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sienar
Sergeant
640 Posts
    
 | | 05/08/2006 11:51 PM |
| My warband:
Inspiring Marshall
Frenzied Beserker
Wand Expert
Rikka, Angelic Avenger
Celestial Pegasus
Aramil, Adventurer
2x Timber Wolf
Map: Keep of the Fallen Kings I
I wanted to run something people had not prepared for, but still could manage reasonable match-ups against most others. I like flexible warbands over focused ones. I started with the Wizard Tactician as the tech for a warband. I quickly discarded him. Saves are just too darn high for him to be consistent. I moved to the Wand Adept. Conceal is good against most outside of Marut and Helmed Horror. The autodamage was nice, too. Even on Dragon Shrine, it proved to be useful in most match-ups. Frenzied Beserker is still the best choice of high damage deterrant. Rikka has great resistances, and a solid attack. The Celestial Pegasus filled a similar role, and its large base could really plug, especially against multiple large bases. Aramil? Personally, I think it is silly not to seriously consider him when building either Good. Inspiring Marshall? Again, obvious. The warband has 6 figures that the opponent had to consider when threat-assessing, and was not relying on one key figure. I was pretty happy with it.
On to the Qualifier.
Round 1
Keith Bellante
Inspiring Marshall
Archmage
Rikka, Angelic Avenger
2x Greycloak Ranger
2x Timber Wolf
2x Xeph Warrior
Wild Elf Raider
I won map init and chose my map. There wasn’t a heck of a lot the Archmage could do from range without exposing himself to a blitzkrieg. I won side and deferred, letting him set up and responding.
I quickly moved in and blocked movement to the victory areas and set up for possible round 2 Grant Move Action. The Pegasus led, and the others were close behind. He bunched up most of his warband and gave me an interesting opportunity. I could get my Frenzied Beserker adjacent to both Greycloaks, the Marshall, and the Archmage with a double move, so I did. He moved Rikka in and proceeded to miss to Conceal. The Archmage moved out and took 30 for his troubles. A Conceal miss by my Rikka and a Wand Adept acid wand later, the Archmage failed morale and ran (later to rally). Meanwhile, the Frenzied Beserker, Rikka, and Pegasus clean up on the Marshall, who fails morale and never gets to move, then Rikka, who had little chance to make morale. I moved the Wand Adept in to position to blast away at the Archmage, who manages to Dismiss Rikka, and succumb shortly to the Celestial Pegasus and Wand Adept. In the end, I think both Rikkas were 0 for 2 on Conceal checks. Result 1-0
Round 2
We did not have a multiple of 4 players, and one of us had to pair down to 0-1. That was me. For my troubles, I get Gil Acosta, who ran:
Human Blackguard
Chraal
3x Zakya Rakshasa
Warrior Skeleton
Goblin Skirmisher
We get my map again, and, as typical, especially against Chraals, I block passage past the victory areas with Rikka and the Pegasus. Chraal moves in, breathes, kills a Timber Wolf, and does 0 damage to either Pegasus or Rikka. So far, so good. Between them and the Wand Adept, who can now move safely closer, the Chraal dies quickly. The Frenzied Beserker was deterring the Zakyas from makinga bid through, so Gil played patiently waiting. After the Chraal dies, they swoop in. I move the Frenzied to take one on, leaving the Pegasus blocking the way to the Wand Adept. Rikka moved soon after to support the Frenzied Beserker. I got two Zakyas to 25 hp, who both made Morale to no surprise. What hurt me is the Frenzied missed all attacks she made in the game and the Pegausus routed, exposing my squishy underbelly with no recourse to recover. Result 1-1
Round 3
You lose, and you are supposed to get the weaker opposition, right? I glance at the pairings, and see Sven Myrin (Smyrin). Not exactly high on my list of weaker opposition. Quite the opposite, actually. So be it. His warband:
Marut
2x Couatl
Standardbearer
Cleric of Yondalla
Aramil, Adventurer
Warforged Scout
Timber Wolf
He gets his map. King’s Road. Fortunately, large figures can no longer stick their toes in Forest squares and get cover to all of their squares. Conventional wisdom probably would have me go after the Couatls first, doing what I can to stay away from the Marut. On round 2, he gets the Marut from the left side to just in the forest victory area, with two squares exposed to daylight. My three hitters were within a single move of the Marut. I decided I could not pass up the opportunity. I GMA’d in to position, with the Pegasus on one side and Rikka and the Frenzied Beserker. Apparently, I should have listened to conventional wisdom. I hit early with the Beserker and twice with the Pegasus. 25 hp to go. This is going to be possible, right. Rikka did not hit once, and the Frenzied Beserker missed the Death Strike. Result: 1-2.
It’s not likely I’ll make top 4 at this point, but playing against great opposition was part of why I went in the first place. And I could walk away happy with a 4-2 record, which should be a tough road.
Round 4
Jeff Phillips
Rakshasa
Chraal
2x Helmed Horror
Large Duergar
Gravehound
Timber Wolf
Kobold Miner
My map again. Same sort of story, Blocked passage for the Chraal for the Pegasus. The Helmed Horrors can go by, which I had to accept. Rikka made a bold move on the Rakshasa, with only it and the Large Duergar being able to attack (the Horrors moved past to go after my support). It paid off. 2 hits later, Rakshasa runs and then fails to rally, going off the board and taking the Chraal with him. The Chraal did not manage to get a breath weapon or Death Strike off. It did no take long for the Duergar to follow the Rakshasa out of the fight. On the other side of the map, Aramil nerfs one Horror and gets based by it. First attack, miss. Second attack, hit, morale made. It took 3 hits to kill Aramil, which was key. Meanwhile, the Frenzied Berserker and Wand Adept work the Helmed Horrors quickly. Result 2-2.
Round 5
Michael Derry (Derry)
Couatl
Marut
3x Sacred Watcher
Timber Wolf
Cleric of Yondalla
Standardbearer
Michael keeps very meticulous notes on his games. His recollections will likely be closer to accurate than mine, but the gist of mine should be right.
His map. Dragon Shrine. He gets Fire side, I get Acid side. I decide to keep Rikka off and Waylaid 3rd round, IIRC. I move in to a defensive position at the bottom. He postures slowly, keeping the Marut and Couatl close together. That keeps Rikka away from Waylaying to the Couatl, but keeps both out of the combat. We end up fighting on the Sacred Circle victory area, with a Timber Wolf each fighting over his victory area by Tiamat (this is important later). Aramil manages to nerf all three of his Sacred Watchers before the end of it. By about round 3, he moves the Marut and Couatl in to position to attack and I waylay Rikka on the sacred circle to start the next round. The Frenzied moves away from the two Sacred Watchers harassing her to go after the Marut. I’m a little fuzzy as to the details, but I manage to kill the Marut and rout the Couatl at the expense of the Pegasus and Frenzied Beserker. Much slow damage on his part, due to 5 damage attacks, and some hits and misses on mine (yay, incorporeal), it came down to the Wolves up top. Remember, I said this is important later. His Wolf has managed to hit mine 3 times (made morale), and mine has managed a whopping 1 hit in about 5 tries. He brings the Cleric of Yondalla very slowly over and gets one last gasp of attacks from both and misses. End score 200ish to 195. One more hit on my Timber Wolf and he would have won.
Round 6
Dwayne Stupak (Tried)
Inspiring Marshall
Archmage
2x Greycloak Ranger
2x Wolf
Devis
Rikka, Angelic Avenger
2x Xeph Warrior
His map. King’s Road. We spent time slowly advancing towards each other. Him holding back his Archmage as much as possible. Dwayne did not like his early set-up and GMA’d to reposition and take a swipe at my Marshall with Rikka. I manage to get a shot in on his Archmage with my Frenzied Beserker after a GMA and move. I get a Mordy’s Sword for my troubles and he Dim Doors far away. At some point, he manages to Sword my Pegasus, too. With his Archmage on the run, I work on cleaning up on his warband. I offer the Pegasus and Rikka to his Greycloaks, Wolf, and Devis, who don’t stand a chance. Meanwhile, his Rikka continues to harass my Marshall, not managing to land another hit. Here is where I believe I made my blunder. I should have chased down his Rikka with mine rather than chasing down his fodder. I got afraid of him turning his Rikka on mine, which was silly, since his was injured and nerfed. I manage to morale check his Archmage with my Wand Adept, who passes. I manage to flush his Archmage, right as my Pegasus fails morale to the Mordy’s Sword damage. I make a desperate gambit, as my Beserker is about to die, too. With his Rikka still alive and time running out, I base his Archmage in a Forest square after he has activated, banking on winning initiative. Which, of course, I don’t. He Banishes Rikka and all he has to do is move one square and win the match. He got wrapped up in moving Rikka to safety and forgot to move the Archmage. I activate the Beserker, and hit the Archmage with the Deathstrike attack. Result 4-2.
I end up tied for 6th place, which is sure not a bad place, given the field. 3-8 were tied at 4-2, and my early losses kept me out of top 4. All in all, I’m happy with everything. Now, if only we could get Salt Lake City closer to Denver. Leaving after the tournament, we got to see the sun rise as we got home…
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XenoZephyr
Underboss
1083 Posts
| | 05/09/2006 7:51 AM |
| | Thanks for the writeup. Maybe I missed it, but what map were you using? | |
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sienar
Sergeant
640 Posts
| | 05/09/2006 9:27 AM |
| quote:
Originally posted by XenoZephyr
Thanks for the writeup. Maybe I missed it, but what map were you using?
You didn't miss it. I added it in now. It was Keep of the Fallen Kings I. | |
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Eliminator53
Sergeant
628 Posts
| | 05/09/2006 9:29 AM |
| quote:
Originally posted by XenoZephyr
Thanks for the writeup. Maybe I missed it, but what map were you using?
Sounds like the Dragon shrine. Good report Sienar. Congrats on sixth, thats higher than I would have gotten.
Edit: ok I was wrong then, still good report though. | |
Champion of Tavern Stripper
Knight of Knights
Squire of Death Giants
Somethin-or-another of Big Arse Swords | |
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Tried
Sergeant
501 Posts
| | 05/09/2006 11:23 AM |
| Sienar -
My thoughts on the match: Δ]
I was actually waiting for you to come after my Rikka - hoping I could then lead you to within striking distance of the AM for a banish. Didn't happen until the end, and you came because you had to.
The biggest blunder was mine, really. After counting out 6 squares to the victory area 3 times, i never moved the AM after banishing Rikka. Oh to have a take-back.
I think that i actually did not move Rikka to safety - I think that she rotated out of the victory area that the AM should have entered, and went to (finally) kill the IM (after about a dozen missed swings.)
My early GMA was really based on a single gamble.
It allowed me to take a swipe at the IM and extract Rikka. Even in cover, I should hit on an 8 (prior to nerf). If I did, there was more than a 50/50 chance of you routing. And if your IM routed early, it was pretty much game. I did my part, but the IM stood.
(The rest of the redeployment was just gravy, and based on how you had set up your house).
The blunder above really bugged me, but nothing I can do but learn.
A good lesson to learn. I'll be sharper next time we meet.
(not likley playing archmage, though, as its not really competitive I think).
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Let it be. | |
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sienar
Sergeant
640 Posts
| | 05/09/2006 11:46 AM |
| quote:
Originally posted by Tried
Sienar -
My thoughts on the match: Δ]
I was actually waiting for you to come after my Rikka - hoping I could then lead you to within striking distance of the AM for a banish. Didn't happen until the end, and you came because you had to.
The biggest blunder was mine, really. After counting out 6 squares to the victory area 3 times, i never moved the AM after banishing Rikka. Oh to have a take-back.
I think that i actually did not move Rikka to safety - I think that she rotated out of the victory area that the AM should have entered, and went to (finally) kill the IM (after about a dozen missed swings.)
My early GMA was really based on a single gamble.
It allowed me to take a swipe at the IM and extract Rikka. Even in cover, I should hit on an 8 (prior to nerf). If I did, there was more than a 50/50 chance of you routing. And if your IM routed early, it was pretty much game. I did my part, but the IM stood.
(The rest of the redeployment was just gravy, and based on how you had set up your house).
The blunder above really bugged me, but nothing I can do but learn.
A good lesson to learn. I'll be sharper next time we meet.
(not likley playing archmage, though, as its not really competitive I think).
I still think it was probably the better choice to go after Rikka earlier with mine. Sometimes you have to play in to your opponents plans to succeed at your own. Bringing her in at the end was not the best decision, except, if I remember right, the next round was to be the final round, and I figured I could win initiative and wanted to maximize my chances to take down the Archmage. My Beserker had been missing a lot over the day. Never plan on winning initiative. I think you had me on points, barely, with my Rikka still on the board.
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Dagni
Sergeant
870 Posts
| | 05/09/2006 11:58 AM |
| quote:
Originally posted by sienar
quote:
Originally posted by XenoZephyr
Thanks for the writeup. Maybe I missed it, but what map were you using?
You didn't miss it. I added it in now. It was Keep of the Fallen Kings I.
Score! The whole time I was reading, I was trying to guess the map. Eventually I decided Keep of the Fallen Kings made the most sense. [:)]
- Dagni | |
Proud member of the GRUUMSH fan club! | |
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memphisto
Warrior
213 Posts
| | 05/09/2006 2:27 PM |
| Very nice report, Keith (or is it Kevin? [)]). Looks like you performed quite well! Of course, you always seem to get the easy tournment matchups you lucky, lucky ba*#@$d. [:0][:p][)]
Just kidding of course. I would have enjoyed having my head handed to me over and over again at the Utah qual, but fate had other plans for me that weekend.
Seriously though, I'm curious: Why did you ultimately chose Keep of Fallen Kings I? I don't recall your testing on it with anything. Did you get a chance to try it out, or did it simply make sense for your band? | |
Completed trades: arbados
Completed 23 trades on Hordelings www.hordelings.com - http://www.hordelings.com/directory/profile.php?user_id=429 | |
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sienar
Sergeant
640 Posts
| | 05/09/2006 2:42 PM |
| quote:
Originally posted by memphisto
Very nice report, Keith (or is it Kevin? [)]). Looks like you performed quite well! Of course, you always seem to get the easy tournment matchups you lucky, lucky ba*#@$d. [:0][:p][)]
Just kidding of course. I would have enjoyed having my head handed to me over and over again at the Utah qual, but fate had other plans for me that weekend.
Seriously though, I'm curious: Why did you ultimately chose Keep of Fallen Kings I? I don't recall your testing on it with anything. Did you get a chance to try it out, or did it simply make sense for your band?
We did some testing in a secret location without you earlier in the week. [}:)]
I chose the map for several reasons. I figured people were going to be less familiar with it, and won't have planned moves ready and will have to set up on the fly. I like the possibility of fairly open lines of sight from the starting areas. Given the lack of likelihood of area of effect spellcasters, I was comfortable with that. The engagement area is very much pluggable by my Pegasus, giving me time to move everybody into position behind it.
I had been considering other maps, but couldn't find a reason to run any given one, and sort of settled on this one for the above reasons. | |
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memphisto
Warrior
213 Posts
| | 05/09/2006 3:01 PM |
| | I figured you must have tested with the rest of the crew at the "secret" meeting, but wasn't sure. I like your reasons. Did they bear out for you? I mean, did your wand adept get to use the lines, and was the lack of familiarity (if it did exist) for some players seem to prove an edge for you; or, in hindsight, would you have preferred to use another map? | |
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