“The art of sledging”

“the practice whereby some players seek to gain an advantage by insulting or verbally intimidating the opposing player. The purpose is to try to weaken the opponent's concentration, thereby causing him to make mistakes or under perform.”

There has been a fair bit of banter flying back and forth on twitter and over blog’o’sphere to try and gain the mental edge so I thought I’d share a couple of gems from the cricketing world…

This one is often attributed to the Master Shane Warne himself - Glenn McGrath and Eddo Brandes going head to head. After the Zimbabwe batsman played and missed, McGrath enquired: "Oi, Brandes, why are you so fat?" This cutting reply riled the lanky quick: "Cos every time I sleep with your wife she gives me a biscuit."

Little-known England batsman James Ormond makes this list. Upon his arrival at the crease during a Test match in 2001, Ormond copped grief from Mark Waugh. "f#ck me, look who it is. Mate, what are you doing out here? There's no way you're good enough to play for England." Quick as you like, Ormond said: "Maybe not, but at least I'm the best player in my family."

I’m the sure the Von Trapps can relate to this second one….   

NZTC Top 3 Teams... and the bunny pick

1:  The Von Trapp Family

With a mix of youth and experience, NZ’s current No1 ranked player and the current NZ Master and with their families telepathic link the Von Trapp’s have to go into this event as favourites.  Tom is bring a very strong triple letter list with a high chaff count, Pete is using a solid Ogre list, Jack is leading an underrated DE list and last but not least an interesting WOC list from Joe.  With so much expectation could they be the wargaming version of the NZ Warriors?  All the flair and talent but can’t deliver under pressure?  We will see!

2: Grumpy Old Men

With an average team age of 214 there is a fair amount of collective Warhammer wisdom in this group.  Can they bring it all together?  With a Pappa Nurgle list, Dark Elves and Lizards they have three solid lists that can pick up wins, added into that is a dwarf gun line to take out difficult matches for the team. 

3: Nerdymen

The Nerdymen are the up and coming team bringing good form and ETC experience into this event.  Captained by Tom VR I expect this team to be well drilled and to reign in some of their more reckless instincts... With Daemons, Ogres, a Vampire bus and a very good HE list in the right match up’s this team has the tools.  While Rory’s mental toughness has been questioned I expect him to head into this focused..Creatures of the night... Time will tell! 

In a field where double letters are fairly fluffy... triple letters being the norm it was tough to pick a bunny team as the field is extremely tough.  However I’m not going to sit on the fence and I think with their combo of Wood Elves... Vampires, Ogres and Daemons Team Cut the Mustard might not quite cut the mustard so to speak.  

In the end I am expecting to lead Team NZ Hammered to glory...

Team NZ Hammered Lists

Given the lists are out I thought I would post up my teams lists for viewing!  I’ll be doing a top 3 teams at some stage once I get a chance to review the lists in more detail and look at match up’s.

Cheers

James

LORDS
Number of models in the unit	Type (include magic items, upgrades, bloodlines etc.)	Total Points
1	SORCERER LORD LEVEL 4, (General, Lore of Tzeentch) Mark of TZEENTCH, DISPEL SCROLL, CHARMED SHIELD. TALISMAN OF PRESERVATION, BITING BLADE, DISC of TZEENTCH	390
HEROES
Number of models in the unit	Type (include magic items, upgrades, bloodlines etc.)	Total Points
1	EXALTED HERO Mark of TZEENTCH (BSB) CHAOS STEED, SHIELD, Talisman of Endurance, Sword of Might	216
1	EXALTED HERO Mark of SLAANESH, STEED OF SLAANESH, SHIELD, HALBERD, DRAGONHELM, LUCKSTONE, STREAM OF CORRUPTION, BOOK OF SECRETS (Lore of Shadow)	209
CORE
Number of models in the unit	Type (include magic items, upgrades, bloodlines etc.)	Total Points
18	Chaos WARRIORS Mark of NURGLE, Halberds, Shields FULL COMMAND, BANNER OF RAGE	401
5	MARAUDER HORSEMEN, Mark OF SLAANESH, Light ARMOUR,FLAILS,THROWING SPEARS,MUSICIAN	101
5	Chaos Warhounds	30
5	Chaos Warhounds	30
20	MARAUDER’S Mark of SLAANESH ,MUSICIAN,FLAILS	114
20	MARAUDER’S Mark of SLAANESH ,MUSICIAN,FLAILS	114
SPECIAL
Number of models in the unit	Type (include magic items, upgrades, bloodlines etc.)	Total Points
9	Chaos Knights, Mark of Tzeentch, Standard, Musician, The Blasted Standard	450
RARE
Number of models in the unit	Type (include magic items, upgrades, bloodlines etc.)	Total Points
5	Skullcrushers. Standard, Musician, Banner of Discipline	345
	TOTAL OVERALL POINTS	2400

LORDS
Number of models in the unit	Type (include magic items, upgrades, bloodlines etc.)	Total Points
1	Slann, Lore of Light, BSB, Cupped hands of the old ones, Focus of mystery, Soul of stone, The focussed rumination	445
HEROES
Number of models in the unit	Type (include magic items, upgrades, bloodlines etc.)	Total Points
1	Skink priest, Cursed Charm of Tepok, Dispell scroll	110
1	Saurus scar veteran, Cold one, Light armour, Dragon bane gem, Charmed shield, Burning blade	140
1	Saurus scar veteran, Cold one, Light armour, GW, Dragon Helm, Venom of the firefly, Amulet of Itzl	166
CORE
Number of models in the unit	Type (include magic items, upgrades, bloodlines etc.)	Total Points
20	Saurus warriors, Musician and champion	238
10	Skink skirmishers, javelins	80
10	Skink skirmishers	70
10	Skink skirmishers	70
10	Skink cohort, Musician	56
10	Skink cohort, Musician	56
10	Skink cohort, Musician	56
24, 3	24 Skink cohort, 3 Kroxigor, Musician	291
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
3	Terradons	90
3	Terradons	90
RARE
Number of models in the unit	Type (include magic items, upgrades, bloodlines etc.)	Total Points
2	Salamanders	150
1	Salamander, Extra handler	80
	TOTAL OVERALL POINTS	2398

LORDS
Number of models in the unit	Type (include magic items, upgrades, bloodlines etc.)	Total Points
1	Lord, heavy armour, shield, barded warhorse, knights vow, virtue of heroism, heartwood lance, dragon helm, luck stone, potion of foolhardiness	229
1	Prophetess, heavens lore, level 4, dispell scroll	250
HEROES
Number of models in the unit	Type (include magic items, upgrades, bloodlines etc.)	Total Points
1	Paladin, BSB, heavy armour, barded warhorse, knights vow, enchanted shield, dawn stone	109
1	Paladin, heavy armour, shield, lance, barded warhorse, knights vow, virtue of the impetuous knight	115
1	Paladin, heavy armour, lance, barded warhorse, knights vow, virtue of duty, charmed shield	113
1	Paladin, heavy armour, shield, barded warhorse, knights vow, sword of anti heroes, dragon bane gem, potion of speed	116
CORE
Number of models in the unit	Type (include magic items, upgrades, bloodlines etc.)	Total Points
20	Archers, Musician, brazier	130
10	Knights errant, champion, standard, musician, banner of swiftness	236
10	Knights of the relm, champion standard, musician, warbanner	289
11	Knights of the relm, champion standard, musician, gleaming pennant	293
SPECIAL
Number of models in the unit	Type (include magic items, upgrades, bloodlines etc.)	Total Points
3	Pegasus knights, champion	165
5	Mounted yeomen, musician, shields	87
5	Mounted yeomen, musician, shields	87
RARE
Number of models in the unit	Type (include magic items, upgrades, bloodlines etc.)	Total Points
1	Trebuchet	90
1	Trebuchet	90
	TOTAL OVERALL POINTS	2399

LORDS
Number of models in the unit	Type (include magic items, upgrades, bloodlines etc.)	Total Points
1	Slaughtermaster (General L4 Heavens), Fencers Blades, Glittering Scales, Earthing Rod, other tricksters shard	385
HEROES
Number of models in the unit	Type (include magic items, upgrades, bloodlines etc.)	Total Points
1	Bruiser, (BsB) heavy armour, enchanted shield, crown of command, warrior bane, dragonbane gem	184
1	Butcher, Hellheart (Lore of the Great Maw)	150
1	Firebelly, potion of speed, additional hand weapon (Lore of Fire)	127
CORE
Number of models in the unit	Type (include magic items, upgrades, bloodlines etc.)	Total Points
9	Ironguts, Full Command, Look-out Gnoblar, Banner of Discipline	437
5	Ogres, musician, additional hand weapon	165
SPECIAL
Number of models in the unit	Type (include magic items, upgrades, bloodlines etc.)	Total Points
8	Maneaters, Full Command, Banner of Swiftness, Look-out Gnoblar Stubborn, ITP	450
4	Mournfang, heavy armour, ironfist, musician	290
1	Sabretusk pack	21
1	Sabretusk pack	21
RARE
Number of models in the unit	Type (include magic items, upgrades, bloodlines etc.)	Total Points
1	Ironblaster	170
	TOTAL OVERALL POINTS	2400