The Storm of Arrows. CTA 2014 Practise

Thursday saw the first practise game for my CTA Wood Elf list, and my opponent was doing the same. Nick Jebson (author of the HMS Distraction) was taking his Beast Hunter list for a spin and looking just at the lists our armies do seem evenly matched. I was taking:

2400 Pts - Wood Elves Roster - Call to Arms List v 1.1

Spellweaver (1#, 305 pts)
   1 Spellweaver, 305 pts (Always Strikes First; Blessing of The Ancients; Forest Stalker; General; Level 4 Upgrade; Asrai Longbow; Hand Weapon; Volley Fire)
      1 Elven Steed (Fast Cavalry; Vanguard)
      1 Channeling Staff
      1 Talisman of Preservation
      1 The Lore of High Magic

Shadowdancer (1#, 185 pts)
   1 Shadowdancer, 185 pts (Always Strikes First; Blessing of The Ancients; Forest Stalker; Level 1 Wizard; Hand Weapon; Extra Hand Weapon x1; Immune to Psychology)
      1 Glittering Scales

Glade Captain (1#, 150 pts)
   1 Glade Captain (Battle Standard Bearer), 150 pts (Always Strikes First; Forest Stalker; Asrai Longbow; Hand Weapon; Battle Standard Bearer; Volley Fire)
      1 Gambler's Armour
      1 Hail of Doom Arrow

Spellsinger (1#, 150 pts)
   1 Spellsinger, 150 pts (Always Strikes First; Blessing of The Ancients; Forest Stalker; Level 2 Upgrade; Asrai Longbow; Hand Weapon; Volley Fire)
      1 Dispel Scroll
      1 Ironcurse Icon
      1 The Lore of Beasts

Waystalker (1#, 110 pts)
   1 Waystalker, 110 pts (Always Strikes First; Forest Stalker; Hawk-eyed Archer; Asrai Longbow; Hand Weapon; Extra Hand Weapon; Scouts; Sniper; Volley Fire)
      1 The Bow of Loren

Eternal Guard (20#, 265 pts)
   19 Eternal Guard, 265 pts (Always Strikes First; Forest Stalker; Musician Mus; Standard Bearer Std; Hand Weapon; Asrai Spear; Light Armour; Stubborn)
      1 Eternal Warden (Always Strikes First; Forest Stalker; Hand Weapon; Asrai Spear; Light Armour; Stubborn)
      1 Standard of Discipline

Glade Guard (10#, 170 pts)
   10 Glade Guard, 170 pts (Always Strikes First; Forest Stalker; Musician Mus; Standard Bearer Std; Hand Weapon; Asrai Longbow; Trueflight Arrows; Volley Fire)

Glade Guard (10#, 160 pts)
   10 Glade Guard, 160 pts (Always Strikes First; Forest Stalker; Musician Mus; Hand Weapon; Asrai Longbow; Trueflight Arrows; Volley Fire)

Glade Guard (10#, 160 pts)
   10 Glade Guard, 160 pts (Always Strikes First; Forest Stalker; Musician Mus; Hand Weapon; Asrai Longbow; Trueflight Arrows; Volley Fire)

Deepwood Scouts (10#, 160 pts)
   10 Deepwood Scouts, 160 pts (Always Strikes First; Forest Stalker; Hand Weapon; Asrai Longbow; Trueflight Arrows; Scouts; Skirmishers; Volley Fire)

Deepwood Scouts (10#, 160 pts)
   10 Deepwood Scouts, 160 pts (Always Strikes First; Forest Stalker; Hand Weapon; Asrai Longbow; Trueflight Arrows; Scouts; Skirmishers; Volley Fire)

Treeman (1#, 225 pts)
   1 Treeman, 225 pts (Forest Spirit; Tree Whack; Causes Terror; Flammable; Large Target; Scaly Skin; Stubborn; Thunder Stomp)

Waywatchers (5#, 100 pts)
   5 Waywatchers, 100 pts (Always Strikes First; Forest Stalker; Hawk-eyed Archer; Hand Weapon; Asrai Longbow; Extra Hand Weapon; Scouts; Skirmishers; Volley Fire)

Waywatchers (5#, 100 pts)
   5 Waywatchers, 100 pts (Always Strikes First; Forest Stalker; Hawk-eyed Archer; Hand Weapon; Asrai Longbow; Extra Hand Weapon; Scouts; Skirmishers; Volley Fire)

Balancing the Weave

It has been a while since i have done a non tournament battle report, and so i decided that my weekly game of WHFB would give me the perfect opportunity to do a battle report with the new Wood Elves. My opponent was Nick Jebson (from the blog HMS Distraction), Nick is a regular opponent of mine and this time he was using an army  that would ensure that neither of us would be re-rolling failed to hits: Dark Elves.  I was using what i am now calling my standard 2400 point list:

Level 4 High Mage on Elven Steed with Channeling Staff and Talisman of Preservation

Level 4 Life Mage

Shadowdancer with the Glittering Scales

Glade Captain with HODA and Great Weapon

Glade Captain BSB with Armour of the Slivered Steed and Great Weapon

20 Glade Guard with Musician, Standard and Trueflight Arrows

20 Eternal Guard with Full Command and Banner of Discipline

10 Wardancers with Champion

10 Wardancers with Champion

10 Wild Riders with Full Command and Shields and Banner of Swiftness 

10 Waywatchers

5 Waywatchers

Total Points: 2399

Nick took a list that managed to have more ranged attacks than mine did:

Dreadlord on Pegasus
lance, heavy armour, shield, sea dragon cloak, cloak of twilight, dragon bane gem
Supreme Sorceress
Power stone and the ring of hotek, lore of darkness

Master Battle Standard Bearer
heavy armour, enchanted shield, sea dragon cloak, dawn stone
Khainite Assassin
sword of striking, potion of strength

20 Corsairs
additional hand weapons, full command
10 Dark Shards
repeater crossbows, shields
5 Dark Riders
repeater crossbows, spears, shields, musician
5 Dark Riders
repeater crossbows, spears, shields, musician

24 Executioners
great weapons, heavy armour, full command
6 Shades
additional hand weapons, repeater crossbows
7 Shades
additional hand weapons, repeater crossbows
Repeater Bolt Thrower
Repeater Bolt Thrower

5 Doomfire Warlocks
Kharibdyss 

Total: 2396

From the moment i saw this list i knew i would have trouble with it. As i have said before Wood Elves have a strange phobia of armour, and the best way to beat them is too out shoot them. That being said my list wasn't without its bite, 10 Wild Riders can spoil anyone's day and the Wood Elf Archers, whilst not being as numerous as their Dark Elf counter parts, out matched the Dark Elf ranged units for accuracy and range.

Before i get into the battle proper i just want to write a quick paragraph about my plan. The general plan with this army is to stick all my characters ,bar the mounted high mage, into the Eternal Guard unit and then stick that unit in my forest. I would then proceed to lure my enemy to that forest and have the central combat there where i would have all my advantages. It turns out that this plan would work better if i had more archers in my list and it relies on my opponent not out shooting me.

Nick had the table set up and ready to go before i got there.

Dark Elf Warlock Redux

Back when the Dark Elves were released i wrote a post in which i stated that i thought that the Warlocks would be of limited use selling as power dice pools aren't as reliable as they once were and that the unit would be competing for valuable power dice, also without their magic role they were "Dark riders with a ward save". Well after a far few games Vs the new Dark Elves and their Warlocks i have deiced to return to this argument, this time with Evidence!

The Warlocks in question

Season Unending

Do you know the ancient Nord word for war? "Season unending"... so it has proved.
-Arngeir, Greybeard
 Skyrim 

Thursday the 12th was the last gaming club session for the kapiti wargames club for 2013. It was also round 3 of the ongoing elf conflict between Nick's Dark Elves, and my Wood Elves. It was a standard 2400 point game, my list was comprised of:

Highborn (1#, 248 pts)
   1 Wood Elf Highborn, 148 pts = (base cost 145 + Shield 3)
      1 Sword of Might, 20 pts
      1 Armour of Destiny, 50 pts
      1 Dragonbane Gem, 5 pts
      1 An Annoyance of Netlings, 25 pts

Spellweaver (1#, 335 pts)
   1 Spellweaver, 250 pts = (base cost 215 + Level 4 Upgrade 35)
      1 Wand of Wych Elm, 55 pts
      1 Glamorweave, 30 pts

Noble (1#, 120 pts)
   1 Wood Elf Noble (Battle Standard Bearer), 90 pts = (base cost 75 + Battle Standard Bearer 15)
      1 Hail of Doom Arrow, 30 pts

Spellsinger (1#, 170 pts)
   1 Spellsinger, 125 pts = (base cost 90 + Level 2 Upgrade 35)
      1 Ranu's Heartstone, 20 pts
      1 A Lamentation of Despairs, 25 pts

Eternal Guard (20#, 320 pts)
   19 Eternal Guard, 246 pts = 19 * 12 (base cost 12) + Musician Mus 6 + Standard Bearer Std 12
      1 Guardian, 24 pts
      1 Gaemrath - The Banner of Midwinter, 50 pts

Glade Guard (10#, 138 pts)
   10 Glade Guard, 138 pts = 10 * 12 (base cost 12) + Musician Mus 6 + Standard Bearer Std 12

Glade Guard (10#, 126 pts)
   10 Glade Guard, 126 pts = 10 * 12 (base cost 12) + Musician Mus 6

Glade Guard (10#, 126 pts)
   10 Glade Guard, 126 pts = 10 * 12 (base cost 12) + Musician Mus 6

Glade Guard (10#, 126 pts)
   10 Glade Guard, 126 pts = 10 * 12 (base cost 12) + Musician Mus 6

Dryads (10#, 120 pts)
   10 Dryads, 120 pts = 10 * 12

Treeman (1#, 285 pts)
   1 Treeman, 285 pts

Treeman (1#, 285 pts)
   1 Treeman, 285 pts

The Forest that once was Green, was Coloured Black by those Killing Machines

A while back i faced Mr Nicholas Jebson and his shiny new (at the time) force of Dark Elves. Well last Thursday it was rematch time, i would once again be putting on the wood elf general hat and face down the Dark Elves. Nick was using the list he had posted to his blog a few weeks back (presented below)

Glory to Athel Loren

Last Thursday (10^th of October) my Wood Elves went up against the new and shiny dark elves lead by Nicholas Jebson, he was using the army list he had posted to his blog earlier (First Musings on Possible Dark Elf Lists) and I was using my Skitterleap list.  

My list Included

Level 4 Life mage @ 250 points

Treeman Ancient w/ Annoyance of Nettlings @ 350 Points

Wood Elf Noble BSB w/ Hail of Doom Arrow @ 140 Points

Wood Elf Noble w/ Starfire arrow and Pageant of Shrikes @ 125 Points

20 Wood Elf Glade Guard w/ Standard Bearer,Musician and Banner of Eternal Flame         @ 268 Points

20 Wood Elf Glade Guard w/ Musician @ 246 Points

20 Wood Elf Glade Guard w/ Musician @ 246 Points

3 Treekin @ 195 Points

1 Treeman @ 285 Points

1 Treeman  @ 285 Points

                                                         

Total Points: 2390 

Nick's list included 

Supreme Sorceress: 320
LVL 4 (lore of dark magic), the cloak of twilight, dark Pegasus

Sorceress: 150
LVL 2 (lore of metal), tome of furion, dark steed

Master Battle Standard Bearer: 132
halberd, heavy armour, sea dragon cloak, dragonhelm, opal amulet

9 Dark Riders: 210
spears, light armour, shields, repeater crossbows, dark steeds, full command

5 Dark Riders: 105
spears, light armour, repeater crossbows, musician, dark steeds

5 Dark Riders: 105
spears, light armour, repeater crossbows, musician, dark steeds

20 Bleakswords: 210
hand weapons, light armour, shields, full command

30 Har Ganeth Executioners: 435
great weapons, heavy armour, full command, razor standard

10 Shades: 190
hand weapons, repeater crossbows, full command

5 Shades: 80
hand weapons, repeater crossbows

Repeater Bolt Throwers: 70
Repeater Bolt Throwers: 70
Repeater Bolt Throwers: 70

5 Doomfire Warlocks: 125
hand weapons, dark steeds

5 Doomfire Warlocks: 125
hand weapons, dark steeds

TOTAL: 2397 

The table was set up and we rolled for deployment, which I won but handed over to Nick. Deployment followed.

I won first turn and the game began

Turn 1 Summary

• 1 Unit of Doomfire Warlocks was wiped out by GG3 (Glade Guard unit 3), the remaining unit was reduced to 3
• The Treeman Ancient (aka Mr Huggy) was taken down to 2 wounds by concentrated Repeater Bolt Thrower fire.
• The second Treeman (nearest the Shades) was taken  down to 4 wounds by Repeater Crossbow fire
• The lone Wood Elf Noble kills a shade from the smaller unit of 5

Wood Elf Turn 1

Dark Elf Turn 1

Turn 2 Summary

• Mr Huggy charges Dark rider unit 3, said unit flees as a charge reaction
• The Level 4 Wood Elf Life Weaver restores Treeman Ancient to full wounds
• A Treeman and 3 Treekin walk right up to the 3 Repeater bolt throwers in preparation for a charge next turn. 
• With a Treeman right in their faces all 3 repeater bolt throwers fire at said Treeman and all 3 miss
• The 9 Dark Riders with the level two sorceress loose all but 2 Dark Riders and the sorceress due to Glade Guard fire, they promptly flee off the board
• The remaining 3 warlocks are killed by Wood Elf shooting
• The larger unit of shades looses 5 of its members but passes its break test.
• The smaller unit of 4 shades looses two of its members to the lone Wood Elf Noble

Wood Elf Turn 2

Dark Elf Turn 2 and Wood Elf Turn 3 (user error on my part)

Turn 3 Summary

• One of the Treemen, the Treekin and the Treeman Ancient all charge the 3 repeater bolt throwers which are all wiped out.
• The unit of 5 shades are wiped out by Glade Guard fire.
• The remaining shades kill the lone Wood Elf Noble
• One of the glade guard units is reduced to 8 models due to a combination of word of pain and bladewind.
• The Executioners charge the wounded Treeman and reduce him to one wound, he kills 7 Executioners, looses the combat by one but stays in the fight

Dark Elf Turn 3

Turn 4 Summary (Final turn)

• The unit of 8 Glade Guard kills the remaining Shades
• The wounded Treeman is wiped out by the Executioners
• The bleakswords are reduced to six models due to a combined barrage by the 2 full strength glade guard units and the Treeman Ancient

Wood Elf Turn 4 (Dark Elves didnt get a fourth turn)

In the end the game was won soundly by the wood elves, proof that you can still indeed win games with them, thus vindicating my decision to focus solely on them.

I do want to take some time to address two issues around this game. One being that Nick had appealing luck. On his first spell of the game, cast by his Supreme sorceress, he rolled three ones. Then of course there was the bolt throwers missing 3 point blank shots at a Treeman. Nick’s dice rebelled against him and it cost him dearly. However it should be noted that i only dropped 30 shots in four turns, so make of that what you will.

The second point is that of the Doomfire warlocks. Now to be fair I didn’t let them have a chance to do anything, one of the units got wiped out in the first turn and the other got reduced to 3 models before it could even blink. That being said I still think that in a magic heavy list they are more of a hindrance than a help considering that they are vying for scarce and valuable power dice that other more versatile spellcasters should be getting first pick at. And if you do give your more versatile spellcasters those dice then all you have is a expensive unit, with a poor armour save, decent ward save and low toughness. Yes they have decent combat capabilities but you still have to get them into combat and I don’t think (unless you take say 30 of them) that they will live long enough get there. So to recap my view on Doomfire Warlocks, a overall good unit as long as they aren’t in a magic heavy list.

Until next time.

Rex

Dark Elf Warlocks

With the release of the new Dark Elf book there has been much excitement around the new Warlock unit. The Warlock unit acts the same way as Horrors of Tzeentch, in that the unit counts as a level 2 spellcaster that gets 1+ to cast for each rank of 5 or more models. The unit knows two spells, Doombolt and Soulblight, and has a 4+ ward save except for wounds caused by model with mark of Slaanesh or demon of Slaanesh. The unit is found in the rare section and costs 25 points a model. So sounds good so far right? A fairly durable (by elf standards) unit that has access to two good spells.


Generally Speaking this is a good unit, it can fulfill the role of a offensive spell caster without taking up needed Lord or Hero points. However in a army list with Lord and Hero level wizards this unit becomes a bit of a issue. Back in the days of 6th edition warhammer, wizards generated their own power dice that only they could use, as well as having a power dice pool that anyone could draw from. But because in 8th you only get 2d6 power dice this unit vies for power dice that your more dedicated spell casters need.


Let me use the example of my good friend Nicholas Jebson's first impression Dark Elf list. The key points i want to focus on are his level 4 Supreme Sorceress, level 2 Sorceress, and the two units of 5 warlocks. Now this is a good example of too many casters all vieing for a limited number of power dice. With a level 4 and 2 all needing power dice to cast their spells this leaves very little left over for the warlocks, and if the warlocks aren't being used to cast spells then they aren't filling their role which means that you are paying 25 points per model for a dark rider with a ward save.


The warlocks are defiantly a good unit and fill the role of offensive spell caster without taking up points reserved for heroes and lords, but you don’t want them taking from your limited power dice pool when said power dice could be used for more useful spells and magics. 

 
Regardless of my musing i will be facing the new dark elves on Thursday, so i will be able to see if my concerns about the warlocks are well founded. Until next time
Rex

Edit: Well it seems that i was wrong in saying that without their offensive spell caster role that warlocks were a dark rider with a ward save. Nick has responded with a well written post on the upsides of the warlocks (A Counter Blast For Mr Foote)

What? The Dark Elves are coming?

So as i was killing time at work today i happened to notice this sight:

I have also noticed that a fair few other blogs have been making excited posts about the latest Warhammer army book to be announced for release. First let me say that i am impressed by the new dark elf models. They look very dark elfy (yes that's a word, look it up) and i cant wait to see them in the flesh (well plastic). However i do wish to raise a complaint, that being, Where is the new Wood Elf book? Every other Elven race in both Fantasy and 40k has been redone, High Elves, Space Elves, Dark Space Elves and now  Dark Elves have all been redone but the wood elves are left out alone in the dark, cold and sad. That being said GW seems to be updating its Army Books/ Codices at an Aggressive rate so perhaps the wood elves aren’t that far off.

Until next time.
Rex