With the upcoming new High Elf Amy Book it
felt right to end an era with a couple of games!
I am not a typical tournament player, but
do like to participate on different forums in order to utilize my army’s in the
best way. Personally I think the current High Elf Army Book was great in 7th
edition, but not so much in 8th edition, despite that the “always
strike first” is awesome. Why – the points cost making it almost imposable to
field large units! Of course, it is an old Army Book (I guess that is why it is
being replaced….), but I think in general the High Elves are overpriced,
especially when they are compared against their darker keen. Oh sure – always
strikes first – but hey – they have eternal hatred, cheaper armour, shoot harder
and field more models (and have cheap monsters). I hope this will balance
better with the new Army Book.
Oh well, this was not meant to be a rant.
On the contrary, I have enjoyed the current edition of the High Elf Army Book,
and most of the time I have had success with it on the battlefield. My last
three games then; I am not going to post a full report but make some comments
and show some photos.
First game this weekend was against Inger
Helene’s Dark Elves. It started very well (for the High Elves). The Book of
Hoeth in combination with powerful spells… well, I wiped out over half a large
unit of Wyches turn one…. I also did fairly well with magic turn two, and had
the upper hand by the end of turn two. The only unit that did not do anything
was a unit of 20 archers (unless they improve in the new Army Book I am going
to leave them at home). But then it changed. Poison attacks, Eternal hatred,
Sea cloaks and 5+ Ward save from the Caldron, well – the Dark Elves slowly
turned the game around for a victory.
Second game this weekend again was against
Inger Helene’s Dark Elves. I had changed my list from the day before, fielding
a unit I normally do nut use. Out with a unit of Dragon Princes and some other
stuff, and in with Sword Masters. Out with archers and in with more spearmen.
It was time fore revenge! I “tricked” my opponent castling in one corner whilst
the Dark Elves spread out having to spend several turns in order to bring the
full weight of their points value against my units. That was the plan anyway…
Again the High Elves magic was brutal. First turn cutting down over half a unit
of spearmen, and killing the Lv4 Soursorer at the same time! Mid way turn three
the High Elves fared pretty good, but then – a turn with bad dice roll in close
combat and – history repeating itself. Again a great game, but damn….. Oh well,
my opponent is always fun play against, and played a great game rethinking her
tactics and turning the game around. I fill face her army again with brand new
rules in not a to distant future! Looking forward to a rematch Inger Helene!
Others attended the gaming evening that Dag
hosted of course (thank you Dag for hosting the gathering, for lunch and a nice
dinner). Here is a picture of Dag´s Daemons facing of against Haakans Beastmen
army. In the end, Haakans Beastmen where victorious. I bet Dag will have his
revenge once he comes to grips with he’s new Army Book;)
Third game this weekend was against Haakans
Beastmen army. With a flying monster, large units in horde formation, tons of
buff spells and some great chariots and skirmishers, I dreaded meeting this
army. In the beginning it was the Beastmen who had the upper hand, mostly due
to the Eagles not performing as well as they should, and my Magic not being to effective.
Once the units/battle lines clashed in centre turn three this game became a
real nail-biter! Really bloody as loads of models on each side became
casualties. Both of the generals tried to use their augment spells in
preference to direct damage by this point, making it even more exciting as an
otherwise seemingly obvious engagement was turned around. By the end of turn 5
the High Elves somehow had turned the game around, and by turn 6 only one unit
of the beasts remained (alongside some skirmishers). But the victory came at a
price. Spearmen units where wiped out and all other units had taken HEAVY
casualties. I think both me and my opponent enjoyed this game so munch we
really did not care who won, because this was one of those games that where so
well fought on both sides, in gentlemen style gaming, and with all the
excitement one could hope fore. In one turn I thought a unit would win, and
then suddenly, that unit had the upper hand next turn, and so it went back on
forth all across the battlefield!
I could not have asked to have a better game
to end an era with the current High Elves Army Book!
Cheers,
Ørnulv
