Monday, June 21, 2010

Waaaagh!

The 8th Edition is upon us. I have amassed a large High Elf army but there are just nights that I wake up to drum beats and distant war chants. It doesn't take long before I realised my calling to Shrek 4 and the greenskin 'ogres' (they look like orcs to me haha).

Yeah 8th to me calls for a change. A change from the small elite High Elf army to a drastically different army. Seeing that I also have Orcs and goblin, lots of undead and some empire stuff, only two armies appealed to me: Orcs and goblins and Beastmen. The potential to spam lots of worthless useless crap till you choke your opponents to death seems like an interesting style I have never experienced. I don't have any model for Beastmen though this is one army I would definitely want to try. For now, it seems appropriate to swell the unruly ranks of the greenskins.

So the High Elves will remain in the elusive Ulthuan while my Waaagh will gather and prepare for the impending battle...

So far, I have the following:
1 Orc Boss on Wild Boar
1 Orc Chariot
1 Orc Lobber
24 Orc Boyz
24 Orc Archers
40 Night Goblin Archers
40 Goblin Spearmen
3 Fanatics

I need more goblins! Need more worthless goblins. Haha let me know if anyone wants to trade or sell their greenskins (empire lord, cannon, hand gunners, spearmen, lots of VC).

Giants seem like fun too. Oh man, this army seems so fun really, not to win (but I can always hope hee) but for the randomness of it all. Can't wait to roll for animosity man! Lol

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Great Hunt I Battle Reports

Between intensive gaming/training and what little painting I did. I guess I better list my thoughts about the battle reports (briefly, okay I am lazy, but what can you do? Haha) before they fade from my memory, especially since Jaeroler asked for them. I am glad that they inspired you too =)

Okay, let me make my coffee first....

Krom's Great Hunt I Crusaders
(HQ)Krom (Logan)
(HQ)Runepriest Hortgar
(HQ)Wolf Lord Sigvaldi, TW, WC, SS, Saga of Warrior Born
(T)4 X 5 Wolfguards, 1 Terminator Armour + CML
(F)2 TWC, PF+SS, SS
(F)2 TWC, PF+SS, SS
(F)7 Fenrisian Wolves
(H)5 Long Fangs, 4 LC

First encounter into the warp @ 7pm: Vanilla Space Marines
(HQ)Captain, Relic Blade, Artificer Armour, Digital Weapons, Hellfire rounds
(T)10 Tactical Marines, Missile Launcher
(T)10 Sniper Scouts
(E)Venerable Dread on foot, Missile Launcher, Lascannon
(E)Ironclad Dread on foot
(E)6 Sternguard Veterans in TLLC Razorbacks
(H?)Techmarine with Thunderfire Cannon
(Hope I did not forget anything else)
Thoughts:
1. A very nice chap who's here on summer break from US. Has a wonderfully painted army (much like black templar) and is familiar with the rules but is not used to the gameplay in general. So game was quite relaxed which was cool for a 1st game.
2. TWC charged Ven. Dread because he has not S10 instant death CCW. Lesson learnt is that dreads with S10 CCW is really cool solid rock that even CCW units would think twice about charging (which influences a new list I had, which subsequently underwent incredible revamp [a new list really] by Kenny)
3. Scouts with camo cloaks in fortified ruins (Techmarine) are annoying and extremely difficult to kill (2+ cover saves)
4. Won by KPs. Sigvaldi fulfilled saga by killing around 14 marines that day =)

Second Encounter @ 9pm: Elliot's Necrons (Flying Circus)
(HQ) Lord, Orb, Destroyer Body, Warscythe
(HQ) Lord on foot, Orb, Warscythe
(T) 11 Warriors in reserve so they don't die so fast
(T) 10 Warriors in reserve
(F) 10 Scarab Swarms
(F) 5 Destroyers
(F) 5 Destroyers
(H) 3 Heavy Destroyers
(H) 3 Heavy Destroyers
Thoughts:
1. Another friendly list with another friendly chap. Can't help chatting with him when I was playing my first game so he challenged me lol. List wasn't competitive so I have no grounds to criticise much.
2. Against such a shooty list (large volume of fire). I reserved everything since I can always move and fire (e.g., relentless terminators and Long Fangs with Krom). My list does well even when going second it seems.
3.Made mistake of turboboosting Scarabs into midfield. My Lord charged into it and after wiping that unit bunny hopped into the Lord+Warriors that arrived from reserve on the left (moving a total of 48" into Enemy deployment zone). Saga kill tally=14
4. CML gives me a 48" range of fire, coupled with 2 TWC units kept his flying circus away (Basically cornered in his right deployment zone. Remember my lord is in his left deployment zone, my TWC units coming from Southwest and my shooty elements taking cover and shooting from my right).
5. Won 2-0 objectives. Failing a lot of WWBB rolls (necron ability) didn't help him really. Game ended with delicious chicken rice and prata lol. Ahwoooo.

Third Encounter: Tank's Ultramarines @ 1am (I want my Assault Termies too sob)
(HQ) Librarian in terminator armour
(T) 10 sniper scouts, camo cloaks
(T) 10 Tactical Marines in Rhino (reserve to come in for objective grabbing. Lol they only came in the 5th turn though, hence accomplishing nothing
(E) 5 Assault Terminators in LRR
(E) 5 Assault Terminators in LR
(E) 4 Shooting Terminators with 1 CML, Deepstriking but mishhaped and was promptly destroyed. Phew.
(F) 1 Landspeeder, MM+HF
Thoughts:
T1a. 15 Terminators and 2 LR. Ouch! Spearhead deployment and I made my first mistake of deploying all the way forward. Having 48" range, I should have deployed back and waited for him to come. Dumb...
T1b. Second mistake was not shooting the scouts (3+ cover) in cover and guarding objective in Seize and Control mission. I shot everything at the LRR and got Shaken result throughout the game. Sigh. Termies remained in their LRs while LRR melted one wolfguard unit into jelly. Scouts will continue to harass Krom and his Long Fangs to no avail.
T2. Shooting termies mishapped and was destoyed, impaled by the ruins upon deepstriking. LRR tankshocked into my ruin which has my objective on the 3rd level and 1 unit of wolfguard guarding it. LRR inclined 45 degrees upwards so that the hatch was 2" from 2nd level and so assault termies disembarked on 2nd and 1st level. Apparently this could be done! Of course, this maneuver screwed me. Something wrong happened here 'cos the termies then moved an additional 6" on a DT roll (despite the transport having moved) and charged upstairs pulling my wolfguard down to the 2nd level to get mawed and smashed to mashed potato. Having fluffed all my shooting, I had to charge 2 TWC into LR to finally explode it with S10 hits (therefore not being able to charge its passengers).
T3. Assault termies then charged downstairs again to create mashed potato salad with 3rd wolfguard unit. Assault termies from exploded LR assaulted both TWC and 1 fled while the other stayed with the lost of 1 TW and 2 termies. Wolf Lord charged in and together termies became nachos for the Thunderwolf mounts.
T4 -T5. wolfguard destroyed landspeeder. Last Rhino comes in from edge, unable to grab my objective which was so far far away. Assault termies finally die to lascannon shots. Last wolfguard unit too far away to climb 3 levels to claim objective. Lost 0-1.
1. Really gonna change my TWC to make them more killy. You are in for a shock, YC and Jaeroler =)
2.Wolf Lord with Saga of Warrior is not afraid of termies. Really.
3. Mission comes first. Repeat again. Mission comes first. Not 10 terminator armours that looked like nachos. And certainly not S8 Krak missiles against AV14 LR. Frag all the way (8 small blast templates per turn) at the scouts could have at least gotten me a draw if I persisted since Turn 1.

Fourth Encounter: Tank's Ultramarines @ 10am (1000 points scouting parties)
1. Basically, 5 Las/TL Plas Razorbacks spelled melted termies as I firstly melted his Librarian in Terminator Armour, followed by a unit of TEN shooting termies.
2. Nothing much but a fast list (unfriendly on my side)

Fifth Encounter: Kenny's Tyranids @ 12noon (1750 points)
Tried my mech list this time
(HQ) Wolf Lord, TW, WC, SS, SoWarrior
(HQ) Runepriest
(T) 3 units of 5 Grey Hunters. Flamers in 3 Las/TL Plas Razorbacks
(E) 5 Scouts, MG
(E) 3 wolfguards, 3 combi-melta (1 assigned to scouts) in Rhino
(E) 3 wolfguards, 2 combimelta (melta-less guy assigned to Long Fangs)
(F) 7 Fenrisian Wolves
(F) 2 TWC, PF+SS, SS
(H) 3 units of 3 Long Fangs, 2 missile launchers. 2 Las/TL Plas Razorbacks

Nids
(HQ) Tyrant (close combat, forgot what wargear)
(HQ) Tyrant (shooty, 2 Hive Guards, S9 Venom Cannon)
(T) 3 units of 8 Genestealers (1 infiltrate, 2 outflanked at my flanked. Groaned...)
(E) 2 units of 3 Zoanthropes
(H)Trygon (Prime? I forgot haha)

Mission: Killpoints
Deployment: Spearhead
Thoughts:
T1. Close combat Tyrant deployed behind 2 units of Zoanthropes in the middle. One unit of Genestealers infiltrated in ruin near one Long Fang unit. Tygon, Shooty Tyrant and 2 Genestealer units in reserve. All 5 Razorbacks and Long Fangs shot at close combat Tyrant and dealt 3 wounds through cover saves. Every nid moved forward. Zoanthropes blasted 2 units of Long Fangs into their graves.
T2. All nids came from reserve. Trygon into my deployment zone and shot 1 Razorback in the rear, wrecking it. 2 Genestealer units outflanked (my flank) and charged my 2 Rhinos that I used to cordon and wall up the flank (so that they can only come in 12 " above my flank, protecting my TWC and Wolf Lord), doing nothing to it since I move them 1".The other genestealer unit ate up the last Long Fang unit. Scouts came in and everything that is AP2 (Las and TL Plas) and AP1 (combi-melta) shot at Trygon and it felt back to fill up the hole it created. Runepriest failed psychic check to Jaws 3 Zoanthropes. Sigh. Zoanthropes destroyed 2 more Razorbacks btw and close combat Tyrant ate up Grey Hunter squad while Runepriest refused to die. Sigh that means I cannot shoot that Tyrant. Shooty Tyrant wrecked one Rhino disembarking one wolfguard unit to their doom (recall Genestealers nearby)
T3-5. After an exciting T1 and T2, its mop-up for the nids. Killing Runepriest, close combat Tyrant and Zoanthropes wrecked last Razorback I think. All Genestealers have by now been mopped up by Wolf Lord and TWC though all Fenrisian Wolves died. Wolf Lord and TWC charged into shooty Tyrant and after a spectacular melee, only the Wolf Lord and the Tyrant survived as the game ends. With so many easy KPs to offer, I think I lost by 17-4 (Trygon and genestealers; out of 8 possible KPs).
1. My list needs amendments but I believed I still had a chance if I did things differently. Firstly, list changes include special close combat weapons for scouts (so that they can do something to shooty Tyrant unit). Chooser of the slain to prevent infiltrating units like Genestealers. A bigger unit of TWC for REAL killiness. No more fenrisian wolves for KP give away.
2. Razorbacks should have been deployed back since I have 48". I seemed to have mentioned this right? Sigh, need to learn from mistakes. Doing this will also ensure that I do not get shot in the rear by Trygon (12 S5 shots at AV10 rear = wreck).
3. Deploying army back should enable Zoanthropes to come nearer so that TWC can charge them instead of Genestealers (had nothing to charge really and the threat of 3 Genestealer units are very real). I rolled badly on 3 flamers of Grey hunters killed on average 1 despite 5-6 hits per flame templates but that also means that I need better defence. Thinking of MM+HF Dreadnoughts for Elite options now.

Sorry for the long chunk of text. I would appreciate sponsorship for a camera but till then, words will suffice lol.


Saturday, June 12, 2010

Krom's Great Hunt I

A lone figure sat cross-legged on the highest of the Fenrisian peaks, forming a dark silhouette amidst the raging snowstorm. His eyes were closed in deep concentration and he remained in the same position despite the constant belting of hailstones and snow on his tattered body, protected only by a thin layer of tunic made of wolf pelts.

It had been 10 days since Runepriest Hrotgar began his meditation on the peak, his superhuman body able to withstand hunger and cold for long periods of time. Without warning, Russ appeared to him in a vision, telling him that it is time.

The time for the Great Hunt I for Russ has come.
________________________________
I had a stayover at Kenny's clubhouse where I played four games from 6pm to 4am, only to wake up at 9am to play two more games the next day! It appears that I can only justify this awesome madness of playing six games within 24hours as a quest for the Great Hunt (hence the short fluff haha).

Battle reports are due, but most importantly, I hope to pen down some pointers that I've learned from these games. More to come =)

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Wolf Brothers in Singapore

I hope to get pictures and army-lists of fellow Wolf brothers of our heroic Space Wolf chapter to share with everyone because we really have very talented painters (such as Edward and Tsui) and also to present a concerted army . Imagine feasting upon the wonderful array of viking heroes in power and terminator armour.

I am proud to say that there are five of us, each a Wolflord of a different company, protecting the mankind in Singapore. The followship of five include:

1. Edward (Logan Grimnar, Great Wolf, or Papa Wolf)
I really would love to show you a glimpse of his drop prods and terminator wolfguards. They are a beauty to behold. Truly. Pity I have never played him though.
2. Ralph (Egil Iron Wolf's Mechanized company)
A creative Wolf Lord with a fluffy and stunning mechanized company. You should check out his tanks and Dreadnaughts.
3. Tsui (Ragnar Blackmane's company, though he doesn't use Ragnar for obvious reasons lol)
Tsui is truly an experience player and painter. Master of both domains. I had the privilege to play once with him and it was such a wonderful learning experience. Also, his company was just so beautiful I promise you it will make you drool.
4. (I forgot the name but I know he plays at Bishan)
Never played him before but you know how headstrong we wolf brothers are. A battle is imminent, that I assure you =)
5. Me (Krom Dragongaze with my wolfguard heavy company)
I have two vastly different army lists-a foot and a semi-mechanized list, both with lots of wolfguards in my company as fluff describes. I also have to thank Edward for suggesting that I take up the banner of Krom Dragongaze and also giving me the transfer with the Dragongaze company markings.

I hope I can add more to the list of Wolf Lords and especially pictures of their painted armies. Myself, I will try to get more stuff painted and hopefully this post will motivate me to do so.

Painting Schedule (hopefully on a weekly production rate)
1. 4 Missile Launcher Long Fangs
2. 4 Missile Launcher Long Fangs
3. 4 Lascannon Long Fangs
4. 4 Power Armoured Wolfguards
5. 4 Power Armoured Wolfguards
6. 4 Power Armoured Wolfguards
7. Runepriest and 1 Lonewolf
8. 4 Thunderwolf Calvary (Powerfist and Stormshield)
9. Touchup 6 Razorbacks and 2 Rhinos
10. 4 Thunderwolf Calvary (ccw and bp/bolter, and a Canis Wolfborn)
11. 2 Landspeeders
12. 2 Drop Pods

So hopefully I will have a fully painted army after 12 weeks =)

A day at Kenny's clubhouse

Ralph (fellow wolfbrother) invited me to Kenny's place for a game this Monday. Was feeling a bit apprehensive due to some misunderstanding that kept me from going back to the clubhouse. Turns out Kenny was gravely misunderstood. I had such a wonderful time there and even had a great game with him (I have never played him before despite all the time there)!

Kenny graciously asked me to pick an army (he has Tyranids, Necrons, Tau, Orks, Marines I believe and IG). Of course I picked IG seeing the array of tanks on the display shelves and I am glad I did.

Mission: Capture and Control with 3 objectives
Deployment: Spearhead
Kenny's fully mchanized IG (briefly 'cos I can't really remember)
10 tanks that included:
3 Hellhounds (noxious fumes and MM),
1 WYSIWYG Colossus that cost him 200 pounds (go do your math),
2 Leman Russes, Demolisher Cannon and 2 or 3 Heavy Bolters (scary)
4 Chimeras which seated 10 troopers with a scary arsenal of 3 meltaguns, 3 grenade launchers I think)

My SW foot list
Logan (Krom Dragongaze)
Runepriest (LL and Jaws)
Wolf Lord on TW, WC, SS, Saga of Warrior Reborn
4 X 5 Wolfguards, 1 Terminator with Cyclone Missile Launcher
2 Lone Wolves, Terminator armour, Chainfist, Stormshield
2 TWC, PF, 2 Storm Shields
10 Fenrisian Wolves
5 Long Fangs, 4 Lascannons

A brief 1750 battlerep:
1. Only 1 Lonewolf perished under the heavy fire (believe me, I really saved a lot of dice rolls) while the other Lonewolf took 1 wound. The next turn, he destroyed one Leman Russ before crumbling to the ground with numerous bullet holes in his armour.
2. First turn saw one Chimera wrecked and 2 Leman Russes stunned. Then Long Fangs with Krom failed pinning test and was pinned. Lol I had to roll an 11 for a leadership 10 test.
3. Both wolf units came in on turn 2 (as usual my battle hungry wolves can't wait. Bad doggie. Sit) and rolled 1 for fleet, for BOTH units and for BOTH consecutive turns. Eventually TWC unit wrecked 2 more Chimera thanks to Stormshields and multiple assualt in turn 3. Wolf Lord used up all wolves to soak up massive fire and ate up one IG trooper unit but it was really scary. imagine taking 3 melta and 3 S6 small pie (grenade launchers) from 2 units and then more shots from the Chimera and Hellhound. I was very lucky to survive all that shots despite the fleet rolls hahah.
4. IG Hellhound/banewolf poisoned and melta-ed one Wolfguard unit into oblivion.
5. Colossus, which was deployed at the corner took pot shots at wolfguard units and actually crushed 2 wolfguard terminators from different units (I rolled 1 for their armour saves). But to be honest, I was still rolling above average considering my Lone Wolves and TWV saves.
6. Turn 6, a Chimera and its occupants wiped out one Wolfguard unit by shooting to secure one objective. The remnants of one IG trooper unit secured the other objective in midfield after wiping out TWC and Wolf Lord. I still have 2 wolfguard units left securing one objective. Lost 2-1. Oh, and Krom died to the barrage of shots.

Learning points
1. Fully mechanized IG list is awesome. Really made me see a lot of flaws in my list and also my strategy (or the lackof haha). Given the durability of tanks, it was really an uphill task taking out all these tanks. Then hell breaks loose once again when the troopers overwhelm you with 3 melta and 3 grenade shots.
2. Because of point 1, I forgot that this was an objective game. I feel that I should have focused on the Chimeras and the troopers, and also the Banewolves. That said, my target priority was horrible.
3. I had excellent armour saves that compensated for the fleet and armour penetration rolls so I do not think luck was a factor. It was more of a target priority issue for me. Hope I will remember this when I get to play IG again =)
4. Being a foot list, I am rather static despite having 2 calvary units. I feel I should focus more on either (1) shooting and/or (2) calvary counterattack. Army list revision is in order. Suggestions are extremely appreciated.
4. The 4th troop was really doing nothing for all the games I had, except for the 2 cyclone missiles. I am thinking of switching it to a 2nd Long Fang unit for more missiles.
5. Multiple assault wins the day when I multi-charged 2 tanks in one turn and wrecked both of them. I am beginning to love my unit of 2 TWC, 1 PF and 2 SS.
6. Having a chunk of text for a battlerep stinks. Pictures are necessary and I truly apologise for straining your eyes haha.

Hope this list/game/post inspires Jaeroler in some way as it had inspired me. I am sure Kenny wouldn't mind us going down to play and learn from each other, and I truly encourage you guys to make a trip down to play also. Always cool to throw dice with more players =)