NICON first round break down

Jeff the T.O and also the spare player had made the draw so I thought I would do a bit of a rundown of how I see the 1^st round going based on the lists/match up’s. 

Round 1 Draw:

Table 1: Dan Butler vs. Darren Butler

There is one real threat to Dan’s dragon in this list the Ironblaster, Dan has two hellcannons for the counter barrage.  If Dan’s dragon can survive the funblaster Darren is in big trouble.  With no gut star the bulls are easy meat for Dan’s list. 

Dan B 16-4 W (that’s going to get confusing...)

Table 2: Pete Dunn vs. Mike King

Regular sparing partners Pete and Mike know each other very well.  Pete is obviously a very good play as is Mike but Mike has the list advantage in this one.  Both are fairly cautious in play style so I see Mike getting a small win here.

Mike King14-6 W

Table 3: Nick Munn vs. Simon Switzer

This is an interesting one, dwarf gunline v Skaven toys and Storm Banner.  This really could go big either way depending on the odd variance.  I’ll give this one to the bearded ones... (what am I saying..)

Simon 11-9 W

Table 4: Rob Sadler vs Brian Smith

On paper this one is massively in Brian’s favour.  His list has the tools to wreck Rob’s list played well.  Double hydra and the two combat blocks could really do a number.  So based on the match up

Brian 16-4 W

Table 5: James Brown vs James Cardno

I’m sure James is keen to get his revenge after I beat him at Tauranga 14-6.  The DP is tough but I think I have the edge in experience over James.  Played tightly I should be able to eek out another win. 

James B 12-8 W

Table 6: Jeff Kent vs Neil Williamson

This is an interesting one, Jeff pushing a real combat lizard list v a combat dwarf list... Neil still has two cannons and an organ gun so this could be a tough one but if Jeff can get there it will be tough for Neil.

Jeff W12-8

NICON TOP 5 lists

NICON TOP 5 lists

NICON will this year be held in the Hawkes Bay and it has attracted a smaller but top field to contest the WHFB event.  Last year’s 1^st and 2^nd place players are in attendance and two other top 10 ranked players.  I will break down the top 5 lists at the event; I’m not going to include mine in the ranking although I feel it would sit in the conversation.

Now while these are the “Top 5” lists several of the players playing them are not at the experience level of some of the field so I can see other names in the conversation day 2.  A massive shout out to Dan B who is bringing a Chaos Lord on Dragon... I’ve been playing Warhammer for 20 years and have only seen 1 on the table.  I put Dan on this list and if he can dodge cannons he might well be up there come the end.

1^st Mike King – Lizardmen

Mike, Grumpy Old Man – solid Warhammer General and bringing a Death/Metal Slann combo that has the tools to do extremely well. Not a pure skink cloud but enough chaff and two underestimated blocks or Saurus that can take time to chew through. 

1	Slann Mage Priest (275), Lore of Death, Becalming Cogitation (0), Bane Head (15), Sceptre of Stability (15)
1	Slann Mage Priest (275), Lore of Metal, The Focused Rumination (0), Plaque of Tepok (15)
HEROES
Number of models in the unit	Type (include magic items, upgrades, bloodlines etc.)	Total Points
1	Skink Priest (65), Level 1 (0), Dispel Scroll (25)
1	Saurus Scar Veteran (85), BSB (25), Light Armour (5), Burning Blade of Chotec (20), Seed of Rebirth (10), Charmed Shield (5)
CORE
Number of models in the unit	Type (include magic items, upgrades, bloodlines etc.)	Total Points
30	Saurus Warriors (330), Champion (12), Standard Bearer (12), Musician (6)
30	Saurus Warriors (330), Champion (12), Standard Bearer (12), Musician (6)
10	Skink Skirmishers (70), Javelin and Shield (10)
10	Skink Skirmishers (70), Javelin and Shield (10)
10	Skink Skirmishers (70), Javelin and Shield (10)
29	Skinks (145), Champion (8), Standard Bearer (8), Musician (6)
SPECIAL
Number of models in the unit	Type (include magic items, upgrades, bloodlines etc.)	Total Points
5	Chameleon Skinks (60)
5	Chameleon Skinks (60)
3	Terradons (90)
RARE
Number of models in the unit	Type (include magic items, upgrades, bloodlines etc.)	Total Points
2	Salamanders (150)
1	Salamander (75)

  

2^nd James Cardno – WOC James will have benefitted immensely from 6 games at Tauranga with this list.  Having played this list I can attest to its power and I would expect him to give people trouble with the DP.

1	Daemon Prince (235), Level 4 (140),  Lore of Death (0), Scaled Skin (20), Flaming Breath (30), Sword of Striking (15), Charmed Shield (5), Dragonbane Gem (5), Chaos Armour (20), Daemonic Flight (40), Daemon of Nurgle (10), Soul Feeder (10)
HEROES
Number of models in the unit	Type (include magic items, upgrades, bloodlines etc.)	Total Points
1	Exalted Hero (110), Talisman of Preservation (45), Enchanted Shield (5), Third Eye of Tzeentch (10), Mark of Tzeentch (10), Daemonic Mount (35), Great Weapon (6), BSB (25)
1	Chaos Sorcerer (110), Level 2 (35), Lore of Metal (0), Dispel Scroll (25)
CORE
Number of models in the unit	Type (include magic items, upgrades, bloodlines etc.)	Total Points
17	Chaos Warriors (238), Halberds (51), Shields (17), Champion (10) Musician (10), Standard Bearer (10), Mark of Nurgle (34)
1	Chaos Chariot(110), Mark of Khorne (10)
1	Chaos Chariot(110), Mark of Khorne (10)
SPECIAL
Number of models in the unit	Type (include magic items, upgrades, bloodlines etc.)	Total Points
1	Chimera (230), Flaming Breath (30), Regenerating Flesh (15)
RARE
Number of models in the unit	Type (include magic items, upgrades, bloodlines etc.)	Total Points
4	Skullcrushers (300), Standard Bearer (10), Musician (10), Champion (10), Banner of Swiftness (15), Ensorcelled Weapons (12)
1	Hellcannon

3^rd. Nick Munn – Skaven – how could I have a top 5 without Skaven?  No bell but still all the toys and all the chaff in the world to give anyone problems. 

1	Grey Seer (240), Earthing Rod (25), Talisman of Preservation (45),	310
HEROES
Number of models in the unit	Type (include magic items, upgrades, bloodlines etc.)	Total Points
1	Chieftain (45), BSB (25), Shield (2), Standard of Discipline (15)
1	Warlock Engineer (15), Level 1 (50), Ruby Ring of Ruin (25), Dispel Scroll (25)
1	Warlock Engineer (15), Level 1 (50), Doomrocket (30), Warp Energy Condenser (20)
1	Warlock Engineer (15)
CORE
Number of models in the unit	Type (include magic items, upgrades, bloodlines etc.)	Total Points
30	Clanrats (120), Champion (8), Musician (4), Standard Bearer (8), Shields (15)
40	Skavenslaves (80), Musician (2)
40	Skavenslaves (80), Musician (2)
40	Skavenslaves (80), Musician (2)
34	Stormvermin (238), Champion (10), Musician (5), Standard Bearer (10), Storm Banner (50), Warpfire Thrower (70)
6	Giant Rats (15), Packmaster (8)
6	Giant Rats (15), Packmaster (8)
2	Ratswarms (5)
SPECIAL
Number of models in the unit	Type (include magic items, upgrades, bloodlines etc.)	Total Points
8	Gutter Runners (96), Poisoned Attacks (40), Slings (8)
8	Gutter Runners (96), Poisoned Attacks (40), Slings (8)
RARE
Number of models in the unit	Type (include magic items, upgrades, bloodlines etc.)	Total Points
1	Doomwheel (150)
1	Hellpit Abomination (235), Warpstone Spikes (15)
1	Warp Lightning Cannon
1	Plagueclaw Catapult

4^th Brian Smith – DE’s On paper this list is very strong.  Double Hydra, double Caludron. It will be interesting to see how it performs.  The lack of chaff could hurt him but interesting. 

1	Supreme Sorceress (225), Level 4 (35), Lore of Shadow, Dark Pegasus (50), Pendant of Khaleth (35), Dispel Scroll (25), Black Dragon Egg (30)
HEROES
Number of models in the unit	Type (include magic items, upgrades, bloodlines etc.)	Total Points
1	Death Hag (90), BSB (25), Standard of Hag Graef (35)
1	Death Hag (90), Cauldron of Blood (110)
1	Death Hag (90), Cauldron of Blood (110)
CORE
Number of models in the unit	Type (include magic items, upgrades, bloodlines etc.)	Total Points
10	Repeater Crossbowmen (100), Shields (10)
10	Repeater Crossbowmen (100), Shields (10)
35	Corsairs (350), Reaver (10), Musician (5), Standard Bearer (10), Banner of Eternal Flame (10), Handbows (0)
5	Harpies (55)
SPECIAL
Number of models in the unit	Type (include magic items, upgrades, bloodlines etc.)	Total Points
33	Executioners (396), Standard Bearer (12), Musician (6), Banner of Murder (25)
RARE
Number of models in the unit	Type (include magic items, upgrades, bloodlines etc.)	Total Points
1	Hydra
1	Hydra

5^th Dan Bulter – WOC What more can I say about this but a Lord, a Lord a Chaos Lord on Dragon... Amazeballs. Oh and plus two Hell Cannons..   

1	Chaos Lord (210), Mark of Nurgle (10), Flail (6), Chaos Dragon (330), Charmed Shield (5), Dragonbane Gem (5), The other trickster's shard (15), Poisonous Slime (15)
HEROES
Number of models in the unit	Type (include magic items, upgrades, bloodlines etc.)	Total Points
1	Exalted Hero (110), BSB (25), Mark of Tzeentch (10), Flail (5), Shield (3), Disc of Tzeentch (30), Talisman of Preservation (45), Third Eye of Tzeentch (10), Soul Feeder (10)
1	Sorcerer (110), Chaos Steed (16), Barding (15), Dispel Scroll(25), Level 1(0), Lore of Fire
CORE
Number of models in the unit	Type (include magic items, upgrades, bloodlines etc.)	Total Points
5	Marauder Horsemen (70), Mark of Slaanesh (5), Musician (10), Standard Bearer (10)
1	Chaos Chariot (110), Mark of Khorne (10)
1	Chaos Chariot (110), Mark of Khorne (10)
1	Chaos Chariot (110), Mark of Khorne (10)
1	Chaos Chariot (110), Mark of Khorne (10)
5	Chaos Warhounds (30), Vanguard (10)
5	Chaos Warhounds (30), Vanguard (10)
5	Chaos Warhounds (30), Vanguard (10)
SPECIAL
Number of models in the unit	Type (include magic items, upgrades, bloodlines etc.)	Total Points
1	Chimera (230), Flaming Breath (30), Regenerating Flesh (15)
RARE
Number of models in the unit	Type (include magic items, upgrades, bloodlines etc.)	Total Points
1	Hellcannon (210)
1	Hellcannon (210)