Hybrid Warmachine

 Had a 50 point game of... Warmachine, I guess?

With the advent of Mk4, we wanted to give the new ruleset a try. However, available unit cards were few and far between, so we did a sort of a hybrid run. This means that absolutely nothing can be said about the balance of the game, only how the new ruleset feels and plays.

So, we played with the new rules but with old cards. No command cards either. Any AoE attacks would be 2, and blast damage halved rounded up +1. Max unit size 6, able to split a full ten sized unit into two units of five.

Based on this game, new core rules are okay. Game still feels familiar and Warmachiney. Unit movement was the most noticeable change. Lack of facing was the next one on the line, and that's actually the only thing that bothers me. The game has been streamlined so much in other parts that I don't see a reason why facing had to be removed. If back strike bonus was too strong it could have just been removed altogether. Two inches of melee range on a 50mm base is enormous engagement range - let alone on 80mm or 120mm.

But this was just one game with incorrect model rules. This meant that Unstoppable didn't exist at all, which is a rule that certainly mitigates the effectiveness of 360 degree engagement range. 

My list:

Cryx

Asphyxious the Hellbringer [+24]
 - Erebus [13]
 - Inflictor [11]
 - Ripjaw [6]
 - Slayer [10]
Bane Lord Tartarus [5]
Ragman [3]
Swamp Gobber River Raider [1]
Warwitch Siren [3]
Black Ogrun Boarding Party (min) [7]
Black Ogrun Ironmongers [5]
Soulhunters (min) [10]

Opponent had:

Cygnar

Major Beth Maddox [+30]
- Firefly [7]
 - Hammersmith [12]
 - Ironclad [12]
 - Ironclad [12]
 - Lancer [8]
Black 13th Strike Force [7]
Rangers [7]
Stormguard Infantry (max) [15]

Scenario was Reinforcements from the new rulebook.

Cygnar started, and formed a long front with warjacks on the left, Stormguards in the middle and rangers and Black 13th on right.

Cryx was running as a one huge blob in the middle with Soul Hunters and Black Ogrun Boarding Party positioned to flank from right. 

Firefly managed to fry Ragman with electro leap. This was first time I used Ragman in years. Not impressed with him, I must say. Entire unit of Boarding Party was shot dead. Stormguards formed a screen for Cygnaran warjacks. Behind them were the light jacks, with heavies forming the third line.

Cryx loaded all helljacks to full and started carving through Cygnaran infantry. 

Inflictor opens and Asphyxious (who uses feat) open up a charge lane for Erebus to get to Cygnaran light warjacks. Damage and attack rolls are on the poor side, but both jacks are at least stationary. Tartarus joins the fight and evens out the bad rolls of Erebus - Firefly falls to three hit boxes left, with cortex gone. Tartarus kills a Stormguard with last attack as I thought immovable 40mm base essentially acted as a protection for me.

Slayer and Vociferon kill the last Stormguards. Asphyxious received eight souls from the swans.

Soulhunters go incorporeal and charge Black 13th. Incorporeal charges seem a bit obnoxious with the new unit movement rules. People die, and the cavalry repositions to engage as many targets as possible.

Blocking enemy heavies' charge lane with stationary Firefly proved far more effective than I ever hoped for - only Erebus was destroyed, pretty much. Two Soulhunters were also removed.

Much to Asphyxious' disappointment, Cygnaran focus had only amounted to three additional souls. Only eighteen focus to use, boo hoo. So... after Tartarus, Asphyxious, Inflictor, Slayer and Iron Mongers, Cygnar was down to one Ironclad. And that was mostly because Slayer had botched its rolls. 

Asphyxious was in the front, but had a focus camp of seven. He had also cast Cloak of Ash on himself.

Although that didn't help against Ironclad. Who managed to land a knockdown hit. Next came almost fully loaded Beth Maddox raining death on Asphyxious - but thanks to his focus camp he survived with around six boxes remaining. 

Tartarus took Cygnaran warcaster down with just one hit.

Asteroid belt

 Had two games of Warmachine. Format was Brawlmachine, and scenario in both games was the new Asteroids.

In first game I had:

Aphyxious the Hellbringer [+24]
- Reaper [11]
- Ripjaw [6]
- Slayer [10]
General Gerlak Slaughterborn [5]
Pistol Wraith [4]
Bane Warriors (min) [8]
- Bane Warrior Officer & Standard [5]

Opponent had:

Commander Coleman Stryker [+30]

 - Hammersmith [12]

 - Ironclad [12]

 - Lancer [8]

Black 13th Strike Force [7]

Rangers [7]

Stormguard Infantry (min) [9]

With Mobility up, my both heavies enter the rectangular zone. They are greeted by Stormguard that are screening enemy warjacks. Rangers on right are opposed to Bane Warriors, and Black 13th is flanking from left. Pistol Wraith tries to relocate itself away from their magical pistols. Nothing especially fancy.

But then... it seems there are some things I never really learn.

One of them is trying to make an initial opening by pulling an enemy warjack with a harpoon drag.

Feels like that misses 75% of the time.

And now my heavy warjack had only exposed itself to enemy charges. I tried to bring Asphyxious to front and use feat in an attempt to deter opponent from wrecking Reaper, or at least pay a price for doing so.

At least Hex Blast from Vociferon did exceptional job, frying three out of six Stormguards.

Ripjaw charges Black 13th and kills their double pistol model.

Stormguards then charge Reaper, and take almost half of its hit boxes away. Ironclad who comes to assist is far less effective, and leaves Reaper standing with cortex and melee arm still functional.

Lancer tries to free Black 13th from Ripjaw, and kind of succeeds. Bonechicken loses its head, meaning it wouldn't hit with free strike even if it rolled a six. Gun mages try to shoot Vociferon, but do not hit or damage. 

Stryker uses feat, making my next turn difficult.

Asphyxious had gained exactly one (1) focus point from his feat.

Ripjaw moves a bit so that it contests cygnaran flag. Bane Warriors destroy enemy objective and bring back all dead Bane Warriors via minifeat. 

Heavy warjacks and Asphyxious deal with the remaining Stormguards. Asphyxious is left with three focus for damage mitigation.

Three focus points just wasn't enough, as Stryker got Earthquake on Asphyxious. Black 13th and even rangers dealt in enough damage to take out two focus points, so there really was no chance for the iron lich when Ironclad parked itself within melee range. Loss for Cryx.

Game 2:

My list in second game:

Lord Tyrant Hexeris [+28]

 - Agonizer [5]

 - Aradus Sentinel [12]

 - Cyclops Raider [9]

 - Titan Gladiator [13]

Mortitheurge Willbreaker [2]

Swamp Gobber River Raider [1]

Thrullg [3]

Venator Slingers (min) [8]

Opponent had:

Kaya the Wildborne [+32]

 - Feral Warpwolf [14]

 - Gnarlhorn Satyr [10]

 - Wild Argus [6]

 - Wild Argus [6]

Gallows Grove [2]

Lord of the Feast [5]

Gatorman Posse (max) [13]

Circle approached with Gatormen, Gallows Grove and Lord of the Feast on the left, and the rest coming from the middle.

My battlegroup was also nearing the rectangular zone while Slingers and Cyclops Raider were bracing against the Gatormen.

Winter Argus managed to freeze Aradus Sentinel for a while. Circle warbeasts did clump up rather nicely there, so Aradus took a walk and sprayed some respectable damage in to both arguses and Feral Warpwolf. Attack on Kaya missed even with a re-roll from Puppet Master.

Gatormen had ran closer, so I though I might try to get some mileage out of Hexeris' feat. 

It didn't turn out so well, as the one and only Gatorman the slingers succeeded to kill passed its Tough roll - no Dark Dominion for me.

Cyclops Raider takes an aimed (and thus stealth-ignoring) shot against Lord of the Feast, and removes the solo single-handedly. Dark Dominion for me. 

Swamp Gobber River Raider tries to act a hero, and harpoons itself to enemy objective, poking in a point of damage into Feral Warpwolf. Hexeris had cast Parasite on it, though.

Gladiator just tries to look menacing, and protect Agonizer that was providing strength penalty.

Turns out Winter Argus is able to spray the lesser warbeast dead, and as a result Wild Argus and Feral Warpwolf butcher Aradus Sentinel. Gatormen remove half of slingers - although only because they couldn't reach for more.

I try to pick the pieces that are left - Feral Warpwolf is left alive with one hit point remaining, despite the efforts of Thrullg and Cyclops Raider. Titan Gladiator charges Gnarlhorn Satyr dead.

Slingers shoot one Gatorman down, and Hexeris charges another. For some odd reason I try to shoot another Gatorman with Sunder Spirits... and didn't even succeed.

Hexeris' downfall was completely unnecessary. Winter Argus could slam him, and then Kaya spammed Spirit Fangs on him until he was torn to shreds - as he had only one transfer available. Loss for Skorne.

Dual Singularity

 Had a couple of games of Brawlmachine. Scenario was the Singularity.

First game I had:

Cryx

Asphyxious the Hellbringer [+24]
 - Deathripper [6]
 - Seether [13]
 - Slayer [10]
Satyxis Raiders (max) [16]
 - Satyxis Raider Sea Witch [4]

Opponent had:

Circle

Baldur the Stonecleaver [+31]

 - Gnarlhorn Satyr [12]

 - Woldwarden [14]

 - Woldwatcher [8]

Cylena Raefyll & Nyss Hunters (min) [10]

Shifting Stones [3]

Warpborn Skinwalkers (min) [9]

Circle approached with stone-formed Woldwatcher in front, which was promptly wrecked by my heavy warjacks. Helljacks were in a bad position now, in a possible charge range by opposing heavies. Satyxis Raiders that had Cloak of Ash on sacrificed themselves for the protection of Slayer and Seether. 

Somehow opponent kept hitting Satyxis Raiders despite needing 10 to hit. Over half of them died, including Sea Witch. But at least they were only Satyxis.

Vociferon had tried to sneak up to my flag, but suddenly there were a unit of Nyss Hunters there so plan was foiled. 

Woldwarden died to Seether, which was good enough I guess. But since there was a five round limit, casualties inflicted by both sides were too low for either of us to gain a big point advantage.

However, I did have one point advantage from the turn when Cryxian jacks destroyed Woldwatcher. This was the winning point at the end of fifth round. 

Game 2:

Skorne

Dominar Rasheth [+28]
 - Agonizer [6]
 - Archidon [10]
 - Tiberion [19]
Swamp Gobber River Raider [1]
Void Spirit [4]
Praetorian Swordsmen (min) [8]
Venator Flayer Cannon Crew [5]

Opponent had:

Retribution

Kaelyssa, the Night's Whisper [+29]

 - Banshee [18]

 - Chimera [8]

 - Manticore [14]

Mage Hunter Assassin [4]

Mage Hunter Strike Force (min) [10]

Second game was excessively short, perhaps to compensate for the first one.

Shortly put, Tiberion ran to middle field and opponent focused all attacks to kill Agonizer and then Tiberion - but thanks to one double 1 attack roll by Banshee Tiberion survived with two boxes remaining.  Rasheth feated next and Tiberion wrecked two of opposing warjacks - suddenly gaining points from the rectangular zone, all the while Void Spirit & Swamp Gobber River Raider were collecting points from flags. Scenario win.

Test brawl

 Had a 25 point game of Warmachine on Vassal. 

Brawlmachine format has been evading me for a while, but this is no longer the case. We played the Ignition scenario.

My list was:

 Asphyxious the Hellbringer [+24]
- Malice [15]
 - Nightwretch [7]
 - Slayer [10]
Machine Wraith [2]
Necrotech [2]
Pistol Wraith [5]
Cephalyx Overlords [8]

Opponent had:

 Bane Witch Agathia [+29]

 - Deathripper [6]

 - Desecrator [14]

 - Reaper [13]

 - Skarlock Thrall [4]

Bane Warriors (max) [16]

I chose to go second to start scoring. I felt the new and improved Bane Warriors of Agathia were oppressing, so as soon as I got the chance I slapped Calamity on them. Worth it? I don't know. I lost Nightwretch and entire unit of Cephalyx Overlords, but hey, Calamity!

Opponent had used feat on turn 2, but this didn't stop me from scoring two scenario points by walking my army far too close to enemy lines. This ended up with Desecrator shooting the cortex off of Malice, the loss of aforementioned models and even six points of damage to Asphyxious after using focus to mitigate damage.

But Asphyxious' forces survived, with fourteen focus on Asphyxious to boot. First Slayer activates to trample, and removes movement from enemy Reaper. Vociferon shoots a Hellfire to Reaper, and even Malice comes to take a focusless harpoon shot at it. And yet the thing survived with cortex and helldriver intact. 

Asphyxious charges to a group of nicely lined Bane Warriors, and manages to kill all five and still ended his turn with six focus. Pistol Wraith had been sitting on a flag, attempting to score points but now there was a Bane Warrior sitting within range to contest. The bane was shot.

It's turn 3, and Asphyxious leads the game by three points.

Now he just needed to survive a shot from Desecrator, three focus worth of attacks from Reaper and whatever Agathia would be able to deliver.

The heavy warjacks bring Asphyxious down to two focus remaining, plus half of his damage grid dusted off. It wouldn't be easy for Agathia to finish him, and eventually she didn't. And since there were no contesting models near Pistol Wraith, game ended in favor of Asphyxious.

Sigil of Hell

 Had a 75 point game of Warmachine in Vassal.

My list:

Cryx

 Black Industries
Asphyxious the Hellbringer [+24]
- Deathripper [6]
- Inflictor [13]
- Leviathan [16]
- Slayer [10]
- Stalker [8]
Machine Wraith [2]
2x Pistol Wraith [0(5)]
Swamp Gobber River Raider [1]
Bile Thralls (min) [9]
Black Ogrun Ironmongers [6]
Mechanithralls (min) [6]
 - Brute Thrall (3) [0(6)]
Necrosurgeon & Stitch Thralls [4]
Soulhunters (max) [18]

Opponent:

Legion

Children of the Dragon

Rhyas, Sigil of Everblight [+30]

 - Archangel [35]

 - Seraph [14]

 - Typhon [20]

Annyssa Ryvaal [8]

Blighted Nyss Shepherd [1]

Blighted Nyss Shepherd [1]

Blighted Nyss Warlord [0(5)]

Blighted Nyss Warlord [0(5)]

Forsaken [0(4)]

Blackfrost Shard [9]

Blighted Nyss Raptors (max) [18]

Scenario was Anarchy. 

I made the mistake of letting the house on my side of the board divide my forces. Seraph was able to shoot my Stalker dead, and Archangel shot a couple of good deviations, killing a Soulhunter and setting two on fire, and damaging Deathripper.

Turn 2

One of the Soulhunters burned to death. I spread them out on the circular zone so that opponent would have to bring at least something in to contest the zone. 

Deathripper positioned itself so that Asphyxious was able to arc Calamity on Seraph. I decided it would be my best interest to shoot Seraph with Leviathan instead of leaving all of my warjacks within charge range of Legion. Much to my surprise, Leviathan single-handedly shot the beast dead. I was planning on using Vociferon to finish the beast, but instead the solo went to my flag to possibly score it next turn.

Opponent used Rhyas's feat and fully closed in. Typhon tickled Inflictor with some sprays, after which Nyss Warlord charged Inflictor and did the feat jump to engage Deathripper and contest flag. 

Archangel then wrecked Inflictor and Deathripper. 

Anyssa shoots her prey, a Pistol Wraith, dead. Raptors charge Slayer and Leviathan, and considerably damage the Slayer. Leviathan not so much. Another Nyss Warlord finishes up the Slayer, and I'm left to deal with the situation that I just lost two heavies and arc node. Opponent scores a point from flag.

Turn 3

This is my ambush turn, and Mechanithralls are able to both run to contest enemy flag and remove both contesting Raptors. 

Bile Thralls remove remaining raptors as well as a Nyss Warlord. 

Asphyxious casts a spell to remove a Raptor in frond of him, and walks a bit forward to use his feat. He has only one focus, and I was almost expecting to lose because of this.

Leviathan shoots the Kiss of Lyliss trooper from Blackfrost Shard. Remaining Soulhunters charge the flag contesting Nyss Warlord and Archangel. Warlord dies, Archangel much less so.

Cryx scores two points, for 2-1. 

Legion has a bad turn, failing to kill any of the Brute Thralls. They do kill Vociferon and all but one Soulhunter. My scorers are dead or contested, so Legion evens the scoreboard with 2-2.

Turn 4

With 13 focus, Asphyxious casts Calamity on Archangel and Cloak of Ash on himself. He's in a vulnerable position, so I play it safe and camp five focus.

Bile Thralls remove Anyssa, and Mechanithralls aided by Bile Thralls melt the rest of the zone contesting Blackfrost Shard. 

Ironmonger and the last Soulhunter remove contestants from my flag, and Machine Wraith jumps in to get the point. Leviathan tries to shoot objective, but rolls only one shot which isn't enough.

But still, scores go 4-2 for Cryx.

Typhon failed at its activation terribly - it took all of the three sprays and even some melee attacks to destroy two mechanithralls and two brute thralls. Legion gets no-one to contest my circular zone, but Archangel clears zone on the right and contests my flag. Saeryn rushes to score a point from the zone, and scores go 5-3.

Turn 5

If I get three points this turn, I win. However, I decide to play the long game and secure two points and deny opponent from having any.

Asphyxious casts Calamity on Typhon, and Mechanithralls charge and soften the heavy beast a little. 

Then I figure out a clever way to destroy objective - Ironmonger with Dismantle is within charge range! Too bad that the damage roll isn't nearly enough. The objective is not my objective now, though.

But somehow Bile Thralls succeed to spray the enemy objective dead.

And Leviathan charges and does the same for Typhon.

Swamp Gobber River Raider runs to enemy flag, and Machine Wraith goes to contest enemy circular zone. Whoopsie. Did get three points anyway.

Hellbringer vs Maddox

 Had a 50 point game of Warmachine a while ago.

My list:

Asphyxious the Hellbringer [+24]

 - Erebus [16]
 - 3x Helldiver [6]
 - Slayer [10]
General Gerlak Slaughterborn [6]
Machine Wraith [2]
Misery Cage [2]
Necrotech [2]
Soulhunters (max) [18]

Opponent had:

Cygnar

Major Beth Maddox [+30]

 - Ironclad [12]

 - 2x Lancer [10]

Eiryss, Mage Hunter of Ios [7]

Journeyman Warcaster [4]

 - Cyclone [13]

Rangers [9]

Stormguard Infantry (max) [15]

Scenario was Mosh Pit from main rulebook. 

Eiryss was continuously disrupting Erebus, which was an annoying inconvenience. Opponent hadn't pushed very aggressively to the zone, and when scoring started Slayer was able to remove a contesting Lancer, and Machine Wraith walked Cyclone off from the zone. Cyclone tried to take a shot against it's controlling Journeyman Warcaster, but failed to deliver.

Soulhunters charged whatever Stormguard they could reach, and didn't do much. But at least they were targets opponent needed to deal with. Asphyxious used his feat.

Maddox used her feat, and removed most Soulhunters and Slayer, which wasn't too bad I suppose. Asphyxious got only one or maybe two extra souls from his feat. 

Focusless Erebus and Helldiver weren't exactly able to remove an Ironclad with Arcane Shield from contesting the middle zone, so Cryx scored no points next turn. Two Soulhunters and Gerlak killed a few Stormguards, but there was still oppressive number of them on board. 

Miraculously Erebus survives a mauling from Ironclad, and even Gerlak Slaughterborn proves to be a difficult piece to remove. Lancer and Helldiver finally mettle their scores, and Lancer comes out on top. 

Cyclone, having been dealt some serious damage throughout the game, fell to a Helldiver. Erebus and another Helldiver are able to nibble through the already weakened Ironclad, so I decide to try a scenario victory by removing last contestant from the zone with Asphyxious. This put Asphyxious in a vulnerable position, and opponent put every effort into killing the Cryxian warcaster. 

Asphyxious had had the foresight to cast Cloak of Ash on himself, and survived the onslaught with two hit boxes remaining. 

All that was left for Cryx to do was to mop up the zone and score third control point. 

Memory lapse

Well I completely forgot about this one, didn't I?

It's the traditional small Christmas game of Warmachine, which was played exactly on the 24th.


My list was:

Asphyxious the Hellbringer
- Malice
- 2x Helldiver
Bloat Thrall
Scrap Thralls

Opponent had:

Reznik1

- Crusader
- Castigator
- Repenter
Unit of Knights Exemplar
Wrack

Now, opponent used mk2 card for Crusader so he gained a few extra points. Whoopsie.

But I suppose anything goes on a board that has line of Skinks for a linear obstacle.

Game was short, as 10 point games tend to be. Malice failed to break anything of importance from Crusader, which obviously meant the end of Malice. But it did, at least, require Reznik to come and finish it.

Now Reznik was close enough for Asphyxious to charge, and it was post-feat turn for me anyway. Reznik had three or so focus points to remove damage, so it wasn't a guaranteed kill even if Asphyxious had about 13 focus points.

Assassination was around three damage points short, so even corrosion that Bloat Thrall had managed to land on him wasn't enough.

Asphyxious went all kinds of deader next.

Black Oil

A couple of days ago I played this 10 point game of Warmachine.

It was to teach the game a bit more for a beginning player.

My list was:

Asphyxious the Hellbringer & Vociferon

- Malice
- Helldiver
- Defiler
Gorman diWulfe
Soul Trapper

And opponent had:
Captain Victoria Haley
- Stormclad
- Lancer
Rangers

My opening move was to harpoon Stormclad to Malice. Stormclad had Arcane Shield and Calamity on, so it was effectively Arm 20. Malice needed 7+ to punch through that armor, but even with damage boost it did not succeed. Whoopsie. To discourage retaliation Asphyxious used feat.

Stormclad charged Malice and wrecked every single system except cortex. Gorman lobbed black oil on Stormclad, and Malice took a swing at the cygnaran warjack. Attack hit even with on die, and damage was boosted to two dice.

Defiler teases rangers. Asphyxious had gained two extra focus from his feat and decided to charge Stormclad. Warjack gets wrecked.

Next Haley uses her feat which results in a dead Defiler and Helldiver.

Malice succeeds to drag Lancer to Cryx, and Asphyxious gets the job done again. With Blood Boon he casts Calamity on rangers and Vociferon kills two rangers with a Hex Blast.

Cygnar has a couple of rangers and Haley left, so there ain't many options available. Haley charges to Gorman diWulfe just for the sake of it.

Asphyxious...

Uh. So, Asphyxious nearly single-handedly destroyed Stormclad, Lancer and Haley. Rest of the army got three rangers. Well of course he had good support to do that, but still it's an amusing thought.

Next we're up for a 25 point game.

Cryxmas Games

Kuhmo traditions continued with two small Warmachine games. These were played around 24-26th days of December, so they are no longer in fresh memory.

Lists were ten points and first game was:

Wraith Witch Deneghra
- Erebus
- Nightwretch
- Ripjaw
Gorman diWulfe
Bloat Thrall

Versus

High Allegiant Amon

- Crusader
- Dervish
- Devout
- Repenter
Minimum unit of Choir of Menoth
Wrack

First game I kind of wanted to make this super-stunlock maneuver I've been dreaming of. That means a Blind, Shadow Bind, Knockdown and Stationary all on one model.

Well it didn't come to that, but in small point sizes as this it definitely affected matters when you get, for example, 50% of enemy army blinded.

Don't mind the stegadon, by the way. It's an obstacle. Not a proxy.

Arm 21 crusader could have been a great trouble for me to chew through even when it came to have a go at the bonejacks. But Erebus still is only p+s 16. So instead I decided to ignore Crusader altogether and try to score assassination. Amon was behind Devout and there was Repenter blocking Erebus from charging Devout. Deneghra used Dark Banishment on the Repenter and lobbed it some six inches away. But this was an all-out attempt to win. Deneghra was focusless and within Crusader's melee range. Erebus better succeed.

And Erebus did succeed. When the boosted attack against Amon hit, the Protectorate warcaster went stationary. Of course everything hanged on 5+ tough roll once again, because it wasn't until the last possible attack that finally dealt enough damage to Amon. This time tough roll failed.


Second game was:

Asphyxious the Hellbringer & Vociferon
- Slayer
- 2x Helldiver
- Deathripper
Gorman diWulfe
Machine Wraith

Versus

High Executioner Reznik

- Crusader
- Revenger
- Repenter
Minimum unit of Exemplar Bastions

This somehow turned into long fight of attrition. Crusader was trying to flank Cryx, which distracted Asphyxious with twelve or thirteen focus points for a turn. During this time Cryx lost Slayer and Helldiver and what else.

But Cryx gained the upper hand, and finally there was nothing else except a lone Bastion and Reznik on board. Reznik ran to engage Asphyxious and had five focus points for camping.

I think Gorman succeeded to blind him. Asphyxious burned out attacking Reznik, and still Reznik was not dead.

I don't remember if it was Vociferon that finihed Reznik or Deathripper, but whatever the case, Reznik fell after taking quite a beating.

Irregular Machines

Around a week ago I played this 75 point Warmachine game.

My list was:

[Theme] Infernal Machines
Asphyxious the Hellbringer
- Leviathan
- Reape
- Ripjaw
- Stalker
Darragh Wrathe
Necrotech
2x Pistol Wraith
Bile Thralls (min)
Mechanithralls (max) + 2x Brute Thrall

Necrosurgeon & Stitch Thralls
Soulhunters (max)


Opponent had:

[Theme] The Irregulars
Captain Damiano
- 2x Mangler
Major Harrison Gibbs
Orin Midwinter, Rogue Inquisitor
Ragman
Rhupert Carvolo, Piper of Ord
Horgenhold Forge Guard (max)
Idrian Skirmishers (max) + Chieftain & Guide
Kayazy Assassins (max) + Underboss
2x Kayazy Eliminators
Lady Aiyana & Master Holt

Cryx started game for once. It becomes apparent quickly that despite the arrival of Mechanithralls from ambush, I wouldn't stand much chance in scenario game - or at least I didn't believe in my capability to clear the board with such high defense on Kayzys all over. And contesting enemy zone and flag would only work half of the time - opponent had advantage in attack volume as well as strength. Well, sure, I had Bile Thralls, but I didn't expect them to survive Idrians and Holt for an extended period of time that scenarios would require.

So I sent Vociferon to die. Asphyxious managed to take only three souls via this particular skarlock.

Mechanithralls made impressive job in killing one Kayazy Eliminator and even scoring a hit against the other - damage roll just wasn't enough to kill her. Also, Idrian command attachment was gone.

Damiano starts scoring points. All but one Brute Thrall is eradicated, and three Soulhunters survive only because of poor rolls by Kayazy Assassins. Although it isn't showing in the picture, my rectangular zone is being contested by an Eliminator in farthest corner possible. And another Eliminator contests my flag.

Now when I look at the pictures I don't understand why did I not try to score three control points? I mean, surely everything I got could have taken care of two Eliminators and a few Forge Guard on the middle zone. Maybe being outnumbered so badly scared me, and made me attempt assassination instead - even when Damiano had used his feat.

First various models try to clear some Forge Guard. Ripjaw runs into position and Asphyxious casts Calamity on Damiano (which hits) and then Mobility.

Darragh gives Death Ride and Bile Thralls get something around three of four Purges on Damiano. Speed of seven and range of thirteen gave even Leviathan some random shots against Damiano. Finally Reaper walks into melee with Damiano, and succeeds to kill the Don Quixote of Iron Kingdoms. Once more it was last possible attack I could make that killed Damiano, but considering it was an automatic hit from sustained attack Helldriver, it was a fairly secured one.

Warmachine tournament at Ropecon

Last year I skipped Warmachine tournament that was held in Ropecon. Mk3 had just launched and all, and I felt somehow exhausted. But this year I took part, and these were my 75 point tournament lists:

List 1:
[Theme] Infernal Machines
Deneghra, the Soul Weaver
- Corruptor
- Kraken
- Nightwretch
- Skarlock Thrall
Necrotech
2x Pistol Wraith
2x Soul Trapper
Mechanithralls (max)
- 2x Brute Thrall
Necrosurgeon & Stitch Thralls
Soulhunters (max)

List 2:

Asphyxious the Hellbringer
- Desecrator
- Malice
- Ripjaw
- 2x Stalker
Bane Lord Tartarus
Darragh Wrathe
Satyxis Raider Captain
Machine Wraith
Necrotech
Bane Warriors (min)
- Bane Warrior Officer & Standard
Bile Thralls (min)

First game was against Issyria. I chose Deneghra, and I lucked out when I got to play against the list which had Imperatus in it. Mortality was pretty devastating tho Phoenix protocol.

Ambushing Mechanithralls and Soulhunters wrecked one flank completely.

I played aggressively with Deneghra, and I suppose it worked out somehow. The Retribution battle engine spent a couple of turns shooting at Deneghra, but seemed to miss more often than it should have - Issyria had no problems landing Blinding Light on Deneghra.

Eventually it was a scenario victory for Cryx.

Game 2:

Second game was against Gorten Grundback, and I had picked Deneghra3 again. I didn't have an idea what I should be doing. At one point looked like I could try to start grinding some scenario points by seizing three control points, but then dice went all kinds of awry and I was left with only one. Plus I made mistakes in my positioning elsewhere, too - I had to leave Deneghra in a terribly vulnerable position.

Opponent didn't even have to bother with scenario, he just shot Deneghra into smithereens.

Still it was a nice game - even if I was a bit clueless, I still felt like I was at least doing something.

Game 3:

I played against the newly released Morghoul3. I am always especially excited when I get to play against new warcasters, and I had never faced Morghoul3 even during Mk2, where he did not exist. I chose Asphyxious3 as my list.

Bile Thralls did well enough in removing some Praetorian Swordsmen. I was too greedy and waited too long to use Asphyxious' feat. Even a couple of extra focus points could have made the difference, when I got Malice to shoot a harpoon at Morghoul3 who had Calamity, dragging him within Dark Shroud of Bane Lord Tartarus.

But even more impact than a less greedy usage of feat would have been if I would have moved Darragh Wrathe or anyone to take a point from my flag. I didn't.

And then I lost.

Game 4:

Last game I chose Deneghra once more, as I was against Cryx. Opponent took Asphyxious2.

Game was very exciting and brutal. Opponent made one tragic mistake, where he charged with Bane Riders - only to find out the last cavalry model, unit leader, was stationary.

Opponent also missed a couple of critical attacks, most notably ones targeting Kraken and Pistol Wraiths. I did have my share of bad luck a turn earlier, though, where despite everything I threw at enemy Darragh Wrathe, I just could not bring him down to start scoring scenario.

But yeah, Kraken lasted far longer than it should have against Bane Warriors. Ambushing Mechanithralls were amazing once more and I have to say I quite enjoy Infernal Machines theme.

Though I don't think I used Hyper Aggressive even once. But it's not that often when you want to go Hyper Aggressive with a Night Wretch... or a Corruptor, for that matter.

Eventually it was a scenario victory for Deneghra.

2-2, not bad result considering I haven't played in tournaments for ages. I was happy that none of the games were decided because of Deathclock - though some matches were pretty close. I think in the last game I had like three minutes left in my clock.

Hellbringer vs Bane Witch

A 75 point game of Warmachine.

Asphyxious the Hellbringer

- Desecrator
- Malice
- Ripjaw
- 2x Stalker
Bane Warriors (min) + Bane Warrior Officer & Standard
Bile Thralls (min)
Bane Lord Tartarus
Darragh Wrathe
Gorman di Wulfe, Rogue Alchemist
Machine Wraith
Necrotech

Opponent had:

Bane Witch Agathia
- 2x Nightwretch
- Reaper
- 2x Slayer
Bane Warriors (max) + Bane Warrior Officer & Standard

Mechanithralls (max) + Skarlock Commander
The Withershadow Combine
Bane Lord Tartarus
Satyxis Raider Captain
Warwitch Siren

This was a kind of a practice game for an upcoming tournament.

First picture is probably taken from a turn where Asphyxious used his feat, after me failing many times to remember enemy had Stealth from Agathia's feat.

Asphyxious' feat was good, it yielded him at least the 9 souls you can see in the d12. But most important factor was most likely that Malice survived.

Next my forces mop up most of the enemy warjacks. I do make a critical mistake here - Asphyxious is standing there, easily within charge lane of enemy Satyxis Raider Captain. Captain missed charge attack with Lacerator. I think she hit with her horns, but there was not enough damage coming up in Asphyxious' direction, as Withershadow Combine had already activated. Possibly Nightwretch, too. Anyway, Agathia scores a couple of damage points with Hellfire, but this was not enough to bring Hellbringer to hell.

Next Malice yanks Agathia right into middle of Asphyxious' army. Game over.

Circle Farewells

When I gave my Circle miniatures away yesterday, we played one 10 point game.

I used

Asphyxious the Hellbringer & Deryliss
- Slayer
- 3x Helldiver

Scrap Thralls
Warwitch Siren

Opponent had:

Tanith, the Feral Song
- Warpwolf Stalker
- Gnarlhorn Satyr
- Gorax
Druid Wilder

Opponent was very new to Circle Orboros - I think he mentioned that none of the miniatures he used in this game are familiar to him. He was a little hesitant to engage. I, on the other hand, was way too eager to engage. Practically I traded Slayer for Druid Wilder. Helldivers were offensively useless (understand that however you wish...) but Field Marshal made them difficult to completely remove from the board.

It was pretty much Asphyxious himself who tore through enemy heavies. Though twelve focus were not enough to remove one Warpwolf Stalker - I spent even the last focus point on Asphyxious in order to try and trigger Blood Boon. Never happened. Vociferon came and showed Asphyxious how warbeasts are destroyed.

Valiantly Tanith tried to assassinate Asphyxious, but her personal damage output isn't that amazing after all. Asphyxious personally shackled her soul to a cage.

"Must I do everything by myself?"

Two 50 point games of Warmachine from a couple of weeks ago.

Asphyxious the Hellbringer & Vociferon
- Kraken
- 2x Stalker

Cephalyx Mind Slaver & Drudges (max)
2x Necrotech
Scrap Thralls
Warwitch Siren


First game opponent played with:

Tyrant Xerxis
- Tiberion
- Titan Gladiator
Cataphract Cetrati (max)
Nihilators (max)
Paingiver Beast Handlers (max)

Scenario in both games was... I don't know what it was. A reminiscent. Friendly flags gave one point for dominance, enemy flags one for control and two for dominance. Center zone one for control and two for dominance.

First game was a historical one.

I approach carefully, but not carefully enough. Five Cetrati one-rounded my Kraken under Xerxis' feat. Those damage rolls... 6,6,6,6,4. 6,6,6,4,4. Lowest roll was only slightly above average. Fortunately for me opponent sent Tiberion in to beat some Drudge Thralls - I suppose he didn't expect I'd overcommit Asphyxios, or if I did, it would be his downfall.

Asphyxious had seven extra focus points from Nihilator souls only. This turn he used feat and charged Tiberion. He also killed a nearby Nihilator to cast Calamity on Tiberion. It took nearly all focus he had, but finally Tiberion was dead. Cloak of Ash was on Asphyxious.

Xerxis was slowly grinding scenario points at his flag. Tactical Supremacy on himself made it possible for him to kill whatever I ran to contest flag and back-track for the score. A hilarious happenstance was when Xerxis made a combo-smite at my Stalker, which brought the warjack into contact with Scrap Thrall. Stalker had only one hit box remaining. Either thrall survived collateral damage roll or the explosion didn't destroy Stalker, but surely I was sweating my spleen off there.

Anyway, Gladiator tries to Grand Slam Asphyxious away from the zone, but misses. This causes one Drudge Thrall to remain on the zone, contesting it. All other models had died.

Asphyxious had seven extra focus again next turn. Again he killed Nihilator or something and cast Calamity on Gladiator.

And then.

I had big plans - Asphyxious would become a hero. With Gladiator dead along with some Cetratii, with nicely camped focus he'd be an unstoppable and yet invulnerable force of destruction.

Four double 1's. One 1,2. Plenty of 1,4. Come on, Asphyxious! COME ON!

Finally he came on and killed the warbeast, but had only one focus point left. Only the charge attack roll dealt more than five points of damage in one go. And he was, after all, at dice -1 to damage.

Opponent cleared up some other models of mine, trying to buy some time for Xerxis to grind a few more control points.

Next turn Asphyxious doesn't have that many extra focus points, three, four or something like that. Nonetheless he casts Calamity on Cetrati and kills a bunch of them. Stalker and some Drudges kill the last ones. Main body of Drudges and this particular Stalker had been tied to Legends of Halaak near my friendly flag.

Eventually all models but Xerxis are dead, at which point we conclude that mathematically Xerxis cannot win any more even if I somehow failed to contest his flag. Xerxis then charges last remaining Stalker and concedes.


Asphyxious kill total: Gladiator, Tiberion, three to four Cataphract Cetrati and some Nihilators - roughly 45 points... with that kind of attack and damage rolls. That's close to a personal record - only thing that even remotely compares was this one ancient Mk2 tournament where Venethrax was charged by tons of Circle warbeasts that should have killed him, but somehow did not.

Game 2:

Opponent had:

Master Ascetic Naaresh
- Agonizer
- 2x Cyclops Brute
- Razor Worm
- Tiberion
- Titan Gladiator
Legends of Halaak
Paingiver Beast Handlers (max)

This game was a distracted failure in every aspect at least when compared to last one.

Long story short: I was far too obsessed over Agonizer. First I sent a leaping Stalker at it, leaving it with four damage points or something. Of course Spirit was fine.

Kraken tried to take some random useless shots - I think the grand plan here was trying to get Agonizer under blast damage. Well, Kraken was now easily within Tiberion's charge range.

I didn't feat, which was a grave mistake. I mean - of course opponent would send all of his beasts against Kraken and assorted models. Why did I not. Why.

Tiberion did not break Kraken, which was a relief. Naaresh had used feat, so I was hard pressed to remove Tiberion this turn. First and foremost Asphyxious shot Agonizer with Hellfire. That seemed like a good idea at the time. How many warcasters have Agonizer killed like this? Countless... Asphyxious did use his feat now, though.

Anyway, Kraken and some Drudge Thralls and whatever I could land on it failed to kill. Not by many boxes, but still failed.

Gladiator and Tiberion both trample next to Asphyxious. To my consolation even Cloak of Ash would not have saved me from these attack rolls.

Anyway, Gladiator took one fully boosted swing at Asphyxious, hit and dealt some damage.

Now, if Tiberion only would have healed him back to full health with his Fury points... Tiberion's damage roll dealt 17 points in. Asphyxious3 has eighteen boxes. Much grief and many sadnesses.

Length of seventeen focus

These are two 50 point games of Warmachine against Trollbloods that were played recently. Trolls had the same list in both games, but I tried a different list in the second game. Both games were played with Recon scenario.



Ragnor Skysplitter, The Runemaster
- Dire Troll Mauler
- Troll Axer
- Troll Impaler
Trollkin Sluggers (max) (pre-errata)
Krielstone Bearer & Stone Scribes (min) + Stone Scribe Elder
Stone Scribe Chronicler
Trollkin War Wagon

Objective: Effigy of Valor

Game 1 list:

Lich Lord Asphyxious
- Desecrator
- Corruptor
- Slayer
Bane Warriors (max) + Command Attachment
Bane Lord Tartarus
Warwitch Siren
Necrotech
Soul Trapper

Objective: Effigy of Valor

Game 2 list:

Asphyxious the Hellbringer
- Harrower
- Corruptor
- Nightmare
Mechanithralls (max) +2x Brute Thrall
Necrosurgeon & Stitch Thralls
Warwitch Siren
Necrotech

Objective: Bunker

First game was quite straightforward Asphyxious2 game, at least for me: Bane Warriors ran first to get themselves killed, while heavier targets tried to hide behind Caustic Mists. Opponent was hesitant to bring models too much forward. I guess it was an oversight when there was only the objective and a krielstone grunt contesting middle zone at the start of my turn 3. Well, it didn't really help that one major contestant had lost it's activation to a failed threshold check - Dire Troll Mauler had eaten a krielstone bearer grunt to help with some sort of problems with anxiety or stage fright.

As hopeful as I had been with the acquisition of Tough for Bane Warriors once more, the War Wagon was a terrifying piece to negate that precious Tough - as knockdown happens before damage is being done, it negated Tough altogether.

Impaler had been really proficient at rolling for criticals. I don't think it rolled any non-critical attacks in this game?

Anyway, once an ARM 17 warjack goes down to def 5, Sluggers are suddenly rather a scary prospect. But there must be some sort of hidden ammunition type special rule for them. Every time they rolled three shots, there was only one or two points of damage, or none at all. And every time only one shot was rolled, they must have been some sort of depleted uranium shells from the grim distant future, because of their high damage.

But there were no warjack casualties. Desecrator and Corruptor both had suffered heavy damage, but weren't quite dead yet. Necrotech kept their systems functional.

I didn't even go for actual enemy models during Ragnor's feat - I dedicated everything to destroy the objective. Which succeeded even if it wasn't easy. Bane Thrall with it's Dark Shroud gave the required extra punch for Slayer to destroy objective. And then Cryx went straight to three control points.

Next opponent caused some impressive damage on Cryxian forces, and I lost any desire I could have had at playing any kind of attrition.

There was Mauler, Impaler and Slugger contesting the central zone. I had Tartarus, Asphyxious, movement-less Desecrator and Asphyxious' feat. It was all-out onslaught, which did succeed in removing trollblood troops and giving Lich Lord those remaining control points.

Game 2:

Last game had evolved Asphyxious2 into Asphyxious3.

Beginning wasn't that grand, when I advanced Corruptor to take a shot at War Wagon. I had thought that I might have done some 4-5 damage points in, perhaps, and then make enemy deal with the heavy warjack and any Mechanithralls I would be running up the middle zone. But opponent didn't need to expend any extra resources at all - everything was just shot off the board. Damn that knockdown cannon. Oh, and the Necrojector shot was triple 1's.

Then I brought Asphyxious up to feat, and had Mobility up. Nightmare had Ashen Veil.

I had trusted Nightmare to deal with War Wagon, but damage rolls were pretty terrible. Charge attack even missed the DEF 9 target.

Hellfire from Vociferon missed one krielstone grunt that was contesting the zone.

Harrower, Necrotech and Brute Thrall were what it took to remove enemy objective - and then I noticed I had completely forgotten about that contesting krielstone grunt. Mentally I had already dealt with it with the Hellfire. Three control points denied.

I lost pretty much everything on next turn. Buffaloes knocked Nightmare down, and suddenly Ashen Veil stopped doing, well, anything at all. Dire Troll Mauler wrecked Harrower and Axer came to finish off Nightmare. At least post-nerf recursion had kept Mechanithralls on the board. During course of the game six extra grunts had been reconstructed to offer some bullet practice targets for Sluggers.

At least that turn yielded ten extra focus points for Asphyxious - and opponent forgot to use feat. Well, at least that still kept me in game, though gaining advantage over such memory lapses don't feel clean.

There were only a Slugger and a krielstone grunt contesting the zone. Absolutely everything I threw against them failed miserably.

Mechanithralls weren't doing anything either. I guess it fits some sort of archetypal "worthless minions, must I do everything by myself" trope.

Asphyxious had to cast Mobility to get to Dire Troll Mauler, which was annoying. He then charged and bought an extra attack against Slugger, killing him and casting a boosted Hellfire at the krielstone grunt via Blood Boon. At least that much succeeded.

Then he cast Calamity on Dire Troll Mauler and started swinging his blade.

All the attacks had terrible rolls. Six was the most common damage roll for the attacks that even managed to hit a def 10 target. I wonder if Asphyxious was hitting the troll with his sword's handle instead of the blade.

Ten focus and the charge attack was what it took to kill a def 10, arm 18 heavy warbeast with MAT 6 and P+S 16. Asphyxious had zero focus point in camp.

But karma (sometimes) has this fickle way of balancing things out.

Opponent wasn't much better at rolling dice on his next turn. First, and most importantly, Ragnor missed the knockdown spell. He got scared then and ran off to the hills all the while listening to Iron Maiden.

War Wagon scored only one Mechanithrall kill. Spray missed both the Siren and Vociferon, and I don't remember at all what it was that the knockdown cannon tried to shoot. Axer scored only one hit against Asphyxious that dealt something like six or seven damage points. Impaler had been busy removing remaining Mechanithralls, and the whole unit was indeed wiped out that turn.

But - Asphyxious was miraculously alive, and there were only War Wagon and Axer on the zone. And Ragnor had still not used his feat.

Asphyxious destroys War Wagon and casts Calamity on Axer via Blood Boon, and proceeds to finish the light warbeast, bringing Cryx yet again to five control points.

Now, this game was solely won because of opponent forgot to use his feat twice in a row. Though, of course he had left the scenario zone way too uncontested in both games. But whatever the case, I felt kind of weaponless in both games. Enemy had a low model count, but still I was unable to reduce that count all that much. Corruptor that I usually take as a form of crowd control mechanic felt rather useless now, when POW 10 AoE would be stopped by a 5+ tough roll, and even if it did succeed, krielstone aura made it require 7+ or 8+ to kill any extra models.