Found at Last- Flamming Brilliant!

I'm sure we've all done it, lost a mini we need somewhere in the lead pile and you just can't find it until you stop looking for it!

For it was this Chap, a Bright Wizard (OK his plastic not lead). You'll have to excuse the rushed blurry pics.

I painted him about 8 years ago and was quite happy with my work but then, after playing some Advanced Hero Quest (solo games for my shame.....) with him just over 3 and a half years ago I tided him away and I hadn't been able to find him since.


Until last night!


Whilst scouting around for my Dark Elves (naturally after committing to paint High Elves and Goblins for "The Battle For Maugthrond Pass" scenario for BOYL 2016) I happened upon a box that I couldn't remember packing before we moved.Opening it up I found, to my delight, the mini I'd be hunting for for the last few years.


He needs a bit more work and I'll post up better pics when I've done him but now I want to paint my Empire up so I can use him - oh the fickle nature of being a gamer.........................

BOYL Day II

OK, so in an arse about face way, here's an account of what I got up to on Day 2.

Before I do though I need to show you these two ladies:

These are the two Escher Gangers that I wanted to add to my Necromunda Gang (The Cleaning Crew) prior to BOYL. They were exceedingly rushed as they were painted in a couple of hours but I think they've turned out quite well.

I wanted to get them done as Quick Ben and I were planning a Necromunda game or two at some point over the weekend and I may of needed them, as it was we got one game in and I didn't need them at all but at least they're done now!

The game we played was a bit risky as the only table we could nab was out in the midday sun, nowhere near a speck of shade and it caused a fair bit of burnt skin and sadly, because it was so hot and blinding, we rushed the game a little (being of fair skin and near ginger hair myself and the sun don't really see eye to eye). Still, we got one in and that was the main thing, well, that and having fun.

There's not too much to write up about the game except that I was having abysmal ammo rolls. By turn two both of our Heavies were out of ammo and my Gangers weren't fairing much better. In the end I pulled off the same sort of trick I did in both of the two Warhammer 4th Ed games we played. One of my flanks crept a little forward before holding position, although two were gunned down by Quick Ben's advancing Gangers down this flank. On the other flank I used my "Tunnels" territory to set up hidden a little away from Quick Ben's deployment zone. With the Sun getting hotter I threw caution to the wind and ran from hiding out into the open and after avoiding a deluge of gun fire from a good portion of Quick Ben's remaining Juve's, Gangers and Leader, my own Leader (Rosie Lee) and her best two Gals (Taloola and Ayisha) took down enough of Quick Ben's Gals (he also plays Escher) for him to voluntarily "Bottle Out".

We both had fun and yet another win under my belt -"Huzzah!"

The afternoon saw my participation in "Forenrond’s Last Stand" run my Fimm with the able help of my Brother (Erny) I was quietly confident after winning this scenario with the Orcs and Goblins two years earlier at the first BOYL, an account of which can be found here:

http://snickitstail.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/oldhammer-weekender-part-2.htmls

Fimm was doing things a little differently though as he'd decided to do the scenario in 2D with the card counters found in the 3rd Ed BOB. This was really exciting as Erny and I used these card counters for our first forays into wargaming for quite a while. I was so excited that I forgot to take pictures so I'm unashamedly stealing Erny's pics - sorry Bruv but I'm sure you won't mind!

As you can also see the battlefield was a rather nifty 2D affair too, drawn out by Erny especially for the battle.

I don't want to steal Fimm's thunder and write the report for him so I won't give too much away except that it was over by turn 3. Now I've played it a few times but I think that may be a win in record for that particular scenario!

Much fun was had by all at BOYL 2015 and I even managed to get my win ratio right up. Now, I know it's not all about the win I know surely you can allow me a little victory dance can't you?

So.............................. who's up for doing it all again????????

BOYL Day 3 - Varl Snickit Appears

Warlord Varl Snickit watched as the Man-things deployed for battle, forming a central fire base of Crossbowmen and Manling Gun with their old Warlock behind them.

One flank was mobile, possessing all of their cavalry, consisting of two units of Knights and one of Pistoliers. On the other flank deployed their foot troops, one large one with halberds and the other smaller in heavy armour with a cannon in support.

As each of their units moved into position so too did he set his plans to counter them. Snickit sent a unit of Clanrats to the flank opposite the Man-thing foot troops along with a small unit of Slaves and a Warlock. They had strict instructions to hold their position and draw the hu-mans towards them. Snickit placed no troops in the centre of his army. He had no desire to march his troops into a killing zone with no cover to hide from the missile fire. On the remaining flank Snickit deployed the strength of his army. If he could draw the cavalry out to this flank and the foot troops to the other then he'd of divided the Empire Army in three whilst retaining the main fighting strength of his army in once place. Here he had placed his personal Clanrat retinue, accompanied by the ever faithful/backstabbing Neek bearing his Standard. He also had another Clanrat swarm, his four Jezzails, the frothing disciples of Clan Pestilens - the Plague Monks, his Slave shield and Skurry, the Clan Skrye Warlock Champion who had sold him the Jezzails. With a thrashing tail Varl drew himself up to his full height, twitched his whiskers and gave the command to advance.......................

As the Skaven advanced they crested the hill in front of them.

 The Meatshield was goaded forward in front of Snickit's Retinue.

The Jezzails took up a position on top on the hill.

Vask's Clanrat Swarm moved around the hill and Fleabit's Unwashed Disciples moved behind.

On the other flank the Skaven took shelter behind the hill.

Skurry blasted off his Storm-Daemon, only for the Grey Wizard to read aloud a scroll and disipate the magic. Skurry let out a frustrated scream as he felt the energy drain from the magical halberd, he'd not be using it again today. In order to try and make up for this he used his magics to open a crevasse up between himself and the Pistoliers, one of whom fell to his doom.

The Empire's Knights moved towards the bulk of the Skaven Army.

The Pistoliers flee from a charge from Vask's Clanrat Swarm.

The Hellblaster, having no targets in range, moves forward.

The Empire foot troops move towards the Skaven troops........................

.......................... lurking behind the hill.

The Empire Knights charge the Meatshield, slaughtering them,they would then crash into Varl's Retinue who waited for them at the top of the hill.

The Skaven on the far flank continue to hold a tactical postion known to some as hiding/cowering.

The Hellblaster moves forward again, along with the Grey Wizard. At this point Skurry launched himself with Total Power at the Grey Wizard, slaying him in close combat, only for him to use the Winds of Magic to Escape.

Stalemate ensues as the Empire Knights keep slaying Clanrats but the numbers, Standards and higher ground keep the Skaven in the fight. Despite quaffing a Potion of Strength Warlord Snickit fails to slay a single foe.

With the trap sprung the Skaven move away.  A tune can be heard on the wind, a melody associated with the great thespian "Benjahmeen Hügel".

The Empire Troops are far from impressed.

The Slaves breath a sigh of relief as their miserable lives are spared.

Thrut lift's his spear high in celebration at a job well done.

The Helblaster finally fires at a target - Vask's Clanrat Swarm. They had been about to fire at Skurry but he Skitter Leaped away skant moments earlier to chop down the newly returned Grey Wizard again (that poor chap didn't have much luck at all this weekend, he died in both games, twice in this one).

After dispatching the Jezzails in close combat the Knights Panther prepare to charge the Plague Monks.

Vask's Rat Swarm, having not lost too many to the Hellblaster, prepare a flank charge of the Reiksguard Knights.

This charge, plus the Skitter Leaping Skurry joining the fight, routs the Knights.

Who would of had Plague Monks in their other flank after Fleabit single handedly slew the Knights Panther.

The Empire Foot Troops realise the game is up, they can't get over to the other sideof the battlefield fast enough to affect the result, especially with Thrut's Clanrats bearing down upon them.

Another win for Snickit - HUZZAH!

More importantly both Quick Ben and myself had oodles of fun, so much so that he's 99.9% certain that he's coming back with me next year!

Did Snikit have another Jungle Meat Kebab This Year at BOYL 2015?

Yes, he did.

The FIRST BOYL 4th Ed Battle!

On Friday Morning Quick Ben and myself headed up the M1 to the Foundry for BOYL2015 (sadly, due to traffic this 2 hour journey was doubled up to 4 hours - D'OH!).

Once there we hastily set about putting together a game of 4th Edition - yup, you read that right, 4th Edition! To the best of my knowledge this is the first time 4th has been played at BOYL and I was a little worried how it would be perceived as there is a large chunk of the community who turn their noses up at anything younger than 3rd Edition and certainly wouldn't dream of bringing a game of "Herohammer" to an "Oldhammer" event.

I really needn't of worried though as anyone who did stumble across our little game seemed to be interested and intrigued. The biggest turn off for many is the Magic system but everyone who watched it was waiting to see the Magic phases and see the big whiz bangs happen. I was so encouraged by the comments we received that I am definitely going to champion 4th Ed at future BOYL's. In fact, I'm hoping to be able to run the Battle for Maugthrond Pass next year replacing the plastics and cards with appropriate lead minis. I'm also hoping to run a little 4th Ed campaign if possible using the 5th Ed campaign rules.

Anyhow, enough bleating, here's a summary the game we played, Empire (Quick Ben) Vs. High Elves (myself) with some nice pictures taken on my ipad, a much improved camera than the one used to take previous BOYL photos in the previous 2 years!

The Empire set up

Pistoliers on one flank

Reiksguard on the other

A centrally placed hill held Crossbowmen, a Grey Wizard Champion and a Helblaster

Next to the hill was a unit of Halberdiers and a Gold Wizard

Lastly, just off centre was Reiksguard Foot, placed to defend a Great Cannon

The High Elf set up

My centre was held by Spearmen and a Repeater Bolt Thrower with a small unit of 6 Archers and another Repeater Bolt Thrower (out of shot)

A unit of Silverhelms lead by my General stand ready on one flank (opposite the Pistoliers)

Pheonix Guard hold my other flank, with a Mage on this side...............

................................ and a Mage Champion on the other

A Great Eagle waits for a signal to take flight behind a copse (so it didn't take flak!)

The Battle went something like this:

After an uneventful first turn (except the Great Cannon smashing one of my Bolt Throwers to bits) the first action is the Pistoliers charging my Silverhelms.

The Halberdiers march towards the Elves who hold back. Two Archers are lost to crossbow fire. My Phoenix Guard edge forward to draw the Reiksguard Knights on. My Mage hides in the woods.

Two Spearmen are lost to the Cannon

Two Silverhelms fall to pistol shot at point blank range

But kill three in return

The Pistoliers flee and manage to out run the Silverhelms. In the next turn they charged the Pistoliers again who flee the battle. The Silverhelms are left in a position where the Great Cannon could blast along their line.

The Phoenix Guard, having lured the Reiksguard Knights on, turn to move behind the safety of the woods, note, due to the turn they only have a frontage of 3. The Mage casts The Sanguine Swords with Total Power. In the first combat turn I attempted to kill the Empire General with little success. In the next two turns I used it to assassinate the two Empire Wizards, except the Grey Wizard used Escape to save his life.

The Great Eagle dives down onto the Cannon to prevent it blasting my Silverhelms. I had wanted to take out the Helblaster but I thought this was a greater threat at this particular moment in time.

The Reiksguard Knights had been cautiously making their way forward, trying not to be charged by my Phoenix Guard or shot up by my Bolt thrower.

The Eagle kills one of the crew who flew. I decide to stay put with my Eagle to stay out of the Helblasters sights.

The Phoenix Guard charge the Hallberdiers and the the Eagle, who charged the fleeing Cannon crew redirects his charge into the Halberdiers rear. If things weren't bad enough for the hapless fellows they also had a Fiery Convocation cast upon them, this coupled with a round of combat reduced their number to just their Standard Bearer.

The Silverhelms cast an ominous shadow as they reform to face the Rieksguard foot.

And look even more ominous from this angle

At this point Quick Ben knew his number was up and fired off his Helblaster into the combat. Killing his Standard Bearer and nine Phoenix Guard - ouch!

The Reiksguard Knights, depleted after Magic and Bolt Thrower bolts faced off against the majority of the High Elf army. The crew of the smashed up Bolt Thrower bravely try to stand between the Knights and their fellows

The Silverhelms crash into the Reiksguard Foot.

The Eagle circles high about the hill,working out where next to strike.

The Empire General stands alone, his brave Knights blasted apart by Magic and Bolt

The Silverhelms rout and catch the Reiksguard Foot, slaughtering them.

It was at this point the Quick Ben conceded defeat. This game was quite one sided but I did get a heck of a lot of luck (I think this was the new dice I bought the week before BOYL). It should be pointed out that Quick Ben is far from a bad General, his plans have given him victory more often than not in our games over the years we've been playing. It just seemed that everything came together for me in this battle. The sweeping flank on one side worked wonders and the fainted attack on the other slowed the Empire's Knights down enough to still draw them on but make them very cautious. Even my unmoving centre drew the Halberdiers out of the battle line. If only all games could run so smoothly.................................