Myrmidon Mayhem, Dice Disappointment and You!

[Bartacus]

Kallas, just come across this thread and really enjoyed reading through it. Your lists have convinced me to start breaking out of the mould more, cheers.

[Kallas]

Kallas, just come across this thread and really enjoyed reading through it. Your lists have convinced me to start breaking out of the mould more, cheers.

Glad you're enjoying it and it is sort of a mission to get people using more Myrmidons too, so huzzah!

[Kallas]

First round pairings for the Masters are up and I'm looking at Cryx. Not overly concerned, could've been worse - could've been Legion!

A few more Iron Caster games coming, my standing is at 5 wins of 7 games.

[Kallas]

Another bunch of reports including a couple of brief Iron Casters and a tournament! You lucky people! First up, the Iron Caster games:

Game 6, vs Baldur1;
Baldur1
- Woldwarden (Prowl bond)
- Woldwatcher
- Woldwyrd
Shifting Stones

Ossyan
- Manticore
Arcanist
HSBM
2x Magisters
Narn

Not ideal, but I really was trying to avoid going Ossy-MHSF all the time... Shouldn't have been so kind :P

Essentially get bogged down by terrain, shot up by the Wyrd whilst the Warden sits with Stealth at will. Eventually Baldur Forest Walked up to Ossy and finished him.
Wins; 4/6.

Game 7, vs Morghoul1;
Morghoul1
- Gladiator
- 2x Savage
Paingiver Beast Handlers (max)
(down a point)

I ran the above list again - like I said, trying to avoid using MHSF all of the time!

Gladiator gets Admonition, as does Monty, but my vastly superior ranged ability sees me winning an attrition war and eventually box in the Gladiator, killing it. I send the Manticore into the Savages and roll badly, but he does in return. Another turn and I've killed all but Morghoul and a Savage who is almost dead but in melee with Ossyan (I thought I'd let him prove that he can fight. He can't.) Savage fails completely and gets put down. Admonition goes up on Ossyan, Morghoul concedes since he cannot possibly kill Ossyan now.
Wins; 5/7.



Now to the tournament! It was through in Livingston, props to Alan Kennedy/Azhdeen for running it and so much for us, and had a decent 17 players. Format was two lists at 35pts for rounds one to three then a single 50pt list for round four. Interesting format, though I shouldn't have chosen who I did for my 50; very match up dependant. Anyway, lists:

#1
Ossyan
- Discordia
Arcanist
Eiryss2
Narn
MHA
DG Invictors (max + UA)
MHSF (max + UA)

Reinforcements;
HSBM
Magister

Pretty solid 35 that I've run before, though with Eiryss its great. I messed up when making my lists and forgot I was borrowing A&H, so I didn't put them into my 35. Menoth and Wind Wall would've hurt (there was Borka at the tournament too!)

#2
Kaelyssa
- 2x Phoenix
- Chimera
Sylys
2x Arcanists
MHSF (max + UA)
MHA

Reinforcements;
- Gorgon
Magister

Again, a list I'm very comfortable with. Solid anti infantry overall, nigh-immunity to spells and difficult to stop it from doing what it wants.

50pts
Ossyan
- Discordia
- Manticore
2x Arcanists
DG Invictors (max + UA)
MHSF (max + UA)
MHA
Narn
Eiryss2
Aiyana & Holt

Reinforcements;
- Phoenix

Virtually identical to the Ossyan list I'll be fielding at the Masters this coming weekend(!) Very happy with it over, but I don't think it's a great choice in a single list format when it could draw against a hard counter. A Phoenix in the list could really help. And I need to get a Banshee ASAP...

So, the games!



Round One:
Process of Elimination (SR #8)

Legion of Everblight (bugger)
He had Lylyth2 and Saeryn. I chose Kaelyssa.

Unsurprisingly, he chose Lylyth2 (double bugger)

Lylyth2
- Angelius
- 2x Ravagore
2x Shepherd
Forsaken
Deathstalker
Blackfrost Shard

Uphill struggle doesn't really cut it... Well, I win the roll off and choose first turn. He, hungover and gamer-like, keeps the table side he's sat behind!

- Board and Deployment
- Retribution deployment
- Legion deployment
- Kae Phantom Hunters herself, Banishing Ward on the Chimera just in case, and the force runs.
- Retribution turn one
- Lylyth puts up Shadow Pack and Feats. She kills several MHSF and Swift Hunters just far enough from Kae to make assassination impossible next turn. Beasts kill a couple more MHSF and put decent damage on the right Phoenix.
- Legion turn one (blank base is the top-heavy Angelius)
- Chimera runs up, BW dropped, as do the MHSF and a Phoenix. Kae fires a boosted damage, Arcane Secrets Arcantrik Bolt (now referred to as an ASAB) at Lylyth. Seven damage and I have three focus, so he doesn't transfer. I switch gears and strip the three Fury off the Angelius, leaving him with one on a Ravagore and one on Lylyth herself. Kae feats and advanced on to the hill.
- I made one, admittedly big, mistake here; I shouldn't have moved the left Phoenix away. I should have continued to brick around Kae, preventing direct shots at her. This would have pretty much guaranteed her survival for a turn.
- Retribution turn two
- Lylyth cuts for three, putting her at five boxes! Five damn boxes! She shoots at Kaelyssa and cranks her damage (camping two) putting ten on Kae. The Angelius moves on to the hill and boosts to hit, needing an eleven, but misses. The closest Ravagore aims, boosts, also needing eleven because of the elevation, and also misses. The other Ravagore has to advance forward, boosts, needs a thirteen...hit. Dice-1, boost, good game.
- Legion turn two

Tournament Score:
CP's, 0
TP's, 0

Thoughts:
- Three things could have won me this game:
1) Lylyth missing her final shot on turn one would have left her within 18" of Kaelyssa
2) Moving the Phoenix away allowed him to directly shoot Kae. Bricking up would have required too much investment on his side of things to make assassination viable (and would have given Kae cover if a jack died.)
3) The second Ravagore missing would have ended the same way as 1, with Kaelyssa putting Lylyth down.

#2 was by far the most important and really showed my inexperience against Lylyth; this was my first tournament game against her. Having now had this experience, I think I have a decent chance at killing the ***** now! Brick up with the Phoenixes, hold the Chimera back just a little and get in range. It's all or nothing anyway...

- I can't feel too unhappy; I did come very, very close to winning the worst match up my faction can possibly face.

[Kallas]

Round Two:
Bunkers (SR #11)

Mercenaries with Drake McBain and Magnus the Traitor. I chose Ossyan. He chose Drake. Important to note right away; he did not have any reinforcements...

Drake McBain
- 2x Mangler
- Nomad
- Talon
Gorman
Rhupert
Eiryss1
2x Steelhead Halberdiers (min)

No reinforcements.

Don't think I've faced Drake before, so this would be interesting. I chose first turn, again.

- Retribution deployment
- Merc deployment
- Quicken-run the Invictors and Admonition himself. Run.
- Retribution turn one
- Drake shuffles forward. This is where I knew I was in for an easy game...
- Merc turn one
- Invictors advance, Extended Fire and put down a bunch of Steelheads, aided by the MHSF. I actually time out before I move Eiryss or the MHA, but I don't mind. I also didn't bring my reinforcements on this turn, partly forgetting.
- Retribution turn two
- Steelheads charge and kill a couple of MHSF. The jacks move up and a Mangler kills a couple with a Thresher, luckily missing his Eiryss.
- Ossyan feats, tags the middle Mangler and the force goes to work. The Mangler dies, as does the Talon. The HSBM and MHSF kill off some of the last of the Steelheads.
- Retribution turn three
- Eiryss slots a Phantom Seeker at Ossyan for no damage. Drake fails to kill an Invictor.
- Merc turn three
- HSBM drag the two jacks about after the Magister Combo Smites them together. The Nomad is wrecked by the MHSF charging and the Mangler is out of the zone. The Invictors advance and put Drake down.
- End of game

Tournament Score:
CP's, 1
TP's, 1

Thoughts:
- My opponent was inexperienced and honestly not very good. He never used his feat and was very bad at using his models (not running, running his jacks in wierd directions and out of control, etc.)
- No reinforcements just made this ridiculously easy - I was essentially seven points up...
- Karma for having to play against Lylyth? I'd say so



Round Three:
Incursion (SR #7)

Khador. Old Witch and Irusk1 (I think.) I go with Kaelyssa and he picks Old Witch. I get given second turn and choose the side with more terrain - probably a mistake.

Old Witch
- Scrapjack
- Decimator
Sylys
Kayazy Assassins (min + UA)
Winterguard Infantry (max + UA + 3 WA)
Kovnik Joe
Manhunter

Her feat is very troublesome and the WGI are a tough unit to face off against. Not greatly confident, but Kae's list is probably stronger vs this overall.

- Board and Deployment
- WGI run forward and get Iron Flesh. Witch Unseen Path's to Scrappy. Manhunter is forgotten.
- Khador turn one
- PH on Kae, Rift at the Decimator is just out of range and deviates backwards as far as bloody possible. MHSF kill five WGI and kd another through tough. Kaelyssa also feats.
- Central flag disappears.
- Retribution turn one
- Witch drops Iron Flesh and puts out a Murder of Crows on four MHSF after the WGI kill four. Feat is popped and Witch has moved up, camping four focus. Manhunter runs to the right flag but not base contact.
- Khador turn two
- Kaelyssa keeps all of her focus and free upkeep from Sylys. Cpt Hammer runs to the left flag. MHSF all aimed.
- First, hits, seven damage.
- Second, hits, four damage.
- Third, hits, five damage. Dead.
- Huh, awesome!
- Retribution turn two

Tournament Score:
CP's, 2
TP's, 2

Thoughts:
- Old Witch's feat had me by the short hairs and my MHSF were only intended to prepare her for Kaelyssa (who could kill her comfortably herself.) That they killed her themselves just shows that you should never assume you're safe. Silly Witch.
- If Witch had put Murder of Crows on herself, Kaelyssa would have had to do all of the lifting herself and that could've caused a failed assassination run.
- My dice are making me proud. I just hope they have the stamina for the Masters!



Round Four:
Gauntlet (SR #2)

Cryx. Skarre1.

Skarre1
- Harrower
- Defiler (I think. It didn't do anything.)
- Cankerworm
Skarlock Thrall
Mechanithralls (max + 1 WA)
Necrosurgeon and Stitch Thralls
Satyxis Raiders (max + UA)
Blackbane's Ghost Raiders (max)
Gudrun the Wanderer
Machine Wraith
Satyxis Raider Captain
Scrap Thralls

Massive amounts of infantry. Hmm. At least I have Shatter Storm and Aiyana. Spray should help too. Not confident though. He chooses to deploy second (strangely, in my opinion) and I choose sides for the terrain, though thinking back, bottling him up is what I should have done...

- Retribution deployment
- Cryx deployment
- Ossyan puts Admonition on Discordia and Quickens the Invictors. MHSF run up and put a few jam deterrents out.
- Retribution turn one
- Skarlock sacrifices a Scrap Thrall. Skarre camps and runs up very forward. Satyxis and Blackbanes flank to my right. Mechanithralls run up. Gudrun and Cankerworm on my left.
- Ossyan Admonitions himself, feats and pops the Brute Thrall. Three MHSF aim, the others move up under Quicken. Three aimers bring Skarre to two boxes but none of the others connect. I create a hole for two two-elf CRA's, both missing needing eights with rerolls. Eiryss and Narn make a hole in my Invictors for Monty to advance with a Power Boosted focus. He hits but rolls low.
- Small ray of light: Blue (my MHA) does 34 damage to the Necrosurgeon. All Necrosurgeons cease to exist...
- Retribution turn two
- Skarre gets one focus from Ritual Sacrifice. Dark Guidance is put up but with only two boxes, feat isn't used. Satyxis pile in, though only half attack due to the forest they were sheltering in. The Blackbanes conga to occupy space. Mechanithralls kill a good number of MHSF. The Harrower plugs a hole, his gun busted (by Invictors without line to Skarre) as does the bonejack.
- Cryx turn two
- I have four chances to assassinate: two aiming MHSF; Discordia spraying; a Quickened Narn charge; and a lucky Manticore throw.
- Monty tosses the Harrower but I forgot Force Generator so don't tag Skarre.
- Discordia sprays, hits, dead. Phew.
- Retribution turn three

Tournament Score:
CP's, 2
TP's, 3

Thoughts:
- I was lucky and unlucky turn two. I also missed an opportunity: the bonejack was just within an inch of Skarre, so I could've caught her in the Temporal Distortion effect. Oh well.
- Ossyan freaking rocks.



Overall I'm pleased with how I finished, and I think my playing wasn't bad (though reviewing I see holes) but my opponents all made mistakes that I capitalised on. And Lylyth capitalised on my only mistake that game.

Final placing: 4th/17.

Top three were:
Cryx (Alasdair Johnstone, I believe)
Khador (David Kane)
Legion (Michael ****, my first opponent)

I'm happy with fourth!


Thanks for reading folks and comments/criticisms are welcome.
Cheers,
Tom.

[AJ the Ronin]

Nice report and well done.

[SevenSins]

what he (?) said

[Kallas]

Okay, I really should have updated in smaller parts, but here is a butt load of stuff - a pre-Masters practice game, my Masters games, some Iron Caster/random reports and a few Incissar Vyros (Colossals epic Vyros using proxies) reports!

So, from the top...

Pre-Masters:
50pts, Diversion Radial scenario (#17; contest far zone, hold right-side flag) vs Cygnar

Kara Sloan
- Thunderhead
- 2x Defender
Squire
Trencher Commandos (min)
ATGM (+UA)
Mechanics (min)
Arlan Strangeways
Black 13th
GMCA

Rahn
- 2x Phoenix
- Chimera
2x Arcanist
HSBM
2x Magister
MHSF (max + UA)
Halberdiers (max + UA)

I get first turn and Cygnar decides sides. I'm thinking that if I can weather the first wave of damage and the feat I should be able to push for the scenario.

- Retribution deployment
- Cygnar deployment
- Battlefield and deployment
- Retribution run forward, though the Halberdiers hang back a fair amount. MHSF get Polarity Shield.
- Retribution turn one
- Cygnar mostly run forward. Thunderhead gets Refuge.
- Cygnar turn one
- I considered attempting to assassinate by moving the Chimera up the right and slamming the Defender (the base is it's actual position) over Kara before MHSF shoot her up. I think better of it, believing I'll not have enough MHSF in range to seal the deal. My opponent pointed out later that using the left Phoenix I could've had a straighter shot with the slam, which would've been easier.
- Chimera moves up regardless, figuring if he survives I'll be forcing him into proximity or concede a control point. The Phoenixes advance somewhat while the MHSF murder a good amount of Commandos, aided by a Chain Blast.
- Retribution turn two
- Cygnar advances, feat is popped. The Thunderhead disrupts the left Phoenix and, along with Kara and a Defender, failed to do significant damage, though it's blade is crippled. The right Phoenix gets a little dinged up too but I come out relatively unscathed. MHSF get battered by the ATGM and surviving Commandos. B13 Brutal Shot the Chimera to death with a little help from the Defender. Refuge is forgotten about.
- Cygnar turn two
- Rahn feats in return and loads up the right Phoenix. HSBM drag the right Defender forward and the Phoenix smashes it with good rolls to boot (though unfortunately no critical knockdown, it wasn't needed.) Left Phoenix contests and engages the two heavies. Halberdiers charge,mini-feat and cause good damage to the Defender and assist in wiping out the remaining Commandos. I think Ryan got Force Hammered, or something too.
- Retribution turn three
- The GMCA, hidden away, kills off the Halberdier engaging Thunderhead. The Defender advances and squashes a Halberdier. Arlan makes T-head evasive, it then moves out, pulses (GMCA survives!) and buys more shots on the Phoenix, finishing it.
- Retribution retaliates: Magister on the left Combo Smites T-head into the building and the Halberdiers bang it up. Defender is finished by other Halberdier charges and the rest run/reform into further Cygnar forces. Phoenix burns several ATGM and a B13 member. HSBM attack the remaining B13, but failed to budge him off the flag.
- Retribution turn four
- Kara and the GMCA kill off the Halberdiers around T-head who pulses again. The ATGM push the Phoenix a little.
- Cygnar turn four
- HSBM kill off Lynch and the Phoenix burns more ATGM and the Squire. The remaining MHSF runs to contest the zone, scoring me a point.
- T-head cleans up the Halberdier stragglers and the Mechanics alike.
- Cygnar turn five
- Phoenix gets Telekinesis'd before it trampled over the ATGM in it's way, then I score a second point, winning me the game.

Thoughts:
- It was a slog of a game. I got lucky with my opponent getting bad damage early.
- I think I made the right move by holding my Halberdiers back. It meant that I could trade my MHSF for some of his, put damage on his jacks and force them outwards (so he could pulse, for example) and still keep a significant amount for longer. The Thunderhead was brutal, but it was tied up for the majority of the game and had I simply jammed my Halberdiers in immediately I think they would have been fried by the initial pulses.
- Scenario is an interesting one and was set for the Masters. Good thing I got this practice game in, though more on that later...



On to the Masters then! Seven rounds over two days and it was great fun. Seven good games against good people.

My lists for the tournament:

Kaelyssa
- 2x Phoenix
- Manticore
- Chimera
- (R) Gorgon
Sylys
2x Arcanist
Halberdiers (max + UA)
MHSF (max + UA)
(R) HSBM

Ossyan
- Discordia
- Manticore
- (R) Phoenix
2x Arcanist
2x Magister
Eiryss2
Narn
Aiyana and Holt
MHSF (max + UA)
Invictors (max + UA)

Rahn
- 2x Phoenix
- Chimera
- (R) Manticore
2x Arcanist
HSBM
2x Magister
MHSF (max + UA)
Halberdiers (max + UA)
(R) MHA

Some hefty similarities, but I'm really quite comfortable with it. They all perform in ways I enjoy and understand pretty well.

Game One:
Bunkers (#11; Flank, reinforcements, hold right zone)
vs Mike Taylor, Cryx

I choose Kaelyssa, my anti-Cryx gal.

Deneghra1
- Nightmare
- 2x Nightwretch (I think)
- (R) Cankerworm
Skarlock
Mechanithralls (max)
Necrosurgeon
Nyss Hunters (max)
Bane Thralls (max + UA)
Pistol Wraith
(R) 9x Scrap Thralls
(R) Bloat Thrall
Something else, which I can't remember...

- Retribution deployment
- Cryx deployment
- I get first turn and run up. Phantom Hunter on Kaelyssa, Banishing Ward on the Halberdiers.
- Retribution turn one
- Cryx also runs forward.
- Cryx turn one
- Upkeep both spells, reinforcements appear. Halberdiers Shield Wall forward to gum up his zone. MHSF advance and shoot up the Bonejack. Gorgon run-engages several Nyss whilst the HSBM set about the Nyss with spells, killing one. Phoenix boosts and kills the Pistol Wraith. Kaelyssa arcs Rift onto the front Bane, bogging them down, Arcantrik Bolts one on the right of the unit and feats to slow the Cryxian attack further.
- Retribution turn two
- Reinforcements appear. Cankerworm runs in, as do the Scrap Thralls. The Bloat Thrall kills a couple of Halberdiers with his goo. The Mechanithralls run-engage several MHSF. Nyss charge the HSBM and Gorgon (who are well out of my control area), though not much damage is caused, leaving my Gorgon battered but fully operational. Banes also run. Denny feats defensively.
- Cryx turn two
- MHSF aim and clear out some Mechanithralls, allowing the Phoenix to burn the rest, earning me a control point. The Halberdiers Shield Wall and mini-feat, killing a bunch of Scrap Thralls (through chain-splosions), Bane Thralls and damaging Cankerworm. Reform spreads out the pairs some to avoid the Bloat Thrall. The Gorgon does me proud and squashes Cylena. HSBM zap some Nyss and the Necrosurgeon. Kaelyssa gets told Arcane Secrets and guns for Denny. Though it's not a kill, Denny is left on only five or so boxes, and though Nightmare could reach Kae, the Chimera is in the way.
- Retribution turn three
- Nightmare gets three focus. Denny makes a critical error and Parasites the Chimera, allowing Kaelyssa to retreat. The Banes kill the Chimera and Nightmare wanders towards my zone. The Scraps charge my Halberdiers but mostly bounce through Set Defence. The Nyss remain mostly tied up by the Gorgon, though they kill it. A couple of models stick their toes in my zone, but not many.
- Cryx turn three
- Phoenix and MHSF clear my zone and Kaelyssa finishes Denny.

Result:
TPs: 1/1
CPs: 2

Thoughts:
- Entertaining start to the day and my girl did me proud!
- I spoke with my opponent about the game and suggested he jam his units more aggressively; his relative timidness allowed me to scalpel out what I wanted and let me breathe.
- I also suggested that he use Skarre1 vs Kaelyssa: she could feat defensively to protect her forces and force attrition on the enemy.
- I don't think I did much wrong, though I did forget to move my left Phoenix turn two which left Kaelyssa too exposed later.

[Kallas]

Game Two:
Close Quarters (#1; Killbox, hold the far zone while your caster is in either zone)
vs Legion (oh god...), James Boosey

I chose Ossyan (no Lylyth2)

Vayl2
- 2x Angelius
- 2x Ravagore
- Scythean
- Harrier
Spawning Vessel (max)
2x Shepherd
Legionnaires (max)
1 Spell Martyr

Tier 4: non-character solos get AD, +1 to starting roll, flying beasts get +2 SPD first turn and heavies are cheaper.

It was a lot of meat and I figured Ossyan would give me the power to blast through it.

- Legion deploys second, choosing sides
- Retribution deployment
- Legion deployment
- Board and deployment
- Retribution runs up mostly, though I snarl up on the forest somewhat trying to avoid scathers.
- Retribution turn one
- Refuge goes on the right Angelius, Occultation on the left. Icy Grip gets put on the MHSF (through an Oraculus channel) and Ravagores and Angelii kill a few MHSF.
- Legion turn one
- Ossyan feats, tags the Scythean and the Angelius is in feat area too. After much gunning, neither the Scythean nor the Angelius are dead. Ossyan is left flapping in the breeze.
- Retribution turn two
- Scythean meanders forward, Vayl tags it with an Oraculus and feats. Icy Grip and two Obliterations later and Ossy is taking a dirt nap.
- Legion turn two

Result:
TPs: 1/2
CPs: 2

Thoughts:
- I gummed myself up trying to negate the effectiveness of the scathers and actually ended up diluting my hitting power.
- First game against Vayl2 as well didn't help, but not much I could've done.
- Feat damage was less than expected (Scythean was left on three boxes!) and that occupied too many activations which left me exposed too much. In hindsight, I should have just had Discordia move in front of Ossyan. A good phrase I heard recently; you can't win if you lose.

Game Three:
Demolition (#13; hold the far zone and/or the objective, 3CP to win)
vs Mercenaries, Rich Jennings

I went for Rahn, considering the scenario primarily.

Durgen (score!)
- Avalancher
- 2x Driller
Dougal MacNaile
Eiryss2
Thor
Reinholdt
Gorman
Harlen
Herne and Jonne
Nyss Hunters (max)
Kayazy (max + UA)

Good match up for me: lots of blast damage vs blast damage immunity/protection. Sorry for the blurriness of the pictures here.

- I get given second turn.
- Mercs deployment
- Retribution deployment
- Primed goes on the Kayazy (stupid spell by the way...) and most stuff runs.
- Mercs turn one
- Force Field goes up (for the first time in forever!) and Polarity Shield on the MHSF, who head towards the Nyss. HSBM advance up behind the forest, Halberdiers Shield Wall up the centre with the Phoenixes in a file.
- Retribution turn one
- Kayazy (Primed upkept) and Nyss both run forwards, basically as before.
- Mercs turn two
- Upkeep both spells. Chimera moves forward to facilitate the Avalancher getting TK'd then Force Hammered into the Driller. HSBM advance into the forest and zap a few Kayazy, though Versh kills one in return. MHSF kill Cylena with an aimed shot and begin hacking their way through with the advantage of CMA. Halberdiers Shield Wall further.
- Retribution turn two
- Kayazy kill a few Halberdiers/HSBM. Herne and Jonne fire their AOEs but Rahn deflects them. Nyss kill a couple of MHSF but are losing attrition war. His jacks pick themselves up and waddle forward.
- Mercs turn three
- MHSF continue killing Nyss. Rahn brings the Avalancher closer where a Phoenix wrecks it. A Driller is fired into the other. Halberdiers Shield Wall and cut down a number of Kayazy who explode and take some with them. Trading infantry for infantry is my strategy here, since my battlegroup vs his is mine to win.
- Retribution turn three
- Eiryss and Harlen flank hard, removing Force Field. Remaining Kayazy and his few pieces attack, but not much is done.
- Mercs turn four
- I push harder, thinking to force him further back. Magister ties up Harlen and the MHSF Commander engages Eiryss. MHSF continue to finish the Nyss and the Halberdiers keep going. Rahn steps forward and sideways to TK the Driller.
- Retribution turn four
- Durgen sees his opportunity. Feat + Reinholdt + Dougal sees two four dice to hit shots put Rahn down.
- Mercs turn five
- Damn...

Result:
TPs: 1/3
CPs: 2

Thoughts:
- Daaaaaaaaaaaaamn!
- The game was mine, but I moved Rahn forward completely unnecessarily. The TK on the Driller was utterly trivial and in the end cost me the game. Had I moved back (hello giant control area) or moved up behind the objective (protection vs arcing fire) the game was mine.
- DAAAAAMN!! Stupid Tom...

[Kallas]

Game Four:
Destruction (#6; destroy the objectives on the far side of the table)
vs Cygnar, Richard Deane

I went for Ossyan, he chose Constance.

Constance
- Gallant
Journeyman
Runewood
Harlan Versh
Pendrake
Mechanics (min)
Sword Knights (max + UA)
- Firefly
Storm Blades (UA + 3 WA)
Storm Strider
Storm Tower

Going in I was glad to have Ossyan - Shatter Storm would let me cut down his infantry on feat turn without too much worry and my feat should wreck face.

- Cygnar deployment
- Retribution deployment
- Table
- Cygnar runs forward. Arcane Shield goes on the Storm Strider, Transference goes up.
- Cygnar turn one
- Shatter Storm goes on the MHSF, Quicken on the Invictors and Admonition on Ossy. Eiryss meanders up to disrupt Gallant, though in hindsight I should have kept her back.
- Retribution turn one
- Cygnar advances, feat is popped. My objective takes some damage. Arcane Shield is put on the Storm Blades. Eiryss gets Leaped to death.
- Cygnar turn two
- Okay, so Shatter Storm is on the MHSF who can take them down relatively easily (dice-5 should see many dead) then I can cycle SS onto the Invictors and kill a bunch of Sword Knights. Cool. Plan sorted.
- Wait! Gallant is a heavy warjack - I MUST KILL! No I don't care that he's far away and that Constance supports infantry! Gallant must die!
- So, after making a sensible plan, I proceeded to ignore it and be a retard. I'll give myself a small break: it was a roasting hot day and the end of four rounds of rather intense gaming, but I've been in tournaments before. I shouldn't have ignored my plan...
- Gallant dies, not much else does... Narn gets Quicken-fired at Constance but is out by half an inch. Shame. Might've saved me from my own stupidity...
- Retribution turn two
- Cygnar wonders why the Retribution behaved like idiots, shake off their confusion and charge. Many MHSF are killed and a couple of Invictors. Pendrake knocks the Manticore down and the Storm Blades ding it up, though only two actually reach melee (due to the obstacle and other models.)
- Constance takes a swing at Narn dealing....4 damage! Cue much hilarity and annoyance as my opponent flubs half a dozen Flashing Blade/initial attacks before finally putting the old assassin down! I was overjoyed with Narn's performance, since mine was shocking!
- Cygnar turn three
- I'm engaged everywhere, but I might be able to assassinate... Manticore gets up and shuffles. The remaining Arcanist concentrates Discordia's power. The Invictors kill stuff. Discordia, after receiving Quicken, tramples forward. She reaches melee range...but the line of gobbers prevents base placement. Damn! Discordia kills one in frustration.
- Retribution turn three
- More brawling happens in the middle. Most of our stuff kept missing or hitting and failing to kill. Ossyan gets badly damaged, but lives.
- Cygnar turn four
- I've lost, basically. But we've taken a damn long time, so I decide to try and get a cheeky win on tiebreaker; the Manticore tramples forward under Quicken to within 4" of his objective. I curse the Magister on the left vehemently after he flubs miserably for yet another turn.
- Retribution turn four
- Dice down is not called, unfortunately, and the Storm Strider finishes Ossyan.

Result:
TPs: 1/4
CPs: 2

Thoughts:
- I behaved like a ginormous spas.
- Like a massive, elbow-licker.
- Like a man who puts his shoes in the microwave and wonders why his dinner tastes leathery.
- Seriously. Like a ****.
- I made a plan, why did I not stick to it? Tournament pressure, time pressure, heat, tiredness, etc, all come in to it, but at the end of the day I didn't have the mental fortitude for the day.
- My opponent took advantage of that giant glaring mistake and piled in. Both of our dice fluctuated between utterly pathetic and fine, and I must congratulate Richard on being a fantastic opponent who was a pleasure to play against: it was definitely entertaining.



Day One is over. I'm unhappy with myself ("Rightly so, you idiot!" - shut up brain...) at 1/4. Enough recrimination, tomorrow is another day. If I focus I still have the potential to pull out 4/7.

[Kallas]

Day Two is only three rounds and, thank f***, is significantly cooler.



Game Five:
Diversion (#17; contest far zone, hold right flag)
vs Khador, Julien Bauer

I chose Rahn, like my practice game, figuring that he would be the best choice. Julien chose the Old Witch.

Old Witch
- Scrapjack
- Behemoth
- Devastator
Great Bears
Iron Fangs (max + Black Dragon UA)
Kayazy (max + UA)
Aiyana and Holt
Gorman

Okay, so new day, new games. This is a scenario I'm now familiar with, thanks to Lee before the Masters, and though the Old Witch will hurt my infantry, my main source of control is Rahn and his battlegroup. Khador deploys first, I choose my side to put the obstruction helping me control my flag.

- Khador deployment
- Retribution deployment
- Table and deployment
- IFP get Weald Secrets, Behemoth gets one focus. Behemoth tramples forward, first shot at the MHSF goes wild but the second goes straight forward six and kills five - urgh! For f***s sake... IFP and Great Bears advance left, Kayazy right.
- Khador turn one
- Half of my MHSF down, not happy. Force Field goes up, Polarity Shield on the left Phoenix. MHSF skirmish and the Halberdiers Shield Wall forward. HSBM and Phoenix move left, Chimera and Phoenix right.
- Retribution turn one
- Old Witch advances, Murder of Crows and feats, protected by Gorman's smoke. Devastator runs forward, IFP advance, Iron Zeal and Shield Wall through the forest. Behemoth punts shots at the Halberdiers, but even though one directly hits I get lucky with his damage, only one dying.
- Khador turn two
- On the left, I misjudged the distance and my Phoenix only burns two IFP, setting them alight. Hopefully Polarity Shield will keep him relatively safe from retaliation. My advance is checked by the Old Witch's feat, unsurprisingly. The MHSF retreat some, the Halberdiers Shield Wall in place (thankfully just outside her control area) and the HSBM advance left a little. The right Phoenix allows me to Telekinesis and Force Hammer the Devastator into Behemoth. Not damaging but entertaining and keeps it at arms length importantly.
- Retribution turn two
- One IFP burns to death as the other goes out. Behemoth kills two more Halberdiers with bombard shots. Devastator picks itself up and waddles forward. IFP advance again, two two-man CMAs and one lone attack put really heavy damage on the Phoenix and the Great Bears follow suit, also rolling high damage, killing it. Annoying.
- Khador turn three
- Losing the left Phoenix hurt and he should have survived, especially considering that they couldn't charge it. But thems the dice, the bastards.
- I have a suspicion that I can score this turn. Rahn feats, Telekinesis'd the frontmost Halberdier and Telekinesis'd the Devastator (again) and Telekinesis'd himself back a little. The Phoenix boosted damage on the Devastator, but to no avail. Magisters pushed it away, knocking it down (again) while the HSBM killed two IFP with boosted Force Bolts. The Halberdiers charged, the front one weaving between Behemoth and Aiyana to toe into the zone. The others charge Behemoth, putting decent damage on him then reforming to hinder Khadoran movement. The MHSF also advance, putting good damage on Scrapjack and killing a Great Bear. (I'd actually forgotten all about my Commander, as had my opponent, which is why my MHSF were actually out of command, but in command of my Leader. I only realised much later, though I doubt it would have impacted upon the game a huge amount.)
- I score.
- Retribution turn three
- Kayazy advance to contest my flag and kill my contesting Halberdier. Scrappy gets Avatar of Slaughter but doesn't tear through my spread out guys, only killing a couple. Devastator waddles forward again. Behemoth squashes a couple of Halberdiers. IFP clear out the flag and the Great Bears hold it, though none contest the zone.
- Khador turn four
- The Phoenix moves up and burns five Kayazy. Rahn TKs it into contact with the flag and Force Blasts another Kayazy far away. I attempt to run another Halberdier into the zone, but he's just in melee with an IFP and dies to the free strike. The other Halberdier tries to move through the Murder of Crows, but dies. HSBM charge in to contest the flag whilst the MHSF and other HSBM charge Behemoth.
- Retribution turn four
- Behemoth tramples forward, killing my engaging models and netting him a point in return. Scrappy engages my Chimera and the Kayazy block my Chimera's run into the zone.
- 1 CP each.
- Chimera Apparitions forward, though still engaged. Rahn TKs at the combat, missing Scrapjack but getting the Chimera forward and out of melee. A Chain Blast kills off the Kayazy in the way and my Chimera slips into the zone with my Phoenix still holding the flag.
- 2-1 to me.

Result:
TPs: 2/5
CPs: 4

Thoughts:
- Phew. I got unlucky with my Phoenix getting killed early, but my first CP really put me in the lead and I kept up the pressure.
- I don't think I did anything glaringly wrong (aside from forgetting about my MHSF Commander's existence...) and Rahn's control is ideal for this scenario. Despite losing the majority of my forces and barely denting his (I killed 5 AP worth; half of the Kayazy. He killed 32 AP!) I still had the upper hand by virtue of massive area control, courtesy of Combustion, Telekinesis, Force Hammer and Force Blast.
- A more positive game, considering the previous day. Julien was another great guy and this was a tense, entertaining and interesting game.

[Kallas]

Game Six:
Incursion (#7; hold two flags out of three after one disappears)
vs Retribution, Deane Hubbocks

Mirror Faction Match Up! He had Kaelyssa, Ossyan and Vyros (I think) and we ended up in a true mirror match: Kaelyssa vs Kaelyssa (both of us had only used her once so far.)

Kaelyssa
- Phoenix
- Banshee
2x Arcanist
Sentinels (max + UA)
MHSF (max + UA + 1 Soulless)
Eiryss1
2x MHA
2x Ghost Snipers
Magister

Should be an interesting game! We both know each other's forces intimately, so it'd be a close game. He deployed first and I chose my side, hoping to use the central ruin to my advantage.

- Retribution deployment
- Retribution deployment (Hah!)
- He puts Banishing Ward on his MHSF and most stuff runs.
- Opponent turn one
- Similarly, I BW my MHSF. Kaelyssa puts Phantom Hunter on herself. I feat and push up the board, Manticore Covering to the right of the ruins.
- The rightmost flag disappears.
- My turn one
- He feats this turn. My, Chimera avoids the MHA charges by virtue of my feat and my left Phoenix is spared the MHSF shots sent his way. A Rift kills several Halberdiers on the right and I foolishly forget to trigger Witch Hound as it clips my Chimera.
- Opponent turn two
- The forward Phoenix advanced into the MHSF, burning half. I fire a Rift at the Sentinels to slow them down, but they'll still reach my Phoenix, unfortunately. I stupidly give my Manticore three focus and aim at his Phoenix, forgetting the feat. The Chimera also forgot Apparition... The unusual nature of the game is throwing me somewhat. Halberdiers run/charge left at the MHSF, but I f*** up again - I call my mini-feat but utterly forget to attack and reform by moving to the Phoenix! Gah! My turn is a shambles.
- My turn two
- Banshee knocks down the Manticore before his MHA's charge my Manticore, and Decap is really terrifying on the receiving end of things. They put good damage out before the Phoenix charges in to finish. Stupid error cost me my advantage in heavy hitting as my forward Phoenix dies to the Sentinels. Starting three heavies to two has flipped to one heavy vs two, all because I forgot my plan and his feat.
- He scores on the central flag (which wouldn't've happened had I moved my Manticore and put covering fire down! Bah!)
- Opponent turn three (yes, it's upside down...)
- On the back foot heavily. Halberdiers reengage the MHSF, killing some. Phoenix kills several Sentinels. Kaelyssa advances, killing Eiryss and some MHSF with her gun before an Arcane Secrets-buffed Rift kills more Sentinels in the centre. Chimera runs to contest the central flag. Captain Hammer decides that the two MHA's closing are pansies and kills one. Fancy chain training my arse!
- My turn three
- I've regained a little ground, though still hard pressed. The Sentinels damage the Chimera with vengeance. Ghost Snipers hurt Kaelyssa and one contests the left flag.
- Opponent turn four
- Kaelyssa retaliates, killing one sniper and scoring as the Halberdiers kill more MHSF. The Chimera Apparitions across the ruin and 'distracts' the Banshee. Bad move overall - should have gone for the Phoenix. My Phoenix burns the Sentinels again. Had I not forgotten my Halberdiers' attacks on turn two, I would've had them free to move by now. Very stupid mistake.
- My turn four
- The Banshee wrecks the Chimera and the Phoenix runs at Kaelyssa after the MHA and Magister total mine.
- 2-1 CP to him.
- Opponent turn five
- Now I'm in a hopeless position. Kaelyssa stands no chance of killing the Phoenix and to try is an invitation for death. However, I decide to try something. Arcantrik Bolt hits, boosted damage freezes the bugger. His Kaelyssa is miles away, so no Witch Hound and no shaking! The Halberdiers finish the MHSF and do a little damage to the Phoenix. One also runs to deny him a win on my turn.
- My turn five
- His MHA kills the lone Halberdier and he wins, moments before dice down.
- 3-1 to him.

Result:
TPs: 2/6
CPs: 5

Thoughts:
- Three mistakes on turn two cost me a chance to win (by that I mean that I still could have lost, but I'd have been in a significantly stronger position)
- Firstly, I had intended to Apparition forward and lock the Phoenix with my Chimera, slowing his advance. I forgot to use Apparition, which left me unable to reach.
- Secondly, the Manticore I had originally planned to move left (away from the MHA's) and cover the same place, preventing his Sentinels from advancing that way and ultimately bottle-necking them. This ultimately cost me my jack and my heavy advantage.
- Thirdly, and most importantly, moving from my Halberdiers before they had attacked was so very bad. It meant he had more MHSF alive, that I had to deal with them for longer, that I lost more Halberdiers than necessary and that they were out of position later. This utterly stupid mistake probably did cost me the game.
- My opponent was, not wanting to sound like a broken record, another great guy and this was an interesting game. The mirror match nature made it even more interesting. But credit to him, he took advantage of my mistakes - I thank him for making sure that I will not make them again!

[Kallas]

Game Seven:
A Flag Too Far (#10; contest the far flag whilst holding the nearer of the two far ones; or hold both for more CPs)
vs Trollbloods, Andrew Burdis

We both had all of our lists to choose from, but considering his lists, only Ossyan was really viable, due to two having such large amounts of tanking available, I really needed the certainty of damage that he brought. My opponent decided on Madrak2. I deployed first.

Madrak2
- Mauler
- Earthborn
Runebearer
Horthol
2x Long Riders (min)
2x Fennblades (min + UA)
Champion Hero
(R) Kriel Warriors (max + UA + 2 WA)

Tier 4:
Long Riders get placed during AD, but normal distance.
Heavies get Advance Move.
Free Fennblade UA.

- Retribution deployment
- Trollbloods deployment
- Quicken on the Invictors and Admonition on Ossy. Everything moves up, though I'm cautious with my MHSF.
- Retribution turn one
- Trolls pound forward.
- Trollbloods turn one
- My reinforcement Phoenix turns up. Ossyan moves up and feats, tagging a Long Rider. The dust settles: five dead Long Riders and five dead Fennblades, with another two knocked down. Unfortunately, I messed up with the Phoenix. After having moved 8", believing that I could contest the far flag and score, I realised that I wasn't in control of the closer flag. It back peddled furiously, but the Earthborn easily has range no matter where I go, so it engages the Fennblades.
- Retribution turn two
- Kriel Warriors show up and run at me. The Fennblades, vengeance mostly curtailed by knockdown, attack the Phoenix and MHSF, killing one. The lone Long Rider charges a Mage Hunter, but flubs. Horthol is forgotten about. The Earthborn, unable to charge, tramples through the forest and mangles the Phoenix.
- Trollbloods turn two
- The MHSF counter charge, killing more Fennblades. The Invictors, supported by A&H, kill more Fennblades on the right, gumming up his heavies after tough checks. Discordia sprays and imprints (spare focus!) Narn kills a Fennblade and sprints behind the Mauler to threaten a weapon master free strike. Magisters on the left help the MHSF and Manticore pick apart the Kriel Warriors (Combo Smites are awesome.)
- Retribution turn three
- The Champion Hero attacks Narn, but leaves him on one box (again, go Narn!) and the Mauler turns to eat him. Boo. But the Mauler is held up at least. Madrak moves up and takes an ineffectual shot at Discordia. The Earthborn interposes itself.
- Trollbloods turn three
- I have a plan! Kill the Fennblade closest to the Earthborn, Quicken Discordia and slip around the Earthborn. Unfortunately, as I moved the other Invictors, shooting Madrak to force him to transfer, I forget to attack the Fennblade(!) and so I must rethink. Eiryss adds a little more damage after A&H Kiss and shoot. MHSF plink for yet more tiny amounts until Discordia sprays. Madrak goes down; tough roll...
- Down he goes!
- Retribution turn four

Result:
TPs: 3/7
CPs: 5

Thoughts:
- I had the upper hand for most of the game, through board position (my opponent made the mistake of corraling his heavies within the ruin) and my feat devastated his Long Riders/Fennblades. When the Kriel Warriors appeared, I had enough breathing space to deal with them handily.
- My only major mistake was at the end with the Invictors, and ultimately it didn't matter.

So, those were seven grueling, entertaining and downright fun games, and I learned plenty from the experience. I am thoroughly disappointed in my finishing result especially since my first day losses were very easily avoidable, but next year shall bring another opportunity.

Final Standing:
3 wins - 4 losses
5 control points
80th of 117

[Kallas]

The Masters went by, experience experienced and games played. Back to the [elg] I went and dove back into the Iron Caster. I played two more games;

Deneghra, with Mechanithralls, a couple of Bonejacks and a Slayer. Since we're nearing the end of the league and I'd lost several games avoiding cheese (and honestly, stinging some from the Masters) I went in with no mercy. Out had come the MHSF again.

No pictures from the Cryx game, but I obliterated the Mechanithralls (Shatter Storm, so the Necrosurgeon was useless) and the jacks melted on feat turn (four MHSF killed the Slayer, two killed one Bonejack alone) and then Denny quickly followed suit after a failed long shot assassination run. 6/8 (I think)

Then a fella using Gorten asked for a game. As far as I'm aware, he'd been hustling his way up the ladder with:
Gorten
- Driller
- Gunner
- Blaster
Thor
ATGM (+ UA)

So I figured that the no mercy approach would be fine!

Ossyan
- Manticore (bond: Mage Killer, oh yeah!)
1x Arcanist
MHA
MHSF (max + UA)

- Retribution deployment
- The ATGM advanced on to hill, Gorten putting up Solid Ground and Strength of Granite on the Driller.
- Mercs turn one
- MHSF get Quickened and damage the two gun bunnies. The Manticore and MHA advance.
- Retribution turn one
- ATGM and gun bunnies kill two of the Quickened MHSF.
- Mercs turn two
- Ossyan struggles through the forest and just manages to get Gorten in his control area and be out of sight in the forest to boot. Manticore gets four focus (woot bond!) and kills the Gun Mage Officer before injuring Gorten. The MHSF advance in, but bad dice (many misses and several no-damage) see Gorten, though severely wounded, survive.
- Retribution turn two
- Gorten gives up, basically, and a few more MHSF die.
- Mercs turn three
- Manticore gets four again and, still drawing line to Gorten, guns him down.
- Retribution turn three

7/9 in the Iron Caster and apparently in the final (supposedly going to be a five-way: top four below first all seeing who can get the assassination on the leader.)



Well, with that I come to my final batch of reports for this mammoth update. As many are aware Colossals spoilers are up and most models can be used from these spoilers, particularly Vyros, Incissar of the Dawnguard: Retribution's first epic! Having consolidated the rumours I set about trialing the one-eyed horseman!

The first game was 50pts vs Cygnar:
Vyros2 (+5) (proxied using my Manticore)
- 2x Griffon (proxied using my two lights)
- Phoenix
- Discordia
2x Arcanist
Narn
MHA
Halberdiers (max + UA)
Sentinels (max + UA) (proxied using my Invictors)

Solid list and set to try out all of his new tricks (Deflection, Easy Rider and Synergy.) He was set to face...

Caine1
- Ironclad
- Lancer
- Charger
- Hunter
Commandos (max)
Rangers
GMCA
Eiryss2
Lanyssa
Black 13th
Dannon and Bull (+ Murdoch)

The scenario was Close Quarters (#1; Killbox, hold the far zone) and favoured my melee heavy, anti-ranged heavy force overall.

- Retribution deployment
- Cygnar deployment
- Deflection is cast and much running happens. Synergy is not cast yet.
- Retribution turn one
- Blur goes on the Commandos and Ryan Mage Storms, deviating forward but only marginally.
- Cygnar turn one
- Halberdiers Shield Wall up, Sentinels run with a couple of vengeance baiters up front. Deflection and Kinetic Field go up, as does Synergy. Vyros feats. Discordia and Phoenix kill a couple of Commandos, as does the right Griffon. Narn stays close to Vyros and the MHA remains on the hill.
- Retribution turn two
- Caine remains cagey, Deflection and Kinetic Field hurting his feat opportunity. Lanyssa moves up and attempts to Hunters Mark Discordia for the Ironclad, but misses (really good news for me.) Rangers move in, the first killing an Arcanist, triggering a Tide of War move which I use to engage them with the nearby Griffon. In total, two Sentinels, one Halberdier and one Arcanist die. Narn moves forward, ready to pounce but overall I'm pretty unimpressed with his feat.
- Cygnar turn two
- Sentinels vengeance, killing a couple of Commandos. Phoenix gets three focus and waits for the Synergy chain. Vyros charges a Ranger, the left Griffon charges the Ironclad and the right Griffon lays about the Rangers too. The Phoenix then hits the Ironclad at MAT 9 P+S 18 (fist) and 22 (sword) - needless to say the Ironclad is scrapped. Sentinels and Halberdiers advance, positioning to weather Caine's feat. Narn charges a Commando and sprints into Murdoch and Dannon.
- Retribution turn three
- Maelstrom and Mage Storm happen and 11/20 infantry are killed before Caine teleports away. Thanks to Mage Storm, my Sentinel Officer is safe from Caine; thanks Ryan! The Lancer attacks the Phoenix while the Hunter manoeuvres, it's shot too long. Murdoch and co flail at Narn.
- Cygnar turn three
- Sentinels vengeance forward. I decided to try to get Caine, so Vyros moves up and casts Easy Rider. The front three Sentinels charge. One hits and at dice-1 brings him to one box (I think: very low anyway.) The Phoenix and Griffon retaliate against the Lancer. Narn kills both Dannon and Murdoch. The right Griffon charges Eiryss, but misses.
- Retribution turn four
- Now he has an opportunity. The Rangers move up and put a little damage on Vyros. Lanyssa gets a critical Ice Cage on the Griffon allowing Eiryss and the GMCA to move in, where the GMCA cranks his damage roll. The Hunter puts more on and then Caine. Ryan moves forward to Mage Storm the Sentinels away, while Caine camps. Unfortunately, for him, Caine suffers the highest damage roll and gets killed.
- Cygnar turn four

Thoughts:
- Vyros2 has a lot of useful tools and they definitely work well together at 50pts.
- Deflection kept my infantry stomping early and Easy Rider got my Sentinels into Caine, essentially, winning me the game. Synergy is a fantastic spell and is a great buff for Myrmidons who have otherwise mediocre attack stats. My Phoenix hitting at dice+4 felt amazing!
- Vyros2's feat is very unimpressive, however. It has seven(!) ways to hurt it and it triggers piecemeal advances, which can actually hurt as much as hinder. Not pleased, but Vyros2 himself is great.

Three other games with Vyros2; one against Cryx at 23pts (wierd, I know); then against Skorne at 35; and the third against Circle at 35. No pictures, so I'll be brief!

Cryx was Venethrax and again my feat was unimpressive, Continuous Corrosion utterly bypassing it. Synergy and Bird's Eye together eventually won the game, with a +2 Synergy Griffon putting the pain on Venny before Narn charged in (though Narn's rolls would've done the job alone!) Feat was depressingly useless but Vyros impressed me with his other abilities.

Skorne was a tanking Naaresh list. Three heavies would be very difficult to get through, especially with Naaresh's feat of extra armour. Synergy won me the game until Tough happened. Tough is a stupid ability and should never, ever, ever be on a caster/lock. Synergy was great, again, and feat was nigh useless, though having discussed it I believe I used it too early.

Circle was vs Baldur2 with Megalith and Ghetorix. Lots of nasty. The Woldwyrd eventually killed Vyros over two turns, and again my feat was utterly disappointing - do I move forward? No, then his other stuff will charge. Do I move back? No, then I'm not able to engage. Ok...so I shuffle...great... One big negative I've felt is that Vyros2 is very much a 50pt caster. He has too many tools that only affect one portion of his army to be fully effective at lower points.

Overall, Vyros2 is very solid, but his feat is balls. I discussed it with all of my opponents and we basically came to the conclusion that it's so ridiculously difficult to get good use out of the individual movements that it falls on its face. Time will tell, but in my opinion it is much worse than Vyros1's.

[Kallas]

Anyway, thanks for reading this gigantic update and I look forward to reading your comments!

Cheers,
Tom.

[joelker41]

His feat, like generally all of our casters, is great in certain situations but 'meh' in others. Just keep playing with him. Two full reach units is definitely the right way to go though.

[Kallas]

Another game to report, and with a Colossal too! 50pts, Caster Kill vs Cygnar.

Stryker2
- Stormwall
- Stormclad
Squire
Stormblades (+ UA + 1 WA)
Stormblades
Stormguard (max + UA)
Laddermore

Tier 3, so free Stormblade UA, Laddermore semi-AD and cheaper Stormclads.

Kaelyssa
- Chimera
- Gorgon
- Hydra
- 2x Phoenix
Sylys
2x Arcanist
MHSF (max + UA)
Narn

- Retribution deployment
- Cygnar deployment
- Turn one I put Phantom Hunter on the Hydra, fully fuel it and get everything running forwards.
- Retribution turn one
- Stormwall advances and lays down some Covering Fire. Much running ensues and Deflection is cast.
- Cygnar turn one
- Chimera moves up to channel Backlash onto the Stormwall. Kaelyssa feats to dull the Cygnaran offensive. MHSF advance a little and plink the Stormwall, but terrible rolls see only two positive damage rolls. The Hydra causes a third. Not happy about that turn...
- Retribution turn two
- Two focus is given to the Stormclad and three to the Stormwall. Much running happens again and then Rolling Thunder. Ridiculous, stupid bloody buggering bastard dice happen: Mr Burny on the left is crippled by the Stormblades and Stormclad (the first 'Blade rolled double 6 damage, and that was just the start); the Stormwall only outputs seven on to the central Phoenix and Laddermore finishes it's field. The Stormguard kill several MHSF, again rolling really well and hitting with both attacks (one e-leap killed a third MHSF.) Even less happy now...
- Cygnar turn two
- Backlash is kept for free, Phoenix gets three, Hydra is topped up. MHSF aim and do much better this turn. Narn charges, causing a mighty twenty one damage(!) between his two attacks and then the Phoenix steps up and finishes the Stormwall, leaving Stryker on a measly four boxes. The Hydra flubs an initial on Laddermore and fails to do anything but dismount the cow. Mr Burny ignites but stupid rolls return, and multiple Stormblades survive the fire. Gorgon moves up to hold the 'Clad and Laddermore in place. Well, dice were a little topsy-turvy this turn...
- Retribution turn three
- Dice maintain their blue streak and I continue to turn the air blue. The Stormblades finish off Mr Burny with yet more ridiculous dice. The Stormclad batters the Hydra, but fails to kill it, a small mercy. The Stormguard kill a couple more MHSF.
- Cygnar turn three
- I figure I can kill Stryker: Hill puts him at DEF 18, but he's got no focus (two on the 'Clad and four in healing) so Kaelyssa keeps it all and maintains Phantom Hunter for free (recast last round.) Sylys whispers naughty secrets and Kaelyssa positions herself in the forest just outwith 3" but just within 12" of Stryker, perfect! Hydra boosts his attacks and lobs the Stormclad at Stryker, hoping that I'll get really lucky and deviate onto the bugger. Naturally, it lands closer to me.
- Okay, he's on 8 boxes after healing. Open with the Arcantrik Bolt, need eleven on four dice drop lowest. Miss. Sigh, okay, not over, still doable. Boost first shot. Miss. Hm. Okay, buy, boost. Miss. Urgh... Buy final out of frustration and miss.
- Bah, fine. Phoenix in the middle moves up and combusts. Naturally, the f***ing b*tch that is Laddermore survives fine. MHSF aim and try to finish Laddermore, risking the Hydra. Naturally, she survives (I actually hit her twice...for no damage) and I kill the Hydra. Urgh...
- Retribution turn four
- Naturally, Laddermore doesn't die to the fire. Stormblades run-engage Kaelyssa. Stormguard kill off most of the MHSF. Stormclad, with two focus, damages the Phoenix. Stryker Deflects and camps the other two.
- Cygnar turn four
- Okay, Stryker's still assassinateable (is that a word?) Sylys whispers secrets again and Kaelyssa takes a free strike camping at ARM 20,taking no damage. So, Arcantrik Bolt to beg- miss. Sigh... Boos- miss. Grrrrrr. Buy boost miss. Gaaaaah!
- Seriously? Urgh. Phoenix flails at the Stormclad despondently, but does burn the ***** finally.
- Retribution turn five (really shouldn't be this long...)
- Stormclad finishes the Phoenix, Guard finish the MHSF. Blades assault Kaelyssa, but mostly miss.
- Cygnar turn five
- Hoy, still going? Secrets, aim. Rift to try and clear the Stormblades. Kill the target but, naturally, 3d6 (drop lowest) -8 isn't enough. Buy a couple of melee to kill the Blades.
- Await the inevitable.
- Retribution turn six
- Stryker velocity's forward and then moves in. Overload on one dice gives four strength and fails to fry the c**t... He kills Kaelyssa, unsurprisingly.
- Cygnar turn six

Thoughts:
- And here I was, thinking my dice had learned to behave, but no. They decided to fail with a spectacular vengeance!
- As my opponent queried later, I probably should've just put Backlash on the Stormclad and killed Stryker through that.
- Stormwall was interesting to face, though it didn't do much (turn two it ran and died before it's third.) Not insurmountably tough, which is good to know!
- Was pleased with my jacks for the most part: the Phoenix dealt out the pain, though dice were ridiculously cruel to both; the Chimera was nice, crushing a few Guard after channeling and being a nuisance; Gorgon didn't get much chance to do anything, honestly should only cost 4pts or have a better gun; Hydra is still disappointing, melee output is just too weedy and the gun doesn't make up for it.



I 'ran' a Colossals Release Event this Sunday just gone. By that, I mean I played a couple of Free For All's, a game vs Cryx and watched a bunch of stuff then handed out some medals, all on no food or sleep. Excellent fun though!

Didn't get any pictures (no food/sleep = brain flarberfnyurg...) but I'll briefly anecdotes you (I can use it as a verb, dammit!)

First up, an FFA:
Retribution (Rahn) vs Cryx (Mortenebra) vs Menoth (Severius2) vs Retribution (Ravyn)!

We decided to run all battlegroup (one of the deeds of the event) which helped keep it ticking relatively quickly. I advanced up quickly, but that put me between the Menites and Elves, who put some hefty pain on me. Rahn almost died to a Spectral Steel'ed Ripjaw, but Deryliss' death (thanks Sevvy!) meant no Terminal Velocity. Rahn eventually got squished by a Crusader. I believe that the Elves won through, but by then I was already getting another FFA underway...

Retribution (Vyros) vs Cryx (Witch Coven) vs Khador (Butcher1) vs Khador (Harkevich)

I won the roll off and opted to go last. Cryx pissed everyone off, particularly with the feat, but Deathjack still took apart almost two of my, fully healthy, heavies (in one round, gah! Broken bullsh*t...) before efforts from all three forces finished the Coven. Butcher fell next to Harkevich's Black Ivan. Fortunately, Butcher's Men-O-War took umbrage and marched in support of Vyros. Unfortunately, dice utterly stiffed me and were insanely good to Harkevich (through most of the game, actually) and Vyros failed to assassinate, then died in return.

Finally, I had a game of Garryth vs a Tier 4 Terminus list. Garryth moved up quickly, his MHSF sheltered (but spread out) beneath Discordia's umbrella. The Blackbane's ran a million miles to engage, but Mirage denied their anti-range agenda. Death Sentence and some Battle Mages put paid to 4/6 of the Ghost Raiders after the G-man shot Blackbane in his stupid ghost face. The Harrower got wrecked by the MHSF and assassin.

Terminus' revenants moved up with the Leviathan, killing the assassin and damaging the Chimera, which had moved up to interfere with charges (successfully!) Garryth responded with Narn killing Rengrave and sprinting behind Terminus. A Gallows through the Chimera dragged the Leviathan to it, but Discordia was less than half an inch out, after advancing around some badly Mirage'd MHSF. The MHSF repent by slaughtering most of the Revenants, and preventing their return by killing the current Quartermaster. Garryth also feats.

Terminus has little choice and opts to contest, hoping to wait out the feat. Narn free strikes for ten delicious damage and Terminus' spray misses the G-man. Garryth then charges for the kill, putting down the slack-jawed elbow-licker.

The event was fun, though the scenario was mad, and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. I didn't really do anything though, but I guess that's the upside of a free-play event! I'll be running a small point Steamroller soon, so hopefully I'll get some good experience before my first 'proper' one in early September. Also, PP: hurry up with my PG application

Got a couple of games in the other night against the Kraken with Vyros2. First game I heavily bullied the Cryx, managing to push even the Satyxis and infantry spam back across the halfway mark. Eventually, Vyros dies to mental dice on a hail Mary...grumble. Second game, I make some big errors and dice f*** me over (five focus and two command checks over two turns to turf the Machine Wraith out of my Banshee) but I grind the Cryxians down and win on scenario.

Thoughts on the Kraken:
- Potent and effective but I'm satisfied it's balanced: very nice to see that PP's love for Cryx has settled some!
- Didn't see a huge amount of it's guns and I think it's greatest strength will be there. Tough bugger, but killed it in the first game! My second Colossal kill!

Further thoughts on Vyros2:
- First game saw great effect from his feat: jammed his Kraken, keeping it from coming forward, effectively 'winning' me the game (ignoring ridiculous odds assassination...) Second game I messed up (feated too late and forgot to trigger multiple times) so no comments.
- Synergy is excellent, it's been great pretty much every game, though getting the chain right can be a pain.
- Still not used Easy Rider much, it just costs so much. Finally used Twister and a heavy to block LOS to Vyros!
- Overall, really loving the Incissar. I think he's coming to next year's Masters with me (if I
get a ticket!)

Anyway, thanks for reading my blethering,
Tom.

[Silopolis]

Hoping this doesn't count as thread necromancy, but I wanted to comment that this thread is awesome and should definitely continue. Thanks!

[Kallas]

Thanks Silopolis! I shall be updating soon, just got to write up a few games from the past week or so, including a tournament (funs!)

Tom.

[Silopolis]

Please do! Your unconventional lists are inspiring for a dude who is starting Retribution and would love to run a little jack-heavy.

[Kallas]

It's been awhile, and not for lack of games, so sorry for the delay. I'll begin with a tournament then!

Perth ran a 35pt Steamroller on the 26th, to which I took:

Kaelyssa
- Manticore
- 2x Phoenix (still no Banshee)
Sylys
2x Arcanist
MHSF (max + UA)
(R) Halberdiers (max + UA + 1 soulless)

Rahn
- Aspis
- Chimera
- Phoenix
2x Arcanist
Battle Mages
MHSF (max + UA + 1 soulless)
Narn
(R) Griffon
(R) MH Assassin

The tournament was pretty busy with twelve folk. Good mix of factions too, with Retribution, Cygnar, Cryx and Circle doubled up. So, my first round:

#1 Close Quarters (hold the far zone while your caster is in either zone) vs Cryx.

Deneghra2
- Deathjack
- Nightwretch
Bane Thralls (min)
Satyxis Raiders (max + UA)
Nyss Hunters (max)

I was given first turn (or chose, I forget.) I didn't get pictures of the whole game, so you'll have to bear with me.

- Retribution deployment
- Cryx deployment
- I move up swiftly, taking as much advantage of first turn as I could.
- Retribution turn one
- The DJ gets a couple of focus and trampled forwards to get a spray off which kills one MHSF and a Raider, leaving him wonderfully exposed. The Raiders and Nyss run up, though not nearly as far as possible.
- I press the advantage: Kaelyssa feats and Arcantrik Bolts the Deathjack, freezing him for the MHSF who roll fire to cripple everything but movement (essentially perfect.) An arc'd Arcantrik Bolt misses the Raider UA however. Manticore covers fire to help prevent the Satyxis swamping.
- Retribution turn two
- Deathjack remains stationary (woohoo crippled cortex.) Banes run engage. Nightwretch moves up, but is out of range of the Phoenix because of his infantry. Denny attempts to stick Curse of Shadows, forgetting my feat and misses, but then feats, catching all of my myrmidons and some of the MHSF. The Nyss advance up, also forgetting stealth and miss. The Satyxis move in, covering fire helpfully blocking much engagement, and the Phoenix takes no damage.
- Right Phoenix combusts and Manticore kills the Sea Witch with a boosted, aimed shot. The other Phoenix, Kaelyssa and the MHSF shoot DJ to death and kill half of the Banes, plus a couple more Satyxis. Good turn for me... Just grinding him down.
- Retribution turn three
- The Nightwretch moves in to cause decent damage to the right Phoenix. Denny then puts Curse of Shadows on it, letting me escape the Nyss charge and killing one to boot. The Nyss then advance up, miss Captain Hammer and seriously damage the Phoenix. The remaining Banes kill a couple of MHSF and the Satyxis flail about, killing another.
- I've got the attrition game in the bag and push forward with my force, killing off some Nyss, finishing the Banes and Satyxis.
- Nyss kill the cursed Phoenix and Denny puts Pursuit on the other Phoenix, letting Kaelyssa advance into aiming range.
- Kaelyssa aims and guns Denny down.
- Retribution turn five

TP 1
CP 0
AP 41

Thoughts:
- I was anxious going into the match up, mostly because I don't see much of Denny2, but my girl came through.
- I'm happy with my game, glad that I could out-attrition the infantry spam and deal with the DJ all at once with jack heavy Ret.

Now I just have to dodge Kaya2.



#6 Destruction (destroy the objectives on the enemy's side of the board) vs Circle.
- Kaya2 (of course)
- Laris
- Stalker
- Pureblood
- Gnarlhorn
Druids
Stones
Skinwalkers (min)

Tier 4: AD Heavies (which is bulls***), cheaper Heavies (really?!), Advance Move Skinwalkers and +1 to starting roll.

Circle wins the roll off and naturally chooses first.

- Circle deployment
- Retribution deployment
- Circle hurtles forward with bulls*** AD Heavies...
- MHSF run up to jam a little... Kaelyssa gets Phantom Hunter and nicks 3 Fury. Manticore covers because he's already tired of this match up and the Phoenixes advanced.
- Round one
- Circle shuffles with the Gnarlhorn and Skinwalkers digging into the MHSF. Kaya cut herself for four, which felt good to me. The b****...
- Kaya has left herself on two Fury and within 18" of Kae. Odds say I should kill her and there's no time like the present...
- Advance, boost initial. Miss.
- Buy, boost, miss.
- Buy, boost. Bloody miss.
- At this point I'm fuming. One miss I can live with, but all three is just f***ing annoying. So, I scramble my heavies into the way to not lose next turn, even with the feat.
- Round two
- Gnarlhorn frenzies and doesn't drop the fury. Kaya feats and backs off. Stalker, with Forced Evolution, scraps the Phoenix and heavily dings up the Manticore. Oh yeah, Circle forum, pillow fisted... Pureblood finishes off the Manticore. Druids shuffle.
- Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!
- Circle turn three
- I dejectedly move stuff around. Kaelyssa moves over to the objective, giving it some armour. The remaining Phoenix attempts to kill the Gnarlhorn, but fluffs just as badly as Kae did.
- Retribution turn three
- I drag this game on like a boss... MHSF get killed, Phoenix gets mauled. Down to Sylys and Kae, praying that Kaya gets bored and spends some fury. Her beasts are frenzying a lot, which is entertaining. Sylys even scores some damage on Laris.
- I think dice down is called eventually.

TP 0 (1)
CP 0 (0)
AP 10 (51)

Thoughts:
- I hate Shadow Pack, ridiculous threat range, hard hitting beasts. And who thought that theme force was a good idea? Sigh...
- Kaya should have gone down turn two. Not really much I can do when dice decide to butt-f*** me.

Must move on, can't get caught up in stupid Kaya2 bulls***...



#7 Incursion (hold two of three flags) vs Cygnar

Nemo3
Finch
- Stormwall
- Lancer
3x Stormsmiths
Stormblades (UA + 2 Gunners)

Tier something. Got to place lightning pods and +1 to starting roll. I was given first turn.

- Retribution deployment
- Cygnar deployment
- I advanced up, attempting to be cautious with all of his electricity.
- Retribution turn one
- Stormwall trampled, put down a pod and seven MHSF die to chain lightning and Nemo's gun. Bah.
- Left flag disappears.
- Phoenix advanced forward and gets a Backlash arc'd through it: short by about a quarter of an inch. Gah. Feat goes up.
- Retribution turn two
- My opponent casts chain lightning, but forgets to feat first. With feat running, the middle Phoenix gets battered and two more MHSF die, with both other jacks being disrupted. Bloody Cygnar.
- Battered Phoenix moves up and burns several Stormblades, including a lucky kill on the Officer. The other Phoenix follows the example and burns more. Manticore runs over to grab a point. Kaelyssa camps.
- Retribution turn three
- Stormwall crushes the Phoenix. Stormblades shoot the other Phoenix up some. Lancer moves to the centre flag and arcs a Force Hammer at the Manticore. Kaelyssa Witch Hounds forward to get range on Nemo.
- Cygnar turn three
- Kaelyssa advances around the Stormwall and gets range on Nemo. Boost hit, miss. Sigh. Buy, hit! Boost, four damage. Arcantrik Bolt, boost, hit, boost. Need a 16+ to win. Leave him on four...
- Retribution turn four
- Stormwall squashes Kae.
- Cygnar turn four

TP 0 (1)
CP 2 (2)
AP 10 (61)

Thoughts:
- I messed up with my MHSF. It's been awhile since I played Cygnar and I forgot how much Nemo3 can put out.
- Backlash missing hurt. Four points on Nemo would've got me the game.
- Looking back, I should have moved the Phoenix with Witch Hound: if he hit the Stormsmith with the free attack, I'd have immediately won (by scoring in his turn for two, then the third on mine) and if I missed, I could likely hold the Stormwall back enough to score again later. But hindsight.
- I didn't really mention it, but my opponent's dice, as ever, were on fire. Whenever I play James his dice hate me with a passion... Not saying it cost me the game, but I wish my dice would roll like that...

So, final game and my second against Michael D*ck (that's his name, stupid filter)



#11 Bunkers (flank, hold right zone) vs 'Cygnar'

Haley2
- Lancer
Squire
Journeyman
Stannis Brocker
Steelhead Heavy Cavalry (max)
Steelhead Halberdiers (max)
Steelhead Halberdiers (min)
Rhupert
Eiryss2
(R) Ragman
(R) Forge Guard (min)

I lost the roll, again, and got given second turn.

- 'Cygnar' advanced up, tough on the max Halberdiers.
- MHSF advanced up to the building, killing and knocking down several Steelheads. Polarity Shield on the MHSF.
- Round one
- 'Cygnar' forgets their Reinforcements. Eiryss moves up and misses a Mage Hunter, meaning no charge for him. Lancer runs up, arcing two Time Bombs at the MHSF. The soulless causes them to auto miss and bad dice see four plus the soulless die. Steelheads run up.
- I don't forget my Reinforcements (MHA and a Griffon.) The MHA gets a back strike on Jr, killing him and the Griffon kills two of the Steelhead Halberdiers in the zone. Rahn feats and fires Stannis at his cavalry mate, killing him. Another hammer puts another cav down. The HSBM kill another Halberdier, causing them to flee and netting me a point. With boosted damage and great rolls I kill 3/5 cavalry and all but three of the middle Halberdiers. Narn also put down Eiryss.
- Round two
- 'Cygnar' Reinforcements appear. Halberdiers advance forward, flailing. Haley feats and charges the squire for distance, killing it. She telekinesis' Rahn, a cavalry and then Arcane Bolts Rahn, but fails to damage. Heavy Cavalry activate and the leader advances up to Rahn. With flank and back strike he hits with his backswing attacks, bringing him down to four boxes. Heart attack. Zone Halberdiers rally and get tough.
- Cygnar turn three
- I allocate one to the Griffon (who would've been out of control, were it not for the telekinesis, ironic) and wait to see who activates when. Shuffling happens. Griffon gets activated, forfeits action and fleets 8" forward, taking a negligible free strike to move behind the Halberdiers. When Rahn eventually activates, the Halberdiers are Force Blasted out of the zone and I score my second point.
- Yes, I won on scenario, on Haley2's feat turn.
- Hail to the Scenario King, baby.

TP 1 (2)
CP 2 (4)
AP 10 (71)

Thoughts:
- I beat Haley2 on her feat turn on scenario victory. Bwaaaaahahahaha!
- Ahem...
- I think I made a mistake sending all of my jacks left and should've kept my Phoenix on the right. Would've helped to keep Rahn safe...

Overall the tournament was really entertaining (even despite having to play vs Kaya2 and her bulls*** brigade) and I ended up 5th, which I feel isn't too bad of a showing!

[Kallas]

Well, after the Perth tournament (a some time in between... *cough*) I participated in another one, this time 50pts, Divide and Conquer and using Chess Clocks (well, a timer each.) I took the following lists:

Kaelyssa
- Banshee
- Phoenix
- Manticore
- Chimera
Sylys
2x Arcanist
Halberdiers (max + UA)
MHSF (max + UA)
(R) Scyir
(R) - Griffon
(R) 2x Magister

Rahn
- Chimera
- 2x Phoenix
2x Arcanist
HSBM
Invictors (max + UA)
MHSF (max + UA)
(R) - Griffon
(R) MHA
(R) 2x Magister

Pretty happy with these lists for Chess Clock and they’re what I’m looking at for the Masters (unless I can get my hands on a Hyperion for Rahn.) So, I’d have to use each list once during the day (3 rounds) with one list getting a second time out.

Round 1 I got matched up against Michael D*ck again: Grudge Match!
#8 Process of Elimination (hold one zone, then hold the other)

Seige
- Stormwall
Squire
Journeyman
Black 13th
Rangers
1x Stormsmith
Storm Strider
Forge Guard (min)
Aiyana and Holt
Reinholdt
Gorman

- Cygnar deployment
- Retribution deployment
- Strider and Stormwall move up the centre. Rangers and B13 on the left and the Forge Guard on the right.
- I move the MHSF semi-cautiously and manage to kill a couple of Rangers. I use the forest to impact his LOS and feat to deny his more powerful direct shots. The myrmidons spread out.
- Round 1
- Stormwall tramples forward and puts down a pod for the Strider to shoot. Lynch fires a beacon on to the pod too, but the beacon doesn’t allow you to ignore forests, so the MHSF it catchs die to the Strider instead, my feat protecting my jacks from B13 and Strider shots.
- Kaelyssa Backlashes the Stormwall and I go to town. MHSF, Banshee and mini-feat/CMA Halberdiers put 9 damage on to Siege.
- Round 2
- Siege moves up and feats, but accidentally advances into the melee range of a Halberdier, costing him two shots with Siege. Stormwall scraps the Banshee and a few Halberdiers. Strider fries more MHSF. Aiyana Kiss’s the Chimera, who moves forward to gum up the Forge Guard some, but Holt shoots him down, despite being in melee, allowing the Forge Guard to charge some Halberdiers, missing all of them.
- The Halberdier engaging Siege moves away and some more damage is caused to the Stormwall, bringing Siege down to something like 5 boxes. Kaelyssa aims, shoots two focus off him and finishes him with an Arcane Secret-buffed double boosted Arcantrik Bolt.

TP: 1/1
SOS: 2 (Michael won his next two games, I believe)
CP: 0

Thoughts:
- I was pretty happy with what happened. I think had my assassination run failed, I would’ve lost, but the odds were heavily stacked in the favour of success: Backlash is great vs Colossals.
- The Banshee didn’t do much aside from causing a few Backlash points and then getting squashed, but that was worth the loss of it, as it eventually won me the game (in effect.)



Round 2: #11 Bunkers (flank, reinforcements, control the right zone) vs Dave Kane with Khador

Vlad3
- Drago
- Juggernaut
- Kodiak
2x Uhlans (min)
2x Drakhun
Gun Carriage

(R) - Destroyer
(R) Mechaniks (min)

Theme Force, so faster jacks turn one, more Drakhun FA and some other benefits which I forget. I chose Rahn, figuring that Polarity Shield would help me utilise my key pieces without immediately losing them and Rahn is King of Scenarios.

- Retribution deployment
- Khador belts forward, though a little more reserved than I was expecting, to be honest.
- Khador turn one
- I move up with a Phoenix and attempt to Force Hammer the closest Uhlan into his mates, but miss the 7 to hit... Polarity Shield the Phoenix to stop it dying and move everything else up, mostly to deny his zone at the moment.
- Retribution turn one
- Uhlans and reinforcements clear some of my infantry on the left and he moves up, Gun Carriage blasting at the Phoenix. Kodiax moves up, ready to attack. Uhlans and Drakhun on the right wait for my reinforcements.
- I forget to bring on my reinforcements, but it’s actually a good thing overall, and it can sometimes be a good idea to wait that extra turn - in this case it had kept his cavalry back for a turn. Rahn feats this turn, giving three to the forward Phoenix and slamming the right Uhlans through the Chimera. HSBM pull the Kodiak in for the Phoenix, knocking it down. The Phoenix pummels the Kodiak, but terrible dice (across the whole turn actually) sees it fine, if knocked down. Left Phoenix moves up to shoot an Uhlan (one the many Force Bolted, but not dead, despite many damage rolls...)
- Bad dice this turn.
- Gun Carraige shoots at the Invictors, killing three and rides backwards, though it doesn’t toe into the zone. The Kodiak spends focus to stand, moves around, punches the Phoenix and locks it’s sword with the Chain Attack. Uhlans and Drakhun damage the left Phoenix with ridiculous dice rolls, but leave it on two boxes, forcing the Destroyer to finish it instead of the single MHSF still contesting the zone. Drago moves in front of Vlad to protect him and the right Drakhun moves forward to apply pressure.
- Khador turn three
- Reinforcements come on this turn. Magisters move up to whip the Griffon forward - I need both of them (first one rolls snake eyes...Magic 7, back strike vs DEF11...c’mon!) and the Griffon then fails to kill the two remaining Uhlans with yet more sh*tty dice, alongside the MHA. The HSBM redeem the dice rolls by knocking down the Kodiak with Force Bolts, freeing up the Phoenix. Rahn, not needing to TK the Phoenix, boosts the Force Hammer on Drago, knocking down him and Vlad, before rolling a double six for the collateral causing seven to Vlad. Despite forgetting to use concentrated power, the Phoenix moves up and applies three P+S17’s to Vlad’s knocked down face, winning the game.

TP: 2/2
SOS: 3 (Dave won his previous game and lost in the last round)
CP: 0 (both Dave and I were unlucky to not score: his Drakhun missed the impact attack on the last MHSF and both my Griffon and MHA failed spectacularly against the Uhlans)

Thoughts:
- Well, dice really hurt until the most crucial rolls in the game. I don’t know whether I should complain or be happy. I’ll be happy: they rolled well at the critical juncture. Though Dave’s dice were pretty spectacular the entire game.
- Vlad3, especially that theme force, is pretty terrifying to face. A lot of fast, very hard hitting stuff that is also damn tough is not nice to see. Rahn was definitely the right choice: Polarity Shield kept my central Phoenix alive, who eventually won me the game.


Round 3: # 7 Incursion (hold 2 of 3 flags) vs Frazer Penman with Trollbloods.

Frazer was locked into this list:
Grim
- Earthborn
- Bomber
- Impaler
- Slag
Scattergunners (min + UA)
Longriders (min)
Gatorman Posse (max)
Whelps

I went for Rahn again, having a choice. Force Blast, Telekinesis and Polarity Shield, plus the HSBM Force Bolts should see me getting the CP’s for victory.

- Retribution deployment
- Troll deployment
- My first turn was, naturally, running up, with Polarity Shield on the Invictors as they were going up against the Posse. Force Field also went up to help against the Bomber.
- Retribution turn one
- Scattergunners move up, ready to soak up the crossbow bolts. Jarl moves up and attempts to shoot the MH Commander in the head, but is just shy with Far Strike running. Bomber activates before the Impaler, so I luckily don’t lose any MHSF to those AOEs. Gatormen and the rest run up.
- Left flag disappears.
- Troll turn one
- MHSF advance up to contest and kill a bunch of Scattergunners. Invictors shoot down a couple of Gatormen and also advance up. Chimera moves around the right, ready to move in for Force Blast-age. The Phoenixes advance threateningly.
- Retribution turn two
- Jarl moves up and feats, also Marking the MHSF for Death. Bomber bombs the MHSF and Invictors, killing a bunch. Gators kill another. Slag Troll misses the left Phoenix, and the Long Riders run forward. Thankfully a couple of MHSF survive and I pass their command check, letting me contest.
- Troll turn two.
- Chimera moves up after the MHSF clear off the foremost Scattergunner, letting me Force Blast the Long Riders back. Both Phoenixes advance under Jarl’s feat, but TK gets the left one onto the flag, forcing his hand somewhat.
- 1CP to me.
- Retribution turn three
- Earthborn moves to total the Phoenix, but misses a big bunch of attacks, giving me a huge break. Jarl knocks down the other Phoenix and the Slag-Bomber combination goes to town, managing to kill it, strangely enough. Long Riders Bull Rush, but the one attacking the Chimera misses the slam.
- Rahn performs more shenanigans, pushing everything away, and I score on both flags.
- 3CP to me.
- Round 4

TP: 3/3
SOS: 5 (Fraser won his two previous games)
CP: 3

Thoughts:
- I was terrified right at the end of round 4: the Long Riders were outside of contesting range by the tiniest margins and had they been in, I likely would’ve lost. But Rahn is King of Scenarios.
- I love the Chimera. Sometimes it’s not worth the 6pts, but Rahn makes it shine.

So, I’ve won three of three games...but going into the final round there were three people on two wins: myself, Frazer and Kev. Kev also won his game, so it goes down to SOS: due to getting the bye in round 1, Kev pulls second place.

Victory to the Retribution, wooooooo! My first WM/H tournament victory, may I win all the tournaments!

Thanks for reading, I'll be back with more nonsense soon,
Tom.

[The Buoyancy of Water]

Was a good weekend, and congrats on the win

- Khador belts forward, though a little more reserved than I was expecting, to be honest.

I still have no real idea what Retribution does (every elf looks the same as the next one...) so wasn't wanting to run myself into some daft trap Think I had to leave Dash off to cast Wind Wall too... Good game though

Cheers,
Dave

EDIT: Actually, looking at the photos I did have Dash up

[Kallas]

Was a good weekend, and congrats on the win

Just like the Tanith: first and only

I still have no real idea what Retribution does (every elf looks the same as the next one...) so wasn't wanting to run myself into some daft trap

Good game though

Heh, they're entirely balanced and friendly. In fact, they won't hurt if you run your caster forward and turn your back. Just touch your toes and think of Britain...

EDIT: Actually, looking at the photos I did have Dash up

Photo is useful, huzzah!

[Lord Sessadore]

Congrats on the win, Kallas! When you said you'd been busy with tournies I was hoping this thread was going to be getting an update, I enjoy your battle reports.

[Demeritus]

Congrats on your wins. I was confused on a bit of your report as you kept calling Grim Jarl but other than that it was a nice read.

[bStyker]

Thanks for sharing the reports! It's nice to see Ret winning tournaments. My buddy is a little sore since he has lost a bunch with his Ret as of late... he needs to get back into Rahn.

Best,

[Kallas]

Congrats on the win, Kallas! When you said you'd been busy with tournies I was hoping this thread was going to be getting an update, I enjoy your battle reports.

Thanks and thanks!
I was busy that weekend as I was also running a tournament on the Saturday. 15 players, 4 rounds. Was surprisingly good fun to organise and run too.

Congrats on your wins. I was confused on a bit of your report as you kept calling Grim Jarl but other than that it was a nice read.

Bah, so I do...
That's because I don't face trolls often and they really do look alike...

Thanks for sharing the reports! It's nice to see Ret winning tournaments. My buddy is a little sore since he has lost a bunch with his Ret as of late... he needs to get back into Rahn.

Cheers bStryker. I was pretty happy when I got the win, since I've managed to just about miss placing several times over!

And yes, your friend needs to play Rahn more: the King of Scenarios shall break his losing streak!

[PG_frazerpenman]

Having since looked at my Retribution book I'm really annoyed that my Longrider missed a defence 12 model as I'd hope I'd be aware enough to have the bomber drop his load on the chimera giving me at least another turn to try and win. Although I'm still amazed at how poorly the Earthborn did (did it roll more than a 6 for anything?) but I guess lady luck was not with me when I needed it. Congratulations anyway must have been nice watching your opponents dice betray them for a change :-p

[brilder]

Round three, the Deathjack Hellfires a Mage Hunter, causing them to fail their command (le sigh...) and the Stalker, backed up by the Siren put some more damage on Disco. The WSC dark fire one Mage Hunter as the central Stalker charges the Phoenix. Captain Hammer charges the Stalker, but unfortunately misses. Discordia almost scraps the Stalker with two boosted attack rolls (dice+3 is nice, but I roll low.) The MHSF rally and the Phoenix healed a few points of the few it had taken. The Manticore walks up and two handed throws the Stalker at the Deathjack, just as a roadblock, but it deviates badly away, but at least away from most stuff. The MHSF kill a couple more Thralls and ping the DJ a little.

Did you do something that caused the MHSF to rally outside their activation? Seems like you activated the MHSF twice, or rallied at the start of their activation. From what I understand, a fleeing unit must use its activation to run or make a full advance and forfeit its action. Then, at the end of its activation, it makes a command check to rally. If it rallies, then it is no longer fleeing.

[Kallas]

Which game is this from? I can't recall all of my games off hand - its likely a mis-communication.

[brilder]

Oh, its the very first post. Just curious

[Kallas]

Hmm. I vaguely recall that game, though I can't think of what actually happened to rally them: it's possible that I confused what turn they did stuff.

[Kallas]

Right, it's been far too long since I last updated this. I will endeavour to get a new report up within a week, for those of you who give a damn

[Warcaster Feiss]

Right, it's been far too long since I last updated this. I will endeavour to get a new report up within a week, for those of you who give a damn

Look forward to it! Hoping to pick up some Ret myself at some point, and this thread has been some good inspiration for playing relatively 'jack heavy compared to what I usually see from Ret

[Ghostmaker]

Good to see you back sir..

[BlackToothGrin]

Well having spent the last few hours reading this, I must say quite impressive. Especially how you do your bat reps. I may have to find this club of yours and actually start playing Warmahordes as opposed to just buying models.

Keep it up man

[Kallas]

Right, it's been...awhile. Only a little bit though. Not anything like five months. No, definitely not.

So, despite my intention to get a proper report up, my phone decided it would die after I took deployment pictures. Curse you, phone-bastard! Luckily, I attended a 35pt tournament last Saturday and pictures were successfully taken, huzzah!

So, the lists I took;
Kaelyssa
- Banshee
- Phoenix
- Chimera
Sylys
2x Arcanist
Halberdiers (Max w/UA)
Narn

Garryth
- Phoenix
- Manticore
2x Arcanist
Lanyssa
Madelyn
1x Assassin
Halberdiers (Max w/UA)
Battle Mages

Kaelyssa was my 'go to', being my favourite and most comfortable caster and she has a strong attrition focus. Garryth was built around the flexible Halberdiers, and a 15" threat range is awesome.

So first round was #9, Into the Breach and my opponent was Bye. He brought an amazingly potent list, and I had my work cut out, but I eventually triumphed.

Into the second round then...
Scenario was Destruction (#1) and I was up against a regular opponent, Luke, who'd brought his Skorne.

Makeda1
- Tiberion
- Gladiator
- Krea
Marketh
Beast Handlers (min)
Exist Extoller Soulward
Willbreaker
Nihilators (Max)
(It appears he was playing two points down.)

- He wins the roll off and chooses second.
- Retribution deployment
- Skorne deployment
- Mirage goes on the Halberdiers and everything runs up.
- Retribution turn one
- Defender's Ward goes on Tiberion, followed by Rush, then a bunch of running.
- Skorne turn one
- I considered Tibbers to be close enough and went for it. Lanyssa moved up into a gap the Halberdiers made with Mirage to land Hunter's Mark on the Titan. Garryth boosted two damage rolls, as did the Manticore after aiming. The Houseguard charged and when the dust settled...Tibbers had taken less than half damage. Sigh.
- I tilt. I recognise it, but it's eating away at me.
- The Phoenix moves up and takes a potshot, hoping to scatter on to some Beast Handlers, but it fails.
- Retribution turn two
- Tiberion clears up a bunch of Halberdiers, as do the Nihilators. The enraged Gladiator tramples over a couple of Halberdiers and batters the Phoenix, crippling it's cortex and right arm (sigh.)
- Makeda feats.
- Skorne turn two
- I spend a focus to heal my Phoenix...oh wait... Grumble...
- Manticore gets three and Lanyssa marks Tibbers, again. I mess up and move a Halberdier in the way, so a Battle Mage slaps him in the back of the head and Garryth shoots the Mage before the Manticore finishes Tiberion.
- Retribution turn three
- Gladiator finishes the Phoenix. Nihilators kill Lanyssa and a bunch of battle Mages. Willbreaker Puppet Master's the Manticore, despite the in melee penalty.
- Manticore piles into the Gladiator, missing once because of Puppet Master, but just manages to being it down. Garryth moves up behind the objective and shoots down the Willbreaker, feating.
- Retribution turn four
- Marketh moves back and puts Savagery on Makeda who puts Garryth down.
- Skorne turn four

Loss; No CP's to either.

Thoughts;
- I tilted after failing to kill Tiberion, and I know it. It skewed my vision of the game and I made mistakes because of it. But that elephant is stupid.
- Effectively 11 POW 14 charges (2 shots from Garryth, 9 hits from the Halberdiers) and the two Manticore shots did less than half of it's boxes. Screw you dice... on averages, that's most of him gone, and spikes should have gone my way. But no.
- Tiberion's survival/death was the game tipping point. If he'd died, my Halberdiers would have gummed up the Nihilators and Gladiator before I dropped the other heavy, but his survival cost not only my infantry but my focus.

Moving away from stupid elephants... Round three was against another common opponent. Scenario was Close Quarters (#3) and my opponent was Retribution, controlled by Allan.

I pulled out Kaelyssa to face;
Vyros1
- 2x Phoenix
1x Arcanist
2x Sentinels (Max w/UA)
(Tier two, so a free UA.)

- His deployment
- My deployment
- Vyros storms one Phoenix forward and follows with everyone else. Inviolable Resolve on the right hand unit (my perspective.)
- His turn one
- Kaelyssa hunts herself...phantomononmally. She Arcantrik Bolts the forward Phoenix, boosts a gun damage, then the Phoenix and Banshee boost damage too, causing about half damage between them all. Not a bad start. Halberdiers and Chimera run up.
- My turn one
- Sentinels advance, killing one Halberdier. The forward Phoenix shakes and charges the Banshee, crippling it's little sword. The other Sentinels crucially don't run towards the fray.
- His turn two
- Kaelyssa moves closer to my flag, intending to dominate later, feats and shoots down the officer of the right unit by Rifting through the Chimera. Banshee finishes the forward Phoenix and the Halberdiers kill several more Sentinels, reforming out again.
- My turn two
- Vyros shuffles away from the melee on the right and puts Hallowed Avenger on the remaining Phoenix, who takes one free strike before burning several Halberdiers. Sentinels fluff some attacks and fail to clear the last contesting Halberdier. The other Sentinels manage to ding up my incautiously advanced Phoenix some.
- His turn three
- Kae bolts the Phoenix and kills more Sentinels with her gun after moving into base to base with the flag. Banshee walks up and destroys it. Chimera apparates up and slides around behind a pair of Sentinels, killing them. The Phoenix advances into the freshly Inviolable'd Sentinels and burns a couple. Halberdiers consolidate around the flag. Narn unfortunately fails to kill the Sentinel officer by missing with his charge and flubbing the second attack's damage
- I dominate my flag for one point. 1-0.
- My turn three
- His Sentinels wreck my Phoenix and he dominates his flag. His Arcanist moves in to contest.
- 1-1.
- His turn four
- The Chimera runs up and around, channeling a Rift, but it's fractionally short so a follow up Arcantrik Bolt finishes the officer. The Banshee and Halberdiers tidy up around my flag.
- 2-2, as the Chimera is just not contesting.
- My turn four
- His fifth involves running at me, mostly. Stranglehold on the Chimera gives the Banshee an attempt on Vyros, but misses.
- 3-3.
- My fifth, Chimera sacrifices movement, apparating in to contest, killing another sentinel and the Banshee moves back, killing two Sentinels with a slam.
- 4-3.
-
- His Sentinels do not contest, giving me the game, 5-3.
-

Thoughts;
- Bit of a grind, lots of tough infantry to chew through!
- I have had lots of experience with dismantling Cryx lists with Kaelyssa, so this was not to difficult. Without the knowledge of what his stuff did and the experience playing against Luke has brought would have made this game much more difficult, but Kae has great tools for the grind.
- Mistakes on Allan's part gave me plenty of breathing room. Hanging the first Phoenix out to dry cost him a heavy almost off the bat and not running his left Sentinels in second turn cost him ground he couldn't afford.
- I think I feated correctly, but it felt strange, I think because I moved the Phoenix up too far to try and blast the Arcanist, which unnecessarily endangered my jack.
- I also think I was incautious with my Halberdiers early, almost conceding a very early loss of my flag.

Overall, I only came sixth despite going 2-1 before of strength of schedule. It was a good tournament, despite playing two common opponents! Sorry it's taken me so long to get back on the wagon, but now I am, I have more in store already!

Thanks for reading,
Tom.

[Kallas]

Well having spent the last few hours reading this, I must say quite impressive. Especially how you do your bat reps. I may have to find this club of yours and actually start playing Warmahordes as opposed to just buying models.

Keep it up man

Thank you sir! You most definitely should come find us, the website is http://elgamers.org/, email is info@elgamers.org, or you can prod me here via PM/this thread! The club itself is on Wednesday from half six to late at the RAF club on Hillside Crescent - you do need to be 18+, since it's a licensed premises. The terrain is excellent and we usually have at least half a dozen WM/H players each Wednesday, and I'm working on things to get more folks involved.

There's also the Edinburgh Games Hub, on Lauriston Place. It's open seven days a week with a wargames gaming night on Fridays. I'm there most Fridays too! It's another great place for gaming, but aside from Friday I'd advise you prearrange games rather than hope for pick up games (elg is one night, so very focused, whereas the Hub is open so more flexible, leading to less 'random encounters' as it were!)

Though if you're ever looking for a game, I'm free most days, just shoot me an email at either tom.young20@btinternet.com (or info@elgamers.org, I'm the club secretary!)