MKI comes to a close... is it the end of Broken imbalances?

I have been playing Hordes now for around 2-3 years, sticking mainly with Trollbloods the vast majority of the time.

With the finalization of the MKII rules eminent and the fact that MKI will most likely never ever be played in our LGS again it is time to retire my MKI numbers and start up some MKII stats. The MKII stats will be more inclusive, there will be a column just for me but I will be collecting stats from around ten other Troll players as well. It is sad to step away from this being a personal thing, but in the future the blog will be better for all the Troll players not just me. It appears the broken imbalances will be erased in MKII, but for now we will have to wait and see.

So here they are in all their glory... the numbers!

The first set of numbers is my overall win/loss percentages with each Troll Caster since the first day I picked up the Troll battlebox. In the first months of playing, my poor Trolls almost never ever won, unless you count 8 tough rolls in a row against rKaya on my third or fourth game when my Impaler then moved in and one shot her. Since that time the numbers have been better putting most my averages at almost 70% win. Here is the list.

Army	W	L	D	PCT
Cygnar	19	8	0	70.370
Cryx	10	19	0	34.483
Khador	14	3	0	82.353
Protectorate of Menoth	13	3	0	81.250
Mercenaries	3	0	0	100.000
Skorne	15	9	1	60.000
Trollbloods	6	1	0	85.714
Circle of Orboros	9	5	0	64.286
Legion of Everblight	14	4	0	77.778
Warmachine	60	33	0	64.516
Hordes	44	19	1	68.750
Totals	101	51	1	66.013
	STRK		W7

As you can see I struggled against Cryx ALOT, but there at the end my winning streak of 7 was the second longest streak of my MKI career, then best streak I had was with Grissel, Horthol and Longriders with 11 in a row.

The next set of numbers I started collecting was killing blows. This stat was to keep track of which one of my models ended up with the caster kill. I started collecting them about the time of the release of the Hero and you don't caster kill every win so the numbers are smaller. Here are my results.
Warcaster/Warlock Killing Blows (top 10)

* Trollkin Hero - 10
* Earthborn Dire Troll - 9
* Borka Kegslayer - 7
* Grim Angus - 6
* Troll Impaler - 5
* Trollkin Champions - 4
* Madrak Ironhide - 4
* Grissel Bloodsong - 3
* Dire Troll Mauler - 3
* Mulg The Ancient - 2

As you can see, the Hero took some names. His MKI incarnation was downright brutal the turn after I sacrificed a few Champs to get the Hero into position. My Earthborn also seemed to always get a caster dead or get him close enough for a few Champs or Grim to pick it off afterword. MKII has killed the Heroes assassination capabilities making him more of an infantry killer but the Earthborn and nowadays probably Mulg will gladly fill those shoes.

My last stat was the caster win stats, mainly because I wanted to see how my goto casters did AND because I can't help myself.

Caster	W	L	D	PCT
Borka Kegslayer	9	2	0	81.81
Calandra Truthsayer	6	5	0	54.55
Grim Angus	29	12	0	70.73
Grissel Bloodsong	19	7	0	73.08
Hoarluk Doomshaper	1	4	0	20.00
Hoarluk Doomshaper, Rage of Dhunia	3	5	1	33.33
Madrak Ironhide	26	10	0	72.22
Madrak Ironhide, World Ender	5	2	0	71.43

While Borka owns the best percentage, by and large my favorite two casters to play were rMadrak and Grim. These two presented each end of the spectrum for Troll playstyle in MKI and were usually the best options to keep my opponents on their toes. If they planned for a Brick they had to hope they didn't see Grim. Grissel needs mention as I won a lot with her and she and Borka are my only two first place tourney finishes.

The new numbers should be bigger, better and more inclusive. Some won't be on the blog for a bit, but they will get there. We will have what was there before, but this time we will include not only each caster's win percentage, but their percentages against each faction.

On a side note I am looking for a way to setup on online form where those giving me numbers can input them on their own instead of sending them to me, then I can just open the inputs and update the blog. If anyone has that expertise they are willing to lend it would be fantastic.

Also I would like to welcome a few new authors to the Scrum. The ever popular and insightful Sevwall is a very experienced Troll player and is quite active on the PP forums. Kaptain Von is a newer Troll player than spends much of his time on the dark side of the game over in Cryx land and will provide an excellent point of view about Trolls. I have always thought Cryx to be the army that is most like Trolls, though many will say it is Menoth or Khador. And finally Josh Gardner a.k.a General Nemo from the PP forums, he has typically been what I would refer to as 'The Voice of Reason' on the forums. I am still looking for a couple more to contribute here if anyone wants a place to post Troll musings AND announce upcoming events in their local LGS.

Grim's Gunners

Grim could feel something different in the world around him but couldn't quite pinpoint it.  He of course had bigger issues at hand, with two separate Cygnar armies approaching.  He looked through is scope at one of them lead by a very old, very capable looking man. He knew Nemo instantly though he had never met the man.  His army was co-ordinated and very precise though they looked more relaxed, "Nemo would surround himself with veterans," Grim mumbled under his breath.  He swiveled his scope the other direction to take a look at the other group of Cygnar's warriors.  A mounted man he had met and barely defeated in battle only once before.  He had with him a handful of jacks including one that made Grim shiver just a little.  Though he couldn't place the casters name, he knew a Hunter when he saw one.  As he watched the two separate armies array themselves against him he caught a glimpse of something in the mounted caster's eye... yes he saw it in Nemo's almost saddened expression.  One of the two Cygnar caster's was a fake.  Some dropout journeyman with some potential, but unable to pass the final tests to become the leader Cygnar wanted.  Grim nodded to himself and decided which one of the two he thought was a phony and set his army in motion. "Cannonball," Grim said to his battle-hardened Earthborn, "I found some jacks for you to smash, you wanna go get em?"  Cannonball grinned and started off in anticipation of one of his favorite games... Beating up on Warjacks.

In what will probably be our last MKI match ever, only three people showed up for game night so we decided to play 500pt armies against each other.  I rolled highest with Grim and opted to go first, Nemo went second and Kraye went third.  Our armies to the best of my knowledge.

Faction: Trollblood TR
Points: 495
Model Count: 9
Victory Points: 18

Grim Angus Points: 76
Troll Axer Points: 72
Troll Impaler Points: 75
Earthborn Dire Troll Points: 125
Alten Ashley, Monster Hunter Points: 32
Rorsh Points: 100
Brine Points: 0
Swamp Gobber Bellows Crew [2] Points: 15

Faction: Cygnar CG
Points: 499
Model Count: 9
Victory Points: 17

Captain Jeremiah Kraye Points: 87
Hunter Points: 88
Lancer Points: 76
Ironclad Points: 103
Gun Mage Captain Adept Points: 32
Journeyman Warcaster Points: 25
Major Katherine Laddermore Points: 59
Eiryss, Mage Hunter of Ios Points: 29

Faction: Cygnar CY
Points: 498
Model Count: 26
Victory Points: 19

Commander Adept Sebastian Nemo Points: 75
Squire Points: 18
Thorn Points: 93
Gun Mage Captain Adept Points: 32
Journeyman Warcaster Points: 25
Black 13th Gun Mage Strike Team [3] Points: 77
Sword Knights [6] (0 added) Points: 56
Sword Knight Officer & Standard Bearer [2] Points: 27
Alexia Ciannor Points: 52
Thrall Warrior Points: 0
The Risen [6] Points: 0
Lady Aiyana & Master Holt [2] Points: 43

Okay let me stat of by saying that I made these pics a few days after the game, so exact distances and movement may not be totally on.  At least you can get an idea of the flow of the game from them.  I will put some blurbs in but will for the most part only put in deaths and some pivotal attacks in the turn listings.

Deployment - Trolls went fist and I deployed in the middle of my side with Nemo to my right and Kraye to my left.

Turn 1 - DeathsAlten Tr KILL pEiryss Cg

Alten turned an winked a Grim, he knew of course that he couldn't normally shoot that far and that Grim had likely helped him.  They respected each others ability of course, and both of them could handle themselves, but that didn't stop them from competing one with another.  Not to be outdone by that wiley Troll ablino he set his sights again on the next target sensing Grim's help again he still knew hitting his target was all up to him.

Turn 2 - Deaths

Alten KILL Tr Journeyman Cg
Holt Cy KILL Laddermore Cg

KRAYE FEAT
Lancer, Ironclad CG KILL Brine Tr
Gun Mage CG KILL Thrall Cy

Eager to help as much as Alten did, Rorsh sent Brine running in.  No matter how hurt his big friend got he always seemed to survive when the battle was over, "Let us make Cannonball wish he got there first eh Briney, go take a hit and then take him down."

Turn 3 - Deaths
Brine Tr 2-Shots Ironclad Cg
EBDT Tr 2-Shots Lancer Cg
Kraye Cg HITS Alexia KILL 3 undead Cy
GunMage Cr KILL Thrall Cy

Cannonball did think too much, but he did think that stupid pig deserved to be out of the fight while he finished off the other jacks... They were his to smash, but he would let the pig have one at least.



Turn 4 - Deaths
Grim Tr - Alexia Cy
GRIM FEAT
Impaler Tr KD Officer and SK Cy
B13 Cy KILL Gobber
Gun Mage Cy KILL Gun Mage Cg
Kraye KILL Holt Cy

Nemo thought to outflank Grim while he dealt with what must be a Kraye imposter,  Nemo would let them beat each other up a bit before he fully comitted his forces to the fight. The Gun Mage next to him said in alarm just as Nemo himself noticed what was happening, "That Troll has literally crushed him and our forces are unable to engage him, we may be too late sir." Nemo just scowled at him, he had lost some initiative but his sword knights were more than capable of taking down those beasts of Grim's.  His respect for that Troll has just increased however, his reputation for being a true hunter of men was becoming quite apparent. "We will hold because we must, but when the Trolls spell fades we will cut him off from his support"  Just as he spoke those words though, Rian of his Black 13th was cut down from Grim's friend in the Tree's... wasn't he supposed to be a beast hunter?

Turn 5 - Deaths
Alten Tr KILL B13 Rian
Axer Tr KILL Sword Knight x2 Cy
Rorsh Tr KILL Sword Knight x1 Cy
Impaler Tr KD Officer KILL SK Cy
B13 Cy KILL Gobber Tr
B13 Cy KILL Rorsh
Hunter Cg BEANS Grim Tr xFer


Turn 6 - Deaths
EBDT Tr KILL Kraye, Hunter deactivates.
Cg OUT
Impaler KILL Sword Knight
Axer KILL Sword Knight Standard Unit Flees
B13 Cy KILL Axer

Laying on the dirt wondered what had gone wrong, the imposter Kraye finally realized he was not whom he thought he was.  He had the vague impression of being in a Cryxian ritual in which they made him who he was... but if he was not Kraye, then who was he indeed.  As he choked on his last breath he almost thought he could remember training as a junior to Kraye fresh out of the academy.

Nemo's Gun Mage was bolstered by his own success against the imposter and Nemo's ability to command.  He turned his guns up towards Grim thinking to help put this Troll to an end. As he squinted down his sights he saw Grim's rifle pointed his way...

Having done all he could to help Grim, it quickly became apparent that his last kill would be the end of him. He hunkered down in the trees pretending to be hit by the last shot from a shooter whom he thought might be better than he was.  As he lay hidden in the uderbrush, he realized that his left arm had gone numb and could feel a pool of blood forming around his shoulder, maybe he was out of the fight.  As he drifted into unconsciousness his already high respect for Cygnar grew a little more.

Turn 7 - Deaths
Grim Tr KILL Gun Mage Cy
Impaler Tr KILL Journeyman
EBDT takes out most of Thorn no kill
Nemo Hits Grim for no damage
B13 KILL Alten
B13 Hits Grim xfer to EBDT
Sword Knight Rally
Nemo Flares

Grim still couldn't shake the feeling that something was changing in the very fabric of the world around him.  He shook his head, he was not used to being so easily distracted.  Cannonball roared from the side as he tore into yet another warjack and Grim refocused, this time on Nemo himself.  It would be unfortunate to kill a general of Nemo's ability but he would do what he must.  He leveled Headhunter and fired, watching Nemo stagger but not go down.  As he leveled to fire again lightning blasted into his side.

Nemo was hurt, more than he had been in a long time.  Sending lightning powered by his own invention into Grim he watched the damage melt off him and into his giant Warbeast.  The fight not yet being over, he blasted another bolt towards Grim but missed high.

Turn 8 - Deaths
EBDT CRIPPLES Thorn
Impaler misses Nemo
Grim REDUCES Nemo to 2 Damage
B13 misses Grim
Nemo hits Grim for no damage
Sword Knights x2 KILL Impaler


Losing another one of Madrak's Impalers was not going to make him happy.  It was time to end this, he leveled Headhunter at Nemo again and found himself looking Nemo in the eye.  Nemo nodded and signaled his withdraw.  Grim nodded, put down his rifle and used the bond to let Cannonball know the time for fighting was over.  He could hear Cannonballs' roar of protest but knew today's carnage would be enough.  The fight had been costly but he had somehow came up on top.  He saw that Rorsh and Brine though badly hurt were already gone and set off to find Alten.

Turn 9 - Deaths
Grim KILL Nemo
NEMO OUT

Alten awoke with his head pounding, his foggy eyes began to clear and he focused in on his rescuer.  It was Grim, smiling knowingly, "Good showing Alten, you did quite well today," Grim cuckled, "Have some whelp ale and we will discuss who had the better shots."  Alten grimaced and swallowed down some ale, he knew Grim would poke fun at him for having to rescue him, "sounds like all your doing is hiding in some trees when you should be shooting Cygnarrians.  Don't worry though, I got all the hard targets for you," Alten chuckled and grimaced again at a new wave of pain in his shoulder.  Grim, usually quiet, actually bellowed and then pointed at Cannonball who was wearing the top of a hunter's head for a cap while grinning widely.  They both chuckled at the hulking beast and the three of them set off for Madrak's camp, Grim would have to see if Madrak had felt the strangeness to the world.

Grim Takes MKI out with a bang.

In what will most likely be the last Mark I game played with my Trolls we played a three way match pitting a 500 point Grim list vs a 500 point Kraye and a 500 point Nemo, last night.

Needless to say it was a glorious battle full of all the things we love in Warmachine... battle report coming soon.

Borka vs Seige Battle Report

Not the first time Borka wished his Keg Carrier would stop bathing in their Kegs of Whelp Ale. He had to admit though that it seemed to be bringing him luck. Luck for Borka often meant warriors around him died, but those that fought along his side knew he would always go where the battle was thickest. He crushed another mug of ale and began tapping his mace on his knees... he needed action, this forest was getting boring.

"We have found some enemies," Seige's Gun Mage Captain reported, "a small group of Trolls have wandered too far into our territory sir." Seige didn't dislike the Trolls, in fact he had fought beside them on more than one occaision and found them to be more honorable than most humans. That and the punishment they could both take and dish out in hand to hand combat was downright legendary. His orders were clear however, all invaders to this part of Cygnarian territory were to be eliminated. There was too much secrecy in Cygnar right now. Trolls were nasty in hand to hand combat, which is why he planned to shoot them do death. He signaled his officers, whitout a word they sprang into action. Respect for the Trolls was one thing, but his duty to Cygnar came first.

My Army
Borka Kegslayer
Pyg Keg Carrier
Dire Troll Mauler
Krielstone Bearer and Stone Scribes
Trollkin Champions
Fell Caller
Fell Caller
Trollkin Hero
Trollkin Hero
Stone Scribe Elder

His Army (I think)
Major Markus 'Siege' Brisbane
Squire
Black 13th Gun Mage Strike Team
Journeyman Warcaster
Stormguard 10/10?
Gun Mage Captain Adept
Defender
Reinholdt, Gobber Speculator

MAP
Our Map was full of terrain with a couple low diagonal walls in the middle with a blocking silo off the middle left. A couple of big forests close on each left side, with a small treeline running up the right side.

Cygnar won the roll and opted to go first.

Deployment
Cygnar - His Stormguard were right up the middle with his jack, caster and solos right behind them. The B13 lined up along my left flank.
Trolls - Everything in the middle of course. Though two Fel Callers and one Hero did line up accross from the B13.

Turn 1
Cygnar - The B13 headed straight into the forest running to get there. The Stormguard also run right up the middle. Seige shields the SG and moves up and to my right behind them.
Trolls - Champs run to the first low wall in the middle. Both Fel Callers and a Hero run towards the B13 falling a few inches short of melee. Mauler and the other Hero hang back putting the silo in between Cygnar and themselves. Borka casts mosh pit but forgets to hit the Hero in front of the B13 with Bum Rush.

"Hang back you Bone Headed, Sons of Brag." Borka gave his men a free hand, but if they didn't listen to him the few times he had orders for them then he would let them die of their own choices. Seeing the Fel Callers run out into the open to be shot by the Cygnarian Troops was foolish for Battle hardened warriors. Live or die, those three would not be sharing his Ale with him anytime in the near future.

Turn 2
Cygnar - Sure enough my mistake costs me the lives of a Hero and a Fel Caller to the B13. The SG move up just out of range for Champs to charge and stop. Not wanting to kill Kenny Ground Pounder hits the Champs doing little damage. The Gun Mage moves over to shoot at the other Hero behind the Silo and hits him for four damage. Seige leaves the SG shielded and his jack takes a shot at the Mauler but is out of range.
Trolls - Fel Caller stabs Rian to death and is pretty much done, alone with the remaining two B13 means he will probably die on his next turn. Champs run to engage the SG, Borka upkept Mosh pit and moves up hoping to bounce of bomb off the jack and into reinholdt but it misses and drifts intot he SG doing no damage. Borka casts Bum Rush on the Hero and then Kenny LQ's Borka and moves up and in front of him. Stone casts +2 Armor and stands right next to Kenny.

"That Troll looks to be almost the same size as the legendary Slaughterborn," the Journeyman commented to no one in particular. To wich Seige replyed, "I know him, stay back and shoot him if you want to live. His name is Borka, and his ability to smash up his enemies is almost as great as his ability to drink." Seige could see the battle unfolding and knew it to be a rout. Borka's front line was nearly collaspsed, his flanking warriors were destroyed and his beast looked pretty hurt. Accompanied by little losses on his side and it was a bad day for Borka... It looked as though Borka didn't care and was even drinking, and was that little Troll actually bathing in the keg?

Turn 3
Cygnar - The B13 Finish off the last Fel Caller. Gun Mage shoots at the Stone killing the sacrificial scribe behind him. Seige activates and feats but is reluctant to use Ground Pounder near Borka for fear of killing Kenny the Keg Carrier. The jack shoots the Mauler cutting its life in half and the SG kill three Champs one of them making tough, Mosh pit doesnt work as his SG are lined up in two rows.

Borka relized he would be taking matters into his own hands, his Mauler Dave had already suggested it crudely. The Mauler was acutally learning to speak a crude version of the common Troll tongue. "Kenny get out of that Keg and bring me the whole keg," Slaying the Keg he nodded to Dave and once again Borka got a flying lesson.

Trolls - Having lost too many warriors and not killed enough of his stuff I decide its time to go for it. The remaining three Champs kill a few stormguard on the end trying to open a lane for Borka. The Stone moves up as far as is and and Pops the +2 STR aura. Kenny activates and puts LQ on Borka. The Mauler goes next putting Rage on Borka and steps up behind him to throw, Borka nearly Str checks out of the throw but the drift of 2" directly toward the gobber puts him in pefect position. Borka then activates and proceeds to beat Seige's face in, @ POW20 it is dice -1 on damage. Borka boosts to hit on the first attack and does 15 damage on four dice, buys a second attack boosts to hit and damage dealing an additional 14 damage ending it for Seige.

The last thing seige remembered was seeing Borka flying directly towards him through the air, thrown by his Dire Troll. Borka hit the ground running and promptly bashed Siege in the head. Seige was dazed seeing spots before his eyes, he tried focusing on his warcaster ability to aid him but his mind was too fuzzy. As he looked up at Borka he saw the mace coming at him again unable to scramble out of the way everything went black. He awoke in a clearing with waht was left of his army, some Storm Guard and two Black 13 members. "The Gun Mage has left to get help," Lynch said, "They destroyed any who resisted along with our jacks and left us with a small keg of their brew." Seige chuckled and wondered why Borka had left him alive.

Synopsis - Running up the Fel Callers was supposed to be a distraction for the B13 so they could get killed allowing the hero to Bum Rush them. A good tactic IF you remember to cast bum rush. Mosh Pit was useless against a ranged army. I will miss the Borka Bomb in MKII.

Grissel vs Seige Summer Rampage kickoff battle

Grissel sat looking at the small Pyre Troll with her, suprisingly it was a female and had been with her since her mate had been taken from her. Smoke and ash rising off her skin the Pyre Troll was in a small island of clear air while the rest of Grissel's army lay shrouded in the cold mist. "We must take the ridge," Grissel grimaced at how well even her most muted commands seemed to carry through the air. Without question her handpicked Champions and their hero's jogged quitely towards thier objective.

For Once Trolls had priority so we played in IOS as per our battleplans. We rolled the Ridgeline scenario and the global effect gave everyone stealth for two rounds. Our map had a small forest and some ruins on his side of the board and a house and hill on my side. He rolled highest and elected to go first.

My List
Grissel Bloodsong, Fell Caller Points: 70
Pyre Troll Points: 68
Trollkin Hero Points: 38
Trollkin Hero Points: 38
Krielstone Bearer & Stone Scribes [4] (0 added) Points: 34
[*]Stone Scribe Elder [1] Points: 18
Trollkin Champions [5] Points: 106
Trollkin Champions [5] Points: 106
Swamp Gobber Bellows Crew [2] Points: 15


His list
Major Markus 'Siege' Brisbane
Squire
Journeyman Warcaster
Defender
Sword Knights
Sword Knight Officer and Standard Bearer
Black 13th Gun Mage Strike Team
Gun Mage Captain Adept
Lady Aiyana and Master Holt
Reinholdt, Gobber Speculator

Deployment and Turn 1
Cygnar - He ran his gun mage into the ruins his sword knights up the middle to the ridge with his caster, squire, jack and journeyman up the side of the ruins. The B13 took the other side with A&H.
Trolls - My Champs all ran up the middle with a Hero on each flank. Grissel hoofs the stone and move up behind the Champs with the Pyre on her heels. Gobbers drop smoke on the Champs and stone pops armor.

In a puff of cold smoke the Gun Mage reported to Siege, "The mists obscure their adance, we cannot see them well enough to target them." Un-Impressed Seige stepped up and made the Ground all around the center of the Troll army erupt killing a few and suprising the Troll witch leading them.

Turn 2
Cygnar - Seige moves his battlegroup up a bit and pounds Grissel doing seven damage and killing a couple scribes. Gun mage shoots a scribe who toughs. B13 tries to flare a misses and so cant hit my stealthed stuff. A&H move around the house. Knights charge the Champs but have some really bad dice. and don't do much damage.
Trolls - Grissel feats one unit of Champs kills many many knights. The other units runs and then hoofs it to surround two of the B13 while a Hero charges the third killing him the hoofs towards Holt but is out of range to engage him. The other hero charges up to the defender and kills Reinholdt but misses the gunmage on his backswing. Scribes move up and Gobbers attempt to block A&H with smoke.

Seige made eye contact with Grissel and held up his hands to indicate she had missed him. Watching Holt go around the house and shoot her in the back he had a feeling the Troll witch would soon be dead. As he moved up on them he watched the normally competent Rian blow up her unit along with a few Trolls. He flung a spell at Grissel and watched in unbelief as it sailed wide, and scoffed as the Gun Mage fumbled so badly out of the ruined house he couldn't even get a shot off at Grissel.

Turn 3
Cygnar - Rian toasts three Champs and the rest of her units. Holt goes around the house and gets a bead on Grissel hurting her a little leaving her with seven wounds. Seige halfs everyones armor and tries to kill Grissel but misses rolling three ones. the Defender kills the hero and the Gun mage tries to finish off Grissel but comes up short on range. the last few knights kill a champ and he is done.
Trolls - Pyre Troll frenzies into a couple of sword knights and the champs finish them off securing the objective so I end my turn for the win.

Having taken the ridge Grissel made eye contact with Seige and held her hands up to indicate he had missed. True to form she allowed the remaining Cygnar army to withdraw. It was time for a drink afterall.

Even though Seige could no longer see the Trolls or even the ridge he could still hear the faint song from the Troll witch and had to admit that it entranced even him.

Stryker Suggests Wargames To Madrak In Preparation For The PKA.

Link to BACK STORY

Madrak was still very unsure about this recent alliance with Cygnar. In light of what was happening to Grissel he could not understand why one part of Cygnar would fight them while the other part would help him. Either Leto did not have control over all its army or he gave each group more latitude then they should. Of course who was he to talk, his kith were sometimes just as likely to attack each other as they would an enemy.

"Our Warlocks practice against each other in Mock Combat," Madrak suggested to Stryker, "It keeps us sharp and helps us to learn our strengths and weakness." Stryker would have to remind himself that though some of the Trolls were not very smart, some of them were indeed quite intelligent... "We do much the same with our Cygnar armies, what say you to a match then to sharpen our wits," Stryker almost goaded Madrak, "Rowdy grows restless, and I fear without an outlet our armies may decide that the PKA is an enemy to far away." Stryker was hoping to get a better look at the way these Trolls fought on the field. He could easily see that with their technology his ranged attacks would tear apart these Trolls, as they seemed to have very little in the way of ranged weapons and the ones they did have were either old Cygnar guns or crude sticks. "It is time for war then," Madrak grinned to Stryker as he Grabbed Rathrok with both hands and flung it at a nearby Tree, splintering it. As the Axe reappeard in his hands, he gripped the Axe haft with both hands flexing. Stryker knew intimidation tactics when he saw them. "Let us work out the rules of our mock fight then," Stryker said as he turned to walk towards his tent. On his way the earth shook under Madrak's feet making him stumble and almost fall...
We played a 500pt Duel in preparation for our upcoming Escalation Tournament. Our terrain looked something like this. Only rough terrain are the rocks in the middle.

My List.
Points: 499
Model Count: 11
Victory Points: 17

Madrak Ironhide Points: 64
Slag Troll Points: 70
Troll Impaler Points: 75
Dire Troll Mauler Points: 111
Fell Caller Points: 35
Trollkin Hero Points: 38
Trollkin Champions [5] Points: 106

His List (I think)
Points: 496
Model Count: 17
Victory Points: 18

Commander Coleman Stryker Points: 64
> Squire Points: 18
> Thorn Points: 93
> Ol' Rowdy Points: 121
Journeyman Warcaster Points: 25
Black 13th Gun Mage Strike Team [3] Points: 77
Stormguard [9] (3 added) Points: 98

We rolled off and he won and so decided to go first.

Deployment

Cygnar - He deployed on the top of the map with his B13 behind the Trees, Stormguard, Rowdy, Stryker, Squire in the middle and journeyman on the far left.
Trolls - Its Madrak so I bricked up middle right, Hero on the left flank, Fel Caller on the right, Slag and Imp in back, Mauler left of the Hero and Madrak in the middle.

Turn 1
Cygnar - He Snipes the B13, they move up into the trees and hit my middle Champ for 4 damage. Yeap shooting 25" or some such nonsense. Stormguard advance up the middle with Rowdy behind them and Stryker behind him with the Squire. Journeyman and Thorn go left.
Trolls - So without gobbers and the KSB I am feeling a little exposed and screwed. I run to my right a little towards the B13 but only about 8", Champs go V-formation Maddy surefooted in the middle with the two lights bringin up the rear. The Mauler stays left runs his full 10" twowards the rocks.

"Let them taste our range boys," Stryker said over his comm to the Black 13th, "they are tougher than most humans, but even they cannot withstand our barrage for long". Without hesitation they moved up and unloaded on Madrak's front lines.

Turn 2

Cygnar - He kills my point Champ, and nails Madrak with the B13, I take 10 damage with one hit and opt to scroll the 14 damage from the next hit instead of pushing it off. His SG run over in front of the trees and Rowdy moves up to countercharge position. Thorn runs up Mauler gets Eartquaked down and he gets hurt decent.
Trolls - Champs run to engage the SG, Mauler does the same to Rowdy after the Fel Caller stands him up. Madrak Surefoots while the Hero blocks the lane to him on the left. Farstrike the Slag and end up with no fury. Slag moves up and hurts Rowdy boosting damage, good hit but Rowdy chooses where it goes. Impaler goes for a slam and misses but the two have Maddy's left flank covered.


Turn 3

Cygnar - Mauler dies a Horrible death to Rowdy and Slag gets near killed as well. He does some CMA on Champs do little. My Slag gets hurt a little. Not much else since he put most his effort into killing the Mauler. He feats giving all his crap +5 armor add in arcane shield to Rowdy and he is ARM 18. The SG are ARM 23.
Trolls - My Fel Caller Tries to charge the far right SG and misses on both hits. The Champs hit alot but only get through the armor on a couple of them. Hero decides to sacrifice himself and charges up to Rowdy's base going after Stryker but misses and can't damage on the backswing. Slag does no damage to Thorn and the Impaler hits for no damage as well. I'd say his feat worked great. Madrak actually tries stonefall in an attempt for a critical, yeah its a pretty good critical against WM... He doesn't get it.

Madrak was impressed by Strykers command of his army, they did not leave him many openings and forced him to react to their movements. Seings his beasts nearly out of the fight he knew he was about about to lose and decided to go for broke. "Champions ready your blades and slice through their lines," Madrak bellowed as he turned to the Hero, "Grissel sends you to me with high praise, show me why she thinks so highly of you and she will hear of your glory directly from me!" The Hero gritted his teeth and set to work on yet another human Warlock.

Turn 4
Cygnar - He CMA's the Champs again nearly killing the one blocking los to Madrak. Rowdy the Journeyman and Thorn kill the Slag and leave the Imp with 1 wound left. The B13 have to move and end up missing a few on Madrak leaving him with 5 health. Stryker tries to kill the Hero along with one of the B13 but the only do 5 damage. What good is retalitory strike when the dude hitting you can use ranged attacks in melee?
Trolls - Knowing I am dead I decide to go for it, Madrak moves up to the Champs uses Guided Hand on the Champs and the Hero then feats, the Champs Crusher all remaining stormguard, the last Champ gets the B13 dude engaging the Hero and takes a couple swings at Stryker doing a little damage. The Fel Caller WarCrys the Hero then Hero then takes a shot at Stryker hitting him for 10 damage, his backswing also hits delivering the killing blow. Gooo Hero.

As much as it pained Stryker to see his army lose even when his opponent seemed to be ready to fall apart he had to give Madrak praise. It appeared that this Troll was indeed worthy of Leto's friendship, pity it had gone they way it did for a full fledge alliance with the Trolls could strike fear into the hearts of their enemies and bring peace to the Trollbloods and Cygnar. It was wishful thinking of course but hopefully the good they did here would count for something against Cygnar's current relationship with the Trolls. His voice crackled accross the comm to his army, "well fought, luck is on thier side today, with them the PKA stands no chance... now reset we go again at 1800 hours," Stryker smiled to himself as he planned to take on Madrak again.


Synopsis - He had me on the ropes right from the start and did a great job of taking out my crap without me being able to do much about it. Surefoot and Champs in Melee will always be amazing unless MKII kills it. One more turn would have had me dead no matter what so I went for the kill and got lucky. I almost always forget how good Crusher is until I use it, and no I don't use it every game, the oppotunity doesn't always present itself.

Caine bites the big one to Grissel, Cryx on the horizon.

So that teleporting weenie is a big homer. After killing most his army with all of mine, Caine took out most my army before I finally got him... He is officially on my hate list. Because the game took sooooo long there was no energy left for even a snippet until today.

This Wednesday however, eMadrak or the currently undefeated Grissel army will face off against Cryx. As you can see from my record, they have been previously hard for me to beat.

Skarath Eats Nemo... reports that he does taste like chicken.

"Why are these humans so eager to spill Trollkin Blood," Grissel wondered aloud to nobody in particular. This errand to find Dahlia Hallyr and her snake Skarath had been dangerous indeed, as it seemed every endeavor for Trollkin Survival had been. Dahlia's strange music was akin to her own and had already been pivotal in their survival. As they prepared to head back they came upon a small band of Kriel's, Longriders, and half a unit of badly damaged Champions being led by a young Fel Caller. "We have been set upon by a Cygnarrian force with them emblem of the 4th flying among their standards. Their leader is a warcaster that looks like the one Cygnar calls Nemo and even Pendrake fights with them," the young caller reported to Grissel as they joined with her force. "I know Victor well," Grissel sighed, "it would be an unfortunate loss to us and Cygnar if he forces us to deal with him."

His army and mine listed below.

Faction: Cygnar
Army Points: 743 (I Think)
Commander Adept Sebastian Nemo 75
Squire 18
Thorn 93
Centurion 113
Sentinel 72
Long Gunners (7/10) 74
Black 13th Gun Mage Strike Team (3) 77
Arcane Tempest Gun Mages (6) 90
Professor Viktor Pendrake 28
Captain Arlan Strangewayes 32
Gun Mage Captain Adept 32
Ogrun Bokur 39

Faction: Trollblood
Points: 750
Grissel Bloodsong, Fell Caller
Pyre Troll
Troll Impaler
Fell Caller
Trollkin Hero
Kriel Warriors [8]
> Kriel Warrior Standard & Piper[2]
> Kriel Warrior Caber Thrower
Trollkin Champions [5]
Trollkin Long Riders [5]
Swamp Gobbers [2]
Dahlia Hallyr
> Skarath

The map was identical on each side with a 3" rough terrain hill to our rights and a halfsquare low wall on our lefts. He rolled highest and opted to go first. Jacks, strangeways, and Nemo in the middle with his gun mages and the B13 on the right longgunners and gun mage solo on the right. Trolls deployed with the Kriels on my left across from the longgunners. Champs, Beasts, Fel Caller, Hero and Grissel in the middle left with Gobbers, Snake chick and longriders on the right.

Turn 1 Cygnar - He advances at a partial run casts a few beneficial spells and waits. Thinking the best I can do is get into countercharge range on my turn.

Grissel knew Nemo had much more experience on the battlefield and winning than almost anyone else. The Battle had just started and already Nemo had made a mistake? That seemed unlikely but Grissel had to do what should could to gain an advantage. Singing a song to lighten the feet of the Kriels they ran to meet the guns of Cygnar.

Turn 1 Trolls - Kriel warriors get the prayer of +2 speed and run, the piper hangs backs to give them all one more inch and hoof it gains them five more ending them in melee with the front ranks of the LGs, Banner minifeats. Main force advances to the wall. Longriders run up and spread out towards the B13 and gunmages and the snake heads for the Bokur.

Turn 2 Cygnar - He feats and Kriel warrior killing commences tough rolls were not on my side all but 3 die. B13 takes down a longrider and the Bokur slams the snake prolly saving its life. His jacks advance up towards my main force with Thorn killing a longrider. His turn ends.

Turn 2 Trolls - Grissel feats the remaining KW kill a few LG and hoof it to engage the ones in back. Pyre buffs the Hero and The Impaler gets a good crit hit taking out the Cent shield leving him open for a charge from the Hero who almost disables him. Champs Charge thorn taking him down. Snakes hops the Bokur and eats Lynch. LR kill the Bokur a few gun mages and hoof it to engage as much as they can. That is all.

"Grissel knows me too well," Pendrake sighed in relief to himself, "she keeps her beasts far out of harms way where my knowledge can help this Cygnar deal with them."

Turn 3 Cygnar - Longgunners and bad in melee only one more KW dies. The Longriders lose one to the B13 and another to gunmages and the Champion on points nearly dies. Strageways repairs the Centurion and it beats on the hero but doesn't kill it, the Hero returns the favor disabling it. Nemo moves up a bit to finish a Longrider and his turn ends.

The song of that Trollkin whore and the eerie flute music of the Iosian buzzed in Nemo's ears making it hard for him to concentrate... not something he was used to having problems with. He shook his head to clear it and as he looked up the biggest Serpent he had ever seen was snapping at him...

Turn 3 Trolls - Snake boy runs up and leaps into Nemo's face almost killing him... almost. The Impaler throws at him but misses then Farstrikes the Pyre who's luck is better and he hits boosting damage a finishing off Nemo.

"Bloodshed ends for today," Grissel called to her force, "We do not murder even our worst enemies." Grissel knew that Nemo's loss would surely only strengthen Cygnar's position to defend and kill her own kind and hoped the old warcaster survived. She also knew she had no choice, it seemed that every turn brought her kin close and closer to their deaths. As her force began to depart Hallyr and her snake came up to her with a human in its mouth and deposited him at her feet, the snakes venom leaving a ruffled but very alive Pendrake paralyzed at Grissels feet. "Ahh Victor my old friend, you place yourself into precarious places more and more of late," Grissel chuckled.

"I have never seen a snake of that species so big," Pendrake panted, "When this paralysis wears off we have much to discuss about how you can avoid some of the other Cygnar contigints on your way back home. It must be quick though, they will miss me and have the wrong kinds of questions for me if my return is too far delayed..."

Epic Doomshaper Wins his Debut Match!

Hoarluk Doomshaper, Rage of Dhunia. So I beat the Teleporting Cygnar caster on my second turn in a 750pt pickup game with eDoomy's feat and a Bonded Mauler with a STR 15 Throwing a handful of Storm Knights at the caster killing him with the third toss (Goad here is fantastic). Also the first throw needed boxcars to hit and happened to hit, next time I throw my Kriels for a better chance to hit when I miss. Question is, is eDoomy a one-trick pony like the Borka Bomb? I'd say, you play him SUPER agressive, because he is dead if they attack him.

Second game was a 350 point game with Borka against Menoth.
The dice gods smiled down upon me again when on turn two his Ashes to Ashes spell missed with snake eyes. Since I couldn't shoot him my Impaler with rage on it charged his arcnode jack with the push-back shield and took out the shield on the first hit and the arcnode on the second hit. Sensing his demise he tried to take out Borka but his 17 armor was too much for the auto-hitting redeemer rockets due to some low boosted damage rolls. My Raged, Beer-ed up Borka, charged his caster and ended him in one hit with PS18+4D6.

All in all a good night for the Trolls. I'll post better reports tomorrow since my blurry eyes need sleep.