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

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

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

Island of blood intro game

This is some photos from a game with the Island of blood box models.
I showed the game to "non gamer friends"

I add two  spawn as Ogre rats to equalize the forces.
Also the griffon is a great eagle.
Armies is approx. 820 p


Deployment  High Elf

 

 

 

Deployment   Skaven

 Skaven goes first.....

 .....and kill some elfs

 High  elf counter

 Skaven runs

 Final blow and the cavalry is gone.

 A brave charge of the High elf general.

 A lot of bad luck from the High elf and the general is gone.

 The mage survive a warp flame attack.

 Sperman hunt down some rat ogres.

 Swordmasters take their  prey

 The rats are running.

 Highe elf prepare for the final attack.

 Wind mortar take some last  kills

Game over. After a very bad start the tied turned to victory for the high  elf.


This was fun and a new experience for me to try to teach the game.
I hope the players enjoyed it too. But I think it is way to much to hope for that they become gamers too.

WHFB – gaming evenings

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 7^th edition, but not so much in 8^th 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

Army Progrss Ogres and High Elfs

I throw myself among a lot of hobby projects these days.
I will show some pictures from some of my resent works.
Ogres and High elf from Island of blood set.

Morfangs cavalry with Great Weapon.

I think your better flee.....

Brother in arms,

A standard bearer and bellower.

These are alternatives from my bit box.

Firebelly. Still work in progress.

High elf from Island of Blood.

Well a little side project. I try a diffent colour scheme on them.(There is a lot of very nice White/blue/silver out there)

No plans to expand High elf or skaven at the moment.

 

I use the Island of Blood models to get friends and family in to our lovely game.

But it is not an easy task.

 

 

See you soon around a gaming tabel

WHFB Elves vs Dark Elves 2500p

Keen strife! The Dark Elf menace once again descends upon the shore of Ulthuan. Destroying all that lie in their path, there is only one solution – an al out combat war with no pardon asked – or given!

DEPLOYMENT

The Dark Elves goes first. To the north the Dark Elves deploy (from vest to east): A Cold One Chariot, Cross Bow Warriors (behind them Harpy’s), Witch Elves, Corsairs (behind them Spearmen with the Supreme Sorceress Lv4 and the Cauldron), Cold One Chariot, War Hydra, Cross Bow Warriors (behind them Harpy’s), Cold One Knights and a Reaper Bolt Thrower (a lot of models….).

The High Elves deploy to the south (from vest to east): A Eagle, White Lions, Spearmen, Phoenix Guard with BSB and Archmage (Lv4), Archers with Mage Lv2), Archers, Dragon Princes and a Eagle (not that many models…. – ore units….).

THE BATTLE

The High Elves moves forward, the Eagle to the vest “redirecting” behind a large building, the Eagle to the East moving right in front of the Cold One Knights. The White Lions and Spearmen move towards the centre of the battlefield, the archers adjusting their position. Nothing to dramatic happened in the Magic or Shooting phase.

The Harpy’s to the vest moved past the building threatening the High Elf flank to the vest. To Harpy’s to the East moves straight forward against the main centre High Elf Archer unit, hiding inside a wood. The Witch Elves moves forward hiding behind the farmhouse. The Corsairs and War Hydra moving towards the centre. The centre Cold One Chariot fail its test and the Cold Ones drools and moves 1” forward. The Cold One Knights charge and cut down the Eagle to the vest, reforming towards the Dragon Princes. The magic and shooting is pretty much uneventful.

The Dragon Princes charge and kills the Cold One Knights, and overruns towards the Reaper Bolt Thrower to the northeast. The Eagle to the south move up and blocs the advance of the War Hydra and the Corsairs. The White Lions and Spearmen moves forward towards centre, ready to be charged, or to charge, next turn. Magic and shooting kills most of the Harpy’s to the east and the some Cross Bow Warriors. The magic “buffing” several of the High Elf units.

The War Hydra charges the Eagle in centre, kills it, but does not overrun into the High Elf battle line. "Unfortunately" the Witch Elves are somewhat “boxed in” behind the building. The Harpy’s to the vest charge the White Lions flank, are reduced to 2 models, loose combat and flee. The Chariot to the vest moves straight south in order to advance past the building next turn. The Corsairs fail their charge slightly, moving forward towards centre. The dark Elf magic phase kills several White Lions. A Dragon Prince and several Archers are lost to missile fire.

The High Elf Spearmen charges the War Hydra, passing their Terror test. The Book of Hoeth grants them “Okkams Mindrazor" (Strenght 8 Elves fighting in 3 Ranks with Always Strikes first and re roll to hit....), killing the War Hydra, surging forward destroying the Cold One Chariot. The White Lions move after them preparing a flank assault on the Corsairs once they charge the Spearmen. To the East the Dragon Princes destroys the Reaper Bolt Thrower, moving of the table.

The Corsairs charge the Spearmen in the flank, killing them and reforming towards the main Archer unit to the centre south. The Centre Harpy flies over the High Elf battle line, hiding behind the centre large Archer unit (knowing they would not turn to engage, denying the High Elves victory points). The Cold One Chariot to the vest moves around the building. A combination of magic and shooting results in the White Lions fleeing  - south (not even a reroll on the BSB helped…).

To the northeast the Dragon princes moves towards the Cross Bow Warriors. The White Lions rallies, turning to face the Cold One Chariot to the south vest. Some Corsairs fall to magic and missiles from the Archers, but nothing decisive.

The Crossbow unit to the northeast opens fire against the Dragon princes, who in turn FAIL their leadership when losing a Knight. Damn! They almost flee of the board. Damn!! The Corsairs moves forward towards the centre main Archer unit, but hesitates due to the presence of the large block of Phoenix Guard - guarding them. To the south the Cold One Chariot charges the White Lions, inflicting more casualties then the White Lions (yes… - they did!), but the White Lions held firm (this time...).

To the north east the Dragon Princes rally’s, but are to fare away to re enter the battle, so they just held their ground. The White Lions manages to kill the Cold One Chariot, reforming towards centre, but they are also to fare away from centre to engage any units last turn. Magic and missile fire continue to kill of Corsairs, but with 4+ Sv against shooting and 5+ Ws from the Cauldron, they do not die in droves (as they should…).

Both Cross Bow units turn to face the Dragon princes (an act of "always play at full capasity until it is over"). The Corsairs did not want to engage the centre Phoenix Guard / Archer unit, and maintained their position. The Cauldron and Spearmen moved towards centre. In the magic phase the Supreme Sorceress kills several White Lions, but are killed in the magic backlash!

It was over!

A game that in hen sight was pretty exiting. Through turn 1 – 3 the High Elves had the “upper hand”, but the Dark Elves managed to retake the initiative in turn 4 – 5. Turn 6 seeing both armies trying to avoid unnecessary losses.

The tally showed that the High Elves won a "Crushing Victory" (did not feel like it) over the Dark Elves, mutch thanks to the Supreme Sorcerer (again) killing herself ;)

WHFB Daemons of Chaos vs High Elves 2500p

The Daemons of Chaos enters grassy fields of Ulthuan. To the west a Daemon Prince, a unit of Bloodletters. In centre two units of Daemonettes and a unit of Pink Horrors. The eastern flank consists of a unit of Daemonettes on Seekers, a unit of Bloodletters and a large unit of Bloodthirsters (on Juggernaut) with a Herald of Khorne.

The High Elves deploy one eagle on the fare side of each flank, followed by two units of Dragon Princes, two units of Spearmen and in centre, a small unit of archers, and a unit of Phoenix Guard and a large unit of White Lions. The Archmage joining the Phoenix Guard and a Mage joining the Archers.

Both army’s advances, the High Elves sending the Eagles forward to intercept. Magic has little effect the first couple of rounds, and since there is almost no shooting, the battle will be decided in hand to hand fighting.

On the east flank the Bloodthirsters kills of the Eagle. To the west flank the Eagle Manages to redirect a unit into centre in front of the Daemon battle line, slowing the advance of both the Bloodletters and Pink Horrors. The Dragon Princes charge them in the flank bugging the unit down.  The White Lions starts to grind down a large unit of Daemonettes, and a unit of High Elf Spearmen take the onslaught from the Seekers.  Slowly the High Elf units in centre grind down their foe, but the real threat to the Elven battle line has not yet reached battle.

To the fare left the Daemon Prince move around a building deep into the Elf deployment zone backed up by a unit of Bloodletters. Facing them a unit of High Elf Spearmen.  In the Magic Face the High Elf mage gives the unit a 5+ Ward Save, and the Archmage gives the same unit S 8. With Always strikes first S 8 Elves fighting in 4 Ranks kills the Daemon Prince before he could strike, and the unit regroups into centre to intercept the Pink Horrors.

To the east the Bloodthirsters cut down a unit of Dragon princes, and reforms to face the Elf flank. At the same time both the High Elf Spearmen to the east and the White Lions cut down the Seekers and Daemonettes, turning to face them. Again the Mage grants them 5+ Ward Save on the Spearmen, and the Archmage again give them S 8. During close combat the High Elves kills all of the centre part of the Chaos Daemon army. The fare west Bloodletters pursues the last Eagle and goes of the board, not able to engage in battle during the rest of the game. To the east the High Elf Noble issues a challenge that the Dark Lord welcomes. The Spearmen and White Lions cut down the Bloodthirsters.

However, the Noble gets cut down by the Herald, and the Dark Lord in return getting killed by combat resolution.

Ulthuan is safe once again, and The Daemons of Chaos suffers a solid defeat.