Alan Bainbridge of the Dead Meta Gaming lads (DMG) organised The Lords of War this team event, with 24 players from UK gaming groups vying to take the top prize. at Gathering Point Games in Darlington. Steven "PsychoSte" Connor, Andy "Lord Robbo" Robinson and myself travelled up from Liverpool, a man light for the team, so we had John "fat belwas" Garside join us an Honorary Warden.
The six teams taking part were:
DMG (Dead Meta Gaming) North East
HARBANKKIZZIRA (DMG "B" Team, allegedly) North East
DWG (Durham War Gamers) Further up Northeast
CHELMSFORD BUNKER: South East
STEADFAST GAMING: South, but less East
WARDENS OF NORTH-WEST. Self explanatory really
All factions within a Team must be different and players must provide one Army List. Each team has a 40 point limit on Neutrals that can be taken across all team army lists with each Neutral character only to be included in the lists of one player within the team.
Full Format and Match up process
I had taken Martells, with the list for the event as below:
Sunspear Royal Guard with Harmen Uller - Lord of Hellholt (C) Sand Skirmishers Dune Vipers Golden Company Swordsmen NCU's Doran Martell, Tyene Sand & Nymeria Sand
WARDENS OF THE NORTH-WEST v DMG
WINDS OF WINTER
The other three games: Andy was paired with with Jeri, Ste v Aaron, John v Dom
Lee "Squig" Parkin
Great start to the day, Lee is great fun to play against.
Lee was running Mag the Mighty...
Mag the Mighty - Mag Mar Tun Doh Weg (C)
Varamyr Sixskins - Master Skinchanger
War Mammoth
Savage Giant
Savage Giant
NCU's
Lady Val, Craster & Ygritte
TERRAIN: Wood, Wood, WeirWood Stakes
FREEFOLK: Ginger Giant, Mammoth, Mag, Big Stick Giant, Varamyr
MARTELLS: Sand Skirmishers, Royal Guard, Golden Company, Dune Vypers
TURN 1
I had won the roll and made Lee go first. Well, Mag lacks subtlety and I am not conversant enough with the nuances of House Martell, so we both played through the tactics board. I did get the Doran token.
And sped toward the foe!!!
TURN 2
The Mission Cards were score points for engaging an enemy with less ranks and score a point for each objective you control. Hmmmm, those big beasties wounds count as ranks!!!
I remembered to place my Poison...
And had Doran take the Water Gardens for a second token...
Lee activated the Ginger giant but rather than move the Giant, had him Hurl a Boulder. And sadly (or not) rolled a one.
I used the Sand Skirmishers "Scout Openings" to target the activated giant and had Lady Nym take the Horses
and move up my Sand Skirmishers, using their second order to fire at the big fella, doing a single wound from Precision. And that was that!!!
Lee then activated Mag but used Chieftains Order to have the Red Giant charge the Sand Skirmishers. I then used Set for Charge, scoring 4 hits...
Lee was hoping I'd do a few wounds to improve his attack, so we were both disappointed that I didn't cause a single wound as he made three saves!!! I had however moved over before the attack to deny the Mammoth a charge. The Giant caused four wounds on my unit.
But my attack back from the swords caused two wounds but the Giant passed his morale
Which allowed me to restore three wounds with Spiteful Truth
Meanwhile, Andy v Jeri. Lannister v Nights Watch
John v Dom. Targaryen v Lannister
Ste v Aaron, Starks v Greyjoys
Lee had used Craster to heal two wounds on Big Red...
I activated the unit, and alas didn't have Precision this time, but scored a wound at least.
And a further wound from a failed panic
Lee used Blitz to get a 3+ charge into my Sunspear Royal Guard but only scored two wounds.
I'd taken two Giant charges and was feeling good!!!
Val on the Crowns swapped out to move up the Mammoths, influenced by Ygritte
This moved the Mammoth up into the Sunspear Guards flank
I negated it by attacking the Giant and shifting over to 100% contact
All seven attacks hit home with Martial Training
Craster's once per game healed up two wounds from the giant, and the Mammoth moved off while my Golden Company swung around ready to flank the Big Stick giant. On the right, my Dune Vyper's took the objective, and Varamyr did the same.
TACTICS BOARD END OF TURN 2
MARTELLS 1 VP
FREEFOLK 2 VP's
BOARD AT END OF TURN 2
Lee played 2 VP's for killing the enemy commander (and he looked in a good position to do so) but I played score a VP and take the first turn
TURN 3
I used my Scout opening again, then had Lady Nym take the swords...
Three Precision hits killed the Big Red!!!
But that allowed Lee to play Last of their Kind
And to bolster the attack, Lee played Enrage which worked a treat, killing six men outright before I failed the panic for two more...
1100 HRS 2 Minutes Silence perfectly observed.
Then my elite Golden Company charged into the wounded giant's flank. 10 attacks yielded 8 hits. I did one wound!!! But I had a Vulnerable on him. He only had one wound left too. AND LEE DID SAME AGAIN. ONE BLOODY WOUND!!!
And then it was Lee's turn to swear loudly with a classic panic fail...
The Golden Company surged forth to face Mag, as the Mammoth activating to charge Harmen Uller and his two remaining Guards. I did play rising Temperatures on the activation, meaning no cards and a -1 to hit. This meant Lee only managed two hits, despite the re-rolls...
Both wounded and Harmen had a panic check with a panic token...
With Iron Resolve and a nearby Weirwood, I passed. Just...
Just, only just...
On the tactics board, Doran had got a third token. I had Tyene take the bags and heal up the Royal Guard, Craster tried a Crown zap on Harmen but I passed again. So I took the Horses
and Harmen's unit and retreated out of combat...
I charged the Sand Skirmishers into the Mammoth's flank, and with the Vulnerable token did a stonking seven wounds
With one wound left, I sent Harmen Uller and the Sunspear Royal Guard into its other flank, with Martial Training easily killing the beast. But it did fall on the Guards and kill two of them. A Great turn, two dead giants and a dead Mammoth. My Royal Guards were reduced but my other units were looking good
Val on the Water Gardens had had Mag Hurl a Boulder earlier, dropping the unit to 7 men. So with Ygritte influencing, Lee had Mag charge. And he got seven wounds, wiping them out...
Before barrelling into the Sand Skirmishers with Overrun charge of 5+
And he cut them down to one remaining man. Mag did 22 wounds from chucking that wee stone and swinging his wee club...
I was up against it now, and figured if Lee can make a 5+ charge, my Dune Vypers could make a 4+. And they did. Desperate times...
Six hits from seven attacks was nice, but the four failed 3+ saves was the icing on the cake...
END OF TURN 3
FREEFOLK 3 VP's
HOUSE MARTELL 5 VP's
Lee was first up, playing the same card I had last turn, giving Lee a victory point (although he was going first)
BOARD AT START OF TURN 4
TURN 4
Ygritte to influence Mag, and took the poison to give Mag the free attack
Mag hit and that was that for the Sand Skirmisher...
I couldn't avoid Mag with maneuvering, so took the Crown to get the fourth Doran token.
And I crown zapped Mag, who passed, allowing me to heal up 4 wounds with Spiteful Truce...
Mag charged and I used Set for Charge...
Sadly, that just annoyed him and he swotted Harmen and his Guard off the board
I took the Horses to deny it to Mag
And when I activated the Dune Vypers I retreated as far away as I could from the dreaded Mag...
BOARD END OF TURN 4
END OF TURN 4
MARTELLS 8 VP's
FREEFOLK 5 VP's
TURN 5 & 6
Simply could I hold on!!! I took the zones I needed to prevent too many attacks, and though Mag did make it in on Turn 6, he couldn't do enough wounds. He did try a Monsters from the north panic check when I activated the four remaining Dune Vypers, which if failed could have won it..
But I aced it...
After retreating away, I even healed up off the bags...
We then activated out, as there was nothing left for Lee to do...
HOUSE MARTELL 10 VP's
FREE FOLK 5 VP's
What a great game!!! Always is with Lee but that was so much closer than it looked like being as I was so in control until Mag went mental!!! I had killed two Giants and a Mammoth for one Sand Skirmisher and nine Household Guard. And then bang, the newly renamed Tinfoil Company rolled up and crushed the Sand Skirmishers got trodden into the desert, the Royal Guard became Royal jelly and I only won by having my Vyper's slither away. Mag did all that!!! We both had some nice card plays, and my dice edged Lee's to be fair, but both were poor at times. Still, it was real fun game and the team had a good start, with 3 wins and one defeat...
GAME 2
TEAM HARBANKKIZZIRA
Other Pairings: Ste v James, John v Shane, Andy v Adam Harbinson
Adam "Fizzwizz" Eltherington
A FEAST OF CROWS
Another cool match up, as Adam is another DMG stalwart, regularly attending events around the UK and I've faced his dirty Lannister several times. However, he has set aside his usual filth for a fairly decent Baratheon list...
Adam's Army
Stag Knights with Eldon Estermont - Lord of Greenstone (C)
Baratheon Wardens
Champions of The Stag
Golden Company Crossbowmen
NCU's
Olenna Tyrell, Cortnay Penrose & Lord Varys
Deployment & Terrain
TERRAIN: Wall, Wall, Weirwood and Stakes
BARATHEONS: Wardens, GC Crossbows, Stag Knight with Eldon, Champions of the Stag
MARTELLS: Sand Skirmishers, GC Swordsmen, Sunspear Royal Guard, Dune Vyper's
TURN 1
Adam had first activation, using Olenna to switch off Doran and take the Horses to move up his GC Crossbowmen. I took the Letters, weakening the Crossbows, Adam took bags and removed the weakened.
The Wardens marched up on my left, but I was planning to swing around and hits the Champions and the Stag Knights with numbers...
I also got both Battle Endurances out early
Steve and James were in an unusual position of playing each other while sober...
And John got the toughest match up v Shane...
Although Adam Harbinson is no slouch as Andy was finding out...
TACTICS BOARD END OF ROUND 1
BOARD END OF TURN 1
I had swung two units over to deal with the Champions, and felt the GC Swordsmen and Sand Skirmishers could buy me time to finish the Champions off
TURN 2
I poisoned the Swords with Tyene, who took the Letters weakening the Champions of the Stag. Olenna took the Horses and switched off Doran, who took the Water Gardens. Adam then had the Wardens move up and take left objective. So Lady Nym took the crown..
And the Wardens lost two men and dropped the objective!!!
I moved up aggressively on the right, trying to bait the charge from the Champions of the Stag with the Royal Guard giving them the option to charge without hitting the stakes...
Sure enough, it was too tempting not to and when they activated they got hit with Rising Temperatures...
And when charging Superior positioning (and it was a disorderly charge) and then Dune tactics before the melee attack...
I'd lost a GC Swordsmen from shooting from Adam's GC Crossbows but they charged home against the Champions nonetheless
Four wounds were caused...
The Stag Knights then flanked me over the wall, so I had a 3+ save as took the defensive order earlier when they got shot at...
Eight hits ensued from their critical blow... And I failed six of them!!!
I did pass my panic check but that was still worse than I expected. My Dune Vypers were up on the right objective.
BOARD AT END OF TURN 2
END OF TURN 2
HOUSE MARTELL 1 VP (1 objective)
HOUSE BARATHEON 0 VP's
TACTICS BOARD END OF TURN 2
TURN 3
Adam activated the Stag knights and hit the GC Swords who opted for defence and were reduced to two men. I took the Horses to move up the Sand Skirmishers after they had did their Scout openings...
They managed 4 Precision hits, but the others were saved by Adam.
I passed my panic check, as did Adam. Which allowed me to heal four from Spiteful Truce
Adam then had the Champions attack but they didn't manage to do much. We swung too and fro as Adam burned through all his Courtney Orders to deny me the bags and swords
I did panic check the Wardens again after they had claimed the objective, but they passed this time
I charged off of the objective with the Dune Vypers to flank the Champions, taking 3 wounds over the Stakes...
With Gang Up, that was eight attacks on 3+. Ok, so no re-rolls due to the corpse pile. BUT ONE FECKIN HIT!!!
Adam took the Swords and the Stag Knights wiped out the Golden Company
I moved the Sand Skirmishers back onto the newly made Corpse Pile
BOARD AT END OF TURN 3
The Tinfoil Company was living up to it's new moniker!!!
TACTICS BOARD AT END OF TURN 3
HOUSE BARATHEON 2 VP's (1 unit, 1 objective)
HOUSE MARTELL 2 VP's (2 objectives)
TURN 4
I took the swords with Lady Nym giving critical blow, with Battle endurance kicking in for Sundering and the Champions unable to heal
With the Dune Vypers gang up, I had eight attacks on 2+. I used Martial Training for the Vulnerable token.
All eight attacks hit with 2 critical blows.
And Adam was really taking the piss!!! Still, I used the vulnerable and caused six wounds, taking six hits in return from Final Strike, dropping me to eight men.
I was then flanked by the Stag knights with Adam scoring an impressive ELEVEN hits with Final strike
With Sundering and a flank, I was saving on sixes and rolled well!!! But Adam used the vulnerable token, and even with Shieldwall, it wasn't enough
The Stag Knights surged forth to face the Sand Skirmishers...
Hmmm... I used my Scout Openings on the Champions of the Stags and activated the Dune Vypers, takin damage from the Stakes again.
I caused two automatic wounds, and Adam had 3 saves of 3+ to make.
He nearly did, but took his last wound and his Stag Knights died.
I surged forth with the Vypers but took 4 wounds from teh stakes. And Adam promptly snatched the crowns, and panicked them for their last two wounds. AAARGHH!!! They took ten wounds from the stakes and two from panic, never having been shot or attacked in melee. It's fair to say things were looking bleak for House Martell
BOARD END OF TURN 4
END OF TURN 4
HOUSE BARATHEON 6 VP's (3 units, 3 objectives)
HOUSE MARTELL 4 VP's ( 1unit, 3 objectives)
Tactics Board End of Turn 4
TURN 5
Adam charged in with the Stag Knights. I played Set for Charge and dropped 3 Baratheons
Using Ours is the Fury for +1 to hit, Adam scored all seven with two more critical blows
Oh, and I was also vulnerable...
That left me with two men after the failed panic, despite playing Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken
I used Scout opening, took the horses and retreated, used their other order an shot. 3 Precision shots!!!
The Stag Knights passed the shooting panic and I healed four skirmishers from Spiteful Truce.
But the Crossbowmen closed in for the kill with Sentinel
So I charged them, to avoid Stag Knights next turn, aligning left and out of the Stag's charge arc
END OF TURN 5
HOUSE BARATHEON 8 VP's (3 units, 5 objectives)
HOUSE MARTELLS 4 VP's (1 unit, 3 objectives)
Board Start of Turn 6
I took the Horses and retreated away, shooting as I went but didn't do much. Adam then had olenna take the swords and shoot back
Shot down to two men I was just in range of the corpse pile for the panic. It didnt matter, the dice weren't even close...
Well, sure the dice weren't great but I have to say I've never been happier to lose so badly. I've played Adam three or four times at various events over the last three or four years and I have always had the good dice, and Adam's have been awful, with me apologising for being lucky.
But he never plays poorly and it showed in this game. He absolutely nailed me and didn't take any advice from his team mates bar the sentinel move for his GC Crossbows which didn't make any difference (you were allowed to assist yer teammates in this event). Okay, so the Dune Vypers death by stakes was silly, but I didn't expect the Champions to last as the Tinfoil Company were guarding my central flank. Honestly, those GC Swordsmen everyone goes on about are really over rated...
Oh, and worth mentioning Adam was also snot full of a cold and not 100% when he tabled me!!!
Well played Adam and Team HARBANKKIZZIRA as they won all their games against us. Seems like they were the DMG "A" team, with Adam Harbinson beating Andy on points at 9-9, Shane taking John also on points at 8-8 and James beating Ste 9-7.
I blame Captain Andy, so we had Ste take over...
And who did I end up with Game 3???
GAME 3
WARDENS OF THE NORTH-WEST v DWG
The other three games: Andy was paired with with Dan, Ste v Aaron, John v Carlo
MICKEY "MASARATH" ARNOLD
Only played Mickey the once before as we usually compete at different table levels at the big events. It was at Redcar, and he Trappered my Spearwives under Harma off the board, so I kind of new what to expect. I'd also watched him on Sunday Slaughter at the US National final and as luck would have it, Mickey ran his Styr list that took the US National final round.
Thenn Warriors with Styr - Magnar Of Thenn (C)
Frozen Shore Chariots
Free Folk Raiders with Borroq - Boar Skinchanger
Free Folk Trappers
Free Folk Raiders with Walrus Clan Chieftain
Free Folk Trappers
NCU's
Lady Val, Craster & Ygritte
Terrain & deployment
TERRAIN: Corpse pile, Bog, Corpse Pile, Bog
FREEFOLK: Raiders with Borroq, Trappers, Chariot at the rear, Thenns with Styr, Trappers, raiders with Walrus Chieftain
MARTELLS: Sand Skirmishers, GC Swordsmen, Dune Vypers, Sunspear Royal Guards
Meanwhile, Ste v Aaron. At least Aaron made the effort, Ste is just so focussed on killing things....
Andy v Dan. Poor Dan, having to play the newly demoted Captain that lost round two 4-0. I blurred him out to hide his shame!!!
John v Carlo. Only Carlo can make his opponent fall asleep stood up!!! 😘 And I've discovered Emoticons... Or are they emoji's??? Notice any Easter eggs in the picture?
Gathering Point Gaming Centre, a cracking gaming venue in Darlington
TURN 1
Despite knowing what was coming, I didn't have the room to avoid the oncoming horde as Micky had claimed two of the objective already. So we just marched everyone up
The tactics board end of Turn 1
TURN 2
I remembered the poison and put it on the swords
I took the crowns for a second Doran point, while Mickey got more cards and influenced the Sand Skirmishers with Ygritte and had Val take the Water gardens
I charge home with Harmen and his Royal Guard v the Walrus Chieftain Raiders on the right, losing a man on traps on way in. I didn't do enough damage to drop them a rank and steal the objective....
I mean I love the Free Folk, but there are just so many to kill...
Still, I took the Horses and moved up my Sand Skirmishers, losing three men to traps before using their order to move and fire. I used Scout Openings too, despite hitting on 3+ against defence 6 Trappers...
Another turn of proper pish dice!!! Glad I got the re-rolls.
I blame Mr Ray for accosting my opponent!!!
I mean of the five that did hit, Mickey saved 3 of them.
Losing three more to panic didn't worry Mickey though as he Trapped me again when I fired again
Co-ordination tactics with so many Hidden Traps stung again for the Sand Skirmishers...
So I sent in the Tinfoil Company to cheer me up, cutting down SEVEN Thenns, who then played Final Strike...
Before Regrouping and Reforming and generally just being well hard...
Even with only four hits back at me, I still rolled below average
Honestly, someone explain to me how the Golden Company are good when you are using my dice???
Well that's just taking the piss now!!! Ok, so Iron Resolve meant I didnt die, just...
You can almost feel Mickey's delight when the Dune Vypers charged in, killed two, then auto passed the panic check using Thenn Defiance to kill off the remaining Tinfoil Company troop. I really wasn't helping myself...
The Trappers shot back at my Sand Skirmishers, wiping them out...
The filled out tactics board.
It's fair to say, it was looking rather grim. And Mickey still had half his units to activate...
The right side Raiders retreated, but didn't even go full distance...
BOARD END OF TURN 2
FREEFOLK 5 VP's (2 units, 3 objectives)
MARTELL'S 0 VP's
Yes, 5 VP's
TURN 3
Well, I'd struggle to turn this around but had to try, so charged through the bog to get the Walrus Clan Raiders. I used Martial Training for re-rolls and managed to take the objective...
Mickey healed up some, so I took the horses for a third Doran token and retreated the Royal Guard back and out of melee. Craster swapped crowns for more healing...
The Frozen Shore chariot got into the rear of my Dune Vypers and rolled rather well...
With two Vypers left, I retreated them out of melee to try and protect my flank on my Royal guard...
They go shot down as Mickey took the Swords, poisoning Lady Val. (I guess he wasn't worried about being outmaneuvered now)
It certainly looks like a proper massacre!!!
From every angle!!!
BOARD AT END OF TURN 3
END OF TURN 3
HOUSE MARTELL 1 VP (1 objective)
FREE FOLK 8 VP's (3 units, 5 objectives)
TURN 4
Mickey flanked me on my right with Raiders but Set for Charge cut down the attacks
Working through the tactics board helped keep me in the game a little longer, and get the fourth Doran token...
I survived the chariot flank too, and the Trappers charge was to be the end, as they're ranks would secure the third objective...
The other Trappers got some shooting in too
But I hung on with 3 men. Well, actually no. I lost but ended battle with 3 men...
BOARD AT END OF TURN 4 (and Game)
FREEFOLK 11 VP's (3 units, 8 objectives)
HOUSE MARTELL 2 VP's (1 objective, 1 Doran)
Mickey simply took me apart with consummate ease. My dice didn't help for sure, but I played straight into his army strengths, his tactics and his cards. he even had Val kill herself to give me 4 unit points, which was nice. I was glad to actually survive and not get tabled. But he knows his FF inside out, and Martells are still a learning experience for me.
We ended 2-2 in team wins this round, with Carlo winning against John, Ste beating Aaron and Andy winning against Dan ( that doesn't make amends for captaining us to a 4-0 defeat mind). So we came fifth overall, ahead of the DMG (no longer the A team), with Steadfast fourth and Harbankkizzira (real DMG) third. Our draw held DWG to second so in a close run team event, the overall winners and the best team in the UK (attending)
CHELMSFORD BUNKER
Grant, Paul, James and Karl of Chelmsford Bunker
Drinking Horns with Hobgoblin Beer
On the bright side, The Wardens of the North-West won best painted team, on account of not all the other teams having painted armies.
MY HOUSE MARTELL
STE's HOUSE STARK
ANDY's HOUSE LANNISTER
With the two Southern teams travelling twice as far as us and staying over, we stopped up for a 20 strong curry night, before Ste, Andy and I drove back. All in all, a great event which was well run and good fun. I particularly enjoyed the matching, and Andy's frustration and my general Wally-ness ahead of the first games. Just banter, innit. May haps it goes to a five per team next time, to make the round resolution easier for the TO but well done Alan, a great event, nice and chilled for us players. I'd certainly recommend trying the format to other TO's in the ASOIF community...
OTHER UK EVENTS
LEODIS GAMES
26th NOVEMBER
BATTLE IN THE CRIMSON SNOW
________________________________________________________________________
SIEGE OF WINTERFELL
26th November, ENTOYMENT GAMING, POOLE DORSET
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RIBBLE RUMBLE
(My event)
MORE PLACES MADE AVAILABLE
ELEMENT GAMES, STOCKPORT
DECEMBER 2nd/3rd 2023
3 Games Saturday, 2 Sunday 2.25hrs each game. Nice chilled lists appreciated, newcomers welcome.
MEGA PRIZE SUPPORT COURTESY OF
CMON AND ASMODEE
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THE WATCHERS ON THE WALL
Sunday 3rd December 2023, 16 players
Kingdom Gaming, The Ridings, Northampton, UK
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2024
THE SEVEN KINGDOMS
EVENT PAGE on Stats
20th January 2024, 32 players
Board In Brum West Midlands Gaming Centre, Walsall, Willenhall, UK
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THE WELSH GT 2024
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War of the Whispering Woods 2024
Pascal and his Microwave Express Train comrades
18th/19th May 2024
16 Player Event
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