First and the Last

 Had a Warmachine Mk4 game.

My list:

Scaverous
- 2x Corruptor
Bane Warriors + attachment
Bane Lord Tartarus
Pistol Wraith
2x Necrotech

Opponent had:

Bane Witch Agathia
- Desecrator
- Reaper
- Deathripper
2x Bane Warriors
Bane Riders

Scenario was one from Steamroller document.

Scaverous started game and rushed forward. Agathia used her feat right at the start and gave stealth to almost her entire army, so on my second turn there was little to do. My warjacks lined up behind long wall in the middle, while Bane Warriors went to flank from the right. Pistol Wraith was sitting in the forest with Skarlock behind the secret gathering of trees. 

I did, however, manage to take a shot at Bane Rider in cover with Corruptor, and kill a single Bane Warrior with burster attack. 

Agathia repositions with all of her army to the circular zone, leaving a massive advantage for me in scenario.

Bane Riders went to punish Pistol Wraith, getting in range thanks to vengeance. Magical weapons came from a command card. 

Desecrator managed to snipe one of the Necrotechs dead with boosted blast damage roll. 

One unit of Bane Warriors ran to make a wall between Corruptor and Reaper, which had run to the zone as well.

On my next turn one of my Corruptors uses the unstoppable command card and charges Bane Riders. That activation was... less than ideal. I thought Corruptor would smack the rider dead and spend remainder of its focus bursting some Bane Warriors too, but all it managed to do was three points of damage to Bane Rider. 

Scaverous uses feat and casts Feast of Worms over Reaper. Second Corruptor removes some Bane Warriors with a ranged attack, which was far more effective than melee. I mean... it killed two models!

At least Bane Lord Tartarus did anything useful that turn - he single handedly, dual attackedly, wrecked Reaper. Skarlock also finishes with Excarnate what a Corruptor couldn't in melee with three focus... Removed that Bane Rider.

 My Bane Warriors ran to engage Desecrator.

Agathia removed Bane Lord Tartarus and a Corruptor and Bane Warrior Officer, but did nothing to contest scenario. 

After my turn I would have been at four victory points. So I don't know why I opted to killing Desecrator... But so I did. Scaverous moved into position to make a nice thresher attack, cast Feast of Worms and then failed to hit Desecrator. Yeah, not good. 

So I go into a kind of panic mode and want to make sure the warjack is gone from next to my warcaster. 

Bane Warriors run to give some Dark Shroud for Desecrator, and surely enough Corruptor kills last heavy jack from Agathia. But now that my Banes were not engaging enemy Banes, Scaverous had to sweat through five charging Bane Warriors - a terrifying prospect when Agathia hits Parasite on my caster. 

Scaverous has a focus point to blocking damage, but still takes eight damage in from the very first attack. Three Bane Warriors proceed to miss so I start to get a little hopeful - but nope, not today. Last Bane Warrior hits Scaverous and 4d6-1 didn't come out 7 or less. 

Maybe this was a lesson for me. I just needed one point.

The Newest New

So here is the first full game of Warmachine Mk4 using up-to-date everything. Had to invent new tags, too. And my statistics... damn... what am I going to do with my spreadsheets? I play Warmachine so little these days that getting in enough games for them to mean anything is going to take forever. 

Sob.

Anyway, my list:

Dark Host
Scaverous
-Corruptor
-Reaper
-Inflictor
-Deathripper
-Ripjaw
Bane Warriors
Bane Warriors + Officer & standard
Withershadow Combine
Bane Lord Tartarus
Necrotech

Opponent had:

First Army
Siege2
-Defender
-Cyclone
-Ironclad
3x Trencher Infantry
Trencher Cannon Crew
Rangers
3x Trencher Sniper

Scenario was the only relevant scenario from rulebook.

Cygnar started game. I gravely underestimated both distance and accuracy of Trenchers, but at least I had the sense to play stealth card on smaller unit of Bane Warriors. My reasoning was that the other unit had both Tough and recursion from officer.

After Trenchers had taken their second turn, both units consisted of a single member. Fortunately Trenchers had to come close on the right side of the board, so Tartarus was able to slice and dice two additional Bane Warriors to the unit, and a couple of Excarnates brought them along even more.

Second turn was also when Scaverous used his feat. A well placed Feast of Worms gave Scaverous five souls after Reaper and Bane Standard Bearer went into soul shopping.

Cygnaran heavien and cannons and whatnot had been shooting Inflictor, which I strategically kept in reserve forgot to activate. But it was in a relatively good spot with Necrotech and Old Faithful repairing it.

During first two rounds I managed to remove all Trencher Infantry units.

Turn three Cygnar removed Bane unit from the right and kept shooting Inflictor, bringing it down to, like, four boxes remaining or so.

Reaper removed Ironclad with the help of Dark Shroud and Feast of Worms. Inflictor was still being repaired and forgotten to activate. Admonia and Withershadow Combine in general were making lucky 10+ rolls to hit entrenched Trenchers, although souls helped a lot there.

Deathripper ran to contest enemy flag, so I gained advantage of one point.

Turn four my warjacks couldn't believe their luck. All of them remained intact, albeit each were crippled with just a few boxes remaining. Bane Warriors were gone, though. 

I have to do telekinesis shenanigans to get Necrotech to repair Reaper. Bane Lord Tartarus is also nudged a little forward, and he charges Cyclone. Reaper finishes the heavy jack. 

As Siege had not managed to remove Deathripper and Scaverous moved to control my flag, point difference went to three in Cryx's favor.

Fifth turn both of my heavies and Deathripper are removed from board. Admonia also runs into rocket turret's counter blast and dies. Ripjaw arcs a Feast of Worms on Defender, and Tartarus manages to kill the already damaged Cygnaran warjack.

Necrotech creates a whole lot of scrap thralls. Point difference goes to four in Cryx's favor, so we end the game.

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.

Telekinetic

Since there was one weekend with less of other pressing matters, it could be sanctified for gaming purposes! Yay. Another game of Warmachine on the following day with 50 points.

My list was:

Cryx

Dark Host
Lord Exhumator Scaverous [+27]
 - Deathripper [6]
 - Leviathan [16]
 - Reaper [13]
 - Ripjaw [7]
 - Skarlock Thrall [4]
Bane Lord Tartarus [0(6)]
Bane Warriors (max) [16]
 - Bane Warrior Officer & Standard [0(5)]
Wraith Engine [15]

Opponent had:

Protectorate

Exemplar Interdiction
Grand Scrutator Severius [+28]
- Blessing of Vengeance [13]
 - Crusader [10]
 - Indictor [14]
 - Hierophant [3]
Exemplar Bastion Seneschal [0(5)]
Vassal Mechanik [1]
Vassal of Menoth [0(3)]
Vassal of Menoth [0(3)]
Choir of Menoth (min) [4]
Exemplar Bastions (max) [15]
Exemplar Cinerators (max) [13]
 - Exemplar Cinerator Officer [5]

Cryx won starting roll and chose to go first because I was confident in the disparity between the speed of our forces.

Wraith Engine took one flank, and was to face Indictor and Blessing of Vengeance and an assortment of solos. Both armies had their infantry go in the middle, and one flank was a duel between Deathripper and Crusader. Ouch.

Second turn I was able to start shooting. Reaper dragged one Bastion to its death, and Leviathan managed to kill Bastion Seneschal in one shot. 

Opponent then engaged with most of his army, which was good news for Bane Warriors. I figured that if I don't use my feat on turn 3, I won't have a feat because of Severius' own. Scaverous allocated some focus for Leviathan, and started with casting feated Feast of Worms on Cinerators, and a Telekinesis on Crusader that was barely standing on zone on the right. 

Here we both forgot defensive strike from Bastions. It might not have changed things that much - my warjacks would've needed to dedicate themselves for Bastions, and maybe Feast of Worms would have gone to different direction, saving a couple of Cinerators. But as it happened, both units vanished from the board. Even one Machine Wraith entered the fray. Scaverous netted a total of six souls, which is about on par with Asphyxious3 on feat turn. Go figure.

Opponent removed Wraith Engine as was expected, but most of the Banes survived even after two Ashes to Ashes, which was unexpected. Crusader smashed Deathripper to bits, so opponent would start scoring points from scenario soon. 

There were some options for me to assassinate Severius, some more illegal than others. Fortunately the warcaster fell to shooting, since I had completely forgotten about the fact that Severius had fried Ripjaw's cortex system earlier in the game, meaning it should not have been able to run as far as it did. I had planned to launch Feast of Worms on top of Hierophant, but then I kind of forgot even that and spent my 13 focus spamming some worthless telekinesises... 

Well, at least Severius died. 

vs 2x Beefed Up Grim Angus

Yesterday I played these two 75 point games of Warmachine. Opponent wanted to test a particular list, so he had the same list in both games while I switched mine in between. It's been way, way too long since I played Warmachine with themes. But now I'm getting ahead of things.

Game 1:

Scourge of the Broken Coast

Captain Aiakos [+29]
- Harrower [16]
- Helldiver [6]
- Reaper [13]
- Slayer [10]
- Stalker [8]
- Satyxis Blood Priestess [0(4)]
Axiara Wraithblade [0(6)]
General Gerlak Slaughterborn [0(6)]
Misery Cage [2]
Satyxis Raider Captain [4]
2x Warwitch Siren [4]
Black Ogrun Boarding Party (max) [11]
Black Ogrun Ironmongers [6]
Satyxis Raiders (max) [16]
- Satyxis Raider Sea Witch [4]


Opponent had (something like):

Kriel Company
Grim Angus [+29]
- Sea King [36]
- Trollkin Runebearer [0(5)]
Boomhowler, Solo Artist [0(6)]
Krielstone Bearer & Stone Scribes (max) [9]
- Stone Scribe Elder [0(3)]
Pyg Burrowers (min) [7]
Hearthgut Hooch Hauler [18]
2x War Wagon [16]

War Wagon butchered up over half of my Satyxis Raiders, who had the ranged defense option on. As a reply, they expend Power Swell and charge the wagon.

Then Slayer charges in, deals damage. Eventually even Stalker charges in, deals some damage. Now...

Now. Had I remembered about, let's say, GANG FIGHTER, the Wagon would now have been dead, and Reaper could have gone elsewhere. Now I wanted to have at least some dead huge based models, and Reaper charged in to finish the War Wagon on the right. Now I had three warjacks within easy sweep range of Sea King. Facepalm.

Harrower took a thresher against both War Wagon on left and the Hooch Hauler, and the Hooch Hauler destroyed its melee weapon with Return Fire.

The dices in this game were absurd. Of course I can't defend from bad play by blaming dice, but they did not help at all. My good rolls were the average rolls. Opponent, on the other hand, missed perhaps five attacks throughout the game.

But yeah. Maybe I'll pay some attention to my special rules next time. Just...

Maybe.


Game 2:

In second game I had:

Black Industries
Lord Exhumator Scaverous [+27]
- Deathripper [6]
- Erebus [16]
- Nightmare [18]
- Nightwretch [7]
- The Withershadow Combine [9]
Darragh Wrathe [9]
Machine Wraith [2]
3x Pistol Wraith [0(5)]
Soul Trapper [1]
Warwitch Siren [4]
Black Ogrun Ironmongers [6]
Mechanithralls (min) [6]
- Brute Thrall (3) [0(6)]
Soulhunters (max) [18]

And here I forgot Carapace right off the bat. Maybe I need some sort of clearly visible reminders about the special rules? Would that help?

In this game I consider my downfall to be when I thought you can't stay on top of covering fire template. This resulted in me trying to do a little bit of damage here and there, not actually breaking anything. All three battle engines were damaged, but even with Feast of Worms and charging Nightmare who had Hooch Hauler as its prey could not break it with okay-ish rolls.

Mechanithralls charged War Wagon on left, and Erebus charged War Wagon on right.

Miraculously Erebus survived for a little longer than I expected - and would have survived a LOT longer if I had remembered Carapace. Luckily, Carapace wouldn't have done diddly squat on Nightmare, who got trashed by Sea King who did its best to fail at the job.

War Wagon on the right failed to remove almost any of the Soulhunters from board - which in turn allowed me to destroy both Hooch Hauler and the War Wagon on left. If I would've remembered Carapace, Erebus would've been tying up the War Wagon on right.

Scaverous took six souls from Pyg Burrowers who had risen up to shoot the objective down.

But then, Sea King destroyed every remaining Soulhunter and my Pistol Wraith who had been trying to get some points from flag on the left.

Opponent uses most of his non-Sea King resources to remove all who blocked the lane for War Wagon to come and contest my zone.

Then Scaverous with thirteen focus removes that Wagon from the board.

Grim knocks down Scaverous and Baits the Line on him, which allows for Sea King to charge Scaverous. End of game(s).

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.

Darkest Host

Alright, I need to write this one down in haste, though I've got one game that was played earlier. But here this time I forgot my camera, and my phone is lost so I couldn't take pictures with that one either. And memory is such an unreliable tool.

It was a 75 point practice game for upcoming tournament in Ropecon. We were both playing Dark Host theme for Cryx.

My list was

[Theme] Dark Host
Lord Exhumator Scaverous [+27]
- Corruptor [14]
- 2x Deathripper [6]
- Desecrator [14]
- Reaper [13]
- Skarlock Thrall [4]
Bane Lord Tartarus [0(6)]
Darragh Wrathe [9]
Bane Warriors (max) [16]
- Bane Warrior Officer & Standard [5]
Wraith Engine [15]

Opponent had

[Theme] Dark Host
Lich Lord Asphyxious [+28]
- 2x Deathripper [6]
- 2x Stalker [8]
Bane Lord Tartarus [0(6)]
2x Machine Wraith [2]
Bane Knights (max) [15]
- Bane Knight Officer [0(4)]
2xBane Riders (max) [20]
Bane Warriors (max) [16]
- Bane Warrior Officer & Standard [0(5)]


Opponent had so little magical weapons available that I dared to run Wraith Engine pretty much to middle board on my right side - far from opponent's objective that could give magical weapons.

On second turn Asphyxious would actually have been within walking distance of Wraith Engine that benefits from Death Ride and Telekinesis. I wasted precious minutes in trying to figure out a way for me to land Telekinesis and Icy Grip on Asphyxious and throw Feast of Worms into the mix.

But I couldn't find even a theoretical way to do that.

Game in short summary: I was flooded with Banes. I had some AoE available for example in Corruptors gun, but Asphyxious could easily force Corruptor to expose itself for charges.

I conceded after fifth turn, because I had lost every important piece to even dream of an assassination, and had too few models left to contest zones in a meaningful manner. I pretty much wasted Scaverous' feat and opponent used his to remove Wraith Engine from board that had finally taken a few swings.

Befuddled

So I got a game against new and improved Fiona the Black. This is my story of survival.

My list was:

Dark Host
Lord Exhumator Scaverous [+27]
- Deathripper [6]
- Desecrator [14]
- Inflictor [13]
- Nightwretch [7]
- Reaper [13]
- Skarlock Thrall [4]
Bane Lord Tartarus [0(6)]
Darragh Wrathe [9]
Bane Warriors (max) [16]
- Bane Warrior Officer & Standard [5]
Wraith Engine [15]


Opponent had:


The Irregulars

Fiona, the Black [+27]
- Rover [14]
- Toro [13]
- Sylys Wyshnalyrr, the Seeker [0(4)]
Alten Ashley [0(6)]
Anastasia di Bray [3]
Gastone Crosse [4]
- Nomad [12]
Croe's Cutthroats (max) [16]
Idrian Skirmishers (max) [15]
- Idrian Skirmisher Chieftain & Guide [0(5)]
Kayazy Eliminators [5]
Kayazy Eliminators [5]
Lady Aiyana & Master Holt [8]
Press Gangers (min) [7]


I played Dark Host for a change. And once again I misplaced the theme clouds and blocked my own line of sight for some charges. Oh well.

No sooner than round two I learned a thing or two about Befuddle. I was somehow thinking Inscrutable would protect Wraith Engine. Also, I wasn't paying attention that Aiyana & Holt can give magical weapons. There went my glorious Wraith Engine.

Wait. What? It didn't? There were some... rolls... involved. Idrians with magical weapon and Prey on Wraith Engine, along with Gastone Crosse somehow didn't crack through the battle engine. It was left alive with two damage boxes remaining. Well, at least it had Death Ward on, but this combination of magical weapon, prey and a random 3" confusion of a colossal necromechanical inscrutable monstrosity machine kind of overwhelmed me. Didn't see that one coming, not yet.

Well, at least Fiona didn't use her feat yet. I might be able to do something.

I decided to use Scaverous' feat now. Three telekinesis' shuffled two enemy warjacks around and Reaper closer to enemy. Scaverous had to remove one Idrian with Excarnate.

Skarlock turned Wraith Engine around, which then charged Gastone Crosse and managed to kill him. Whee. I got my very first free Machine Wraith, ever. This had unexpected extra boon: Nomad fell inert deep within Kill Zone. Fiona probably wouldn't go an fetch it.

Bane Warriors scored my first control point by destroying enemy objective. Reaper drags Toro with harpoon, and then whatever I have left try to take it down. I thought I'd be able to make it without the help of Inflictor, but if opponent didn't wreck Wraith Engine, neither did I any damage of consequence to the mercenary warjack. So I don't think I have any rights to complain here.

Opponent destroys Wraith Engine next for sure. From then on the game goes odd. Fiona also uses her feat, and my next turn is a mess. My biggest achievement was to destroy the Toro or Rover or whatever it was I had dragged with Reaper.

Both sides are slowly whittling away, and it's probably seventh turn when I get a spot for an assassination. Scaverous charges an Idrian, bringing himself within 8" of Fiona. This also gave soul for Scaverous, so Reaper wouldn't need to be that afraid of missing with harpoon.

But it didn't miss. Fiona found a harpoon bolt sticking through her tummy.

Not a result I could have expected. Befuddle was cast on almost every round. Could be that first round was the only exception. Had Wraith Engine died when it should have, I doubt I could have put on much of a fight.

Lord Exhumator vs Bane Witch

A couple of days ago I played these two 50 point games of Warmachine.

My lists were:

Game 1:
Lord Exhumator Scaverous [+27]
- Defiler [8]
- Malice [15]
- Ripjaw [7]
- Satyxis Blood Priestess [4]
Bane Lord Tartarus [6]
Necrotech [2]
Soul Trapper [1]
Soulhunters (max) [18]
Swamp Gobber River Raiders [1e
Wraith Engine [15]


Game 2:

Lord Exhumator Scaverous [+27]
- Defiler [8]
- Malice [15]
- Ripjaw [7]
- Satyxis Blood Priestess [4]
Bane Lord Tartarus [6]
Iron Lich Overseer [5]
- Desecrator [14]
Ogrun Bokur [5]
Soul Trapper [1]
2x Swamp Gobber River Raiders [1ea]
Bane Warriors (min) [10]


Opponent had (in both games):

Bane Witch Agathia [+29]
- 2x Deathripper [6]
- Desecrator [14]
- 2x Slayer [10]
Bane Lord Tartarus [6]
2x Pistol Wraith [5]
Bane Warriors (max) [16]

Both games also had the Mosh Pit scenario from main rulebook.

Game 1:

First game was over rather fast. Soulhunters removed a bunch of enemy Bane Warriors, but mostly got slaughtered themselves in the process. I was afraid to commit Wraith Engine to actual combat (because two Slayers would shred it to pieces) so I thought best target for Wraith Engine would be Agathia herself. No need to worry about Slayers if their warcaster dies.

Scaverous got to do his thing when he used feat, cast Telekinesis on Wraith Engine and on Agathia, then Icy Grip and Feast of Worms on Agathia. The other Cryxian warcaster had used her feat turn prior, so getting the arc node into position was perhaps the biggest challenge. That succeeded and Wraith Engine charged Agathia dead.

Since game was over so quickly, we decided to play another round.

Game 2:

This one took a bit longer to resolve.

Enemy Desecrator scored a lucky hit on Malice that was on a hill. This dealt enough damage to bring melee weapon to one damage box remaining - so I didn't dare to stay in the scatheresque template.

Enemy Pistol Wraiths were flanking together on the left, and I countered them with Soul Trapper. That was not very effective, though.

Eventually Agathia's horde charged in - Desecrator and two Bane Warriors got to Malice after Pistol Wraiths had taken their shots. Somehow Malice survived even with Cortex to boot.

Situation was dire for me, so I decided to use Scaverous' feat even if it wouldn't make it into an assassination.

Conjoined efforts by Scaverous, Tartarus, Ripjaw and even Satyxis Blood Priestess removed every enemy Bane Warrior from board, which was a good thing of course. But Scaverous was uncomfortably close to Agathia's Cryx.

Feat removed one Slayer that was guarding Agathia. However, there still was another Slayer. Within charge distance of Scaverous.

Opponent had a streak of bad dice in some important rolls, but what gave most trouble for Agathia was Satyxis Blood Priestess. Without her Scaverous would've been Death Chilled for sure.

And if Desecrator and some light warjack would have removed my Tartarus, enemy Tartarus could have either charged to Scaverous or at least run to give dark shroud penalties.

But there was this Blood Priestess. Blocking Slayer's charge, and making Scaverous pretty much unshootable.

And as a gesture of good will and merry thoughts, Slayer charged Satyxis Blood Priestess.

Without bonuses from Scaverous' feat his ability to line up an assassination wasn't that impressive. However, one boosted Telekinesis did hit Agathia, which brought her within charge range of three Bane Warriors. And, well, Swamp Gobber River Raider too, I suppose.

First Desecrator and... oh my. Now I realize I cheated.

Desecrator and Iron Lich Overseer take random shots at Agathia. This means that there is a non-undead damaging template on Agathia.

Then, Swamp Gobber River Raider comes and takes a heroic shot at Agathia, which unfortunately deals no damage. Then the poor little guy is placed inside the template. Melee attack didn't even hit. But that might be because the gobber knew it should've already been dead.

Kind of sad. The only time it was about to do anything at all, the gobber only dragged itself to it's demise.

Then it was 7+ rolls for Bane Warriors. Who succeeded this time. Agathia went to keep some company to Swamp Gobber River Raider, whose empty, soulless husk is still standing there in the picture.

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.

Luck Exhumator Scaverous vs Zoktavir

A 75 point game of Warmachine prior to Ropecon warmachine tournament.


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]



Opponent had maybe a list like this:

[Theme] Jaws of the Wolf
Kommander Orsus Zoktavir [+28]
- Juggernaut [13]
- Kodiak [13]
- Ruin [17]
Greylord Forge Seer [0(4)]
- Behemoth [25]
Greylord Forge Seer [0(4)]
Kovnik Andrei Malakov [0(4)]
- Marauder [11]
Orin Midwinter, Rogue Inquisitor [5]
Kayazy Eliminators [5]
Kayazy Eliminators [5]
Widowmaker Scouts [8]

Jaws of the Wolf theme denied ambush from Mechanithralls.

I lost Pistol Wraith early on to a magical blast from Behemoth. In games like these I often feel like I can only make bad decisions. I tried to

Khador snatched scenario lead rather easily, and to continue to contest zones I had to feed Butcher with easy-to-kill models, which in turn triggered these extra speed abilities and whatnot.

Obviously I could not do effective piece trade either. That's kind of what started happening, though. Reaper and assorted models killed a Kodiak, but then in turn Erebus was easily within range of Ruin. Ruin had line of sight to objective.

Due to lucky double 1's Ruin missed one attack on almost wrecked Erebus, which saved the cryxian warjack.

Scaverous casts Telekinesis on Marauder or Juggernaut or something, and moves it a little closer to Ruin. Then he casts Feast of Worms, and Ragman casts Death Shroud for an effective +4 to damage rolls against both models. Without cortex and only one functioning weapon arm Erebus managed to freeze both enemy jacks.

Yet only Juggernaut or something got destroyed. And as luck did have it, Ruin did not lose cortex. This resulted in Cryx losing both Erebus and Reaper.

With toil and trouble I succeeded in destroying the half-wrecked Ruin, but there I was without heavy warjacks any longer. And opponent had Behemoth and a little injured Marauder.

I decided my best bet was on killing Butcher. After shenanigans I got Icy Grip on the homicidal maniac, plus turned him around with Telekinesis. Three charging Soulhunters left Butcher alive with, what, twelve boxes so it didn't go too well.

Situation looked pretty clear up until to the point when we checked that Scaverous was a little out of Behemoth's charge range, and Behemoth was just outside of range of receiving Boundless Charge.

First opponent combo-slams Darragh Wrathe to Scaverous. It falls one inch too short, so Scaverous gets to retain his def 14. Well, this doesn't protect him from Behemoth's aimed shots. Both cannons hit and deal a scary amount of damage. But they don't kill the Lord Exhumator.

Andrei Malakov then takes his hand cannon and walks within range. He boosts a hit and... deals damage. Enough to bring Scaverous to one box remaining.

And then Widowmakers activate with their range of 14" and ability to do one automatic point of damage.

This heroic khadoran sharpshooter locks and loads and... misses.

So, the lumbering warjack with cannons on it's shoulders score a hit, as well as the arrogant nobleman fresh out of the academy. But the sniper, well. Happens.

So I get another chance at assassination.

This time Scaverous fuels Deathripper with full focus. Bile Thralls activate first and I have to make this suicidal spray to remove Deathripper from melee with a Kayazy Eliminator.

The spray doesn't kill the Eliminator, but deals damage to Deathripper.

But I need that warjack. So, another purge against Deathripper and Eliminator. This time the trooper dies, and miraculously Deathripper survives with all systems intact. Then Scaverous makes a telekinesis at Butcher and casts Feast of Worms on him.

Deathripper walks into melee and scores some damage, but not enough. Butcher lives.

But telekinesis had brought Orsus Zoktavir within charge range of two Mechanithrall grunts.

The lurch in and pad the epitome of anger to death.

Yay, I guess.

I feel like I didn't really deserve this victory, as opponent failed a fairly reliable assassination, as well as having keys for scenario victory. But maybe I should complain less about my victores and more about my losses.

Or maybe I shouldn't complain at all.

My life is Ruined

A week or so ago I played this 75 point game of Warmachine.

I don't think I ever played against Butcher3 even during Mk2. But I had heard enough horrifying stories. Which only escalated when I saw the opposing list.

Lord Exhumator Scaverous [+27]
- Corruptor [14]
- Deathripper [6]
- Inflictor [13]
- Nightwretch [7]
- The Withershadow Combine [9]
Aiakos, Scourge of the Meredius [4]
- Reaper [13]
Necrotech [2]
Satyxis Raider Captain [4]
Saxon Orrik [4]
2x Soul Trapper [1]
Warwitch Siren [4]
Bile Thralls (min) [9]
Black Ogrun Boarding Party (max) [11]


Opponent had:

[Theme] Winter Guard Kommand
Kommander Zoktavir, The Butcher Unleashed [+22]
- 2x Juggernaut [12]
- 2x Kodiak [13]
- Ruin [17]
- War Dog [3]
Kayazy Eliminators [5]
Winter Guard Mortar Crew [0(5)]
Winter Guard Mortar Crew [5]
Winter Guard Gun Carriage [17]

Scenario was Outlast.

All these arm 20 warjacks. Maybe I'd be able to snatch a few of them with Reaper and telekinesis and I don't know, something. At least opponent had no mechanics, so every system I'd break would be gone forever.

Once Butcher arrived around mid-field, I tried to assassinate him. He was sitting behind a few Kodiak clouds and assorted warjacks and a forest.

So I attempted to drag him through forest.

I left Scaverous without focus and tossed Telekinesis and whatnot all over the place. Feast of Worms was cast on a Bile Thrall that I had positioned for this purpose. Scaverous cast Icy Grip on Butcher and then turned him around for Reaper.

Alright, so let's scalpel the army commander away.

Reaper advances and shoots harpoon. I realized too late that I had forgot to cast Puppet Master on Reaper. Oh well. Need to boost the attack roll then. It's a hit, and damage has to be boosted also to secure at least one point of damage.

Guards! Guards! There is a security breach!

Triple 1's were mocking me there for my forgetfulness.

Well. Then I had most of my army in a broad semi-circle with Butcher3 on the middle. I aimlessly tried to cause some damage here and there to the warjacks, but I needed to hope for a miracle, which actually might not help, even if I would have succeeded in destroying a jack or two, or crippling a few.

Gun Carriage slammed Inflictor over Scaverous with high damage rolls. Maybe a mortar gave a shot too, I don't remember. But Energizer gave Ruin both a charge lane and reach to get to knocked down, focusless Scaverous.

Butcher didn't even have to use feat. Scaverous was dead.

Cryx vs Trollbloods 50 points

Alrighty, it's starting to be almost two weeks from these games, so I better hurry them up here. Though I'm not sure if one can speak about hurrying, then.

Anyway, they were two 50 point games of Warmachine against Trollbloods.

First game was:

Wraith Witch Deneghra [+28]
- Deathripper [6]
- Erebus [16]
- Nightwretch [7]
- Skarlock Thrall [4]
Bloat Thrall [4]
Gorman di Wulfe, Rogue Alchemist [4]

Pistol Wraith [5]
Satyxis Raider Captain [4]
Saxon Orrik [4]
Soul Trapper [1]
Warwitch Siren [4]
Satyxis Raiders (max) [16]
- Satyxis Raider Sea Witch [3]

Versus

Captain Gunnbjorn [+28]
- Dire Troll Blitzer [16]
- Slag Troll [10]
- Troll Impaler [11]
Braylen Wanderheart, Trollkin Outlaw [5]
Krielstone Bearer & Stone Scribes (min) [6]
Scattergunners (max) [14]
Trollkin Highwaymen (max) [15]

I did my best to remove Krielstone unit early on, and I succeeded. Though it cost Warwitch Siren and pretty much a Deathripper, at least for arc-noding purposes.

Satyxis Raiders and Highwaymen spent a few turns looking menacingly at each other, neither doing much else.

When sluggers entered middle zone to contest it a bit, Satyxis charged onwards and pretty much decimated the unit. Deneghra did have her feat going on that turn, too. I decided to try how Overtake option from Sea Witch would turn out, and all it did was that I could move one model so that it engaged another. For my benefit, I mean. Kind of feels like a non-option.

It was a swingy game, as after Deneghra's turn there were so few trollbloods left that it looked like a clear game to me. But then, after trollblood turn I started to think I was horrendously losing the attrition game.

But I had been able to snatch scenario points here and there. When I was one point off from victory, I was outnumbered almost three to one, I decided I had to take the zone on the right, no matter the cost. Fortunately there was only Slag Troll denying me that point, but Dire Troll was engaging both Deathripper and Erebus.

Deathripper tried to bite the troll really hard to cripple any of the important branches, but failed to do so.

Erebus walked to attack Slag Troll, but this provoked a free strike from dire troll. All weapons systems from Erebus went down. He did manage to freeze the Slag Troll though, and was rolling better damage with one die than with two dice. But this was not enough.

But then I noticed Deneghra was within charge range of the light warbeast. Problem solved at the last possible moment.


Game 2:

Lord Exhumator Scaverous [+27]
- Deathripper [6]
- Inflictor [13]
- Ripjaw [7]
Aiakos, Scourge of the Meredius [4]
- Reaper [13]
Scrap Thralls [2]
Warwitch Siren [4]
Cephalyx Overlords [8]
Satyxis Raiders (max) [16]
- Satyxis Raider Sea Witch [3]

Opponent had a list something like this, but I can't figure out last remaining four points. Maybe opponent forgot to deploy something? Anyway, the list:

Grim Angus [+29]
- Dire Troll Blitzer [16]
- Dire Troll Mauler [15]
- Swamp Troll [8]
Krielstone Bearer & Stone Scribes (min) [6]

Pyg Bushwhackers (max) [15]
- Pyg Bushwhacker Officer & Mortar [5]
Trollkin Sluggers (max) [10]

This game went really fast, as Satyxis Raiders ran to engage Bushwhackers. Opponent was hesitant to commit ranged models to contest scenario zones, and underestimated threat of Scrap Thralls to objective marker. Well, Scaverous did sacrifice a whole lot of focus points in casting Feast of Worms to ease their job. Sooner than I realized Cryx had accumulated enough control points for a scenario victory.

Warmachine Tournament

There was a smallish Warmachine tournament held in Jyväskylä about a week ago. And there might be more to come, so an enormous yay for that.

My lists were:

[Theme] Infernal Machines
Deneghra, the Soul Weaver [+27]
- Corruptor [16]
- Deathripper [6]
- Inflictor [13]
- Leviathan [16]
Necrotech [2]
Orin Midwinter, Rogue Inquisitor [5]
2x Pistol Wraith [0(5)]
2x Soul Trapper [1]
Bile Thralls (min) [9]
Mechanithralls (max) [9]
- Brute Thrall (1) [2]
Necrosurgeon & Stitch Thralls [4]
Soulhunters (max) [18]

No theme
Lord Exhumator Scaverous
- 2x Deathripper
- Nightmare [18]
- Stalker [8]
- The Withershadow Combine [9]
Aiakos, Scourge of the Meredius [4]
- Reaper [13]
Machine Wraith [2]
Necrotech [2]
Satyxis Raider Captain [4]
2x Soul Trapper [1]
Warwitch Siren [4]
Bane Warriors (min) [10]
- Bane Warrior Officer & Standard [5]
Bile Thralls (min) [9]

Game 1:

First game was against Skorne.

I chose Deneghra who had to face:

[Theme] Imperial Warhost
Makeda & the Exalted Court
- Agonizer [0(6)]
- Basilisk Krea [0(7)]
- Cyclops Brute [8]
- Molik Karn [19]
- Titan Cannoneer [17]
- Titan Sentry [15]
Eilish Garrity, the Occultist [5]
Mortitheurge Willbreaker [4]
Tyrant Zaadesh [4]
- Titan Gladiator [15]
2x Paingiver Beast Handlers (min)
Swamp Gobbers Bellows Crew [2]

Scenario was Spread the Net. Opponent kept a keen eye on ambushing Mechanithralls, so they didn't get to do much. I played, true to my ill-advised style, rather aggressively with Deneghra, starting to score points with her from flag on my side.

Opponent forgot to bring anyone to contest the rectangular zone, so scenario game opened with 3 for Skorne and 2 for Cryx. To make it even, for some reason I forgot to activate Inflictor and Deathripper along with one Pistol Wraith. You know, the incorporeal solo. Against army that had close to zero magical attacks. Contesting the circular zone with no retaliation was a real possibility.

I tried to shoot Titan Sentry off the board, and, well. Sounds a little absurd, yes. But I did get Mortality on it (no healing) and nail it stationary with Pistol Wraith and break Spirit.

I tried rinse & repeat approach, again casting Mortality on Sentry and making it stationary, but this time there was quite a bit more planning to do, as opponent had more shield guards now. But mortified & stationary it was, but somehow I got fixated over killing the beast. It wasn't until some post-game talk where I realized it would have been more advantageous for me to leave it to block charge lanes from such inconsequential models as Molik Karn.

I got scenario to 3-4 for Cryx, and having used Deneghra's feat. Something moronic happened there. I wanted to give some trouble for opponent by casting Grave Wind on Leviathan that charged mid-field to kill one of the Exalted Guards - my idea here was to prolong Cryxian presence on the circular zone for contesting purposes.

Then Deneghra also made a spray just for giggles against nearby Swamp Gobbers. Well, there was this that I was afraid they'd run to contest my flag. Deneghra boosted both attack rolls and killed only one Gobber before repositioning herself back to flag, having two focus for damage mitigation.

So, what could have been a def 17, poltergeist, arm 16 target with four focus points for Molik Karn was def 15 and two focus points.

Yup, Mk3 Molik Karn still comes from far, far away.

To ease my pain somewhat, first two attacks Karn made would have hit Deneghra even if she would've had Grave Wind. But it was the third attack that killed her, and attack roll was eight.

Game 2:

Second game is against Legion of Everblight and I picked Deneghra list again.

Opponent has something like this:

[Theme] Primal Terrors
Vayl, Consul of Everblight [+28]
- 2x Carnivean [19]
- Nephilim Bolt Thrower [11]
- Seraph [14]
Warmonger War Chief [0(6)]
2x Blighted Ogrun Warspears (max) [15]
- Warspear Chieftan [5]
Hellmouth [0(6)]

I might be mistaken and I believe opponent forgot to deploy War Chief. Opponent started game and I did get to make acquaintances with these Hellmouth shenanigans, when Icy Grip is cast on Bile Thralls on the first turn.

Ambushing Mechanithralls got a nice charge against one of the Warspear units. I would've wanted Mechanithralls on different side of the table, but situation was too good to pass.

I forget opponent took the magical weapon granting objective, so I lost both Pistol Wraiths early in the game.

I was slowly whittling away Ogruns and even managed to shoot Nephilim Bolt Thrower off the board. But opponent had the big beasts very much alive, and gained the upper hand in scenario game. Annoying piece of terrain made Hellmouth way too survivable and the game came into point that I just didn't know what to do.

I kept Orin Midwinter hugging Deneghra at all times.

I guess it was a sort of game-opener when Hellmouth popped a tentacle behind Orin Midwinter, hit, and dealt only three points of damage. Opponent had already (at least mentally) committed to assassinate Deneghra. I had given a fair opportunity for that, as Deneghra had taken a free strike from Hellmouth tentacle earlier that dealt ten points of damage.

Anyway, Vayl cast Icy Grip on Deneghra three times, burning away Power Tokens from Orin Midwinter. Last Icy Grip resulted in a miss, so Vayl had no transfers.

Carnivean charged Deneghra. It needed 11+ to hit, so it boosted every attack roll. Twice it rolled 10, one of which was the charge attack.

I don't clearly remember what happened with last attack. I have vague memories that Deneghra had three damage boxes or something. Anyway, Deathripper ran close enough Vayl that Scourge wouldn't deviate off. The spell missed, but at least Legion warlock was knocked down. Then Denegra cast Ghost Walk on herself and charged Vayl, killing her.

I was a bit lucky at critical stages during this match. And I can't congratulate me for choosing the tactic "let's place my warcaster in dire spot and let's see what we can do if she survives." But it was Vayl2, so I suppose I'll gladly take any victories over her that I only can.

Game 3:

Last game was against Circle of Orboros. I picked Scaverous, as I wanted to play with both lists at least once.

I think I got this list wrong, but generally it was:

[Theme] The Wild Hunt
Morvahna the Dawnshadow [+27]
- Gorax Rager [7]
- Pureblood Warpwolf [17]
- Warpwolf Stalker [19]
2x Gallows Grove [2]
2x Shifting Stones [3]
- Stone Keeper [2]
2x Warpborn Skinwalkers (max) [15]
- Warpborn Skinwalker Alpha [0(4)]
Wolves of Orboros (max) [11]
- Wolves of Orboros Chieftain & Standard [4]

This last game was, uh, kind of disappointing. I felt cheesy and like I was abusing something. I guess this is the apologetic Finnish mentality. Though really game was more about opponent having never played against Scaverous.

Anyway. As opponent didn't have excessively high model count, there was not all that much screen for Morvahna.

Morvahna was far enough that I had to bring a Deathripper within melee range of a Skinwalker. I thought Stalker would be able to kill him, but no. It took three Bile Thrall purges to get through the last three damage points or so. Sadly my Deathripper was inside all of the three sprays - but to my advantage, four damage boxes that were left after the automatically hitting purges had Arc Node and Movement.

Then Scaverous could activate and used Telekinesis to move three or so Skinwalkers out of Morvahna's way. Telekinesis also turned Morvahna around, and after that Scaverous was even able to cast Icy Grip on her.

Aiakos had upkept Escort, so Reaper could advance 8" to shoot harpoon at Morvahna. Reaper had Puppet Master from Tremulus, but didn't need to use it. All the rolls were adequate enough.

Morvahna had five transfers I think, four for sure at least. But also on top of Reaper I could charge with a couple of Bane Thralls as well as the Nightmare. Too many attacks, so she suffered an assassination on the second turn of game.

So two wins and one loss. And a sad notion how pretty much every list in the tournament were theme lists. On a more positive note, death clock didn't dictate the outcome of any of my games even if I hadn't really practiced with either of these lists. Though I have used Deneghra3 in Infernal Machines before, so there's that.

But just like it was after the tournament at Ropecon, there was this slight spark of enthusiasm from a few years ago when I went into tournaments a little more frequently. So I went to two tournaments this year. Let's make it at least three next year.