The tournament was a few weeks ago, Jan 24th to be exact. I've been anxious to right up this report but have been terribly busy. All of this is from memory, but for the most part, I'm pretty clear on the details.

This was the first tourney that I attended since our local gaming store has moved. Literally, they've tripled in size. 16,000 sq/ft! In the past, they've never been able to accommodate more than 16 for an event. This time, they closed registration at 26 and still had tables to spare. It was a great turn out with a lot of good people.

Since they were expecting a lot of new Chaos armies, although only two actually showed, and because they've been working to build up the fantasy scene for a long time, slowly drawing people away from 40K, there was no painting requirements and no painting score. they did, however, give out a door prize for best army to a Tomb Kings player with a very bright and shiny, well painted army. Kudos to him.

I brought my Wood Elves, for two reasons. 1) Because I didn't have all of the models I needed to field my Dark Elves. and 2) I was expecting there to be at least two other Dark Elf players there, so I wanted to be original. Lo and behold! Not a single DE player showed and I was one of FIVE Wood Elf armies. So much for good intentions.

Here is my list.

Host of the Dancer King.

Illuxuen Featherblade
Wardancer Lord
Blades of Loec, Annoyance of Nets, Amber Pendant.

Raneuar
Alter noble
LA, Sh, GW. Helm of Hunt, Hail of Doom Arrow.

Phealix
Alter Noble
LA,Sh, GW. Stone of the Crystal Mere.

Schrallar
Loremaster (scroll caddie)

Core:
3 x 8 Dryads
5 Glade riders + musician

Special:
2 x 7 Wardancers + champion and musician
4 Treekin
6 Wild Riders + full command and Warbanner

Rare:
Treeman
Eagle

Edit: Time has never been on my side so, we might just have to call it a Blog. I'll give you what I can now and hopefully you'll come back for more.

First round:

Its funny, by a large margin the army I've played against the most in local tourneys is Lizardmen. But never, not once have I played them on a luscious green table. I've played them on deserts and barren rock waste lands, but never in a meadow or a swamp. In the third round I faced a Beastmen army on a jungle table with a ziggurat smack in the middle of it, but this time it was gray, as far as the eye could see. Rocky hills and dead woods.

It was an Ambush scenario, with one side the attacker keeping a third of his army in reserve. This could include characters, even the general, but had to consist of full units. The ambush would come on randomly like miners from one side of the board, chosen before deployment. Each unit had to roll on its own so there was a chance that they would come on sporadically. I chose to defend and deploy my army as normal.

On a side note, it feels wrong calling the ambusher the attacker since ambushing is clearly a defensive maneuver. Oh well.

There were woods on either side of my deployment zone and hills arranged the same way on his. I picked this side because I knew he had Salamaders, so I knew I'd need cover. he did in fact deploy his Sallies rather early on his far right, my far left. This tipped me off rather quickly that his ambush was coming from my right. I think this was his plan since he knew I had large forest spirits and would be forced to deploy away from them. I went along with it feeling confident I could guard my rear and would be fast enough spoil is trap. After the Sallies on my left he dropped13 skinks in front to screen, then two full blocks of Saurus w/ command behind the hill - likely expecting me to have a lot of shooting. He put a pair of skinks units in front with 3 Kroxigors in the middle, also enjoying the screen. Then one more large unit of skinks off center to my right. he put a scar vet in the block of Saurus to my right and a scroll caddie of his own in with the skinks.

With no Slann openly deployed, I assumed he was bringing the JSoD in the ambush. This made me nervous since a single character would be harder to deflect than say a big unit of Krox or Saurus Cav.

I dropped two units of Dryads to the left to screen the Sallies and one unit of Wardancers to support and Glade Riders to their right. In the middle I dropped my 4 Treekin who are slow and unwieldly and need the most direct route. Next to them was my Treeman who can swing more effectively and my Wardancers with the Dancer King behind them. On my left I dropped my Wild Riders and both Alters. Behind them I put my thrid unit of Dryads and my Eagle to guard the rear. I knew the big money was coming from the right So I kept my Wardancer Lord close to the right most Dryads and Eagle to try to channel him into a trap of my own.

With the Stage set this seems like a good time to stop. At this point I have no real idea of what he has waiting, and trust me, neither do you. hope to return soon to continue the saga.

Well, no hits yet. Clearly you guys are eager for the action.

Turn 1:

I won the toss and elected to go first.

My Leftmost Dryads surge forward at full speed to establish a screen against the Sallies. The other Dryads fall in behind to fill in the gaps if the first unit takes too many hits, or to support the Treekin if the screen miraculously holds. Wardancers on the Left file into the woods, denying line of site to the front but peaking out the side to threaten the middle. Glade Riders hold back. With no warmachines, no wizard worth mentioning, and no cavalry, my fast cav has no clear assignment so is hanging back until one comes up.

Treekin march up the middle, but hang back an inch to give the Treeman space to begin a swinging advance. Both alters come up next to him, keeping to the edge of the woods, although there is no shooting yet to threaten them. HoDA is usually a first turn attack so at least one of them can't march, the other one stays close so as not to out pace him. Wild Riders march up the Right side to claim the flank, but again, not at full speed to preserve the battle line.

HoDA splits to 13 arrows in in the air above the rightmost skinks with the Priest, doing ten hits and 8 wounds. Their cold blood hardens to steel, they stay resolute. However, they are no longer a shooting threat to my Wild Riders, which is really what matters.

Dryads, Wardancers and Eagle inch forwards and to the right to guard the rear.

Lizardmen, turn 1:

Both sallies and skinks on the left march so neither will shoot this turn. The skinks take the lower road. They have a big job trying to screen against Dryads, Glade Riders and Wardancers, but are holding a nuetral position waiting for the first threat. Skinks in front of the Saurus blocks march as well, clearly ready to flee if I get greedy next turn. Saurus blocks do little more than shuffle their facing towards my swinging flank. Kroxigors move to just behind the skinks, threatening my Treekin.

Lizardmen 7th ed. isn't out yet. These guys are still st 7!

No shooting, no magic to speak of (pair of scroll caddies between us, I won't be saying much about magic after this).

WE, turn 2:

Both Dryads on the left shuffle inwards, expecting to take hits next turn but wanting to cover the Treekin. Wardancers and Riders stay put, waiting for assignments. Treekin march close to his battle line to put keep the pressure on, but stay weary of the Krox. Treeman moves at full speed to the closest skin unit in front, well out of Kroxigor charge range. Wild Riders and Alters march full speed up the right side and the Dancer King's retinue moves up beside the Treeman to fill the gap. Dryads and Eagle hold the Rear guard.

Treeman Strangles 6 skinks with his manly roots. They panic and flee but are to small to spread the fear.

Lz, turn 2:

He showes me two dice, one blue and one white, and says that the blue die is his lord. He throws them both, needing 4s. The white die shows 3 while the blue shows 5, his lord is coming on this turn.

Sallies take an unforseen lateral move inwards exposing my Treekin. Their frontage is just too wide and the Sallies are just too fast. the screening skinks follow inwards. Blowpipes rain from them and the skinks off center left, but only manage two kills on my Dryads. Sallies unload on the Treekin, but missfire once, eating one skink. After high toughness, armour and ward, the Treekin take only 2 wounds, which multiply to 4. OUCH! One model gone.

Saurus blocks, Krox and skinks all shuffle, trying to confuse distances and steal the charge next turn.

When he told me his lord was coming on, I expected to see a Jaguar Saurus in a unit of skinks, that's just my conditioning after years of playing my regular, non-Slann opponent. Imagine my surprise when his Old Blood came screaming onto the board from the back of a Carnosaur! I had to give this guy props. I've never seen it on the field before and had, for the most part considered it a non-option for the Lizardmen army. On the one hand, he would be easier for my eagle to handle with a 50mm base and 90 degree arc. But on the other, an Old Blood on foot with a unit of skinks would have been meet for my Alter Nobles to grind, not such a garuantee anymore, denying the damage interdiction I had hoped for from them. And now, not only did he threaten my Wild Riders and my entire flank, but my Treeman, which would've been delicioous Carnosaur food, next turn as well. On top of that, he was high on the right side, so it was not such a sure thing that my Eagle could get between him and my battle line.

this was a good game, and got very interesting right about here. I have to get to class so will have to return to finish it. But I hope its drawing you in.

How long's class?! Waiting for the next installment...

Class is forever, like death and taxes.

It doesn't help either when you spend an hour and a half finishing the report and the forum gliches, asking you to log in and deleting your post!

Looks like we're gonna have to keep waiting. I hope to be back soon to finish it.

On a side note, I've definitly learned my lesson. BatReps are to be text documents unitl they're finished and I can copy/paste them to the forum like a reasonable human being.

Thanks for you patience...

.... and not locking the thread.

Indeed, keep them as a text document until you definitely post them.

Locking the thread... now you're giving me ideas . But I want to know how the battle ends. Just post the whole battle next post, please. I've got enough cliffhangering with Lost.

So let's go.

Wood Elves, turn 3:

Leftmost Dryads charge the skinks, who hold, hoping for a miracle. I’m so close that if they flee I’ll EitW right into the Sallies anyway. Dryads shuffle over to throw full support behind the Treekin, who inch forward, weary of the Krox but still threatening the leftmost saurus block; the Krox have slightly over committed to the Treeman and it looks like I’ll get the charge next turn. Wardancers leave the woods and march full speed towards the middle, where the fightin’s gonna be.

Treeman inches forward as well, keeping close to the Treekin and still out of charge range from the Krox. Wild Riders are march blocked by the remnants of the skinks that took the HoDA, I’ve just run out of shooting to deal with them. They make a move to threaten the Saurus w/ Scar Vet, Alters stay close.

Eagle has just enough to land in front of the Carnosaur, I’ve covered too much ground on that side so he needed the most direct route if he wanted to catch me. I think he knew the risk but just couldn’t judge the distance well enough. It’s close, but after some deliberation we both deside that he’d have to pivot twice if he wanted to charge my Wild Riders. Dryads move up at full speed to threaten next turn.

The screams from Ialon cut across the battlefield, echoing in that hollow way that only an eagle’s cry seems to do. The Bladefeather spun towards the call. The Carnosaur had kept low, advancing on its belly too close to their lines. But the Great Bird’s eyes are sharp. She danced around on powerful wings, clawing and pecking at the monster’s face. The Beast reared, roaring in hatred; its rider, in frustration. The great noise between them flooded the field, drawing all eyes for a moment. The trap had been sprung.

The Old Blood’s hands rung tighter around the reins, desperate for control. The Dancer King watched in amazement. He spun to his First Sword, taking his shoulder and leaping with one foot atop his presented hip and leg, Illuxuen raised himself to be heard above the host.

“ASRAAAAIIII!!!” he called out, his booming voice belying his stature, “AMBUSH!!! RALLY TO MEEE!!!”

My Dryads slaughter the skinks, who may be insane, but certainly aren’t courageous. They pursue into the Salamanders.

Lizardmen, turn 3:

His last white die comes out, needing 3’s this time, and gets it. 5 Cold One Riders appear just on the lower right side, undercutting my Dryads and moving up to threaten my rear. Right know I’m wondering if they have the Banner of Obvious Cheese. Its name escapes me but if you play LMs often then I’m sure you know it. Saurus cav is still too far away so I won’t know at least until next turn.

Carnosaur moves to avoid the Eagle, but is march blocked and his frustration demonstrates how hopeless it is. My Eagle isn’t going anywhere. Saurus, Krox and Saurus… shuffle… shuffle… shuffle… Skinks shoot at my Dryads, doing no wounds.

Dryads rack up wounds almost shamefully, even though they are mostly attacking salamanders. Sallies break and are run down.

Wood Elves, turn 4:

Dryads by the Treekin charge the skinks, who hold. Treekin get the charge on Saurus. Dryads on the left stay put and the Glade Riders retreat to the lower half of the board. Riders will claim table quarters and the Dryads will contest.

Wild Riders, in a desperation move, charge the Saurus w/ Vet in the front. It’s a little trigger happy, I know, but I’m anxious to get away from that Carnosaur. Alter w/ Crystal charges in on the flank. The Standard Alter is down low without a clear charge, so doesn’t join in.

Eagle follows the Carni and my Dryads rush up to give him a target. The Dancer King and his retinue move to a position to charge into the fight if the dryads hold, or to give him an overrun target to make worth his effort. With the Amber Pendant and the Blades of Loec, this is what he’s there for.

Treeman falls back in a lateral to intercept the Saurus Cav.

Wild Riders do average in wounds, but in my excitement I forget about the Scar Vet; no challenge and no allocated attacks. The Alter does his share well enough, but after the Scar Vet and the Champ are done, I’ve lost 3 WRs. I don’t get the flank bonus, I have standard and Warbanner + kills. He has ranks, outnumber, standard and some kills of his own. I should’ve known better than to charge in the front! Both units break, both get away, but he pursues my wild riders and get a free move towards my General.
Dryads blow through the skinks and pursue into the flank of the saurus fighting the Treekin. Dryads and Treekin combine for another obscene wound total, squishy Lizards . My Treekin restrain pursuit, sending the saurus block through the Krox in the middle, who panic and flee. My Dryads and Treekin have swept the left flank. Forest Spirits are awesome!!!

Lizardmen, turn 4:

He takes the bait, everywhere. Carnosaur charges my Dryads, and Saurus Cav charges the Treeman. But his Saurus w/ Scar Vet get a charge on my General’s unit. I was counting on this unit being dealt with already. The Scar Vet slows as he faces my Highborn. An unimaginable cold washes over him, slowing his limbs to stiffness. The Bladefeather opens like a flower, and bites like a snake; his blades lashing like ribbons and razors. The helpless Vet is opened, prematurely, at the chest and guts.

The latest RB FAQ had been out at this point, but it was still too soon for anyone to be familiar with. I actually scored 2 KBs in this challenge, which should’ve blown up in combat rez. But the Judge ruled that I only got one point for one KB. After the total CR was in, I lost by one… and rolled a 10! My Highborn, after gloriously dispatching that Scar Vet, breaks combat and is run down.

Think that’s bad? How about my Treeman, who doesn’t get wounded and does two in return, but is outnumbered by the Saurus Cav who have standard + Warbanner (which answers that question). I loose by 1. My General is near by, this actually happened before the fight with the Scar Vet, and I take his modified leadership on 9 over my stubborn 8 and… roll an 11! I break, and am run down! Twice in the same turn I loose combat by 1 and break, loosing the two most powerful and expensive models in my list!

The Highborn I understand. Fighting fully ranked infantry alone to the front is never a place for skirmishers t be; although the FAQ ruling on KB in Challenges does make this a solid fight for the Wardancer Highborn. But the Treeman should have held that charge, attacks first next turn and broken them, gaining the banner and the unit, a ~500 pt swing in my favor!

His Carnosaur Rider cleaves through My Dryads.

I had owned this game until this point, and now I was fighting for my life!

Wood Elves, turn 5:

About Face!

Treekin turn to face the Saurus block who have passed to the edge of my Deployment zone. Wardancers march across the middle to threaten the Carnosaur. WRs and the Alter both Rally.

Standard Alter gets a beautiful flank charge on the Saurus cav, smashing them in with the Helm of the Hunt! They break and I get their Standard, every little bit helps. Table Quarter units hold their position and the last of the Dryads moves to the middle, but are really too far away to help. The Eagle sees himself a scroll caddie, who just looks delicious all alone behind a hill, and flies over to say, “Hi!”

Lizards, turn 5:

Carnosaur moves towards the wardancers, looking for a fight. Skink Priest tries to run, but is pretty much screwed! 3 remaining skinks shoot the Eagle and do one wound. Saurus infantry turn to face the Treekin. The other Saurus infantry rally, but are too far away, and the Krox don’t rally and flee off the board.

Wood Elves, turn 6:

Wardancers and the Alter with the Crystal both charge the Old Blood. I throw 7 KB attacks at him and don’t land 1, but do get one actual wound through. But my Noble w/ GW lands 3, wounding with all of them and he doesn’t make any saves! His General goes down to even the score! His Carnosaur does 3 wounds to my Wardancers, but I outnumber. The Carnosaur holds.

The Eagle Charges the Skink Priest, snaching him up like a field mouse!

Conclusion.
They called the round at this point. Not surprising that WE’s and Lizards wouldn’t get to finish, but we made it pretty far. The outcome was a Draw, ~220 pts in my favor. I think it all comes down to the Treeman. Even though I eventually got his Saurus cav and their Standard, that 3 hundred points of Treeman would’ve been plenty to swing it in my way. That, and knowing how KB should’ve been handled in the challenge.

His list wasn’t the most optimum for 6th ed. His Infantry was just too squishy. But he played well with the Carnosaur, which made it a really great game.

All in all, I placed 6th out of 26! A great showing! In the second round I played a “move and shoot” Wood Elf army which was a great tactical lesson. That was a draw as well. The last game was against a minotaur army with Doombull. He had Mark of Khorne/Frenzy on all of his Minotaurs. Between the HoDA and my GRs I took his dog screens apart, and ultimately his battle line. I ran his General down turn 3 with a Cmbo charge of my 2 Alters and my Treeman. The units frontage was so big that his General didn’t even get to fight. Massacre for me

Next tourney is March 21. Maybe this time I’ll get some pictures. I’ll let you guys know how it goes.

Losing the treeman and Highborn like that is tough man. Still a good game it sounds like, and a great showing overall.