Specialist Arms Forum
Warmaster => [WM] Warmaster Fantasy Discussion => [WM] Battlereports => Topic started by: docdom on October 01, 2010, 08:51:11 PM
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Last wednesday night I played Jurisch's dwarves for the warmaster campaign. In the heat of battle I forgot to take pictures after a few rounds
The army lists:
High Elves:
General Domiril
Mage Telind on dragon
Mage Aldaari
6 Spearmen
2 Archers
3 Bolt Throwers (order Elite Army)
5 Silver Helms
2 Reavers
1 Chariot
2 Eagles
Dwarves:
Dwarf King Jurisch
Runesmith on anvil
6 Warriors
3 Ranger
2 Handgunner
2 Trollslayer
2 cannons
1 Flamecanon
2 Gyrocopter
The high elf host arrived on the battle field after a long march. General Domiril watched his troops with content. He had received news from his eagles that the dwarven force was far inferior in numbers than his own army (2160p-2000p)
The missile brigade consisting of two units of bolt throwers and two archers was deployed on the left flank and commanded by Aldaari. In the center and on the right flank were two Infantry brigades with two cavalry brigades behind. The eagles were deployed on each flank. Domiril took command of the center while Telind on his dragon was in charge of the right wing.
(http://i827.photobucket.com/albums/zz197/docdomdom/battle%20reports/DSC02303.jpg)
The high elf setup. The dwarves are not yet deployed.
The scouts finally returned. The dwarf army was spotted! The stunties had already rushed up the large hill dominating the other side of the battlefield. The scouts reports weren't perfectly accurate but they counted two units of cannons and a flamecannon in between. This brigade was covered from all sides with rangers and handgunners on the lower slopes of the hill allowing the guns a formidable field of fire on the entire valley ahead. Most of the warriors and the trollslayers were deployed next to the artillery on lower ground with a wood covering their flank.
(http://i827.photobucket.com/albums/zz197/docdomdom/battle%20reports/DSC02306.jpg)
The dwarf setup in turn 2
The elves had just arrived on the battlefield when a scouting force of two gyrocopter appeared on their left flank and opened fire on the eagles killing 1/3 of the unit. The elf missile brigade moved into position and fired a hail of bolts and arrows bringing both flying machines down. This quick success made them even more confident but arrogant and so they would ignore most orders in the upcoming battle.
The right wing infantry brigade hold position while the center one stepped down into the valley. The two cavalry brigades followed up behind. The right wing eagles swooped down behind enemy lines, but were initiative charged by some handgunners from the hill due to bad placement of Domiril. A unit of trollslayers ordered into the eagles gave them the rest.
(http://i827.photobucket.com/albums/zz197/docdomdom/battle%20reports/DSC02305.jpg)
after turn 1
The dwarves on the hill held position in order to improve their defensive works. When the dwarf warriors spotted the approaching cavalry down in the valley they marched in the nearby wood looking for cover. Only one unit that was fighting the eagles wasn't able to follow and was left alone in open ground.
(http://i827.photobucket.com/albums/zz197/docdomdom/battle%20reports/DSC02307.jpg)
(http://i827.photobucket.com/albums/zz197/docdomdom/battle%20reports/DSC02308.jpg)
"Death Valley" or "Hammer and Anvil"
Since the stunties fortified the hill more and more from hour to hour, Domiril decided to seize the hill before the dwarves were dug in too deep. The following necessary attack on the hill with a brigade of spearmen was lead by Telind on his mighty dragon. The brave elves had to fight uphill and weren't able to break the dwarven defensive perimeter and retreated. Quickly the trained dwarf gunners aligned their guns on the reforming attackers. The next moment the elven officers glanced at the hill to plan a second attempt they were looking down the barrels of the dwarven artillery. Most of the reforming attack force was shot to pieces in the barrage following the hand to hand combat, including the mighty dragon and its master. This was too much of a sacrify and the hill would never be really threatened again during the battle. Only some minor skirmishes would take place on the slopes of the hill and the artillery continued to fire from its exposed position.
Domiril realized the key to break the enemy was crushing him in the valley with his proud cavalry. So he formed an attack group consisting of one unit of chariots and silverhelms to charge the straggling dwarven unit in the open. The dwarf warriors had no chance and were overran. This was watched by the dwarves on the hill and in the wood and they countercharged with massed forces and wiped out the cavalry brigade. After the massacre they sought refuge in the wood and on the hill again. This small valley between the hill and the wood would turn out to be a trap for even more brave elves during the final stage of the battle.
The general spotted another lone unit of dwarf clansmen at the end of the valley. So he ordered two units of silverhelms to go for the easy prey. Watching the two units charge down the valley the other two units of silver helms spured their steeds and joined them in an epic cavalry charge. As suddenly as the charge was commenced it also halted and the whole brigade came to a stop between the hill and the wood. Now the trap only had to snap shut. (I wanted to order only 2 silverhelms but said "order for the whole brigade" and already had rolled the dice when I realized my mistake. I didn't want to argue and so moved all 4 units toward the dwarves. The second order on "8" failed and so the cavalry was stranded between the "hammer and anvil" ). The dwarves used this chance and struck. Again masses of dwarves rushed from the woods and down the hill again and slaughtered horses and cavalrymen. Only one unit and the command group of another survived for only a neglectable loss of dwarf warriors. The cunning dwarves again backed into the woods or on higher ground. Within only a few minutes the pride of the elven general had almost vanished.
With the sun already standing low and dusk arriving the elven general saw the last chance to break the enemy in leading his right wing guard infantry brigade himself towards the right flank of the hill. Dwarf King Jurisch realized this plan and sent one unit of warriors and rangers down the hill on his left flank to meet the upcoming threat. In the following charge the high elves stood firm thanks to the inspiration and fighting skills of their general that had to join the brigade. Now the elves had the initiative again. Having already paid a high toll (985-570 for the small people) they now had the chance to break the enemy army and thus make the battle a draw. A fresh unit of swordmasters supported by phoenix guards attacked a unit of dwarf warriors at 66% strenght. Aldaari enlightened the sky with his light of battle spell and Domiril himself joined the final effort on his elven steed. It was a fierce fight but the reserve guard units couldn't break the enemy line and win the day. (I had the chance to reach Jurischs breakpoint at that time and had to kill his two stands of warriors in the open. The 12 attacks plus the general plus light of battle plus 3 support wasn't enough to win the combat. I think the dwarves caused 4 wounds and I only 2 plus 2 support and so the combat was a draw.
@ Jurisch: I think I forgot the +1 attack for the general's light of battle. This could have made the difference :-)
With the help of the now arrived darkness the once proud high elf army withdrew from the battlefield.
Thanks to Jurisch for this exciting battle. I enjoyed it very much. Next time I hope to make more pictures.
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Yep you are right!! exciting battle, but what a shade the lack of pics. Anyway having the first pics really helps to get in mind the battlefield and the force so the games is understood perfectly.
It seems the dwarfs are making the day this turn!
Thanks for sharing and for the effort of writing down the battle
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Greetings!
Excellent report! It seems like HE are fighting a lot with many different enemies :) Very interesting use of terrain by stunties and a unfortunate "blunder" with issuing orders for elven cavalry. This is why Orb of Majesty is still so handy. Ah well, next time. :)
Thanks for sharing!
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Orb would have only given him a reroll on a "6". About a 40% chance of working.
The old orb was a must take. The new one tends to cramed in when the points are good fit, and I can't cram in another unit. My gobbos tend to take the crown of command- gets the trolls moving in the right direction for at least one order a turn!
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Hi,
we had a long night playing this battle and a lot of fun.
My dwarves did very well, except the Gyros which brought my in trouble with the breakpoint. In the last round the High Elves had luck, not to loose their general when attacked by rangers and warriors. Only the overkill rule saved them to get killed including the general and having a draw. But the luck was on my side at the counterattack and giving me a draw, too.
Cheers,
Jurisch
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@ swordmaster and haranin
Thank you. We played without any magic items as in the campaign you first need to build a wizards tower. So I couldn't have taken the orb anyway.
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@ jurisch:
You are right.
Next time I kill the two gyros and 150 victorypoints ahead I will just wait for you to get down that hill and come to me! ;D
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Next time we will have a battle within the mountains ;) and my gyros can't start in case of fog...