Cassius the Oathkeeper vs Madrak Ironhide, World Ender

Taking me a long time to get around to posting some of these games, but I definitely wanted to discuss this one.  Still at Warmachine Weekend and kind of moseying around Saturday afternoon/evening thinking it would be nice to get in another game or 2 perhaps.  After Zosia ducked me I still hadn't found a game.  Also my wife was looking to enter some of the models she had beautifully painted for me, meaning that my Krueger2 and Bradigus lists were off the table for the time being.  Then, fellow PG Jamie walked by and I was very happy to hear that he wanted to get in a game.  Jamie is a great example of the type of guy you come to a convention to see, so I was glad that we could grab a game.  He's playing Trolls these days, and I figure I'll try out a variation on Cassius.

Lists

Cassius the Oathkeeper (*6pts)
* Gorax (4pts)
* Megalith (11pts)
* Warpwolf Stalker (10pts)
Druids of Orboros (Leader and 5 Grunts) (7pts)
Shifting Stones (2pts)
* Stone keeper (1pts)
Shifting Stones (2pts)
Tharn Bloodweavers (Leader and 5 Grunts) (5pts)
Tharn Ravagers (Leader and 5 Grunts) (9pts)
* Tharn Ravager Chieftain (2pts)
Gallows Grove (1pts)
Gallows Grove (1pts)
Gallows Grove (1pts)

Madrak Ironhide, World Ender (*5pts)
* Troll Impaler (5pts)
* Dire Troll Mauler (9pts)
* Trollkin Runebearer (2pts)
Krielstone Bearer and 5 Stone Scribes (4pts)
* Krielstone Stone Scribe Elder (1pts)
Trollkin Fennblades (Leader and 9 Grunts) (8pts)
* Trollkin Fennblade Officer & Drummer (2pts)
Trollkin Warders (Leader and 4 Grunts) (8pts)
Trollkin Warders (Leader and 4 Grunts) (8pts)
Fell Caller Hero (3pts)
Fennblade Kithkar (2pts)
Stone Scribe Chronicler (2pts)

Scenario

Incursion

Special Rules

Place three flags in accordance with the diagram below. At the end of the second player's first turn, randomly remove a non-center flag from the table. Starting on the second player's second turn, at the end of each player's turn a player earns control points (CP) as follows:
Outer Flag: Control = 1 CP, Dominate = 2 CP
Center Flag: Control = 1 CP, Dominate = 1 CP

Victory Conditions

The first player to earn at least 5 control points and have more control points than the opponent immediately wins the game

If time runs out before a player has won the game via scenario or assassination victory, break the tie as outlined on the Scenario Reference Sheet. For the 3rd tiebreaker, double the army points within 4 inches of each flag

Game & Analysis

Jamie wins the die roll and opts to go first.  We're actually playing on one of the camera tables because they weren't being used, but sadly the game was not recorded.  I don't recall there really being anything intense as far as how the deployment went.  I recall the Warders being on my left, Fenns and friends on the right.  My stuff was pretty typical for me, Cassius and Wurmwood central, Ravagers I think faced off against the Warders, etc.

I'm remembering a decent amount of this game, but probably not in enough depth to go fully turn-by-turn much like I like to.  I really need to start remembering to take pictures, or video or something.  Anyway, the game being Incursion is always interesting.  With the way the scenario plays in SR2014 I'm generally looking to get my warlock on that outside flag early because a lot of armies can't really handle it and it puts them super on the defensive.  Doubly so if they have a small foot print, or if they commit heavily to the wrong flag.

Early turns went about how you'd expect.  He has Hero's Tragedy on the Fennblades the majority of the game, which is very wise as my army is largely melee focused and the Ravagers for instance would love to get multiple attacks in and thus really don't want to be knocked down.  The way the game basically unfolds though is that I try to use spells to kill off some of the Fenns.  On turn 2 I see the flag on my right go away, and I see the Warders aren't contesting the flag on the other side.  I jam my Ravagers into his Warders, Unseen Path and teleport my way over to that flag, throw up my feat and now he has DEF 15 guys in his way.

To end the game I basically try to clear off the middle flag and keep him off of my outside flag, and after spending a bunch of time I succeed.

I really wish that I could recall more of this game because I'm mostly able to remember my play and less of Jamie's.  I do really need to start playing my games faster, this was another one where I saw something and took forever trying to manufacture how to make it work.  Its bad for tournament games and I'd like to not bore my opponent while I'm taking a hugely long turn.  This has been something of a perpetual problem for me, so I think I just need to really start hammering out more games, might even need to start just putting myself on some timed turns for a bit.

Anyway, I recall it being a fun game against a good guy and that was the last game I got in for Warmachine Weekend 2014!