BrianMcG: SAVAGE GIANT PREVIEW and five battle reports from the Battle of Greenhollow: Scottish ASOIF event

How appropriate that I get to reveal the Season 7 Savage Giant in a report where I took my Free Folk back beyond the wall (albeit Hadrian's) for Stephen McCormick's event in Glasgow, at the multi-system Battle of Greenhollow...

Not being a video, I thought about hiding it within the reports so you would have to read them to find it. I think they are called "Easter Eggs" or something in movies to young un's nowadays, but I hate all that pretentious pish so all the info is after the Second battle report, where I faced a Mag the mighty list.

Figure that's best place for it

But before you get to that, slight tease in that they are still

SEVEN points...

My Free Folk lists for the event were as follows:

LIST 1

Free Folk Trappers with Mance Rayder (C) Spearwives with Jarl & Raid Leader Spearwives with Borroq Varamyr Sixskins - Master Skinchanger Shadowcat Followers of Bone with Rattleshirt Borroq's Boar War Mammoth NCU's

Lady Val & Craster

LIST 2

Varamyr Sixskins - Master Skinchanger (C) Shadowcat Wolf Pack Spearwives with Jarl & The Great Walrus Spearwives with Borroq Thenn Warriors with Tormund Giantsbane Borroq's Boar Free Folk Raiders with Raid Leader NCU's

Craster, Lady Val & Mance Rayder (Artful Tactician)

A handful of late drop out dropped the event down to 12 players

Three Free Folk

Three Martells

Two Lannisters

One Baratheon

One Targaryen

One Nights Watch

One Stark

No Greyjoys, Boltons or Brotherhood. Or Neutrals...

GAME 1

DAVID "HighlandCow" MILNE

MARTELLS

Dark Wings, Dark Words

I'd met David at Always Winter in Stirling 2025, and he

is a cracking lad, really friendly and chilled and just a fun

person to have at your event, so I was looking forward to

playing him. He was running an interesting Martell list.

Sunspear Dervishes with Daemon Sand (C) Dune Vipers with Nymeria Sand Dune Vipers with Gerold Dayne Skyreach Bowmen with Spearlord Stone Crows with Obara Sand NCU's

Doran Martell, Tyene Sand & Petyr Baelish

Given the scenario, I had already decided to choose List 1

led by Mance

TERRAIN & DEPLOYMENT

RANDOM TERRAIN: HEDGE, CORPSE PILE & WEIR WOOD

MARTELLS: Daemons Dervishes, Dune Vypers, Dune Vypers,

Stone Crows (Skyreach outflank)

FREE FOLK: Varamyr, BoneLords Chosen, Mance's Trappers, Boar,

Borroq's Spearwives, Mammoth (Jarl Wives in outflank)

David insisted on taking one of me looking fierce...

I chose board edge and let David deploy first. David opted to let me have first turn then surprised me by dropping the Skyreach 13.5" from my front line

ROUND 1

David opted to let me have first turn then surprised me by dropping the Skyreach 13.5" from my front line

While unexpected, my Mammoth was game for the challenge, so I had Val take Swords and swap out to move him up.

David shot it, wounding the Mammoth three times...

But I charged the Mammoth home, doing seven wounds with a failed panic although David hit it with Rising Temperatures. David took the letters, while I used Horses to advance up my Spearwives. Next activation, I threw javelins and charged in, but despite Overwhelming Assault, I only dropped three

The Martells marched up evenly across the centre and my right, while Varamyr swung out left I held back a bit

ROUND 2

I brought my Spearwives in behind the Stone Crows and Shadowcat in support for them

Sand Diplomacy was played on Bags and Gardens while the Swords were poisoned

David took Horses and turned the Stone Crows to face the Jarls Spearwives. I activated Borroq's Spearwives and killed the Skyreach Bowmen, surging forth to deny the objective and protect the Mammoths flank.

But more importantly, to clear a path for the Boar to then activate and smash into the rear of the Stone Crows, pinning them.

David took the Letters, so I hit the Stonecrows with my Spearwives dropping them to five wounds

I had used Val to swap out and have the Lords on Bones Chosen take the centre, and the Dervishes took Trappers hits and badly failed the Horrific visage before I activated and attacked back, allowing the five remaining men to retreat. Varamyr then hit them in the flank, dropping them to two men. More traps dropped two Dune Vypers who also charged the Chosen and dropped four from Horrific Visage. The Stonecrows killed the boar while my Mammoth could only maneuver as had no charges. The other Vypers had rolled 1 on way into Borroq, and rolled poorly only dropping four wives.

BOARD END OF ROUND 2

END OF ROUND 2

FREE FOLK 4 VPs MARTELLS 0 VP's

TURN's 3 & 4

Activating first, I took the Swords poisoning Val but a free attack with Varamyr allowed him to finish off the Dervishes

I dropped back a bit as wasn't sure how thing might pan out in the centre. I was still in auto flank range if needed

On the right, I left the Jarl to hold the Stone Crows while I sent the Mammoth and Shadowcat into the Dune Vypers engaged with Borroq. In the centre, the Vypers suffered horrifically from the Chosens Visage and attacks, allowing Varamyr to finish them off. Shadowcat died to an attack from the Vypers.

An alternate view...

Turn 4 saw the Dune Vypers retreat, my Mammoth hit the Stonecrows rear before it was flanked by the Dune Vypers who killed it but were taken out when it fell on them. And the Stone crows died, surrounded and cut down in short order

FREE FOLK 11 VP's

MARTELLS 1 VP

Well, that went pretty much perfectly for me. David really struggled with his 4+ to hit melee troops, and my Mammoth really set about him with a relish. As expected, the wee fella is a real gem to play, polite, complimentary and just a true gent. Really enjoyed the game, and disecting afterwards the Skyreach were simply wasted. With Spearwives in his rear, David was reacting and the Bonelords Chosen really decimated the attacks against them in combination with Borroq and Trappers Hidden traps. Look forward to playing David in Stirling later in the year, before he comes down South to Stockport in November for my Ribble Rumble event

GAME 2

ROSS "JOYCEY" JOYCE

FREE FOLK

A CLASH OF KINGS

I've crossed swords with Ross before, at Aways Winter last year when he managed to roll four corpse piles for random terrain when I faced his Boltons. Ross was running a staple Mag list with double spear throwers. This would be his third game with Free Folk as he has only just picked them up (hence Craster in a Monster list)

Mag the Mighty (C) Savage Giant Savage Giant Giant Spear Thrower Giant Spear Thrower Varamyr Sixskins NCU's

Craster & Lady Val

I had to take Mance List 1 for this, as Varamyr v Mag in

A Clash of Kings see Varamyr die very quickly. Ross let me know

his strategy before the game, charge in...

RANDOM TERRAIN & DEPLOYMENT

TERRAIN: Wall, Hedge & Weirwood

GIANTS: Giant, Spear Thrower, Mag, Varamyr, Spear Thrower,

Giant

FREE FOLK: Varamyr, Followers of Bone, Mammoth,

Mance's Trappers, Borroq Spearwives, Boar, (Jarls Wives outflank)

ROUND 1 & 2

I gave Ross the first turn as wanted to bring on my Jarl round 3

when battle was joined. I did bring on Shadowcat as there was room behind the Giant. Ross took Swords and and hit Varamyr for two wound with a long range spear. I took bags and healed. Ross took horses to turn and face Shadowcat who simply ran away. Long range spear continued to miss Varamyr thankfully as I marched up onto the objectives while Ross held his Giants back... He said he was gonna charge you know! But he did push Varamyr up a bit too eagerly and Borroqs Spearwives managed to get a shift and shoot, and a charge that finished him off for an early score in round 2 before dropping back.

Board near the End of ROUND 2

END OF ROUND 2

MAG MONSTERS 0 VP's

MANCE FREE FOLK 4 VP's (1 unit, 3 objectives)

ROUND 3

MAG had marched right up ready to go where he pleased while my Spearwives came on behind the Monsters. Having already been slightly wounded, my Mammoth made an easy target for Mag who charged in an killed him, but took two wounds when the beast landed on him.

I took the swords and had the Jarls Spearwives throw spears then smack into the rear of the Spearthrower doing several wounds. Ross elected for the bags to heal Mag. I charged in with shadowcat fro another wound, leaving the spearthrower on one wound. It fell after attacking the Jarl's unit, who cut it down and retreated back

Ross used Val to move up a giant towards the centre and took Letters to make Varamyr panicked before charging an killing shadowcat with his far right Giant. My forces stayed put on objectives, with room to retreat...

END OF ROUND 3

MAG MONSTERS 2 VP's (1 unit killed by commander)

MANCE FREE FOLK 8 VP's (2 units, 6 objectives)

ROUND 4

So after taking swords to deny spearthrower attack, I got charged in the centre by a savage giant that took two wounds from horrific Visage. I used Diversion tactics to edge Mance closer before coordination tactics allowed me to shoot then charging volley into its flank. Mag finished off my Jarls unit, after the other giant had gutted them but I was happy to sacrifice them and keep Mag away from Mance. The Chosen cut down the Giant and I nearly got hit by Last of heir kind long range charge. Varamyr succumbed to a thrown spear by failing the panic

END OF ROUND 4 (and Game)

MAG MONSTERS 5 VP's (2 unit commander kills, 1 unit)

MANCE FREE FOLK 11 VP's (3 unit, 8 objectives)

Ross DIDNT charge in. Going first, and scoring a hit on a 6+ on Varamyr gave him the idea to sit back and do that all Turn one, including using a Chieftaisn Orders. Shadowcat was a distraction and in hindsight should have been ignored. But not advancing and contesting at least two objective was a mistake. Mag and one other giant could easily have wiped out units, even Mag on his own, but when he went up alone an killed the Mammoth he retreated back when he could have moved in behind my arcs and gave me real worries. But Ross is new to Free Folk and Giants, so didnt want to leave him out on a limb. Good game but should have got stuck in as I wouldnt have had it as easy.

Ross, try out these new GIANTS

XXXXX SEASON 7 SAVAGE GIANT XXXXX

So Mighty Swing is the same, indeed all the stats

But here is the run down

All abilities still innate...

8 Wounds. EIGHT. And can only lose 1 wounds from a panic.

(So no Callum, you cannot one shot a Giant with a Scorpion)

No more panic token when successfully charging a unit.

No more extra attacks for wounds taken...

But Critical Blow and Vicious. And +1 Attack for each of the Defender Remaining ranks..

All in all very good, sensible changes in my opinion,

Soon be the 30th...

GAME 3

PETER "Peter166" C

MARTELLS

HERE WE STAND

I'd not played Peter before, but had met both him and his brother at a previous Always Winter event in Stirling. I felt given the scenario, Varamyr would be the better choice so I went for List 2. Peter took his Doran Commander list as belows.

Darkstar Retinue with Areo Hotah (C) with Edric Dayne & Quentyn Martell Skyreach Bowmen with Spearmen Captain Sand Skirmishers with Spearlord House Bolton Flayed Men NCU's

Doran Martell, Ellaria Sand & Petyr Baelish

RANDOM TERRAIN & DEPLOYMENT

TERRAIN: Hedge, WeirWood, Bog, Wall

MARTELLS: Flayed Men, Sand Skirmishers, Skyreach Bowme (Darkstar Retinue in outflank)

FREE FOLK: Wolfpack, Tormunds Thenns, Varamyr, Raiders, Borroq Spearwives, Boar (Jarl Spearwives outflanking)

My initial hand was truly a godsend given the scenario as I could effectively replace lost units for quarter control

ROUND 1

Peter opted to let me go first, allowing him to bring on his Darkstar Deathstar on my unnoccupied left. (Oddly enough, just after infomring me he thoguht he had erred and picked the wrong list).

I wasnt overly concerned about the +3 hits from Areo, the critical blow, and sundering etc. It was only when he activated them early to charge the Wolfpack that I remembered the Darkstar Retinue had OVERRUN.... Aaargh!!!

Easily despatching the Wolfpack, they overran straight into Tormunds Thenn's flank. With Critical Blow, ten hits

(+3 meant 13 in total. He had only rolled 12 hits agaisnt the Wolfpack)

So I was saving on a six but vulnerable) I managed two 6's initially but none when re-rolled. No requirement for any panic as the unit was gone. And I hadn't even put an Endless Horde on them.

I was reeling but my Spearwives managed to escape relatively unharmed when the Sand Skirmishers advanced up and shot at them. I then reciprocated, and charged over the wall, as had to regain some semblance of intiative...

END OF ROUND 1

MARTELLS 1 VP (1 unit)

FREE FOLK 0 VP's

ROUND 2

I brought on both Shadowcat and Jarl's Spearwives to go after the Skyreach bowmen

Board End of Round 1

Varamyr had ran away but the Darkstar Retinue were closing in

Peter took Horses to move the Skyreach back so the couldnt be flanked, I activated the Raiders who charged into and wiped out the Sand Skirmishers, with the Raid leader and some pretty good rolls from me and poor saves from Peter. The Skyreach killed Shadowcat from the Swords, and I moved up Borroq and his boar to close in the bowmen and face the Flayed Men. Jarls Spearwives were then shot by the Skyreach, but I cunningly swapped Borroq and Jarl so the board would remain and I could heal a few on far spearwives unit The Flayed Men badly hurt the Raiders (who had Endless Horde on them, as did Jarl's new Spearwives)

The Darkstar DeathStar hit them hard but hey only four were left so they Overran into Borroq's Spearwives...

Peter's dice simply kept landing Sunny side up. Fourteen hits. Jarl and his unit were gone...

The Retinue surged back into the centre to contest a quarter as I had two new units emerge from my side, Raiders with Leaders.

END OF ROUND 2

MARTELLS 4 VP's (3 units, 1 Quarter)

FREE FOLK 3 VP's (1 unit, 2 Quarters)

BOARD END OF ROUND 2

ROUND 3

I gambled and went against taking the Swords, activating Borroq's unit instead. I failed to kill the Skyreach Bowmen but the Boar activated next and finished them off, before moving away from the Flayed Men. The Flayed Men did catch the Board but that was it. I brought Shadowcat on int eh top left and then used an NCU to make enough to score the quarter, and with more activations was able to bring Varamyr up to score top right in addition to unmolested bottom left.

BOARD END OF ROUND 3

END OF ROUND 3

MARTELLS 5 VP's (3 units, 2 Quarters)

FREE FOLK 7 VP's (2 units, 5 Quarters)

ROUNDS 4 & 5

Peter charged into the Raiders on my near right quadrant, wiping them out. My Spearwives took teh swords and hit teh Flayed Men with spear before charging in to engage and stop them charging. I killed one, but survived their attacks back. Varamyr then used the melee between them to run away and shelter from the furious Darkstar Retinue. I used an NCU to boost Shadowcat in Turn 4 and claim two more quarters

END OF ROUND 4

MARTELLS 7 VP's (4 units, 3 Quarters)

FREE FOLK 9 VP's (2 units, 7 Quarters)

ROUND 5

I used Craster on Swords to swap and heal Spearwives, and the Spearwives survived the Flayed Men attack and then retreated out of combat after Val had moved Varamyr. No more combat saw me claim two quarters to Peter's one

BOARD END OF ROUND 5

END OF ROUND 5 (& Game)

MARTELLS 8 VP's (4 units, 4 Quarters)

FREE FOLK 11 VP's (2 units, 9 Quarters)

Wow. I feel I stole a victory there, Peter was all over me in that game. He didnt deserve to lose and did so only due to the fact I drew two Endless Hordes to begin with and the scenario allowed me to play for board control. That was an awful first few turns, because I forgot about Overrun. Shadowcat coming back was great allowing me to score, and Peter thinks he erred in drawing back into centre rather than closing down my units end of Round 2. Those Darkstar were absolutely unstoppable, they killed everything they hit. My plan to hit the weaker ranged units worked after a fashion but after that I had to evade and retreat, only engaging the Flayed Men in desperate attempt to deny them charges. A good win, if somewhat fortunate...

INTERMISSION

A good night out for Pizza for the most of us

GAME 4

DOUG GORDON

LANNISTERS

WINDS OF WINTER

Had the pleasure of playing Doug a few times, and watched him play more as he usually attends the Ribble Rumble event I run down in Stockport. A fair distance from Aberdeen, so really appreciate the efforts he and his fellows clubmates make. With three wins each, this would be a toughie.

And Doug had a tough list

Casterly Rock Honor Guard with The High Sparrow (C) Casterly Rock Honor Guard with Barristan Selmy Lannister Halberdiers with Ser Robert Strong Golden Company Crossbowmen with Champion of the Faith NCU's

Tywin Lannister, Qyburn & Baelish

I am most comfortable with Mance, and two NCU's

felt better that three so I went with List 1

TERRAIN & DEPLOYMENT

TERRAIN: Palisade, Bog, Stakes, Hedge

LANNISTERS: Halberdiers, Honour Guard. GC Crossbow,

Honour Guard

FREE FOLK: Boar, Borroq Spearwives, Mammoth,

Mances Trappers, Varamyr, Bonelords Chosen

(Jarl's Spearwives outflanking)

ROUND 1

I went first, taking the Letters and weakening the Crossbows. Doug countered with bags to remove the token

Carfeful positioning of the Halberdiers prevented and early Round 2 charge in the flank. I advanced up with an obvious threat to the left but overcommitted Mance and his Trappers early and the Honour Guard and GC Crossbows both moved up to capitalise.

ROUND 2

Doug played scored 2 if kill the enemy commander, I played score 2 if unengaged unit in enemy deployment.

I brought on Shadowcat and Jarl's Spearwives behind the Halberdiers...

Doug activated Tywins once per game and hit Mance with everything...

4 hits, vulnerable, panic check and no abilities.

I desperately played Predicatbale Maneuvers to try and fend it off, choosing an NCU and Casterly Rock Guard but I was simply shot up by the Golden Company and Doug took a 3-0 lead... at least I got Endless Horde out on Mance!

I charged into Ser Roberts Halberdiers ineffectually, who had turned to face when attacking back Diversion tactics allowed the Mammoth to move up from the set for charge, Doug letting me do it after fact as I got excited with my charging volley...

My Jarls unit were cut down after the Mammoth had charged and when Borroq had advanced up from Val, his unit got flanked by the Casterly Honour Guard

Borroqs half strength Spearwives activated and attacked (the palisade), But this allowed the Boar to move up and hit the Halberdiers in the rear, dropping five in total

I moved up my Endless Horde Raiders but the Golden Company Crossbows moved over to threaten the Mammoth. I also lost Four raiders to a crown zap. So I got Borroq out while healing the Raiders and sacrificed the spearwives (next turn)

END OF ROUND 2

LANNISTERS 4 VP's (2 units, 2 mission)

FREE FOLK 2 VP's (2 mission)

ROUND 3

I played each objective, Doug played score of centre for two

But I put Endless Horde on the lone Spearwife. I then charged Borroq's Raiders into the flank of the Halberdiers

All seven dice hit with Raid Leader and the Halberdiers were wiped out

I secured both objectives left objectives as the Mammoth turned to face the centre

The Honour Guard killed the lone spearwife, bringing on a second Endless Horde Raider unit and I played Diversion tactics which allowed the Mammoth to move up and flank the GC Mercenaries. Sadly, they were able to heal up while my Mammoth only had three wounds so I couldnt contest the objective

I also charged in with the Bonelords Chosen but bounced and ended up losing a rank when attacked back. Varamyr scored off the near right objective

END OF ROUND 3

LANNISTERS 8 VP's (3 units, 5 mission)

FREE FOLK 6 VP's (1 unit, 5 mission)

ROUND 4

Doug Played for enemy engaged with less ranks, I played score a point and take 1st turn.

So I took the Swords but the Mammoth fluffed its attacks. Even a second attack failed, before it died to Honour Guard.

I retreated units away but a long charge on right saw my Bonelords Chosen barely survive.

BOARD END OF ROUND 5 (and Game)

LANNISTERS 11 VP's (4 units, 7 mission)

FREE FOLK 7 VP's (1 unit, 6 mission)

Well deserved win for Doug who played a blinder. I was always on the back foot. Taking Mance out first activation start of Turn 2 just split my forces and I couldnt hurt the Casterly Rock boys. Hats off to Doug, he let me have a few things out of kilter, even though I wasnt as methodical in my moves (he gives out tray markers pre-game as he is a very exact player whereas I am a bit more "Laissez-faire"). Like Colin at our club to be fair...

GAME 5

Jonathan "Birchi87" Ball

MARTELLS

HONED & READY

Jonathan had travelled up further than I from Board in Brum in

Walsall. And he was the third Martell player so got to play them all

He had another Doran Commander, so knew all about swapping

zone for marching, +3 hits etc. He hasnt faced much Free Folk and

was concerned by the high activations...

I elected to go for the Varamyr List 2, as wanted to out activate and

have more NCU power

Sand Skirmishers with Areo Hotah (C) Sunspear Royal Guard with Dervish Captain Sunspear Royal Guard with Dervish Captain Starfall Outriders Non Combat Units

Doran Martell, Nymeria Sand & Arianne Martell TERRAIN & DEPLOYMENT

RANDOM TERRAIN: Woods, Wall, Wall, Wall

MARTELLS: Royal Guard, Sand Skirmishers, Outriders, Royal Guard

FREE FOLK: Raiders, Wolpack, Thenns , Varamyr,

Borroqs Spearwives, Boar

(Jarl Spearwives, Outflank)

I elected to go first, taking teh Letter for more cards. Jonathan took crowns and zapped Borroqs Spearwives

I lost three to it, but healed them back up

I advanced up ready to seize objectives as Jon kept his forces back

and his Outriders held in the middle as reserve

ROUND 2

I brought on both Shadowcat and Jarl's Spearwives.

Jon took the Horses to move his right Royal Guard back to the board edge, I countered with Val to move up the spearwives

I got to take the Swords after Jon took letters, throwing and following up into the royal Guard and seizing the objective, as I took the centre. The Sand skirmishers backed off after Shadowcat, but I moved her out of harms way while seizing my sides objectives. I lost the Board to shooting from the wall after scoring

END OF ROUND 2

FREE FOLK 4 VP's (4 objectives)

MARTELLS 0 VP's

BOARD END OF ROUND 2

I took the Swords and kept the pressure on the right as Jon, struggled to know which way to go. The Outrider moved back but didnt get a charge in, my wolfpack went in the front of the right side Royal Guard, while Shadowcat moved back around the rear of the left Royal Guard and drew the Sand Skirmishers over to deal with him

END OF ROUND 3

FREE FOLK 8 VP's (8 objectives)

MARTELLS 1 VP (1 objective)

ROUND 4

Shadowcat died but I then played a card to bring her back. The Outriders were smashed by the Spearwives at the rear but not wiped out as the Royal Guard on my left ran through the wood and wiped out my raiders there. But I still held three objectives

END OF ROUND 5 (and Game)

FREE FOLK 1 VP's (11 objectives)

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

Jonathan just didnt know what way to turn and resulted in him not contesting anywhere. I didnt kill any units but I didnt need to as he didnt engage on the objectives. And his Royal Guard just would not die on my far right, but I was sat on objectives and he was chasing shadows (cats). Tough match up given its objective based, my high activations and Jon hasnt faced them before. A good game for me, and look forward to seeing Jon again in July at Board in Brum's Knights of Summer event

A cracking event ran by Stephen and the lack of Brotherhood and Boltons tells you the players were all pretty chilled and no issues arose in any games I played or seen. I do hope to get back up North for Always Winter later in the year, as well as the Battle for Greenhollow 2027 which will be on 7th-9th May 2027

AWARDS

Best Painted Army

Most Sporting Opponent

Walking away with both, and well deserved on both counts

DAVID MILNE