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Dagaron
Sneak
146 Posts
    
Indiana, USA
 | | 04/15/2007 8:24 PM |
| Well this was my first qualifier and first real taste at top competition. Sorry I'm unable to post the winners, I dropped after the 6th round put me at 3-3. I could post some of the bands that were there but I'll let the people who paid more attention than me do so. Following is my tournament report.
The band I took: Spam Mage
Storm Silverhand
Cormyrean War Wizard x2
Gnome Trickster
Elf Warmage
Bat
Xeph Warrior x2
Tavern Brawler
Map: Broken Demongate
First round vs. Dan Burr - Loss - My Map
Shadowdancer x4
Cleric of Sune
Fodder
This was my first match and I made several mistakes right off (I'll say because of nerves). What ended up happening was I cast cast Empowered Ring of Blades on my Elf Warmage then turned it invisible (with the rest of my band) and based his Cleric of Sune. He then jumped 3 of the shadowdancers in and attacked. First missed due to conceal 11, the next two killed it. I then lined up Storm & the CWWs to blast the dancers next round. I lost initiative (he rolled a 9 and I followed with an 8 >< ). He then jumped all the dancers away and won by denying me points.
Second round vs. Joshua Molter- Loss - My Map
Purple Dragon Knight
Gith Monk x2
Justice Archon
Xorn
Standard Bearer
Mialee
?
Nock this loss due to inexperience on my side. I didn't really know what the PDK did and have never seen a band like this in action. I thought most of the threat was from the Gith Monks, so I was preparing to deal with them.. Second round I had the chance to silver fire his Standard Bearer, but not really knowing what was going on I targeted his monk. Also I wasted my Bat's empowered shocking grasp on his Justice Archon without paying attention that it was immune to electricity..
To put it bluntly.. he then ran the Standard Bearer up to Storm, then followed with the PDK and fear coned my entire band. Both CWWs and the Elf Warmage failed moral and routed off the board. I just played this match horribly and am ashamed of it.
Third round vs. John Humphrey (Old Coast) - Win - My Map
Aspect of Moradin
Dragonmark Heir
Gold Dwarf x2
Fodder
My band was designed to knock out Titan bands, and my opponent made the terrible mistake of giving the Aspect immune to fire instead of electricity.. It was over by round 3. Storm & the wizards killed the Aspect and then it was over.
Fourth round vs. Chris James (Red Ranger) - Win - My Map
Vlaakith
Werewolf Lord
Thrall of Blackrazor
Cursed Spirit
Small Fire Elemental
Warrior Skeleton x2
He came up the middle with the Werewolf Lord, I kept all my fodder in the back and used lightning bolt x2 & silver fire on the Werewolf. It routed and never came back. He disintegrated Storm, she saved taking 30 and I healed her with the lightning bolts that routed the WWL. Thrall came up and the Elf Warmage & Bat took him out. I then camped on victory areas as my wizards had taken some hits and I didn't feel like duking it out with the Lich Queen.
Fifth round vs. Ricky Boronat - Win - Kings Road
Golden Protector x3
Bat x3
Dwarf Artificer
Sword of Heironeous
Mialee
?
This was the best match I had all night. It was very close and I pulled it out due to several key misses on his behalf. The Protectors were surprisingly hard with their elemental resists. He moved in with one on each side of the map and one in the center. The one on the bottom took the mutual VP area. The top most Protector was out of sight of the Sword and I took it out quickly with Storm's silver fire and CWWs. He got its breath off before it died. We came together in the center of the map. His two Golden Protectors flew in and did their breath weapons. I made most of the saves. My wizards were hurting but I based both of the Protectors with my invis Elf Warmage with empowered Ring of Blades. The CWWs ended up using most of their spells while the Protectors attacked the conceal 11 invis Elf Warmage (he missed one entire round). Storm moved into melee and took out one of the protectors then the Warmage shocking grasped the last. He then conceded.
Sixth round vs. Ronald Moses - Loss - My Map
Large Black Dragon x2
Thrall of Blackrazor
Drow Cleric of Lloth
Bat
Abyssal Maw
Fire Mephit
Orc Warrior
I'd like to say this was close, but several things right off gave him the advantage. Storm missed both melee attacks on the Thrall of Blackrazor after it moved in 16 squares and hit her for 20 (I rolled a 1 and a 2). I was going to then finish it off with the Bat's empowered shocking grasp.. but that didn't happen. He then flew in the dragons and did their breath weapons. All my wizards survived. Focusing the wizard bolts on one of the LBDs I made it make a morale (which it saved) and then proceeded to get it to 20 hp before he based the wizards. He then killed the invisible Elf Warmage and the CWWs. I conceded as Storm can only do so much.
I left before the last round because I had a 4 hour drive to make and work tomorrow morning. Plus I don't know Chicago too well and thought it best to leave before it got dark out as I wasn't going to qualify.
Some of the other bands I saw:
Ultraloth & Firegiant Forgepriest
Ultraloth & Duergar Champions
3x Large Black Dragons
Korducopia | |
Champion of Dagaronzie, Green Dragon
DDM Have/Want List
DDM Trade History & Feedback | |
|
Sirohk
Commander
3913 Posts
USA
| | 04/16/2007 3:09 AM |
| Nice report. Thanks for the info.  Here's some more info on the Niles Qualifier:
LARGE BLACK DRAGON VARIANTS:
David Weiss: 3 Large Black Dragons, Werewolf Lord, Timber Wolf, 3 Orc Warriors (Hellspike)
Terry Dodich: 3 Large Black Dragons, Ryld Argith, Hyena, 3 Orc Warriors (Forest Cliff Lair)
Ronald Moses: 2 Large Black Dragons, Thrall of Blackrazor, Drow Cleric of Lolth, Fire Mephit, Bat Familiar, Abyssal Maw, Orc Warrior (Hailstorm Tower)
Katrina Criddle: 1 Mina Dark Cleric, Mezzoloth, Large Black Dragon, Large Fang Dragon, Timber Wolf, Duergar Warrior, Warrior Skeleton, Kobold Miner (Drow Outpost)
Martin Kurr: Thrall of Blackrazor, Large Black Dragon, Umber Hulk, Cursed Spirit, Orc War Drummer, Timber Wolf, Mounted Drow Patrol, Tiefling Captain (Mushroom Cavern)
ULTRAFORGE VARIANTS:
Adam Hubbard: Firegiant Forgepriest, Ultraloth, Dragonmark Heir of Deneith, Greenspawn Sneak, 3 Goblin Skirmisher, Timber Wolf (Kings Road)
Cathy Grundy: Firegiant Forgepriest, Dragonmark Heir, Ultralolth, Timber Wolf, Greenspawn Sneak, Kobold Miner, 2 Goblin Skirmishers (Keep of Fallen Kings)
John Alcorn: Ultralolth, Fire Giant Forgepriest, Dragonmark Heir of Feneith, Greenspawn Sneak, Timber Wolf, 3 Kobold Miner (Kings Road)
Scott Heichert: 3 Goblin Skirmishers, Ultralolth, Firegiant Forgepriest, Dragonmark Heir of Denieth, Greenspawn Sneak, Kobold Monk (Hellspike)
Peter Moreau: Firegiant Forgepriest, Ultralolth, Dragonmark Heir of Denieth, Greenspawn Sneak, Kobold Monk, Kobold Miner, 2 Goblin Skirmisher (Caves of Chaos)
OTHER FIREPRIEST/ULTRALOTH VARIANTS:
Dan Vahovick: Firegiant Forgepriest, Lord Soth, 2 Grenspawn Sneak, Timber Wolf (Hellspike)
Alex Trapp: Firegiant Forgepriest, Red Hand War Sorcerer, Duergar Champion, Dragonmark Heir of Deneith, Greenspawn Sneak, Goblin Skirmisher, 2 Goblin Warrior (Mushroom Cavern)
Robin Moses: 3 Duergar Champions, Kobold Miner, Ultraloth, Chraal (Drow Outpost)
SILVERHAND VARIANTS
Lenny Criddle: Storm Silverhand, Virtous Charger, Cormyrean War Wizard, 2 Shadowdancer, Wild Elf Warsinger, Mialee Elf Wizard, Xeph Warrior (Dungeon of Blood)
Michael Pozsgay: Storm Silverhand, Virtuous Charger, Cormyrean War Wizard, 2 Shadowdancer, Wild Elf Warsinger, Mialee Elf Wizard, Xeph warrior (Dungeon of Blood)
Brian Kitter: 2 Crested Felldrake, Storm Silverhand, Elf Dragonkith, Shadowdancer, Cormyrean War Wizarf, Gnome Trickster, Bat Familiar, Ialdabode Human Psion (Magma Keep)
Aaron Gallie: Archmage, Gnome Trickster, Storm Silverhand, Bat Familiar, 4 Xeph Warrior (Dragondown Grotto)
Anthony Gullotti: Storm Silverhand, Elf Warmage, 2 Cormyrean War Wizard, Gnome Trickster, Bat Familiar, Xeph Warrior, Tavern Brawler, Xeph Warrior (Broken Demongate)
Paul Kitter: Storm Silverhand, 2 Shadowdancer, Half-Ogre Barbarian, Cormyrean War Wizard, Gnome Trickster, 2 Xeph Warrior (Fane of Lolth)
OTHER SHADOWDANCERS VARIANTS:
Dan Burr: Cleric of Sune, 4 Shadowdancer, Gnome Trickster, Graycloak Ranger, Wolf, Devis, Bat Familiar (Dragon Shrine)
KORD VARIANTS:
Scott Eberts: Coualt, Aspect of Kord, Shield Guardian, Dwarf Artificer, Village Priest, Warforged Scout (Hellspike)
Dan Bryce: Lyrander Skyfire Captain, Aspect of Kord, Rikka Angelic Avenger, Gnome Trickster, Hunting Cougar, Wild elf Raider, 2 Xeph Warrior (Dragon Shrine)
David Paul: Aspect of Kord, Cleric of Dol Arrah, Couatl, Dragonmark Heir of Deneith, Bat Familiar, Timber Wolf, Human Commoner (Drow Outpost)
Alex Paul: Aspect of Kord, Cleric of Dol Arrah, Couatl, Dragonmark Heir of Deneith, Bat Familiar, Timber Wolf, Human Commoner (Drow Outpost)
OTHER TITAN VARIANTS:
Robert Duffy: Large Silver Dragon, Couatl, Dwarf Artificer, Man at arms (Kings Road)
Jeff Alcorn: Ghaele Eladrin, Asura, 2 Graycloak Ranger, 2 Xeph Warrior, 2 Wolf (Dragondown Grotto)
John Humphrey: Aspect of Moradin, 2 Gold Dwarf Soldier, Warforged Scout, Lantern Bearer, Dragonmark Heir of Denith, Aramil Adventurer, Mialee Elf Wizard (Dragon Shrine)
UNLEADED GAS VARIANTS:
Joshua Molter: Purple Dragon Knight, 2 Gith Monk, Justice Archon, Xorn, Cleric of Yondalla, Mialee elf wizard, Standard Bearer (Drow Outpost)
OTHER BANDS:
Chris James: Vlaakith the Lich Queen, Werewolf Lord, Thrall of Blackrazor, Cursed Spirit, Small Fire Elemental, 2 Warrior Skeleton (Keep of Fallen Kings)
Cory Brosnan: 3 Beholder Lich, 2 Kobold Miner (Frostfell Rift)
Amanda Mack: Cleric Of Dol Arrah, Tordek Dwarf Champion, Shield Guardian, Dwarf Artificer, Lantern Bearer, Warforged Scout, Bat Familiar, 2 Hill Dwarf Warrior (Hellspike)
Herb Helzer: High Inquisitor, 2 Shield Guardian, Cormyrean War Wizard, Aasimar Favored Soul, Warforged Scout, Mialee Elf Wizard, Bat Familiar (Dungeon of Blood)
Ricky Boronat: Sword of Heironeous, 3 Golden Protectar, 3 Bat Familiar, Dwarf Artificer, Mialee Elf Wizard, Human Commoner (Kings Road)
Map Spread:
Drow Outpost: 5
Hellspike: 5
Kings Road: 4
Dragon Shrine: 3
Dungeon of Blood: 3
Dragondown Grotto: 2
Keep of Fallen Kings:2
Mushroom Cavern:2
Broken Demongate: 1
Caves of Chaos: 1
Fane of Lolth: 1
Forest Cliff Lair: 1
Frostfell Rift: 1
Hailstorm Tower: 1
Magma Keep: 1
Semifinals:
Paul K beat David W
Terry D beat Michael P
Finals:
Paul K beat Terry
Will post final standings when I get some time.
| |
Sirohk, the Bard of Heartstone
Knight of the Rahshasa's
And Crusader of the Zakya, Ak'chazar, Naztharune, and Naityan Rakshasa's | |
| 
Vrecknidj
Warlord
10427 Posts
United States
| | 04/16/2007 6:31 AM |
| Here's my report:
Niles was absolutely brutal. I've had winning and losing weekends at qualifiers and other tournaments before, so, since I had a losing weekend, I'll blame my dice. (For point of clear reference, when I have a winning weekend, I also praise my dice.)
So, I decided on a modified Korducopia. I figured that having CoDA immune to either acid or fire, and having the rest of the band resistant would prove sufficient. Turns out I faced zero Black Dragons. Against the Firegiants, the resistance was most helpful, but my dice turned sour.
My band is listed above in Peter's excellent list.
Match 1: v. Amanda
Amanda was playing Tordek/CoDA/Shield Guardian. I couldn't get bad rolls. We were on Hellspike, and I moved carefully, but really didn't have to since she was sticking to her slower-speed units, keeping them together. I moved Kord on the Shield Guardian (she won initiative but was unsure what to do, so she had me go first). Aggression = 40, snake's swiftness = 30, therefore, no Shield Guardian. She moved in and hit Kord with Tordek, and summarily surrounded Kord as best she could with pieces. I managed to get the Dragonmark in place, and the Bat was ready with a heal. In the second round, I won initiative. First attack is an Aggressive critical on Tordek (ouch) for 70, second attack is a snake's swiftness for thirty. That was the end of her hitters. After that, it was basically over. It's okay though, because I was about to get schooled in the next three matches.
Match 2: v. Lenny
Lenny is playing the same Virtuous Charger/Storm band that Mike plays to qualify. We end up on Dungeon of Blood. I make one stupid placement with my Bat which prevents me from setting things up properly, and it all goes down hill from there. In short order, my Bodyguard dies from absorbing hits, and in a moment's notice the Couatl drops. After that, it's really over. I was up 44 to 42 early on, but the writing was on the wall when it was 94 to 66 in his favor.
Match 3: v. Jeff
Okay, Ghaele/Asura/dual-Graycloak is a tough band to face on Dragondown Grotto. (Are you seeing a pattern here? Three matches, three times in a row I lose map and side initiative. Remember what I was saying about my dice? They got all their good rolls out in the first match.) This was a waiting game. I got my team onto the central VA and just absorbed and healed shot after shot after shot. As the game was winding down, we each waited for the other to make a mistake. The score was 0-10 after 33 minutes of play. I managed to take out a Xeph and a Wolf, and I was up 38 to 20. But, I knew that he was going to drop some thing of mine as soon as I ran out of heals. So, with time dropping, I moved Kord/Couatl. Kord moved up through the difficult terrain, and headed for the rocks where the Ghaele/Asura were. I won init the next round! Kord moved in and did his 40 point hit, but the Ghaele passed morale (of course, neither of us counted on that). Couatl moves in for the snake's swiftness, and...the d20 decides to hate me. With Ghaele in the woods, I need a decent roll--anything greater than a 7, I think. So, I roll a 4. Next activations, he drops Kord, and that's game. The risk didn't pay off, and I'm 1-2, seriously thinking of dropping. (After all, what chance does the Ghaele have of giving me favorable tie-breakers?)
Match 4: v. Cathy
Cathy is one of those "My fiancee taught me how to play" players. They always bring super tough bands, they always are clever players. And, all the times I've played against them, they win. She was running UltroForge, and I'll just put it as simply as I can. Kord gets a 1 on his morale save. And, a few activations later, CoDA gets a 1 on her morale save. Say what you will, I don't know what else to do but blame the die that time. At 1-3, I drop, then a friend talks me into undropping. So, I undrop and continue playing.
Match 5: v. Dan
Finally, a match I can handle. He's playing Lyrandar/Kord/Trickster/Rikka, but, he's not careful. We end up on Dragonshrine (because I can't win map with +7), and he starts on the fire side. I move everyone up to the acid blessing area (as far from the exits as possible, in case you're keeping track ), and he follows my lead by moving around Tiamat into that pocket. Somewhere, maybe when I shook Dan's hand, the bad dice mojo transfered. I was doing fine against him (he couldn't handle all the healing I was doing, and he wasn't maximizing the value of his pieces). But, his Kord rolled a 2 on his morale save, and then failed the rally check later. Rikka, as well, failed her morale check (that, at least, is much more likely). Rikka rallied, but the game was basically over at that point. So, thanks to the undrop, I'm 2-3.
Match 6: v. Ricardo
I faced Ricardo last year. Last year we both qualified, I with Kord, he with GAS. This year, he was running triple Golden Protector. I finally won map! I also got the better side, and managed to secure the bridge with a wolf. Early on, I decided to risk moving Kord into a pocket to take out a Golden Protector (each of his protectors has a Bat, so he has a lot of mobile healing). Kord did 30, the GP made it's save, Couatl casts snake's swiftness and Kord misses. Again. I missed the GPs three times in that match with Kord. Kord shouldn't miss them. Anyway, because of that move, he surrounded Kord preventing my Bodyguard from getting in there to help. But, my Bat's flying medkit saved the day, and Kord was able to stay on his feet long enough to eventually drop two GPs. I stayed ahead on VA points, and that game ended up going my way. Yay! 3-3, I have a chance to reclaim some DCI points.
Match 7: v. John
I'd already played his brother Jeff and lost to his Ghaele, so I wasn't interested in playing John and losing to his UltroForge. Here's a summary. At the end, the Ultroloth has 5 hit points and is in the woods. My CoDA has him based, but lat round's auto-5-damage spell didn't beat spell resistance. Well, it didn't beat spell resistance again. My Bat took a swing and missed. I moved CoDA and Bodyguard away, so that FGFP would have to follow to get them. He did follow, and did kill them (they were both at 15 hit points). But, at this point, I'm behind 133 to 79. I moved them out as bait, because FGFP was protecting the Ultroloth. Now's my chance! I move in Kord for the kill on the Ultroloth. And, I roll a 1. Talk about a let down. One chance left. Couatl moves in for the snake's swiftness (he had been too far away for a 15-point kill). And, I roll a 4. Not enough to hit an Ultroloth in the woods. I would have won 141 to 133 after my brilliant strategy to lead the FGFP out of the woods for a clean kill on the Ultroloth, but, alas, the d20 bad mojo was back.
So, I ended 3-4 (which, perhaps, is better than 1-3, we'll see when the results come out).
I'm glad I knew some of the qualifiers, and I think that Terry said he'd judge in Ypsilanti if he qualified in Niles, which is great news.
Dave | |
Knowledge Arcana editor issues 5-9, Phoenix Lore Magazine editor, assistant editor for Rite Publishing;
My Trade Thread and My Reference Thread; Winner of WBC IV, IX and XIII; Rule #0: bshugg is always right! | |
| Master of the
Awesome Sauce
Teflon Jeff
Warlord
7584 Posts
Sector 2814
| | 04/16/2007 11:12 AM |
| Sorry to hear of the troubles Dave. Here's hoping you get something better at the next Qualifier.
I like reading the round by round descriptions as well. Thanks!
| |
Official Delegate, Wizards of the Coast
Against The Giants Called Shot: Huge Green Dragon
Icons Called Shot: Gargantuan Prismatic Dragon
"Rejoice, for bad things are about to happen." | |
|
Sirohk
Commander
3913 Posts
USA
| | 04/16/2007 2:43 PM |
| Nice report Dave. Thanks.  Sorry to hear about what sounds like horrible die rolls at the worst possible times. It happens.Â  
| |
Sirohk, the Bard of Heartstone
Knight of the Rahshasa's
And Crusader of the Zakya, Ak'chazar, Naztharune, and Naityan Rakshasa's | |
|
Vrecknidj
Warlord
10427 Posts
United States
| | 04/16/2007 8:00 PM |
| My first year of trying to qualify, I placed 5th in Howell and came so close. Then I played in the Grinder, and was one win from qualifying when my opponent's Gauth stunned my Large Red Dragon two rounds in a row (I rolled two 1s on saves). So, I've been close and beaten back by the d20 before. Then, last year, in Niles, 5 of my 7 Swiss games were decided by die rolls, and they went my way (I fought a Duergar Champ band at one point and Kord missed zero of his Conceal rolls). So, the d20 has also gone in my favor before.
I can't say I'm happy to drive a 340-mile round trip only to go 3-4, but, it happens, and it's part of the big, fat, juicy risk that you have to accept if you want a shot at qualifying.
Thanks for the replies, and I'm glad you liked the report.
Dave | |
Knowledge Arcana editor issues 5-9, Phoenix Lore Magazine editor, assistant editor for Rite Publishing;
My Trade Thread and My Reference Thread; Winner of WBC IV, IX and XIII; Rule #0: bshugg is always right! | |
|
SYB
Warrior
328 Posts
| | 04/16/2007 10:10 PM |
| Posted By Vrecknidj on 04/16/2007 8:00 PM
My first year of trying to qualify, I placed 5th in Howell and came so close. Then I played in the Grinder, and was one win from qualifying when my opponent's Gauth stunned my Large Red Dragon two rounds in a row (I rolled two 1s on saves). So, I've been close and beaten back by the d20 before. Then, last year, in Niles, 5 of my 7 Swiss games were decided by die rolls, and they went my way (I fought a Duergar Champ band at one point and Kord missed zero of his Conceal rolls). So, the d20 has also gone in my favor before.
I can't say I'm happy to drive a 340-mile round trip only to go 3-4, but, it happens, and it's part of the big, fat, juicy risk that you have to accept if you want a shot at qualifying.
Thanks for the replies, and I'm glad you liked the report.
Dave
Hey, I remember that game. That was my Gauth! If it makes you feel any better, I completely forgot to swap out my Mongrelfolk for the Championships (you know, the ones that were played on Fane of Lolth) and got clobbered pretty badly for that screwup.
-SYB | |
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Vrecknidj
Warlord
10427 Posts
United States
| | 04/17/2007 5:55 PM |
| Posted By SYB on 04/16/2007 10:10 PM
Hey, I remember that game. That was my Gauth! If it makes you feel any better, I completely forgot to swap out my Mongrelfolk for the Championships (you know, the ones that were played on Fane of Lolth) and got clobbered pretty badly for that screwup.
-SYB Ah ha! So you're the culprit.
Yeah, it's funny. We lose some critical match to someone, and then that someone goes on to get clobbered...
I'm sure I would have been destroyed had I qualified.
Dave
| |
Knowledge Arcana editor issues 5-9, Phoenix Lore Magazine editor, assistant editor for Rite Publishing;
My Trade Thread and My Reference Thread; Winner of WBC IV, IX and XIII; Rule #0: bshugg is always right! | |
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