[C] Beithir (MC) vs Herald (WE), 2k

[Herald]

Ok, here's the map updated with the new position of the forest:

You get to choose which models to remove, and one of the remaining models will automatically pick up the standard.

Thank you, good to know!

9 3+ AS for the Knights:

This is why I asked about the shields (I am a seer...). I'm pretty certain you have a 1+ save, and WE don't have armour piercing arrows (until the next ab at least). In plain English: only 2 of your knights died

Brigands:

Result of the throw of dice "2d6" :

1 + 1 = 2

Also passed.

What has Alessandro done to earn this kind of loyalty from his troops? Here I was thinking human hirelings, ah, they will run at the first sign of danger!

[Beithir Seun]

This is why I asked about the shields (I am a seer...). I'm pretty certain you have a 1+ save, and WE don't have armour piercing arrows (until the next ab at least). In plain English: only 2 of your knights died

Unfortunately, that's not true They have heavy armour, warhorses, barding and shields - all that adds up to only 2+ saves...

What has Alessandro done to earn this kind of loyalty from his troops? Here I was thinking human hirelings, ah, they will run at the first sign of danger!

He must be paying them exceptionally well

[Herald]

Unfortunately, that's not true They have heavy armour, warhorses, barding and shields - all that adds up to only 2+ saves...

5 Knights ~ 235pts
- Full command, barding, lances, full plate armour, S4, brace of pistols, Banner of Reckless Spite

You sure? I don't mind...

[Beithir Seun]

Aha! I knew I wasn't imagining things :P I just checked the M-C list, and couldn't see where I'd got the full plate armour from. Now I've found it:

If not armed with bows or javelins, may have full plate armor (+2 points).

So you are quite right, they do have a 1+ AS! Thanks for pointing that out

[Herald]

They were coming closer, much closer. Line upon line of marching men, carrying the longest spears Tallec had ever seen, and wearing breastplates a blade could not cut through. She envisioned how they could turn into a monster with hundreds of spikes thrusted against you, and shivered. How Arawn and her light riders would take on such a formation, she had no idea. But that was not something she should be thinking of right now. Instead she started humming.

She knew the melodies by heart, as well as the face of a lover, still every time she gave her voice to them they were like new to her. Every time they grew in different directions, creating new tunes out of the ancient patterns. And then the forest would start resonating, the feedback would fill her up, the song growing more powerful for each wave. And the trees would listen as one, and at her will, they would move as one.

[Beithir Seun]

Mercenary Companies Turn 4

The elves galloped around the blocks of pikemen, swirling and wheeling and constantly peppering Alessandro's men with long-shafted arrows that were proving horribly effective even against the heavily-armoured soldiers. With the trees closing in around them Alessandro ordered his men to reform swiftly, putting into practice the concise and thoroughly practiced drill that made Alessandro's pikemen one of the deadliest formations in Parvona, if not all of Tilea. With his own pikemen rapidly repositioning, Alessandro signalled to his Captain for his men to hold ground in the centre.

Now was the deciding phase of the battle - the Wood Elves were edging closer on all sides, and it would not be long before the real fighting began.

Here are my T4 moves then. Sorry they took so long



To explain
~ Captain's pikemen reform to face east
~ Knights turn 180, wheel 3.5" and turn 180 again
~ Yellow Crossbowmen turn 90 degrees (1/4 move), expand frontage by 5 (1/2 move) and turn 180 degrees (1/4 move) to face north
~ Red Crossbowmen wheel 6", while the Wizard leaves the unit
~ Alessandro's pikemen use their free reform, wheel 1" and move forward 3"
~ The Brigands leave the cover of the wood (for the first time in the game :P )


If all that's OK, I'll get on with shooting

[Herald]

Everything looks good to me. And an interesting move as well!

Out of curiosity, how do you usually handle wheeling? (I calculate from measuring how many degrees a unit rotates, but I'm not sure if that is common practice). Now, tickle away...

[Herald]

A little rules question regarding pikes: As the rules say they need "a rank bonus of +2" (and not just ranks per se), does that mean a flank charge removing the rank bonus would deny them the Phalanx special rules?

[Beithir Seun]

Everything looks good to me. And an interesting move as well!

Out of curiosity, how do you usually handle wheeling? (I calculate from measuring how many degrees a unit rotates, but I'm not sure if that is common practice). Now, tickle away...

I use circles :P It's not very sophisticated, and probably isn't as precise as it could be but it does the job. Basically, I work out how far the unit wants/needs to wheel, construct a circle with radius the same as the unit width (100mm radius for 5 20mm models) and then work out how far around the circle the unit would move to wheel a certain distance. Your way sounds a lot better, but I'm not entirely sure how the calculations would work (probably because it's late and my brain's not working right now :P )

A little rules question regarding pikes: As the rules say they need "a rank bonus of +2" (and not just ranks per se), does that mean a flank charge removing the rank bonus would deny them the Phalanx special rules?

I would imagine so, but being as the Phalanx rules only work against frontal charges a flank charge on it's own would be unaffected. I think it would only matter if it was a combined front and flank charge.

[Herald]

Your way sounds a lot better, but I'm not entirely sure how the calculations would work (probably because it's late and my brain's not working right now :P )

I posted my "wheeling calculator" (mm to inches makes it a bit tricky) in the "WFO: How to..." thread.

I would imagine so, but being as the Phalanx rules only work against frontal charges a flank charge on it's own would be unaffected. I think it would only matter if it was a combined front and flank charge.

That was kind of what I needed to know, yes...

[Beithir Seun]

Your way sounds a lot better, but I'm not entirely sure how the calculations would work (probably because it's late and my brain's not working right now :P )

I posted my "wheeling calculator" (mm to inches makes it a bit tricky) in the "WFO: How to..." thread.

Yep, I saw that after I posted. I'll be using that from now on

I would imagine so, but being as the Phalanx rules only work against frontal charges a flank charge on it's own would be unaffected. I think it would only matter if it was a combined front and flank charge.

That was kind of what I needed to know, yes...

Yes, I thought as much. I know exactly what you're planning



Anyway, onto my small amount of shooting - the three remaining Brigands will shoot at the Wild Riders:

Result of the throw of dice "3d6" :

6 + 2 + 4 = 12

1 hit

Result of the throw of dice "1d6" :

3 = 3

1 wound at -1AS


Take your save, and then it's your turn again

[Herald]

Result of the throw of dice "1d6 = 6" :

5 = 5 ... failure

Result of the throw of dice "1d6 >= 5" :

6 = 6 ... success

Sorry, my friend...

[Beithir Seun]

Just my luck :P Your turn whenever you're ready

[Herald]

The thrill was back. Arawn felt it like a fist hitting her belly. She answered with a primal scream that nearly panicked the nearest horse. Tension was rising everywhere.

The build up had been a slow one. Somehow Alessandro had managed to pull his men back, just before the elves were to spring their trap. It was like hunting Bison, Arawn thought. One wrong move, and you could be skewered. Get the bulls out of balance, then hit them from behind, and bring them down.

They had encircled the herd, it was time to send in the first dogs. Arawn raised her shimmering spear above her head.

My write-fu wasn't the best right now, but I have one charge:
Yellow Dryads at Brigands.

Reaction/fear test if appropriate?

Otherwise, my moves are basically ready, just awaiting your response.

[Beithir Seun]

They will Flee:

Result of the throw of dice "2d6" :

5 + 6 = 11

11"

[Herald]

Then, here are the WE moves for turn 4. Hope they are fine with you:



And I'll continue with the Magic phase:

Result of the throw of dice "1d6 >= 4" :

6 = 6 ... success

Sorry again.

Result of the throw of dice "3d6 >= 8" :

5 + 3 + 4 = 12 ... success

I wonder when I'm gonna start rolling badly. This is weird...
Anyhow, dispel?

I'll have to do shooting later.

Edit: Already found a mistake, my Alter can't march like that. Will fix, sorry.

[Beithir Seun]

I wonder when I'm gonna start rolling badly. This is weird...

Hopefully as soon as you start rolling attacks


Anyway, I'll let Twilight Host go through and dispel Treesinging:

Result of the throw of dice "2d6" :

3 + 4 = 7

Gone

[Herald]

Hopefully as soon as you start rolling attacks

My thoughts exactly...

Here is take two at WE moves, this time legal (I hope):



Magic: Green GR now cause fear.

Shooting:
Let's warm up with Yellow GG at Alessandro's pikemen:

Result of the throw of dice "10d6 >= 3" :

6 + 2 + 3 + 1 + 2 + 2 + 5 + 5 + 6 + 4
6 hits

Rolling "1d6 >= 3" 6 times

1: 3 = 3 ... success
2: 4 = 4 ... success
3: 4 = 4 ... success
4: 2 = 2 ... failure
5: 6 = 6 ... success
6: 3 = 3 ... success

And the arrows keep wounding...

Green GR at the same pikemen, 4 have LoS(?):

Rolling "1d6 >= 3" 4 times

1: 4 = 4 ... success
2: 3 = 3 ... success
3: 4 = 4 ... success
4: 5 = 5 ... success

Rolling "1d6 >= 4" 4 times

1: 5 = 5 ... success
2: 2 = 2 ... failure
3: 5 = 5 ... success
4: 5 = 5 ... success

Next is Yellow GR + Scouts (2 last dice) at your lone Battle Mage:

Rolling "1d6 >= 4" 7 times

1: 1 = 1 ... failure
2: 5 = 5 ... success
3: 1 = 1 ... failure
4: 6 = 6 ... success
5: 5 = 5 ... success
6: 4 = 4 ... success
7: 6 = 6 ... success

Rolling "1d6 >= 4" 5 times

1: 6 = 6 ... success
2: 2 = 2 ... failure
3: 2 = 2 ... failure
4: 2 = 2 ... failure
5: 2 = 2 ... failure

About time! 1 wound there.

Then Sayolon notches an arrow, aiming at the poor Mage:

Result of the throw of dice "1d6 >= 2" :

2 = 2 ... success

Result of the throw of dice "1d6 >= 4" :

2 = 2 ... failure

Bummer, obviously gets stuck in his robes...

Ok, time to get serious, Waywatchers at Knights

Rolling "1d6 >= 2" 6 times

1: 4 = 4 ... success
2: 3 = 3 ... success
3: 4 = 4 ... success
4: 4 = 4 ... success
5: 1 = 1 ... failure
6: 5 = 5 ... success

Rolling "1d6 >= 4" 5 times

1: 6 = 6 ... success
2: 3 = 3 ... failure
3: 4 = 4 ... success
4: 3 = 3 ... failure
5: 2 = 2 ... failure

As reliable as death and taxes.

Green GG at the Knights, 8 have LoS, I believe:

Result of the throw of dice "8d6 >= 3" :

6 + 3 + 3 + 2 + 6 + 1 + 5 + 2
5 hits

Rolling "1d6 >= 3" 5 times

1: 4 = 4 ... success
2: 5 = 5 ... success
3: 6 = 6 ... success
4: 5 = 5 ... success
5: 3 = 3 ... success

Holy macaroni, now I want to know who made these arrowheads!

And Grey GG at the same knights. Now, IF the knights somehow should fail 2 saves from the above wounds will you let me redirect these shots against the Red Pikeys?

Result of the throw of dice "10d6 >= 3" :

4 + 3 + 4 + 4 + 6 + 4 + 6 + 2 + 2 + 3
8 hits...

Rolling "1d6 >= 3" 8 times

1: 4 = 4 ... success
2: 2 = 2 ... failure
3: 4 = 4 ... success
4: 5 = 5 ... success
5: 5 = 5 ... success
6: 4 = 4 ... success
7: 6 = 6 ... success
8: 1 = 1 ... failure

I am at loss for words. I can only hope your armour saves will be equally good.

Finally, a pot shot from Tallec at Red Pikemen:

Result of the throw of dice "1d6 >= 4" :

6 = 6 ... success

Result of the throw of dice "1d6 >= 4" :

6 = 6 ... success

Summary:
5 S4 + 3 S3 wounds on Yellow Pikemen
1 S3 wound on Battle Mage
1 KB + 1 S3 + 11(!) S4 wounds on Knights
1 S3 wound on Red Pikemen

That was everything for now, best of luck with Hamete, and please make sure everything (LoS...) seems right to you.

[Beithir Seun]

Well, I hate complaining about dice....but Hamete either really loves you, or really hates me

Yellow Pikemen 6+ AS:

Result of the throw of dice "5d6" :

4 + 3 + 2 + 5 + 3 = 17

5 dead

5+ AS:

Result of the throw of dice "3d6" :

3 + 2 + 6 = 11

7 dead in total

Knights' 1+ AS:

Result of the throw of dice "1d6" :

4 = 4

Well, that's one saved Now for the other 11...

Result of the throw of dice "11d6" :

6 + 2 + 4 + 2 + 5 + 4 + 4 + 4 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 37

That more than redeems Hamete for me now


Red pikemen:

Result of the throw of dice "1d6" :

3 = 3

1 dead


Summary:
7 dead yellow Pikemen
1 dead Knight
1 dead red Pikeman
1 wound on the Wizard


Panic tests for the yellow Pikemen and Knights

Pikemen:

Result of the throw of dice "2d6" :

2 + 2 = 4

They're fine

Knights:

Result of the throw of dice "2d6" :

2 + 5 = 7

Also fine

[Herald]

Well, I hate complaining about dice....but Hamete either really loves you, or really hates me

I got so curious earlier, I added up my dierolls, and after turn 3 they actually averaged out at 3,44. Turn 4 really was good, though (3,85), for a total average of 3,54.

But as we see below, It's more about getting the Right Rolls, than the highest average number (3,36...).

Well, that's one saved Now for the other 11...

2+ AS wrote:Result of the throw of dice "11d6" :

6 + 2 + 4 + 2 + 5 + 4 + 4 + 4 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 37

That more than redeems Hamete for me now

Yes, I think that about calls it even... Damn, I was so certain those knights were finished now. Ok, Your turn!

[Beithir Seun]

Right, this has taken a lot of thought and I'm still not happy with my moves. You've not left me many options, so I just hope I've chosen the lesser of two (or several) evils


Brigands flee:

Result of the throw of dice "2d6" :

4 + 3 = 7

7"

Knights Fear test:

Result of the throw of dice "2d6" :

2 + 5 = 7

Passed

The Knights will charge the yellow Dryads then

Here are my moves:


My wizard may as well try to cast Spirit of the Forge on the yellow Glade Riders:

Result of the throw of dice "2d6" :

3 + 6 = 9

Nope

No shooting this turn either, so it's on to your Turn 5

[Herald]

Right, this has taken a lot of thought and I'm still not happy with my moves. You've not left me many options, so I just hope I've chosen the lesser of two (or several) evils

I know, and apologize for Arawn's less than honourable approach to warfare. Had I been a little more experienced, I would have seen the huuge disadvantage your army was at from the beginning, and we could have rigged a more fair game.

But it's not over yet, there is still the 'real' fighting to be done. I suggest you start by punishing the Dryads!

[Beithir Seun]

Ha! How could I forget the only combat of the game so far? Obviously I've become set in to the routine of chasing you around the battlefield and not catching you


Here we go then:

Result of the throw of dice "3d6" :

4 + 6 + 2 = 12

2 hits

Result of the throw of dice "2d6" :

2 + 4 = 6

2 wounds at -3AS

Horses:

Result of the throw of dice "2d6" :

6 + 1 = 7

1 hit

Result of the throw of dice "1d6" :

5 = 5

Good horsey

3 wounds on the Dryads


P.S No need to apologise - this is how WE wage war! In all honesty, this game has been one of the most challenging I've played for a long time so I really have to thank you for that

[Herald]

Good to hear you take it as a challenge!
Dryad saves then:

Rolling "1d6 >= 5" 3 times

1: 3 = 3 ... failure
2: 5 = 5 ... success
3: 2 = 2 ... failure

2 dead dryads

Return attacks from 2 dryads:

Rolling "1d6 >= 3" 4 times

1: 3 = 3 ... success
2: 6 = 6 ... success
3: 5 = 5 ... success
4: 3 = 3 ... success

Rolling "1d6 >= 3" 4 times

1: 3 = 3 ... success
2: 5 = 5 ... success
3: 3 = 3 ... success
4: 4 = 4 ... success

Well done, Ladies!! I saved the 1's for you...

[Herald]

Sorry, I forgot the Knights are actually WS4, so only 2 wounds to save...

Which means we can probably sum it up already:
You have banner and 2 w, I have outnumber, so Dryads test at -2, on Arawn's Ld:

Result of the throw of dice "2d6 <= 7" :

5 + 3 = 8 ... failure

Darn, I forgot to tell Hamete to roll low! So unless you happen to fail a save, they will run.

Result of the throw of dice "2d6" :

4 + 5 = 9

9 inches and most likely caught.

Edit: And don't the knights have Hatred? If you make the saves it doesn't matter, but otherwise you ought to reroll your failed hits.