The 333pt 3rd Ed Painting Challenge - Month 4

 Lagruk followed Skagrat into the ruined Dwarf Village but couldn't help feeling like he was being watched, and it wasn't a feeling he liked.  He surveyed the damaged buildings on either side, there was definitely something out there.

"Skagrat!" He bellowed.

"What ya want?" retorted the defiant Goblin.

"Are youz leadin uz inta a trap?" questioned the Orc.

"Nah, wez iz ere now anywayz" said Skagrat pointing at a large building with big wooden doors.

"You wantz uz ta go in dere?" Lagruk asked.

"Nah nah nah, just you, your boyz gotta stay out ere" replied Skagrat with a smile.

"Youz is settin' me up!" Lagruk roared as he lunged at the heavily armoured Gobbo.

He didn't even lay finger on Skagrat before something collided with him, sending him sprawling into a ruined wall. Lagruk groaned, what in Mork's name was that? His eye sight was blurred, a big green blob was coming towards him and reaching out for him, a hand that smelled of rotten vegetation covered his face and fingers closed around his head and lifted him up.

"That wasn't very nice" said a low slow voice "Say sorry".

Lagruk could feel the fingers start to apply pressure to the back of his skull, he hated the idea of apologising to the little git but he liked the idea of his head being turned to jelly even less.

"Ffffffoweee" said Lagruk with a muffled voice.

"I can't hear you" replied the low voice.

"Gofugurfelf" mumbled Lagruk.

The low voice roared and started to squeeze.

"STOP!" shouted a voice, accompanied by a banging on stone "Release him".

The hand opened up and Lagruk fell to the floor. As his eye sight cleared Lagruk could see four stinking Bog Trolls stood infront of him. He looked at his boyz, they all stared at their feet. Lagruk knew he'd get no support there, he stifled his rage and looked for his "saviour".

Stood at the top of the steps into the Dwarven village hall was an old Goblin leaning on a walking stick, it was this that he had presumably used to strike the steps to order the Troll to release him.

"Fank you" said Lagruk, "to what do I owe da save".

"His magnificence wishes to speak with you" said the ancient Goblin. "I am Toadwart, Shamen of the Lost Axe Tribe and adviser to He who shall be obeyed, he has been expecting you".

"What?" asked Lagruk "Ow did e knowz about uz?".

"I am sure he will explain everything" replied Toadwart, "Come" he said as he turned and hobbled inside.

Knowing he didn't have much choice Lagruk shrugged and followed the shamen into the hall, behind him he could hear the inane chatter of the Bog Trolls to Skagrat.

"Hello Skagrat" they each fawned in turn, waiting for Skagrat to reply each time.

Lagruk made a mental note, get the Trolls onside........................

This is my offering for the 4th month of the "333pt 3rd Ed Painting Challenge" Having used the start of the month to finish off catching up and then painting my entry for "The Gathering of Mighty Painters" I was pushed for time so went for as few models as I could get away with and painted another Goblin Shamen and 4 of Drew Day William's Bog Troll sculpts, sold by "Troll Soup Miniatures" in the UK. These trolls are modern miniatures that encapsulate the Oldhammer ethic and are spot on for this army I'm putting together. They are excellent sculpts and really capture the Jim Henson vibe that I feel is so important for Trolls.

Toadwart

Toadwart: Goblin Level 10 Shamen.

Toadwart is the Shamen of the Lost Axe tribe (the same tribe as Skagrat and his Stuntie Stabbaz). The Lost Axe are an offshoot of the Broken Axe tribe who were left behind when Grom the Paunch sailed into the west.

Leaderless and abandoned, the tribe wandered and settled in the forests of the Empire, changing their name and finding new masters in the Grimskullz tribe of Orcs.

Many years later their decedents still serve the Grimskullz, indeed, Toadwart currently serves as one of the top advisors to the Chief.

Da Dung Wunz

Da Dung Wunz: 4 Trolls.

Bog Trolls stink. Unlike River Trolls who live in flowing water, a Bog Troll's natural habitats are stagnant wetlands of decaying plant matter and this stench follows them everywhere they go.

These four have latched onto Skagrat, their simple minds finding a "friend", that said, they know who their real master is, and it's not Skagrat.

The Army so far:

Overall I'm about 16 points short this month but that's not an issue as I know I'm using them up next month......................................

A Gathering of Mighty Painters - Month 1

Gorfang Rotgut was pissed. His was fed up with sharing Death Pass with that little git. He knew he didn't have enough Boyz to challenge Skarsnik directly and until he did he was the lesser power. This had to change, no self-respecting Orc bows down to a Goblin.........................

He needed more Boyz and the only to find them was to go beyond Skarnsik's reach, so that's what he'll do.

Gathering together a mob of Red Fang Boyz and leaving his most trusted Lieutenant in charge, Gorfang and his mob set out from Black Crag and headed into the Badlands on a recruitment drive! 

Here is my first month's entry in the humbly named "Gathering of Mighty Painters Challenge" (I am in no way, shape or form, putting myself up there with the best painters in the world.)

Each month the painters are challenged to paint a predetermined category to paint something from, in this case it was "Unit". They can paint more if they wish but they must paint the minimum requirement for that item in the 4th Ed Army lists.

I'm using the challenge to chip away at my mountain of 4th Ed Orcs & Goblins. At the end of the challenge I'll have a healthy amount of 4th Ed  (and a few late 3rd) Orcs and Goblins finished.

The banner isn't great but it makes a change that a unit of mine actually has a banner painted up at all so I'll take it.

I decided to paint up Gorfang too so that the "army" had a general from the very start.

Now it's time to finish off my 333pt 3rd Ed Painting Challenge offerings for January before moving onto the February instalment for the Gathering of Mighty Painters, the theme for the month is artillery.

Battle on the Border

This game was put together and played in about two hours yesterday evening when Mrs. Snickit and Little Snickit had both gone off to bed. I considered doing some painting but decided to play a solo game instead. Please excuse the very poor photography, the lighting was poor and I'm not the best cameraman, sorry.

I decided to use my newly painted Orc army against my Imperial Dwarfs and used 4th for speed as I know the rules the best, reducing time wasted looking up rules (and yes I know I need to play a similar game using the rules for 3rd).

The game is supposed to represent a small Orc raiding party being challenged by a Dwarf border guard in the foothills of Kellok in the lands that lead to Karak Izor.

Here are the armies:

Spells.

Dwarf Deployment.

The Bolt Throwers take to the high ground.

The Goblin Hunters form up alongside the Boar Spears to pour as many crossbow bolts into the Greenies as they can.

Bron and his Boar Spears rank up for combat.

Dugman and his Rangers also line up, there wasn't room to make a single line. I had planned to move them forward to make a long line but that plan fell apart for reasons you will see.

Orc and Goblin Deployment.

Gork's Stompaz deployed on the right to attack the "weaker" flank that just had Dugman's Rangers on it.

Further over Lagruk and his Maraudaz deployed to make their way forward to go toe to toe with the Boar Spears.

Skagrat's Stoopendus Stuntie Stabbaz were on the ledge to their left to head towards the Goblin Hunters to avenge their kind.

Da Squisha and Grubgut (with Ny'Jal) take up a good vantage point.

Gosh, I really need to sort that Dudes eyes out..............

The Orcs & Goblins got first turn.

Orc & Goblin Turn 1

The Orc turn began with an outbreak of animosity. Both Gork's Stompaz and Skagrat's Stoopendus Stunntie Stabbers suffered internal squabbling and didn't budge, Lagruk's Marauderz moved forward.

Grubgut ZZzzzapp started to tingle so he and his Power Familiar stepped backwards behind the Stone Thrower to reduce the quieten the noise building up in his brain (I realised I'd deployed him close to two units that would add to his Waaagh test, by moving him away from the Orcs that were moving forwards he reduced the jeopardy involved).

The whizzing lights and flashes starting to come out of Grubgut's facial openings only marginally distracted the crew of Da Squisha who landed a rock just in front of Bron's Boarspears, killing two.

Grubgut managed to control the power of the Waaagh and with a summoned Gork himself, a great big green hand reached down from on high and picked up his Stompaz. The massive Orcs stopped their infighting and started to cheer and gesticulate rudely at Dugman's Rangers as the great green hand of their deity placed them within charging distance of the crossbowmen. The Dwarfs failed their dispel but were relieved that they had received "Total Power" nullifying it's threat for at least a few turns.

Dwarf Turn 1.

The Dwarf line held position. Dugman's Rangers loaded their crossbows and let fly at Gork's Stompaz hoping to panic them but not a single Big'un fell. Noticing this disaster Bron Flaik ordered the Bolt Throwers to fire on the Big'uns also, but they only felled one. Dom Brikson, seasoned leader of the Goblin Hunters, lent his lads support too, felling another three Big'uns, but alas, this was not enough to force a panic test.

The Winds of Magic gifted 4 cards, the Dwarfs got two Power cards but the Orcs and Goblins only got two Dispel cards.

Orc and Goblin Turn 2

The the Stunntie Stabbers failed their animosity and promptly charged Lagruk's Marauders from behind. Skagrat, weilding his Sword of Might, killed one Orc, and the Stabbaz killed another two suggesting exactly how much the diminutive Greenskins disliked their oppresive cousins. The rather surprised Orcs fought back killing one Goblin.

Gork's Stompaz charged Dugman's Rangers screaming their battle cry of "stomp stomp stomp stomp stomp stomp stomp" (not very imaginative) losing one to crossbow fire as they closed in.

The Rock Lobber was off target.

In the combat between the Big'uns and the Rangers, Dugman issues a challenge to Dragnatz. The Orc strikes first but misses his attacks, in return Dugman parts Dragnatz' head from his shoulders, winning the challenge. The Bigun's all hit but caused no wounds. The Rangers bring down three Big'uns winning the combat but the Orc's hold.

Dwarf Turn 2

The Dwarf line holds firm again and let fly with their missiles.

The Goblin Hunters and Bolt Throwers kill five of Lagruk's Maraudaz who, beset from all sides, have had enough and panic past the jeering Stoopendus Stunntie Stabbaz.

Dugman and his Rangers kill three Big'uns for no loss, breaking them and even catching them and slaughtering them to an Orc. This proves even a basic Dwarf with a very big axe is a dangerous opponent as they were too much for the elite Orcs.

Grubgut tries to rescue a bad situation and summoned Gork once more to carry the Stoopendus Stunntie Stabbaz towards their foes.

Orc & Goblin Turn 3

Lagruk bashed heads and brought his Boyz back in line in time to see Skagrat and his Ladz charge the Boarspears in the front and a rock crash down onto a bolt thrower but doing no damage to either the warmachine nor the crew.

Lagruk knew the game was up well before the Goblins swung a weapon. Bron issues a challenge and strikes first due to the Master Rune of Swiftness. Skagrat didn't stand a chance, Bron's hand flail making a mess of Skagrat's head. Surprisingly the Goblins kill a single Dwarf but lose five in return and promptly turn tail only to be run down.

Grubgut fails to summon enough Waaagh energy to do anything.

Dwarf Turn 3

The Boarspears about face and head back to their starting position in disciplined ranks. The combined fire of the rest of the Dwarf army fells another four Orcs who, for their credit stand their ground but now there are no longer any units strong enough to power up Grubgutz.

A note is made in the Book of Grudges of Karak Izor for the deaths of three Dwarfs and a a veil is drawn over the debacle of the Orc and Goblin raid.

I'm going to give this game a second running in the next few weeks but I'll tweek the Orcs and Goblins. I'll swap the common Goblins for Night Goblins to benefit from hatred, add in a Fanatic and swap the Power Familiar for a 1st level Shamen. My biggest mistake was wanting to stick to my freshly painted models so went with common Goblins, I think Night Goblins would be a better bet. I may also swap the Big'uns for Trolls.

I think if the Orcs had been able to move on the turn they were charged by the Gobbos then the battle may of gone differently.

What do you think Dear Reader? Yes I know the Dwarfs massively benefit from hatred of the Orcs and Goblins but to be honest I forgot to re-roll missed attacks at least once and they never had to make a break test so it may not have played as big a part on the game as I thought. The other interesting flip could be to make the scenario a Break Through and make the Dwarfs the attackers.......................