Last night I played my second game of 8th Ed, 1000pts versus
Phil's Skaven. I ran:
LSGb: 14 Lothern Sea Guard (Full Command, Shields, Banner of Arcane Protection)
LSGm: 14 Lothern Sea Guard (Full Command, Shields)
BT: Bolt Thrower
GEb: Great Eagle
GEm: Great Eagle
[BS]: Noble (Dragon Armour of Caledor, Guardian Phoenix, Battle Standard, Great Weapon)
[P]: Prince (Halberd, Armour of Fortune)
Total: 998 (Core 43.9%, Special 0.0%, Rare 20.0%, Lord 19.1%, Hero 16.8%)
He ran:
[W]: Warlord (Additional Hand Weapon, Tail Weapon, Talisman of Protection)
[BS]: Chieftain (Battle Standard, Shield, Luckstone)
[WE]: Warlock Engineer (Warplock Pistol, Level 1, Warp-Energy Condenser)
SS: 30 Skaven Slaves (Shields)
CRhws & PWMb: 24 Clanrats (Full Command, Hand Weapons & Shields) with Poisoned Wind Mortar
CRss & PWMm: 24 Clanrats (Full Command, Spears & Shields), with Poisoned Wind Mortar
WLC: Warp Lightning Cannon
DW: Doomwheel
Total: 999 (Core 47.3%, Special 0.0%, Rare 24.0%, Lord 11.6%, Hero 17.0%)
Scenario: Battleline
Scenery: 5 pieces, Skaven placing first. He placed the hill in the centre, I placed the house in the middle, he placed the hill at the side, I placed the wood next to the house, he placed the other wood.
Deployment: Skaven won the roll and chose the side with the hills.
Deployment order: Clanrats with Hand Weapons & Shields, Great Eagle (bottom), Clanrats with Spears & Shields, Great Eagle (middle), Skaven Slaves, Lothern Seaguard with Banner (bottom), Warp Lightning Cannon, Bolt Thrower, Doomwheel, Lothern Seaguard (middle), Skaven Characters (Warlord in Clanrats with Hand Weapons and Shields, Chieftain in Clanrats with Spears & Shields, Warlock Engineer on his own), High Elf Characters (Prince with Lothern Seaguard in middle, Noble with Lothern Seaguard at bottom).
HE (bottom to top): GEb, LSGb[BS],
BT, LSGm[P], GEm
Skaven (bottom to top): WLC, PWMb, CRhws[W], [WE],
SS, CRss[BS], PWMm,
DWReverse shot:
Skaven Turn 1MovementPipsqueek looked at the Elves deployed ahead of him and snickered that they had fallen so easily into his trap, set up by his previous "defeat". He urged his furry horde forwards, "encouraging" the Slaves to head out in front. Meanwhile Warlock Engineer Aieeek fiddled with the controls of his newly-constructed Doomwheel, trying some last minute adjustments. Unfortunately these didn't have the desired effect, and the machine merely stuttered forward.DW moves 5" round the woods
SS march forward
CRhws[W], PWMb, CRss[BS], PWMm and [WE] walk forward
MagicWarlock Engineer Ikvolt was wary after his previous experience trying to bend the Winds of Magic under battlefield conditions. As the power started to build, he felt a slight spike and released his grip. He gestured at Pipsqeek as if to say "there's not much energy", trying to ignore the musk of fear that must be coming from one of the nearby Clanrats......Winds: 6+2, no channelling
[WE] casts Warp Lightning on 3D6 scoring 4 and breaking concentration
ShootingAieeek was too busy redirecting power to jolt the rats into driving his wheel forward to waste any of it on shooting lightning at the distant Elves. The Warp Lightning Cannon directed it's dark power at the Elves own war machine, but they'd calculated the elevation wrong the the beam of energy bored into the ground several foot ahead of the Bolt Thrower.DW passes test not to fire
WLC misfires on the bounce at
BTPMWb and PWMm out of range
High Elf Turn 1MovementPrince Feyheart waved his troops into maintaining their position as the dirty rats began to close the distance, and signaled for his avian allies to set up a pincer movement that the base creatures would undoubtedly fall into.GEb flying marches towards WLC
GEm flies towards house
ShootingThe Bolt Thrower crew set out to reduce the incoming fire of the Dkaven as quickly as possible, but as in previous encounters, the ratmen's weapons team proved too difficult to pick out from the ranks at range. Meanwhile Feyheart ordered the Seaguard to shoot the runts at the front, confident that they could be easily broken and disrupt the rest of the Skaven lines. Several fell but the tide of vermin kept coming......RBT causes 1 wound on PWMb which is saved
LSGb[BS] and LSGm[P] kill 6
SSSkaven Turn 2MovementOne of the instruments on Aieeek's Doomwheel momentarily sparked and he got a brief burst of speed from the machine, enough to bring him round the woods and get his first sighting of the Elven battleline. Seeing the giant bird appear on his left flank, Pipsqueek realised the tactically sensible decision was to swamp those razor sharp claws with masses of expendable Slaves, whilst the rest of his forces advanced on the ranks of Elves. Ikvolt was not so keen on having to train another Warp Lightning Cannon crew, especially whilst recovering from his wounds at the hands of the big furry Elf, and set off to blast the other Eagle.DW moves 9" round the woods
SS walk towards GEm
CRhws[W], PWMb, CRss[BS] and PWMm walk forward
[WE] walks towards GEb
MagicThis time Ikvolt got a grip on the tides of Chaos energy washing over the battlefield, but although he focussed a bolt of warp lightning at the Eagle, it was washed away by the rest of the swirling magical energies.Winds of Magic: 4 & 1, no channeling
[WE] casts Warp Lightning at GEb on 3D6 scoring 11 but army dispels on 11
ShootingSeeing the Eagle swooping towards them, the Warp Lightning Crew abandoned all pretense of following orders and hastily turned their machine towards the monster. In their haste the shot went high and wide, and with a brief glance at each other, the crew dived for cover. As sparks danced across his Doomwheel, Aieeek saw another surge of power and quickly expelled it before it reached critical. The bolt arced across the battlefield and with a large crack, the nearest Eagle was burnt from the sky in a cloud of blackened feathers.PWMb, PWMm and [WE] out of range
WLC overshoots GEb
DW shoots and kills GEm with S8
High Elf Turn 2MovementThe Eagle swooped below the warpstone energy that was quickly directed at it, and dived in for the kill. Feyheart moved Kraken Company forward to cover the gap left by the now deceased Eagle, and exposing the newly arrived Skaven contraption to his Bolt Thrower.GEb charges WLC
LSGm[P] walk forward
ShootingDespite the size of the ramshackle giant wheel now rolling towards the Elven line, the brightness of the energy that surrounded it hurt the sensitive eyes of the Bolt Thrower crew, and their first shot sailed harmlessly into the forest. Captain Ceylran ordered his Merwyrm Company to target the nearest mortar team, but the crafty rats dodged behind the nearby rat formation..... straight into range of Prince Feyheart's unit of Seaguard, despite the efforts of the rat crew to hide behind their equipment, some arrows still snuck threw and took the weapon out of action.BT misses
DWLSGb[BS] fail to kill PWMb
LSGm[P] kills PWMb
Close CombatThe Great Eagle swept down on the crew as they dived for cover and plucked the first rat up into the air, crushing it in razor sharp talons. The remaining crew decided that the bulk of their war machine was a better shield than running over open ground, and cowered were they were.GEb inflicts 1 wound on WLC but it holds
Skaven Turn 3MovementPipsqueek squeaked for the Slaves to charge the nearest Elves, but the runtlings were too weak to cover the distance, and the charge petered out under fire from the Elven spearmen. Aieeek still couldn't solve his technical issues and his Doomwheel trundled forward under it's previous momentum, giving off weak light as the rats barely generated any kinetic energy. Pipsqueek decided it was tactically more sensible to keep his line organised and elected not to push ahead of the faltering Slaves as Swishitt lead his spearmen up to "encourage" the Slaves. With the Eagle now eating his latest crew, Ikvolt relucantly accepted he'd need some new ones and headed back to support the main advance.SS fail to charge LSGm[P] who kill 1 by standing and shooting
DW moves 4" towards centre of table
CRhws[W], PWMb and CRss[BS] walk forwards
[WE] moves back towards the middle of the Skaven advance
MagicIkvolt was starting to get the hang of this magic malarkey and this time overcame the shifting tides to zap several Elves dead from the advancing unit.Winds: 5+3, no channeling
[WE] casts Warp Lightning at LSGm[P] on 3D6 scoring 16 and army fails to dispel on 15, kills 3
ShootingThe surviving Plague Wind Mortar took aim at the ornate banner fluttering in the distance, but misjudged the angle and the poisonous shot sailed wide. Aieeek did manage to tease some juice out of his machine, but the energy was easily reflected by the shiny scale mail of the Elf soldiers.PWMm misses LSGb[BS]
DW hits LSGm[P] with S2 for no effect
CombatThe crew of the Warp Lightning Cannon huddled together under their machine, out of reach of the great bird's claws for now......GEb and WLC do nothing and draw
High Elf Turn 3MovementPrince Feyheart laughed at the rabble meandering aimlessly towards Kraken Company and ordered the charge, confident the Elves skill-at-arms would easily carry the day. Captain Ceylran brought Merwyrm Company forward to support his Prince's flank against the rest of the swarming rats.LSGm[P] charge
SS who hold
LSGb[BS] walk forwards
ShootingThis time the Bolt Thrower crew's eye was good and their bolt struck the Skaven machine, but clattered harmlessly off the erratically revolving wheel. Ceylran spotted the Skaven's wizard skulking about behind the Skaven advance, and although only half Merwyrm Company could see it, the Captain was pleased to see several shafts sink into the startled rat.BT fails to wound
DWLSGb[BS] cause 1 wound on [WE]
Close CombatAs the Eagle strained to gets it's claws and beak through the gaps to reach the crew, one of the rats sensed an opportunity to leap forward and stab at the great bird. With a shriek the Eagle wheeled away, but much to the disappointment of the cowering crew, it merely began to circle their machine. Prince Feyheart casually, almost negligently swung his halberd into the teeming mass of bodies, and it almost backfired as it became embedded in one rodent, causing the Prince to hastily work to free his weapon. Seeing their lord's trouble, Kraken Company pulled the sting from their charge and formed a defensive perimeter instead of pressing their advantage.WLC causes 1 wound on GEb who holds
[P] kills 1
SS, LSGm kill 1
SS for no wounds in return but lose combat and hold
Skaven Turn 4MovementPipsqueek saw the opportunity to strike a crucial blow against the Elves morale, and ordered Brikitt and his Clanrats to charge in against the unit with the Elven battle standard. Aieeek still couldn't get his damn machine to work properly, and it drifted forward slowly again. Seeing the commotion on the other side of the Slaves, but with no idea what was causing it, Snitch took what he thought was clearly the most tactically sensible decision.... and edged his unit backwards, to ensure the safety of Pipsqueek's personal standard of course. Indifferent to the fate of the Slaves, Ikvolt edged round the combat to try and draw a shot against the Elves now engaged with the runtlings.CRhws[W] charge LSGb[BS] who kill 2 by standing and shooting
DW moves 4" towards
BTCRss[BS] walk backwards
[WE] walks towards LSGm[P]
MagicIkvolt seemed to be getting the hang of manipulating magic outside the controlled environment of his lab. Despite the Winds of Magic ebbing, he was able to garner enough power, after no little effort, to blast half a dozen Elves to death.Winds: 2+1
[WE] fails to channel
[WE] casts Warp Lightning at LSGm[P] on 3D6 scoring 11 and army fails to dispel on 8, kills 6, LSGm[P] pass their panic test
ShootingSeeing that the Slaves had pinned the nearest unit of Elven soldiers, Aieeek attempted to build a charge that he unleashed into the melee. As the smoke cleared, the same number of Elves appeared to be standing, but there could have been a few less Slaves. As he wasn't sure, he decided he wouldn't bother Pipsqueek with such a minor detail later. Both the Plague Wind Mortar and Ikvolt tried to "support" the Slaves as well, but due to the care they were obviously showing for their fellow rats, no Elves were killed.DW shoots into
SS vs LSGm[P] combat and kills 2
SS with S4
PWMm misses
SS vs LSGm[P] combat
[WE] misses
SS vs LSGm[P] combat
Close CombatFeyheart finally freed his weapon from the last body and was much more cautious in striking out at the pitiful rats this time, with his soldiers still holding a defensive posture. One of Kraken Company lost his discipline and was torn apart by the starving creatures. With customary organisation, Kraken Company's musician signalled for the ranks to tighten up and fill the space. The Great Eagle finally saw an opportunity to pick off another crew member from the Warp Lightning Cannon, but the cowering rat didn't lashed out in desperation, further wounding the beast, before it's head was ripped off by the creature's cruel beak. Pipsqueek was a whirlwind of blades as he led the charge, from behind Brikitt and a few of the Clanrats (no sense in spoiling morale just to be first), slaying several of the Elven soldiers. Though the Elven banner bearer matched his speed and ferocity, the Clanrats began to overrun the Elves, who fled, leaving their standard bearers behind desperately trying to defend the honour of their flags. The tide of Skaven eventually swept over them and began to pursue the survivors.[P] kills 1
SS, LSGm kill 1
SS,
SS kill 1 LSGm, LSGm[P] win combat due to Musician but
SS hold
GEb inflicts 1 wound on WLC, WLC inflicts 1 wound on GEb, combat drawn
[W] kills 2 LSGb, [BS] kills 2 CRhws, LSGb kill 1 CRhws, CRhws kill 2 LSGb, LSGb[BS] lose combat break and flee 10", CRhws[W] pursue 4"
High Elf Turn 4MovementThe Elves were heavily pressed on all sides, as Merwyrm Company rallied and organised their new perimeter.LSGb[BS] rally
ShootingThe Bolt Thrower crew acted to protect their Prince after seeing lightning arc into the combat unfolding before them. They rotated their machine and sent several bolts into the rodent magic user, taking it down.BT kills [WE]
Close CombatThe great Eagle finally caught the last scurrying crew of the Warp Lightning Cannon, and turned to swoop towards the main battle. Feyheart ordered the Elves to begin to move forward now they were in control of their formation, as the rats began to falter, several of them fought like.... well, cornered rats, taking a couple of the Elven marines by surprise before Merwyrm Company put them all down.GEb kills WLC
[P] kills 2
SS, LSGm kill 1
SS,
SS kill 2 LSGm,
SS break and are removed, LSGm[P] pass 3 saves
Skaven Turn 5MovementSnitch and Swishitt took one look at each other, then at the handful of Elves that had emerged from the ruins of the Slaves, and begun to race each other to attack and claim the prestige for such a valuable target. Kraken Company were still distracted by putting down the last of the vermin and their hasty reaction shots flew high or wide. Having captured several standards for his victory warren, Pipsqueek eagerly led Brikitt's Clanrats in to finish off the survivors of his last assault, though one foolish rat was picked off by the rallying Seaguard. Aieeek finally found the right combination of settings on his new wheels and his Doomwheel roared across the battlefield, aiming to crush the Bolt Thrower that had been impudently aiming at all his hard work. The Poisoned Wind Mortar saw the crew of the Warp Lightning Cannon finally picked off, and realising they were the easiest target, positioned themselves to try and stop the Great Eagle ripping them to shreds.CRss[BS] charge LSGm[P] who miss standing and shooting
CRhws[W] charge LSGb who kill 1 by standing and shooting
DW moves 17" towards
BTPWMm walks towards GEb
ShootingThe Poisoned Wind Mortar suddenly found their range now their own lives depended on it and the wounded Great Eagle was dispatched in a puff of noxious, green fumes.PWMm kills GEb
Close CombatPrince Feyheart laughed as the next rabble of rodents scurried towards him, this time he concentrated properly and swept away the front row of warriors as they charged. Suddenly the Prince realised he hadn't paid enough attention to the oncoming rats as a particularly large one stepped forward and cut down several of Kraken Company. His soldiers morale was broken in the face of so many armed warriors, and the Prince and Kraken Company disappeared under a carpet of fur. Pipsqueek set about the Elves with merry abandon, sending fragile bodies flying in all directions. The rest of his Clanrats weren't so proficient and many of them were impaled on the spears of the soldiers as they eagerly charged in. The remaining Elves were too few however, and their nerve broke once again as they fled the field, Pipsqueek quickly restoring order and not wasting time chasing down the few survivors.[P] kills 4 CRss, [BS] kills 2 LSGm, LSGm[P] lose combat, flee and are run down
[W] kills 3 LSGb, LSGb kill 3 CRhws, CRhws kill 1 LSGb, LSGb flee off the board, CRhws[W] restrain pursuit
High Elf Turn 5MovementShootingThe lone Bolt Thrower crew took stock of their dire position and decided to go down fighting. Hoping to relieve the other Elven forces of the trouble of having to destroy the Skaven lightning wheel, they fired one last, desperate shot at it, but once again the bolt clattered off part of the machine's structure.BT fails to wound
DWSkaven Turn 6MovementSnitch and Swishitt let the momentum of the Clanrats carry them forward into the Bolt Thrower, eager to claim the field of battle, as they raced Aieeek's rapidly approaching Doomwheel for the final spoils. Pipsqueek turned his unit about to watch the final blow land against the Elven army, out of the corner of his eye he noticed his remaining weapons team was doing the same.CRss[BS] charge
BTDW charges
BTCRhws[W] turns to face
BTPWMm marches towards
BTShootingAieeek was too busy enjoying the thrill of finally getting up some speed to unleash any lightning as he motored towards the Bolt Thrower.DW passes test not to fire
Close CombatSnitch and Swishitt jumped back as Aieeek's huge machine steamrollered the Elven crew and their machine into the mud, wiping their brows at the lucky escape and wondering whether any bribes had been involved in such a close call.DW impact hits kills
BTFinal ResultHigh Elves: 323
Skaven: 1,248
ThoughtsPwned!
In terms of dice I couldn't pass to wound rolls for love nor money, which was a bit frustrating. However, the fault was with the list. Having read so much about how cavalry is meh this addition and battle standards are a must have, I built an army accordingly. What this meant was that I had a force with limited threat range and no way to try and dictate where the Skaven might or might not want to move - in contrast to the previous game where the mobility of the Tironic Chariot and Dragon Princes was evident. In particularly I don't think a Battle Standard is a worthwhile investment at this level with so few units that might benefit from it.