Equinox – breakdown

So I came 8^th – disappointing for me personally as I had targeted top 5 and was well on course to achieve this unit my last round game (we’ll get to that!).  Still a good result in the context of the field which was strong and my schedule, I played 1^st 3^rd, 7^th and 9^th as well as Tom VR who had a nightmare last two games in back to back Chaos Dwarves. 

Game 1:

Tim Joss – Chaos Dwarves

This was a game that I felt was a tough match up.  Tim’s list was packed full of multi wound war machines and magic that could spell the end for a gutstar.  I did however have a plan – I deployed my ogres 1 wide.. I then was lucky to get first turn taking off the magma cannon with a 2D6 fireball and putting an ironblaster through a death shrieker.. great start.  We then played 3 or 4 turns of chase the kadaii and me trying to stop it getting into my mournfang.  Tight game, 10-10 which I would have taken all day before the game. 

Game 2: 

"Charge!!!!"

Stephen  - Skaven

This was round was going to be the most luck of the draw.  I drew Stephen who’s list on paper could have been tricky for me.  Double wheel, cannon and skaven toys.  However this was a huge mismatch in experience and I knew it was a 20-0 after deployment.  Stephen was a great opponent and took it very well as I removed his army and we called it after 3 turns.

Game 3:

Paul Clarke – TK’s

Paul is a fellow Nerdymen and we have played a few times.  Paul knew early that this was a bad match up for him and the king of hill scenario didn’t help him.  We spoke about it after the game and he agreed he make a mistake taking Doom and Darkness over Purple Sun on his L4.  I see why he did it but I would have taken purple sun and been six dicing it at me every turn.  Paul played well and picked up my mournfang after they failed a charge into his necro knights and soulbighted them, but then I got the counter charge and picked up both units plus the hill.  I backed off and didn’t risk the death snipes and picked up a 14-6 win to continue to build.

Game 4 –

Tom VR Ogres

Tom is another fellow Nerdymen and had beaten me in the mirror match at NZTC.  I felt I had the edge list wise with the Tyrant and the double firebelly but that was soon undone as I “sucked off” my own firebelly T1 on a 3D6 cast of flaming sword taking 2 ironguts with him.  I then got lucky and put a cannon ball through his ironblaster doing 6W’s.  Tom wasn’t going to run at me, I tried a few things but we ended up picking off points in another tight game for a 10-10 to set myself up for day 2.  

"oopps..."

Game 5 –

Ryan Simister – WOC

Meeting Engagement – I’d never played Ryan but I felt I had the edge in this match up due to his build. His DP really looked vulnerable with only a 4+save and the 5+ward.  I tested this first turn with a 2D6 fireball first – I was massively surprised when he let it go as he only has 4 T5 W’s.  Needless to say I did 5 wounds and Ryan failed all his saves.  Yes I was lucky to kill it but he had deployed it in the open and I could have put the funblaster through it as well.  From here it was really about not making a mistake.  I frenzy baited one unit of crushers with a dog and then the combat was on.  This was always going to go bad for Ryan from T1 and a double 1 break test on his 3+ward bsb kept him alive and allowed Ryan to keep some points.  15-5 win to me. 

Game 6 –

Dan Bulter – WOC

I had set myself up for a chance to podium I was actually probably sitting 3^rd going into the last round due to Dan’s paint hit.  I have to say in hindsight I massively underestimated the Nurgle Chariots in Dan’s list.  The L4 metal DP also worried me.  I wanted to push for it as with Ross v Tim on Table 1 I could have snuck into second with a win.  Dan had other ideas!  While my dice did desert me it was more than that and Dan’s list was actually ideally built to take out ogres.  I got stuck on his chariots and crushers, couldn’t break them and then got flanked and taken off.  Massive win to Dan and the first time I have lost 20-0 in ages.  Dan is a great player and that’s 2-1 to you mate!  We will meet again! 

The event itself was unfortunately disjointed due to the timings and venue change.  This came about by a council mistake but it did put real time pressures on for players who are either new or have armies that take time to play/set up.  I saw some players having to down dice after 3 or 4 turns.  Not ideal.  I was lucky I play fast but also I have a smaller army.  The comp was the comp although I did have a whinge about the Chalice ruling to Phil it was fine.  Overall I had a good time catching up with the out of town guys, the top warhammer Celeb award, well done Tim.... ha ha and just playing Warhammer!  Thanks to all my opponents and I will be coming to a battlefield near you soon....