BrianMcG: ALWAYS WINTER 2025: Five battle reports from Scottish event in Stirling

Ste and I travelled beyond the wall representing the Wardens of the North-West at the 24 player event at Common Ground Games in Stirling, Scotland. Ste was running Targaryens, and I was keeping to my Starks that have done me well of late.

Common Ground is well lit, roomy and on site lunch was provided on both days

The trophies were well class, really liked the look of the Scottish Thistle

Support from Asmodee UK & CMON

So I was running double Robb, both durable with a pair of double Tully Sworn Shields, with one defensive with a pair of NCU's and a second more aggressive with 3 NCU's

LIST 1

House Tully Sworn Shields with Robb Stark

House Tully Sworn Shields with Rickon & Osha

Stark Bowmen with Crannogman Warden

House Umber Berserkers with Greatjon Umber

Shaggydog

Grey Wind NCU's

Catelyn Stark & Eddard Stark

LIST 2

House Tully Sworn Shields with Robb Stark

House Tully Sworn Shields with Brynden Tully

House Umber Berserkers with Greatjon Umber

House Tully Cavaliers with Winterfell Guardian NCU's

Sansa, Eddard & Lyanna Mormont

GAME 1

Connor "Belgeroth" Kerr

Scenario: A Game of Thrones

Baratheons

Stag Knights with Cortnay Penrose (C)

Stormcrow Mercenaries with Sandor Clegane - Fugitive Bodyguard

Baratheon Wardens with Master Warden

Baratheon Wardens with Parmen the Purple

Baratheon Sentinels with Brienne - Rainbow Guard

Lysene Sellswords with Stag Knight Noble NCU's

Alester Florent & Eldon Estermont

Connor is a regular at Common Ground Games but ahs been out of ASOIF for a

while and was running an infantry heavy. A tough match up,

but I was glad he hadn't taken Olenna (his second list)

RANDOM TERRAIN & DEPLOYMENT

Terrain: 3 x stakes and 2 x Weirwoods

BARATHEONS: Stormcrows, Sentinels, Wardens, Stag Knights, Sellswords, Wardens

STARKS: Shaggydog, Rickons Sworn Shields, Robb Sworn Shields, Greywind,

Bowmen & Umber Berserkers

ROUND 1

I opted to go first, taking the Letters. I then played Robbs Tactical Reposition and

moved up the Bowmen. Connor took swords and rejuggled his deck hand, so I

took the Horses and moved up Robbs' Sworn Shields.

Shaggydog destroyed the left stakes, as the Baratheons moved up, keeping out of Bowman range. Robb marched up onto the centre and went over by a few inches. The other Sworn Shields moved up in support as the Umbers went right and faced off against two units, where the right Wardens were half on the objective.

Board End of Round 1

ROUND 2

Connor took the Letters, so I played Swift reposition to move up the Greatjon allowing an auto charge the right side Wardens. Stags Wit rebounded the vulnerable, and the Baratheon armour held well.

The Wardens attacked off the swords and I lost on Umber, before failing a panic next to a Weirwood for two more. I didn't use Eddard as Greywind took the near right.

The Lysene Sellswords charged in, after I'd healed off bags and I started using Eddard tokens to heal the Umbers. I used two this turn as Wardens also attacked well

Robb's unit held well when charged, as Rickon's Sworn Shields moved up to protect their flank. Robb retreated an inch and with the Sentinels charging and bouncing of Rickon's unit, the Wardens were blocked out of combat

END OF ROUND 2

STARKS 3 VP's (3 objectives)

BARATHEONS 1 VP (1 objective)

BOARD END OF ROUND 2

ROUND 3

I had Catelyn take the swords, attacking the Lysene Sellswords and cutting them right down.

Connor activated the Sellswords and retreated. I took the bags and healed up my Umbers. Connor took the Letters

I then activated the Umbers, moving over to deny the Lysene Sellswords a charge next turn. The Wardens killedone man when they attacked

But they retreated out off of the Horses, so I refaced with the Umbers

On my left, the Baratheons were realigning to face the Tully Shieldwall...

Issue Commands card allowed the Lysene to charge the Umbers, but I healed up off of Eddard.

My Bowmen were able to plink a few Lysene from range.

The Wardens had charged in last turn and I retreated with Rickon.

Board End of Round 3

END OF ROUND 3

STARKS 6 VP's (6 objectives)

BARATHEONS 2 VP's (2 objectives)

ROUND 4

Connor took the swords and hacked at the Umbers. I passed my panic and healed up with my last Eddard token, all four having been spent on the Umbers. And healed from the bags.

Shaggydog managed to survive a charge from the Sentinels, and I retreated out with Ed on the Horses

Connor had to commit and came at me over the stakes, losing 4 men on the way in. The Warden joined them, but they both proved ineffectual.

I retreated out of melee again with Robb, and on the right I was out of healing and had to rely on To the Last to survive into turn 5.

END OF ROUND 4

STARKS 9 VP's (9 objectives)

BARATHEONS 3 VP's (3 objectives)

ROUND 5

I took the Swords and had the Umber hack down the Lysene to a single rank. They attacked back and finished off my Umbers. They healed from that, but I shot them down to three men again. Shaggydog was butchered, as was Rickons Sworn Shields while Robb was bypassed and the bowmen cut down by the Stag knights. And I charged off the objective with Greywind and cut down the Lysene in between teh Baratheons Furious last turn

And I charged off the objective with Greywind and cut down the Lysene in between the Baratheons furious onslaught.

END OF GAME

STARKS 11 VP's (10 objectives, 1 unit)

BARATHEONS 9 VP's (6 objectives, 3 units)

That proved to be a very close and tough game. Not taking the objective on the far right with his Wardens turn one proved to be crucial as I was able to get the Umbers in there and contest/deny it to Connor. The Umbers healed up 16 men from Eddard tokens, plus nine from the bags. They died eventually but held two units, while the Tully Shields were solid and the Baratheons boxed themselves in on turn 2 and 3. Having said that, Turn five saw a big swing with Connor gaining 6 VP's and I just got over the line to take the win.

PAINTING

ROSS'S BARATHEONS

Iain's Martells

David's Martells

Neil's Starks

Johnny's Boltons

Nick's Free Folk

John's Brotherhood Without Banners

GAME 2

Ryan "Mournival" Odlin

Martells

Scenario: Here We Stand

Sunspear Royal Guard with Oberyn Martell (C)

Sand Skirmishers with Spearlord & Edric Dayne

Sand Skirmishers with Spearmen Captain

Skyreach Bowmen with Spearlord NCU's

Ellaria Sand, Arys Oakheart & Arianne Martell

Good to play Ryan again, we first played at my first Always Winter back in '22 and he is travelling down to the Ribble Rumble this year too. Both his Martell lists had some serious shooting, so my wolves would be gifting points, so I opted for my second list with 3 NCU's and some armoured cavalry.

RANDOM TERRAIN & DEPLOYMENT

TERRAIN: Wall, Bog & Weirwood

MARTELLS: Sand Skirmishers, Sky Reach Bowmen, Oberyn's Royal Guard, Sand Skirmishers

STARKS: Berserkers, Brynden's Sworn Shields, Robb's Tully Sworn Shields,

Tully Cavaliers

Ryan hung back a bit, but I set up aggressively as needed to reduce the shooting coming my way. And I got to go first and had a turn 1 plan...

ROUND 1

I took the Letters, gaining cards and weakening Sky Reach

Ryan played Cunning Ploy to move his Sand Skirmishers on my right back, as

I shifted them up with Robb's Tactical Reposition. Guess my plan to charge

them early wasn't to much of a cunning plan

Despite moving back, I could still make a charge on 4+ after taking the Horses...

And I had a re-roll with my Devastating Impact card. Bugger!!! Failed both.

We play out the tactics board, Ryan missing out on passing with one of his

I took a few wounds when the Sand Skirmishers moved out, and shot. The Royal Guard pivoted ready to flank my Tully's next turn. I simply marched everyone up.

Board End of Round 1

ROUND 2

Ryan played Sand Diplomacy targeting horses after I'd chose letters. He also kept Arys on the Swords, before activating and charging in with Oberyn and his Royal Guard, dropping a rank off of the Cavaliers and poisoning them with Manticore venom so they could not heal. I played Sudden Retreat and brought the Tully Cavalry around and charged the Sky Reach bowmen on my activation. Sadly, Ryan hit them with Rising Temperatures so I couldn't use cards...

I killed a paltry three...

The right Sand Skirmishers then moved up into my rear, popped their order and shot me in the back. I don't know, poison, back stabbing, these Martells have no honour...

Although my armour would have been pretty ineffectual if I'd been shot in the front anyway!!!

Still, no point hanging about now. I charged into the left skirmishers and cut them down to one rank, and then I marched Brynden into the Martells faces...

With quarters being the objective, I took one by using Eddard after Arianne had been placed. Ellaria had secured the top left...

TACTICS BOARD END OF ROUND 2

BOARD END OF ROUND 2

END OF ROUND 2

MARTELLS 3 VP's (1 unit, 2 quarters)

STARKS 2 VP's (2 quarters)

ROUND 3

I took the Swords with Lyanna, influencing the berserkers for critical blow and +1 morale

Eight attacks hit with the Critical blow, against four Sand Skirmishers remaining...

That proved just enough, with Ryan passing half of the saves...

Ryan then shot with the Skyreach Bowmen into Bryndens Sworn Shields,

dropping a rank before they were set upon by the Greatjon Berserkers

on their activation...

Lyanna's Critical blow meant 12 hits, obliterating the unit...

I then surged forth backwards away from the Martells...

The Royal Guard smacked into my Sworn Shields flank but they used their Shieldwall to mitigate it a bit, before passing their morale and healing with an Eddard token. I then retreated them away to secure the quarter, with Eddard also taking a quarter and Robb staying put.

Board End of Round 3

TACTICS BOARD END OF ROUND 3

END OF ROUND 3

STARKS 7 VP's (2 units, 5 quarters)

MARTELLS 4 VP's (1 unit, 3 quarters)

ROUND 4

Ryan played Sand Diplomacy again, so I selected the Horses and he the Swords

Ryan took the Horses to close up on my units, so I was able to dish out tokens. I couldn't avoid combat or damage so I healed and held with the Berserkers as my forces secured quarters with NCU support.

I took the Swords to deny it to Ryan...

Board at End of ROUND 4 (& GAME)

END OF ROUND 4

STARKS 10 VP's (2 units, 8 quarters)

MARTELLS 5 VP's (1 unit, 4 quarters)

That was a cracking game considering my plan was rubbish and I felt my cavalry got wasted for little return. I really thought I'd blown it, but Ryan called it right as he had to deal with my Cavaliers and that allowed me to close up and get stuck in (ok, the Umbers did). This mission really favours a melee orientated force over a shooty as you have to play the quarters and by forcing Ryan back, he didn't get control around the centre. A solid win despite a bad start to my mind...

GAME 3

ROSS "Rosskov" McGINNESS

BARATHEONS

SCENARIO: A CLASH OF KINGS

Stag Knights with Loras Tyrell (C)

Rose Knights with Thorn Watch Sentinel

Thorn Watch with Robar the Red

Baratheon Sentinels with Brienne - Rainbow Guard NCU's

Margaery Tyrell & Lord Varys Not met Ross before, relatively new to the game but his Baratheons were beautifully

painted and again, I dodged Olenna Tyrell.

As both Ross's lists had 2 NCU's, I opted for

my 3 NCU list again

RANDON TERRAIN & DEPLOYMENT

TERRAIN: Palisade, Woods, Stakes, 2 x Walls

BARATHEONS: Loras's Stag Knights, Sentinels, Rose Knights,

Thornwatch, Rose Knights

STARKS: Robb's Sworn Shields, Umber Berserkers, Tully Cavaliers,

Bryndens Sworn Shield

ROUND 1

We played out the tactics board and advanced up, stealing the right objective with Brynden and being on a wall felt confident I could hold off two units for a while. I was worried about the Sentinels and decided to ignore the centre and hit the left hard.

ROUND 2

Activating first, I had Eddard take the horses and move Brynden up over the wall by a few inches. The Thornwatch shot up my right side Sworn Shields from the swords, and I lost three. I didn't expend an Eddard token, simply healed off the bags.

The Rose Knights took the centre, the sentinel allowing them to ignore the dangerous terrain. Nice. On the left, I activated Robb, destroying the palisade before using his tactical reposition at the start of Ross's turn to maneuver up and over the objective.

This prompted Loras and his Stag Knights to charge, singling Robb out but Robb acquitted himself well.

Swift Reposition allowed me to re-adjust the right side Sworn Shields

I charged the Sentinels in the woods with the Berserkers, who lost three men from Final Strike after cutting down five, but the Sentinels healed from Baratheon Conviction. This freed up room for my Cavaliers to flank the Stag Knights.

Board End of Round 2

END OF ROUND 2

STARKS 2 VP's (2 objectives)

BARATHEONS 1 VP ( 1 objective)

ROUND 3

Taking the Swords, the Stag knights attacked and Loras got past Robb's defences, slaying him with expert duellist.

My Berserkers failed again to make an impact on the Sentinels, much to my frustration...

The Rose Knights in the centre turned to face the rear of the Berserkers, my Tully retreated out of melee and faced them as the Stag Knights and Robbs Sworn Shields failed to hurt each other much, my shields healing from Eddard though to maintain ranks and objective. On the right, the Rose Knights and Sworn Shields were well matched.

BOARD END OF ROUND 3

The Thornwatch charged in but with the wall improving my armour, I maintained my rank

END OF ROUND 3

STARKS 4 VP's (4 objectives)

BARATHEONS 2 VP's (2 objectives)

ROUND 4

Ross took the Swords, I healed the damage with the bags

I also retreated out an inch, so I would get wall defence bonus if charged

My Berserkers re-aligned over and cut down the Sentinels to five men

Ross countered, shifting the Sentinels over and cutting my Berserkers down to two

My Cavaliers charged in through the woods, healing a Berserker as they went

But my dice were awful and I score only three hits. They did fail the panic though, leaving Parmen alone...

The Rose Knights hit the rear of the Berserkers, but they held on with a passed To the Last and also the panic...

I took the Crowns and went for a panic check against Parmen, the last of the Sentinels

And Ross failed the panic check...

END OF ROUND 4

STARKS 6 VP's (1 unit, 5 objectives)

BARATHEONS 3 VP's (3 objectives

I failed to score off of the right objective due to not killing one Thornwatch...

But the left side I still had the upper hand.

ROUND 5

I activated my Tully Cavaliers, charging in with Devastating impact and Winter is coming.

Lance cavalry in the rear saw the demise of Loras and his Stag knights, scoring more points and seizing the left side. Ross didnt take the swords which allowed me to take the Horses and retreat the Umbers 12" away... The rest of the turn saw my Tully Sworn Shields hold desperately, but after the last attack from the Rose Knights, I played Sudden Retreat, losing the objective but maybe staying in the fight. Ross couldn't pivot onto it to claim either.

END OF ROUND 5

STARKS 9 VP's (2 units, 1 for commanders unit, 6 objectives)

BARATHEONS 4 VP's (4 objectives)

ROUND 6

Varys took the swords...

and the Thornwatch shot down Brynden and his two remaining Sworn Shields.

The Tullys activated out and Greatjon licked his wounds as the game drew to a close

Board End of Round 6 (and Game)

STARKS 10 VP's (2 units, +1 commander, 7 objectives)

BARATHEONS 7 VP's (1 unit, 6 objectives)

Cracking game and another close run thing against Baratheons. Ross was real fun to play against, as we slugged it out on the flanks. The endurance of the Tully Sworn Shields is really key to my battle plans, and the wall on the right was a real boon. Ross did err in not finishing off Greatjon when he had the chance in round 5, but he was fixated on killing Bryndens Sworn Shields. Hope to see Ross again at events, really enjoyed the game.

END OF DAY 1

Meeting up at Molly Malones (Arsenal battered Leeds)

Dinner at the Rishis Indian

Game 4

ROSS "Joycey" JOYCE

Neutrals (Boltons)

SCENARIO: A DANCE WITH DRAGONS

House Bolton Blackguards with Roose Bolton (C)

House Bolton Cutthroats with Ramsay & Reek

House Bolton Flayed Men with Fortune Seeker

House Bolton Flayed Men with Fortune Seeker NCU's

Petyr Baelish, Lord Varys & Tycho Nestoris

I've met and talked to Ross at several events but never played him so it was god to get a game in. Sadly, he had two lists and neither of them were appealing. Vargo and the mummers would easily kill attachments and dual Zorses can switch of abilities. So I opted for List 1 for more maneuverability and activations. As it turned out, panic heavy Bolton neutral force was best of the two.

RANDOM TERRAIN & DEPLOYMENT

Corpse pile x 4... Yeah, really!!! Suppose you just gotta laugh, Ross sure did...

BOLTONS: Flayed Men, Cutthroats, Blackguard, Flayed Men

STARKS: Greywind, Berserkers, Robb's Sworn Shields,

Rickon's Sworn Shields, Bowmen, Shaggydog

ROUND 1

Sorry, got carried away and stuck in. I took Horses to advance Robb's unit. The Flayed Men on my right moved up and grabbed the centre. So I charged in with the Sworn Shields and took it from them.

An early Baelish token allowed an attack on Robb's unit, swapping the Crowns for the Swords zone.

But my Shieldwall held firm...

And Sudden Retreat allowed me to withdraw in good order

But Ross issued commands and had the Flayed Men charge in and a badly failed panic allowed the Flayed Men to seize the objective one more. I didnt use and Eddard as the odds were not good and it was only round 1. I managed some shots into the Flayed Men but their armour was good enough and it was Shaggydog that did the damage, dropping them a rank but they passed their panic. On the right, Greywind took the objective and Rickon's Sworn Shields marched up. On my left, the Berserkers held back a bit as the Cutthraots marched up.

Board End of Round 1

ROUND 2

Ross popped Tycho to heal up his Flayed Men up

He then activated and took the Horses and retreated the Flayed Men out. I used Swift reposition to close up

before Robb charged in again with his Sworn Shields, seizing the objective.

Varys on Swords saw an attack back but i held the objective. I then declined to take a zone with Catelyn as due to whispered threats

I then healed up with Eddard

Ross maneuvered up Ramseys Cutthroats which allowed my Crannog Warden to trigger his Overwatch order, killing four.

I then had Shaggydog charge them dropping them down another four, to the front rank

But Ross had the second Issue Commands and his dice were lucky and my defence dice weren't. I lost the Direwolf...

Ross had put a panic out with Reek at start of my turn and though his single Flayed Man only caused one wound, I still failed the panic and gave up the central objective

Tactics Board End of Round 2

The Left side Flayed Men had moved up and took the objective, before charging my Berserkers, who healed up with Eddard and attacked back, stealing that objective. My last activation was march by Rickons unit to threaten the rear of the Flayed Men and cut of a potential retreat

BOARD END OF ROUND 2

END OF ROUND 2

NEUTRAL BOLTONS 2 VP's (1 unit, 1 objective)

HOUSE STARK 2 VP's (2 objectives)

ROUND 3

I had Catelyn take the Swords, influence Robb's Sword Shields who then attacked and killed the Flayed Men, destroying them and then surging forth to block a charge lane to the Berserkers by the Cutthroats. So Ross had the Cutthroats charge Robb, cutting down a rank while healing themselves and stealing the objective.

I then activated and attacked ineffectually, before Ross took the horses and retreated. I then shot them down a bit with my Bowmen before taking the Crowns and destroying the Cutthroats... Roose's Blackguard marched up in the centre, while the flayed men on my left had got the better of the Berserkers, with some good dice and some major panic modifiers.

Rickon's Sworn Shields marched up to protect the archers, the Berserkers couldn't get through the Flayed Men's armour and the Boltons hadn't activated yet...

And when they did, given the panic token, To the Last dd not save the Greatjon...

BOARD END OF ROUND 3

END OF ROUND 3

NEUTRAL BOLTONS 4 VP's (2 units, 2 objectives)

HOUSE STARK 5 VP's (2 units, 3 objectives)

ROUND 4

Apologies for the lack of pictures this round, it was intense. But I took the Horses to get the objective, then tactically repositioned to then better face the Flayed Men. The Blackguard instead charged in and I failed the panic badly, dropping to one rank.

The Blackguard dropped the objective when I cut them down with some quality bow fire, though they did heal off of the bags. The Flayed Men then went in for the kill on Robb's Sworn Shields

END OF ROUND 4

NEUTRAL BOLTONS 6 VP's (3 units, 3 objectives)

HOUSE STARK 6 VP's (2 units, 4 objectives)

BOARD END OF ROUND 4

ROUND 5

I took the Horses to prevent Ross using it to take the objective, Ross took the Letters. I planned to take Swords for bowmen to shoot, but I couldn't afford to take the panic token from Whispered threats so didn't...

Ross then took the objective on activation, so I charged home with Rickon's Sworn Shields but failed to get the objective due to some good armour rolls...

The Flayed Men moved round but I was staying out of effective charge range with the Bowmen

BOARD END OF ROUND 5

END OF ROUND 5

NEUTRAL BOLTONS 8 VP's (3 units, 5 objectives)

HOUSE STARK 7 VP's (2 units, 5 objectives)

ROUND 6

Ross took the Swords and moved over. But all his attacks failed to hit due to a weakened token

I attacked back using Assault order but failed the horrific visage, healing the Blackguard up while dropping a rank of Sworn Shields and the Blackguard auto-passed their panic after first failing, healing more and refusing to give up the objective.

Ross retreated out of combat after the Flayed men backed off

The Bowmen did get to shoot from overwatch at the Flayed Men, but they didnt take any wounds...

So the game came down to a my last activation, charging into the Blackguard (over a corpse pile sadly) but i passed the Horrific Visage, stubborn tenacity dropping a blackguard.

I had Hit and run so if I took the objective, I could run away with it... but alas, I fluffed my attacks, getting one hit which was saved.

BOARD END OF ROUND 6 (& GAME)

BOLTON NEUTRALS 10 VP's (3 units, 7 objectives)

HOUSE STARK 8 VP's (2 units, 6 objectives)

Wow. Right from the off, this was a game of attrition, swings, thrust and counter thrust, and some great card play at the pivotal moments, all the way through right to the death. A fantastic game, and Ross auto passing the panic at near the end, amazing. It was played in the right spirit all the way through, even though we were on second table, no hassles and plenty of sportsmanship and banter. Four corpse piles though, kinda told me the game was gonna run Ross's way. Brilliant game, intense but fun...

GAME 5

JOHN "Johnw" WALL

BROTHERHOOD WITHOUT BANNERS

Stormcrow Dervishes with Beric Dondarrion (C)

King's Men with Thoros of Myr

Brotherhood Archers with Hot Pie

Peasant Levy with Gendry

Peasant Levy NCU's

Ghost of High Heart, Shae & Ravella Smallwood

John is a regular at events in the UK with his London Gamers Old Guard partners in crime, Ed and Tony. We've played each other a few times, but not faced his gorgeous Brotherhood (usually runs NW where painting options aren't great). I opted for List 1 for eight activations and the wolf maneuverability

RANDOM TERRAIN & DEPLOYMENT

TERRAIN: Woods, Woods & Weirwood. We kept the objectives blind on corpse piles

BROTHERHOOD: Archers, Gendry's Peasants, Kingsmen, Dervishes, Peasants

STARKS: Greywind, Berserkers, Bowmen, Robb's Sworn Shield, Shaggydog,

Rickons Sworn Shields

ROUND 1

I took the Horses and moved up my bowmen.

John took the Letters after I used tactical reposition to move up another 3"

I marched up on the right with Rickons Shields, and my Bowmen survived a crown attack

John countered with his Peasants before Robb marched up centrally

I played swift reposition to move my Bowmen who then fired into Gendry's peasants from the Swords, influenced by Catelyn to remove the weakened.

The Archers move up with their deceitful reposition and took 3 wounds from my Bowmen when they activated.

John aligned his forces keeping a distance from mine for now as I pulled my wolves left and central

The archers dropped four bowmen, and I failed the panic despite and Eddard token.

Bad end to Round 1 for me...

ROUND 2

I played Tactical Reposition to drop my Bowmen back 3" and out of Archer range. John took the swords and shot Robb's unit but they bounced off the armour. I took the horses with and moved the Greatjon's Berserkers up to threaten the Archers, who then activated and shot me for two wounds.

I dropped another Berserker with a failed panic check

Greywind took the left objective, while my Sworn Shields took the right. The peasants on my right charged in, but going over the corpse pile they fluffed their attack. And took wounds back from Osha counterstrike and also from Stubborn Tenacity

I marched the Greatjon 12" into the Archers face, bypassing the peasants after Gendry had finished moving. The Dervishes marched up to the centre while the peasants stayed engaged and the Kingsmen tthreatened Robb

END OF ROUND 2

STARKS 2 VP's (2 objectives)

BROTHERHOOD 0 VP's

ROUND 3

I activated the Berserkers and charged into the Archers

All seven attacks hit and killed seven, with Winter is coming stopping any card shenanigans

John took the Swords and played Assault Orders for the Dervishes to flank my Bowmen

They hit hard but I threw more sixes for saves than I should have reasonably expected and survived, which given the Dervishes hadn't activated, was a real blessing

I took the Horses and moved Shaggydog up, before the Wolf marched up through the Berserkers to hunt down the Archers next turn

Beric and his Dervishes finished off my bowmen, allowing a corpse pile near Robb. Greywind repositioned before Gendry flanked Robb, bouncing off their Shieldwall and losing a man to Stubborn Tenacity before Robb attacked back, killing a rank despite Gendry's Resilience. I then played Hit and Run out and onto the objective

Desite the Peasants disrupt, Rickons Sworn Shields managed four hits

They dropped to three men, and retreated out of combat rather than risk attacking against Osha's Counterstrike

John gave up on my right, swinging the Kingsmen around to face the Berserkers

And Ravella healed up the Brotherhood Archers by discarding a token and card in addition to the Regroup and Reform swap from the Kingsmen

END OF ROUND 3

STARKS 5 VP's (5 objectives)

BROTHERHOOD 1 VP (1 unit)

ROUND 4

Taking the Swords with Shae, the Brother hood archers shifted back 2" and shot at Shaggydog doing two wounds, but I passed the panic. I then took the bags with Catelyn and healed the Direwolf while influencing the Berserkers

The Kingsmen could not charge as the Archers were blocking, so John activated the Archers and shot my Berserkers this time, but the damage was healed up by an Eddard token.

So I activated the Berserkers and charged home with nine attacks. All hit...

John failed all nine saves, dying and generating a corpse pile behind the Kingsmen

John took the Horses and moved back on to the objective with the Kingsmen

I charged the peasants with Rickons unit, playing Devastating Impact and it took the panic token to finish the job...

John took the Letters, which allowed me to move Greywind off of the left objective and charge Gendry's Peasants, who declined to use his resilience.

All four hits wounded and I played Hit and Run to retreat out through Robb's Sworn Shields

The Dervishes took the left corpse, Gendry fell back and used his Resilience when Shaggydog charged in, managing to survive. The Kingsmen stayed put.

END OF ROUND 4

STARKS 9 VP's (2 units, 7 objectives)

BROTHERHOOD 3 VP's (1 unit, 2 objectives)

ROUND 5

Catelyn took the Swords and had Shaggydog attack Gendry, whose Resilience failed to save him

We activated out the rest of the round, objective sitting.

END OF GAME

STARKS 12 VP's (3 units, 9 objectives)

BROTHERHOOD 1 VP (1 unit, 4 objectives)

Another great game, though John did 'fess up to missing some triggers (in a trigger heavy army). I think not committing the Kingsmen to support the Peasants on my right was an error as the Kingsmen didn't engage all game. Weirdly enough, losing the bowmen proved quite important as it gave me an extra point end of Round 3. Deploying the archers on the flank allowed me to chase them down too and I did get lucky to kill them given with one attack after all the healing they got.

Always Winter has always been an excellent event, and though the numbers were down compared to the heady days of Dead Meta Gaming coming up in droves, this proved still to be the case. I really enjoyed meeting new players to the game, and events, including Aeneas and Rory from Inverness, Ross whom I got to play game three and David "Highland Cow" with his kilt and really friendly attitude, as well as a smattering of people I knew by face or name (including Paul who had to face Doug last game with his Starks instead of me, courtesy of Ross beating me).

Great weekend, many thanks to Stephen for running it and really sorry there weren't more Wardens of the North-West there...

Always Winters will return in 2026, following the

BATTLE OF GREEN HOLLOW

Glasgow 10th-12th April 2026

Tickets via Vlad's Emporium

(not on sale yet)

MAIN AWARDS

1st Place: Doug Gordon

(Targaryens)