SpeedMachine Breakdown

Hey all, ‘smash here again to revisit my SpeedMachine games from Lock & Load. As I stated before, SpeedMachine was 6 rounds instead of the expected 5, and participants were only required to bring 1 list, although a 2nd list was permitted. So, once again, here is what I ran:

Saeryn, Omen of Everblight

• Angelius
• Scythean
• Seraph
• Shredder
• Harrier

Vayl, Consul of Everblight

• Angelius
• Ravagore
• Scythean
• Shredder

ROUND 1 – Circle Orboros

My opponent in this round was a very nice guy, although he had never played a timed round in his life (his words). He was packing a single list; Kromac with Ghetorix, a Feral, a Gorax, and I don’t remember what else. I chose Saeryn, as the immunity to melee attacks seemed particularly pointed against this pack of melee beasts. The game was quite quick, with him going first and running up, warping for ARM, etc. On my first turn I ran everything straight ahead and feated; knowing that he wouldn’t be able to do much. And in fact, he just shuffled around waiting for the feat turn to end – repositioning and warping for ARM again. On my 2nd turn, the Scythean was able to move around to get Kromac in range, and put a few hits into him, most of them getting transferred. Next the Angelius threw down his AP attack, which Kromac had to take for decent damage. The harrier charged, after using it’s animus, but failed to drop Kromac. In the end, Saeryn could walk up just close enough to drop a blight bringer on the Scythean, and the boosted damage finished Kromac off. It was good to start strong, 1-0.  Check out my other matches after the fold:

Lock & Load Post Mortem

We got back from Lock & Load yesterday, after three days of the most fun you can have in Warmachine and Hordes.  And while it went by extremely fast, it is hard to remember everything that I saw and did in those few days.  I played in two tournaments, and ended up doing fairly well in both.  In Speedmachine (which was changed from 5 rounds to 6) I finished 4-2.  Two of my fellow Bozeman players also finished 4-2, so I was pretty impressed with our showing there.  The three of us all finished in the top 15 out of 64 players, which isn’t too shabby, especially for our first tournament.

In the Three Commanders tournament we (The Bozeman Bodgers) ended up 2-1.  I didn’t play as well as I would have hoped, as I personally went 1-2, but our Lieutenant carried the day and gave us a winning record.  It was a ton of fun, and I would play with my two team mates again in a heart beat.  I plan on writing up individual articles on both events today or tomorrow to delve a bit into what I faced and how I handled it.  In the meantime though, here are some highlights of the weekend:

• All told, I played 23 games.  9 in tournaments and 14 in the Iron Arena
• In the final hours of Iron Arena play, I managed enough points to snag the last Extreme Carnivean they had as the top prize.
• I was fortunate enough to play on the Corvis bridge scenario table from No Quarter.
• I got to see in progress sculpts of the Archangel, Woldwrath, and the Judicator.
• Seeing Privateer Press studio paint jobs in person makes the photographs look awful by comparison.
• Studio painters put brushes in their mouth… a lot!
• I pronounce many Iron Kingdom names wrong.  It was enlightening to listen to Doug Seacat and how he said everything.
• Every Privateer Press employee that I met is extremely friendly and very approachable.
• I saw some of the most fabulous paint jobs I could imagine.  None more so than a tier 4 Mortenebra list that was painted to perfection.
• I got to watch the final Master’s Match, which was exciting right up until Mulg snacked on Vayl, damnit  :)
• Colossals are very awesome, and carry a grand presence on the table, but they are certainly not broken.

And perhaps the best thing I learned over the weekend was that I am a much better play than I give myself credit for.  I half expected to get blown out in almost every game I played.  When you have only played in one Montana town, you have no idea how you stack up.  After all those games, and two tournaments, I am very happy with where my abilities are.  I have a great meta here in Bozeman, and we are fortunate to have almost every faction and many great players.  Thank you guys for prepping me to go up against everything out there.  Now let’s start prepping for Lock and Load 2013!

My Lock and Load Lists – Three Commanders

So, I thought it was about time I finalized my Lock & Load lists, and I figured publicly airing them out was a decent enough way to finally commit.  First up are my Three Commanders lists.  I am the General, and our team’s captain is playing Skorne, while our lieutenant is fielding Blindwater.

WarWitch Deneghra

• Nightmare
• 3x Deathripper
• Skarlock Thrall
• 10x Bane Thralls w/UA
• 10x McThralls
• Necrosurgeon and Stick Thralls
• 2x Pistol Wraiths
• Warwitch Siren
• Withershadow Combine

Deneghra is one of the reasons I started Cryx, and I still really enjoy fielding her.  While this is probably the weaker of my two lists, the tournament is Divide and Conquer, so this will see action at least once.  Between the pistol wraiths and combine, there is a nice ranged threat to throw at a unit that cannot charge due to Crippling Grasp, and the 2 thrall units can more than drop any heavy.  I have the WC to deal with enemy upkeeps.  I feel pretty good about the list build.

Skarre, Queen of the Broken Coast

• Deathjack
• Seether
• Defiler
• Bane Lord Tartarus
• 10x Bane Thralls w/UA
• 6x Bile Thralls
• 10x Satyxis Blood Witches w/UA
• Necrosurgeon and Stich Thralls

The stronger list, as far as I am concerned.  Maybe there are Cryx players who can field Deneghra better, but Skarre is my best Warcaster, without a doubt.  I have yet to drop a game with her.  The ability to scramble Deathjack and Seether up field without fear of reprisal (along with protecting Tartarus), is pretty huge.  The Blood Hag UA gives me a way to deal with upkeeps, and gang along with Black Spot can make high def units manageable.

As far as reinforcements, I am leaning towards throwing a Leviathan with Skarre (giving up 1 pt, since I own no 1 pt Cryx models), and perhaps putting a min unit of Bile Thralls along with a loaded Defiler for Denny.  I am not sure yet though.

Getting Ready for Lock & Load

Just a quick little note to remind everyone that both dungeongod and I will be headed out to Lock and Load tomorrow. We will be putting up some posts about new models, Colossals, and the tournaments we will be playing. dungeongod and I, along with a friend, are doing the Three Commanders team event (Skorne and Cryx, respectively), and I will be trying my hand at speedmachine with my Legion. It should be a good time!