargers and their grids.

Grids and cutouts
Then I based them, I'm sure they will be taken for a run around in the next few days, lets hope I don't have to fight pNeems, his feat will mess me up!

All based and ready to do some powerful shoots!


Saturday 11 April 2015

Games 6-11, All Ireland 2nd round

I managed to get in four games yesterday and a couple the day before.

Game 6/100
Haley2 Vs Thagrosh1
Opponent: Mike Porter
Scenario: Two Fronts
List:
Major Victoria Haley
* Squire
* Stormclad
Arcane Tempest Gun Mage Pistoleers
* Arcane Tempest Gun Mage Officer
Storm Lances
Stormblade Infantry
* Stormblade Infantry Officer & Standard
* 2 Stormblade Infantry Storm Gunner
Journeyman Warcaster
Stormblade Captain
Anastasia di Bray
Rhupert Carvolo, Piper of Ord
Gorman di Wulfe, Rogue Alchemist
Eiryss, Angel of Retribution

First turn

Stupid grey Scythean

I run up aggressively but fail to kill a Scythean in the zone post feat turn and I don't score enough points, I go for a late assassination to try and close it out but am unable to nail Thagrosh.

Assassination Loss!

Game 7/100
Stryker2 Vs Thagrosh2
Opponent: Mike Porter
Scenario: Incoming
List:
Lord Commander Stryker
* Squire
* Ol' Rowdy
* Stormclad
Stormblade Infantry
* Stormblade Infantry Officer & Standard
* 3 Stormblade Infantry Storm Gunner
Journeyman Warcaster
Stormblade Captain
Storm Lances
Arcane Tempest Gun Mage Pistoleers
* Arcane Tempest Gun Mage Officer

I feat a turn to early although I get the Seraph, a bunch of my stuff starts to die and eventually I'm too far down in the piece trade to bring it back.
Stryker Sudukos himself by overloading for 3 whilsts hes on 5 boxes.

Assassination Loss!

Game 8/100
Kraye Vs Beythane
Opponent: Mike Porter
Scenario: Close Quarters
List:
Captain Jeremiah Kraye
* Squire
* Stormwall & Lightning Pod
* Dynamo
* Sentinel
* Hunter
Journeyman Warcaster
Tempest Blazers
Captain Arlan Strangewayes

Pony Express
The Kraye pony club goes out for a run about, I'm worried about gallows pulling in and killing a jack on turn one so I bunker up and don't go too far forward, I start to lose scenario points and eventually lose on scenario.

Scenario Loss!



Game 9/100
Haley2 Vs Morvahna2
Opponent: Steve Wagstaff
Scenario: Outflank
List:
Major Victoria Haley
* Squire
* Stormclad
Arcane Tempest Gun Mage Pistoleers
* Arcane Tempest Gun Mage Officer
Storm Lances
Stormblade Infantry
* Stormblade Infantry Officer & Standard
* 2 Stormblade Infantry Storm Gunner
Journeyman Warcaster
Stormblade Captain
Anastasia di Bray
Rhupert Carvolo, Piper of Ord
Gorman di Wulfe, Rogue Alchemist
Eiryss, Angel of Retribution

I move up aggressively and get all the Stormdudes into a zone and dominate my turn 2, I then clear up and score 3  more next turn through a combination of thunderbolts, crit brutals and Haley charging and TK'ing.

Scenario Win!

Post feat turn, 2-0 up
Game 10/100
Haley2 Vs Morvahna2
Opponent: Phil Doogan
Scenario: Incursion
List:
Major Victoria Haley
* Squire
* Stormclad
Arcane Tempest Gun Mage Pistoleers
* Arcane Tempest Gun Mage Officer
Storm Lances
Stormblade Infantry
* Stormblade Infantry Officer & Standard
* 2 Stormblade Infantry Storm Gunner
Journeyman Warcaster
Stormblade Captain
Anastasia di Bray
Rhupert Carvolo, Piper of Ord
Gorman di Wulfe, Rogue Alchemist
Eiryss, Angel of Retribution

Big Burly Treemen

I lose three 'lances on Phils turn 1 to Tharn Wolf Riders, I try to clear some stuff to get scoring but I'm unable to shift enough models, they all get feated back and I'm down on attrition and can't pull it back.

Assassination Loss!

Game 11/100
Haley2 Vs Caine2
Opponent: Pat Duford
Scenario: Close Quarters
List:
Major Victoria Haley
* Squire
* Stormclad
Arcane Tempest Gun Mage Pistoleers
* Arcane Tempest Gun Mage Officer
Storm Lances
Stormblade Infantry
* Stormblade Infantry Officer & Standard
* 2 Stormblade Infantry Storm Gunner
Journeyman Warcaster
Stormblade Captain
Anastasia di Bray
Rhupert Carvolo, Piper of Ord
Gorman di Wulfe, Rogue Alchemist
Eiryss, Angel of Retribution

Please, no magic bullet!

This game is a crazy slog, Caine feats first and makes short work of most of the storm dudes, I'm able to use deadeyed Gun Mages the Stormclad and Deceleration to keep the attrition going. I have to go for an assassination and I manage to get two hard 8s on Caine with the Stormclad (After a timebomb) but he can't roll the unboosted 5 to kill Caine.

Assassination Loss!

Wednesday 8 April 2015

WTC Game 5 - All Ireland

So this game is part of the All Ireland Warmachine and Hordes competition, I'm currently in a best of 3 against the Captian of Irelands other WTC team (Ceol) and probably the best Cygnar player in Europe, Pat Dunford.


Game 5/100
Haley2 Vs Stryker1
Opponent: Patrick Dunford
Scenario: Two Fronts
List:
Major Victoria Haley
* Squire
* Stormclad
Arcane Tempest Gun Mage Pistoleers
* Arcane Tempest Gun Mage Officer
Storm Lances
Stormblade Infantry
* Stormblade Infantry Officer & Standard
* 2 Stormblade Infantry Storm Gunner
Journeyman Warcaster
Stormblade Captain
Anastasia di Bray
Rhupert Carvolo, Piper of Ord
Gorman di Wulfe, Rogue Alchemist
Eiryss, Angel of Retribution


He brought the following list:
Commander Coleman Stryker
* Squire
* Lancer
Black 13th Gun Mage Strike Team
Silver Line Stormguard
Storm Lances
Stormblade Infantry
* Stormblade Infantry Officer & Standard
* 3 Stormblade Infantry Storm Gunner
Stormblade Captain
Journeyman Warcaster
Eiryss, Angel of Retribution
Gastone Crosse
Rhupert Carvolo, Piper of Ord
Deployment
I lost the roll to go first so I end up second.

I am foolishly super aggressive thinking I can just feat and then alpha him, he counter feats and is then able to alpha me!

I lose a lot of things and it starts to spiral down from there.

I eventually lose on Scenario but Haley sticks it to him by staying alive!

Assassination Loss!

The end game

Earthquake is really good against Haley and Cygnar in general, especially when the 'Blades and 'Lances can't shoot his infantry to death.

Arcane Shielded Haley camping 8 focus refuses to die.

I've got a couple of games scheduled for the next couple of days, round 2 against Pat and hopefully a game against Circle (Brad) and of course probably 2 or 3 games against Legion (my Brother).

Monday 6 April 2015

Toy Soldiers, WTC, Cygnar best faction!


Right, a few things.

I've played a lot of Warmachine, it’s just a better game.

I applied and made it onto one of Irelands two teams for the World Team Championship (WTC)
https://wmhwtc.wordpress.com/

I'm playing Cygnar and now I need to practice, the idea is to get in 100 Games between when the team was announced, Wednesday the 1st of April and the WTC on the 18th of September.
So far I've managed 4 games.

I'm going to attempt to document each of them on the blog.

Game 1/100
Stryker2 Vs Tahgrosh1
Opponent: Michael Porter
Scenario: Recon
List:
Lord Commander Stryker
* Squire
* Ol' Rowdy
* Stormclad
Stormblade Infantry
* Stormblade Infantry Officer & Standard
* 3 Stormblade Infantry Storm Gunner
Journeyman Warcaster
Stormblade Captain
Storm Lances
Arcane Tempest Gun Mage Pistoleers
* Arcane Tempest Gun Mage Officer

Right after the Thunder has Rolled

I'm doing well on attrition, but not on the clock, I have to send Stryker into Thags and hope for the mega overload and smash him.
I don't get it although I roll 1,1,1 for damage to me, Stryker gets assassinated like a fool.

Assassination Loss!

Game 2/100
Haley1 Vs Vayl1
Opponent: Michael Porter
Scenario: Incoming
List:
Captain Victoria Haley
* Squire
* Stormwall & Lightning Pod
* Sentinel
Journeyman Warcaster
Gastone Crosse
* Galleon
Master Gunner Dougal MacNaile
Black 13th Gun Mage Strike Team

End of Turn 1

I run up and get in position, have to feat and TB with Haley, manage to drag in Zuriel but my target priority is poor and the Seraph doesn't get killed.
A Raptor Hard 9s and then Rolls a 15 for Damage on no camp Haley, then Zuriel sprays through the Galleon thanks to slipstream, Haley dies.

Assassination Loss!

Game 3/100
Haley2 Vs Vayl2
Opponent: Michael Porter
Scenario: Recon
List:
Major Victoria Haley
* Squire
* Stormclad
Arcane Tempest Gun Mage Pistoleers
* Arcane Tempest Gun Mage Officer
Storm Lances
Stormblade Infantry
* Stormblade Infantry Officer & Standard
* 2 Stormblade Infantry Storm Gunner
Journeyman Warcaster
Stormblade Captain
Anastasia di Bray
Rhupert Carvolo, Piper of Ord
Gorman di Wulfe, Rogue Alchemist
Eiryss, Angel of Retribution

Aggressive start

Haley does her thing and survives some shots etc., game ends with a 4 Focus Stormclad Walking into Vayl on 1 camp and squashing her when I have 52 seconds on my clock.

Assassination Win!

Game 4/100
Haley2 Vs Butcher3
Opponent: Daniel Common
Scenario: Fire Support
List:
Major Victoria Haley
* Squire
* Stormclad
Arcane Tempest Gun Mage Pistoleers
* Arcane Tempest Gun Mage Officer
Storm Lances
Stormblade Infantry
* Stormblade Infantry Officer & Standard
* 2 Stormblade Infantry Storm Gunner
Journeyman Warcaster
Stormblade Captain
Anastasia di Bray
Rhupert Carvolo, Piper of Ord
Gorman di Wulfe, Rogue Alchemist
Eiryss, Angel of Retribution

Rhupert has to be removed for me to not score.

I’m able to get Anastasia onto Butcher on Turn 2 triggering double Gorman under my feat, I'm able to double Gorman again next turn as well.
Dan has 20 minutes to try and stop me scoring his flag, Butcher is too far out and I win on Scenario after a huge grind.

Scenario Win!

I’d just like to take a moment to plug Frozen Forge

I met the chap that runs it, Jonas, at the Irish Masters and bought his "Swans" set.
They are awesome, go buy some.

Sorting the set

Nicely organised.


I'd also like to shout out the guys over at Muse on Minis, they had a shop and supported the Irish Masters and John is an awesome nice guy.
The scenarios zones are beautiful and if I didn't already have a set I would have snapped them up.