No Fronts

 A 50 pts game of Warmachine Mk4 over War Table.

My list:

Master Necrotech Mortenebra & Deryliss
-Harrower
-Seether
-Slayer
-Deathripper

Mechanithralls +3x Brute Thrall
Necrosurgeon & Stitch Thralls
2x Necrotech
Machine Wraith

Opponent had:

Cygnar Storm Legion
Major Anson Wolfe
 +Onslaught, Force Hammer, Snipe

-Stryker with True Sight head, Voltaic Halberd, Heavy Mag-Bolter
-Courser with Arc Node head, Voltaic Spear, Electrified Shield

2x Stormguard Legionnaires with Standards
Arcane Mechaniks
Sharpshooter

Scenario was Two Fronts.

Second turn I did a Harrower + Lucky Penny Soul wraithshot thing to trigger overrun for Seether, who had Spectral Steel on. The thing charged to enemy 50mm marker, and mauled Stryker down to two health remaining, thanks to two rolls of only 4 with two dice. Well, at least someone was there contesting the 50mm marker.

Mechanithralls were just able to charge a unit of Legionnaires and remove half of them, the important bit being that they contested enemy 40mm.

Cygnar struggled to remove the Seether, but ultimately did so. Both units of Legionnaires removed half of Mechanithralls. Board state looked like an interesting battle might be coming up, but Cryx got two points from 50mm and 40mm markers, thus also claiming the two point bonus, while Cygnar only got one point - thus giving the win already for Mortenebra.

Mortenebra vs Witch Coven

 A 50 points game of Warmachine 3.5.

And with the downfall of Conflict Chamber, these lists might be incorrect.

My list, however:

Mortenebra & Deryliss
-Malice
-Desecrator
-Deathripper
-Stalker
2x 5 Bane Warriors
Black Ogrun Boarding Party
Darragh Wrathe
Gerlak Slaughterborn
Pistol Wraith
Bloat Thrall

Opponent had:

Witch Coven of Garlghast
-Desecrator
-Reaper
-Slayer
-2x Deathripper
2x 5 Bane Warriors
2x 5 Satyxis Blood Witches
2x Pistol Wraiths

Scenario was one from the main Mk4 rulebook. The cluster of 3" templates in the middle are disappearing cloud effects that would go out on 1-2 at the start of every round.

Mortenebra started and advanced in a more or less united front with warjacks in the middle, units on flanks. Witch Coven had more or less the same, except Bane Warriors emphasized left flank more. 

Second round Mortenebra tried to advance under the cover of cloud effects in the middle, and offer some trouble for the opponent by attacking Satyxis near the enemy flag with Stalker who then triggered Overrun for Desecrator. Desecrator then took a shot at Reaper.

I had tried to block a Reaper lane against Desecrator with Gerlak and Bane Warrior, which proved to be a woefully inadequate screen when enemy Desecrator shot Gerlak down with one shot. At least he passed Tough -roll, but then Pistol Wraith just took a clean shot at the general.

Reaper dragged my Desecrator next to two un-activated Bane Warrior units. Turned out just one was enough, however.

Three Satyxis Blood Witches managed to kill Stalker, so it wasn't exactly the trouble for opponent that I wanted. All in all my Bane Warriors were dying left and right and even my Pistol Wraith that had shot enemy Deathripper stationary died to the very same Deathripper after it shaked off the effect.

I guess I severely underestimated threat ranges in this game. I wonder if playing Malifaux somehow skews my range assessment. Oh well, I still had my one chance even after opponent used feat.

My two remaining Bane Warriors ran to engage a couple of Witches and Egregore. Deryliss used Tune-Up on Malice, Mortenebra cast Overrun on herself and killed an enemy Bane Warrior, then Malice advanced and trampled next to Coven. Unfortunately the two attacks by Malice weren't enough to kill all three Witches, so a focus-less Mortenebra had to endure three heavy warjacks worth of various attacks.

Spoiler: she didn't.

Its new and scary

I had two games of Warmachine with the most recent rules update, both with Brawlmachine format.

Lists were same in both games. My list:

Master Necrotech Mortenebra [+28]
 - Malice [13]
 - Ripjaw [6]
- Slayer [10]
Bloat Thrall [2]
Misery Cage [2]
Pistol Wraith [4]
Soulhunters (max) [16]

Opponent had:

Cygnar

Major Beth Maddox [+30]

 - Charger [9]

 - Defender [14]

 - Firefly [7]

Arcane Tempest Rifleman [3]

Black 13th Strike Force [7]

Stormguard Infantry (max) [15]

Scenario was Syzygy. 

Both games played out very similarly. Cryx scored their flag twice, Malice broke enemy objective and either middle zone or flag was scored third time again. Cygnar wasn't able to contest Cryx flag reliably while Soulhunters contested Cygnar flag.

I kind of wonder if Syzygy is a functioning scenario. It seems to boil down to "who can contest enemy flag longest", where ultra fast difficult-to-remove units naturally have advantage. Maybe Soulhunters were a "hard counter" for the entire scenario. But that's not all.

Had we played with the old rules, my list would have been a whopping 12 points less, while opponent would have played only 5 points down. That was seven "extra" points for me, which is a crazy number for this point size. Well, time will tell if the point cost adjustments were spot on but it certainly felt like cheating in these games.

2x Brawlmachine, Cryx vs Cygnar, vs Cryx

 Two games of Brawlmachine format. Scenario in both was the Binary.

Game 1:

My first list:

Master Necrotech Mortenebra [+24]
 - Harrower [16]
 - Inflictor [13]
Bane Lord Tartarus [6]
Orin Midwinter, Rogue Inquisitor [5]
Bile Thralls (min) [9]

Opponent had:

Major Beth Maddox [+30]
- Avenger [17]
 - Charger [9]
 - Firefly [8]
Arcane Tempest Rifleman [4]
Steelhead Riflemen (min) [8]
Stormblade Infantry [9]

First game is summed up rather quickly. I thought I was the underdog in this matchup because I was woefully outnumbered. But then I jammed Inflictor sitting next to enemy warcaster in a failed assassination attempt - and this is the crux of this matter, really. I went all in, and now Mortenebra was feating in a compromised position. 

Only after I realized that I might have had a real game without the assassination attempt - arm 21 def 13 warjack needs some effort to get rid of when its engaging your shooty warjack and warcaster. But that goes on to the territory of iffing. 

Short story short: Mortenebra was shot to pieces by Cygnaran arms.

Game 2:

Goreshade the Bastard [+27]
- Desecrator [14]
 - Slayer [10]
 - Stalker [8]
Bloat Thrall [4]
General Gerlak Slaughterborn [6]
Misery Cage [2]
Cephalyx Overlords [8]

Opponent had:

Bane Witch Agathia [+29]

 - Deathripper [6]

 - Desecrator [14]

 - Reaper [13]

Pistol Wraith [5]

Bane Warriors (max) [16]

Right side of the board was between Gerlak and Bloat Thrall versus Bane Warriors. On the left side, everything else. 

Opponent ran Reaper to engage Stalker, which brought Reaper within charge range of my Slayer. There was just this wall between them. But Stalker leaped and softened up Reaper a little from back arc. Slayer charged and had no trouble of removing the ranged variant of same chassis.

Deathripper broke Stalker's cortex, and enemy Desecrator came to vivisect Slayer through the wall. It was not very successful vivisection as next to no damage was done. 

Slayer got some job done at wrecking enemy Desecrator, but it wasn't very impressive either. Well, the crabjack had essentially +2 def and +2 arm, so it wasn't completely unexpected.

My Desecrator shot some contesting Bane Warriors off the board, and I was able to leap to +2 control points over my opponent.

Unfortunately, opponent was able to bring Desecrator to contest my circular zone and my flag, thus scoring evening the scores to +1 for Cryx.

It wasn't too bad as long as I can remove already injured Desecrator with feated Bane Warriors and what was left of Slayer. But still, three Bane Warriors and the aforementioned Slayer together didn't put a dent to enemy warjack. Two Bane Warriors missed and one didn't get that many points through armor. Only cannon was broken down.

It all went downhill from there. 

Desecrator contesting my zone and Bane Warriors my flag while controlling enemy circular zone... all this meant that opponent got to +1 points. All in all, I wasn't able to get rid of that Agathia's lead. Five rounds is surprisingly short amount of time.

The oldest adversary

Had a 50 point game of Warmachine at the end of last month.

My list:

Cryx

Master Necrotech Mortenebra [+24]
 - Desecrator [14]
 - Harrower [16]
 - 2x Stalker [8]
Machine Wraith [2]
Misery Cage [2]
Bile Thralls (min) [9] - Skarlock Commander [3]
Cephalyx Overlords [8]
Necrosurgeon & Stitch Thralls [4]

Opponent:

Protectorate

High Exemplar Kreoss [+29]

 - Castigator [12]

 - Vanquisher [17]

Allegiant of the Order of the Fist [3]

High Paladin Dartan Vilmon [6]

Paladin of the Order of the Wall [4]

Vassal of Menoth [3]

Choir of Menoth (min) [4]

Daughters of the Flame [10]

Knights Exemplar [9]

Temple Flameguard (max) [11]

During mk2 Kreoss had been my opponent number one, with games against him more than some factions in their entirety. Curious that it took over one hundred games to face him in this edition. But here it was, the very first game of mk3 against High Exemplar Kreoss.

We had Mosh Pit scenario from main rulebook. Cryx started. Stalkers take both flanks and Bile Thralls start huddling into the middle. Machine Wraith enters mid-field as there doesn't seem to be that many magical weapons around. A lucky deviation puts scather template right in front of Temple Flameguards.

Daughters of the Flame had ran forward far enough for Harrower and Cephalyx Overlords to kill all but one of them. 

Paladin of the Wall managed to tie up some Bile Thralls with Righteous Vengeance and walk, getting to ARM 21 in the process, and the last Daughter removed one Cephalyx Overlord. Protectorate warjacks had been cautious because of Machine Wraith, but after their activations Kreoss got a Cleansing Fire off to kill the Wraith.

Now there were plenty of targets for Bile Thralls to purge over. But first Stalker needed to get rid off of the paladin that was engaging cryxian Thralls. Needed to roll 14 with three dice to kill the solo, and that's exactly what the dice came up.

Harrower triggered Overrun by killing some Knights Exemplar, and a Stalker advanced to make a leap attack against Kreoss. Didn't really do anything, but at least the warcaster was tied up now.

Vanquisher frees Kreoss, who then charges Harrower. Not killing the warjack left Kreoss in a terrible position - repairable Harrower and fully functional Desecrator, plus Mortenebra who hasn't used her feat yet were all staring at the protectorate warcaster with murder in their eyes. 

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.

Ropecon 2018 Warmachine Tournament

I played in a Warmachine tournament during Ropecon 2018.

My lists were:

[Theme] Infernal Machines
Lord Exhumator Scaverous [+27]
- Deathripper [6]
- Erebus [16]
- Reaper [13]
- The Withershadow Combine [9]
Bloat Thrall [4]
Darragh Wrathe [9]
Necrotech [2]
Pistol Wraith [0(5)]
Ragman [4]
Soul Trapper [1]
Soul Trapper [1]
Warwitch Siren [0(4)]
Bile Thralls (min) [9]
- Skarlock Commander [3]
Mechanithralls (min) [6]
- Brute Thrall (2) [4]
Necrosurgeon & Stitch Thralls [4]
Soulhunters (min) [11]



[Theme] Dark Host

Master Necrotech Mortenebra [+24]
- Desecrator [14]
- Kraken [36]
- Seether [13]
Bane Lord Tartarus [0(6)]
Darragh Wrathe [9]
Machine Wraith [2]
Scrap Thrall (3) [2]
Soul Trapper [1]
Soul Trapper [1]
Bane Warriors (max) [16]
- Bane Warrior Officer & Standard [5]

For the record, this was my first time using Dark Host theme.

Game 1: Master Necrotech Mortenebra & Deryliss

First game was against Trollbloods, and opponent had a list something like this. Might contain some inaccuracies:


[Theme] Band of Heroes
Kolgrima Stonetruth, Winter Witch [+28]
- Dire Troll Mauler [15]
- Earthborn Dire Troll [14]
- Trollkin Runebearer [0(5)]
Fell Caller Hero [0(5)]
Saxon Orrik [4]
Trollkin Champion Hero [0(5)]
Krielstone Bearer & Stone Scribes (max) [9]
- Northkin Elder [3]
Trollkin Champions (max) [16]
- Skaldi Bonehammer [5]
Trollkin Champions (max) [16]
Trollkin Long Riders (max) [20]

An exciting game to say at least. Most of the game was at the brink of destruction - would Kraken hold? Would it survive charging weapon masters while at effective Arm 23?

It did, until heavy warbeasts decided to enter the battle.

Also, there was this major mistake made by me when Deryliss had used Tune Up on Kraken, who had killed some trollkin in melee and then used Kill Shot on Stone Bearers. I kept on boosting this thing, as I was thinking Tune Up. After realizing this I removed the focus points spent on boosts from Mortenebra - she was in base contact with Kraken. I would have rather spent those focus points on attacks against the trollblood in melee.

But when the Kraken fell, so did Mortenebra.


Game 2: Lord Exhumator Scaverous

Second game was such an optimized build of Haley3 and Gravediggers theme that I can't get the points right.

It was a desperate struggle. There was a glimmer of hope when I got a nice purge in that melt away Patrol Dog and an Express Team or something, and Mechanithralls got a charge in and killed a Master Gunner. The one Brute Thrall would have needed to kill Alexia, though, but this was not to be. I'm not saying I had won had that happened. I just might have stood a chance to find some kind of opening.

I did score some six scenario points, and there was a moment in the game where I actually had the lead. But once that blob of Trenchers was in middle of the field there was little to be done to contest. They had shot my warjacks dead. So I lost something like 6-11.

It was a hellish game, but an interesting new experience.



Game 3: Lord Exhumator Scaverous

Last game was against Khador, and with a list that I probably reverse-engineered incorrectly:

[Theme] Jaws of the Wolf

Vladimir Tzepesci, the Dark Champion [+27]
- Behemoth [25]
- Devastator [14]
- Marauder [11]
- War Dog [3]
Manhunter [0(4)]
Manhunter [4]
Saxon Orrik [4]
Yuri the Axe [0(6)]
Battle Mechaniks (max) [5]
Kayazy Assassins (min) [9]
- Kayazy Assassin Underboss [4]
Kayazy Eliminators [5]
Kayazy Eliminators [5]
Lady Aiyana & Master Holt [8]
- Koldun Kapitan Valachev [4]

Early in the game Vladimir2 used his feat and launched two feated Manhunters and Kayazy Eliminators to tie up my leftmost flank. Luckily Manhunters did not wreck my warjacks, though they did take heavy damage.

I was distressed. I couldn't reliably kill those four pesky models, and that would give all the time Khadoran warjacks would need to get into position for scenario victory. And what was I to do to those mentioned warjacks? I had suicidal POW 12 sprays and P+S 13 combo strikes, all with defensive statistics that would fall in swathes to Behemoth bombarding.

So.

It's time to figure out a far fetched assassination plan that's bound to fail sooner or later.

Far too much time went to trying to free Reaper from melee. All the resources that I could not assign to assassination went to killing those few models.

Bile Thralls, Erebus, Soulhunters, Pistol Wraith and Scaverous (!!) later none of the four feated models were dead. One was stationary from Pistol Wraith, though.

Well, obviously Scaverous did not spend all of his focus into futile attacks against these models. He instead cast Icy Grip on Vlad, telekinesis on Vlad and a couple of telekinesis's on Manhunter. Deathripper had ran to arc position earlier. Objective had given Pathfinder for Reaper, and Tremulus cast Puppet Master on Reaper. I don't remember if it was Maelovus or feating Scaverous that cast telekinesis on Reaper.

Anyway, then MAT 7 Reaper was free to walk into melee with Vlad, who had left his dog far behind. Vlad had perhaps one focus for mitigating damage.

Four attacks later Vlad had died.

Maybe I need to play Scaverous a little more, since my awkward assassinations seem to work slightly better with him.



Great tournament, as I had never played any of these warcasters before during Mk3. And for some odd reason I had not even once played against Cygnar in this edition. As far as factions go, I'm still missing Minions and, of course, the Crucible Guard.

JMG Warmachine tournament III

At the end of last month there was a tournament held in my home city. As I had not been able to practice much, I had decided on a familiar list structure - Deneghra3 and Infernal Machines.

This time my second list was in theme, too. Which was Infernal Machines.

My lists were:
[Theme] Infernal Machines
Deneghra, the Soul Weaver [+27]
- Corruptor [14]
- Deathripper [6]
- Inflictor [13]
- Nightmare [18]
- Nightwretch [7]
- The Withershadow Combine [9]
Necrotech [2]
Pistol Wraith [0(5)]
Soul Trapper [1]
Mechanithralls (min) [6]
- Brute Thrall (2) [4]
Necrosurgeon & Stitch Thralls [4]
Soulhunters (max) [18]


[Theme] Infernal Machines
Master Necrotech Mortenebra [+24]
- Kraken [36]
- Seether [13]
- Stalker [8]
Darragh Wrathe [9]
Pistol Wraith [0(5)]
Ragman [4]
Soul Trapper [1]
Bile Thralls (max) [15]
Mechanithralls (max) [9]
- Brute Thrall (2) [4]

Tournament waas four rounds and used steamroller 2018 rules.

Game 1: Deneghra3

Opponent had

[Theme] Masters of War
Tyrant Xerxis [+28]
- Agonizer [6]
- Tiberion [22]
Extoller Soulward [3]
Mortitheurge Willbreaker [4]
Cataphract Cetrati (max) [18]
- Tyrant Vorkesh [0(6)]
Legends of Halaak [8]
Paingiver Beast Handlers (min) [5]
Praetorian Ferox (max) [20]
Praetorian Swordsmen (max) [13]
- Praetorian Swordsman Officer & Standard [4]
Tyrant Commander & Standard Bearer [0(6)]
Tyrant Commander & Standard Bearer [0(6)]


First game against Skorne was probably the most exciting one this tournament had. Shame that it had such an ending.

I neither had the raw hitting power required to crack such a brick list, nor the attack volume. And not much of an attrition either. So I had to be exceedingly careful in this game - and even with time constraints I think I did pretty well. Game became a real struggle with control points, Skorne always being a point or two in lead. I got to commit Deneghra to danger and have her in action, which I'm somehow drawn into.

But I strongly dislike time limits, whether coming from clock or a set number of rounds. And in this game experience was ruined by both. It looked like I was winning with deathclock - opponent had three seconds left in clock. But then again it was seventh turn, which gave scenario victory for Skorne. I wouldn't have been happy had I won with deathclock, and I couldn't be happy that I lost to game being cut in a manner that I find artificial. But out of these two the latter was better here, as I believed I'd lose the game at least to attrition. So victory at least got to rightful hands.



Game 2: Deneghra3

Opponent had:

[Theme] Storm of the North
Horgle, the Anvil [+29]
- Dire Troll Bomber [19]
- Dire Troll Mauler [15]
- Trollkin Runebearer [0(5)]
Fell Caller Hero [0(5)]
Valka Curseborn, Chieftain of the North [0(6)]

Krielstone Bearer & Stone Scribes (max) [9]
- Northkin Elder [3]
Trollkin Champions (max) [16]
- Skaldi Bonehammer [5]
- Trollkin Sorcerer (1) [3]
Trollkin Champions (max) [16]
Hearthgut Hooch Hauler [18]


I probably mentioned how I enjoy sending Deneghra3 into the middle of action?

Games like these are annoying. Fortunately they don't happen all that often, but still. I stole the victory from my very own mouth by making choices based on misunderstandings.

Game was good up until to the point where time started running short. Again it was a game of trying to grind control points, but this time the advantage was for me.

I either had the chance to try and assassinate Horgle or trying to get the few remaining points from control points 6-4. But my model count was already so low, not to mention the clock. So I launched Deneghra and some random mechanithralls upon Horgle.

I had given Puppet Master for Deneghra. Mortality missed, and obviously I forgot to use Mortality.

Second Mortality hit, but that was six focus points away from actual attacks for assassination. Also, every damn attempt at killing Dire Troll Mauler (that had around five boxes left) failed.

Then Mechanithralls charged, but didn't amount to much. Especially when I re-rolled an attack roll 5,5 that was slightly tilted next to scenario zones.

At some point after the game it came to my attention that opponent actually had three scenario points.

So I would've needed to kill Valka Curseborn and the nearly dead Dire Troll Mauler to score those remaining points.

Oh well. Lose & Learn.


Game 3: Deneghra3

I can't piece together the list involved in game three. It was against Khador and Sorscha1. I don't have any pictures of this match because the game was over before I realized.

I respect the bravery of my opponent. It takes some courage to attend a tournament without that much playing experience. Opponent didn't realize players scored scenario points in every turn after the second players' second turn. And Khadoran warjacks tend to be slow, unless list is specifically built to enhance that. It was a fast scenario victory for Cryx.


Game 4: Mortenebra

Opponent had a list something like this:

[Theme] The Bones of Orboros
Krueger the Stormlord [+27]
- Megalith [20]
- Wold Guardian [16]
- Woldwarden [14]
- Woldwarden [14]
- Woldwyrd [9]
- Woldwyrd [9]
Blackclad Stoneshaper [0(3)]
Blackclad Stoneshaper [3]
Blackclad Stoneshaper [3]
Blackclad Wayfarer [0(4)]
Blackclad Wayfarer [0(4)]
Gallows Grove [2]
Gallows Grove [2]
Sentry Stone & Mannikins [5]
Shifting Stones [3]
- Stone Keeper [2]

Last game was over nearly as fast as the previous one - this time to my demise. I really should've known better than to run Mortenebra that far up. But I thought she'd be kind of safe beyond the forest. After all there were no Tree Walkers or other kind of forest-sighted models. But a Gallows Grove was able to get line of sight to Mortenebra with a tiniest sliver of base tugging out from the forest. Then Krueger hit Mortenebra with a boosted Telekinesis, and remaining fury was spent on two telekinesis's on Megalith and Woldwarden. First Megalith trampled into the forest and managed to hit with Weight of Stone. Woldwarden trampled, too, and killed Mortenebra.

To make this loss even saltier was the fact that I had Seether nearby - had it's facing been even ten degrees in different position, it would have been able to counter charge Megalith - blocking the way for Woldwarden. Maybe then we might have had an interesting game.

None of the games in this tournament had a very satisfactory course. All of them seemed to be lacking in some very basic way that I find enjoyable in Warmachine and Hordes. But I suppose a game like this had to come. Trying again anyway at the end of this month.

Night before tournament

Before warmachine tournament I played two practice games with a friend who had come from another city to partake this tournament.

[Theme] Infernal Machines
Master Necrotech Mortenebra [+24]
- Kraken [36]
- Seether [13]
- Stalker [8]
Darragh Wrathe [9]

Pistol Wraith [0(5)]
Ragman [4]
Soul Trapper [1]
Bile Thralls (max) [15]
Mechanithralls (min) [6]
- Brute Thrall (2) [4]
- Skarlock Commander [3]

Opponent had:

[Theme] Imperial Warhost
Lord Assassin Morghoul [+29]
- Agonizer [0(6)]
- Archidon [10]
- Archidon [10]
- Basilisk Drake [8]
- Basilisk Drake [8]
- Basilisk Krea [0(7)]
- Desert Hydra [38]
- Titan Gladiator [15]
Orin Midwinter, Rogue Inquisitor [5]

Paingiver Beast Handlers (min) [5]
Paingiver Beast Handlers (min) [5]

We played two games because the first one ended so soon. Morghoul was too far in front and without fury points. Kraken triggered Overrun for Seether, that then charged some sort of basilisk, getting Morghoul within range of the rest of it's attacks.

Second game I had a chance at scenario game, though I was intimidated by the Hydra quite a bit. Then I noticed how Morghoul was within easy charge range of Kraken. For one reason or another I thought it was a clever idea to charge the warlock.

I did secure these chances by killing Agonizer first - and as a consequence filling Morghoul with even more fury for transfers.

Even with feat re-roll I think only one attack actually hit and dealt 20 points of damage. But it was transferred away all too easily.

Loss for Mortenebra, then.

Mortenebra1 versus Zerkova2

Played this 75 point game of Warmachine as a sort of practice for an upcoming tournament. I really want to play Mortenebra1, but last time in a tournament I was too afraid to put her on table in any of the games because her list was outside of theme. So I suppose I will play her in the only theme I have an actual selection of models to choose. Except, of course, Black Industries.

Still annoyed with theme lists. But here's my list:

[Theme] Infernal Machines
Master Necrotech Mortenebra [+24]
- Defiler [8]
- Kraken [36]
- Seether [13]
Darragh Wrathe [9]
Pistol Wraith [0(5)]
Saxon Orrik [4]
Soul Trapper [1]
Bile Thralls (max) [15]
Mechanithralls (min) [6]
- Brute Thrall (2) [4]
- Skarlock Commander [3]


Opponent had:

[Theme] Wolves of Winter
Obavnik Kommander Zerkova [+24]
- Devastator [14]
- Juggernaut [13]
- Sylys Wyshnalyrr, The Seeker [4]
Greylord Forge Seer [0(4)]
Koldun Lord [4]
Doom Reaver Swordsmen [13]
- Greylord Escort [0(3)]
Doom Reaver Swordsmen [13]
- Greylord Escort [3]
Greylord Outriders (max) [20]
Greylord Ternion [7]
Lady Aiyana & Master Holt [8]
- Koldun Kapitan Valachev [0(4)]


I let opponent start game, which in hindsight may have been a mistake. Scenario was Recon II. Wreck marker represents Kraken, which I forgot home.

I was quite worried about the amount of sprays opponent could muster. My def 10 & 12 infantry with 12+ armor values felt almost like dead weight. And then there was this solo that denied ranged attacks within 9" of it.

But the horror dawned on my only after I actually saw spd 9 cavalry with 8" sprays doing their thing and being able to reposition to safety. Looking back now, I should have kept Darragh Wrathe spamming Mortal Fear with Kraken and Seether and not somewhere in-between. That 1" of extra movement for Bile Thralls wasn't going to add up to anything on that flank. Oh well.

I tried to play extra carefully, and in the end I was far too careful. Opponent was able to score scenario victory, as I only had one reliable contestant - the Kraken.

Master Necrotech vs Wildborne

A 50 point game of Warmachine with my Cryx against familiar looking Circle of Orboros. Sometimes I have missed that army.

Master Necrotech Mortenebra [+24]
- Corruptor [14]
- Defiler [8]
- Seether [13]
- 2x Stalker [8]
Bane Lord Tartarus [6]
Satyxis Raider Captain [4]
Scrap Thralls [2]
Soul Trapper [1]
Bane Warriors (min) [10]

Opponent had

[Theme] Call of the Wild
Kaya the Wildborne [+32]
- Feral Warpwolf [18]
- Gnarlhorn Satyr [12]
- Gorax Rager [7]
- Shadowhorn Satyr [12]
- Warpwolf Stalker [19]
- 2x Wild Argus [7]
- Druid Wilder [0(4)]
Blackclad Wayfarer [0(4)]
Shifting Stones [0(3)]


Game was quite brutal. Cryx pushed forward aggressively. Shadowhorn Satyr died early in game. Satyxis Captain and Stalker had almost finished the beast thanks to some good rolls. But it was left with something like one or two damage points, so Defiler shot the spray cannon into the thick of melee combat. Satyxis Captain died to friendly fire.

Corruptor had failed to shoot one Shifting Stone down, so I didn't get to do Overrun shenanigans and have Seether attack the Warpwolf Stalker.

Warpwolf Stalker berserked a few Bane Thralls dead, as well as the Defiler.

Bane Thralls and Bane Lord Tartarus failed to kill Warpwolf Stalker, so I had to send Seether to finish the job. Otherwise it would have taken those swings at Gnarlhorn Satyr. This resulted in dead Corruptor.

I decided to try assassination even if Kaya had four transfers.

Warbeasts had pre-emptively screened Kaya, so I didn't get Tartarus there for that -2 arm.

Mortenebra used feat and killed Blackclad Wayfarer, triggering Overrun. Seether walked into position to charge Kaya.

Kaya survived and Seether didn't even kill any warbeasts through transfers. Many went nearly dead, but that's not enough when it comes to warbeasts.

Wild Argus used animus to paralyze Mortenebra, and Gnarlhorn Satyr tore the Master Necrotech to pieces.

Irregular Consistency

These games were played at the end of March, so it has surely taken a while to get these written. But since I played another game today, let's start clearing this backlog.

There's a Warmachine tournament coming up in my home town, and these were two practice games for it. Based on these games I'm going to make some adjustments, but I do want to keep the caster pair unchanged, and retain Mortenebra out of theme. Madness, you say? Well, I agree. Here are the lists.

Master Necrotech Mortenebra [+24]
- Erebus [16]
- Kraken [36]
- Inflictor [13]
Pistol Wraith [5]
Ragman [4]
Soul Trapper [1]
Warwitch Siren [4]
Satyxis Raiders (max) [16]
- Satyxis Raider Sea Witch [4]


[Theme] Infernal Machines
Deneghra, the Soul Weaver [+27]
- Corruptor [14]
- Deathripper [6]
- Inflictor [13]
- Leviathan [16]
- Madelyn Corbeau [4]

2x Pistol Wraith [free]

2x Soul Trapper [1]
Bile Thralls (max) [15]
Mechanithralls (min) [6]
- Brute Thrall (2) [4]
Necrosurgeon & Stitch Thralls [4]
Soulhunters (max) [18]

First game was with Deneghra against Ashlynn.

[Theme] The Irregulars
Ashlynn D'Elyse [+29]
- 2x Nomad [11]
- Vanguard [10]
- Sylys Wyshnalyrr, The Seeker [0(4)]
Dahlia Hallyr [17]
Eiryss, Mage Hunter of Ios [0(7)]
Lanyssa Ryssyl, Nyss Sorceress [4]
Major Harrison Gibbs [4]
Ragman [4]
Rorsh [15]
Alexia Ciannor & the Risen [10]

2x Kayazy Eliminators [5]
Lady Aiyana & Master Holt [8]


It was a tough game. Neither side gained a definite upper hand, devastating losses were tossed left and right until the very end, where I ran out of moving pieces.

I got Deneghra close enough to cast Mortality on Ashlynn, and then Inflictor trampled to take a couple swings at Ashlynn. It wasn't exactly surprising that this assassination failed, and then mercenaries won.

Game 2:

Second game was Mortenebra against Magnus2.

[Theme] The Irregulars

Magnus the Warlord [+28]
- 2x Mangler [15]
- 2x Nomad [11]
- Talon [7]
- 2x Vanguard [10]
- Sylys Wyshnalyrr, The Seeker [0(4)]
Gorman di Wulfe, Rogue Alchemist [0(4)]
Orin Midwinter, Rogue Inquisitor [0(5)]
Horgenhold Artillery Corps [6]
2x Kayazy Eliminators [5]
Lady Aiyana & Master Holt [8]

This game was enormous fun, because I managed to remove four warjacks in one turn from Magnus - both Nomads, a Vanguard and Talon, deal some damage to Magnus via Feedback and some stray points to second Vanguard and Mangler. I probably used Mortenebra's feat, though. I don't quite remember.

But that was my big turn, it all went downhill from there. Mercenaries were gaining scenario points fast, and when I lost Kraken I could only try to assassinate Magnus - with Doom Spiral spam! Let's do this!

Mortenebra had gained a couple of soul token earlier, so she had 9 focus points. That could be 4x doom spiral, and Deryliss had his own Doom Spiral, too. If all spirals would hit a warjack and if all of them dealt damage and I would average 2 points in to Magnus per Spiral, I would be able to do it!

But Deryliss missed. Magnus was left alive with two points remaining.

Loss for Mortenebra.

Master Necrotech Mortenebra vs Butcher Unleashed

This 75 point game was played a few days ago. I forgot to bring camera with me. I tried to take some pictures with my phone, but the photo quality is terrible beyond extreme so I won't litter this blog entry with those. Because of this it's probably difficult to make any sense out of these writings. Oh well.


[Theme] Infernal Machines
Master Necrotech Mortenebra
- Corruptor
- Defiler
- Desecrator
- Inflictor
- Nightwretch
Machine Wraith
Orin Midwinter, Rogue Inquisitor
Pistol Wraith
Warwitch Siren
Bile Thralls (max)
Mechanithralls (max)
- Brute Thrall (2)
Necrosurgeon & Stitch Thralls


[Theme] Legion of Steel
Kommander Zoktavir, The Butcher Unleashed
- Devastator
- 2x Kodiak
- War Dog [3]
Iron Fang Kovnik
Orin Midwinter, Rogue Inquisitor
Battle Mechaniks (min)
2x Iron Fang Pikemen (max) +Iron Fang Pikemen Officer & Standard
Iron Fang Uhlans (min)


Scenario was Recon II and Cryx started.

A single Desecrator made good job at stalling the Ironfang Pikemen flank. Nightwretch and Corruptor were also whittling that huge swathe of infantry, but there were over twenty models there. I was surprised that I actually managed to destroy one of the units.

Pistol Wraith failed to freeze an Iron Fang Uhlan that were in triangular formation in base contact. Shame. I would have stopped the entire unit in it's tracks. Since the Wraith failed, I had to bring the Mechanithrall unit from ambush to Uhlan flank. So that the cavalry would have something to do, instead of free reign over left side of the board.

But these were kind of inconsequential matters. What mattered was Devastator and Kodiak and Butcher3 in the middle. Inflictor tried to wreck Kodiak, and succeeded to take out both arm systems. Still, far from dead it was.

And then Devastator head-butted Inflictor, and Butcher charged the heavy warjack dead. Khadoran warcaster used feat to get some focus for mitigating damage. The other Iron Fang unit moved in, and along with the warjacks and warcasters and war dogs and war arguses made for quite an impenetrable fortress.

I couldn't figure any other course of action than to kill Butcher. My plan was to use Mortenebra's feat, cast Spectral Steel on Desecrator and move the warjack with Overrun. Then Bile Thralls and Deryliss and possibly even Necrosurgeon would wreck Kodiak that was standing in Desecrator's way. After Kodiak was removed, Pistol Wraith would shoot Butcher stationary, and Desecrator would go and get four automatically hitting P+S 17 attacks with re-rolls against Butcher, that had taken a few points of damage from Doom Spiral and Bile Thrall Purge attacks.

Pistol Wraith was the first one to fail. Bile Thralls made good job at destroying Kodiak, but even with re-rolls Pistol Wraith wasn't able to hit Butcher twice.

Desecrator was easily within walking distance of opposing warcaster, but instead of automatic hits, Butcher was Def 16 thanks to war dog.

Even if Butcher had been stationary, assassination wouldn't have been a certain one. Now I needed such numbers on all of the dice that even Mortenebra's feat wasn't able to swing averages that far up.

Then I had my warcaster with no focus and no intervening friendly models between Mortenebra and Devastator plus Butcher. Game over.

What happens when Malice lends a harpoon from a Black Ogrun?

This 75 point game of Warmachine is what happens.


Master Necrotech Mortenebra & Deryliss

- Malice
- Leviathan
- Harrower
- Defiler
- Stalker

Maximum unit of Satyxis Raiders + Sea Witch
Necrosurgeon & Stitch Thralls
Satyxis Raider Captain
Bloat Thrall
Orin Midwinter


Ragnor Skysplitter
- Bomber
- Mauler
- Axer
- Impaler

Maximum unit of Krielstone Bearers
Maximum unit of Sluggers
War Wagon
Fell Caller Hero
Totem Hunter

Scenario was Entrenched. Trollbloods started game.

I brought Satyxis Raiders to the front - with Sea Witch just a tad too close to the Totem Hunter. He managed to get the witch within 2" and rolled well enough to destroy the blast damage immunity. And then there was this AoE 5 war wagon to activate... uh, it was ugly.

Best use I could figure out for the Satyxis was to charge Ragnor himself, who had also used his feat. Admirably the raiders dealt five points of damage.

Though, first I made a mess out of Mortenebra's feat. Somehow I figured out using her feat to destroy one heavy warbeast would be worth it. I did shenanigans, and Malice was able to take an aimed shot at Dire Troll Bomber so that dragging would take it outside of Ragnor's feat. Neat, except that attack roll was double 1's. Lucky thing I had used the feat. Next, with a boost, Malice needed 7+ with two dice to deal at least one point of damage. Well. Result was double sixes - a total of six for the first damage roll, and a total of six for the re-rolled one.

Trollblood warbeasts had been running hot, and Dire Troll Bomber failed treshold check. It ate a slugger. All in all damage opponent did this turn wasn't devastating - Defiler lost arc node and all the Satyxis died. Worst thing was that Ragnor could start dominating his friendly zone now.

Next I see a clear chance for an assassination - Mortenebra casts Overrun on Malice and Leviathan. Overrun would move Harrower close enough for a Tuned Up charge attack against Ragnor.

I chose a greedy path and tried to harpoon Bomber to Malice, finishing it off with Leviathan. Harpoon rolled double 1's again, so I abort the plan immediately and take aimed shots at Sluggers instead. I jinxed myself when I said "and now I will roll only one shot and the slugger passes Tough" because that was exactly what happened.

Harrower tries to scrape War Wagon a little bit instead, then.

Stalker and Defiler do what they can against opponent's objective, and leave it with three hit boxes and Corrosion continuous effect.

Ragnor was able to clear the zone and dominate a second point. He had only one fury point for transfers.

Trollblood forces wreck both Malice and Harrower.

I had ran so low on my model count that I didn't try a scenario any longer. I figured out a plan for assassination once more - Leviathan rolls three shots and spends focus points directly from Mortenebra via Interfarce (honest typo at first, but I decided to leave it for giggles.)

All good otherwise, but Leviathan rolled only two shots. Both hit and dealt respectable damage, and Ragnor was left with two hit boxes.

Well, then there was Deryliss with Doom Spiral. My last chance for 7+ hit and 8+ for damage on two dice victory.

In the end I paid for my vast number of bad choices, and dice did not save me in this way. Nor any other way. Opponent only had to kill a Necrosurgeon and Defiler and objective to get three points in one go. It proved to not be a particular problem. Scenario loss for Cryx.

The Invincible Siren

I played these two 25 point Warmachine games about a week ago.

Opponent played with the same list; I, however, switched casters in-between. Scenario was the same in both games. Deployment sides also. Plus deployment.

Opponent had:

Iron Lich Asphyxious

- Slayer
- 2x Deathripper
- Helldiver

Maximum unit of Mechanithralls + 1x Brute Thrall
Necrosurgeon & Stitch Thralls
Warwitch Siren
Pistol Wraith

My first list was:

Witch Coven of Garlghast
- Nightmare
- Harrower
- 2x Deathripper
Pistol Wraith

Since Asphyxious has Breath of Corruption and I had to keep all of the witches rather close to each other, I started worrying about getting blasted with the POW 12's from first turn onward. Asphyxious started the game.

One enemy Deathripper runs forward to kill Pistol Wraith.

Witch Coven shoots the enemy Necrosurgeon dead with Stygian Abyss. It isn't very surprising that Coven used Nightfall. Arc nodes would still be a problem, though, but I didn't want to dedicate Nightmare for destroying one pesky Deathripper. Instead both heavies try to kill Mechanithralls. I was sure they wouldn't hit my helljacks under Nightfall. My own Deathripper goes and bites enemy Deathripper. Arc node survives, which worries me a little. I had quite a high bet for either destroying movement or the arc node with one free strike...

Then the Iron Lich. Asphyxious casts Parasite on Harrower but misses. He casts another, this time boosting attack roll, and it's a hit. Quite a few Mechanithralls are eligible for a charge. I was not very amused when only two attacks made by Mechanithralls (one didn't even get the charge bonus) and it took over half of the system boxes. Could've been worse when only ranged weapon was destroyed.

Deathrippers start a bite fight and Helldiver and Pistol Wraith run to threaten the coven.

So, either I take care of the aggressors or try to get Asphyxious. Of course I go in for the kill. My forces shuffle for quite a bit first, as there were three small based models blocking a charge to Asphyxious. Witches tried to remove enemy Warwitch Siren from the board and then charge Asphyxious, but that was not to be. Attack roll missed. I completely forgot about Nightmare's Ghostly ability in terms of free strikes, but oh well. I did remember it for the rough terrain...

So, I had to trample Nightmare to Asphyxious. Mechanithralls died just fine to the trample, but Warwitch Siren proved her resilience when Nightmare actually hit - but didn't deal even a single point of damage.

Asphyxious, on the other hand. That guy exploded all over the place.

Game 2:

My list in the second game was:

Master Necrotech Mortenebra & Deryliss
- Corruptor
- Reaper
- Cankerworm

Necrosurgeon & Stitch Thralls
Machine Wraith
Soul Trapper
Swamp Gobber River Raiders

And damn that Deryliss is bugged at the time of writing.

First picture is from Mortenebra's feat. Asphyxious didn't have any focus left from two Breath of Corruptions, so I thought I might be able to seriously damage Asphyxious and probably take out both arc nodes and what else. Corruptor shot one of the Mechanithralls into an arc node, and Mortenebra cast boosted Doom Spiral on Asphyxious, dealing eight or something like that damage in.

Reaper and assorted models wrecked one Deathripper, Machine Wraith, Cankerworm and Soul Trapper another.

Mechanithralls charge Cankerworm, but around one attack hit. Which, again, dealt crazy high damage. Warwitch Siren sprayed Deryliss and a River Raider dead. Asphyxious used his feat and sat on full camp of seven focus.

Corruptor shot Pistol Wraith into an AoE 5, giving a POW 10 to Warwitch Siren. Who survived. Really? Two games in a row?

I decided to rip Asphyxious' battle group into shreds and dragged Slayer next to Reaper. However, Reaper did next to no damage to Slayer. I had considered finishing it with Doom Spiral, or at least sealing its coffin ever more tightly. But... nope. I was certain that two heavy jacks just got wrecked there and then.

Next turn Mechanithralls swarmed my friendly flag, so I would have hard time trying to dominate some points, and Asphyxious had already started that. I think he went to three points now.

Siren Shadow Binds Reaper. Helldiver softens it pretty roughly, and Slayer finishes the helljack with tusks.

And then.

Out of five attacks Slayer could make, it missed four. Despite needing only 6+ to hit.

Well okay, I screwed up last turn by dragging Slayer right next to my vital parts and not having insurance against bad dice, but this... this. Wrecking Slayer with Mortenebra and killing the already injured Asphyxious with Corruptor felt like cheating.

Asphyxious does have impressive camp, but still... Corruptor just cannot make those few remaining damage points. And I had spent all of Mortenebra's Focus points. Tables had been turned so fast that the tableware didn't fall.

Asphyxious comes to cast Hellfires at Mortenebra and misses each and every one of them. Warwitch Siren misses Mortenebra. Everything and their dog misses Mortenebra. Well, one Mechanithrall may have hit her in the back, but didn't score a kill. Looks like the porcelain was in pieces on the floor after all.

A focusless Asphyxious with about three damage boxes fell to one hit.

Adventures of Failhorn Sat... oh, wait, wrong faction

Today I played a 50 point Warmachine game.

My list was:
Master Necrotech Mortenebra
- Harrower
- Malice
- Helldiver
- Ripjaw
- Deathripper
- Stalker

Maximum unit of Black Ogruns
Withershadow Combine
Warwitch Siren
Ragman
2x Necrotech & Scrap Thrall
Scrap Thralls
Soul Trappers

Objective: Arcane Wonder

Opponent had:

Saeryn & Rhyas
- Zuriel
- Scythean
- Seraph

Maximum unit of Hex Hunters
Blackfrost Shard
Maximum unit of Croak Raiders
Spawning Vessel

Objective: Effigy of Valor

Scenario was Fire Support and Legion started game. Everything pretty much ran forwards. Rhyas gave Croaks Occultation.

And then it was my turn to get stressed over Croak Raiders. Range 14" threat with the damage buff, and 16" threat with the darts that caused continuous fire. I had planned on running Mortenebra close to my objective with full camp, but that would've opened up the possibility of POW 12 + 3d6 damage rolls at the start of Mortenebra's turn, regardless of stacked focus! Making a screening out of Black Ogruns was also bad idea, because Croaks would've only caught 2-3 of them under the oil gourd, which meant 2-3 dead Black Ogruns...

In the end I just advanced cautiously so that no frog was within oil gourd range of Mortenebra. But I did the mistake of moving my heavy warjacks out of my deployment zone. Harrower had Spectral Steel on. I placed Malice and Harrower base-to-base contact to block Line of Sight to a Soul Trapper, Necrotech and whatnot.

Turn 2 the Croaks activated first. They set one Black Ogrun on fire (who died to the continuous effect next turn), and then, uh... Uh huh.

A Croak throws oil gourd on Malice. One frog misses the dart attack. Another one hits and rolls 6,6,4 for damage. That troubled me slightly. Hopefully next damage rolls would be at slightly more manageable levels. Well, they weren't. Next one was 6,6,6. Gah.

Third one also hit. And the damage roll was 6,6,6. WHAT IS HAPPENING IN HERE?

The rest of activations were mostly just positioning. But my morale and combat effectiveness had suffered a heavy blow.

But do not fret! There is always a way! Game is not lost until it's lost. I figured I might be able to make some overrun shenanigans to get Harrower to kill Scythean and any other nearby models. Mortenebra allocates three to Harrower and one to Stalker. Deryliss casts Overrun on Stalker, who advances into contact with two Croaks and kills them. The spawning vessel takes the corpse, and my Soul Trapper takes the soul. Efficient recycling. Overrun triggers and Harrower advances closer to Scythean.

Black Ogruns attempt to scare the Croaks, but they pass their command checks. Soul Trappers give two souls for Harrower and Tremulus casts Puppet Master upon it. Then it advances so that thresher special attack reaches one from the Blackfrost Shard, one Croak and the Scythean. Harrower uses souls for attack roll boosts against the infantry models, and kills them both. Now it would be six attacks against Scythean, hitting with 5+ and dealing damage at dice -2! Fun time.

Fun.

Time.

Out of the six attacks, two missed. I used Puppet Master to re-roll one of those into a hit. So, out of the five attacks that scored a hit, there were three rolls of 1,2 for damage. The two other attacks both rolled five or four damage points in.

One of these games, it seems.

Well, Helldiver who got focus point from Warwitch Siren attempted to do something to the Scythean, but the heavy warbeast wasn't even close to being finished off!

There was a glimmer of hope, though, when somebody killed fifth Croak Raider, which made them roll for massive casualties and they failed. This gave me a little bit more confidence with Mortenebra, who tried to advance so that she'd be able to cast Void Gate on the Scythean to hopefully protect Harrower to some extent. Luckily I measured her control area and noticed Zuriel was easily within slipstream + charge range to Mortenebra... abort the plan! The Void Gate was cast on a Black Ogrun instead. Reasoning: you can't force warbeasts inside the AoE effect.

Turn 3 Legion breaks my objective with Hex Hunters. Croaks get within 4" of the effigy and rally themselves.

Blackfrost Shard gives Kiss of Lyliss on Harrower, and then Rhyas charges it and spends all of her fury on Flashing Blade attacks. She doesn't score any critical rolls, but wrecks Helldiver and leaves Harrower alive with about six boxes remaining. Last Flashing Blade attack had missed Harrower.

Next Scythean activates and proceeds to wreck Harrower. It must have been love at first sight between those large based targets, because it really looked like neither wanted to kill the other! One initial attack missed, and twice it scored also 1,2 on damage rolls. Last attack it was able to make dealt the killing blow, though. "Nooo I don't want to kill you, dear Harrower! Noo!" "Well... stop hitting me?" "I caaaaaan't..."

Zuriel destroyed Stalker. Spawning Vessel made a Shredder, who went rabid and killed Ragman, my only source of Remove from Play effect. Legion got two control points.

Then it's my turn. Mortenebra allocates three focus points for Deathripper. Deryliss casts Spectral Steel on it, and then it goes to tear furyless Rhyas into shreds! And succeeds! Ahhahhah. At least I did something. Now, of course I knew that she'd be back next turn, but still... it was a sort of achievement. Black Ogruns also managed to scare the Croaks again, but after the roll was made we noticed at some point that they were indeed 4" from Effigy. Blackfrost Shard got failed their massive casualties test, though.

Rest of my activations were useless shuffling around. I didn't realise that by killing Rhyas I indirectly caused a ton of threshold checks for the enemy beasts next turn. All of them except Zuriel frenzied.

But, as I said, I was afraid of the enemy beasts with Mortenebra. She tried to cast Void Gate on Maelovus (missing because of stealth), hoping for a good, safe spot where she could travel to. The AoE drifted away from Mortenebra, though, so I tried to enter the next safest spot: behind Admonia and Soul Trapper. Neither of the warbeasts within charge distance had reach.

The spot I had chosen to hide in was just out of Killbox, though. So Legion went to four scenario points, and next turn Legion had only to clear either one of the flags and take a point. This was no problem for them.

Losing Malice so early in the game to disturbing damage rolls made it a difficult game, and the astonishing performance of Harrower against Scythean didn't help the least. If Harrower had succeeded, opponent would have needed to take care of Harrower with something else. That would always have been less attacks directed to, say, Stalker. Or the very least my objective would still have been standing, as Seraph was the one who dealt the killing blow to it. Maybe I wouldn't have chickened out then and hand over two scenario points for the opponent. Who knows.

Helldiver or helldriver?

Last Wednesday I played a 35 point game of Warmachine.

My list was:

Infernal Machines tier 3
Master Necrotech Mortenebra
- Leviathan
- Reaper
- 3x Helldiver
- Stalker
- Deathripper

2x Warwitch Siren
Bloat Thrall
Necrotech & scrap thrall
Scrap thralls

Opponent was playing:

Warwitch Deneghra
- Defiler
- Nightwretch

Maximum unit of Bane Thralls + Unit Attachment
Maximum unit of Mechanithralls + 1x Brute Thrall
Necrosurgeon & Stitch Thralls
Withershadow Combine
Warwitch Siren
Skarlock
Gorman diWulfe
Necrotech & Scrap Thrall

Scenario was Outflank, and Mortenebra started game. First picture seems to be taken from the end of Mortenebra turn 2. Spectral Steel is on Reaper, who has just dragged enemy Defiler to its doom. Reaper alone couldn't destroy the bonejack, so Leviathan advanced and tried to shoot Defiler dead. RAT 5 isn't such a great asset against effective DEF 19, so the shot missed. Luckily it missed Reaper, too. Perhaps playing a bit too risky yet again Mortenebra then advanced and cast Doom Spiral on Defiler. The spell hit home and wrecked its target.

Here I realised that scenario play would be very difficult indeed. I had so few models while opponent had one regenerating unit plus another one that had Stealth and Tough. Nine points on my list weren't even on the table for the most part of the game.

Well. I threw the Scrap Thralls to contest upper zone and forgot to activate Stalker.

Deneghra used her feat on turn 2, but failed to catch Mortenebra under it. Both heavies and the Stalker were Withered, though.

Mechanithralls seized their zone and started scoring control points for Deneghra. A Bane Thrall and a Mechanithrall also charged Reaper, but Bane Thrall missed its attack and Mechanithrall dealt eight or nine points of damage. Damage overall wasn't too bad.

Turn 3 Mortbenebra's forces just tried to thin down some Bane Thralls, and I decided it was worth it to sacrifice one Helldiver to take out the Necrosurgeon. I had also thought that it would also be worth it to knock out Gorman diWulfe with a free charge from Terminal Velocity. Luckily I realised that there were three Iron Liches right next to Gorman - Iron Liches that would turn my Helldiver into a four of five point bonejack for Deneghra. Maybe... just maybe I'll let Gorman live for now.

Before this I had already cast Terminal Velocity, and I hadn't given the other Helldiver any focus that was supposed to kill Necrosurgeon. MAT 6 wasn't enough to score a hit, so Terminal Velocity was kind of a waste for this turn.

Turn 3 Deneghra clears the upper zone of that Faildiver plus Bloat Thrall. Skarlock casts Crippling Grasp on Leviathan, and a Mechanithrall and Brute Thrall charge Reaper. One Mechanithrall also took a swing at my Necrotech, which seemed to be a worse blow than the hits against Reaper. Spectral Steel caused the Helljack to be fully operational next turn, though it had less than 50% of its hit boxes left.

Bane Thrall Officer destroys my Stalker like a boss. DEF 16 wasn't even a challenge. But luckily the grunts of the unit didn't pay attention to the officer's performance, because the meagre Scrap Thrall survived any and all attacks that were made against it. Though when I look at the picture it's quite possible only one Bane Thrall attacked it.

One Stitch Thrall had mistakenly escaped the upper zone, so they weren't controlling the area any more. Deneghra also didn't feel bold enough to just run to the area and leave all the possible attacks undone.

Turn 4 I really wanted to assassinate Deneghra somehow. Both of my helljacks were going to break rather sooner than later, and had the worst things happened the scenario game might have been 0-4 in favor of Deneghra by now.

I got totally fixated on getting Helldivers to Head-Butt Deneghra and then either dragging her with Reaper's Harpoon or just walking up to her and killing her in melee.

Once I had wasted enough time in trying to get a proper angle for Hellidvers against Deneghra, I remembered about Reaper's Sustained Attack. Was that Head-Butt really that necessary with boosts from Terminal Velocity and re-rolls from Mortenebra's feat?

So instead Helldivers just did a couple of attacks just for funsies against Mechanithralls and Gormans and whatever there was blocking the walk to Deneghra. Deryliss cast Overrun on Mortenebra, who then charged the Mechanithrall and the Brute Thrall that had been teasing Reaper. Overrun triggered and Reaper advanced to get a charge off against Deneghra. Terminal Velocity and Recalibration were enough help for Reaper to kill Arm 18 Deneghra in two hits.

I don't know if three helldivers in 35 points is less than optional list construction, but for sure they're fun. And even if I mostly just failed with the Helldivers' target priorities, I think they had much more potential on the tabletop than what I was able to fully abuse.

Lucky Bastard (No, not Goreshade)

Saturday was quite full, as I double-booked myself to play Warmachine and a board game. All things combined they took about eight hours - almost full working day. Well, except for the fact that I was having fun. And that I wasn't tied to other time schedules other than having some fun later. And also I was not getting paid.

I guess it wasn't even nearly a working day, when you think of it.

Anyway, yesterday had a big suprise, when one of the underground Warmachine players needed some back-up to give in some games for two new Warmachine players that appeared out of nowhere. It was too good chance to make contacts.

As I was in a bit of a hurry, I just threw up (that sounded wrong... how do you say it? Threw together?) a following 35 point list I thought would be really fast to play:

Master Necrotech Mortenebra & Deryliss

- Harrower
- Leviathan
- Slayer
- Ripjaw

Minimum unit of Soulhunters
Warwitch Siren
Necrotech & scrap thrall

I was against Legion of Everblight:

Rearguard tier 4
Rhyas
- Typhon

Maximum unit of Swordsmen + Unit Attachment
Maximum unit of Ogrun Warspears + Chieftain
Maximum unit of Ogrun Warspears
Ogrun Warmonger

We had no scenario, and Cryx went first.

First picture is from the end of Legion turn 1, and Slayer is already gone. It was the prey target for Warspear unit, sure, but still it was a bit disheartening to see a heavy warjack fall to a few thrown spears. I guess I should have placed Spectral Steel on the Slayer instead of Harrower.

Next turn I decide to use Mortenebra's feat, coupled with Terminal Velocity. A lot of weight was now on Harrower's shoulders. And sure it mulched a lot of infantry - two Warspears along with their Chieftain, plus four Swordsmen and an abbot (or champion? Anyway, one of the unit attachment models.) Deryliss had cast Overrun on the helljack.

But then I kind of messed up with Leviathan, who tried to take a shot at Warmonger Chieftain... who had Occultation on. Pew. Leviathan, you aren't still convincing me of your usefulness! (Yes, I'm blaming Leviathan instead of the one who wasn't paying attention to Occultation... but isn't that the Cryx thing to do? Blame useless minions, not yourself.)

Ripjaw luckily managed to kill the Warmonger with Armour Piercing attack.

Soulhunters charged to the other unit of Warspears, but one charged away from Mortenebra's control area, and one couldn't charge anywhere thanks to linear obstacle. Meh. I guess there was some potential in Mortenebra's feat there, but I thought that if Harrower launched itself deep into the Legion, there wouldn't be much models left for me to take advantage of Recalibration.

Next Rhyas uses feat, too. She casts Dash, and takes a couple of swings at Harrower, not doing much.

Typhon, on the other hand, did quite much. Single handedly it took down the Arm 20 warjack.

Warspears on left killed two Soulhunters, and Swordsmen went completely nuts. They wrecked Ripjaw, and after only two Swordsmen who got into contact with Leviathan, the last warjack of Cryx was left with one box remaining in right arm. That hurt.

Yeah, I pretty much lost all of my damage potential that turn, but it wasn't the scariest thing that happened.

The three remaining Warspears from the 6-headed unit launched an assault at Mortenebra. I had left her quite forward, as I was sure that shooting wouldn't do much to her effective DEF 19. And, well, all three spears did miss.

But charge attack from first ogrun didn't. Ten points in. Six remaining. Extra attack from Rhyas' feat hit. Three points in. Three remaining.

Second ogrun. I was sweating blood here. Necrotite, I mean. Charge attack is mercifully a miss, but extra attack from feat isn't. Dead Mortenebra on 7+. Damage roll is 6. And nobody else could attack her, so she was left alive with one box remaining. Well, I had completely underestimated the threat from Warspears. I didn't take into account their ability to ignore free strikes with Dash, and that Relentless Charge is, in fact, tactics and not a granted ability. Huh.

Next turn Warwitch Siren seduces a Nyss Swordsman, who goes and takes a swing at Ogrun Warspear that is blocking Mortenebra's route to Rhyas. It's a hit, but doesn't kill. Deryliss advances and casts Doom Spiral on the same Warspear - doesn't kill. And then the last possible has to clear the way - the Necrotech Solo. And that MAT 6 P+S 10 attack did the trick.

Next Mortenebra would need to get two free strikes from remaining Warspears. She was camping all seven focus, so she was sitting on Arm 23. Ogruns would kill her on a damage roll of 11. Both attacks hit, but highest damage roll was exactly ten. The amount of luck she had had started to feel surreal, and a bit unfair.

Anyway, charge attack missed Rhyas, and here was again one more possibility to kill Mortenebra - Rhyas' riposte. Either attack missed or damage didn't break the armor, but damn, did missing with steadily disappearing pile of Focus start to look rather threatening. But at that situation what could I do other than carry on, and hope for the best?

Second attack hit, and dealt enough damage to bring Rhyas down to 9 points remaining. First attack bought with Focus also hit, and now Mortenebra had only two focus for her. So either one 3d6 roll of 11+, or one 7+ damage and one 6+ damage on 2d6, with a possibility to miss.

Well, after all Mortenebra would have been dead next turn, so it wouldn't really matter if she died to Riposte. I went with two unboosted damage attacks. And, well. I almost feel like a dirty cheater, when she actually rolled 7+, hit with the last attack and killed Rhyas.

Really.

What this thing is with my Mortenebra? Not all, but most victories with her have come from these kinds of situations, where she is fooling around with less than four boxes remaining. It almost feels like some sort of charm - but I shouldn't believe in it. After all, right after I had started to firmly believe that my Scaverous was cursed to fail in every way possible he started winning games. So if I'll admit there's a charm on my Mortenebra, she'll lose it for sure.

Oh no. I said it.