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!

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

WHFB Dark Elves vs Warriors of Chaos 2500p

It has been a while since I have played Warhammer Fantasy. I have been working on my Ultramarines army and preparing for a 40K tournament held in September. Articles about how I did in the Tournament and my Ultramarines army can bee seen on the “Team Stormbolter” blogg, se link below.

Anyway; I finished my Warriors of Chaos army back in may. It took some time before I finally got around to test it, but finally a 3.500p initiation game where played against Inger Helene. It was a beautiful day so we moved the gaming board outside.

With lots of drinks, barbeque underway, al was set for a great event. But by turn 2 I had rolled so many 1 – 2, and 11 – 12 on Ld test, I got so moody I gave the victory to Inger Helene (would have been the outcome anyway), and chose to enjoy a nice dinner and company instead. This also resulted in me throwing some 100 dice in the garbage, they had bugged me long enough… - picked from the trash the next day, cleaned and are now currently in storage….).

With new rulebooks for Inger Helene Dark Elves and the recent release of the new High Elves book, we are both sets on focus more on Fantasy in the near future, and have decided on a new epic adventure hawing a first go with them both when Inger Helene has finished her Dragon and I have finished my Frosty.

 

In the meantime we have had a splendid and exiting game that played out like this:

DEPLOYMENT

As usual Inger Helene prefers the old “Pitch battle” deployment, and the lady gets what the lady wants (of course)  

Deployment turned out to be tricky for both of us. We alternated placing terrain but soon realised that although the Dark Elves cross bows got good elevated positions, the centre was so dense it would lead to a fight in one table half. 

The Dark Elves deployed from south east to north east: 

Chariot, 20 Repeater Crossbow Warriors, 30 Witch Elves, 40 Corsairs (with all the trimmings), behind them the Hag Queen and Cauldron of Blood, 26 Warriors, 5 Cold One Knights, behind them a War Hydra (traffic jam) and finally 20 Repeater Crossbow Warriors. Lv4 joined the Warrior unit in centre; the Lv2 joined the Crossbow Warriors to the northeast. 

The Warriors of Chaos deployed from south vest to north vest: 

5 Chaos Warhounds, 6 Skullcrushers of Khorne, behind them (traffic jam) 12 Chaos Ogres (Nurgle), 17 Chaos Warriors (Nurgle), 17 Chaos Warriors (Khorne), Chariot and 5 Chaos Warhounds. My Lv4 (Nurgle) joined the Chaos Warriors Nurgle unit, and my BSB (Khorne) joined the Chaos Warriors Khorne unit (of cores).

Let mayhem commence!

 

TURN ONE

The Warriors of Chaos Army moved forward.

To the south the Warhounds approached the Chariot, in order to protect the flank of the advancing Skullcrushers of Khorne, who moved as fare forward as possibly not entering a centre wood peace apposite the Witch Elves. The Chaos Ogres moved up in centre facing of the Corsairs, but because of the traffic jam where unable to move as far as the Skullcrushers. The Nurgle Chaos Warriors adjusted their position partly hiding behind the centre building and preparing to assault the flank of enemy units should either the Ogres ore Skullcrushers run from battle… To the north the Khorne Chaos Warriors moved forward advancing on the Cold one Knight supported by the Chariot, and finally to the far north the “Dogs” moved on the Crossbow Warriors.

Magic; deployment, range etc, my spells was not very potent, and my casting - ineffective….

The Dark Elves advances calling two charges (bold and – brave).

The Chariot to the south called a charge on the Dogs, they fled and it resulted in a failed charge (surprise…!). The Witch Elves failed their charge on the Skullcrushers, however this was not too bad because they where on a pretty good distance from them, and forced them to charge through the wound next turn (sneaky bitches….). The Corsairs mowed up besides them. The Warriors hug cover behind the building in centre. The Cauldron mowed up behind the lines giving 5+ WSv on the Witch Elves. The Cold one Knights closed in on the Warriors in north backed by the Hydra.

Magic; Between them, the two wizards held all the 6 Dark Elf spells. A hail of Magic, the most important was the Lv2 getting of “Black Horror” with Irresistible force on the Nurgle Chaos Warriors, killing a couple of them but loosing the spell and a wizard level from the magical back clash.

Shooting; Long range proved to make it pretty uneventful, killing some dogs to the north (passed their Ld test…) and not managing to inflict wounds on the Skullcrushers. 

 

TURN TWO

Again the Warriors of Chaos advanced.

The Dogs to the south continued to flee. The Skullcrushers charged the Witch Elves without taking wounds from the forest. The Chaos Ogres found the distance to the Corsairs to great, and moved up as close to them as possibly. The Nurgle Chaos Warriors adjusted their position as a “break through cut down unit” (this is absolutely idiotic – they should have been up there dishing out the paint but….). The Khorne Warrior Unit angled giving the Chariot a nice charge angle. The Dogs to the north closed in on the Crossbow Warriors.

Magic; Only positive thing was that my Skullcrushers where now toughness 7 cast with irresistible force, wounding the Lv4 and loosing all remaining power dice in the magical back clash! Uh!

Battle; Tons of tons of dice. In the end the Skullcrushers managed all their saves (yes!). Payback. Not – a bit below average on the D6, and the damn Witch Elves made 9 5+ Ward saves… However, they where one rank – down. down.

 

The Dark Elves Counter attacked.

Again the Cauldron gave the Witch Elves a 5+ WSv. The Corsairs charged the Ogres. The Chaos Chariot turned to threat the flank of the Skullcrushers. The Cold one Knights closed in on the Khorn Chaos Warriors.

Magic; Some Chaos Warriors where killed, but otherwise, not to eventful.

Shooting; The Dogs to the north where killed. To the south there where no targets in range that where not engaged in battle.

Again the Skullcrushers and Witch Elves had a go at one another, this time the crazed ladies had lost their Frenzy, but they did kill of a Skullcrushers before loosing about 12 models. They still managed to hold their ground (stubborn). The Corsairs managed to kill of a couple of Chaos Ogres, but gut hurt really badly in return, but managed to hold their ground (stubborn).

At this time we reminded ourselves that we had forgotten “Fair tests” and “Stump”… Oh well, my bad, new army and a too long vacation….

 

TURN THREE

Warriors of Chaos keep going.

The Dogs to the south rally! The Chariot charged the Cold one Knights, and the Khorn Warriors adjusted their angle behind them preparing for an assault if the Chariot where destroyed.

Magic; The Ogres where given Toughness 7, other than that, nothing important happened.

The Cold one Knights where killed. The Skullcrushers finally kills the Witch Elves and overrun behind the Dark Elf battle line. The Ogres kills the Corsairs and overrun into the Cauldron.

 

The Dark Elves fold.

It was pretty clear how this would turn out, but we decided to finish turn 3. In short the War Hydra finished of the Chariot. The Magic and shooting was uneventful save for some Khorn Warriors taking wounds. 

We decided to have a nice dinner and to finish of our drinks while calculating the outcome:

The War Hydra would be charged by the Khorn Chaos Warriors with (BSB) Hellbards and carreying the Flaming banner, backed by the Nurgle Warriors. We reconed the War hydra would be killed. The Skullcrushers would turn to charge the Cauldron from behind. If the Ogres held out until this charge where made (there where 8 bulls left in the unit at that time) we figured the Cauldron would be destroyed, the Warriors unit with the Lv4 the “sandwiched” by the remaining Ogres and Skullcrushers. The Dark Elves would then have left the two crossbow units, an Lv2 and a Chariot. It would mean a victory to the Warriors of Chaos.

 

As always, a pleasant evening. Looking forward to our next game!