Double Play Hobbytime

Sandals

As some of you may be aware, I have become involved in running this year Warhammer event at the annual Student National Roleplaying and Wargaming Championships. It is being held in Leicester next weekend, and as it is so local I was happy to assist when the call went out.

A lot of the organizing has already been done, and the event will be 5 games, 2400 points and will be using the Tally Comp pack I am so enamored of. Details of this can be found in earlier posts. :-)

With one week to go, I have been sent all but three of the lists. The organisers for the Wargaming section are chasing the remaining three, but so as to try and get some build-up for the event going I am going to go ahead and release not only the (provisional) first round draw, but the Closed Lists for all the participants as well.

The draw for Round 1 has been made by the Tally Comp score that each list has, with high scoring armies playing high scoring armies in the first game, and vice-versa for the low scorers. The only change has been to keep team mates apart, something I can only promise for Day 1 of the event. I will say that if I do receive any of the three late lists, they will be added on to the bottom of the draw in the order they are received. If not, the person on the bottom of this list will play the spare player and his Comp 0 Dwarf list.

*EDIT* After I posted this, I was informed that one of the players had unfortunately had to drop out as she will be reffing a category at the Nationals instead of playing. I have also received another list, and this will be the final one as the last two potential players are also going to be referees as well. To change the published draw as little as possible, the spare player will be stepping in to replace Nicola on Table 5, and the new list will, as I had said, take on Matt on Table 13. Unless there are further drop outs, this should be the final amendment to the draw.

Student Nationals WFB Round 1

Table 01: Thomas Haden (O&G) vs Paul Simpson (DE)
Table 02: Robert Richardson (WoC) vs Jon Kerr (Emp)
Table 03: Matthew Grimes (WoC) vs Stuart Killoran (Bret)
Table 04: Daniel Lane (DE) vs Matthew Hobday (O&G)
Table 05: ~~Nicola Lyons (Liz)~~ Spare Player (Dwf) vs Ben Leach (LoC)
Table 06: James Morris (WoC) vs Philip Somerville (Bret)
Table 07: Jimmy Marriott (DoC) vs Ross Chrichton (WoC)
Table 08: Adam Tudor (Dwf) vs Scott Bristow (UL)
Table 09: Claire Porter (Emp) vs David McIlhinney (UL)
Table 10: Mike Johnstone (DoC) vs Matthew Clewlow (Bret)
Table 11: Stacey Poole (Skv) vs Robbie MacNiven (LoC)
Table 12: Neil Rose (Skv) vs Ben Cotton (HE)
Table 13: Matt Croad (LoC) vs Max Ayson (LoC)

Closed Army Lists

Something else I like to see before an event is a release of the lists. With Tally Comp, I think it is even more interesting as the various positive choices available make for some unusual tournament lists!

For those not aware of the point of Closed Lists, I have included anything that your opponent can tell about your army just by looking at your models or anything you would tell them before the game. That includes all mundane options on characters, Magic Levels and Lores, all unit upgrades, command options and anything else similar. It will not include any Magic Items or equvalent items such as Daemonic Gifts, or anything hidden from your opponent at the start of the game. If the three late lists are sent in, I will adjust this post to include them. I will also have this information as a PDF on the day of the event.

They are arranged by race, and within the race by Comp score. I'd love to hear any feedback on these lists, it's the first outing of the updated Tally Comp since the End Times were included - I'll be looking to reassess the comp after the event.

Student Nationals 2015

WFB Closed Lists

Bretonnians

Stuart Killoran – CRAGS

Comp Score +4

Bretonnian Lord: Barded Warhorse, Shield, Grail Vow

Paladin: BSB, Barded Warhorse, Shield

Paladin: Shield, Morning Star

Damsel: Level 2, Lore of Life

Damsel: Level 2, Lore of Beasts

9 Knights of the Realm: Full Command

22 Peasant Bowmen: Full Command, Braziers

Grail Reliquae: 24 Extra Pilgrims

3 Pegasus Knights: Full Command

9 Grail Knights: Full Command

Trebuchet

Philip Somerville – University of Bradford

Comp Score +1

Bretonnian Lord: Barded Warhorse

Prophetess: Level 4, Lore of Heavens

Paladin: BSB, Barded Warhorse, Heavy Armour, Shield, Questing Vow

Paladin: Barded Warhorse, Heavy Armour, Shield, Great Weapon, Questing Vow

Damsel: Level 2, Lore of Beasts, Warhorse

9 Knights of the Realm: Full Command

9 Knights Errant: Full Command

10 Peasant Bowmen: Braziers

3 Pegasus Knights

6 Questing Knights: Full Command

5 Mounted Yeomen: Shields

Trebuchet

Matthew Clewlow – BWRPS

Comp Score -2

Bretonnian Lord: Barded Warhorse, Grail Vow

Prophetess: Level 4, Lore of Life, Warhorse

Paladin: BSB, Barded Warhorse, Shield, Morning Star

Paladin: Barded Warhorse, Grail Vow, Shield, Lance

Damsel: Level 2, Lore of Beasts, Warhorse

10 Knights Errant: Full Command

8 Knights of the Realm: Full Command

15 Men-at-Arms: Standard Bearer

10 Peasant Bowmen: Skirmishers

8 Questing Knights: Full Command

5 Mounted Yeomen

8 Grail Knights: Full Command

Daemons of Chaos

Jimmy Marriott – Loughborough RAWSOC

Comp Score +1

Bloodthirster

Herald of Khorne: BSB, Exalted Locus of Wrath

40 Bloodletters: Full Command

5 Furies: Mark of Khorne

5 Flesh Hounds: Ambushers

Soul Grinder: Mark of Khorne, Baleful Torrent

Skullcannon

Mike Johnstone – GEAS

Comp Score -5

Great Unclean One: Level 4, Lore of Nurgle

Herald of Nurgle: Level 1, Lore of Nurgle, Greater Locus of Fecundity

Herald of Nurgle: BSB, Level 1, Lore of Death, Greater Locus of Fecundity

23 Plaguebearers: Full Command

5 Furies: Mark of Nurgle

2 Nurglings

2 Beasts of Nurgle

3 Plague Drones: Plague Proboscis, Standard Bearer

Dark Elves

Paul Simpson – University of Bradford

Comp Score +8

Morathi

Master: BSB, Heavy Armour, Sea Dragon Cloak, Lance, Manticore

10 Darkshards: Shields, Standard Bearer, Champion

Reaper Bolt Thrower

Hydra: Fiery Breath

Kharibdyss

Kharybdiss

Bloodwrack Medusa

Daniel Lane – Dark Elves

Comp Score +3

Crone Hellebron: Cauldron of Blood

Sorceress: Level 2, Lore of Dark Magic

Death Hag: Witch Brew, Cauldron of Blood

24 Witch Elves: Full Command

10 Witch Elves: Hag

8 Shades: Great Weapons

Blood Wrack Medusa

25 Sisters of Slaughter: Full Command

Dwarfs

Jim Joynson – Spare Player

Comp Score 0

Runesmith: Shield

Thane: BSB, Shield

24 Longbeards: Great Weapons, Full Command

14 Thunderers: Shields, Musician, Standard Bearer

Gyrocopter

Cannon

20 Ironbreakers: Full Command, Cinderblast Bombs

Gyrobomber

5 Rangers: Standard Bearer

19 Irondrakes: Full Command, Brace of Drakefire Pistols

Adam Tudor – Vague MMU

Comp Score -1

Runesmith (General): Great Weapon

Thane: BSB, Great Weapon

Master Engineer

20 Quarrellers: Great Weapons, Musician, Standard

27 Dwarf Warriors: Great Weapons, Full Command

28 Hammerers: Full Command

Gyrocopter

Cannon

Organ Gun

19 Irondrakes: Champion, Musician

The Empire

Jon Kerr – Vanguard Vets

Comp Score +4

Grand Master: Shield

Battle Wizard Lord: Level 4, Lore of Heavens, Celestial Hurricanum

Captain: BSB, Lance, Full Plate Armour, Shield, Barded Warhorse

Warrior Priest: Warhorse, Heavy Armour, Great Weapon

11x Inner Circle Knights: Full Command

14x Crossbowmen: Musician, Standard

14x Crossbowmen: Musician

5x Pistoliers: Musician

4x Demigryph Knights

30x Greatswords: Full Command

Hellblaster Volley Gun

Claire Porter – HUGS

Comp Score -2

General of the Empire: Barded Warhorse

Captain: BSB

Master Engineer

Wizard: Level 2, Lore of Fire

Warrior Priest

11 Inner Circle Knights: Full Command

16 Archers: Marksman

23 Spearmen: Full Command, Detatchment – 10 Free Company

6 Reiksguard Knights: Full Command

4 Demigryff Knights: Champion, Musician

Cannon

Helstorm Rocket Battery

Helblaster Volley Gun

Luminark of Hysh

High Elves

Ben Cotton – University of Sheffield

Comp Score -5

Prince: Heavy Armour, Barded Elven Steed

Archmage: Level 4, Lore of Shadow, Elven Steed

Noble: BSB, Barded Elven Steed, Lance, Dragon Armour, Shield

Mage: Level 2, Lore of Beasts, Elven Steed

15 Silver Helms: Shields, Full Command

5 Ellyrion Reavers: Bows

Lion Chariot

Great Eagle

Frostheart Phoenix

Lizardmen

Nicola Lyons – Vanguard Vets

Comp Score +3

Slann Mage Priest: BSB

Skink Priest: Level 2, Lore of Beasts

25 Saurus Warriors: Full Command

25 Saurus Warriors: Standard Bearer, Champion

16 Temple Guard: Full Command

6 Kroxigor: Champion

3 Ripperdactyl Riders: Champion

Ancient Stegadon: Sharpened Horns, Engine of the Gods

Troglodon: Divining Rod

Orcs & Goblins

Thomas Haden – WARP

Comp Score 16

Goblin Warboss (General): Light Armour, Shield

Goblin Great Shaman: Arachnarok Spider, Catchweb Shrine

Night Goblin Warboss: Great Cave Squig, Shield

Goblin Big Boss: BSB, Shortbow, Light Armour, Shield

Night Goblin Shaman

60 Night Goblins: Shortbows, Netters, Full Command

20 Night Goblins: Spears, Shields, Standard

5 Goblin Wolf Riders: Shields, Musician

8 Squig Hoppers

Aracknarok Spider

Matthew Hobday – Independent

Comp Score +3

Goblin Warboss

Goblin Great Shaman: Level 4

Goblin Big Boss: BSB, Light Armour, Shield

Night Goblin Shaman

Night Goblin Big Boss: Great Weapon

Night Goblin Big Boss

Night Goblin Big Boss: Great Weapon

98 Night Goblins: Short Bows, Full Command, Netters

20 Night Goblins: Short Bows, Standard Bearer

5 Wolf Riders: Musician, Spears, Shields

5 Squig Hoppers

8 Trolls

Rock Lobber

Doom Diver

Mangler Squig

Skaven

Neil Rose – GEAS Vets

Comp Score -4

Warlord: Shield

Grey Seer

Engineer: Level 2

Chieftain: BSB, Shield

Plague Priest: Flail, Plague Furnace

39 Storm Vermin: Shields, Full Command

30 Clanrats: Shields, Full Command

30 Slaves: Musician

30 Plague Monks: Full Command

8 Gutter Runners

Doomwheel

Warp Lightning Cannon

Stacey Poole – CRAGS

Comp Score -5

Queek Headtaker

Grey Seer

Warlock Engineer: Level 1 Wizard

Warlock Engineer

Cheiftain: BSB, Shield

50 Slaves: Shields, Spears, Musician, Champion

50 Slaves: Shields, Musician

40 Clanrats: Shields, Spears, Full Command

30 Stormvermin: Shields, Full Command, Doomflayer

6 Giant Rats: 1 Packmaster

5 Warplock Jezzails

4 Rat Ogres: 2 Packmasters, Master Moulder

Doomwheel

Warp Lightning Cannon

Hell Pit Abombination

Warriors of Chaos

Robert Richardson – Leicester Sabres

Comp Score +7

Chaos Lord: Mark of Nurgle, Flail, Chaos Dragon

Chaos Chariot: Mark of Nurgle

16 Chaos Warriors: Mark of Nurgle, Halberds, Full Command

5 Chaos Warhounds

3 Dragon Ogres: Great Weapons, Champion

5 Chaos Ogres: Mark of Nurgle, Great Weapons, Champion, Musician

3 Chaos Trolls: Additional Hand Weapons

Chimera: Flaming Breath, Regenerating Flesh

Dragon Ogre Shaggoth: Additional Hand Weapon

Matthew Grimes – Leicester Sabres

Comp Score +4

Sorcerer Lord: Level 4, Lore of Slaanesh, Mark of Slaanesh, Chaos Warshrine Mount, Mark of Slaanesh

Exalted Hero: BSB, Mark of Slaanesh

Chaos Chariot: Mark of Slaanesh

15 Chosen: Mark of Slaanesh, Halberds, Full Command

James Morris – Loughborough RAWSOC

Comp Score +1

Sorcerer Lord: Level 4, Mark of Nurgle

Chaos Lord: Mark of Nurgle, Shield

Exalted Hero: BSB, Mark of Nurgle

18 Chaos Warriors: Mark of Nurgle, Halberd, Shield, Full Command

5 Chaos Warhounds: Vanguard

Chaos Chariot: Mark of Nurgle

8 Chaos Knights: Mark of Nurgle, Ensorcelled Weapons, Full Command

Hellcannon

Ross Crichton – Warriors of Chaos

Comp Score 0

Daemon Prince: Level 4, Lore of Slaanesh, Mark of Slaanesh, Chaos Armour, Daemonic Flight

Exalted Hero: Mark of Slaanesh, BSB, Barded Chaos Steed, Halberd
Exalted Hero: Mark of Slaanesh

17 Chaos Warriors: Mark of Slaanesh, Halberds, Full Command

18 Chaos Warriors: Mark of Slaanesh, Halberds, Full Command

5 Chaos Warhounds

5 Chaos Knights: Mark of Slaanesh, Ensorcelled Weapons, Full Command

6 Chaos Knights: Mark of Slaanesh, Ensorcelled Weapons, Standard Bearer, Musician

Gorebeast Chariot: Mark of Slaanesh

Undead Legion

Scott Bristow – WARGs

Comp Score -2

Vampire Lord: Level 3, Lore of the Vampires, Heavy Armour

Necromancer: Level 2, Lore of the Vampires

30 Crypt Ghouls

6 Skeleton Chariots: Full Command

6 Necropolis Knights: Full Command, Entombed Beneath the Sands

9 Vargheists: Champion

Terrorghiest: Infested, Rancid Maw

David McIlhinney – GEAS Vets

Comp Score -2

Vampire Lord: Level 3, Lore of the Vampires, Shield, Barded Nightmare

Necromancer: Level 2, Lore of the Vampires

Wight King: BSB, Great Weapon, Skeletal Steed, Barding

40 Crypt Ghouls

5 Skeleton Horse Archers

30 Skeleton Warriors (TK): Musician, Standard Bearer

2 Bat Swarms

3 Vargheists

8 Black Knights: Barding, Lances, Full Command

Casket of Souls

Terrorgheist

Varghulf

Legion of Chaos

Ben Leach – Hussars

Comp Score +2

Exalted Hero: Mark of Nurgle, Great Weapon (General)

Wargor: BSB, Heavy Armour, Shield

Festus the Leachlord

Slugtongue

Bray Shaman: Lore of Shadow, Additional Hand Weapon

18 Chaos Warriors: Mark of Nurgle, Shield, Full Command

15 Chaos Warriors: Mark of Khorne, Halberds, Full Command

5 Minotaurs: Additional Hand Weapons, Mark of Khorne

3 Screamers of Tzeentch

4 Bloodcrushers of Khorne: Standard Bearer

Robbie MacNiven – GEAS

Comp Score -4

Daemon Prince (WoC): Mark of Khorne, Chaos Armour, Daemonic Flight

Bloodthirster

Herald of Khorne: BSB, Greater Locus of Fury

Exalted Hero: Mark of Khorne, Shield

17 Chaos Warriors: Mark of Khorne, Halberds, Shields, Full Command

23 Bloodletters of Khorne: Full Command

5 Chaos Warhounds

5 Chaos Knights: Mark of Khorne, Ensorcelled Weapons, Standard, Musician

Skullcannon

Max Ayson – Warlocks

Comp Score -4

Great Unclean One: Level 4, Lore of Nurgle

Wargor: BSB, Mark of Nurgle, Heavy Armour, Shield

Slugtongue

Herald of Nurgle: Greater Locus of Fecundity

39 Gor: Full Command

30 Plaguebearers: Full Command

Razorgor

27 Bestigor: Full Command

Matthew Croad – Cardiff Brawl

Comp Score -7

Keeper of Secrets: Level 4, Lore of Slaanesh

Doombull: Heavy Armour, Shield, Mark of Tzeentch

Throgg

Exalted Hero: Mark of Tzeentch, BSB, Barded Daemonic Mount, Halberd

9 Chaos Trolls

24 Ungor: Mark of Tzeentch, Musician, Standard Bearer

20 Ungor: Mark of Tzeentch, Musician, Standard Bearer

Razorgor

5 Furies

Skullcannon

Sandals

Hi there!

In what will be the first in a very long time, this is a post that isn't about Tally Comp! Instead, I've decided to get back to what this was meant to be - a chance for me to chat about my hobbies. I've actually got something else to talk about in another post (and as it's Half Term that may come tomorrow in an epic display of procrastination... ;-) ) but for this one I'm going to look at my approach to my first event of the year - Call to War.

Call to War is an event run by Will Goodwin on the May Day Bank Holiday weekend for the past several years. I had been to them all up until last year, when I had to pull out to represent Team England at the 6 Nations event in Dublin. I don't regret my decision at all, as playing for England has been a highlight of my past year in gaming, however I wasn't going to pass up the chance to return to this excellent event. Call to War has always used the ETC comp in the past, and this year is no exception. However, I feel that this year the ETC comp is a lot more flexible, allowing several types of lists rather than almost restricting each army to a single viable style as they have in the past. As I can't seem to write an Ogre list that I like at the moment, my choices have essentially been narrowed down to Lizards and Vampires.

Who doesn't love a Fat Frog contemplating the universe?!

I looked through the comp (the latest version at time of writing is available here if you are interested) and had a think about the type of list I'd like to run. For the lizards, it became obvious that what I most wanted to try was the double Slann list made (in)famous in the previous Lizardmen book. With the ability to go over 25% in Lords, this was suddenly viable again, and I wanted to see if it would still work given the massive changes to the Warhammer World since it had disappeared.

The obvious choice when picking two Level 4 Wizards is what Lores to give them, and how to protect the investment. In a Lizard list, protection is easy - Temple Guard. A decent sized unit of them, and an Oldblood to babysit the unit and at least one of my Frogs would be fine. I decided to go with Light on the one in this unit, mainly to try for Speed of Light or Timewarp and enhance the abilities of the unit. On the other, Death is a nice option, but this involves taking one of my 5 Comp choices. Investing so many points in wizards meant I really had to take the Channel combo too, so that was immediately 4 out of 5 choices gone. Amongst other things, this meant only 1 mounted Scar Vet was allowed as each after the first is 2 Comp points. I decided to spend the last point on a 4th unit of Core skirmishers, letting me run my preferred set up of Core units. The rest of the list is below.

Saurus Oldblood: Enchanted Shield; Dawnstone; Sword Of Striking; Potion Of Speed; light armour 199
Slann Mage-Priest: Lore of Light; Battle Standard 325
Slann Mage-Priest: Channelling Staff; Harmonic Convergence; Lore of Death 345

Saurus Scar-Veteran: Armour Of Destiny; great weapon; Cold One 154
Skink Priest: Dispel Scroll; Lore of Heavens 90
Skink Priest: Scroll Of Shielding; Lore of Heavens 80

20 Skinks: Musician 110
20 Skinks: Musician 110
20 Skinks: Musician 110
10 Skink Skirmishers: javelin; shield 70
10 Skink Skirmishers: javelin; shield 70
10 Skink Skirmishers 70
10 Skink Skirmishers 70

26 Temple Guard: Razor Standard; Revered Guardian; Musician; Standard Bearer 439
6 Chameleon Skinks 78
6 Chameleon Skinks 78

2,398 points

(I should point out at this point that this is the second itteration of this list - many thanks to Raf Harbinson for helping me get to this point!)

Count Mannfred: amazing rules tied up in a hideous box!

As far as Vampires were concerned, this year the ETC have finally decided to play proper Warhammer and have allowed Special Characters into the fold. This presented an opportunity to use Count Mannfred - a character not allowed in the Undead Legion (which I prefer but are banned for this event) and one I've not used before. His rules are amazing - he is a Loremaster of both Vampires and Death, he is a Master of the Black Arts and he has 5 wounds! The downside is a lack of a Ward save (or an armour save beyond a token 5+) but I was hoping his casting ability would make up for this.

The army to surround Manny was pretty tough to put together. I started off with Ghouls and Crypt Horrors as combat blocks, and added a Mortis Engine to keep them alive. However, the comp then started to trip me up as I wasn't sure what to add for the last couple of hundred points. After many hours playing on Quartermaster, trying all sorts of variations, this is what my fevered brain came up with - Morghasts.

Count Mannfred 530

Wight King: Nightshroud; Seed Of Rebirth; shield; Battle Standard 164
Necromancer: Dispel Scroll; Ruby Ring Of Ruin 115

38 Crypt Ghouls 380
5 Dire Wolves 40
5 Dire Wolves 40
5 Dire Wolves 40
5 Dire Wolves 40
20 Zombies 60

8 Crypt Horrors 304
3 Morghast Harbingers 240

Terrorgheist 225
Mortis Engine 220

2,398 points

In order to keep the Mortis Engine, I went with the Special version. However, (again after a chat with Raf) the Rare ones are just plain better. They have a better save and have Halberds to help them kill stuff. But in order to get them in, the Mortis Engine had to go. This was a shame, as it is probably my best painted model, but with how few events I'm planning this year I'd quite like a decent list to take to them! After a quick redesign, the list now looks like this:

Count Mannfred 530

Wight King: Nightshroud; shield; Battle Standard 154
Necromancer: Dispel Scroll; Ruby Ring Of Ruin 115

38 Crypt Ghouls 380
5 Dire Wolves: Doom Wolf 50
5 Dire Wolves: Doom Wolf 50
5 Dire Wolves: Doom Wolf 50
20 Zombies: musician; standard bearer 70

10 Crypt Horrors 380
2 Fell Bats 32

Terrorgheist 225
4 Morghast Archai 360

2,396 points

After recognizing Manny's ability to raise Wolf and Bat units past their starting size, Dire Wolf Champions were added and a unit of Bats found their way in. The core elements of the list are the same, and it should be able to absorb a fair amount of punishment without giving up too many points (I hope!).

So that is my thinking at present! I have actually managed a couple of games this week, one each with the VC and Lizards. I'll try and sum up my thoughts in a future post, but let me know what you think of these lists. Which would you take and why? What changes should be made to make them better? If you have any suggestions I'd love to hear from you!

Double Play Hobbytime

Friday, 20 March 2015

Student Nationals - Round 1 Draw and Closed Lists

Thursday, 19 February 2015

Tournament Build Up: A nucleus of an idea...