Druchii Army:1493
Master-BSB=Banner of Hag Graef, Hvy Armor, GW, SDC,RXB
Master-Guiding Eye, Ring of Hotek, Hvy Armor, GW, SDC,RXB
Master-Ring of Darkness, Hvy Armor, GW, SDC,RXB
5 Dark Riders + Mus.
5 Dark Riders + Mus.
34 Shades w/ GWs Including Bloodshade
Hydra
Empire Army:1500
Battle Wizard-lvl2, (2)DS, Horse
Battle Wizard-lvl2, DS, Horse, Ring of Volans
10 Knightly Order w/ Full CMD, Magic Banner
10 Knightly Order w/full CMD. Magic Banner
10 Handgunners
10 Handgunners
16 Greatswords w/ full CMD
2 Mortars
Helstorm Rocket Battery
Deployment:
I put my Death Star right smack in the center, he countered by placing all his artillary central also. He also played both Knightly orders to my weak side.
Turn 1 Empire::
The Gods Smile upon me! Empire recieves first turn and decides to sit back and pummel me with artillary barrage. All three war machines MISFIRE! They roll well however on the chart except one mortar cannot fire next turn. Is this an omen?
Turn 1 Druchii:
I move my force forward, but keeping my Dark Riders back a bit and out of Handgunner range. A full salvo from the D-Star on his mortar gets just enough hits to kill all three crew! Huzzah!
Turn 2 Empire:
He decides his war machines are a little fickle so he decides to move in with his magic. His first wizard attempts to casts Fiery Blast on my Shades with 3 dice but the Ring of Hotek spells out the caster's fate as he rolls; 666! His miscast reveals that I can cast a spell, but seeing I don't have any casters it is wasted. This time his Helstorm hears the call of 666 and reigns down destruction upon my shade enough to cause a panic test on a unit of 37! And they pass.
Turn 2 Druchii:
The Dark Riders and Hydra press forward crossbows blazing and breath weapons on full burn. Both Handgunners take casualties as the D-Star unleashes it's wrath on the wizard and his Knightly bodyguard, killing him and some knights.
Turn 3 Empire:
In this turn he has decided he's had enough and charges both Orders at the D-Star, I stand and shoot the weaker knights killing enough to cause panic and they flee. the other order slams into the shades but the Banner Gives the unit Strike First with hatred and Great Weapons, killing eight and making them flee. The artillery gets off, but they are over shot.
Turn 3 Druchii:
My hydra charges the Helstorm crew, they fail the terror test and flee off the board. The sky is yet again filled with bolts!
Turn 4 Empire:
Both knights flee off the table, and the last crewman of the mortar fails the proximity terror test and follows. The Handgunners do manage to kill some Dark Riders, which after fail a panic test and run.
Turn 4 Druchii:
THe Dark Riders rout, and the hydra charges the Handgunners who flee in turn. Shooting phase sees 9 Greatswords fall, but they pass their panic test.
Turn 5 Empire:
The gunners rout, and the Greatswords charge my Dark Riders and I flee as a responce.
Turn 5 Druchii:
Feeling the inevitable grasp of death the Handgunners meet the Hydra face to face with bravery, for which they are slaughtered by the beast. Yet another round of firing whittles the Greatswords down to just the champion.
Turn 6 Empire:
The Champion charges my Dark Riders and being a good sport, I let them take the charge...with 2 attacks the champion kills both of the remaining Riders slaying the unit.
Turn 6 Druchii:
Play scene from The Last Samurai....
Thoughts:
I got very luck this game. His artillery back fired on him, and judging by the one Helstorm hit this battle would have been very different if they worked. His magic didn't get one spell off, and his heroic Knightly charge did little more then stir the air. I can see the extreme effectiveness of this tactic even against 1+ armor saves the sheer volume of fire lays waste to them, coupled with the GW attacks leaves little to attempt a charge. If I were to play this game again I would drop the hydra for some harpies and go right for his artillery and mages becuase next time I may not be so fortunate!
Everyone makes mistakes and thinking Hydra has 360-LoS is quite understandable.
