Game 151 - Forces of the Abyss - 2020/12/23

Forces of the Abyss

Greetings!

In between the games of Rage of Isolation 2 tournament, I played a game at 2300 points against Jeff. I believe he wanted to test another army list and I had some of the ideas to test as well. I hoped to write a battle report from that game much earlier. I think it is quite a good description of how intense this year was for me when I write a battle report with a few months delay. I am really sorry for this, it has never been a plan to do it this way. However, I hope you will find the game interesting and entertaining. There is always something to learn from Jeff anyway!

This time Jeff brought Forces of the Abyss army with a small contingent of allied Night Stalkers.

Forces of the Abyss - Army List

Molochs Horde (M1), Large Infantry - 225
Molochs Horde (M2), Large Infantry - 225
Molochs Horde (M3), Large Infantry - 225

Abyssal Ghouls Regiment (AG1), Infantry - 90
Abyssal Ghouls Regiment (AG2), Infantry - 90
Flamebearers Regiment (F1), Infantry - 155
Flamebearers Regiment (F2), Infantry - 155

Gargoyles Troop (G1), Heavy Infantry - 85
Gargoyles Troop (G2), Heavy Infantry - 85
Gargoyles Troop (G3), Heavy Infantry - 85

Abyssal Warlock (AW1), Hero (Large Infantry) - 90
Abyssal Warlock (AW2), Hero (Large Infantry) - 90
Abyssal Warlock (AW3), Hero (Large Infantry) - 90
Manifestation of Ba'el (MoB), Hero (Monster) - 265

Nightstalkers Allies

Scarecrows Regiment (S), Infantry - 80
Dread-fiend (DF), Hero (Large Cavalry) - 135

Game 135 - Forces of the Abyss - 2020/02/03

Greetings!

In the second game of the Clash of Kings Australia 2020, I played against Jonathon who commanded Forces of the Abyss army. Although Jonathon is from Canberra we have never played against each other before. It was good to meet another new player!

His army was composed from Mantic only models and his dipping technique resulted in a very nicely painted army. It was a great example one can create an army in a span of a year in a very relaxed way and get a great table top effect! I liked his Warlocks and Archfiend in particular, I think these are great sculpts. He also had really cool idea of using small creatures from various sprues to create horde of Succubi Larvae. In addition, he cleverly used Elohi models to create a unit of Tortured Souls by simply painting them in a matching colours - Dark Elohi if you like!

I hoped my recent games against this faction would help me in coming up with a good plan as I noticed quite a few familiar units.

Game 2 - Forces of the Abyss - Jonathon

Moloch Horde (M1), Monstrous Infantry, Despoiler Champion - 245

Moloch Horde (M2), Monstrous Infantry, Despoiler Champion - 245

Abyssal Horsemen Regiment (AH1), Cavalry, Maccwar's Potion of the Caterpillar - 260

Abyssal Horsemen Regiment (AH2), Cavalry, Sir Jesse's Boots of Striding - 260

Succubi Larvae Horde* (SL), Infantry - 150

Tortured Souls Regiment* (TS), Large Infantry, Blade of Slashing - 125

Gargoyle Troop* (G1), Heavy Infantry - 85 

Gargoyle Troop* (G1), Heavy Infantry - 85

Archfiend of the Abyss (AotA), Hero (Titan), Brew of Haste - 330

Abyssal Warlock (AW1), Hero (Large Infantry), Bane Chant (2) - 110

Abyssal Warlock (AW1), Hero (Large Infantry), Bane Chant (2) - 110

Game 133 - Forces of the Abyss - 2020/01/24

Greetings!

In my last game prior to Australian Clash of Kings 2020 I played against yet another fantastic player I had an honour to play against many times in the past - Simon.

You may recall my games against his Brotherhood of Dobrensk or Night Stalkers. This time Simon decided to use Forces of the Abyss army. He told me he was inspired by Jeff in his army composition so you may notice some similarities. However, Simon added a significant amount of his own ideas to the mix as well. 

It was thus even more intriguing for me to see how this game would go. On one hand, I hoped I would be able to come up with a good plan, especially after my last game against Jeff. On the other, I knew I may not be able to use the lessons learned directly. The armies are not identical and generals have different personalities, it is pretty much playing against completely different force! 

Here are a the details of the army Simon brought to the game:

Forces of the Abyss - Army List

Moloch Horde (M1), Monstrous Infantry - 225

Moloch Horde (M2), Monstrous Infantry - 225

Abyssal Horsemen Regiment (AH), Cavalry - 240

Abyssal Ghoul Regiment (AG1), Infantry - 90

Abyssal Ghoul Regiment (AG1), Infantry - 90

Abyssal Ghoul Regiment (AG1), Infantry - 90

Abyssal Fiend (AF), Titan - 175

Gargoyle (G), Troop - 85

Manifestation of Ba'el (MoB), Hero (Monster) - 265

Despoiler Champion (DC), Hero (Large Cavalry), Blade of Slashing - 135

Abyssal Warlock (AW1), Hero (Large Infantry), Drain Life (6) - 120

Abyssal Warlock (AW2), Hero (Large Infantry), Drain Life (6) - 120

Seductress (S), Hero (Infantry), Pipes of Terror - 140

Game 131 - Forces of the Abyss - 2020/01/19

Greetings!

Australian Clash of Kings 2020 is approaching fast so I was looking for the opportunities to do some practice games. Fortunately for me, there are some great players out there who are always happy to have a game on Universal Battle 2. 

We quickly locked dates in our calendars and the first opponent I was about to play was a well known and rightfully feared Australian Master - Jeff.

If I can put up a fight against him, it should be a good indicator I can do so against many other players! So I naturally was very happy to have another opportunity to play against him. It also happened to be the last day before the army lists were due. Hence, it was probably one of the last tests for both of us before we submitted our lists to Matt, our fantastic Tournament Organiser!

Jeff decided to take the evil army to the tournament and chose Forces of the Abyss with some Abyssal Dwarfs allies. Here are the details:

Forces of the Abyss - Army List

Abyssal Ghoul Horde (AG1), Infantry - 150

Moloch Horde (M1), Large Cavalry, Blade of Slashing - 235

Moloch Horde (M2), Large Cavalry, Mace of Crushing - 235

Abyssal Ghoul Regiment (AG2), Infantry - 90

Abyssal Ghoul Regiment (AB3), Infantry - 90

Manifestation of Ba'el (MoB), Hero (Monster) - 265

Abyssal Fiend (AF), Titan - 175

Abyssal Warlock (AW1), Hero (Large Infantry) - 90

Abyssal Warlock (AW1), Hero (Large Infantry) - 90

Abyssal Warlock (AW1), Hero (Large Infantry) - 90

Abyssal Dwarfs - Allies

Lesser Obsidian Golem Horde (OG1), Monstrous Infantry - 215

Lesser Obsidian Golem Horde (OG1), Monstrous Infantry - 215

Hexcaster (H), Hero (Heavy Infantry), Weakness (3) - 70

Game 115 - Forces of the Abyss - 2019/04/13

Greetings!

In the second round of the local tournament, Capitol Bash I,  I played against Nick who commanded beautifully modeled and painted army of Forces of the Abyss. I often wish I had more time in between the games or even a period long enough to show armies on display. Simply to wonder around and admire people's armies. This was such a case and I do hope to see Nick's army in action more often!

Forces of the Abyss is the foundation type of a faction for world of Mantica and I am glad to see it being represented. I have not had many opportunities to play against it and more importantly, I finally had an opportunity and great pleasure to play against Nick!

With CoK2019 updates, Force of the Abyss also received a few new things to try out and Nick chose quite a few new options. Here is the army he brought to the event:

Forces of the Abyss

40 Lower Abyssals (LA), Horde, Infantry, Regeneration (5+), Formation: The Great Arch Host

- Winged Archfiend of Abyss (A), Hero, Monster, Brutal, Crushing Strength (2), Fly, Fury, Inspiring, Thunderous Charge (2), Vicious,  Formation: The Great Arch Host, Mind Fog (1)

6 Molochs (M1), Horde, Large Infantry, Base 50x50mm, Brutal, Crushing Strength (2), Fury, Regeneration (5+), Formation: The Great Arch Host

6 Molochs (M2), Horde, Large Infantry, Base 50x50mm, Brutal, Crushing Strength (2), Fury, Regeneration (5+), Formation: The Great Arch Host

6 Twisted Victims: Tortured Souls [1] (TV) , Horde, Large Infantry, Crushing Strength (1), Fly, Lifeleech (2)

- Abyssal Harbinger, Hero, Individual, Inspiring, Firebolts, Fury, Piercing (1), Regeneration (5+), Banner of Griffin

6 Abyssal Despoilers (AD1), Horde, Large Cavalry, Brutal, Crushing Strength (2), Fury, Regeneration (5), Thunderous Charge (1), Vicious 

- Ba'su'su the Vile [1], Hero, Individual,  Crushing Strength (2), Fly, Inspiring (Gargoyles only), Regeneration (5+), Vicious

6 Abyssal Despoilers (AD2), Horde, Large Cavalry, Brutal, Crushing Strength (2), Fury, Regeneration (5), Thunderous Charge (1), Vicious, Potion of Caterpillar (Pathfinder)

6 Abyssal Despoilers (AD3), Horde, Large Cavalry, Brutal, Crushing Strength (2), Fury, Regeneration (5), Thunderous Charge (1), Vicious, Brew of Haste (+1 Speed)

Game 97 - Forces of the Abyss - 2018/10/01

Greetings!

In the next game against Jeff (7th and counting!) I had a new force to try and defeat. This time it was to be the army from the Forces of the Abyss faction. 

I must say that I have not had many opportunities to play against this faction so far. It is quite interesting because it is one of the iconic Mantic force, with a selection of original Mantic models to choose from. However, it seems that, at least among the potential opponents, it is not popular. 

Combine that with Jeff's ability of designing unique army lists anyway, I expected something unexpected! Jeff was kind enough to let me know what the army is going to be some time before the battle took place. And indeed, I was not disappointed at all, the army was not what I could think of as a possible Abyssals force. Here are the details:

Forces of the Abyss - Army List

6 Tortured Souls, Horde, Large Infantry, Crushing Strength (1), Thunderous Charge (1), Fly, Lifeleech (2), Shambling

- The Well of Souls[1] , Hero (Monster), Crushing Strength (2), Fly, Inspiring, Lifeleech (5), Shambling, Soul Drain

6 Tortured Souls, Horde, Large Infantry, Crushing Strength (1), Thunderous Charge (1), Fly, Lifeleech (2), Shambling

- Chroneas,  Monster, Breath Attack (20), Pathfinder, Piercing (1), Tempus (cannot be Disordered)

3 Tortured Souls, Regiment, Large Infantry, Crushing Strength (1), Thunderous Charge (1), Fly, Lifeleech (2), Shambling

- Efreet,  Hero (Infantry), Boots of Levitation, Fireball (20), Individual, Pathfinder

3 Tortured Souls, Regiment, Large Infantry, Crushing Strength (1), Thunderous Charge (1), Fly, Lifeleech (2), Shambling

- Abyssal Harbinger, Hero (Infantry), Firebolt, Individual, Inspiring, Piercing (1), Regeneration (5+)

20 Fleshlings, Regiment, Infantry

20 Fleshlings, Regiment, Infantry

20 Fleshlings, Regiment, Infantry

20 Fleshlings, Regiment, Infantry

20 Fleshlings, Regiment, Infantry

20 Fleshlings, Regiment, Infantry

Game 83 - Forces of the Abyss - 2018/03/17

Greetings!

In the game 7, last game of the event, I had a great pleasure to play against Ben of Direct Misfire podcast fame.  Ben had a beautifully painted army of the Forces of the Abyss and I could not decide if I like the painting or the ideas for models and conversions more. It is a great looking army and I consider myself very lucky to have the opportunity to play against it. 

Here are the details of that army:

Forces of the Abyss - Army List

6 Molochs, Horde, Potion of Caterpillar

- 10 Gargoyles, Troop

- Efreet, Hero, Heart-seeking Chant

- Chroneas[1], Monster

 6 Twisted Victims[1], Horde

- Lord of Lies[1], Hero

10 Abyssal Horsemen, Regiment, Pipes of Terror

- Abyssal Champion, Hero, Mounted, Bloodboil

20 Succubi, Regiment

- Abyssal Temptress, Hero, Fly, Helm of the Ram

3 Imps, Regiment

Valley of Kings 4 - Forces of the Abyss - 2017/11/03

Greetings!

In the second game I had a great pleasure to play against Damian. He brought his very nicely painted evil Abyssals and I was really looking forward to our game. One reason was to have kind of classic blue vs red battle (almost literally when you look at the respective color schemes!). Another was that I have not played against one of the iconic armies of Mantica for some time. Last but not least I have not had a chance to play against Damian before either so it was great we were finally matched against each other.

Forces of the Abyss - Army List

40 Lower Abyssals, Horde

- 5 Gargoyles, Troops

- 5 Hellhounds, Troops

- Abyssal Chmpion with Wings, Hero

20 Succubi, Regiment

20 Succubi, Regiment

6 Tortured Souls, Horde

KoW Game 10 - Forces of Abyss - 2015/12/04

Hello!

Encouraged by his most recent victory, my regular opponent - Eastern Barbarian - decided he is going to bring his Forces of Abyss army once again. It is 1:1 between us at the moment so I am sure he wanted to prove it was not a coincidence he won. While I was happy to get a chance for a revenge! He used exactly the same army as last time while I had to correct the mistake I unknowingly overlooked.

Forces of Abyss - Army List

20 Succubi, Regiment, Mace of Crushing - 195
- 10 Gargoyles, Troop - 80
- Abyssal Temptress, Hero, Bane Chant, Wind Blast - 135

20 Succubi, Regiment - 190
- The Well of Souls - 275

20 Flamebearers, Regiment - 140

20 Flamebearers, Regiment - 140
- Efreet, Hero, Inspiring Talisman - 155

10 Abyssal Horsemen, Regiment, Potion of the Caterpillar (Pathfinder) - 235

10 Abyssal Horsemen, Regiment, Brew of Haste (+1 Speed) - 230

6 Tortured Souls, Horde, Blade of Slashing - 225

KoW Game 8 - Forcess of Abyss - 2015/11/18

Greetings!

I have had two games of Kings of War recently but the first one was not finished yet. Hopefully we will be able to find time to do it as I am very curious about the outcome in the scenario. In the second game, I played a re-match against Eastern Barbarian and his Forces of Abyss. We had some great feedback on Mantic Forum about our previous encounter and EB was very eager to incorporate new ideas as well as test his modified army list. We also decided to try a scenario to spice it all up too!

Forces of Abyss - Army List

20 Succubi, Regiment, Mace of Crushing - 195

- 10 Gargoyles, Troop - 80

- Abyssal Temptress, Hero, Bane Chant, Wind Blast - 135

20 Succubi, Regiment - 190

- The Well of Souls - 275

20 Flamebearers, Regiment - 140

20 Flamebearers, Regiment - 140 

- Efreet, Hero, Inspiring Talisman - 155

10 Abyssal Horsemen, Regiment, Potion of the Caterpillar (Pathfinder) - 235 

10 Abyssal Horsemen, Regiment, Brew of Haste (+1 Speed) - 230

6 Tortured Souls, Horde, Blade of Slashing - 225

KoW Game 7 - Forcess of Abyss - 2015/11/11

Greetings!

After first KoW game between myself and Eastern Barbarian we decided it cannot go without a re-match. It was only a matter of time. However, EB also was wondering if he should bring Orcs again or shall he try Forces of Abyss instead, that looked very interesting to him from the very beginning. It is quite typical for EB to jump into new game and tackle a few forces at the same time and he decided to give Mantic Daemons a go! 

Forces of Abyss - Army List

20 Succubi, Regiment, Mace of Crushing - 195
-  10 Flamebearers, Troop - 105

-  10 Flamebearers, Troop - 105

- Abyssal Temptress, Hero, Bane Chant - 105

20 Succubi, Regiment - 190

- 10 Gargoyles, Troop - 80

- Chroneas, Monster - 210

10 Abyssal Horsemen, Regiment, Potion of the Caterpillar (Pathfinder) - 235  

- Abyssal Champion, Hero, mounted - 155

10 Abyssal Horsemen, Regiment - 215 

-  Abyssal Harbinger, Hero - 60

3 Tortured Souls, Regiment - 145

6 Molochs, Horde - 200