BrianMcG: Blame it on the Greyjoy: 3 Game ELO event at Daventry

Forgive me Father, for I have sinned.

It has been 106 days since my last battle report.

While I have been good and attended some ASOIF events, I have also played MESBG and Horus Heresy, while spending Christmas painting Word Bearers...

Ok, Catholic guilt aside, Winter Blues, long days at work and just feeling a bit "meh" about the ongoing Playtesting drip feeding fiasco I haven't been doing much in the way of battle reports, with the 6 game LGT, my own Ribble Rumble and Tim Whitney's Sheffield event all still in production but not over line yet.

I decided to open the year with three of my favourite games in 2025, when I journeyed alone down from Liverpool to Battlefield Hobbies at Daventry for Ben Harris's Blame it on the Greyjoy event, aheadof the Ribble Rumble to give my Greatjon Umber list a try out...

Over half a dozen late drop outs meant the field was only eight strong, but that didn't detract from some really great games...

My Greatjon Umber list

House Umber Berserkers withGreatjon Umber (C)

House Umber Berserkers

House Umber Berserkers with Rickard Karstark

House Umber Berserkers with Winterfell Champion

House Umber Greataxes with Robb Stark

Grey Wind NCU

Eddard Stark

GAME 1

RORY "Rory123145" ARTHUR

HOUSE BARATHEON

SCENARIO: HERE WE STAND

Not played Rory before, but apparently he was after a second Warden scalp after beating Ste up last time he was down, and with a triple Champions list, this looked to be a hard list to break.

Champions of The Stag with Stannis - King at the Wall (C)

Crownland Scouts with Glory Seeker

Champions of The Stag with Dragonstone Noble

Champions of The Stag with Dragonstone Noble NCU's

Selyse and Shireen

Davos Seaworth

TERRAIN & DEPLOYMENT

TERRAIN: Bog, 2 x Stakes, Palisade

BARATHEONS: Scouts, 2 x Champions, Stannis Champions

UMBERS: Greywind, GJ's Berserkers, Berserkers x 3, Greataxes

ROUND 1

Rory took the letters and I activated Greywind. Rory then moved Crownland Scouts out to my left, so I was able to pounce with Eddard taking the Swords...

I played Assault Orders and used Reckless Heroism to make the charge count as a six...

Which was just what I needed...

I also played Winter is Coming for maximum attacks (and this event was before the change to Assault Orders)

Nine wounds resulted but Rory passed the morale check

The Champions of the Stag did a lot of maneuvering to get a charge into my flank, smashing me to three but I passed the morale and used Eddard to heal 4 wounds

BOARD END OF ROUND 1

With only two wounds left on the Crownland Scouts, my first activation was fairly obvious

ROUND 2

I had Eddard take the Swords to allow the Greatjon to attack

But I blew it... Rory made all three saves!!! Or he used Selyse and Serene, not exactly sure.

The Champions then kicked my head in. No "To the Last" on the Greatjon Commander!!!

The surge forth gave me some hope, as I activated Greywind to move up and get a charge into the Scouts

But it was a 50/50 and the dog let me down...

My other Umbers took the fight to the heavily armoured cavalry

Including a 5+ charge with Rickard Stark, across the stakes

I lost four in response

And was fortunate the Crownland scout tried charging over the bog...

I lost s unit of Umbers on the far side but Robb's Greataxes cut the Champions responsible to half their number.

Board end of Round 2

END OF ROUND 2

Baratheons 4 VP's (2 units and 2 quadrants)

Starks 1 VP (1 quadrant)

ROUND 3

Rory took the Swords but failed to kill my Berserkers

I finally nailed the Scouts with a rear charge from Greywind

And Rory desperately tried to out run my Berserkers in his deployment area but a long range charge kept them honest...

BOARD END OF ROUND 3

END OF ROUND 3

Baratheons 5 VP's (2 units and 3 quadrants)

Starks 3 VP (1 unit and 2 quadrant)

ROUND 3

I took the Swords and hacked away at the Champions but suffered a Final Strike back

Rory retreated the badly wounded Stannis away from my Greataxes using the Horses, and using the Muster Card, then used On the Double. Nice card combo, and healing Stannis to 3 wounds again. So I valiantly sent Greywind in to finish Stannis, playing Berserker tactics to aid.

You can see the three armour saves top left... Huzzah!!!

However, my embattled Umbers were struggling to keep the other two units at bay

Although I did manage to pull off some amazing armour saves...

END OF ROUND 4

Baratheons 7 VP's (3 units and 4 quadrants)

Starks 6 VP (2 units and 4 quadrant)

ROUND 5

Taking the Swords, the Champions finished of my stubborn Umber Berserkers

Greywind was vulnerable, so I retreated him back then used the Umber Berserkers to destroy the Stakes and then smacked into the Champions

I only scored 3 hits, and then Rory did me with a trio of the required sixes...

I lost 3 Great Axes to the return attack but those triple sixes had sapped my morale...

And the second Champions flanked and finished the Greataxes off. I used Eddard to score a Quadrant though.

END OF ROUND 5

Baratheons 10 VP's (4 units and 6 quadrants)

Starks 8 VP (2 units and 6 quadrants)

An incredibly hard fought game, against a tough list and great opponent but it was a brilliant opening to the event. One NCU is always tough but not killing those Scouts earlier was really galling. Rory did a great job with Stannis holding off my right flank while he won on the left, and he got ahead and kept getting the points on the board. A well deserved second Wardens scalp for Rory...

GAME 2

GARETH "GAZ H" HAMMERTON

HOUSE BOLTON

SCENARIO: WINDS OF WINTER

A second new opponent, and running a newly hardened Bolton horde. Very nicely painted army too and running a pair of NCU's...

Dreadfort Spearmen with Steelshanks Walton (C)

Dreadfort Cutthroats with Dreadfort Captain & Ben Bones

Dreadfort Cutthroats with Dreadfort Captain

Dreadfort Cutthroats with Dreadfort Captain Dreadfort Archers

Dreadfort Archers

NCU's

Ramsay Snow & Walda Frey

TERRAIN & DEPLOYMENT

TERRAIN:Stakes, Hedge, Hedge, Weirwood Tree

BOLTONS: Cutthroats, Archers, Spearmen, Archers, Cutthroats and Cutthroats

UMBERS: Berserkers, GJ Berserkers, Robb Greataxes, Berserkers, Rickard Berserkers

ROUND 1

I chose to go first, taking the Letters

My hand was pretty aggressive, with both Berseker tactics...

I kept my right back out of bow range, and swung up on my left

BOARD END OF ROUND 1

ROUND 2

Ben played Zone control card for swords and horses, I played score from each objective

Ben moved his Spearmen up but not onto the objective. I charged the spearmen, as well, I'm Umber and he's Bolton...

Five wounds from his spears and a critical panic fail wasn't what I had in mind

I did get to Lash Out

for 4 wounds though. We both healed, for my part as I expected some incoming bowfire

On my left, Greatjons Reckless Heroism saw me strike hard and severely maul the Cuthroats he faced

The incoming arrows reduced my Winterfell Guardians Berserkers

Who died but had a Heroic Last Stand

With Northern Ferocity and Critical blow...

Have to say, with Steelshanks in the unit and me not controlling the Crown (rerolls failed saves), I only killed a few of the Spearmen... So I sent in more Berserkers

I cut a rank off them but lost a rank to bowmen

END OF ROUND 2

I scored off 4 objectives to Gaz's one, although he had killed a unit

UMBERS 4 VP's (4 Mission)

BOLTONS 2 VP's (1 unit, 1 mission)

BOARD END OF ROUND 2

ROUND 3

Missions: I played unengaged unit in Enemy deployment I think, while Gareth stole first turn

Gareth took the swords and elected to shoot into my engaged Berserkers

I attacked back using Berserkers tactics on activation

But Steelshanks in those Spearmen were proving very resilient...

Seeing the danger of the central Berserkers being flanked, Rickard Karstark and his Umbers flew in on the right with a Devastating Impact

And I used Eddard to bring up my Grataxes. Greywind had already smacked into the Dreadfort Archers to try and reduce the missile volleys at my centre.

The central Umber and Rickard both succumbed to being flanked, as the Boltons brought numbers to bear on my right

And this pulled the game in the Boltons favour

END OF ROUND 3

HOUSE BOLTON 5 VP's (3 units, 2 Mission)

HOUSE UMBER 4 VP's (4 Mission)

ROUND 4

I played the card to go first and tie on 5-5

. Gareth played the Zone denial one.

I then had the Greatjon activate an his attack was pretty good...

This easily dispatched the three remaining Cutthroats

Allowing me to overrun into the Dreadfort Archers

And the Greatjon didnt disappoint again!!!

We had both won on our left flanks, and now circled to face each other

Gareth did shoot down Greyind sadly, bringing the game even closer.

END OF ROUND 4

HOUSE UMBER 7 VP's (2 units, 5 Mission)

HOUSE BOLTON 6 VP's (4 units, 2 Mission)

Board End of Round 4

Gareth had dropped his second archers well back and brought up some cutthroats to threaten the GreatJon

ROUND 5

I selected Swords or Letters zone denial, Gareth played score for every objective

The Cutthroats charged into the Greatjon, cutting him down.

Now at 7-7, I had to be bold so crossed the stakes to take the centre.

Gareth backed on unit of Cutthroats back to the objective and brought other forces up. Steeshanks didnt charge me, but bided his time with his set for charge

BOARD END OF ROUND 5

END OF ROUND 5

HOUSE BOLTON 8 VP's (5 units, 3 Missions)

HOUSE UMBER 8 VP's (2 units, 6 Missions)

ROUND 6

Mission Cards were no help to either of us...

But my Tactics cards were a big help.

I charged using assault orders and the swords into the Dreadfort Spearmen, who Set for Charge. They dropped me a rank, which was actually a real blessing as it allowed me to deal four wounds from Lash Out.

Four attacks went down to 2 due to Cruelty and Cunning and the two tokens I had. I scored one hit, and thankfully, there was not double sixes (with his re-roll)

I then surged forth away from the Boltons

I then activated, pivoted and marched well away (Robb's enhanced mobility). I then lost three Greataxes to a failed Crown zap

Leaving Robb Stark alone, on a field of dead Umbers...

END OF ROUND 6 (and Game)

HOUSE UMBER 9 VP's (3 unis, 6 Missions)

HOUSE BOLTON 8 VP's (5 units, 4 missions)

What can I say, I Robb (ed) that victory. Gareth had me beaten until he set for charge and allowed me to do four automatic wounds. The Archers decimated my two central Umber units to such an extent I had to send Greywind in to pin one unit. Greatjon was immense and a timely Overrun helped me stay in it but i really thought Gareth had this, I just got a good hand for Turn 6 that allowed me to sneak. A second great game, and so close. Sympathy for a Bolton player is a rare thing nowadays, but Gareth didn't deserve to lose that one..

GAME 3

Sava "Intoxic" Belkovskis

SCENARIO: FIRE & BLOOD

HOUSE TARGARYEN

Unsullied Pikemen with Grey Worm (C) & Mirri

Pit Fighters with Skahaz Mo Kandaq

Brazen Beasts with Beasts Captain

Rhaegal

Drogon

NCU's

Daenerys Targaryen & Barristan Selmy

I hadnt met or played Sava before, but his double Dragons

in Fire and Blood was going to be a proper in your face affair.

TERRAIN & DEPLOYMENT

TERRAIN: Hedge, Stakes, Woods, Stakes, Bog

TARGARYENS: Rhaegal (Marked), Unsullied Pikemen, Drogon, Brazen Beasts, Pit Fighters (Marked)

UMBERS: Berserkers, Berserkers, Greataxes (Marked), Greywind (marked), Rickard Berserkers, GJ Berserkers

ROUND 1

I took the Letters to boost my hand

Sava took the Horses, advancing the Unsullied up, before I brought Greywind in to cover between two units.

Bur Sava wanted blood, so sent Drogon into Robb's Great Axes. The attack devastated me, but I attacked back with maximum attacks due to the card for my marked unit. All six attacks caused six hits and did six wounds and the vicious panic check is visible.

Drogon died!!!

The Brazen beast moved up from Sentinel, and then charged into Rickard Karstarks Berserkers, taking critical blow and +1 attacks from their Motley Armaments

10 hits from seven attacks, needing 4+'s Nice dice rolling...

I didnt make a single save... but passed the panic and healed up from Eddard.

I used a Swift Reposition and Devastating impact to get the Greatjon in against Belwas and his Pitfighters, after they had moved up

I cut five of the fighters down

BOARD END OF ROUND 1

Rhaegal flew into range to threaten my Greataxes and Dire wolf, as I brought my left flank in centrally.

END OF ROUND 1

HOUSE UMBER 2 VP's (1 unit)

HOUSE TARGARYEN 0 VP's

ROUND 2

Sure enough, Sava moved up Rhaegal, charging Robb's Greataxes. and killing them

before playing Overrun and charging into Greywind and surging forth after killing him. I did manage two wounds from a Final Strike form the Greataxes, but that was both my marked units gone to one of Sava's

The Brazen Beasts struck out at my 3 three Karstark led Umbers

Critical blow again gave seven hits from the attack, But I saved five and then used Eddard to heal four wounds back...

With Robb's unit dead, I now had highest attacks for Greatjon thanks to the North remembers

I got eight hits but didnt quite get rid of the unit. Damn that Belwas was hard to kill

But the Brazen Beasts dropped quickly...

I still had two untouched Umber units on my left but had to be mindful of Greyworm and his Unsullied.

The Pitfighters activated, triggering their Rage to give me all three tokens, but they then failed to destroy a rank so Fuelled by slaughter only added one wound before they had to take 2, killing themselves in their fury... that was mad, but wholly thematic!!!

I closed in on the Brazen Beasts and Rhaegal, giving Sava plenty to think about for next turn

BOARD END OF ROUND 2

END OF ROUND 2

HOUSE TARGARYEN 9 VP's (2 units)

HOUSE UMBER 7 VP's (2 units)

ROUND 3

I activated the Berserkers and charged in on Rhaegal

I played Winter is Coming for nine dice...

And the marked dragon died, tying the scores...

The Brazen Beasts once again struck with some awesome Critical Blow dice, but I had previously healed up Karstark and his Umbers

So I did survive with three left (again)

The Winterfell Guardian and his Umbers went into the flank of the Brazen Beasts

Scoring eight hits with my own critical blow, destroying them

With the Unsullied sat in the centre, and unable to do much, the game had ended

END OF ROUND 3 (& Game)

HOUSE UMBER 11 VP's (4 units)

HOUSE TARGARYEN 9 VP's (2 units)

Wow. Hard to believe we only played three rounds, as it felt like it ebbed and flowed so much.

Sava was gutted I one shotted Drogon round 1, but I got lucky and he had some bad luck on his panic. Then he positioned Rhaegal to come in and score two units for 9 VP's in one hit, and I thought that was it for me.

But somehow Rickard Karstark wouldn't die (Ok, Eddard helped). But that was another awesome game to end the event.

So overall, three new opponents and three fantastic games, on lesser seen scenarios at events. That was a pleasant change. A real reminder of just how good the game is at present.

Nicholas Keyes won the event, the only unbeaten player, using Boltons...

FINAL STANDINGS

PRIZE SUPPORT

But with two wins, I had sneaked into second place.

And by default of having the only fully painted army, I also won Best Painted

But main prize for me was having all three opponents single me out for most sporting opponent, despite the nasty Umber list. Think the closeness of the games speak to it though, they were brilliant games to be involved in.

Great event, great day. Three great opponents.