So Andy Carr got me into MESBG December last year, and been hooked after first few games. I've managed to paint a complete Serpent Horde Force and Minas Tirith, and decided to take the forces of the White City to my first event.
Sadly, Andy C couldn't make it down on the day but Andy Robinson came using an Elven Rivendell force he'd painted for event (and never used). Our aim was to learn and not lose all four games!!!
The event was held at the excellent Board in Brum
The format was for 2 x 350pt list games, followed by 2 x 550pts list games. Never having been to an event, I was hoping the GBHL 80 (least competitive) would be exactly that, and glad to say as a noob at these events, I was very happy with all four of my opponents patience and helpfulness, as I was asking a lot of questions. I mean I have the basics, but not the nuances and playing armies not played before meant I was querying a few of things.
My 350 list was as below:
23 models, Break Point 12
Faramir, Captain of Gondor, Heavy Armour Shield 90
3 Knights of Minas Tirith, Shields 42
6 Warriors of Minas Tirith, Shield, Spear 54
5 Warriors of Minas Tirith, Shields 40
1 Warrior of Minas Tirith, Banner 32
Beregond, Guard of the Citadel 30
6 Citadel Guard with Longbows, 60
550pts List 37 models, Break Point 19
Faramir, Captain of Gondor, Heavy Armour Shield 90
3 Knights of Minas Tirith, Shields 42
6 Warriors of Minas Tirith, Shield, Spear 54
5 Warriors of Minas Tirith, Shields 40
1 Warrior of Minas Tirith, Banner 32
Beregond, Guard of the Citadel 30
6 Citadel Guard with Longbows, 60
Cirion, Lieutenant of Amon Barad 55
6 Citadel Guard 54
Damrod, Ranger of Ithilien 25
5 Rangers of Gondor 40
Peregrin Took, Guard of the Citadel, Elven Cloak 30
My 5 Heroes
GAME 1
Thomas Denney
Rohan LL (Helm's Guard)
Helm Hammerhand Leader + Horse 175
Rohan Royal Guard + Throwing Spears ×14 168
Warrior of Rohan + Shield 7
Scenario: Retrieval
TURN 1
With a diagonal deployment zone, and an objective on each opposite corner, I set up my Longbows first, with Thomas opting to be right up at me to minimise shooting. I set up to the left but moved two Knights around right with some warrior to hook around.
My plan was simple first turn: Shoot Helm Hammerhand's horse. With two lines of infantry in the way, I elected to use Beregond's 1 point of might to use Heroic Accuracy. From 7 shots, 5 hit and all 5 cleared the infantry thanks to the Heroic Accuracy rerolls. 2 bounced off Helm, and 3 struck the horse...
Sadly for me, they were unable to bring the beast down but Thomas did not enjoy that round of shooting.
TURN 2
I lost priority, but Faramir called a Heroic move and won roll off. I elected to charge to deny the Royal Guard their throwing spears and I engaged all along the front.
Thomas kept his line, but Helm swept up North and around, and I charged a Knight in at the South.
Helm is a legend after all, and get s a free Heroic move and Heroic combat. He easily cut down my knight and swept into my Banner and escort.
The Banner fell as did the Warrior of Minas Tirith. Along the line no warriors fell bar one to the Knight, cutting down a Royal Guard
TURN 3
Losing priority again, I took a gamble and through in as many men as I could to bring the Hammerhand down
As my forces engaged the Rohan elites...
My men proved the better, cutting down four Royal Guard
If I could bring down their Leader, I could win this battle...
Hmmm. Yeah... Not even close. Faramir was cut down and his Bodyguard knocked down!!!
Turns 4 and 5 essentially saw Helm Hammerhand ride down my troops without mercy, as no other Rohan Warrior was lost.
I did fend off a few Royal Guard for a time
But Helms mercilessly cut my army down to the last man..
HELMS GUARD 12 VP's
MINAS TIRITH 0 VP's
An overwhelmingly brutal massacre with nothing going my way after turn 1. I'd faced Andy Robinson's Rohan once with my Serpent Horde and they ran me down easily so seeing an infantry force, I felt if I'd knocked Helm off his horse, this could have been closer. But I learned a lot, and Thomas was great with my questions and helping me with some errors. He also apologised for my "Hammering". But I did learn to shield...
GAME 2
DAN WRIGHT
THE FIEFDOMS
Scenario: Divide and Conquer
Forlong the Fat on horse
2 x Knights of Dol Amroth, armoured horse, lance
Duinhir
4x Axemen of Lossarnach
4 x Clansmen of Lamedon
2 x Knights of Dol Amroth,
1 x Blackroot vale archer, banner, spear
4 x Blackroot vale archer, spear
19 models, 5 bows, Break at 10 dead, Quartered at 4
The yellow tartan looked awesome, but as usual, sadly, my pictures don't do them justice.
Deploying warbands in opposite corners, and with ruin terrain (agreed could only climb where stairs were), I chose near left and far right, planning to get my Citadel Longbowmen onto the bottom ruin and cover all three objectives. My main force would close in on the centre as my archers shot the Dol Amroth cavalry if it came in range. Three objective ran along centre line.
Early Turns: Maneuvering and positioning
With my infantry in shieldwall, Dan's shooting was ineffectual and my own longbowmen were out of range. The Dol Amroth knights kept ruins between them and my Citadel archers...
Dan left one knight behind near the right objective as Forlong the Fat and his escort closed in on my infantry
I kept a solid formation, losing a horse to some shooting
The two other Knights ran around to encircle the Fiefdom infantry as I split up my archers, 3 up the left, two towards the centre and Belegrond and one on to the ruin.
I broke up up my force to cover both left and centre objectives, and draw Dan towards me
And Dan threw a small force left and his hardest guys towards the centre.
Not wanting to leave my two remaining cavalry exposed to shooting, I drew them back to act as a counter punch
And finally dropped a Clansman with my shooting
I peeled off three men to go after the right objective, as the Fiefdoms finally broke cover to come at me
TURN 6: THE FORCES CLASH
After 5 rounds of dancing, the lines finally clashed into one another, Faramir leading from the rear
In the centre, I realised the scenario was divide and conquer and I'd played into Dan's patient maneuvers
I was outmanned in the centre, but had the edge on the left
Or so I thought!!! Faramir and a Knight got the drop on a lone Blackroot archer, the Knight knocking him down...
Well, their combined attack/wound rolls wouldn't have slain a Hobbit!!!
And my Warriors in the centre wilted, two dying to the Knight of Dol Amroth before Forlong killed two more and heroically charged into the two Citadel Guard archers.
THE LAST FEW TURNS: FAT CHANCE OF A WIN
My centre had collapsed, though I had three men over to the right. I had the numbers on the left but the Fiefdom there were holding fast...
Another disappointing round of combat for Faramir and the Knight, again failing to wound the resilient Blackroot b****rd!!! I did slay a few Axemen of Lossarnach though.
Forlong and his Knights had came round to support the men on the left, but I had mopped them up for the most part. Forlong killed the two archers there, then moved back down to counter Belegrond and his man who had came down to challenge the centre objective
Belegrond had to come down as Dan had a few men behind the ruin at the centre
Forlong charged in and wiped out my Belegrond and my Citadel Guard, but having held his Knights, my last Knight and Faramir helped turn the tide on the left. At the right objective, a Clansmen and Knight faced off against two Men of Minas Tirith.
Having just broken the Feifdom forces last turn, Dan rolled courage for Forlong!!! With no might, a courage of 4, plus war horn his one point of Will wasn't enough and off he went...
That roll deflated Dan, as another few warriors fled. Those that stayed did so as my remaining troops swarmed over them and secured the objectives.
The left was mine, the centre and right both contested. But with extra points for leader dead, I ran out with a decent win...
MINAS TIRITH 5 VP's
THE FIEFDOMS 1 VP
That was harsh on Dan. he had it won had Forlong stayed on, as he was galloping around crushing everyone he hit. Faramir MAY have stopped him but given his performance against one Blackroot archer, I doubt it. I split my forces and suffered for it, but a bad courage check turned a tight game to a win for the forces of Minas Tirith. Dan was great to play against, as the game ebbed and flowed, and the Fiefdoms may end up joining my Minas Tirith forces in due course. (Why would I not want Clansmen???)
ARMIES ON DISPLAY
My own Minas Tirith
Haydn Cartwright's Mordor
James Murphy's Gondor
Lian Smith's Beornlings
Dale Groves's Fangorn
Ben Russ's Mordor
Thomas Denny's Helm's Guard
(beautiful army to get tabled to in your first tourney game 😢)
Rob Lainchbury's Army of Thror
GAME 3
Liam Crowley
‘War of the Woses’ – Misty Mountains & Wildmen of Druadan alliance
Warband 1
Gwaihir
Great eagle x 2
Warband 2
Ghan-buri-ghan
Woses warrior x 15
Scenario: Breakthrough
4 objectives around board 12" from centre but at 550pts I was excited. Little invisible pygmies and Great Eagles would be interesting (and I had Pippin). Liam chose board edge with wood to hide in and behind and deployed there while I took advantage of being able to deploy up to the centre line for more shooting coverage.
EARLY TURNS: INNEFECTUAL SHOOTING
Unable to target the Stalk unseen Woses I had a few shots bounce off the Eagles, before having Cirion expend a point of Might to get a charge in against the Eagles turn 2. A Knight on each ordinary Eagle, and a Citadel Guard and Ranger against Gwaihir. The Citadel's Bodyguard rules would prove invaluable for pinning the Eagles
I dropped two of the four Woses that broke cover to head for my right side(top of ruin near hill) as i spread out on left to limit hurls and protect my Heroes
Liam's Eagles are works of art, as he has them painted true to actual Eagle species (Steller Sea Eagle on the left, the middle one is a Bald eagle and Gwaihir. Damn, the one I should have remembered as certainly looks the most exotic!!!) Sorry Liam, they do look magnificent though...
And the basic eagles killed both my Knights, one being hurled into a wall via a Citadel Guard the other being rended!!! But Gwaihir failed to kill either of his opponents.
I also lost my last horse to a Wose blowpipe, although the rider survived
TURN 3: The Eagles have Landed
Yeah, I lost priority and Liam moved his attack squadron into my army. And to add to my woes, the Woses dropped two rangers with blowpipes!!!
Gwaihir had charged Faramir, the other Eagles hitting my lines to try and reduce support for my Leader. However, with the Citadel Guards bodyguard rules, I managed to swarm the birds, with a few Rangers and Warriors of Minas Tirith getting in, as well as Cirion who easily passed with his bonus courage when charging terror causing models. However, some Warriors failed to move...
Cirion and his valiant men won the first fight, causing two wounds on the huge bird!!!
Gwaihir also suffered two wounds, one from Faramir with a might point and a second from a simple Warrior. So near!!! The third eagle also lost the fight, but was able to shrug off the attacks. Amazing round of combat for Minas Tirith.
TURN 4: Caught in the cage...
On the right, the two Woses had ran around the hill but I two Warriors and a Hobbit waiting for them!!!
Alas, the Eagle on the left is just off his base as I won priority and steamed into combat, eager to take the last wound off of two of the great birds but also running Beregond and his archers up to take the far objective and get stuck into the little people. A few Citadel Guard also attacked on the left.
Faramir had less support this time round but I had 5 attacks minimum against the other two Eagles.
Despite not charging this turn, the eagles turned the tables on me as Liam rolled a six in every fight, negating my numbers and banner re-roll. Faramir died, failing both fate rolls and I lost four others. I even lost the fights on the left against the Woses, although Beregond and his men killed two.
Ghan Buri Ghan broke cover to swing round to face the Citadel Guard. Cirion kept up his fight going but without their Leader, the Citadel Guard found it hard to charge in. So my number swere reduced in the fights
And these two sneaks were biding their time...
I brought more men up to fight the Woses, as the Eagles continued to thin my ranks.
As battle was join on the West and East objectives, Liam brought his Woses in from behind the hill. I had secured the South, but only by keeping the Eagles pinned as I won priority for the final three turns.
I won the fight at the North objective, but teh West was tied as the Woses continued to beat me back but not kill my forces. The eagles were magnificent as did not lose a fight since turn 3, but either failed to wound or didn't do enough to smash my lines.
BOARD AT END OF GAME
MINAS TIRITH 5 VP's
WAR OF THE WOSES ALLIANCE 2 VP's
A great game, Liam was a great, fun opponent with a rarely seen army. I really enjoyed the slow grind of my forces after one good round, but Beregond attacking the Woses head on helped me win it. Another turn or even a priority win and I think Liam had it. He could have got my objective at the south and aided his Woses on the West. Still, two wins for Faramir, who still hadn't really shown his quality!!!
GAME 4
ROB LAINCHBURY
You've seen him before
No, not Sting
ARMY OF THROR
Thror leader 120
17 x Guardians of the King 204
Young Thorin With Oakenshield 105
4 x Erebor warrior spear and shield 40
8 x Erebor warrior spear 72
1 x Erebor warrior shield 9
Total 550pts, 32 Models, Break 16, Quartered 8
Scenario: To the Death!
Turns 1-3
I split my cavalry left, with Pippin and the Rangers while my Warriors, Citadel Guards with Spears and Cirion and Faramir stayed central, dropping back a bit to maximise my shooting from Beregond's Archers. The Army of Thror stomped their way up and rejoined around the shack. It was a long slog under volley fire the whole way.
To this point, five dead dwarves (4 to the Citadel Guard and one to the rangers)
TURN 6 ONWARDS: WAR OF ATTRITION
I spent a point of Might to get the charge and avoid the throwing axes of the dwarves, Faramir leading from the front. Cirion held back as the left flank had not engaged.
My Rangers and Knights were out of position, so I had to hope my Warriors could hold for now
I did manage to drop a support but decided they would be going in next turn as I needed the numbers!!!
Thror held the centre but I did not engage him!!!
Combat saw me lose a man...
Next turn saw the Dwarves envelope and my line stretched my troops but I was closing in around them.
Thror was a beast, but I was blocking him and limiting his damage while on Warrior held off Thorin and his support, beating them in a melee...
And both forces made some dents but it was relatively even.
Belegond and hir archers hit on my right, the Knights charged in on teh left supported by Rangers as Cirion was surrounded. It was still even, Faramir had done ok and I was winning teh right side, the left was a struggle as Cirion was being overwhelmed.
With no might left, and time running out, I won priority and charged Faramir into a trapped Thror. The Rangers charged in to aid Cirion and this turn we both could have broke...
But neither of us did!!! I was three models off, but my Rangers didn't die having won most of their one on ones. Faramir lost, but Thror failed to wound him. And the game ended in a bit of a stalemate. A draw would have been a fair result. But I had a a Banner!!! Again, a few more rounds and I would have buckled I think...
MINAS TIRITH 2 VP's
ARMY OF THROR 0 VP's
Rob was great to play against and Thror is a beast. Pick Hammers are great against cavalry, as I found out with Rob explaining the bash rule. Another few turns, Faramir would be dead and my army broken. The Citadel Guard Longbows were really good at dropping a half dozen dwarves on the way in, that helped me survive in the ensuing melee's but winning a game just because I had a banner seems a bit lame...
Congratulations to the winners!!!
1st - Joe Gonzalez
2nd - Sonny James Hunter
3rd - Patrick Carr
Most Sporting - Adam John Bissell
Best Army (tie)
Rob Lainchbury (Army of Thror) & Dale Groves (Fangorn)
Three wins, albeit very tight and really undeserved saw me finish in a respectable 11th place for my first outing. I had four excellent opponents who were patient and fun to play against. Board in Brum is an excellent venue and the event was well run. The lunchtime grub was good too!!! Great job by Thomas Smith for organising and running.
Andy and his Rivendell failed to win a game after his first battle against the Ent, but enjoyed his games too, losing to Mordor, Azog's Hunters and Dan's Fiefdoms, where Prince Imrahil took command. A great event for us both and we both certainly plan to attend a few more 80's events
FULL SUMMARY OF RESULTS AVAILABLE ON LONGSHANKS (13285)
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