50 players from around the UK and a handful of continentals who made the journey over to our fair isle turned up for the Scottish Grand Tournament at Common Ground Games in Stirling...

One of the best things about this event is that it encourages a fluffy, themed list build and as far back as the event last year I decided I would paint and play a Night's Watch force based only on participants in the Battle of the Fist of the First Men. As with last years Greyjoy force, I did a wee scenic base to accompany my forces and wrote up a bit of a back story to go with it...

A FULL WRITE UP OF THE BACKGROUND IS AVAILABLE HERE

(Pictures courtesy of Doug Gordon and his massive camera)

My efforts were not in vain as I was presented with the Archmaester Award

"Archmaester Award – This award is judged based a few things

including the most narrative list combo, best short story explaining

the choice in characters and units in your list combo, and overall

“Friendliness” of the list."

So enough with the why, here is what I used, one list for all games:

 Veterans of the Watch with Jeor Mormont - 997th Lord Commander (C)

 Shadow Tower Spearmen with Grenn - Aurochs 

 Sworn Brothers with Eddison Tollett - Dolorous Edd 

Ranger Hunters

 Watch Marshal 

NCU

Samwell Tarly

GAME 1

STEVE "DARKMAN" BUTLER

NIGHTS WATCH

A GAME OF THRONES

Steve's army is awesome and his tactics board is better than mie so we used that.

  Veterans of the Watch with Jeor Mormont - 997th Lord Commander (C)

Sworn Brothers with Benjen Stark - Wolf of the Wall
Conscripts
Sworn Brothers with Cotter Pyke - Ironborn Brother

NCU's

Aemon
Bowen Marsh
Donal Noye

Terrain: Wall, bog, woods, wall

Steve's Deployment: Veterans, Conscripts behind, Cotter Brothers, Benjen Brothers

Mt Deployment: Ranger Hunters, Watch Marshall, Shadow Tower Spears, Veterans, Sworn Brothers

TURN 1

Steve went first and took the letters, while I used Sam on the Horses

moving up my Spearmen...

Roose went on the crown to panic bomb my Watch Marshall with a panic token too

I passed easily enough

We both moved up on my right, but the Watch marshall and Rangers swung left to try and draw out the Steve's veterans by threatening the objectives there

TURN 2

I took the horses and advanced up my Rangers on the left, then shifted them further forwards with Watch marshall shift as Steve took letters again. I activated my Veterans and advanced up to draw out Cotter's charge

In fairness, anyone could charge but Cotter was the most likely...

Roose on the crown again, but switched target which

caused two wounds on Edd's Sworn Brothers

I dropped my Rangers back to steal the left side objective...

And as Cotter charged and didnt do a lot to my Veterans, I used Watcher on the wall to shift up the Shadow Tower spears and charged Steve's veterans to protect my guys flanks. I lost five men in a fairly one sided fight but had the Watch Marshall take the centre to gain his +1 attack. Alas, the spearmen were dropped to two men when Steve took the swords.

I known I was going agaisnt standard NW tactcis in spreading my force, but wanted to get ahead on objectives...

END OF TURN 2

STEVES NIGHTS WATCH 1 VP (1 objective)

MY NIGHTS WATCH 3 VP's (3 objectives)

TURN 3

Steve took the Swords and despatched my Spearmen with ease. I activated my Watch Marshall and he sped away to the far left objective. Steve then had the Sworn Brothers reduce my veterans down toa single rank.

I did pass my morale na dhad Sam take the bgs to heal up

But my reckless charge of teh Shadow tower had left my flank open

I survived the flank charge, but rather than retreat, I decided to fight (well, futile resistance is the theme of my force after all). It was a weak attack and llowed Steve to move up benjen under his Sentinel order. They then charged my right side Sworn brothers under Edd

And simply leathered them!!!

END OF TURN 3

STEVES NIGHTS WATCH 3 VP's (1 unit, 2 objectives)

MY NIGHTS WATCH 5 VP's (5 objectives)

TURN 4

Sam took the Swords and my Sworn brothers lashed out desperately. But the conscripts healed up Benjens Brothers after using Watched on the wall and they then charged into the fray

The Conscripts wiped Edd and his Brothers out and took the objectives, as Benjen swung around to face my Veterans. They then did what they should have done last turn and retreated

Cotter took some wounds to charge after them

Board at End of Turn 4

END OF TURN 4

STEVES NIGHT WATCH 8 VP's (2 units, 6 objectives)

MY NIGHTS WATCH 7 VP's (7 objectives)

TURN 5

Bowen on the swords saw Cotters Sworn brotehrs wipe out Jeors Veterans

And with them gone, the game was lost...

Board at End of TURN 5 (and game)

STEVES NIGHT WATCH 12 VP's (3 units, 9 objectives)

MY NIGHTS WATCH 9 VP's (9 objectives)

Well, I didnt do too badly I felt. I did make the mistakes mentioned but my Shadow Tower defence dice were truly shocking and had I held up the Veterans for a turn more I felt the game could have been different. Still, it was a good game and Steve didnt kill my Watch Marshall as he said he would (but then he didnt take the Othell on the wall list). It was good to play Steve, he's been to both Ribble Rumble events I've ran and seen him at quite a few more events too. Next time i'll bring a proper list and give him a better game. Oh, and he was also first to start with the "Where's Gilly?" question that would be repeated all day Saturday...

"DISHONOURABLE MENTION"

PsychoSte was among a few players who were singled out for Shame and Reek badges for dirty lists.

To be fair, I didnt think his lists were too bad (by his admittedly low standards)

SOME PAINTED UNITS

Dan "Space Monkey" McDonalds Bloody Mummer Skirmishers were my favourite unit

PROPER PICTURES OF THE EVENT (COURTESY OF DOUG GORDON)

DOUG GORDON PHOTOGRAPHY

His pictures are "pure gallus"...

GAME 2

IAN "GAMER_GUY" NEILSON

TARGARYENS

HONED & READY

Ian was the only player I didn't actually know prior to the games all weekend, but he was from the West of Scotland like myself and we had a great game as I'm sure you'll see. He was, unsurprisingly given the T-Shirt, running a meaty looking Targaryen list as below:

  Unsullied Pikemen  Marselen - Mother's Men Commander (C)

  Unsullied Pikemen 

  Golden Company Crossbowmen 

  Drogon 

NCU's

Illyrio Mopatis
Daenerys Targaryen

Missandei

TERRAIN: Hedge, Wall, Stakes, Stake, Hedge

TARGARYENS: Pikemen, GC Crossbowmen, Pikemen with Marsalen, Drogon

NIGHTS WATCH: Ranger Hunters, Marshall, Spearmen, Veterans, Sworn Brothers

TURN 1

I went first and had Sam take the horses and advanced the Spearmen up the centre. When Ian countered with Marsalen's Pikemen I used the Watch Marshall to shift up the spearmen before they activated adn marched onto the centre objective

Missandei jumped on the swords

and a unit of Freedmen appeared on the battlefield via "Devotees of the Dragon" card. I brought up the rest of my forces to support the centre. Ian did the same but threw Drogon out right. The Freedmen also activated and removed the Stakes...

Tactics Board at End of Turn 1

TURN 2

Ian took the Swords and brought on a second unit of Freedmen with the card he had kept with Missandei. I took the Letters for more cards.

The newly arrived Freedmen charged my Spearmen who Set for Charge and managed to inflict a total of two wound. And they passed their panic check!!!

This allowed me to play Watcher on the Walls on the Sworn Brothers and a daring plan was forming...

I pivoted slightly right, then shifted up into Drogon's flank and activated the unit. I had rerolls and needed a 5+

And to increase my chances, played the Sword in the Darkness for a panic and vulnerable token and 8 attacks

All eight attacks hit with the rerolls

And Ian failed six saves initially but I made him re-roll and he failed all eight. One shot on Drogon!!! It's fair to say I was well chuffed and Ian was gutted...

After the left Pikemen had activated, I charged the Hunters into the Freedmen, wiping them out with their charge, retreating back and shooting up the GC Crossbowmen. In return, the crossbowmen downed four Rangers

The Spearmen finished off the other Freedmen as Watch Marshall stayed close to give +1 attack

This freed the way for Marsalen and his pikemen

Who smashed into them with great aplomb denying me the objective

END OF TURN 2

TARGARYENS 1 VP (1 objective)

NIGHTS WATCH 2 VP's (1 objective and a bloody big Dragon)

TURN 3

I didn't take the board, I charged the flank of the Pikemen to get the benefit of Disrupt

Marsalen's pikemen used their order for shieldwall. The Rangers also went into the other flank

They were shot fairly ineffectually by the GC crossbowmen and were in a position to get flanked by the other Pikemen

And sure enough they did...

Somehow I managed to survive, only taking 3 wounds due to saving 3 and then using Shield of the Realm of Men

In the centre, the spearmen struck out again

scoring eight hits with the Watch Marshall aiding

Marselen's Pikemen turned to faced the veterans (as Ian knew what was coming) and attacked the Spearmen but only killed two men.

However, despite the 3+ save, using Martial training to make vulnerable, my Sundering and eight attacks made short work of the Pikemen and Ian's commander...

And I surged forth to threaten the GC Crossbowmen, as the Shadow Tower Spearmen pivoted to face the Crossbowmen who shot them down. The Watch Marshall moved onto the centre

BOARD AT END OF TURN 3

(All around the centre)

END OF TURN 3

TARGARYENS 2 VP's (1 unit, 1 objective)

NIGHTS WATCH 4 VP's (2 units, 2 objectives)

TURN 4

Ian took the swords and shot up Edd's Sworn Brothers.

I activated my Rangers and retreated them well out of the way. The GC activated and shot Edd's Men again, leaving Edd on his own to ponder his miserable life and inevitable fate

In a bid to save Edd, the Watch marshall charged the crossbowmen and was outside te charge arc for the pikemen... Ah, the benefit of hindsight and the stupidity of being a bit gung ho. Ian used swift reposition to shift backwards, then flank charged the marshall...

Ian had also let slip he had over run in his hand... bummer!!!

After easily dispatching the watch marshall, Dolorous Edd faced a fully intact Unsullied Horde...

BOARD END OF TURN 4

END OF TURN 4

TARGARYENS 4 VP's (3 units, 1 objective)

NIGHTS WATCH 5 VP's (2 units, 3 objectives)

TURN 5

This was going to be tight...

Activating Sam first I took the horses to deny it to Ian and moved my Rangers over to have a straight run onto the left side objective. Ian took the swords and shot up the Veterana bit

I activated the Veterans and turned to face the oncoming Unsullied. Ian shot the Veterans again shifting over to be able to take the objective next turn.

END OF TURN 5

TARGARYENS 4 VP's (3 units, 1 objective)

NIGHTS WATCH 5 VP's (2 units, 3 objectives)

TURN 6

Ian took the swords and attacked my Veterans. I took the bags and healed my Veterans. Ian took the horses and moved Crossbows onto the far left objective. I attacked with the Veterans, knocking a rank off of the Unsullied. Ian then took letters with Illyrio and healed up the Unsullied. With no NCU's left to fire off the wall, my 3 rangers marched up onto the near left objective. The unsullied attacked te Veterans but were unable to kill them...

Tactics board at End of Turn 6

The remnants of the Rangers hdidng behind the bushes...

The Valiant Veterans held the centre...

BOARD AT END OF TURN 6 (and Game)

END OF GAME

TARGARYENS 5 VP's (3 units, 2 objectives)

NIGHTS WATCH 6 VP's (2 units, 4 objectives)

WOW!!! That was so close, but worth mentioning when scoring at the end, my Rangers took 3 hits from the wall and saved all of them. I say that as had Ian attacked with unsullied first rather than heal, I'd have had to take the objective and then Illyrio could have attacked off the wall. If Ian's dice and mine had been the same, it wouldn't have impacted the result.

I made a mistake in trying to save Edd and giving two easy kills to the Unsullied, but it was the death of Drogon turn 2 that was the key factor in tis game. Ian took it in good spirits as we properly ripped the mickey out of each other throughout the game as it ebbed and flowed, and it didn't help his mates were ripping into him too towards the end. But simply an outstandingly fun game from start to finish...

GAME 3

PAUL "SOUP DRAGON" WHITEHEAD

LANNISTERS

A CLASH OF KINGS

Finally got to face Paul across the table as he's been ducking me in the events we go to, ashamed of his Dirty Lannisters...

 Poor Fellows with Gregor Clegane - The Mountain (C)

  House Clegane Brigands 

  House Clegane Brigands 

  Knights of Casterly Rock 

  Knights of Casterly Rock 

NCU's

Pycelle

The High Sparrow

Of course, I'm only joking as pretty sure he'd run an all cavalry list if the had a cavalry commander...

SET UP: Hedge. stakes & stakes

LANNISTERS: Brigands, Knights of Casterly Rock x 2, Brigands, Poor Fellows with the Big Fellow

NIGHTS WATCH: Rangers, Watch Marshall, Sworn Brothers, Shadow Tower Spearmen & Veterans

TURN 1

I was first player and had Sam take the Horses and advance up the Spearmen.

I passed the Crown panic check and Paul also took the Letters

BOARD END OF TURN 1

I'd taken the left and centre objectives and was poised to support the centre. Paul swung the right side Brigands right up as his two units of knights closed in on the centre. The Mountain and poor Fellows were going to sit on the right objective

TURN 2

Paul's first activation was to activate the Brigands on my right and bring them right around my rear. I hummed and haa'aad but eventually had to activate the veterans to protect my rear. The poor Fellow lost four men to the stakes as they took the right objective. I seized the bags with Sam to prevent them healing, and also remove my Spearmens weakened token

Paul ignored the Spearmen and went down and into the flank of my veterans...

Scoring nine sundering hits but I saved a few and passed the morale...

I played Watcher on the Walls and Paul failed the counterplot

This allowed me to move up my Sworn Brothers and they charged the left side Knights. Despite the re-roll, I failed the 4+ charge

The high sparrow took the crown and used Assault orders to get the engaged Knights to attack again

Scoring four hits, I passed the panic to regain the wound caused...

And when the Brigands charged in they whiffed and took more wounds than they caused...

Having seen my Veterans survive 3 attacks, and my Sworn Brothers withstand a frontal Knight Assault, the left side Brigands swiftly redeployed to my right, leaving the Rangers alone on the left

Board at End of Turn 2

END OF TURN 2

NIGHTS WATCH 2 VP's (2 objectives)

LANNISTERS 1 VP (1 objective)

TURN 3

With first activation, I had Sam take the bags and heal the Veterans

Paul took the Horses and retreated into the flank of my veterans so yet again, my brave Watch Marshall charged a vastly superior enemy to protect his Brothers. He caused three wounds...

The High Sparrow took the Letters but used a second Assault orders to have the Brigands try and kill the Watch Marshall

But I saved three of the four hits Paul rolled!!!

My Veterans with precision played the Sword in the Darkness

But Paul counterplotted it successfully

and all my attacks caused a single wound...

Having failed with the Assault Orders attack, the Brigands tried again

And the Watch Marshall scared Paul's dice to death!!!

Another single wound was caused as the awesome Watch Marshall held. The Lannister Knights retreated away from the Veterans

My Rangers moved up to the limit of controlling the left objective but could not get involved in the fight yet.

The Sworn Brothers were reduced to Dolorous Edd again...

But the Brigands didn't give him long to ponder his existence alone for long

With their demise, my Veterans were able to move using the Now their watch has Ended card.

It's not all about attacking, I had moved the veterans into position to flank the Brigands

BOARD AT END OF TURN 3 (ignore the miserable Edd on the left side)

The Spearmen were looking horribly exposed, as were my Rangers. The cavalry had managed to split my units and pull them out of position.

END OF TURN 3

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

NIGHTS WATCH 4 VP's (4 objectives)

TURN 4

Paul activated the left side Knights and charged the Shadow Tower spearmen

losing one to set for charge

And despite nine hits, I rolled 4 sixes on my saves...

I took the swords but my attack was ineffectual

But Paul's saves were good. The Brigands finished off the Watch Marshall (21 attacks to do 3 wounds).

I then charged the Brigands who had moved up closer to my Spearmen with the veterans and wiped them out, healing up the Spearmen with Take the Black...

Unfortunately, Paul opted for the Casterly Rock sandwich from the menu

I failed all nine attacks that hit...

And failed the morale check...

My Rangers had moved down to block off the Brigands potential escape route, so lined up alongside their Veteran comrades

BOARD AT END OF TURN 4

END OF TURN 4

LANNISTERS 7 VP's (3 units, 4 objectives)

NIGHTS WATCH 5 VP's (1 unit, 4 objectives)

TURN 5

I had to go down fighting, so i charged the Knights with the ranger and dropped them a rank on the charge, losing two to Lannister Supremacy

I then retreated back and shot the Knights...

Seven hits resulted but only one further Knight was dropped...

Paul hit my Veterans using the price of failure to ensure he got maximum hits, easily wiping out the five remaining men (including Jorah)

And played Overrun to crash into my Rangers. They survived with three men left...

I suppose I could have healed, or retreated or even attacked but they were doomed, so I crown zapped the last Lannister Knight instead to try and take him with me...

He did fail the test, but sadly only took two of the required three wounds!!!

The Brigands secured a Crushing Victory for the Lannisters by smashing into the rear of the Rangers

BOARD AT END OF TURN 5 (and Game)

LANNISTERS 13 VP's (5 units, 8 objectives)

NIGHTS WATCH 5 VP's (1 unit, 4 objectives)

I thought Paul had erred when he didn't flank my Sworn Brothers early in the game, but with hindsight I could have got lucky and he would have then been exposed to my Ranger. Paul was either patient or overly cautious but the results speak for themselves, as he pulled my forces apart and then hit them hard. I would doubtless be too gung-ho with a cavalry force, but prudence paid of dividends for Paul and I'll look forward to a rematch!!!

END OF DAY 1

Well I'd won a game with my one NCU list and that was my sole aim from my six games!!!

A quick break before 40 of us gathered for a curry. It was braw!!!

DAY 2

GAME 4

JOHNNY "JBoneDS" BULL

NEUTRAL: BOLTONS

WINDS OF WINTER

I knew Johnny from attending the Ribble Rumble last year where his beautifully painted and themed Bolton's (no non Bolton's on display, as his Stormcrows are really Stark/Bolton longbowmen). After the drubbing Paul's cavalry had given me, I wasn't sure how I'd cope given the cards in Winds of Winter

House Bolton Cutthroats with Ramsay Snow - The Bastard of Bolton (C)

& Theon Greyjoy - Reek
House Bolton Cutthroats

Stormcrow Archers

  House Bolton Flayed Men 

  House Bolton Flayed Men 

NCU's

Roose Bolton

Petyr Baelish

Terrain: Palisades, Bog, Stakes, Wood, Palisade

BOLTONS: Flayed Men, Flayed Men, Cutthroats, Cuthroats with Ramsey, Archers

NIGHTS WATCH: Sworn Brothers, Shadow Tower Spearmen,Veterans with Watch Marshall behind, Ranger Hunters

TURN 1

Roose took the Letters for more cards and threw out a panic as well as a weakened on the Rangers. I had Sam take the horses and advance up the Spearmen

Half way through the turn. I've advanced up with the Veterans and Sworn Brothers, while Johnny has Flayed Men on objective far left and his bowmen in woods with Ramsay near by...

Littlefinger on the swords saw the Bowmen shift up out of the woods (just) to fire on the veterans

My Spearmen had also marched up in front of the Flayed Men as subtlety isn't my forte...

I lost five Veterans...

Actually, I didn't as I played the Shields of Realm of Men and lost three, but one came back as I passed the morale check

I marched up the Rangers as far as I could as I had a cunning plan... Board at End of Turn 2

TURN 2

The cards would now take effect and included on for claiming the letters or sword

Oh, so its a 5+ charge??? Over stakes???

Why not?

I took 3 wounds from the stakes which was nice as kept the rank and attacks. I played the Sword in teh Darkness to make them Panicked and Vulnerable and get an extra attack

I dropped five on the charge with a failed panic too

But as I retreated away, to shoot the trees distracted me. Two hits from seven was pretty bad...

Johnny healed up from the bags. My plan wasn't successful!!!

I activated Sam on horses again and had my Veterans take the Centre objective. Reek was activated but Johnny wasn't impressed as he died first time out...

Johnny had Baelish take the Crown but use the swords for his archers to shoot my Rangers

So I went for a 3+ up charge into the Archers flank

And failed it...

I'd collected all the tokens too and my Rangers were in trouble...

No, they were up the S**t Creek without a paddle!!!

Ramsay charged Jeor's Veterans and took 3 wounds from counterstrike. My Spearmen moved up to protect the Veterans flanks with the Watch Marshall tucked in behind to support

The Flayed Men far on my left activated and charged the Sworn brothers

I lost 2 from the attacks thanks to my second Shields of the Realm of Men. AND THEN LOST THREE PLUS ONE FROM FAILED MORALE!!!

Still, I activated back and used Martial training

and dropped cavalry model. My Spearmen were then charged and dropped a Flayed Men with set for charge

This lot hit harder and I lost five men from the melee attacks

And a further one from another failed panic... (I forgot I had unyielding)

Still, they were still on half strength despite the cavalry charge

And when the Cuthroats charged they lost 3 men due to Night gathers (took a hit for every rank I had). And then I passed four of the five hits...

The centre was well contested and I had held well from multiple charges...

BOARD AT END OF TURN 2

TURN 3

The cards swapped out to score if opponent take a zone before you and if engaged with enemy with fewer ranks. Johnny took the Swords and gave me the first VP

Amazingly, my Ranger survived the shooting so I charged in but didn't use their order as wanted to keep them in melee

Johnny switched to his cutthroats on my left and activated them

And my Shadow Tower dropped to Grenn on his own...

Five wounds was nasty, my dice were poor...

And yeah, the panic was also failed (think I remembered Unyielding here, but as I was engaged with Flayed Men didn't help with their Intimidating Presence)

The Cutthroats lost 3 men to And Now his watch ahs ended as my Veterans attacked

Dropping the Cutthroats down to a single rank

Charging into my flank, the Flayed men had run through the bog and also rolled a one, so no re-rolls!!

Scoring four hits, I saved 3 of the four and blocked the other. They took two wounds from counterstrike and then I healed one from the auto pass of panic...

Taking a flank charge and healing is simply awesome but Johnny wasn't impressed with my dice rolls.

Still, he used Issue Commands to get them to attack again

And rolled really poorly, in which he took a wound from counterstrike and I made all my saves bar one which I blocked with Shield, and then healed one...

While my Veterans were holding off the main force of Boltons, Dolorous Edd and the sworn brothers brought the other Flayed men down to 2 wounds with Martial Training and some bad save rolls. The Watch Marshall flanked and wiped them out, surging forth up behind the other Flayed men hoping to draw the other Cutthroats away from the veterans

END OF TURN 3

HOUSE BOLTON 3VP's

NIGHTS WATCH 4 VP's

TURN 4

I activated the Veterans and took the Cutthroats out and played Take the Black and took Ramsay into the ranks as well as healing up...

Jeor welcomes his newest recruit...

Having marched the archers onto the far right objective, Roose took the swords and shot ineffectually at the veterans. I took the bags and healed the Sworn brothers, while Johnny took the Letters. I flanked the Flayed Men with both the Sworn Brothers and Watch Captain but got a tase of my own medicine as Johnny made his saves and passed morale

Johnny charged his cutthroats at my "Invincibles", taking six wounds from Night Gathers, Ramseys horrific visage and counterstrike. I lost two men...

The Veterans had literally held the Boltons in the centre and were now winning on attrition as I scored 2 VP's from being engaged with fewer ranks than me...

Board at End of Turn 4

END OF TURN 4

NIGHTS WATCH 7 VP's

BOLTONS 3 VP's

TURN 5

The cards were score from taking swords or horses and also for each objective controlled.

Johnny shot the Veterans with the Bowmen but I took the bags and healed so Johnny took the Letters

The Cutthroats attacked the veterans, but died from counterstrike. The damage they did was healed by my second take the Black

My Sworn Brothers activated next, with full rank, Watch Marshall and Sword in the Darkness

With rerolls and Vulnerable from Martial Training, in the flank with Sundering , the dice were on my side...

And the Flayed men were wiped out. The Sworn Brothers took the Centre and the Watch Marshall sped off to the flank objective...

END OF TURN 5 (& Game)

NIGHTS WATCH 11 VP's

HOUSE BOLTON 4 VP's

Well my plan to batter the Archers and the Cuthroats on the right and swing round didn't even get started. Instead, the Veterans simply held against everything Johnny and his troops could throw at them from flanking Flayed men, vicious Cutthroats to Archers in the other flank. My dice were pretty impressive and although the Spearmen crumpled fairly easily, the veterans just wouldn't yield. The Sworn Brothers Martial Training really helped cut through the other Flayed Men. Johnny took the defeat well, he just didn't have the luck. I'll look forward to playing him again as his Boltons plot their revenge...

GAME 5

STEPHEN " BEASTKINGMAREG" McCORMACK

NEUTRAL: GOLDEN COMPANY

FIRE & BLOOD

Stephen had ran the ELO the previous day so we had chatted quite a it before hand and I have

to say I was pretty confident if I could get stuck in I'd have the numbers to deal with these mercenaries...

Golden Company Crossbowmen with Daario Naharis - Stormcrow Captain (C)

  Golden Company Crossbowmen 

 Golden Company War Elephant 

 Golden Company War Elephant 

NCU's

Roose Bolton

Petyr Baelish

Walder Frey

Terrain: Corpse Pile, Stakes and Wall

Golden Company: Elephant, GC Crossbows, Elephant, GC Crossbows with Daario

Nights Watch: Spearmen, Veterans, Marshall behind, Sworn Brothers, Rangers

Worth noting that the Elephants set up a bit back, not full 18" on. I had marked up both right side units and Stephen marked up the Rangers and Watch Marshall

TURN 1

Stephen took the bags and shifted forward with Daario's Crossbows and shot the Rangers. Ok, so it now dawned on me that with one NCU I was going to get absolutely peppered!!!

Six hits resulted in six dead. However, I played Watched on the Wall on the Sworn Brothers and pivoted and moved up.

They were then targeted by an NCU on the swords and took four wounds but I shifted up before hand with the Watch Marshall order. And then the charge went in...

I used Martial Training Order, thankfully given my first rolls below...

I killed 6 crossbowmen and triggered the other crossbowmen sentinel. They moved up into my Sworn Brothers flank

I'd certainly thrown the Sworn Brothers out on a limb but figured I needed to engage asap

Stephen activated Daario and retreated as the Veterans and Spearmen moved up

The right side elephant charged the Sworn brothers and dropped them down to Dolorous Edd (alone again). You would think no one enjoyed his company...

BOARD AT END OF TURN 1

I'd suffered badly and Stephen was evading with his Crossbows while hammering me with the big guys

And with Walder, he could always activate first unless I took the crown. With just Sam, Stephen had free range to obliterate me from the tactics board.

TURN 2

Baelish took the letters and used the swords to attack with Daario's crossbows, cutting my Rangers down to 3 men. I'd used the Watch Marshall order to shift up the Veterans I took the swords and destroyed the stakes in front of the Spearmen.

Edd attacked the elephant in a last defiant gesture before he was crushed!!!

And Daario finished off the Rangers...

Having destroyed my marked Rangers with his marked unit, Sephen scored five VP's and four from the Sworn Brothers (as they both had an additional VP from Daario)

I charged the GC crossbows with the Veterans but they retreated away by Horses after taking four wounds. The Shadow Tower Spearmen also charged the Elephant on my left but didn't do much.

The Veterans got hit for seven by the right side elephant that was wounded by Edd

I would have taken 3 wounds from this failed Morale check

But had the Fire that Burns against the Cold...

And still took 3 wounds with an identical roll... Well, when yer lucks out, yer lucks out

With nothing else to do, the valiant Watch Marshall flanked the elephant

And needed his re-rolls from the charge, eventually doing a wound...

The crossbowmen then activated and killed the veterans

The other elephant attacked the Spearmen for four wounds...

And another one from a failed panic (but I remembered Unyielding so only took one)

And Walder took the swords to finish off the Watch Marshall scoring another four VP's, on top of the one for the veterans

END OF TURN 2 (and Game)

GOLDEN COMPANY 14 VP's

NIGHST WATCH 0 VP's

Well that was an unmitigated disaster!!! Stephen's force was perfect to face one NCU as he could get five or six shots off every turn from the Crossbows and simply picked my forces apart with consummate ease. I tried to get to grips but it was an uphill struggle from the get go and the only small success I can claim as that at least I didn't get tabled. One NCU is really not a good idea...

GAME 6

NIGEL "KInG" KING

TARGARYENS

DARK WINDS, DARK WORDS

I've known Nigel across the table since 2017 when we played Blood and Plunder,

and met him at plenty of other events. He's a unique character, which given he's

from the Dead Meta Gaming group is really saying something as its full of

unique characters. Nigel didn't know I do a blog (despite taking many pictures,

of many games, at many events he has seen me at).

But he has the same casual approach to gaming so I knew we'd have a blast...

Stormcrow Archers with Daenerys Targaryen - Mother of Dragons (C)

  Drogon 

  Rhaegal 

  Viserion 

NCU's

Illyrio Mopatis

Tycho Nestoris

Petyr Baelish

SET UP: Wall, Stakes, Palisade

TARGARYENS: Viserion, Rhaegal, Stormcrow Archers, Rhaegal & Drogon

NIGHST WATCH: Rangers, Sworn Brothers, Spearmen with Watch Marshal behind, Veterans

TURN 1

Going first, I took the Horses and marched up. Nigel took the crown and panic bombed the Rangers

Oh joy!!! Sure its only one wound, but its the karma on my dice... Never happens with my Free Folk

Baelish took the bags and used the sword to have the Stormcrows drop a few veteran. The Dragons spread about as I grouped up

TURN 2

Taking the swords or letter would give up a victory point

Viserion charged in to the Rangers and killed seven...

I attacked back, retreated and shot the beast for 3 wounds

I'd played Watcher on the Walls on the Sworn Brothers whenViserion attacked, and not used it to charge the Stormcrows through the stakes, needing a 3+. Dice Gods are fickle as I rolled a pair of two's...

And I lost four Brothers to the stakes to really rub it in...

Baelish on the crowns used the Swords to shoot with the Archers

And Rhaegal charged in an wiped out the Rangers...

Before falling back and taking the left objective

However, this allowed me to spend Now his watch is ended and have my spearmen maneuver over to wards Viserion and the charged the wounded beast, taking it down to a singe remaining wound

Hmm, Nigel used Tycho Nestoris to heal it up five wounds. I then went for a six up charge as I wat getting eaten alive...

Oh, how the dice do love to tease...

So near and yet so far away!!!

The Stormcrows activated and shot the Sworn brothers

And I dropped to two men. Finally, Edd had found a friend...

Well, until Drogon flew in and gobbled them up

TURN 3

Didn't record score here, as cards confused me and I forgot. I activated the Spearmen

and used The light that Brings the Dawn for re-rolls and scored a stonking eight hits

But Nigel used Fire Made Flesh to reduce the wounds taken, only taking two...

Drogon charged my Veterans flank dropping me down some

And again I had a panic failure...

Fortunately, The Fire that burns was played and I passed...

With Nigel having taken the Boards before me and giving me a point, I took the swords to attack Viserion again

I only scored four hits

But all four wounded...

My Watch Marshall charged into Drogon as glory beckoned

The Rhaegal and Viserion double act finished off my Shadow tower spearmen

END OF TURN 3

TARGARYENS 5 VP's

NIGHST WATCH 1 VP

BOARD AT END OF TURN 3

The Dragons were circling and my doom was nigh...

TURN 4

Drogon finished off the Veterans with attack from the tactics board and Dracarys

I managed to score three more wounds from the Watch Marshal and take Drogon near to death

But Nigel took the bags and healed up. So I took the Horses and retreated away in a final futile act of defiance.

Drogon activated, leisurely gliding over and ripping me apart!!!

After spreading the rest of his siblings around onto the objectives...

END OF GAME

TARGARYENS 10 VP's

NIGHST WATCH 2 VP's

Another tragic tale of poor dice, failed charges and awful panic checks. But really, we had a good laugh and I took two Dragons down to one wound. That Fire mad Flesh card saved them both and Viserion and Rhaegal tag teaming went through my left flank easily enough. Still can't believe he didn't know I did a blog...

So at the end of six games, I'd won two despite handicapping my list and came 42nd of 50 entrants. The final standing are here on ASOIF STATS

CHRIS "CHRIS-fnm" BAKER

Best Painted Army, Best Painted Unit, Best Painted Solo model - A clean sweep for Chris with his immaculate Lannister army

The MID-TABLE MAESTRO award went to the player who came 25th (as Stephen McCormack ruled himself out, so 25th is bang middle. I was happy to contribute to NIGEL KING being so mediocre as is arch nemesis and fellow DEAD META GAMER Alan "TechNeqe" Bainbridge won it last year and led to tumultuous applause as NIGEL strode forth like aa hero of old...

Alan can't contain his joy for his team-mate. Nigel finished higher too, but he did manage to beat PsychoSte in their match...

Thee KING is magnanimous in victory (or mediocrity)

I'm sure that cheesy grin lasted the whole way down to the north East in the minibus sat next to Alan

A BIG SHOUT OUT TO ALL THE DEAD META GUYS, THEY ARE THE CREAM OF THE COMMUNITY.

THEIR OWN LUKE "Luke" VICCARS collected the wooden spoon (and engraved hip flask for coming dead last...

BUT ALSO COLLECTED "OATHKEEPER" FOR MOST SPORTING

SAM " THE WOLF KING" SHAW COLLECTED SECOND PLACE WITH TARGARYENS

CARLO "z4carlo" CONNOR-HILL WON ALL SIX GAMES TO WIN THE EVENT AND COLLECT "ICE"

A FANTASTIC EVENT, MANY THANKS TO JOHN CRAIG AND HIS ASSISTANT CONNOR & STEPHEN FOR SUCH A SMOOTH, FUN AND FRIENDLY WEEKEND. NO DROP OUTS OVERNIGHT, AND A REAL COMMUNTIY EVENT. DEFINTIELY GOING NEXT YEAR AND WOULD RECOMMEND IT TO EVERYONE.

SPECIAL THANKS TO DOUG GORDON AGAIN FOR THE SUPERB PICTURES OF THE PRIZE GIVING AND ARMIES

CHECK MORE OUT HERE

UPCOMING TOURNAMENTS (WORLDWIDE)

ASOIF STATS TOURNAMENTS