Got to put this scenario down to a player weakness. Or some manner of cure for Gorten mayhap? Then again, something has to make up for The Pit.
My cunning plan of "Dodge Circle" has failed in a pants on head style. Fortunately they weren't my pants and suffered no shame by their removal.
I wasn't in super dodge mode for Ret, though ultimately after Circle they were what I didn't want to run into.
Naturally, it's Dilsharn. Well, at least it'll definitely be fun.
It's Rahn and Issyria. Yada yada Thexus oink oink withered corpse stats meep meep Rahn rolling in mud. Gorten again, to, I'm sure, your absolute shock.
Gorten, Crocs, Pigs, Drillers, Bunnies, Support, Eliminators, Acosta
vs
Rahn1 (Forges of War) - Helios, Discordia, 2x Chimera, Sylyss, House Shyeel Artificer w/ Hydra, Battle Mittens, 2x House Shyeel Magister, 3x Arcanist
Table is pretty open centrally, it is defined far more by one side having a central forest that would be bad for me. Otherwise that forest side has a flank flag with a nearby wall, water near the centre one whilst the right flag has a forest on either side of it.
Other side has a hill that for some reason looks unappetizing.
I lose the roll I believe, Ret take first. it's the side without the evil forest for me.
[img]https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJI5pAhsypBYImONlAEZu9BA-Ixa6n2oQXP3afl89nnhIft8c6UF54o7UmXqAj8hEvsmJtIL-BC50pZmLJ7Hp28crqrjXQudoZVITpO2V4hyphenhyphenZX5Z8t4NxdG3Au_IbtZj25PGtQBPwtiNLh/s1600/034+%2528800x450%2529.jpg [/img]
Ret 1: Ret runs up on their opening turn.
Around the left flag heads a Chimera and the Mittens. There's then a centre clump, with Hypnos on the left, Discordia, marshalled Hydra and the other Chimera on the right. behind that lot is a Magister, Artificer, Rahn, Sylyss and Arcanist. Toward the right flag is a magister with no friends.
[img]https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7I34vFmccAMPsv1AteSonH5XF8GpRAF_y_FIXQ6kDGbNr5Eph9h_mO0E_PpiUIJZ7x7tr_7gmOl8VBiCUqwC71WmUlUOIPihoRXPkbMIleRZtO3BLFfa6JBW2CDmF8BZzdILmtXvsEEZ0/s1600/035+%2528800x450%2529.jpg [/img]
Merc 1: So, I avoided saying what my deployment was, principally because it was done in error.
I had a specific thought as soon as the pairing went out (Rahn vs Gorten turned out to be an accurate assumption) that I needed to Gorten safe by plonking him behind the Crocs to stop him getting TK'ed then dragged to death.
I completely dropped this thought when I deployed. Most of it is fine, the plan is to use feat to push for the centre and right flag while Pigs fight out on the left one with suicide contesting Kayazy. Where I've blindsided myself is that I plonked the Crocs centre and Gorten on the right, not an insurmountable error but it definitely caused some head slaps and, more importantly, slows the advance of a caster who's speed is already lacklustre at best.
Ergo, Pigs go out left jacks spread between the centre and the right flag, Crocs charge across at the right side magister, allowing Gorten to charge up behind them. Submerges happen, Gorten puts up Solid Ground. Another hampering aspect of the matchup was that I feared focus fire on Gorten, as his Line of Sight is never blocked, so wanted to camp multiple on him every turn which causes problems for Strength of Granite and Rockwalling. solid Ground against the Force Hammer caster also feels like a choice I didn't really get a say in until things don't matter on the table (i.e the spell drops when the game is essentially decided).
[img]https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgph6bgetVwr8TRWVQCk7Nk7aaj0_5OQ1PoDZCIUHNyeAYel2hSBbDtD7d1b3hiG0WuOF6ELNW3EFiVGJdzB1fQjtObvnKhBEGkMqgdbFjyDAvqqNhKMUQ5MfB8EWQ_Z7pwcSy6vdHXbu4w/s1600/036+%2528800x450%2529.jpg [/img]
Ret 2: The Elves have quite a conservative turn, nearly everything just walks back and does the Thriller dance. With Apparition and Whiplach, the right Chimera gets far enough forward to channel a Force hammer that knocks the far right spray bunny into the driller, then back up with it's actual movement.
Force Barrier/Disco's Imprint spring up. I believe I forgot to mention that Hypnos has Polarity Shield on it, and it was driving me nuts trying to work out how to deal with it.
*something* killed one of the Green Eliminators, but I have no idea what it was. probably Disco's spray plus a TK backward.
[img]https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXAtNd3mfNgN80mehtjkGqo62yyKaf2VJs2tOprISPT_PvW7F6rr7FQ0Vq8eUmtLtXlztQV0S3RjK1mILGihha4LBe4GFzaK07hn5UVnP1UMNJYlrKv39dnPRMHSfTzrcqRs06LHCjduT4/s1600/037+%2528800x450%2529.jpg [/img]
Merc 2: Retribution reticence regarding rapacious re-location rears room regards scenario. Sod, ran out of R words.
Anyway, I can easily spawn a pair of control points off the flank flags, then try to push scenario, I expect Hypnos will go to contest the centre and right flag, allowing a Gorten feat to try to push it on the right. if Hypnos doesn't go that way then I have the chance of getting stuff up to threaten Hypnos under cover of feat speed restrictions. Hopefully anyway.
On the right, a Gunner runs tot eh flag. I wanted to use the Spray Bunny (Much less use in the matchup against loads of anti-gun armour, Gunner at least forces Shield Guard positions) but alas the Force barrier took out his Cortex. That Spray Bunny instead moves to the right, behind one of the forest copses'. Tinker runs to get in position to repair him next turn out of long term planning optimism.
Centre wise, Gorten tepidly advances behind the Crocs, looks like I kept back out of Hypnos charge range, which curtailed getting the feat threat up the board. The Drillers run in front, hopefully threatening something next turn with a drag. ragman/Aiyanna hang back, waiting to pop their anti-armour.
Around the left flag the remaining Green Eliminator runs to score, the Pigs go far left.
This leaves two Bunnies, some Eliminators and Acosta. I decide to sacrifice them to the scenario plan, hopefully buying time (plus, as always, sometime Acosta is magic). They jam around the Mittens and Hypnos. If Acosta is lucky he might live, the rest are most certainly dead, hopefully without Hypnos getting to move though (Mittens have little trouble killing Kayazy in my experience).
Mercs go to 2 CP.
[img]https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqrCkX3KMCDvQBJooFHQVDo0dvMr6ql9U5eTSYpthXM1xxfIe32R3Hc13cVvv_tcsGqJXZfTqCyfl1R-MBnxbrsh00WJx2p8epHEcHg0vih84nzF0ZW18deDQ1hbfHYQBnFriGb_v7cXRa/s1600/038+%2528800x450%2529.jpg [/img]
Ret 3: Chimeras apparate a little bit.
The Mitten go, they pin in Acosta using magic bolts kill him and the Eliminators. Sadness.
Arcanists buff hypnos, Rahn TK's the forward Driller forward and around.
Hypnos smashes the Bunnies and Driller with punches, I get a sharp reminder that I haven't played this Colossal before as he Dual Attacks to shoot Gorten and push him directly back 3 inches. The revelation my caster was getting 1 inch movement a turn caused a mental internal replication of what I assume an Agonizers scream is like.
Disco chills at the back like a bro.
On the right the Chimera, friendless magister and marshalled Hydra go up to the right flag, kill the Gunner I've got on their.
Those disasters aside, I thought things where going awesomely. I was going to get a third point, then feat to conjure the winning scores in a round, Hypnos push be damned.
The last Ret activation was the left Chimera, who walks and contests the left flag. Dangit.
My contesting with the damaged Sprayer at least pays off, as the points go up to 2v1 to me.
[img]https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEZk15sjoM5yrQsmw8NdpaLr7tYg6YslqN8qObO8YdopNWgNaGEwPAFipnBoMleEU4ESudx3NLgPNLG871VZuTSib4bBsW-TyA29lPGUQCTNdq2FEM-4WnJkmS-VRe0hvH3Tpn2p57mQpU/s1600/039+%2528800x450%2529.jpg [/img]
Merc 3: Alright, the plan is having trouble, I'd not accounted for the Driller loss in my attrition arithmetic. Had he been a little further back he might have been safe, but ultimately I need to threaten the flags, as Rahn ain't giving me a feat drag line anytime soon.
Alright, Hypnos isn't in on the left side and Gorten isn't in meaningfull feat range, so we'll score one and limp the dwarf back.
Left wise, Brine goes in and pops the Chimera and a pair of the Mittens, the Green Eliminator hangs on the flag for the score.
Aiyana/Holt Stealth, Snapjaw runs up to Hypnos and contests the centre flag.
Gorten runs up and across, intending to feat clear the right flag in the future, tries to hide between Wrongeye and the Driller.
Around the actual right flag the Tinker repairs the Bunny, who kills the Magister.
I go to 3 and resent the turn. Positive Charge was mucking me up to much, Aiyanna should have harmed Hypno, then the Croc and Driller should have trampled in and bought attacks to at least damage the git, assuming they were in range.
Really feeling the effects of the inexperience. Should have had a Bunny behind behind Gorten from the Get go to stop the 3 inch push back.
[img]https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZuN5mv4heE0ftqeu7vuAz1dri6iZSc7TtGsHoil04KdbIAbbctEzaU7_xoiQayQOPDGhKRnRNkwlWcV6T8ho1MMwRIIG0UDWoiLdwTqy1pvRBP_qucjuBC5wTtmuOq3Mwxvh4Vln29Opu/s1600/040+%2528800x450%2529.jpg [/img]
Ret 4: Hypnos kills Brine and Snapjaw, contests the left zone, shoots Gorten and pushes him away. The Mittens run behind the Colossal in the backfield.
Discordia goes to the centre flag and Imprints away.
Rahn and support bros hang out in the backfield.
On the far right the Artificer, Chimera and Hydra hang around the right flag, kill the SPray Bunny on the way.
Scores end at 3 all.
[img]https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc3FnFfb2LAXFaM-n9mASLpF4czxe7z4GttlZ8rClH660xrJp2a8UiF047VlXX-vghtyvbEXp3bYjrm-zHMqmbr9M08lfkvdezaufd6iiivdm2deNymvOV-JYYELdYRLCQXPTsXutjAFIb/s1600/041+%2528800x450%2529.jpg [/img]
Merc 4: Hypnos isn't going anywhere, need to push for the right flag and Prey and I can somehow wing a 5th point from here.
Ninja Pig hides behind the wall and contests the left flag.
Centre flag, Holt contests at a distance, Wrongeye charges Discordia, swings and does some reasonable damage that I wasn't expecting.
Driller then runs up to a spot, Gorten goes behind him, shoots down teh Artificer and pushes the Chimera and Hydra to the right board edge and put Discordia into the water, my hope being that the Driller would live and get to pop an opposing heavy. Also ping Hypnos with feat.
Tinker goes to the right flag and scores.
Gets up to 4 v 3.
[img]https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB6BGK2LEJ4kGmbWn4U2u56odktpy8QbKbuGjqCVyt4tc6YW1rGGynJQtb_yhcBEOSMQqUWDBBFwJBRcMz9PlTH4V3aXQEv2kla60VnpxmL0gpPQb9LaUL_u_Dwy4F4Tf4ciWL585iQtTZ/s1600/042+%2528800x450%2529.jpg [/img]
Ret 5: Hypnos kills Holt, stays contesting the left/right flag and pushes Wrongeye away.
Rahn and Mittens stay safe and conservative, not giving me any cheap assassination angles.
Discordia gets TK'ed to deal with his lack of Pathfinder, then stabs the last Driller and messes it up pretty hard.
On the right the Chimera and Hydra contest the flag.
[img]https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf7iEcpyYnhiAG0MnX0aW8q6uN1iS-769Ea6tD0yXw7Vd5NkXQVb4PFVe7aa9HQuqQDaLZtzyjNjlUuDrtE7uNIaEz9M-F9PoLnyOImASk2_IGjG4IveqzNYJpKV7Br0cbX0sw7oP-6-ow/s1600/043+%2528800x450%2529.jpg [/img]
Merc 5: My only forlorn hope is to try to somehow get a point on the right flag.
Brine goes behind the wall and contests the left flag safely.
Aiyanna contests the centre flag and stealths randomly.
Wrongeye charges up and eats a Magister, more an army points kill gathering exercise. Plus Whip Snap thingy is aggravating.
The Driller shuffles a little, manages to kill off Disco, Tinker tinks.
Gorten runs to be next to the forest and we hope for miracles.
[img]https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJNIlR4YqBWfsM_F_bOUEqxc2gkvlVhOeVBbUereJAYKkqPRwM5d0Sg-lT0szse3qWkJpNRHPzjqi2qLhbRfqe2oEO_ShBMIy5NbLvwUwgBxKVzPnrLo4_XiHBPzr_Ab2d9RYRXeJkI7IL/s1600/044+%2528800x450%2529.jpg [/img]
Ret 6: Ret only needs to points to win, so Hypnos goes to the centre flag and kills Wrongeye/Aiyanna. Hydra goes to the right flag, Chimera arcs a Force Hammer to get rid of the contesting Tinker and that's game.
[img]https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitZ3N1PVPrOhe_ADn2_B0xyUUC18IJqGWsLPWRG4yUyGFukTbiXvupFYkAd1VTc-ZSM6EoLva7XGu_kMiy3rDv2MjT0DtyjmoscDwUw7BZOO697elSeAOQTWT2X9q7Hq2cS4uCSmTdWY1_/s1600/045+%2528800x450%2529.jpg [/img]
Me on the left, clock win was also a stretch alas.
Well, Hypnos is interesting. Need more practice. Did not Git Gud. One more round, maybe a win gets me top four if I'm very lucky?
