Rotten guys

Finally my Lost Legion found adversary even more rotten than themselves. Nurgle legion under command of Kacper, who's Ogres I've fought before. He decided to turn towards Chaos, and granted himself favour of father Nurgle. Don't worry, Kacper himself ain't green yet!

It's the first time my army was joined by Tomb Kings unit, Tomb Queen Shalia, who proved herself very usefull by boosting my skeleton's WS, which allowed them to hit at 4+ instead of 5+ (Nurgle warriors penalise their oponents with -1 to hit).

My forces, no surprise here, ocuppied one of the hills in the corner. Gooosh, I love this tactic. Untill I try it against Bogumil and his Chaos army, at least.

Followers of Nurgle deployed a bit wider (it seems almost impossible to deploy narrower than my forces did!). Big unit of Warriors with Sorcerer in front of my units, small unit of Warriors in the center, and on my right flank - unit of Blightkings with Gutrot Spume as army's general.

I got first turn, all three units held their ground, magic did nothing... Yep, this battle wasn't my Necromancer's good day. Whole line of Chaos forces marched forward.

Second turn, of course - no magic, it seems that only thing Necromancer was good at was dispeling. Warriors and Blightkings advanced steadily.

Next turn - no magic, again... A bit teasing, might I say. No movement, chaos moved a bit closer, and here we go. Skeletons charged big unit of Warriors, Crypt Ghouls - the smaller unit, and finally I've managed to summon something. Three Vargheists flew to the battlefield to aid my forces.

Small unit of Warriors destroyed my Ghouls, but Skeleton Warriors, boosted by Tomb Queen's "My will be done", fighting shoulder to shoulder with Wight King and, last but not least, Tamara van Dorst (Vampire Lord), managed to break the Chaos Warriors, but were unable to catch them, and had to stop 1" before my Vargheists. Next turn I've got charged by Blightkings...

Actually, they are not as scarry as they look... They've managed to kill few skeletons, but well, who doesn't? After they got charged by Vargheists, and rallied Warriors joined the fight, it looked like whole battle took place in one tiny spot.

For the first time my Wight King died, leaving me without +2 bonus to combat resolution (BSB with War Banner). I've lost one skeleton due to combat resolution, and decided to reinforce the fight with my Necromancer's bunker of Crypt Ghouls.

They've seen just a bit of fight, cause they got separated from the enemy by few blows of Tamara's sword. She killed two Blightkings!

That was enough to break the unit, and Vargheists were fast enough to catch the fleeing foes. Soon after that, Skeleton Warriors broke the other unit, and ran them down.

Even the forces of Nurgle proved too weak to stop the Legion! Battle very much in spirit of End Times, undead forces fight against Gutrot's retinue.

I think it's just a right moment to play with Bogumil, it's been quite long since someone were able to defeat my moving corpses :). Oh, and yesterday I've played against Pawel, our local GW store manager. I'll write something about that battle soon!

...and more Black

As I've mentioned before, after two battles against elves came third, this time - classic Dark Elves.

Deploying in one corner of the table proved usefull, so I've done it again. Large unit of Skeleton Warriors, with Vampire Lord and Wight King BSB on the left side of the hill, Crypt Ghouls with Master Necromancer on the right side, Terrorgheist a bit closer to the enemy, and Spirit Hosts and Dire Wolves as a screen for my right flank, backed up by mounted Vampire.

Elves deployed much wider, shooting and magic base in front of the hill (crossbowmen, two Sorceresses, one lv.2, one lv.4 and Bolt Thrower), Corsairs and Executioners in the middle, along with Cold One Chariot, and Cauldron of Blood backed up by Cold One Knights on the left flank of the elven army.

I began, and moved my forces just a touch. In magic phase my Necromancer summoned unit of Hexwraiths. Elves began to move forward, crossbowmen moved a bit closer, chariot and corsairs advanced at top speed, Cauldron of Blood manouvered closer to the middle, and Cold One Knights marched forward, cyrcling around the wood.

Dark Elf magic and shooting managed to kill four of five Hexwraiths, one wolf and two skeletons.

Wolves and mounted Vampire charged the chariot, but only Dire Wolves managed to hit their target. Terrorgheist flew in front of the elven shooting base, and shouted at bolt thrower's crew, killing only one elf. Wolves got skinned by Cold One Chariot, two died, and third perished due to combat resolution.

Elves advanced forward, passing my Vampire. I think psychological effect of having such killer sometimes is worth more than he can physically inflict.

Of course next turn Vampire charged the chariot, but could not deliver the final wound. In return, he got charged by Cauldron, and killed the Wytch mistress in combat.

Later he managed to finish the chariot off, and Terrorgheist flew closer to shout at Cauldron, destroying whole machine.

I must admit, we had to hurry a bit with next turns, so no pict from now on. Ghosts and skeletons killed remaining crossbowmen and Witches, Ghouls destroyed Cold One Knights, ghosts held Executioners, and Ghouls finished them off in next turn. Finally, main unit of Skeleton Warriors killed all the Corsairs.

Another victory for the Lost Legion!

Black, and white...

It's been few days since I wrote something. That's the dark side of working in film industry, sometimes you have plenty of time, sometimes you work 24/7 and regret that you can work only 24 hours a day.

Last friday I've played against two armies, first - Dark Elves, and then - High Elves (I guess my army is gearing up for the coming of Khaine).

Dark Elves army was very fast, based mostly on Dark Riders, heroes on Pegasi and Doomfie Warlocks. I've deployed quite wide, but not as wide as the Elves. My forces moved just a bit, wolves and ghosts circled a bit to direct incoming charges away from my infantry.

Followers of Khaine were quite close to my lines, thanks to their vanguard move, but in their first turn, light cavalry moved back (I don't know why). I've lost Dire Wolves due Dark Rider's shooting, but managed to summon 5 Hexwraiths in return.

Doomfire Warlocks advanced, alongside Dark Riders, just to get flew-over by Hexwraiths and shouted by Terrorgheist, who got charged by the remaining unit.

Beastie died soon after that, sadly :( Two of pegasi heroes flew on my left flank.

Did I mention my Terrorgheist died? Well, not for long, I summoned the beast right back, just in place to shout to death one of pegasi. The second one charged my ghouls with Arnold Lowefell (Master Necromancer).

Second pegasi died soon after that, and Terrorgheist got charged by 2 units and one hero (one of units went down from 5 to 2 strong due to dangerous terrain - I thought I'm the only one capable of rolling three "1" on five dice).

My main unit charged Dark Riders in the middle, killing them all.

And that would be it for the game. I won by around 300 points, if I remember correctly.

The seccond battle was fought against High Elves, the same army I've played before, with addition of the lord mounted on the Gryphon.

I've decided to deploy my whole army in one corner of the table.

Elves deployed wider, with three bolt throwers facing my force, and infantry with gryphon lord in the middle.

I've decided not to use the vanguard move of my wolves, but elven fast cavalry moved forward at top speed.

I got first turn, and charged the incoming cavalry with wolves, ghosts and Terrorgheist.

Riders fled, but Dire Wolves managed to cath them, and run straight into unit of spearmen. Terrorgheist and Spirit Hosts moved forward a bit, but were unable to reach any enemy units.

Terrorgheist used Death Shriek on the same unit of spearmen, and wolves killed few more. Spearmen killed four in return. Lord and Swordmasters began to advance through the center of battlefield.

That was all my Terrorgheist needed. He turned around, flew a few inches, and shouted at the high elf on the winged beast, killing him instantly. Second time I've killed enemy lord without breaking a sweat just because they had no ward save. You may have no armour, but ward save is a must-have!

Wolves perished, and ghosts took their place.

Terrorgheist got charged by Swordmasters and lone Gryphon, but managed to inflict enough wounds to break both units, catch the beast, and kill Swordmasters next turn.

I've summoned three Vargheists, and used them to silence those Bolt Throwers once and for all.

After my Spirit Hosts finally killed spearmen, they've charged on Seaguard. My main unit of Skeleton Warriors did the same, and Terrorgheist jumped right behind them, to kill few in shooting phase.

Most of the unit died, the rest fled, but got caught. Vargheists killed all bolt thrower's crew, and the battle was over in turn 4.

Today I've destroyed another Dark Elf army (report soon), and tomorrow I play against army of Nurgle, hopefully I'll be able to continue the victorious passage of my army. Stay tuned!

Second battle against followers of Chaos

Lost Legion faced hordes of Chaos for the second time. First resulted in complete anihilation of my forces, so this time I'll try to fix as many mistakes as possible. Sadly, I have to little models painted to change my rooster (in campaign, we can use only 1500pts we chose at the beginning, and models we declare to paint during the campaign). I've deployed my forces in my usual way:

Chaos deployed a bit wider than before:

Bogumil got first turn, and began to advance his forces.

Thanks to my vanguard moves, one of his chariots charged Dire Wolves on my right flank.

All wolves died crushed by chariot's impact hits.

In my turn, second unit of wolves tried to block the chariot, and ghosts moved to hold Standard Bearer. Then I began summoning, succesfully rising Lv.1 Necromancer.

Then, Terrorgheist flew from center to my left flank, and shouted at Skullcrushers, killing one.

I think I got to close combat too soon...

Standard bearer charged Spirit Hosts, Chariot - wolves, Skullcrushers, Lord and Chariot attacked Terrorgheist. Wolves perished, ghosts got 2 wounds, replying with nothing (of course), and Terrorgheist died (but just barely!), but before that, he managed to kill one Skullcrusher, leaving single model of 3-model unit.

Skullcrusher and chariot overran, Lord made a gentle turn to face Ghouls.

My main unit tried to charge at the chariot on right flank, but Bugumil ordered his warriors to flee. I summoned 10 Skeletons and second Necromancer.

And that's it for the battle... I got charge from Chimera and Chaos Lord. Tamara cut the beast's three heads with one swing, and huge body of Chaos creature felt to the ground. Lord killed Crypt Ghast in challenge. I won the combat, but Chaos Lord held still. Next turn my ghosts perished, and Ghouls got charge from chariot, Skullcrusher, and Standard Bearer. Skeletons died under hooves and scythes of another chariot.

After my whole unit died, I've managed to summon Hexwraiths and another 10 Skeletons. Both units died, but Skeletons fought bravely against Chaos Chariot, parrying one hit after another, and inflicting 2 wounds. Heroic last stand, that lasted for one turn... Game over!

I got 3 points, and currently have 30 achievement points!

After this battle, I have quite a lot of thoughts:

1) Get rid of Dire Wolves, they do barely nothing, no matter with whom I play.

2) Add the second fighting unit, now, after my Ghouls perish, the game is over, no matter what else I have on the battlefield.

3) Add some shooting units, Skeleton Archers and Screaming Skull Catapult, to begin with.

4) Deploy my forces further from my enemy, when fighting against assault armies like Chaos Warriors.

5) Give one of my wizards different lore, that allows me to deliver some direct damage.

Next battle on FRIDAY! Lost Legion will fight Dark Elves. Let's see what black, pointy-eared guys have to offer :).

Painting queue

Today I've almost finished my Skeleton Warriors, adding one final regiment filler (more about that - tomorrow). Only 10 Skeletons left to assembly, and about 5 are assembled and waiting to get paint on them.

As I've mentioned before, Skeletons are last of my three painting challenges for this month. I have to decide, what will I paint next month. IMO the best way is to prepare list of models/units I will need, and choose from those, so...

My painting queue, devided into unit types:

Core:
- 4 units, 16 Skeleton Archers in each
- 3 Toomb Kings Chariots
- 12 more Ghouls

Hero:
- Mounted Wight King
- Mounted Vampire
- Tomb Prince
- 2 Necromancers
- Mounted Necromancer
- Liche Priest
- Wight King

Lords:
- Nagash
- Mortarh (not yet decided, which one, probably Mannfred)
- Mounted Vampire Lord
- Strigoi Ghoul King

Special:
- 15 Black Knights
- 6 Vargheists
- 2 units, 2 Fell Bats in each (maybe I'll join those units together)
- 40 Grave Guard

Rare:
- Varghulf
- 2 Screaming Skull Catapults
- Terrorgheist
- 4 Blood Knights

I think for next month I'll choose to paint Mounted Vampire Lord, and 9 Black Knights as his retinue. This will give my army the unit that can charge the enemy much faster than my M4 infantry. Not sure how it will work, I'm going for more defensive strategy, with hard units of infantry, archers and catapults, but a bit of fast counter-attack might get usefull as well.

New additions to the Legion

The End Times campaign recuires every player to pick one or more units every month, and prepare those models before the next month of campaign. I chose to expand my army pretty fast, therefore agreed to assemble and paint three units: 3 Spirit Hosts, Wight King and 48 Skeleton Warriors.

At this moment, I've finished two of those units. First were Spirit Hosts, I've painted them on the night before first two and third game.

Painting was quite simple, I used the technique I use on most of my units. Black spray on whole model, then dusting with white spray. Over that background I paint Nihillak Oxide, and drybrush with Ceramite White. Then I paint the eyes (or eye-sockets) with Cohelia Greenshade. In case of ghosts, I also had to paint skeletons on the base. Brown ink or Nuln Oil (to get some variety between models), then drybrush with Bleached Bone or Pallid Witch Flesh. Bases are all simmilar through whole army, Astrogranite drybrushed with Pallid Witch Flesh, and some static grass glued later.

Second model, the Wight King, required more work, as I wanted this one to be converted, and my idea was to sculpt some elements with green stuff.

Torso and head are from Hexwraith model, with basket of burning coals removed, and hood re-sculpted with green stuff. Over Skeleton Warrior's legs I've sculpted the rest of the cloak. I admit, I could have done it way better :). Arms are from Black Knight, I took standard as it is (although I think about creating something more epic!), and empty arm (the one originally designed to carry a shield) were also supposed to be empty.

I didn't like it, but used the model neverheless in one battle. He proved to be very effective in killing Ogres, so I've decided to use one of spare Ogre heads, and, after sculpting the cut-off neck, inserted it into Wight King head. Therefore, from King Lucas the Grim, he became King Lucas the Ogre-slayer.

So, two units ready, and third done in 50%. It may not sound like much, but painting 28 Skeleton Warriors is not that easy!

Back to my workdesk then... Stay tuned!

Dead killing Dead

As I'd mentioned before, yesterday I've played against another army of dead guys (and girls, in case of my army). My Lost Legion (Army of Undead) fought against Vampire Counts led by Piotr.

My army hasn't changed since my last battle. After deployment, the table looked like that:

I got the first turn, and held my army still, with one exception: the Terrorgheist. He flew whole 20", and landed in the middle of graveyard, near Vampire's army.

Magic phase was quite good for me, I've managed to summon 5 Hexwraiths, and, of course, got first token. 

In the shooting phase, my Terrorgheist shouted at his friend on the other side. I scored 9 on dices, and as my 'Gheist was at full health, the attack inflicted enormous 15 wounds. Only two of those were regenerated, and the other Terrorgheist died.

Vampire Count's army began to move forward. Ghouls and Vampire Lord charged my Terrorgheist, Hexwraiths and skeletons marched in my direction, and Necromancer flew a bit closer on his beast.

In magic phase, almost nothing happened, I've managed to dispel everything but one death vortex, which did nothing through whole game. Unfortunately, the spell was cast on double six, and Necromancer was sucked into warp.

The first and only move I've made was to move my Hexwraiths forward.

Then, to magic... One of two most effective magic phases in whole game. I summoned 20 skeletons and Cairn Wrath, in front of my main line.

The rest of my forces held still...

Piotrek advanced forward again, and whole magic got dispelled.

At last, some of my forces moved forward. One unit of Wolves ran forward to help my Hexwraiths, the other - on my right flank. Ghosts moved forward, ready to charge at ghouls. Newly summoned unit of Skeleton Warriors with Wraith advanced as well.

In magic phase, I managed to cast only one spell, which summoned Banshee right next to Ghouls. She shouted at them, killing two.

Piotrek ordered his Ghouls to charge at my Wolves, Skeletons to charge at my Skeletons, and Hexwraiths to jump over my Hexwraiths again.

Hexwraiths perished, Wolves too. Skeletons couldn't manage to charge, and moved 5 inches.

I charged Skeletons with Skeletons :) and Banshee, Hexwraiths with Wolves, and Ghouls with my main unit. Ghosts moved forward to block the Vampire Lord's line of sight.

Three of Wolves died, two killed, one due instability. Baanshee killed two Skeletons with shout, and none with attacks. Few skeletons died on both sides, all in all, I've managed to win by 5 points.

Ghouls got massacred by my main unit (Vampire Lord, Wight King and 27 Ghouls are able to kill quite a lot, and quite fast).

Oh, and no magic this turn - I ran out of models to summon, could summon only Wolves, but that spell was succesfully dispelled.

Piotr Charged his Vampire Lord into combat, and killed Banshee. Skeletons continued to kill each other...

Wolves perished totally.

I moved my Ghouls a forward a bit, tied to cast something, but everything was dispelled.

In Piotrek's turn, Hexwraiths marched forward, over my Ghosts, inflicting 3 wounds. Combat continued, but with Vampire on the other side, my whole unit felt apart, leaving lone Wrath in fight...

My command unit charged, and managed to help Wrath. Sadly, the Vampire Lord cut Tamara's head off (she regenerates in few days time, so it's not that bad, she'll be good as new for the next battle). Rest of the unit and heroes cut each other, and all in all 3 Skeletons felt apart due instability.

In Piotrek's turn, fight went on, I had to issue challenge, to save my Necromancer, and Vampire killed my Wrath.

In my turn, I finally managed to show what my army can do. Ghosts moved behind the Skeletons, ready to join the fight. Necromancer used all the tokens he had, and summoned Terrorgheist! The beast shouted at Hexwraiths, killing them all.

Fight went on, and it wasn't going to well, untill, at the very end of my turn, my brave Wight King BSB attacked Vampire Lord, managed to hit him only once, and as I've rolled for wound, I got 6! Vampire Lord killed by mere Wight King's killing blow. WOAH! Truly epic :).

That was the end of the game, rest of skeletons felt apart, and the field was mine!

The campaign is going well, at least - so far so good :). I've got 27 points, which puts me on first place. That, of course, may change, End Times just began!

I work hard on painting my models, today I've finished second objective for this month - Wight King. Now I need to paint "only" 47 Skeletons, currently 12 are finished, 8 are WiP, and 27 are still in boxes.

Till next time!