Phase Three Results for The Deployment Zone's - Tamurkhan, Throne of Chaos Campaign and Updated 2012 Project Log.

The third phase of the Deployment Zone’s – Tamurkhan, Throne of Chaos Campaign has come to a close.

The second phase lasted two weeks and during that time there were 37 games reported and 58 participants.  In the third phase Tamurkhan forged an unholy alliance with the Legion of Azgorh and their infernal warmachines.  The now swollen Chaos horde travelled to the Plain of Bones and battled the ancient Nightmare dragon lord there for dominance over the region. 

Both the Chaos and Opposition have scored a win for the past two phases.  The Opposition managed to win 17 out of the 37 games reported while Chaos pulled out 20 victories.  The Campaign Point total for the phase however was a tie with a score of 61 to 61.  This phase was rather unique in that well over 75% of the games played used the Special Scenario: The Crossing of Fire, so there were a lot of high scores in this phase.

Total Games Reported: 37

Total Opposition Wins/Points Total:  17 Wins – 61 CP’s

Total Chaos Horde Wins/Points Total: 20 Wins – 61 CP’s
Special Scenario played (The Crossing of Fire): 30
Dread Hosts used: 7

Narrative Battles: 2  
Storm of Magic: 1

Notable Battles during Phase 3:

2800 point The Crossing of Fire Battle – The Dread Host of Athel Loren vs. Warriors of Chaos

The special scenario was played using an Athel Loren themed Dread Host where a Level 4 Emperor Venom Dragon led an army of Stags, Unicorns, Griffons and Dragons against a Warriors of Chaos list. 

The Dread Host of Athel Loren

Level 4 Emperor Venom Dragon – General

2 units of 3 Great Eagles w/ all 3 upgrades

2 units of 4 Royal Unicorns

2 units of 4 Great Stags

1 unit of 5 Deepwood Unicorns

2 Griffons

2 Dragons
                The Dread Host of Athel Loren fought a well balanced Warriors of Chaos army and had the upper hand until in the top of the 5^th turn the Emperor Dragon was Infernal Gateway’d into oblivion and the Chosen managed to carve up two dragons.  The army, having lost all three dragons and both stag units fought well but in the end suffered a defeat when the Griffons and remaining unit of Royal Unicorns couldn’t break the unit of 30 Chosen.

3500 point The Crossing of Fire Battle -Skaven vs. Dwarfs

A Grand Battle of Skaven and Dwarfs was fought in Omaha where a Slayer themed Dwarf army fought a Clan Pestilens themed Skaven list.  The Dwarfs won the battle at the end after breaking the back of the Skaven army by destroying both Plague Furnances.

3000 point The Crossing of Fire Battle – Dread Host vs. Daemons of Chaos

A fire dragon lead army of monsters fought and defeated a fairly brutal Daemons of Chaos army.  The Lord of Change and his legion of Pink Horrors and Flamers of Tzeentch could not overcome the fury of a Nightmare Dragon!  The game ended at the bottom of turn 6 and it was one of the big Opposition wins that helped tie the phase.

Phase 3 has resulted in a TIE!  The final outcome of winning each phase will be released when Phase 5 has completed and the final scenario has been released.

The second part of this post is to outline what the next few months will encompass as far as projects, themes and posts.

The Tamurkhan campaign only has 2 more phases and 6 weeks left til it over.  When the campaign has ended, I will hopefully be finished painting the Beastmen army.

Upcoming Project Log for 2012:1.  2800 OFCC 2012 Warhammer Fantasy – Beastman Army

-          Finecast Doombull

-          2 units of 5 Ungor Raiders

-          1 Razorgor Chariot and Wargor

-          1 Great Bray Shaman and conversion

-          57 Gors

-          5 Harpies

-          30 Bestigors (75% completed)

-          Display Board

2.  Realm of Battle Game Board and Extensions – Painting and Flocking

3.  Terrain (4 Citadel Trees sets, 2 Arcane Ruins, 2 Garden of Morr, 2 Dreadstone Blights, 1 Watchtower, 1 Chapel, 1 Manor House set, 1 Fortress Set, 2 Citadel hills, 1 Warhammer Barbie Tower (forgot name but I know you instantly know what I am referring to), 6 Arcane Fulcrums and about 6-8 other of the buildings that I can not remember at the moment. 

4.  2800 OFCC 2013 Warhammer Fantasy – Bretonnia Army:

                This army has not yet been determined; I am considering and biding my time until I find out if they are receiving a new book this year or in 2013.

5.  2000 Warhammer 40k Ulthwe` Eldar – Army reconstruction

                I currently possess well over 3500 points of Eldar but I am currently in the process of redoing the entire army.  I will not start this project until after both 6^th edition Warhammer 40k has been released and the new Eldar codex has been dropped.  I currently plan on incorporating several Forge World models that were featured in the Imperial Armour 11: Doom of Mymeara such as the Warp Hunters. 

6.  2000 Warhammer 40k Eldar Corsair Army

                Once I have received the Imperial Armour 11: Doom of Mymeara and both 6^th edition and the new elder codex is released I will be also attempted to augment my existing Eldar collection with the new Corsair options to give me an additional Eldar army with a completely different feel and ruleset.

7.  Preferred Enemy Compendium -

                I would like to flesh out the Preferred Enemy compendium with at least one unit from every army to provide a more comprehensive tactical collection for Wood Elf players.

8.  35pt and 75pt Warmachine - Retribution of Scyrah Army

                I currently only have 75% of a 35pt army completed and I plan on completing this army using the new Games Workshop paintline.

9.  35pt and 75pt Hordes – Circle Orboros Army

                I will be assembling and painting a 35-75 pt army of Circle Orboros.  I already possess all the models I just need to get off my butt and assemble them.

10.  2000 Warhammer 40k Black Templars

                I will be adding new units and reconstructing the army in anticipation of the new Black Templar codex and 6^th edition 40k.

11.  1000 Warhammer 40k Dark Eldar army

                I currently possess an unassembled Dark Eldar army that I will be assembling and painting up this year.  Having worked on the armor of my Bestigor unit, I have figured out an excellent method of painting the Dark Eldar much like how they were outlined in White Dwarf. 

12.  1000 Warhammer 40k – Bran Redmaw Space Wolves

                Using the Imperial Armour 11: Doom of Mymeara and the current Space Wolves codex; I will be assembling and painting a Bran Redmaw themed …13^th company Space Wolves army.  This army may not actually exceed 1000 points but I am working rather hard this year on expanding my collection and hobby to be more than just huge sprawling armies but rather multiple armies of varying sizes which can always be expanded upon later.

These are the 12 Labors of John that I will attempt to complete for the remainder of the year.  Each of the bullet points should be a topic moving forward and/or an update for the blog.  You’ll notice that there is a huge influx of 40k items in the list.  I have decided that in order to provide a better podcast it is more reasonable for me to continue to play both games rather than only focus on Warhammer Fantasy.

Black Sheep Brawl - Tournament Results!

This weekend I had the pleasure of competing in the first annual Black Sheep Brawl at Borderlands Games in Salem, OR.  Chris Bailey and Paul Wilworth of the Order of the Black Sheep gaming club organized and ran this 2400 point Warhammer Fantasy tournament.  The event was filled to capacity with 32 players and had a fairly diverse assembly of armies.  The Brawl was a three round tournament that used the standard basic rule book scenarios with a few modifications.  My cohosts from The Deployment Zone Podcast and I as well as a large number of the Ordo Fanaticus gaming club were in attendance at the event.  We will be putting out a special 6.5 episode which covers the Brawl.

I chose to bring my Wood Elves since there was going to be a painting portion in the overall judging and also because it's my favorite army.  As I mentioned earlier, there was a fairly diverse group of armies that showed up to the event and oddly enough there were seven dwarf armies present (ungh).  I believe every army was present with the exception of Beastmen and Dark Elves.  The tournament was  roaring success and the energy and attitude was both very, very good.  Everyone at the event had a good time and Chris managed to garner a rather large amount of prize support for the event.  There were several prizes and awards given out at the end of the tournament and I personally look forward to the next Brawl.
My list for the Black Sheep Brawl:
Highborn, extra hand weapon, Bow of Loren, Arcane Bodkins, Scout Kindred
10 Waywatchers
14 Glade Guard w/ Standard Bearer and Musician, Banner of Eternal Flame
14 Glade Guard w/ Standard Bearer and Musician
10 Dryads w/ Branch Nymph
6 Wild Riderds w/ full command
6 Treekin
1 Great Eagle
1 Great Eagle
Level 4 Spellweaver, Rageth's Blades, Rhymer's Harp, Lore of Life
Noble, BSB, Asendyl's Bane, Dragon Helm, Light Armor, Hail of Doom Arrow
18 Eternal Guard w/ full command

My first opponent was Tim (TJP on the Ordo forums) and his Warriors of Chaos army.
His army was composed of the following:
Level 4 Sorcerer Lord - Nurgle
Level 2 Sorcerer
20 Marauders, full command
Hellcannon
Warshrine
18 Warriors w/ Mark of Khorne and Extra hand weapons
18 Warriors w/ Mark of Tzeentch and Halberds and a BSB Hero
2 x5 Marauder Horsemen
3 Trolls
5 Warhounds

The first scenario was the Battle of the Pass that had an additional scenario rule that the Donkey Keg Cart worth 500 vps at the end of the game if you have possession of it at the end of the game.  The deployment for the Warriors of Chaos was primarily centralized near the center.  I think Tim's strategy was to control the center and surround the cart.  I deployed heavily to in the center so that I could easily swing to the right and own the flank.  Tim got first turn and at first the game was swinging his way until the bottom of round 2 when he lost both units of Marauder Horsemen, his Warhounds, and his Level 4 on the disc.  Over the course of 4 more rounds Tim had everything except his Warshrine and his Battle Standard Bearer slain and I scored a victory with 2532 vps to 713.  Tim was a great opponent who also pointed out a rule that I had been incorrectly playing which was that flying units may charge over others.  That adds a whole new level of annoyance to my strategies!

The second game I played against John and his Warriors of Chaos.  He had a substantially different list than Tim and this game was played on the second table.  John had the following units in his army:
1 Level 4 Sorcerer Lord on a Disc
1 Level 2 Sorcerer Lord on a Disc
30 Warriors of Chaos with halberds, Blasted Standard and Mark of Tzeentch
30 Chosen of Chaos with halberds, Banner of Rage and Mark of Tzeentch
1 BSB Exalted Hero
2 Warshrines

The second scenario was the first battle mission - Battle Line with all terrain being mysterious.  A river bisected the table and successfully split the board.  John deployed his Chosen on one side of the table and his 2 sorcerers, warshrines and his Warriors on the other.  I set up almost my entire army in the center and left side of my deployment zone.  My goal was to avoid his Chosen and pick apart his army and deal with the Chosen last.  The double war shrine was pretty tough since he was able to augment his Chosen twice a turn and give them some serious punch.  In the first turn I managed to slay his General on the disc then I Dwellers Below'd his unit of Warriors reducing them by 17.  The Chaos Sorcerer on a disc and Warshrine paniced and ran through the unit of Chaos Warriors causing them to flee.  The next turn my Great Eagles ran off 2 units off the board while the Chosen continued to march toward their targets - my archers.  In the end I managed to destroy everything in his army except the Chosen who I fed a unit of Glade Guard and 2 Eagles and my Wild Riders to keep them from running through the army.  I ended up scoring a victory with 1600 vps to 713.  Thank you for the fun game John!

The third game was played on the second table again and this time instead of Warriors of Chaos I got to fight John's brother Chad and his Chaos Dwarves.  This was a seriously fun game and I got to see just how strong the new Chaos Dwarf army was.  The scenario was the Blood and Glory mission with the addition of three to four smoke elementals that provided cover modifiers to shooting and when charging or fleeing you rolled an additional dice and discarded the highest if you charged through it.  The smoke elementals drifted 1d6 per turn.
Chad decided to bring the following:
Level 3 Sorcerer Prophet on Bale Taurus
2 Level 2 Daemonsmiths
2 Dreadquake Mortars
12 Infernal Guard w/ Fireglaives
30 Internal Guard w/ Great Weapons
Castellan BSB
8 Bull Centaurs

Once again I did not get first turn and got to see first hand how powerful the Dreadquake Mortars are as they shelled and caused my Treekin, Glade Guard and Waywatchers to stay put for the first turn.  The Dreadquake Mortar causing all of my affected units to take Dangerous Terrain tests whenever I moved is crippling to the Wood Elf army since mobility and movement is one of their strengths.  On my turn I managed to charge his Bull Centaurs in the flank with my Wild Riders and hit his General on the Taurus with my Eternal Guard.  My Spellweaver Dwellered half of his Infernal Guard with the BSB in it reducing them by 13 models, and I caused his Bull Centaurs and General to flee combat costing Chad one of his standards.  Turn 2 reduced my Treekin down to three models and he managed to reduce one of my Glade Guard units by 4.  The bottom of turn 2 resulted in the General being charged, challenged and caught as he fled combat which provided me with a 720 to 0 victory over the Chaos Dwarves.

The tournament results were listed here.  I went 3-0 through the entire tournament and ended up winning Best Overall and was crowned Grand Champion of the Black Sheep Brawl 2012!
This was the Trophy I received:

The results:
Winners:
Overall: John Kersey - Lord of Awesome
Brush Master: Moses Jones
Exalted General: Maurice Maynard
Most Excellent Opponent: Ellie


I would like to thank Chris and Paul and all the others for running an excellent tournament and I had an absolute blast.  I am also pleased that the Wood Elves made a killer showing and winning the entire tournament was an excellent way to start the new year!

The next day my Alabama Crimson Tide won the National Championship over LSU!  ROLL TIDE!!!

Birth of a new Podcast! Enter ... The Deployment Zone!

Birth of a new Podcast! Enter ... The Deployment Zone!


A few weeks back a friend of mine asked me (John) if I would be interested in doing a podcast about gaming. I looked at him as if he were insane because I couldn’t imagine anyone wanting to listen to me for five minutes more a less several hours. Josh convinced me that it would be so we decided to move forward with the idea and ended up purchasing the equipment from the good gentlemen that ran the Waaghcast! We also ended up inviting another friend of ours, Bryan, to join us and so the Deployment Zone podcast was born!

It took us a few weeks but we finally managed to get together and write out an outline and record the test episode which we aptly dubbed…Episode 0. We had a good time recording it and after listening to it, we’ve discovered what we need to do to make it flow better and provide a well rounded podcast to listeners.

The Deployment Zone is available here:

http://thedeploymentzone.com/

I encourage folks to listen to it and leave some comments either here or on the website. If you can get past listening to me rambling on and on, then you may just enjoy it! We’ll be discussing Warhammer Fantasy, Warhammer 40k, Hordes, Warmachine, Malifaux, and other games as well as reporting on the Pacific Northwest’s tournament scene. You’ll also hear about battle reports (and some of them won’t involve rambling!) and army list comparisons. I’ll be linking many of the blog’s battle reports and the podcast together here using Battle Chronicler.

Once we have a few episodes recorded we’ll move on to I-tunes for easier downloading.  We'll be recording Episode 1 this up and coming Monday and it's going to be rad...yes...I said RAD.

Thanks for listening!


Now digressing from the post a little bit and going on to what I’ve been doing lately.
I’ve managed to accomplish the following Gaming tasks in the last two weeks and I’ll be providing a battle report this weekend of my game this up and coming Saturday as well as pictures of what I’ve modeled/painted.

1. Battled and defeated The Empire with my Beastmen.
2. Set up a game against High Elves this weekend – Wood elves may make an appearance.
3. Rewrote my Beastman list again to be friendlier at 2500 and 3000 points.
4. Bought and assembled a Chaos Spawn
5. Painted the Mage Hunter Strike Force for Warmachine
6. Read Guardians of the Forest by Graham McNeill.
7. Assembled my new Spellweaver (plastic dark elf spellcaster model to now be convereted).
8. Purchased another box of Ungors and Minotaurs – hehe…
9. Obtained 34 Tanith Imperial Guard models...wtf?

You’ll see updates from those in the next couple posts.

Enjoy!