WHFBR Dark Elves (new) vs Skaven 2500p

Again it was time for Inger Helene to test her Dark Elf rooster.  Our guest, Ole, eager to learn more, and even more happy to find out that the new “Warhammer army book Dwarfs” are rumoured to arrive early in 2014J

This time I brought along my Skaven. Being one of the older Army Books, but very good in 8^th edition (my opinion anyway), I figure it is a good idea to use it while the current rules apply. Also, this is perhaps the army I have enjoyed most in building and painting, so I looked forward to test it against the “new” Dark Elves.

DEPLOYMENT

The Skaven army took up position to the east. From north east to south east:

Rat Dart

Warp Lightning Cannon

40 Slaves with Engineer (Lv 1)

Hellpit

40 Slaves

35 Clanrats with Grey Seer (Lv4)

Hellpit

Plague Priest (Lv1) with Plague Furnace and 40 Plague Monks

-       behind the unit 23 Clanrats with BSB and Warlord

40 Slaves

40 Slaves with Engineer

Rat Dart

The Dark Elves army took up position to the vest. From north vest to south vest:

5 Coldone Knights

23 Witch Elves with Hag and Cauldron of Blood (BSB)

            - behind the unit 25 Warriors with Lv4

40 Corsairs

War Hydra

20 Crossbows

19 Crossbows with Lv1

THE BATTLE

The Skaven went first, the whole of the army moving forwards. Both of the Hellpits surged forward, a little to fare forward so they where in a forward position without backup (I must remember to deploy them a little further back). The Skaven move hindered the Dark Elves in charging the Plague Furnace with the Witch Elves, a close combat the Skaven where sure they would loose. In short, Ratdart and Slaves moved against the crossbows, Slaves moved in on the Warhydra (redirecting), Plague Monks moved in on the Corsairs, Slaves and Hellpit moved against the Witch Elves, Slaves flanking the advance, and finally the last Hellpit and Slave unit moved against the knights. It was a brutal magic phase! “Plague” killed of half of the Corsair, Witch Elf and Warrior unit with the Lv4! I felt bad for my opponent. However, it was cast with irresistible force, the magic back clash killing of some Skaven Clanrats, Slaves, a Plague Monk, and causing two wounds on the Grey Seer! The shooting was – crap. The Warlord consulted the Greyseer, banners where reviled, and it started raining….

The Dark Elves managed all of their Panic Tests, and continued their battle plan. The Witch Elves charged the Hellpit in centre. The Corsairs moved forward towards the Plague Furnace. The Knights did not managed to control their mounts, which decided to feed on some grass (stupid). The Crossbow units adjusted their position. The Skaven was very lucky that the knights did not manage to charge to lone Hellpit. Dark Magic proved ineffective, but managed to force the Skaven army to use their Dispel Scroll. Shooting was severely hindered by the pouring rain, only managing to kill a Giant rat and some slaves! By a miracle, the lone Hellpit in centre managed its regen saves and where left with two wounds (and managed its stubborn test). The Dark Elves prepared for the onslaught of living flesh!

It stopped raining. To the south the Skaven Ratdart moved close to the Crossbow unit, forcing it to either charge ore gun them down. The Slave unit with Engineer moved in on the second Crossbow unit, pretty much doing the same. Slave unit moved close to the Warhydra in a redirect position. The Plague Monks/Plague Furnace charged the Corsairs, Slaves charged the Witch Elves and the Hellpit to the North charged the Witch Elves in the flank. To the far north the Rat Dart and Slaves moved in on the Knights in a redirect position (away from centre). This turn, the dreaded 13^th spell killed of the Warrior unit with the Lv4 down to one warrior and the Lv4! The warp Lightning Cannon managed to kill two Knights. In close combat the Plague Monks and Plague Furnace broke the Corsairs, run them down and over runned into the Lv4 and her Warrior companion. The Witch Elves managed to kill one of the Hellpits, but where almost whipped out, broke and where cut down!

The Dark Elves despaired! The War Hydra attacked the Slaves, the Knights charged the Slaves to the north, and the Crossbow units adjusted their position towards centre. The Lv2 killed the Ratdart to the south with magic, but unfortunately, but she was killed in the magical backlash from irresistible force! The back clash also killed of several Crossbow warriors in both the Crossbow units, resulting in one of the units panicking and fleeing! The Lv4 killed of 11 Plague Monks! The remaining Crossbow unit killed of some Slaves. In close combat the Warhydra started killing of Slaves, but not nearly enough to break them. The Plague unit overrun only “clipped” the Lv4, and surprisingly, the Lv4 held her ground! The Knights to the north killed of some Slaves, but they held their ground (the Knights forgetting to single out the Engineer in close combat giving the unit high Ld.).  The Plague unit reformed.

The Skaven Hellpit to the north slammed into the side of the Knights. The Slaves in centre started heading south to aid in the fight against the Crossbows two turns down the game…. The Slaves to the south charged the fleeing crossbows, which had to continue to flee, halted 2 inch from the table edge! Damn, the Slaves failed their “redirect” roll and so could not charge the other Crossbow unit. Nothing eventful happened in the magic phase except the Warhydra loosing one in toughness from “Wither” and the Warp Lightning Cannon misfiring (nothing happened). The Plague Unit cut down the Lv4. The Hellpit and Slaves to the north killed of the Knights. The Slaves centre held against the Warhydra.

The Dark Elf general now only had two Crossbow units (damaged) and the Warhydra left, facing 4 Slave Units, Plague unit at ½ Strength, 2 Clanrat units and a Hellpit. The Dark Elf general was hungry, for food, could not find a way to avoid a massacre, and decided to fold.

Skaven victory!

Comments:

Both generals control units with fear and terror. It is important to make use of these assets and to remember to make a point out of them during the game as they can affect the outcome of a combat. We both forgot this turn two (did remember turn one and three).

The Dark Elf general must remember that Engineers "left in the front row" can be singled out in close combat.

The aftermath:

The Dark Elf general realized that using her old list, with the current Army Book, is not an optimal use of the new rules or old units, deciding to “rebuild” the army with a different setup. The best of luck, and looking forward to our next game!

High Elves – Ellyrian Reavers – army progress # 3

With this unit my first go at a new list based on “the new” High Elves Army Book is complete. Looking forward to testing in soon against Inger Helene´s Dark Elves.

Cheers,

Ørnulv

High Elves – Archers – army progress # 2

I have Archers from my original army build, but I would like to try out fielding more of them. Why? It seems everyone regards High Elf core units as mediocre, suggesting that Reavers (fast cavalry) and Silver Helms should fill the whole of the Core slot. I see the cost/value, but for me it is all about fielding ranks of Elves. Last edition I used 2 units of 30 Spears, time to test something new. If it does not work at all, well, I guess it will end with me buying more Silver Helm models…..

It was actually quit difficult to find the right colours to use, most of the army was buiolt and painted 6-7 years ago. Since then my old paint jars had dried and none of the GW colours back from that time exists anymore. Anyway, this is how they turned out:

Next – Reavers

Cheers,

Ørnulv

We are the guardians of the shores of Lustria. You are not welcome. Heed Our warning or be killed.

Didn't we mention, we are the Blulings bigger Brothers.

High Elves – Frost Hart Phoenix – army progress # 1

Since the ”new” High Elves army book came, I have been trying to figure out what elements to add to my old model range / unit range. I have followed the debate on the ”Ulthuan” forum closely; I tend to enjoy the lists and feedback on diverse lists (not mono dominant). Why? 40K is my main game system, and where I use 90% of my hobby and gaming time. And 40K is where I get “serious”. Warhammer Fantasy to me is all fun and fluff. Therefore, one thing I did not want to do was tom make a ”tournament list consisting of Monster-Flyers” (Mr Molorian style). However, since the fluff part of the new High Elves are so into flyers, I will ad some, hence my first model was the Frost Hart Phoenix.

I found painting this model difficult. I still have not got around to use my new airbrush, and wanting to play my old friends from GW soon, I tried to blend and use dry brush in order to tie it all together. Enough said, this is how it turned out:

I magnetized the ”top” so I could field the rider (Anointed of Asuryan):

Next – (more) archers.

Cheers,

Ørnulv

WHFBR Dark Elves (new) vs Warriors of Chaos 2500p

Of course, Inger Helene was very exited about testing her new Dark Elf army book. My High Elf army is still not ready fore battle (I have not had time to finish the last elements I need to field a new list according to the new High Elf army book, but they are under way…). So I brought along my Warriors of Chaos experimenting with a new build.

Also we wanted to include a mutual friend to one of our gaming evenings, one that we hope will pick up and join our community, so we had a pleasant and eager guest joining us.

DEPLOYMENT

To the North the Warriors of Chaos army took up position (from vest to east):

5 Chaos Warhounds

Chaos Chariot (Nurgle)

20 Warriors of Chaos (Khorne) with BSB

6 Skull Crushers of Khorne

5 Chaos Warhounds

20 Warriors of Chaos (Nurgle) Lv 2

10 Chaos Knights (Nurgle)

To the South the Dark Elves took up position (from vest to east):

20 Repeater Crossbow Warriors

5 Cold One Knights

40 Corsairs

War Hydra

30 Witch Elves with Cauldron of Blood (BSB)

20 Crossbows with Lv2

- behind the Witch Elves 25 Warriors with Spears, with Lv4

THE BATTLE

The Warriors of Chaos had deployed most of their heavy hitters to the east, pressuring the flank of the Dark Elves before turn one. During turn one the Warriors of Chaos pushed forward lining up for a charge next turn. The Dark Elves adjusted their position. Due to buffed Toughness, Regens and good armour saves,  neither magic or missile fire where very effective. Although the Chaos Warhounds units where shot to peace’s and fled.  The Dark Elves braced themselves.

On the east flank the Chaos Nights charged and cut down the 20 Repeater Crossbow Warriors to the east, overrunning behind the dark elves battle line in the process. In centre the Skull Crushers of Khorne charged the War Hydra, cutting it down and overrunning deep behind the enemy lines. The Warriors of Chaos had closed in on the Witch Elves and Corsairs making sure they could not be flank charged. The Dark Elves Spear unit surprisingly reformed – moving backwards to the south. They must have been ordered to try to protect the rear of the Dark Elf battle line once the Chaos Cavalry turned round. The Repeater Crossbow unit to the vest started their long march towards the centre of the battlefield. The Witch Elves attacked the Nurgle Unit, who surprisingly held. Again buff spells and mark of Nurgle proved vital to the many “chop chop wounds” inflicted by the Dark Elves.

The Corsairs charged the Chaos Warriors unit in centre, but they also stud their ground. The mass of Khorne attacks took a toll of the light armoured Corsairs. To the Vest (centre) the Cold One Knights charged the Chaos Chariot, killing it, and overrunning into a forest deep inside the Warriors of Chaos deployment zone, who in turn claimed to of them…

Out of sequence picture, showing the Skull Crushers overrunning after killing the Hydra, and the Spear Unit with the Lv4 trying to protect the Witch Elves rear.

Out of sequence picture, showing a Challenge between the Corsair Champion and the Warrior of Chaos (mark of Nurgle) Champion.  Splatt!

The Chaos Knights turned around and moved in on the “rear guard” Spear unit. There would be no escaping a charge next turn. The Skull crushers of Khorne also turned around, facing the rear of the Witch Elves.  If only the Warriors of Chaos Unit could hold their ground one more turn, the Witch Elves would have to fight on two fronts… The Warriors of Chaos unit (mark of Nurgle) held against the Witch Elves, who despaired as the Warriors of Chaos made save after save. The Corsairs did their utmost to destroy the Warriors of Chaos to the vest (mark of Khorne), but they also held their position.

The Skull Crushers of Khorne charged the Witch Elves in the rear, and the Witch Elves unit where heavily reduced in size. However, they held their ground this turn. The Chaos Knights charged the Spearmen unit – and would cut it down. The Corsairs and warriors of Chaos unit (mark of Khorne) continued their fight with the same determination and outcome – both units held on.

The Dark Elves Fold!

By this time the dark Elves folded. It was pretty clear that the charge from the Chaos Knights into the Spear Unit with the Lv4, the charge from the Skull Crushers of Khorne into the rear of the Witch Elves, would prove the fall of the dark Elf battle line. Of course, the Cold One Knights could have helped the Corsairs, but if they have succeeded, they would for certain face both the Chaos “Cavalry units”, and the Dark Elf general reckoned this would end in a massacre.

A great game! I hope our guest decides to join us during our next game, and that he has gotten more interested and understands more know that he has borrowed Inger Helene´s rulebook.

Cheers,

Ørnulv

High Elves – Frost Hart Phoenix – work in progress

It has been a while since I built Warhammer Fantasy models. After finishing my Warriors of Chaos army, this army has been the one that I have been eager to play with. Thankful that I have had a couple of good games with them, and I attend to field them again this weekend.

The first Warhammer Fantasy army I built is my beloved High Elves. And in the midst of finishing my Warrior of Chaos army, the new Rulebook where realized. Its not many of the new models I will buy and paint however. Currently Inger Helene is building her “Black Dragon”, and alongside her I have finished building the only new model I have bought – The Frost Hart Phoenix. It will take some time before I get around to paint it, because I am currently giving my Ultramarines a makeover (can be seen on the team Storm Bolter blog, se link below). But once that is finished I will revert to my High Elves, also building and painting 20 more archers and 5 Illyrians. 

So, this is just an update photo of my “Frosty” – work in progress.

Cheers,

Ørnulv