Game 141 - Trident Realm - 2020/04/19

Greetings!

In the second game I have played after a break I had another great opportunity to learn from the Master himself! Jeff is always happy to play even though his gaming schedule seems to be super busy! 

By the way, if you have not listened to one of the most recent Counter Charge podcasts, here is the link to the episode where you can listen to the Master himself. I highly recommend it!

List Building Studio - Jeff Traish

As you have probably noticed from my previous battle reports, Jeff is constantly experimenting with new versions of his army lists, even if he is playing with the force from a single faction for a period of time. 

Thus you can always count on some variations, even if Jeff has some principles he usually follow in the way he designs his armies (go and check the podcast to learn more about it!). This time, Jeff returned to Trident Realm of Neretica and here are some details of the list he took (we played at 2000 points per side):

Trident Realm - Army List

Naiad Wyrmrider Horde (WR1), Large Cavalry - 220

Naiad Wyrmrider Horde (WR2), Large Cavalry - 220

Depth Horror Horde (DH1), Large Infantry - 185

Depth Horror Horde (DH2), Large Infantry - 185

Depth Horror Horde (DH3), Large Infantry - 185

Knucker (K1), Monster - 150

Knucker (K1), Monster - 150

Naiad Wyrmrider Centurion (WRC), Hero (Large Cavalry) - 160

Naiad Wyrmrider Centurion (WRC), Hero (Large Cavalry) - 160

Depth Horror Eternal (DHE), Hero (Large Infantry) - 115

Depth Horror Eternal (DHE), Hero (Large Infantry) - 115

Depth Horror Eternal (DHE), Hero (Large Infantry) - 115

Game 138 - Dwarfs - 2020/02/13

Greetings!

In the fifth round of the Clash of Kings Australia 2020 I met another new player, Brent, who commanded army of Dwarfs. It was thus another classic duel between archetypical armies of many fantasy worlds!

Brent came down from Sydney and he told me he has only recently started playing Kings of War. Excellent! Great to know there are new players joining the ranks! 

The composition of his army was very intriguing. He had some units I knew are tough as I faced them before. For example, Earth Elementals or Ironclad Horde. I was intrigued by Shieldbreaker Regiments as these were similar to Palace Guard, by Brock Riders after changes and the very new Steel Juggernouts. Brent also mentioned that Jeff himself helped him with the design of this army. It is great to have such an experienced and great player in your corner! Here are the details of the army Brent took to the tournament:

Game 5 - Dwarfs - Brent

Ironclad Horde (I), Infantry, Hammer of Measured Force, Throwing Mastiffs - 215

Earth Elemental Horde (EE1), Large Infantry - 220

Earth Elemental Horde (EE2), Large Infantry - 220

Shieldbreaker Regiment (S1), Infantry, Throwing Mastiff - 140

Shieldbreaker Regiment (S1), Infantry, Throwing Mastiff - 140

Berserker Brock Riders Regiment (BR), Cavalry, Brew of Sharpness - 230

Mastiff Hunting Pack Regiment* (MHP), Swarms - 65

Dwarf Lord on Large Beast (DL), Hero (Large Cavalry) - 200

Steel Juggernaut (SJ1), Hero (Large Infantry) - 150

Steel Juggernaut (SJ2), Hero (Large Infantry) - 150

Stone Priest (SP), Hero (Infantry), Bane Chant (2) - 110

Berserker Lord (BL), Hero (Cavalry), Blade of Beast Slayer - 160

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 132 - Forces of Nature - 2020/01/21

Greetings!

In my next game I played against another fantastic opponent and UK Master player - Ed! He kindly agreed to help me with some practice before Australian Clash of Kings. 

It's been a while since our last game and I knew Ed is currently playing a lot with his new Forces of Nature army he designed for 3rd edition. I had a chance, however, to have a glimpse at his army prior to our game. I must admit I liked it from the beginning!

It is melee orientated army based around two units, Forest Shamblers and Centaur Bray-Striders. It can be moved really fast thanks to many units having Scout ability. It can use Surge to catch some enemies off guard and has some interesting additions that, in my opinion, add a lot of character to this force. Here are the details of the army at 2000 points that Ed brought to our game:

Forces of Nature - Army List

Forest Shambler Horde (FS1), Large Infantry - 200

Forest Shambler Regiment (FS2), Large Infantry - 120

Forest Shambler Regiment (FS3), Large Infantry - 120

Forest Shambler Regiment (FS4), Large Infantry - 120

Centaur Bray Strider Regiment (CBS), Cavalry, Frenzied Otter - 165

Centaur Bray Strider Regiment (CBS), Cavalry, Frenzied Otter - 165

Centaur Bray Strider Regiment (CBS), Cavalry, Frenzied Otter - 165

Centaur Bray Strider Regiment (CBS), Cavalry, Frenzied Otter - 165

Pegasus (P), Monster - 80

Tree Herder (TH), Hero (Monster) - 260

Forest Warden (FW1), Hero (Large Infantry) - 90

Forest Warden (FW2), Hero (Large Infantry) - 90

Unicorn (U1), Hero (Cavalry), Shroud of the Saint - 150

Centaur Chief (CC), Hero (Cavalry) - 110

Game 126 - Goblins - 2019/11/24

Greetings!

I remember talking to Jeff about the tournament and army lists chosen by the players. He asked me which army list I consider the most challenging to play against. In general, I often find it challenging to play against many armies but often due to different reasons. 

However, this time, apart from Jeff's nightmarish army of Night Stalkers I knew I would always find difficult to win against, I thought Tony's Goblins were at least equally difficult to defeat.

I am often envious that Goblins seem to have it all. Massive amount of units, good shooting, variety of troops, plenty of heroes of various types etc.

Tony's army was not an exception and here are the details of the force he brought to the tournament:

Goblins - Army List

40 Groger's Goons [1] (GsG), Horde, Infantry, Regeneration (5+)

- War-Trombone (WT1), War Engine, Breath Attack (10), Piercing (1), Yellow-Bellied

- King on Chariot (KoC), Hero, Large Cavalry, Bows, Inspiring, Nimble, Thunderous Charge (2), Yellow-Bellied

- Giant (G1), Monster, Brutal, Crushing Strength (3), Fury, Strider

6 Trolls (T1), Horde, Large Infantry, Crushing Strength (2)

- War-Trombone (WT1), War Engine, Breath Attack (10), Piercing (1), Yellow-Bellied

- Biggit (B1), Hero, Cavalry, Bows, Individual, Inspiring, Yellow-Bellied

- Giant (G2), Monster, Brutal, Crushing Strength (3), Fury, Strider

6 Trolls (T2), Horde, Large Infantry, Crushing Strength (2), Dwarven Ale

- War-Trombone (WT1), War Engine, Breath Attack (10), Piercing (1), Yellow-Bellied

- Biggit (B2), Hero, Cavalry, Bows, Individual, Inspiring, Yellow-Bellied, Banner of Griffin

6 Trolls (T3), Horde, Large Infantry, Crushing Strength (2)

- Biggit (B3), Hero, Cavalry, Bows, Individual, Inspiring, Yellow-Bellied

20 Rabble (R1), Regiment, Infantry, Yellow-bellied

- Wiz (W1), Hero, Infnatry, Bane Chant (2), Individual, Lightning Bolt (3), Yellow Bellied, Inspiring Talisman

20 Rabble (R2), Regiment, Infantry, Yellow-bellied

- Wiz (W2), Hero, Infnatry, Bane Chant (2), Individual, Lightning Bolt (3), Yellow Bellied, Scarletmaw’s Fenulian Amulet

20 Rabble (R3), Regiment, Infantry, Yellow-bellied

- Wiz (W3), Hero, Infnatry, Bane Chant (2), Individual, Lightning Bolt (3), Yellow Bellied, Blood Boil

20 Rabble (R4), Regiment, Infantry, Yellow-bellied

Game 124 - Forces of Nature - 2019/11/09

Greetings!

Although everyone is building new army lists for the 3rd Edition of Kings of War, I decided to continue with my 2nd edition battle reports.

I decided to do so because of a few reasons. First, I would like to make sure to thank my opponents for great games and the best way I can do it is by writing the battle report! Second, the longer I wait to write the up, the more difficult it would be to recall the details and I simply want to finish them to focus on the new.

However, I also wanted to feature the battle reports from the very first Australian Universal Battle tournament too! This game was my last preparation before we started. I also think that it was a great way of saying farewell to a fantastic game of 2nd edition of Kings of War!

It is probably not a surprise that I played this game against Jeff, by far my most frequent opponent! If I can make something work against him, it simply means I am on the right track. 

For this game Jeff chose Forces of Nature army. Not the very first time when Jeff used this faction against me but one can always be sure that Jeff's army list is never exactly the same as last time. Here are the details of his army at 2250 points:

Forces of Nature - Army List

40 Salamanders, Horde, Infantry, Crushing Strength (1), Banner of Griffin

- Beast of Nature, Monster, Crushing Strength (2), Lightning Bolt (6)

- Forest Warden, Hero (Large Infantry), Crushing Strength (2), Nimble, Vanguard, Surge (3)

10 Centaur Bray-Striders, Regiment, Cavalry, Crushing Strength (1), Thunderous Charge (1)

- Beast of Nature, Monster, Crushing Strength (2), Lightning Bolt (6)

- Forest Warden, Hero (Large Infantry), Crushing Strength (2), Nimble, Vanguard, Surge (3)

10 Centaur Bray-Striders, Regiment, Cavalry, Crushing Strength (1), Thunderous Charge (1)

- Beast of Nature, Monster, Crushing Strength (2), Lightning Bolt (6)

- Forest Warden, Hero (Large Infantry), Crushing Strength (2), Nimble, Vanguard, Surge (3)

3 Forest Shamblers, Regiment, Large Infantry, Crushing Strength (1), Shambling, Vanguard

- Winged Unicorn, Fly, Heal (7), Inspiring, Thunderous Charge (2)

3 Fire Elementals, Regiment, Large Infantry, Crushing Strength (2), Shambling

- Winged Unicorn, Fly, Heal (7), Inspiring, Thunderous Charge (2)

3 Fire Elementals, Regiment, Large Infantry, Crushing Strength (2), Shambling

3 Earth Elementals, Regiment, Large Infantry, Crushing Strength (1), Shambling