Here's a game I've been meaning to report for a while now.
This game is against @picotheguyyo , our Daqan player. I bring my usual elves, with a few new changes to my list from last time.
This battle is unique in that it is my first (long awaited) matchup against a KariThorn. Never seen one before.
My list
'Vangaurd'
200/200
Ventala Skirmishers [30] 2x2
Maegan Cyndewin [10]
Tempered Steel [3]
Metered March [2]
Hedge Shroud [2]
Total Unit Cost: 47
Deepwood Archers [42] 3x2
Verdant Sorceress [3]
Tempered Steel [3]
Frontline Aymhelin Scion [6]
Close Quarters Targeting [3]
Total Unit Cost: 57
Prince Faolan [36] 1x1
The Spirit Sword [6]
Etharyon of the Ailatar [5]
Total Unit Cost: 47
Leonx Riders [18] 2x1
Rank Discipline [4]
Total Unit Cost: 22
Aymhelin Scions [25] 2x1
Bolo Nets [2]
Total Unit Cost: 27
Picotheguyyos list
'KariThorn Hybrid'
199/200
Oathsworn Cavalry [46] 2x3
Forged In Battle [4]
Tempered Steel [3]
Raven Tabards [2]
Moment of Inspiration [5]
Total Unit Cost: 60
Rune Golems [17] 1x1
Total Unit Cost: 17
Kari Wraithstalker [32] 1x1
Fortunas Dice [6]
Wraith Step [1]
Total Unit Cost: 39
Lord Hawthorne [34] 1x1
Shield of Margath [6]
Might of Daqan [4]
Total Unit Cost: 44
Deepwood Archers [30] 2x2
Tempered Steel [3]
Metered March [2]
Rank Discipline [4]
Total Unit Cost: 39
Objective and Deployment:
Battle of Champions is a fun one, makes for straightforward brawling with a twist. Overextended pairs nicely with it.
Setup:
Terrain got me squeezed pretty hard on deployment. The fissure became problematic to get clear of in 1 turn, even with EoA on Faolan.
The Daqan prepare for a cav flank under a hail of arrows.
Round 1:
The Daqan hold back while the Oathsworn move into position. Hawthorn and the Golem move forward to protect the Deepwood line.
Faolan does half the work of unpacking, moving the Ventala into terrain so they can shoot later.
The Scions swing around to intercept the Oathsworn. The Deepwoods double shift to support the Ventala.
The Leonx do not clear the Fissure, and land in a bad spot for the next round.
The ventala score 1 wound on the golem.
Round 2:
Red runes are cast, and the the Golem charges. He rolls well enough, but the Ventala hedge shroud the damage to 1 wound.
The Ventala hit the golem back, destroying him.
The Deepwoods shift from Faolan triggering them with EoA but they find no target to shoot.
Hawthorne moves in aggressively to threaten the Ventala.
The Leonx make an unsuccessful march and are decimated by the Daqan Deepwoods.
Round 3:
Hawthorn charges the Ventala, he takes a full tray off the unit.
The Ventala Shift/shoot, leaving the terrain and putting a wound on Hawthorn.
Faolan tries to correct the Deepwoods poor placement, but continues to not get them a shot.
The Oathsworn stare down the scions from across the board.
Kari cautiously leads the Deepwood line forward.
Round 4:
Hawthorne dials in a melee, expecting charging cows, they wait for an i8 ranged attack instead, getting a wound on Hawthorne.
The scions drop a wound on Kari.
The Oathsworn quick March into the scions, accepting the panic and immobillize to pin the scions in place.
Faolan closes on the terrain while pushing the deepwoods into a better position.
The deepwood line is finally in range!
Round 5:
Faolan shifts himself and shifts the Ventala back, letting Hawthorne charge empty terrain.
The Ventala score another wound on Hawthorne.
The scions get splintered by a heavy Oathsworn attack. The Oathsworn then lose 6 figures from the deepwoods attack.
Faolan takes a wound from Kari.
Round 6:
Faolan charges Hawthorne, kills him and avoids Magarth damage. Then, the Oathsworn charge and kill Faolan.
My Deepwoods and Ventala plink another tray off the Oathsworn.
Kari and the Deepwood line keep closing.
Round 7:
The Oathsworn jump into the terrain.
The Oathsworn fall to my Ventala
The Daqan deepwoods drop a tray off the Ventala.
Kari marches into the terrain.
Round 8:
Kari and the Deepwoods drop the Ventala.
The Deepwoods score 2 wounds, but dont have tempered steel refreshed for the 4th.
Daqan wins!
Afterthoughts:
Whereas Church tends to play aggressively, usually breaking a weak flank and rolling my army, Picotheguyyo plays in a very defensive manner. It suits Daqan very well.
He kept his forces in good positions most of the game, letting me play into worse positions by playing more aggressively.
Biggest issue I had was getting my deepwoods into position (though he did too).
Hawthorne running the Might of Magarth build is pretty great. His army buff and inspiration casting basically pay for themselves by round 2, so then sending him off to be a deadly nuisance worked great. He is a pain to kill, and if you do it via melee, he'll give back more than he takes.
I want to see more Kari/Latari builds, they add some new elements I have not gotten to look into in the game yet.
I am enjoying the Deepwood hammer formations again. Faolan pushing them with EoA is very helpful, as getting stuck in melee isn't so easy anymore.
The Deepwood KariThorn line is impressive. I'll enjoy seeing this more often, and eventually maybe some Darnati.
Thanks for reading!
