Getting Brined

Had a 50 point game of Warmachine. Scenario was from main rulebook, to kill as many enemy units in six rounds as possible.

My list:

Lord Exhumator Scaverous [+27]
- Nightwretch [7]
 - Reaper [11]
 - Seether [12]
 - Stalker [8]
 - Satyxis Blood Priestess [4]
Misery Cage [2]
Pistol Wraith [4]
Saxon Orrik [4]
Warwitch Siren [3]
Bile Thralls (min) [6]
 - Skarlock Commander [3]
Mechanithralls (max) [9]
 - Brute Thrall (2) [4]

Opponent had:

Baldur the Stonecleaver [+31]

 - Feral Warpwolf [14]

 - Woldwarden [13]

 - Woldwatcher [8]

Rorsh [14]

Gatorman Posse (max) [13]

Shifting Stones [3]

Warpborn Skinwalkers (max) [13]

 - Warpborn Skinwalker Alpha [3]

Woldwatcher and Feral Warpwolf used building in the middle to their advantage. Baldur's forest-on-demand combined nicely with that building to create a large swathe of LoS block.

Gatormen and Rorsh were directly opposed by Cryxian infantry and Pistol Wraith. My heavy warjacks were trying to haul themselves past a rubble. Woldwarden and Skinwalkers looked like they'd be coming their way.

Circle was advancing cautiously and did not commit, so I had to launch the offensive. I used Scaverous' feat on turn 2, which resulted in one dead Woldwarden and Icy Gripped Skinwalkers. Mechanithralls and Bile Thralls tried to flood Gatormen and remaining warbeasts.

Baldur used his feat in response and sniped Pistol Wraith dead with Earth Spikes. Gatormen and warbeasts decimated six Mechanithralls, which is quite acceptable considering that it took the activations of two beasts and pricey unit. 

Bigger loss was when a lucky strike from Skinwalker did blow up Nightwretch's arc node.

Next, Stalker and Seether removed half of Skinwalkers, which was not nearly enough. Mechanithralls killed one Gatorman. As far as turns go it wasn't too bad - at least it looked like opponent wouldn't be able to inflict heavy casualties on me on their turn.

But then those remaining Skinwalkers managed to compromise movement system from both Seether and Stalker as well as killing every and all Mechanithralls. 

With my buffer gone, I tried to drag somewhat injured Feral Warpwolf to Reaper to get it away from Baldur's control zone and maybe even kill it. But as it happened, harpoon missed. At least all Skinwalkers were gone next.

Scaverous moves a bit forward so he'd be more relevant next turn.

I failed to take into account the terrifying threat range of Brine... soon enough the heavy pig beast was next to Lord Exhumator and even scored critical knockdown... twice. Scaverous had the warbeast re-roll its attack roll. 

Two focus points weren't enough. Victory for Circle.

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.

Scourge of a Grove

 Had a 50 point game of Warmachine.

My list was:

Cryx

Deneghra, the Soul Weaver [+27]

 - Deathripper [6]
- Nightmare [18]
 - Slayer [10]
 - Satyxis Blood Priestess [4]
Misery Cage [2]
Soul Trapper [1]
Bane Warriors (max) [16]
 - Bane Warrior Officer & Standard [5]
Wraith Engine [15]

Opponent had:

Circle

 Baldur the Stonecleaver [+31]

 - Woldwatcher [8]

 - Woldwrath [37]

Gallows Grove [2]

Cylena Raefyll & Nyss Hunters (min) [12]

Shifting Stones [3]

Warpborn Skinwalkers (max) [15]

 - Warpborn Skinwalker Alpha [4]

Scenario was Most Pit from main rulebook. Nightmare picked Woldwrath as its prey target, and then Cryx started game by rushing forward. Circle played more cautiously, but still brought Woldwatcher and Shifting Stones to contest middle zone.

As Circle didn't make an approach, second turn Cryx was still just running forward and lined up Wraith Engine, Bane Warriors, Slayer with Grave Wind and Nightmare ten inches away from Woldwrath. 

Skinwalkers attempted to screen Woldwrath, and were mostly killed by Wraith Engine and Bane Warriors. 

To get things going, Grave Wind was cycled to Nightmare, who then charged stone-formed Woldwatcher that had Mortality on. The bugger was left alive with two hit points.

I trusted that sweet Def 15 enough to bring Nightmare within charge distance of Woldwrath. But then I learned that the thing has knockdown effect on its melee attacks. Whoops. There went my 18 points. And a bunch of Nyss Hunters charged Deneghra. Four of them, actually. And they were hitting on 9+. Three of them hit, and brought Deneghra down to five hit points remaining. Yikes.

However, there was Gallows Grove within charge distance of Deneghra. And there was Baldur right behind the tree. I sensed a possible assassination, so Wraith Engine ran to Baldur to spread some Dark Shroud. Deneghra charged Gallows Grove and destroyed it with Scourge, which also knocked down Baldur. 

Deneghra had used her feat, and she cast Mortality on Baldur. Deneghra had four swings to cut through automatically hit Arm 12 target. It was more than enough to score a caster kill.

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.

Fury Unseen

 Had a 50 point game of Warmachine a couple of days ago. 

My list was:

Cryx
Lich Lord Venethrax [+26]
 - Deathripper [6]
 - Erebus [16]
 - Helldiver [6]
 - Seether [13]
 - Slayer [10]
Bloat Thrall [4]
Darragh Wrathe [9]
Misery Cage [2]
Warwitch Siren [4]
Black Ogrun Ironmongers [6]

Opponent had:

Circle of Orboros

Iona the Unseen [+28]

 - Pureblood Warpwolf [17]

 - Rotterhorn Griffon [7]

 - Warpwolf Stalker [17]

 - Druid Wilder [4]

Bloodweaver Night Witch [4]

Tharn Bloodtrackers (max) [15]

 - Nuala the Huntress [4]

Tharn Bloodweavers [8]

Bloodtrackers picked Erebus as their prey. I wanted to reposition the character warjack so that it wouldn't be there for easy picking, but I had an annoying bottleneck on my side of the board. Oh well. There weren't any threatening AoE's around, right?

Pureblood Warpwolf sprayed Slayer, dealt some damage in and killed Bloat Thrall, which in turn injured an Ironmonger. 

I tried to offer some threat saturation for opponent by bringing Helldiver up and running arc node to channel some Blood Rains onto Bloodtrackers. Too bad only two Bloodtrackers were essentially killed. If four had died I would've been okay with the results, but six focus for two Bloodtrackers is rather a heavy price tag.

Bloodweavers attempt to take the circular zone on the right, and Bloodtrackers are ogling the one on the left. Rotterhorn Griffon attempts to flank Cryxian forces from the right. Helldiver and Bloat Thrall were acceptable losses, especially when I managed to use Terminal Velocity with Slayer and remove Pureblood.

That was the extent of my casualties inflicted, though. Some three Bloodtrackers and a Bloodweaver died, but tidings were grim.

I had tried to position Erebus so that if Warpwolf Stalker charged Seether, it would counter charge and make the warpwolf stationary. Turns out Bloodtrackers are enough to remove one pesky Seether from the board, and Warpwolf Stalker decided just to run towards Iona.

Bloodweavers dismounted Darragh, and flanking Griffon killed Warwitch Siren. Feralgeist charged an Ironmonger, thus engaging it. Suddenly all my support was severely crippled and I was down to one heavy warjack and an arcnode. 

Circle started to be ahead of the scenario, and when Iona had carelessly entered the charge range of Erebus, I decided it's my chance. And first attack hit the warlock, making her stationary and leaving her to two hit boxes remaining. But Iona had four transfers available, so.

Scenario loss for Venethrax after Circle forces were unable to tear through Venethrax and his focus camp of five. 

Time For Classics

Played a 50 point game of Warmachine. My list was:

Lich Lord Asphyxious [+28]
 - Deathripper [6]
 - Inflictor [13]
- Ripjaw [7]
 - Slayer [10]
Iron Lich Overseer [5]
- Desecrator [14]
Swamp Gobber River Raider[1]
Bane Warriors (max) [16]
Black Ogrun Ironmongers [6]

Opponent had:

Baldur the Stonecleaver [+31]

 - Gorax Rager [7]

 - Megalith [20]

 - Woldwatcher [8]

Gallows Grove [2]

Lord of the Feast [6]

Shifting Stones [3]
Gatorman Posse [16]

Warpborn Skinwalkers (max) [15]

 - Warpborn Skinwalker Alpha [4]

Scenario was the point scoring Annihilation from main rulebook.

Circle had Gatormen approaching from the right and Skinwalkers from the left. The obstacle in the middle was a nasty table divider, and I sort of did a mistake by directing Slayer and Desecrator to go from the right side.

Neither player had no LOS to anything, thanks to Ashpyxious's Caustic Mists and Baldur's forests. But when Lord of the Feast ran behind the center obstacle, Cryx opened game by running Ripjaw to get arc node into position. I wanted to get rid of the solo before it had the chance to do any major damage. 

Excarnate, however, didn't do much.

Swamp Gobber River Raider, however, did. That little fellow scored a hit with it's harpoon against a Gatorman, and - killed one of the Posse members. 

In retaliation I lost the arc node and a couple of Bane Warriors. Baldur also used his feat, which obviously wasn't going to be all that impactful.

But my next turn isn't that big either. Bane Warriors and Inflictor manage to destroy all but two Skinwalkers and Slayer ate one Gatorman. So it was Circle who got to make the first major turn.

Woldwatcher, remaining Skinwalkers and Lord of the Feast remove all but two Bane Warriors. Megalith deals with Inflictor and Gorax comes to cuddle with Desecrator. Gatormen charge Slayer. Shifting Stones annoyingly teleport in front of Megalith.

Time to draw out the toolbox. Oh right, I haven't got one.

Deathripper succeeds to kill Lord of the Feast. Desecrator also makes Gorax problem disappear, while Slayer takes down two Gatormen. Two remaining Bane Warriors kill last Skinwalker. Only their Alpha left now. 

Asphyxious walks and teleports next to Desecrator so that he might be able to flank and shank Baldur with his feat.

Circle wouldn't have any of that, and Megalith, Gallows Grove and Shifting Stone all come to block the charge from any possible feat Banes. Woldwatcher and Skinwalker Alpha remove last Bane Warriors from the unit. 

I have my chances to "win" the game now. Random models (Desecrator, namely) removes Gallows Grove from blocking charges. And I believe it was Iron Lich Overseer who shot the last remaining Shifting Stone.

Asphyxious advances. Megalith benefits from cover, so it is def 14 against shooting. I can either cast unboosted Parasite on it and teleport away to safety, or secure the spell and leave my warcaster exposed. I choose the latter. Ironically the Parasite would have caused a hit on any combination of the rolled dice. Oh well.

Parasited Megalith goes down like butter, which kind of surprised me. The Banes could have probably done it without Parasite, too. Now Circle has only their warlock, Woldwatcher and a lone Gatorman around.

And when the measuring starts, Asphyxious is found to be within charge distance of Baldur. He just straight up butchered the Lich Lord, not even needing to expend all of his Fury points.

Had I placed Asphyxious exactly within 8" of Megalith, this would not have happened. Had I teleported, this would not have happened. I suppose you can call a game end like this "classic".

Brawling Woldwrath & Kraken

Had a 75 point game of Warmachine.

My list:


Master Necrotech Mortenebra [+24]
- Desecrator [14]
- Kraken [35]
- Malice [15]
Bloat Thrall [4]
Machine Wraith [2]
Misery Cage [2]
Necrotech [2]
Scrap Thrall (3) [2]
Soul Trapper [1]
Soul Trapper [1]
Bane Warriors (max) [16]
- Bane Warrior Officer & Standard [5]

Opposing list:

Baldur the Stonecleaver [+31]
- Gnarlhorn Satyr [12]
- Pureblood Warpwolf [17]
- Woldwrath [37]
Gallows Grove [2]
Gatorman Posse (max) [16]
Shifting Stones [3]
Warpborn Skinwalkers (max) [15]
- Warpborn Skinwalker Alpha [4]

Scenario was Annihilation from main rulebook. The starting roll suggested a tough game - we rolled the same number four times in a row.

Opponent deployed his warbeasts in the far corner of the board - as far away from Bane Warriors as possible. Wise choice.

To open up the game somehow, Kraken shot down a tree with its big cannon and triggered Overrun, which enabled Malice to drag in Pureblood Warpwolf. The beast didn't die to Malice just yet - Desecrator had to take a lucky hit at it to score the kill.

But then Woldwrath beats Malice into scraps, and Baldur uses his feat.

I do everything in my power to destroy the gargantuan - even used Mortenebra's feat for it. Which, hilariously enough, didn't improve even a single roll, but made a couple of them worse. A feat well placed. Dark Shroud and Stone Skin canceled out each other. Desecrator's shot, Bloat Thrall and Kraken were pretty much the only models I did get into the fight.

In the end, I'd estimate the Woldwrath lost only about 75% of its health. This did not bode well for the well-being of Kraken.

Which - much to my surprise - opponent did not demolish. It was left standing with about five hit boxes. Unfortunately, I had had to use Bane Warriors as a meat-shield against the medium based infantry. They did pick some of them out here and there, but the cloud effect in the middle of the board blocked LoS annoyingly.

Kraken made short work out of Woldwrath, and I regret not casting Overrun on it - I could've charged Gnarlhorn Satyr with Desecrator if I did. But now as it happened, Gnarlhorn with Stone Skin dismantled Kraken.

Desecrator charged Gnarlhorn that had already been injured prior to engagement. I considered it plausible to kill the goat and overrun to kill at least one Skinwalker, but no. Not with those dice. Desecrator did score critical shred, sure, but when damage rolls were among double ones and twos. Circle would have had far tougher time in getting the warjack down, and maybe I would've had a few Bane Warriors more.

We did not play the Circle 6th turn, as it was apparent that I already had less points scored.

Sacred Parasite

Played a 50 point game of Hordes.

My list:

Lord Tyrant Hexeris [+28]
- Agonizer [6]
- Aradus Sentinel [14]
- Archidon [10]
- Bronzeback Titan [17]
Ancestral Guardian [5]
Mortitheurge Willbreaker [4]
Paingiver Beast Handlers (min) [5]
Praetorian Swordsmen (max) [13]
- Praetorian Swordsman Officer & Standard [4]

Opponent had:

Mohsar the Desertwalker [+27]
- Gorax Rager [7]
- Wild Argus [7]
- Wild Argus [7]
- Woldwrath [37]
Warpborn Skinwalkers (max) [15]
- Warpborn Skinwalker Alpha [4]

Scenario was Throw Down from main rulebook.

Skorne was woefully outnumbered on the left side of the board. Aradus Sentinel wouldn't be holding the zone alone against six Skinwalkers. Also I had some worries about the zone on the right, as Praetorian Swordsmen seemed like they'd have to face the Woldwrath. Instead, they faced Pillars of Salt.

I placed Skorne warbeasts in the middle, so they'd have the option to go either way, without having the necessary speed to get there. One Skinwalker charged Aradus Sentinel on turn 2, which triggered Counter-Charge from Bronzeback Titan. Which did two points of damage.

The counter-charge for giggles was more costly than anticipated. Woldwrath was now within charge range, and shooed the elephant off the board despite being in the Agonizer's strength penalty aura.

Without a dedicated beat-stick what was I to do to this Arm 20 gargantuan?

Nibble it to the death with non-dedicated sticks, of course. Hexeris cast Parasite on Woldwrath and shot it with Sunder Spirit. To my defense, I did ask if the Woldwrath had Sacred Ward. It's a bummer when mistakes like this happen, since Parasite made all the difference in this equation - Archidon and Aradus Sentinel were able to scratch the gargantuan down.

Had we played with Sacred Ward, I guess I should've tried to remove the Skinwalkers with Parasite, Archidon and Sentinel's spray.

Praetorian Swordsmen were chewing through Salt Pillars. Archidon died to Skinwalkers. Mohsar used his feat, invalidating Aradus Sentinel for a turn.

Then I pulled off an amazing charge with Praetorian Swordsmen. They used Power Swell, and were able to kill a Skinwalker, Gorax Rager and Wild Argus. Wild Argus even received a damage roll of 6,6,6,5. Ouch.

Circle didn't have many options left after that, and opted to try to assassinate Hexeris who had two fury points for transfers. Two Skinwalkers did their thing, and then Mohsar teleported to Hexeris and paralyzed him with Doppel Bark. But the flurry from magic stick was not enough to bring the Lord Tyrant down.

Hexeris then slashed the old man in two halves.

Long past due

Amidst Christmas hurries I managed to squeeze in a 50 point game of Warmachine about a week ago. My list was:

Lord Tyrant Hexeris [+28]
- Agonizer [6]
- Aradus Sentinel [14]
- Archidon [10]
- Cyclops Shaman [8]

- Rhinodon [12]
Bog Trog Trawler [3]
Extoller Soulward [3]
Praetorian Swordsmen (max) [13]
- Praetorian Swordsman Officer & Standard [4]
Paingiver Beasthandlers (min) [5]


Opponent had:

Kaya the Wildborne [+32]
- Feral Warpwolf [16]
- Gnarlhorn Satyr [12]
- Wild Argus [7]
- Wild Argus [7]
- Winter Argus [8]
Lord of the Feast [6]
Totem Hunter [6]
Warpborn Skinwalkers (max) [15]
- Warpborn Skinwalker Alpha [4]

Scenario was one from main rulebook, Mosh Pit style scenario with 12" circle in the middle of board.

Skorne advanced in a brick towards the zone. Skinwalkers engaged my front line, and Circle warbeasts went in the back.

Praetorian Swordsmen used Power Swell, which on the hindisght was probably unnecessary. They took out Lord of the Feast and a few skinwalkers. All but one remaining Skinwalker were brought down by Aradus Sentinel and Rhinodon. I had wanted Rhinodon to do a bit more damage to Gnarlhorn Satyr, but the turtle had trouble hitting def 12.

Primaled Gnarlhorn takes down Rhinodon and Wild Arguses come to tease Aradus and Archidon. Here situation looks dire for Skorne, but relief comes from unexpected sources - heavy warbeasts miss and fail non-stop against Circle light beasts, but Extoller Soulward shoots Gnarlhorn dead, and Praetorian Swordsmen kill Feral Warpwolf. What just happened...?

Losing her heavies, Kaya takes full offense all by herself. She smacks a few Swordsmen dead, but in return is killed by MAT 9-10 swordsmen.

JMG Warmachine tournament V

So there was a Warmachine tournament in Jyväskylä.

With my practice games I had practiced enough that I scrapped Aiakos list for the most part and did a new one. My lists were:


Black Industries
Captain Aiakos [+29]
- Corruptor [14]
- Helldiver [6]
- Nightmare [18]
- Reaper [13]
- 2x Stalker [8]
- The Withershadow Combine [9]
Machine Wraith [2]
Pistol Wraith [0(5)]
Swamp Gobber River Raider [1]
2x Warwitch Siren [0+4]
Bile Thralls (min) [9]
Black Ogrun Ironmongers [6]
Mechanithralls (min) [6]
- Brute Thrall (3) [0(6)]


Scourge of the Broken Coast

Goreshade the Bastard [+27]
- Leviathan [16]
- Reaper [13]
- Seether [13]
- Satyxis Blood Priestess [0(4)]
Axiara Wraithblade [0(6)]
Satyxis Raider Captain [0(4)]
2x Warwitch Siren [4]
Wrong Eye [17]
Black Ogrun Ironmongers [6]
Cephalyx Overlords [8]
Satyxis Raiders (max) [16]
- Satyxis Raider Sea Witch [4]


Game 1:
First game was against Circle of Orboros, tharn theme lead by Iona. I had taken Goreshade.

I made the mistake of giving opponent free points from the zone on right by turn two. I also learned a thing or two about Ravagers - if Rapid Healing caught me by surprise earlier, now it was the Vengeance. I pretty much wasted my unit of Satyxis Raiders by charging them to few Tharn Ravagers, then using Reposition to engage them even more. Clever move, I must say.

At least Leviathan managed to shoot a tharn ravager dead who had been blocking the lane to Feral Warpwolf. Reaper then pulled Warpwolf and Snapjaw snapped it's spine.

However, opponent's game was ruined by Wrong Eye's Star Crossed. Circle had some bad rolls too on turn three. (they only butchered seven satyxis raiders and their captain, took almost half of boxes off from Reaper and one Cephalyx Overlord... on bad rolls) Me, on the other hand, had some good damage rolls. Against my own objective, that is. Sure Seether destroyed the Wolf Rider Champion, but berserk attack brought my objective down to five boxes remaining.

Second turn in a row, Star Crossed ruined the day of Tharn Ravagers. Seems like the magic with Star Crossed is when you need 6's or 7's to hit. Not when you need 4's or 3's, but I'm getting ahead of things now. Scenario game was slowly going towards Circle victory, although otherwise my position seems surprisingly secure. Especially after Bane Warriors and Seether destroyed Ghetorix.

Had there been more time in deathclock, perhaps I could have seized the zone on left and the middle zone, but when we both had only a few minutes left in the clock, we both started making hasty decisions. Iona ran to zone on right where Seether could charge her. End of Iona, and I was left with less than forty seconds on my clock.

Game 2:

Second game was against the newest faction, Infernals, lead by Zaateroth. I decided to give Aiakos2 a go, as opponent could benefit from my souls in my Goreshade list.

However, I gained nothing from stealth on Stalkers, Sirens, Withershadow Combine and Aiakos, as well as nothing from Incorporeal on Pistol Wraith and Machine Wraith, as just about all models opponent had sported magical weapons and eyeless sight.

Zaateroth was extremely cautious of my threat ranges, which gave me a jump start in scenario game. But this also put me in a vulnerable position, and casualties started piling up. I had some good options to contest, but opponent was able to zap my point scoring models off the table, so I was not able to go even near victory here.

With heavy horrors appearing left and right, I couldn't even bring them down to their starting number, although Nightmare did good job in killing one with unboosted initial attacks. Sadly three additional attacks were not enough to take a second horror down.

It was a scenario loss for me.

Game 3:

Last game was against Legion of Everblight and Absylonia2. I chose Goreshade.

Absylonia had a list with, what, nineteen shredders or so, with more to come from two spawning vessels and those minion croc pots.

It was insane list to fight against.

Again, I was unfamiliar with Absylonia's tricks and made the mistake of giving her models to kill so that it triggered extra MAT for her battlegroup.

Then sharknado happened, and lesser warbeasts were all over the map. With good rolls opponent could have scored all five points required to win on turn two.

Luckily rolls were not that good. Three Shredders shredded Reaper, and most of Satyxis died. Satyxis had made a good job in culling the herd of shredders - it's rare to use red mist ability, but here I did, along with Power Swell. Had the whole unit been able to engage Shredders, I dare say I could have removed half of them. But it was not to be.

Opponent scored "only" three points. I struggled to remove all the tiny pests. If only I could have arranged enemy to gain one less point and remembered on my turn to run a Bane Warrior to enemy rectangular zone, perhaps game I could have stood a chance. Opponent would have needed to score four points and deny my point. But like this it was far too easy for Legion to gather three points from somewhere.

Anyway. Opponent started with nineteen lesser warbeasts. During game, Cryx killed twenty. When game ended, there were still seven lessers around.

Practice vol nil

Earlier this month I played these two games of Warmachine to practice for upcoming tournament. That was held today. But those will have to wait.

I used same kind of list for both. The only difference was me switching Soul Trapper for Swamp Gobber River Raider in the second game.

My list was:

Black Industries

Captain Aiakos [+29]
- Kraken [35]
- Nightmare [18]
- Reaper [13]
- The Withershadow Combine [9]
Machine Wraith [2]
Necrotech [2]
Pistol Wraith [0(5)]
Soul Trapper [1]
Warwitch Siren [0(4)]
Bile Thralls (max) [15]
- Skarlock Commander [3]
Mechanithralls (min) [6]
- Brute Thrall (3) [0(6)]

First game was against Circle of Orboros, but opponent forgot to use two of his requisition options.


The Devourer's Host
Wurmwood, Tree of Fate [+27]
- Feral Warpwolf [16]
- Gorax Rager [7]
- Shadowhorn Satyr [12]
- Warpwolf Stalker [17]
- Wild Argus [7]
Bloodweaver Night Witch [0(4)]
Gallows Grove [2]
Gallows Grove [2]
Tharn Ravager Shaman [4]
Tharn Ravager White Mane [0(5)]
Shifting Stones [3]
Tharn Bloodweavers [8]
Tharn Ravagers (max) [15]
- Tharn Ravager Chieftain [0(5)]

Scenario was Spread the Net. Megalith in the pictures is a proxy for Feral Warpwolf. This was a terrible match-up for Bile Thralls, as I found out. Ravagers with their Rapid Healing were not choice targets for suicide purging. There were only half of the unit left, as five or so had died to a Hellmouth. Well, at least that cost Wurmwood his mobility, as I was able to remove Cassius. But for five purges you'd somehow expect a little better performance than one dead ravagers and a White Mane. Mechanithralls ambushed and killed a couple ravagers more.

Harpoon missed Shadowhorn Satyr, so that was kind of wasted activation. Nightmare killed Feral Warpwwolf, who had come hiding behind a building.

Next Wurmwood activated his feat. Opponent trusted sevens to hit Nightmare and Reaper, which was their saving grace. Warpwolf Stalker in particular landed only one hit that dealt some damage.

Cryx struggled with Ravagers and their DEF 15 - fully loaded Kraken was able to kill two ravagers and one Bloodweaver over the course of whole game. That's well spent 35 points. However, Cryx had gained the upper hand in scenario play and was able to secure victory through control points. I wasn't impressed by the performance of my list. But I wanted to try it again, because I considered it had faced a list that was good counter for Kraken.


Game 2:

This game was played few days ago, and I was troubled of high defense, high armor infantry with Tough once again.

Trollbloods
Band of Heroes
Madrak Ironhide, Thornwood Chieftain [+29]
- Dire Troll Mauler [15]
- Troll Axer [10]
- Troll Bouncer [9]
- Trollkin Runebearer [0(5)]
Fell Caller Hero [0(5)]
Trollkin Champion Hero [0(5)]
Krielstone Bearer & Stone Scribes (max) [9]
- Northkin Elder [3]
Trollkin Champions (max) [16]
- Trollkin Sorcerer (1) [3]
Trollkin Champions (max) [16]
- Trollkin Sorcerer (1) [3]
Trollkin Fennblades (max) [15]
- Trollkin Fennblade Officer & Drummer [5]

In this game Kraken once more failed to do anything to enemy. Even with Carnage on, it could kill only one Fennblade over the course of whole game. Then smaller Champion unit wrecked it. I was hoping to kill two Champions (I didn't know about their damage transfer capabilities...) to clear Line of Sight to a krielstone bearer who was outside of shield guard range. But at least I got the Fennblade down for killshot, and took a shot that was promptly guarded away.

I could have also pre-measured some things, but I didn't. Somehow it didn't even cross my mind. I also lost Nightmare to Dire Troll Mauler.

There was a point when I had small lead in control points, but it all went downhill soon enough, and trollbloods took a scenario victory.

Although I did some stupid mistakes, I was horrified by my list's functionality. Granted, match-up was bad once again, but for the actual tournament I ended up scrapping my list and building another.

Ropecon 2019 Steamroller

Here's the games from Ropecon Steamroller tournament.

Only two days prior to the tournament the rules changed to use Oblivion update instead. It went fine as far as I can tell, but because of this I'm not even trying to put together opposing lists. The hassle of rule update in middle of event had TO to let in themes both from Oblivion and pre-Oblivion.


My lists:

[Theme] Black Industries
[Scaverous 1] Lord Exhumator Scaverous [+27]
- Corruptor [14]
- Deathripper [6]
- Deathripper [6]
- Inflictor [13]
- The Withershadow Combine [9]
Aiakos, Scourge of the Meredius [0(4)]
- Reaper [13]
Darragh Wrathe [9]
Necrotech [2]
Pistol Wraith [0(5)]
Soul Trapper [1]
Warwitch Siren [4]
Warwitch Siren [4]
Mechanithralls (min) [6]
- Brute Thrall (3) [0(6)]
Wraith Engine [15]


[Theme] Scourge of the Broken Coast
[Goreshade 1] Goreshade the Bastard [+27]
- Harrower [16]
- Helldiver [6]
- Leviathan [16]
- Reaper [13]
- Seether [13]
- Stalker [8]
- Satyxis Blood Priestess [0(4)]
Axiara Wraithblade [0(6)]

Satyxis Raider Captain [0(4)]
Warwitch Siren [4]
Black Ogrun Ironmongers [6]
Satyxis Raiders (max) [16]
- Satyxis Raider Sea Witch [4]


Game 1:
First game was against Circle Orboros. Tharn theme with Iona.

It was a brutal and mostly one-sided game. I probably picked the wrong list here anyway.

As I was still thinking Bloodweavers had Dispel as one of their attack options, I didn't slap Death Ward on Wraith Engine. Since it wasn't warded against death, five ambushing Bloodweavers destroyed Wraith Engine from full hit boxes down to zero. Two of them also charged a Deathripper and destroyed it. At least it eases my pain a little that when you consider how Bloodweavers were rolling the dice, it would've mattered little if Wraith Engine would've had Death Ward on.

Wolf Rider Champion single-handedly breaks Movement system off from Reaper - after it had missed twice with harpoon attack.

Another Wolf Rider Champion puts a heavy dent on Inflictor. Some system broke. It even had Death Ward on. However, having a broken system was on me. I forgot I could've decided the column.

But it's rare to see dice that are on fire like this. I suppose it's bound to happen sooner or later.

I spent quite a bit of time trying to figure out a way to assassinate Iona. Getting node close enough to cast Telekinesis on her as well as three Brute Thralls, but the arc node I would've needed went down with two charging Bloodweavers. I measured if I'd be able to get a node via Corruptor shot, but I couldn't see that far to the forest anyway.

I just did not know what to do, so I tried to stack some souls on Scaverous and wait for a turn and hope opponent makes a small positioning mistake. But opponent scored a point with Iona on my turn, and then four from both circular zones, flag and destroying my objective.

Not my most magnificent game.

Game 2:

Second game was against Khador, Vlad2.

Table was a nightmare to all but Dark Host. Which I didn't play.

I picked Goreshade as my list, as I thought I might be able to hit Vlad's feated models with Gang Fighter.

Opponent did have Greylord Adjunct to offer Behemoth Eyeless Sight turn after turn. This mitigated my Shadowmancer quite a bit. Also Vlad being able to upkeep two spells for free made Lamentation lackluster.

I thought I had placed Helldiver to wrong side of the board. So it was by accident that I had a contestant on rectangular zone on my right.

Vlad uses his feat on five models - both Eliminator units and a lone Kayazy assassin. Eliminators on right just ran to engage my Warwitch Siren. River being rough terrain robbed them of their charge.

Another unit came to tie up Satyxis. And did they tie up Satyxis. Kayazy Assassins attacked Harrower, that had been seriously damaged by Behemoth already. But Harrower didn't die, it just lost Cortex.

Cryx managed to clear all the assassins from circular zone and contest rectangular zone on right with Helldiver that popped up.

Satyxis Raiders, Axiara and Satyxis Captain all tried to do some damage in to Eliminators on left, and succeeded. Just to deal random damage points in. Not to kill anyone.

Yuri the Axe charges from woods and kills a bunch of Satyxis Raiders. Eliminators continue to kill them. Marauder cannot charge contesting Helldiver, so it positions itself so that next turn Helldiver won't be able to contest and be outside of Marauder's threat range. Warwitch Siren dies to another unit of Eliminators and I'm left with few warjacks that are seriously damaged.

Thanks to some lucky rolls I clear the circular zone with ease. Axiara Wraithblade runs to the flag, and Goreshade with Deathwalker is on the zone. That's two points.

Stalker charges Yuri, and Satyxis finally remove one of the eliminators.

I try to position my jacks so that next turn I'd be able to go to rectangular zone on the right that was about to fall to Khador.

But a miracle happened there. Marauder did the combo-smite thing and slammed Helldiver four inches or something. This was phenomenal luck. Because Helldiver was still contesting and was outside of threat range of Kayazy Eliminators. One inch more or one inch less and I'd have lost the zone.

Vladimir tried to remove Helldiver with Razor Wind, and failed.

Devastator wrecks Stalker and a mechanic comes to contest circular zone.

After removing contestors with Reaper, Seether charges Behemoth to tie it up. Seether had only one arm and no cortex, so damage wasn't spectacular. I spent quite a bit time on deathclock trying to figure if I should try to assassinate Vladimir. I would've probably tried that if both Axiara and Harrower wouldn't have missed. But they did.

When I'm looking at the game pictures now, it's absurd that Harrower survived that long. After Marauder wrecked Helldiver, Harrower still stood contesting. Behemoth took down Seether. Kayazy Eliminators charge last remaining Iron Monger, and position themselves to contest both the flag and the zone.

Goreshade takes care of the Eliminators and Axiara positions herself to the flag. Leviathan shoots enemy objective down and Reaper runs to contest the zone.

Behemoth comes to contest zone, Vlad wrecks Harrower and Devastator bulldozes Reaper off.

Reaper comes back for more, Blood Priestess runs to contest rectangular zone and Goreshade and Bane Warriors wreck Behemoth.

It was the last round, and one of first, if not the first game in my Mk3 tournaments that had to be resolved with tiebreakers. I had lead of three control points, so a victory for Cryx.

Game 3:

Last game I was against Blindwater Congregation. First time in Mk3.

I wanted to try if Scaverous would be able to score an assassination, but I should've thought about the position of objectives. Opponent picked anchor objective, and with this 5" template of shallow water with protection from ranged attacks had Barnabas1 in a safe spot.

I managed to kill Wrastler. A big mistake was to charge Sacral Vault with ambushing Mechanithralls. I thought three Brute Thralls ought to make a dent in the battle engine - and sure they did... but I had not paid attention at all that there was Gobber Tinker around. Who repaired for six. Yay. Then the thing shot all Brutes in one turn, and what were Mecanithralls to do when their only target was protected by this soul storm thing?

I charge Wraith Engine to that Sacral Vault, and poor rolls still have the thing standing. Well. At least someone was contesting enemy rectangular zone.

I had some trouble contesting flags. Swamp Gobber River Raider scored a point for enemy, and a small bottleneck had my heavy warjacks in a difficult position to do anything other than kill a couple members of Gatormen Posse.

Hilariously enough Wraith Engine didn't... oh wait, it did die.

But it took the combined efforts of Sacral Vault, Ironback Spitter, Gatormen Posse, Bull Snapper and even a charging Mist Speaker. And since they just couldn't do it, Barnabas destroys the thing with a spell.

But losing the engine was my downfall, and slowly and steadily opponent grinded control points to victory.

Looking back now the match-up doesn't look as horrible as it felt. Game was probably playable - I just succumbed to some silly mistakes and being too fixated on assassinating Barnabas.

Kaya and Venethrax in stop motion

It's finally here.

This game was played over a month ago, but the format I chose to present it took a while.

Lightening conditions gave some trouble and it shows. Many of the frames have been individually adjusted in order to reduce flickering. And because I had to go image editing, why not take it a little further? I tried new things like edit away blu-tack or dice that were used to support Kaya and Venethrax during their climb and fall. And it worked out pretty well.

Anyway. Here it is.

Void Walker Mordikaar

A couple of days ago I played this 75 point game of Warmachine.

My list was:


Winds of Death
Void Seer Mordikaar
- Archidon [10]
- Basilisk Drake [8]
- Basilisk Drake [8]
- Basilisk Krea [7]
- Cyclops Savage [7]
- Rhinodon [12]
Maximus [4]
Mortitheurge Willbreaker [0]
Venator Dakar [4]
Void Spirit [0(4)]
Paingiver Beast Handlers (min) [5]
Swamp Gobber Bellows Crew [2]
Venator Flayer Cannon Crew [5]
Venator Reivers (max) [15]
- Venator Reiver Officer & Standard [4]
Venator Slingers (max) [13]


Opponent had:

Call of the Wild
Kromac the Ravenous [+26]
- Feral Warpwolf [16]
- Ghetorix [19]
- Pureblood Warpwolf [17]
- Shadowhorn Satyr [12]
- Shadowhorn Satyr [12]
- Warpwolf Stalker [17]
- Wild Argus [7]
- Druid Wilder [0(4)]
Blackclad Wayfarer [0(4)]
Lord of the Feast [0(6)]
Swamp Gobber Chef [1]
Shifting Stones [0(3)]


And scenario was Recon II.

Skorne started game.

I was kind of terrified of this match up. Slingers were next to useless models, and Reivers were not exactly top tier Warpwolf killers either. Or Basilisks. Or Archidons. Or Rhinodons. Or Mordikaar.

So my battle plan was panicky to say at least. I rushed stuff forward, keeping infantry mostly out of range from Lord of the Feast, feated on turn 2 and hoped for the best.

And it wasn't too bad. Ghetorix hit only one attack against Archidon and was pushed away with Poltergeist. A Shadowhorn Satyr did destroy objective, but otherwise I survived rather well. Of course opponent was able to set-up a nightmare for me next turn, but hey. I survived.

It was a tormenting turn to play. With a high volume of low-powered attacks against heavies is a pretty good combination for analysis paralysis, and that's what I got. I considered the possibility of assassination.

First, though, Void Spirit charged Blackclad Wayfarer and killed it, did the void walk thing and also killed Druid Wilder, and then hit Kromac.

I spent many a minute in figuring out how I'd be able to kill the Void Spirit. Drake slammed Ghetorix down and Krea ran within Essence Blast range. Which hit neither Void Spirit nor Kromac. A well used light warbeast, I must say.

Then I lose my focus completely and forget I was activating Mordikaar. He just stood there, five fury points remaining.

Reiver cannon shoots enemy objective down and three attacks to Ghetorix. Enraged Rhinodon does the rest. Archidon tries to critically pitch Shadowhorn Satyr off from zone so that I might take gain some leverage in scenario play, but crit it is not.

Reivers use minifeat as I believe most would be dead next turn. They do negligible damage to Warpwolf Stalker.

Maximus misses Pureblood Warpwolf.

Now, had I removed Void Spirit, the Reivers would have been taking their shots at Kromac. Able to re-roll two-man combined ranged attack misses (that had equal to RAT 8) would have had probably softened ARM 16 Kromac with their POW 13 attacks. Then P+S 17 (had I remembered to enrage) charge attack from Archidon, had I remembered t heal it up a little. With any luck it could have gotten one extra attack with body still functional. With no luck it would have done so with body system broken.

...

And here is where I take a closer look at Essence Blast. Nothing would have prevented me from casting it from Void Spirit. Hah. Hah. Ha.

I would've had my shot at paralyzing Kromac, not to mention still having a warbeast.

Well, opponent destroys all but one Basilisk Drake from Mordikaar's battlegroup. Maximus and a number of Slingers die, too.

Mordikaar has 15 Fury points. He spends them all to destroy a Shadowhorn Satyr that had strayed too close, but really. Mordikaar even was within 13" of Kromac.

Game was over there even if I tried to scrape in some lucky damage rolls against beasts. There was none, by the way.

So these were the odds where my luck with Skorne does not extend. A Basilisk Drake for transfers (that had one hit box remaining) and enemy still having four heavies left, with an assortment of supporting models.

Mordikaar started Void Walking himself.

Totem vs Hunter

A week and a half ago or so I played a 50 point game of Warmachine.

My list was:

Lord Arbiter Hexeris

- Agonizer
- Aradus Sentinel
- Bronzeback Titan
- 2x Reptile Hound
Saxon Orrik
Totem Hunter
Venator Dakar
Legends of Halaak
Swamp Gobber Bellows Crew
Venator Slingers (min)

Opponent had:

Kaya the Wildborne
- Feral Warpwolf
- Pureblood Warpwolf
- Druid Wilder
Lord of the Feast
Rorsh
Totem Hunter
Gatorman Posse (max)
Swamp Gobber Bellows Crew

Scenario was from main rulebook, the one with side deployment area.

So we both had Swamp Gobbers and Totem Hunter. I have to give a little spoiler that Swamp Gobbers did not fight each other, but since opponent's Totem Hunter selected my Totem Hunter as it's prey, I felt like I needed to answer the challenge. My Totem Hunter picked opponent's Totem Hunter for prey.

Lord of the Feast was able to reach Venator Dakar early on. Dakar and a swamp gobber got killed in the process, and the solo was engaging Hexeris.

Gatorman Posse and Legends of Halaak (who have Cloak of Ash on them) tie each other up for most of the game.

Reptile Hounds try to attack Feral Warpwolf, but they didn't do anything spectacular. Sure I would have liked some Beast Handlers here. Aradus Sentinel succeeds to shoot a Swamp Gobber dead so it wouldn't score a point from flag. Being an old school scenario, game would end once a player gets fourth point. Oh, and the Ancestral Guardian is the flag on Skorne side of the board.

It takes most (if not all) of Hexeris' fury to kill Lord of the Feast.

Totem Hunters are both hesitant to engage. They're just eyeballing each others' cowardice.

Brine doesn't kill Aradus and Pureblood Warpwolf doesn't kill Bronzeback Titan. And thanks to some miracle, Feral Warpwolf does not kill both Reptile Hounds. But opponent starts scoring scenario points.

Bronzeback breaks Pureblood.

Reptile Hound takes a free strike from Feral Warpwolf, which ends it's life. I tried to get it to gain back strike bonus for channeling Hexeris.

But still. Feral Warpwolf is on maximum fury. Kaya has no transfer targets.

Hexeris charges Brine and receives back strike bonus against Feral Warpwolf. Kaya is within 4" of it and closest target, so Hexeris starts shooting Ashes to Ashes on it. But it's too difficult to land any 5's on two dice. He wasted his feat, and cast Cloak of Ash on himself. With one or two transfers he'd have to take whatever Circle would be able to throw at him.

Aradus takes out Brine, and my Totem Hunter breaks the silence between the two. It charges Feral Warpwolf, now being easily within charge range of Totem Hunter on Circle's side.

Rorsh and Swamp Gobber try to soften up Hexeris before Kaya charges and starts to hit Hexeris with a stick. And many a time he got the stick, but it ain't what broke Hexeris' bones. Feat later Hexeris had three or so wound boxes remaining.

Circle Totem Hunter charges Skorne Totem Hunter and misses with charge attack. Still it was the prey target, and had to survive enhanced buckler attack. Which it did. Now at least Warpwolf needed to take a free strike to get to Hexeris.

Feral Warpwolf warped for armor, which meant that it needed to receive a damage roll of at least 5,5,6 from Skorne Totem Hunter to die from free strike. Which is what Totem Hunter rolled.

... This Skorne luck I've been having has to end one day, but this game was not that day. Druid Wilder and one member of Gatorman Posse still tried to take swings at Hexeris, but either did not reach target or missed.

Hexeris starts sticking Kaya, but returns the favor in not being able to kill opposing warcaster.

Bronzeback smashes the enemy Totem Hunter dead, and Kaya becomes new prey target for the last remaining Totem Hunter, who then charges Kaya and kills her with charge attack.

JMG Warmachine Tournament IV (Lord Nope Hexeris)

So there was this Warmachine Tournament.

I had two lists for this tournament, but played only one.

[Theme] Masters of War
Lord Tyrant Hexeris
- Agonizer [6]
- Archidon [10]
- Tiberion [22]
- Titan Gladiator [15]
Feralgeist [2]
Cataphract Cetrati (max) [18] + Tyrant Vorkesh [0(6)]
Legends of Halaak [8]
Paingiver Beast Handlers (min) [5]
Praetorian Swordsmen (max) [13] + Praetorian Swordsman Officer & Standard [4]
Tyrant Commander & Standard Bearer [0(6)]


First game was against Circle of Orboros, Krueger1.

Primaled Ghetorix fails to take out Tiberion, which results in a dead Ghetorix. Bloodtrackers had Legends of Halaak as their prey target, and I tried to move them to other side of the board. This was when I learned about the new minifeat that allows to pick a new Prey target. Oh well. At least Bloodtrackers were rolling exceptionally low damage rolls against them.

Hexeris' feat gave me, what, two or three extra kills in this game. So yay for that. I can already give a spoiler: they were the only kills I got with Dark Dominion during whole tournament.

Then Primaled Warpwolf Stalker destroyed Tiberion and lowered Titan Gladiator down to one hit box remaining. Krueger shot that one off. I was down to Archidon in my heavy warbeast department, and it was somewhere completely off.

I had gained a good lead in scenario game, but losing both serious heavies might change that.

Time started to be short for both players, which resulted in a panicking Krueger flying to my rectangular zone. But he had Def 17 - what was I to do?

I tried to snatch the last remaining control point, but just couldn't clear the circular zone on right. And over-excited I had also brought Archidon to full Fury.

Loki took off Agonizer, so Hexeris had no transfer targets. Krueger charges in and attempts to assassinate Hexeris, but fails to do so. Hexeris had cast Parasite on Krueger, and it was this +1 ARM that saved Hexeris. Shortly after opponent ran out of clock.

A close victory for Hexeris. But little did I know, yet...


Second game was against Grymkin.

It was a good game against The Heretic.

I saw an opportunity to score two scenario points, but this relied on hitting a MAT 8 attack against DEF 13. Failed, of course. So that was only one point for me.

My single greatest mistake was bringing a shield-walled unit of Cetrati within charge range of Skin & Moans. They were obliterated, and I didn't even get the scenario point.

Tiberion survived like a champ against Cage Rattler with Fury, and against another Cage Rattler that had no Fury. Just for the sake of it, when last Cage Rattler died Feralgeist jumped in.

I lost my lead of 3 control points in one round, and that decided the game for me. I only could try to grind up some control points for tiebreakers. But Archidon failed to repeat it's performance, and did next to no damage to enemy objective.

Hexeris stood right next to Skin & Moans full on corpses, and had no Fury.

This was something even Hexeris could not endure. Lost.



Third game was against Circle of Orboros, and again against Krueger1.

I almost lost on top of 2A. Storm Raptor is a horrifying assassination tool. Saving grace here was Tiberion's Immovable Object. Krueger attempted to throw Tiberion to Hexeris with a Tornado. Otherwise those resources could have gone to killing Hexeris.

My warcaster almost died to electro leaps. And lastly Lord of the Feast threw it's bird at something, and Tiberion used shield guard. But thanks to new and improved reach of 2", Lord was easily within range of Hexeris. But miraculously Hexeris survived - with three hit boxes to boot!

This was devastating for Circle player, and he lined every warbeast at his disposal to protect Krueger.

However, thanks to Krueger's feat and such, I could only destroy two Warpwolves and Storm Raptor, and my warcaster was at two hit boxes remaining - he had cut himself to gain one fury point.

I was prepared to lose now. Tiberion was at full Fury, so was not an eligible transfer target. Archidon died, but at least gave two extra fury points for Hexeris by doing so.

Primaled Shadowhorn Satyr did it's shenanigans and came to finish off Hexeris.

This cost me Titan Gladiator, but - how can it be? Hexeris was alive.

Had Combo-Smite brought Gorax to Krueger, I would have attempted to kill him. But Gorax moved only half an inch, which was not enough to knock Circle warlock over. So I just killed the Shadowhorn Satyr and Warpwolf Stalker.

I thought I was safe, but then Krueger flies closer and casts a Tornado at Hexeris. It hits and slams Hexeris to wall, meaning POW 13 + 4d6 damage roll or something like that.

I only had Agonizer as transfer target. Opponent hoped high enough damage roll that overspill damage would kill Hexeris, but it left him standing with one hit box remaining.

I'd prefer winning where it would feel like I played well, but I have to say game was hilariously exciting. Surviving against such odds has a certain tingling sensation in it, but really. Hexeris got lucky big time here.


Fourth game was... against Circle of Orboros. I got to play against Kaya3. And what a terrifying game it was.

I had my moment on the right sided rectangular zone, where I killed a griffon or two. Praetorian Swordsmen cleared the flag scoring blackclad. But other than that, nothing else worked - and opponent had excessively high damage rolls against Tiberion. Who died.

Also, against Titan Gladiator. Who died.

Only Cataphract Cetrati were performing well - they were passing Tough roll in such a way that it probably made the average from all of these game about right. I had not been passing those rolls earlier, but here I passed more than I failed.

But hey, with only an Agonizer I was facing five heavy warbeasts. I had pretty much given up here, and left Hexeris quite there in the open. Not exactly suicidal, but not trying to protect himself either.

Kaya cleared any free strikes that a nearby Gnarlhorn Satyr would've had to take. Then Circle filled up the Synergy chain, and Gnarlhorn Satyr launched itself against Hexeris, who only had Agonizer for transfers.

Those rolls, though.

The goat missed pretty much every attack. One attack wrecked Agonizer's spirit. Another attack Hexeris took in. Hexeris had at least seven damage boxes left after MAT 9, P+S 19 or something like that Satyr had had it's moment with him. And Kaya was withing charge range of Hexeris.

Legends of Halaak combo-smited Gnarlhorn away so it wouldn't get a free strike against Hexeris. The Legend with Naginata dealt some 10 points of damage to Kaya, which were transfered away.

Then Hexeris charges in and kills Kaya.

Just.

What.

Is.

This.

And I even placed third in the tournament.

Personally, this has to be the most absurd tournament I have ever attended when it comes to probabilities.

Or maybe this was my Skorne collection's way of saying: "Please play more with us!"