With the change in comp to Dark Elves it didn’t change my list much, I wanted to drop the Peg master from my pervious games as I don’t want to use the PoK anymore. In his place I added a Manticore. I love the model and concept, just never get to use one due to the cost. At a 100 discount I couldn’t say no. And I added x2 units of 10 RxB, I dislike RxBmen I always struggle to use them to their fullest as I prefer combat units.
I know the Beastmen would bring plenty of big Monsters as I had spoken to Wes the week before, I didn’t want to tailor my list so my changes to my 2400 were limited.
My list was:
Lords:
Supreme Sorceress = 270
Lvl 3
Tome of Furion, Black Dragon Egg
Heroes:
Master = 199
Manticore
Shield
Heavy Armour
Sea Dragon Cloak
Lance
Cauldron of Blood = 225
Army Battle Standard Bearer
Core:
20 Dark Elf Warriors = 155
Shield
Champion, Standard, Musician
20 Dark Elf Warriors= 155
Shields
Champion, Standard, Musician
5 Dark Riders = 110
Repeater Cross bows
Free Muso
5 Dark Riders = 110
Repeater Cross bows
Free Muso
10 RxB = 115
Shield
Muso
10 RxB = 115
Shield
Muso
10 Corsairs = 105
Swap Hand weapon for Handbow
Musician
5 Harpies = 55
5 Harpies = 55
Special:
5 Cold One Knights = 164
Musician, Banner, Gleamming Pennant
5 Cold One Knights = 159
Musician, Banner
15 Executioners = 190
FC for Free
Banner of Eternal Flame
15 Executioners = 180
FC for Free
6 Shades = 102
AHW
14 Witch Elves
Muso
2599 Points
The Beastmen army:
LORDS
1 x Great Bray-Shaman (Death) (General)
Fencer’s Blades, Talisman of Preservation (280pts)
1 x Doombull
Heavy Armour, Shield, Gnarled Hide, Ramhorn Helm, Dawnstone, Biting Blade (318pts)
Ramhorn Helm means that each time he makes a successful armour save in combat he immediately makes a close combat attack back (pretty awesome versus low strength enemies), The doombull gained primal fury because of the comp, slaughteres call did not negate the effects of primal fury as stated in the rule book (gives frenzy but normally you cant have primal fury as well)
HEROES
1 x Wargor
Battle Standard Bearer, Heavy Armour, Charmed Shield, Chalice of Dark Rain (159pts)
The Chalice of dark rain is used at the start of an enemy shooting phase and causes a -1 to hit modifier on all enemy shooting and warmachines can only fire on a 4+.
1 x Slugtongue (Death)
(190pts)
Sluggy had regeneration, poisoned attacks and at the start of the game before the first turn all enemy units within 36inches of him take a curse of the famine-fiend test (1-3 nothing happens, 4-5 take D3 wounds, 6 take D6 wounds with no armour saves allowed)
CORE
7 x Minotaurs
Bloodkine, Musician, Standard Bearer, Additional Hand Weapons, Stone of Spite (438pts)
Stone of spite is a one use bound item power level 5. when used all arcane items (friend and foe) explode in the hands of the bearer and have no effect on the game from that point. The bearer also takes D6 strength 4 hits. Minotaurs gained primal fury from the comp and a free command, they were also core because of the comp.
5 x Centigors
Gorehoof, Musician (125pts)
Centigors were made core, free command and fast cav under the comp.
1 x Tuskgor Chariot
(80pts)
1 x Tuskgor Chariot
(80pts)
5 x Ungor Raiders
Halfhorn, Musician (30pts)
Raiders were given a free command from the comp.
SPECIAL
38 x Bestigor Herd
Gouge-Horn, Standard Bearer, Standard of Discipline (495pts)
5 x Harpies
(55pts)
These gained primal fury from the comp.
RARE
1 x Ghorgon
(175pts)
100 pts cheaper and was given primal fury, he has frenzy and each time he wins a combat he gains a bonus attack (same as doombull and minotaurs). He can trade in his 6 normal attacks for killing blow on a 4+. if he does this he regains D3 wounds lost in the battle but can never go past is starting wounds of 6.
1 x Cygor
(175pts)
The Cygor was made 100pts cheaper in the comp and gained primal fury. He is a stone thrower who can move and fire but not march and fire. He also has a rule called 'Soul-Eater' where he unsettles enemy wizards as they know the cygor craves to eat thier souls. All enemy wizards within 24inches must tale a leadership test at the start of the magic phase, if passes the wizard finds his bravery and is used as normal but f failed he loses his nerve and if he fails to cast any spells he must roll on the miscast table immediately each time.
TOTAL: 2600pts
Primal fury is a leadership check if passed the unit gains hatred, if passed on a double 1 they gain hatred and frenzy for a round of combat.
Wes emailed me his tactics for his army so I’ll post them up as well:
I knew from the start of the game that I wanted my Minotaurs and Bestigors near the middle of the board so that I could get a better range for Slugtongues ability and my stone of spite. I also knew that most of my small chaff would need to be near my BSB and general because if away from them and shot by your Elves then the chances were that they would panic and be out of the game, the chaff's job was to just try and stop 1 or 2 of your units from getting into combat on an important turn (such as the harpies stopping the witch elves at a key point of the game). I knew my ghorgon would be ok on his own againest smaller units and wanted him into combat as fast as possible before he was shot off the board (as usual). the chariot and centigors jobs were to stop your shades scouting behind me and to give your dark riders something to consider on the flanks.
Deployment
Beastmen set up with their big Block of Bestigor in the centre, one flank protected by the forest and the other by a chariot and large Mino unit complete with Doom Bull. BSB, Gerneral and Slugtounge all hid themselves in the Bestigor unit.
The other Chariot and Gorgon both deployed on the left and spaced out enough to ensure my Shades had no way to deploy behind their lines.
Raiders deployed infron of the Bestigors while Harpies hid behind along with the Cygor. The Centigor took up the Right flank, again blocking away way for my Shades to get behind.
The Dark Elves took a strong centre as well with Spears and Executioners sticking together, Knights flanked the units of infantry ready to move where required. Harpies all stayed out of LOS for deployment and Dark Riders both took a flak each. The Sorceress jumps into the left Spear unit and the CoB goes down in the centre, trying to give as much of the army as possible the BSB bubble. RXB both deployed in the ruins as all terrain was dangerous and I wasn’t going to be marching with them if I could help it. Manticore went on their side in a hope that all the RXB shooting would keep monsters away from the Manticore. Corsairs deployed on the left looking to dart across the board and take the house. The Shades deployed next to the house ready to jump in and hopefully out the other side as a quick route to the Beasts deployment zone.
My left Riders vanguard to support the Shades and the Centigors pull back to avoid my other riders and RxB’s I pull mine back as well as im unsure if I should press this flank yet.
Centigor roll on their drunken table and get Stubborn.
Before the game started Slugtounge used his Fammin special rule.
The right most RxBmen lose a Elf to Fammin along with the Right Spears. The Sorceress unit loses 3 of their number along with 2 from the left Knight unit as well.
The generated spell were:
Slugtounge: Fate of Bjuna, Spirit Leech
Lvl 3 Beast Lord: Caress of Laniph, Soul Blight, Doom and Darkness
Dark Elf Sorceress lvl 3: Enchanted Blades of Aiban, Glittering Robes, Ghenna’s Golden Hounds, Final Transmutation.
Beastmen Turn 1
Centigor moves back further behind the Beastmen lines, while the minos move forward supported by the Chariot. Harpies and Raiders move forward and stop to offer the Bestigors cover from any shooting. The Bestigors move in turn to hide behind the lesser beasts of their army. The left most chariot moves forward and the Gorgon moves back to join the main battle line. The Cygor lurks behind the main army no doubt looking for this biggest bolder it can find to supplement is shooting attack.
The Mino champion takes advantage of the low winds of magic and uses all 6 dice on his Stone of Spite, the Dark Elf Sorceress can’t stop the power of the Irresistible force and in an explosion of magical energy her Tome bursts into flames destroying it’s self and wounding the Sorceress. Nothing but a pile of ash remains from the ancient tome and with it her knowledge of Glittering Robes is lost.
In shooting the raiders shoot at the left RxB unit, all shots miss from their crude bows. On the left side of the battle field the Dark Elf witness the strength of the mighty Cygor as he tosses a boulder big enough to level a unit. Witches hold firm as the boulder smashes just behind them causing no damage to the unit.
Dark Elf Turn 1
The Shades jump into the Building and the Corsairs march up for a next turn switch of places. The Dark Riders on the left move up to block the Gorgon and try and knock a few wounds off. The left harpies fly up behind them ready to move where needed. The right unit flies to block the minos and redirect them to the main battle line. Witches move up to ready to charge the minos if they take the bait and the left Knights make their way slowly to support where needed.
The Sorceress’s Spears unit jumps in the building and the left Executioners move up to the side of the building while the right units move inline as well, right most Knights sit back and wait, RxB sit firm in the Ruins and the Dark Riders move from behind the lines back around the ruins with the Manticore flying behind.
Magic sees the Sorceress cast Final Transmutation 4 of her dice. She manages the IF with 3 6s and Calamitously Detonates killing 5 Spearmen but luckily she survives taking no wounds.
The resulting spell manages to turn the Doombull to solid gold along with 1 mino.
With her last dice she casts Enchanted Blades on the Witches and the Cauldron further buffs them with more blood lust in the form of +1 attack.
The right most RxB along with the Dark Riders all fire only managing to kill 3 of the Raiders, their lose formation and primal instincts helping them dodge the Elven bolts. Still, with 3 of their number gone they panic and take cover behind the main battle line.
Left Dark Riders manage a wound on the Gorgon.
Beastmen Turn 2
The Gorgon charges the building with the Shades who Stand and Shoot and knock a wound off.
The minos take the bait and hit the Harpies. Destroying them on the charge and over running. The run not taking them far enough to contact the witches and leaving the majority of the psychotic elves to face their flank.
The chariot charges the Spear who hold.
The raiders rally from their panic.
The harpies fly from in front of the Bestigor and land behind. Leaving the Bestigor to move forward. (I forgot to move them on the picture.)
Centigor continue to move from the east side of the board to the west.
The left most chariot continues around the building in search of a target to charge.
In the magic phase Doom and Darkness is cast on the Spearman unit with the Sorceress followed by Spirit Leech on the Sorceress. (We later discussed we played the Doom and Darkness + Spirit Leech rule wrong and I shouldn’t have taken a wound. But live and learn.)
In shooting the Cygor takes another boulder and throws towards the left side of the board again, his aim much better this time as the Rock leaves 2 Executioners dead.
In combat the Shades fail their fear check and only manage one wound on the beast. Trading in his 6 normal attacks for killing blow on a 4+. He looks to regain D3 already lost. He manages a killing blow and a Shade and gets 3 wounds back. I can’t remember how but he managed 1 more kill on the unit and they flee from combat. Jumping from the building the Shades end up with their flee roll stopping right in front of the chariot.
The chariot manages 3 wounds on the Spears who do 2 wounds in return. The Beastmen chariot stays locked in combat though.
Dark Elves Turn 2
The right executioner unit charge into the flank of the Chariot to relieve the Spears.
Dark Riders charge the Centigor who hold for the impact.
Harpies charge the Cygor, knowing they can’t beat it. In doing so they leave the way open for the knights to charge the Gorgon.
As soon as the Harpies move the Knights charge into action and smash into the Gorgon.
Witch Elves give into to their Frenzy and charge into the side of the minos who hold.
The Shades rally and stay where they are.
Corsairs move towards the Gorgon to support the Knights should they need it.
The Dark Riders and Manticore on the right continue their move around ready to flank the Bestigor unit.
Right ColdOnes move into a better charge position with a slight shuffle .
Executioner move behind the Witches should the brides of Khaine break from combat.
The Cauldron positions it’s self to benefit as much of the army as possible.
Magic sees Power of Darkness dispelled. Left with a choice to dispel Doom and Darkness or go for a Final Transmutation on the Bestigor. Reckless Dark Elf Mage goes for the destructive option and casts on the Bestigor. Rolling a 14, leaving not enough power. This opens up the Cygors passive power ‘Soul-Eater’. The Sorceress takes her leadership test but Doom and Darkness is her undoing and fails her Ld 6 check and receives a miscast for her troubles. The Magical Feedback wounding her leaving her dead.
A smile on the Hags face at witnessing another disciple of Ghrond die to meddling with the dark arts.
In combat the Witches do 11 wounds only losing 3 Witches in return. The minos knowing they are out matches flee. The Brides of Khaine to caught up in the blood shed aren’t fast enough to pursue and fall half an inch behind the minos.
In the Fight of fast cavalry the Dark Riders do 2 wounds but take 3 in return. Centigors in their drunkenness hold stubbornly.
The Knights do 2 wounds to the Gorgon but again the Gorgon makes another killing blow and heals himself up. The last knight shocked at un-phased monster pulls his mount away and takes flight, only to be run down.
The Chariot manages to kill a spearman and a Executioner. Spearmens spears doing no damage to the chariot. Leaving only the Executioners to dismember the chariot into fire wood.
Both units reform to face the oncoming Bestigors. Executions wheel taking them slightly in front ready to bear the brunt of the charge.
Harpies fail their fear check and are all killed. Their job accomplished though for no greater good.
Beastmen Turn 3
The Gorgon charges the Corsairs who Stand and Shoot, causing 2 wounds.
The Cygor charges into the Dark Riders flank.
The Bestigor charge and hit the Executioners who hold.
The Chariot charges the Shades who chose to hold. A stand and shoot not possible and to flee would achieve very little.
Beastmen harpies fly over and block the Witch Elves from any possible charge on the minos.
Raiders stay put.
In magic the Beastmen cast Fate of Bjuna on the CoB who takes no wounds.
Soul Blight is cast and with the Irresistible Force Dark Elves can’t hope to dispel. All Elven units within 24” are -1 S and -1T. the miscast results in a Magical Feedback, not harming the lvl4 but taking a wound off Slugtounge.
The Raiders take a shot and kill a Witch.
Corsair fail their fear check and lose 8 in the resulting combat. They do 0 wounds and run and luckily get away. Their flight I short lived as the Chariots impact kill the Shades to the elf and the overrun hits the remaining Corsairs.
Dark Riders manage no wounds and are crushed beneath the Cygors stomps.
In the Bestigor fight the Executioner Challenges the BSB. Before the brave Elf can swing his mighty weapon he his cut down by the BSB. The Executioners manage to kill 3 Bestigor and proceed to be hacked up leaving only 3 remaining.
Not willing to give ground the Executioners hold. Knowing the rest of the army is ready to pounce.
Dark Elf Turn 3
With the Roar of the Manticore the Dark Elf army animates as one.
Witches charge the Harpies, who hold.
Dark Riders charge the mino to make him flee closer to the Witches. He manages a few inches.
Around the Bestigor unit all the Elves move for the kill.
Executioners hit the flank to join their brethren, and Spear run into the front to add additional support. Knights also join in the charge meeting the Bestigor head on.
And finally the Manticore gets to taste blood as it smashes into the Bestigors flank.
The Sorceress’s Bodyguard unit jumps out the building, not needing to defend her anymore.
The Cauldron aids the combat by blessing the Spears with the knowledge of the God of Murder and his knowledge of the Killing Blow.
Witches dispatch the Harpies with no problem and look to over run into the Mino, falling half an inch short again.
In the Bestigor combat the Primal Fury of the unit takes over, rolling double ones the unit becomes Frenzied and gains Hatred towards the Elves. A bloody fight is now due.
The Spears with their killing blow direct all their attack on the Lord Caster. 7 Spears thrust at him, but only 2 sink deep into his flesh. Both enough to kill a mortal outright, as the spears retract and the Elves watch the Beeast fall down some dark magic takes over and both wounds are ignored. (The leader managed to pass both 4+ wards, leaving him unharmed.)
3 Knight use their superior mounted skill and strike at the wounded Slugtounge. All 3 lances hit, 2 enough to wound the beast. Retracting their lances both wounds seem to regenerate new flesh leaving the mage unharmed.
The remaining members of the massed combat strike back. All of them only managing 12 wounds between them.
Striking back the Bestigors slay all the Spears to the Elf. The 3 Executioners tired from the last turns battle fall to heavy weapons along with 2 more from the side. 3 Knight fall for their attack on Slugtounge taking 3 wounds and needing anything but 1s to save I roll 3 1s. And to top it off the Manticore takes 4 wounds and falls to the ground. Leaving the Master to fight on foot.
Thus concludes the worst combat of the Warhammer career.
Dark Elves 18 CR, Beastmen 28 CR double 1s all over please.
The 2 Knights flee.
Master flees.
Only brave Executioners hold, stubbornly knowing they must play for their kins kind.
Beastmen Turn 4
Cygor charges the Spears in front of the building who hold.
Centigor charge the side of the Witch unit.
The Gorgon moves closer to the battle line along with the chariot.
In magic Doom and Darkness is cast on the Witches with Irresistible Force. The resulting Magical Feedback not harming any of the Beastmen mages. All other spells are stopped.
The Cygor in combat kills 5 Spears and receive 3 in return. Brave Spears hold. Knowing to kill anything in at this point is a merit to their cause.
The Witches don’t fare as well, lose 4 of their number and only killing 1. They flee and are run down.
Vs the Bestigor brave Executioner champion steps forward and challenges. None answer his call and the unit goes on to kill 6, and are in turn killed to the Elf. Victorious Beasts reform to face the last of the Elven threat.
Dark Elf Turn 4
Dark Riders search desperately to claw some victory points back, charging the Centigor he flees. The unit then fails their re-direct on to the minos.
Both RxB units form to face the Bestigors. And CoB moves from LOS of the Bestigor.
Both the Master and Knights rally.
All the RxB shooting manages to kill 2 Bestigor.
In the Cygor fight the Spears to enough to leave the Cygor on 1 wound as they are stomped to death. 8 die and the rest flee to be run down by the Cygor.
Beastmen Turn 5
The Cygor hides behind the building. The Gorgon moves closer still, linning up to charge the Caldron
The Beastigor charge the Master who holds.
In Magic Doom and Darkness is cast on the Master, but dispelled.
Soul Blight is cast on the Master and the Elves cant muster enough power to Dispell.
Showing off his powers the Shaman casts Caress of Laniph on the RxB unit, taking the soul of a Crossbow Elf.
In shooting the Badly wounded Cygor still has the strength the hurl a Rock, it throw is good and 4 RXB Elves and killed from the projectile. Their Elven resolve hold true and they pass panic.
The Bestigor combat is brief, no challenges are met and the Master causes no wounds and is cut down, the overrun takes the Bestigors into a RXB unit. In a twist of fate the overrun causes some of the Besigors to take Dangerous Terrain. Slugtounge suffering from a battle long wound is the only one to fall and die.
Dark Elf Turn 5
Dark Riders still hunting for kills charge the Raiders who also flee, and the Fast Cavalry fall short, no doubt tired and winded from all the charges.
The Knights enrages at the death of the Master and his beast from the previous combat charge in. the remaining cross bow also join in. Not willing to be remembered as cowards.
The Death Hag atop her cauldron favours such bravery from the RXB charge and blesses them with the power of Killing Blow.
The resulting combat sees tired Elves achieve very little as Knight kill 1 Besigor and are wiped out. Along with the RxB directing their killing blows vs any hero they could see manage 0 wounds and between both units lose 9.
Double 1s all around and none to be had both RxB are wipped out.
Beastmen Turn 6
The Gorgon charges the Cauldron
The rest of the army moves around, Bestigor staying put not wanting to take any Dangerous Terrain tests and happy they have this battle won.
Doom and Darkness is cast on the Cauldron, such magic has no affect as the spell is stopped.
With the Gorgon in close combat the Hags show why they are so feared, delivering 6 poison blows. Enough poison to kill any beast, the gorgon no exception as it falls to the ground.
Dark Elf Turn 6
The Dark Riders too tired to chase any more fire their RXB’s to kill a Centigor, the remaining Centigor passes his panic and the game is done.
The end result was 2434-1092, a massive 1342 win for the Beastmen.
This game was a struggle, Wes is a decent player and goes to many tournaments. His list contained so many tricks that I couldn’t prepare for them all. This coupled with it being my first matchup against Beastmen. I was always told they are a lower tier army but this just shows with a decent general behind them, they are still due their respect.
I know early on in the game when I took the Doombull out and was applying lots of pressure things looked bleak for the Beastmen. Fortunately Wes continued to play on, and in Turn 3 with all the charges it looked to be the end. A massive shift in luck saw my battle plan shattered and from that point I couldn’t see a way to recover.
I know Wes wanted me to post up some of his thoughts, I also invite him to come post for himself:
I was hoping that slugtongue would take down or seriously weaken 2 or 3 of your units before the game but didn't have much luck with him, but after successfully getting the stone of spite off on your wizard I was really wanting to try and take him out with death snipes (in the end the cygor plus doom and darkness did it, ironically your own idea, I hadnt thought of doing that before our chat).
I felt after the first 2 turns that things were looking pretty bad for me with losing my minotaurs, doombull and chariot (messed up my overrun) and at the point of the game where I charged the Bestigor into your executioners I felt as though I had no choice but to do so and hope I could smash through them and overrun through out of danger or at least reform. I six diced the soulblight on the big version because I knew if things went wrong that the spell might keep me in with a chance. Obviously my general, bsb and frenzy got really lucky which through the whole combat my way. After that fight it was really a matter of mopping up and trying to look after my characters points.
All in all a good game and another experience for me, ive identified a few weaknesses in my army I am going to change and just try a few things. To this day I can’t make RxB, I can’t deny how good they are, but offer me a combat unit or a shooty one im going for the combat.
Hope you all enjoyed, the Battle Chronicler Pictures I hope are a bit clearer I know with the Bestigor I forgot to change their size to reflect casualties. That’s why they dramatically shrink at the end of the game. So as you can see I am still making some mistakes. A few more reports and I should be a pro at it. Im looking at getting a quality camera to get some pictures of the table top too to help with clarity. As it stands my phone takes very grainy pictures. Hopefully more to come so watch out for more reports.
And every wound counts. The trouble might be to pick the target as there are so many of them around. Another thing which might be worthy trying is to block big blocks when they use their living shields. Simply park dark riders in front and let them charge you. If fliers decided to charge something behind and open the path for bestigors you can always flee. Slowing beastmen down is quite important. 
