BATTLE REPORT The Battle of Shadowfire Pass BREAKING THROUGH – THE EMPIRE       Choosing the army by Mike Brandon A 1,000 point duel with the noble panzees? I could never refuse a chance to kill some elves and so set to the task of raising the army to achieve this. First up was a solid core unit of Swordsmen and a battle standard to keep them put. A battle Standard is an essential choice in an Empire army as the slightest sign of trouble can see your whole battle line in flight, especially with elven archers cutting down troops in droves. I added the spearmen as a buffer, to advance in front of the swordsmen before engaging a smaller unit, this way the swordsmen could charge into the fray relatively unscathed.    Next up were my big hitters, the Knights, led by my general. I would keep these out of the main action and charge them in at a critical moment. Charly knows all about the efficiency of these crack troops as they often roll up his battle line and finish him off single handidly. The biggest threat to the Knights were those damn bolt throwers which can ignore the 1+ armour save so I took a Cannon to battle against these threats. Another threat is High Magic, so I took a Level 2 wizard to combat this, I also gave him a Wizards Staff, lets see them dispel 4 dice! Finally I added some handgunners with the points left over, they are often had off by archers, especially those darn longbows, but on the other hand, blackpowder will reduce elven cavalry saves to  a 4+. A worthy compromise, and only 80 points.  So, to battle!  The Fallen of Arden Captain Bernhardt – Sword of Might, Full Plate Armour, Shield, Barded Warhorse   94 points Barrin Sullivan – Battle Standard, Heavy Armour   79 points Amber Wizard – Level 2 Lore of Fire (Fiery Blast & Conflagration of Doom) , Wizards staff, Warhorse   120 points Arden Knights – 20 swordsmen w/ Duellist  150 points Grudgebringers – 8 inner circle knights w/ First Knight & Standard  240 points Royal Guard – 18 Spearmen w/ Standard and Shields   136 points Handgunners – 10 Handgunners   80 points Cannon – 100 points Army Total – 999 points DEFENDERS OF THE PASS – THE HIGH ELVES Choosing the army by Andy ‘Charly’ Townley In the seemingly endless search for a way to defiant Brandon’s fallen Ardinians or at the very least, avoid the ?????? massacre, I arrived at the following army….. 15 Spearmen, formerly Lothern Sea Guard, arrayed in 3 ranks with full command group. Goals;  Absorb cavalry charge  To not die 1 Bolt Thrower. Goals; Take out Grudgebringer Cavalry Take out infantry 1 Chariot. Goals; Take out swordsmen with impact hits 1 Mage, level 2, Channeler (1 extra power dice), Silver Wand (1 extra spell) Harass enemy Nullify enemy magic 8 Silver Helms, arrayed in 2 ranks with full command group. 1 Commander, joining Silver Helm unit with Biting Blade Increase potency of Silver Helms Challenge Bernhardt The Shadowland Raiders Commander Earendur Arnatuile – Biting Blade, Heavy Armour, Shield, Barded Steed   105 points High Mage Valandil Arnatuile – Level 2 High Magic (spells – Drain Magic, Walk Between Worlds, Curse of Arrow Attraction, Fury of Khaine, Silver Wand, Channeller    140 points Spearmen – 15 spearmen w/ full command group   195 points Archers – 12 Archers w/ champion 156 points Silver Helms – 8 Silver Helms w/ full command group   219 points Chariot – 85 points Bolt Thrower – 100 points Army Total – 1,000 point Deployment The battle lines are drawn…….. Battle commences…… Empire Turn 1 The rush for the High battle line began as the Spearmen and Swordsmen column marched towards the waiting Elves. From their hilltop position, Bernhardt at the head of the Grudgebringer cavalry sighted the High Elf bolt thrower. Understanding the potency of this machine, Bernhardt ordered a cautious march through the valley on the Empire right flank. The Bright wizard attempted to launch his powers at the High Elf line but could not bring about enough power to unleash his powers. The order was given to the handgunners to open fire, smoke clouded the unit as the guns fired, their target being the Silver Helms. As a rain of lead balls struck the proud elven nobles, 3 were blasted from their mounts, covered in brutal bullet holes. The cannon crew spied the bolt thrower and aimed a shot at the rival war machine; the cannon ball went flying towards the machine but fell short leaving a large metallic bulge in the ground. High Elf Turn 1 Seeing so many of their brother cut down by the hail from the handgunners, the Silver Helms marched cautiously behind the spearmen towards the approaching Empire infantry column. The chariot crew spurred their steeds into a furious gallop and charged into the Grudgebringer cavalry, killing of the knights on impact. The mage Valandil Arnatuile called upon his powers to curse the spearmen but sensing the magical disturbance, the Empire Bright wizard’s channelled his efforts into dispelling it. In a fury the mage attempted another spell but could not draw enough power in his daze. The bolt thrower then unleashed its deadly missile at the Empire spearmen but, despite the crews skills, it missed. The archers then added their own volley to the fusillade at the spearmen, but whatever dark power surrounded the Ardenians it shone now as only one man fell. Meanwhile the Knights struck back at the chariot inflicted a single wound.  Turn 1 scores Empire       0 High Elves       0 Empire Turn 2 Despite the threat of the elven missiles, the infantry column continues its advance with the swordsmen breaking off just behind the Royal Guard spearmen. The Bright wizard charges his mysterious staff to summon a deadly hail of flames but with an awesome show of will, the High Elf mage dispels it despite requiring a score of 18! The handgunners again smash apart elves as 3 spearmen fall under another fusillade. The cannon however adds a partner to its previous shot, falling short of the bolt thrower again. In the battle between the Grudgebringers and the Chariot, Bernhardt inflicts on wound while his fellow men smash the chariot apart once and for all. High Elf Turn 2 With their close proximity to the Empire spearmen, the elven spearmen dig in ready to show their superior skills and accept the charge. The Silver Helms move off in the direction of the cannon, any of its previous protection gone, the cannon was a sitting duck. Once again the Curse of Arrow Attraction is dispelled, but sensing the danger of the nearby knights, the High Elf mage casts Walk Between Worlds, his body becoming ethereal and immune to basic weaponry. Another volley from the archers again only kills a single spearman but the bolt thrower achieves more success, its powerful bolt ignoring the protection of the Grudgebringer armour and felling 2 of them. The High Elves were in position to face whatever the Empire charge could deliver.  Turn 2 scores Empire      85 High Elves       0 Empire Turn 3 Sensing the carnage, which was to come, the Bright wizard took cover behind the ridge on the Empire left flank. As he did so the Empire charged, the Royal Guard and Arden Knights infantry units crashing into the front and flank of the High Elf spearmen. The Grudgebringers charged their archers on the rear of the elven battle line, 2 falling to the hail of arrows which came towards them as the elves stood and fired. The handgunners meanwhile, took up position to offer covering fire to the cannon should the Silver Helms attack it. (Note that at this point Mike forgot his magic and shooting phase and an evil Charly refused to let him off = the legacy of Charly’s invisible beard continues). In the ensuing melee between the infantry blocks the swordsmen and spearmen suffer a single casualty each while the elven spearmen turn tail and run, only to be cut down by pursuing Royal Guard who also capture their standard. Meanwhile, Bernhardt spots the Archer champion and duly cuts him to bits, overkilling the hapless elven foot troop. The rest of the Grudgebringers slay another 3 archers. Seeing such carnage, the archers flee the table, leaving the Empire cavalry to consolidate their position in front of the bolt thrower. < The Empire break the elven lines High Elf Turn 3 Seeing the elven battle line annihilated in a single charge, Commander Earendur Arnatuile orders his Silver Helms into the cover of the valley on the elven left flank. The elven mage, summoning the powers of the elven war god, summons Fury of Khaine which brings down another Grudgebringer knight, while the bolt thrower adds to this with another kill, leaving just 2 knights and Bernhardt remaining. The elves were no battling to survive, the Empire had broken through!  Turn 3 scores Empire      536 High Elves      120 Empire Turn 4 The survivors of the Grudgebringers bring their fury to bear and charge the bolt thrower, seeking to attain vengeance for their fallen comrades. The cannon moves its position on the hill awaiting a line of sight on the Silver Helms while the handgunners cover the other valley exit, leaving the elven horsemen with nowhere to hide! The infantry also begins to march towards the valley to take on the elven survivors up close. Hidden behind the ridge, the Bright wizard eludes the vision of both the elves and Brandon as once again the magic phase is forgotten. The ensuing combat between the Grudgebringers and the bolt thrower crew is short as the elves are skewered upon lowered lances. The knights then turn their position, intent on weeding out the Silver Helms. High Elf Turn 4 The elves take up a defensive position on their table edge as the Silver Helms move to protect their mage. The mage then prepares to unleash his powers but miscasts and is rendered incapable of casting spells this turn. Things look desperate for the elves as the Empire trap begins to enclose.   Turn 4 scores Empire      636 High Elves      120 Empire Turn 5 With the remaining High Elves skulking in the valley, the remaining Empire close in on their position. Galloping forth, the Bright wizards moves to were he can see the elven mage and unleashes a Fiery Blast. Despite the mages efforts, he is consumed in flames suffering nine wounds, burning his ethereal presence back into reality, were his pain could truly be felt in the mortal realm. The remaining Silver Helms remain unflinching despite the smoking mess until a cannon ball crashes towards them. 4 Silver Helms are slain leaving just the champion and the High Elf commander remaining. ^ The Empire trap closes! High Elf Turn 5 In a final act of bravery, the pure of heart elven commander and the Silver Helm champion charge the spearmen killing 2 of their number and taking no hits in return. It is a last act of defiance from a crushed elven force. Turn 5 scores Empire      746 High Elves      120 Turn 6 The rest of the Empire charge in, Barrin Sullivan issuing a challenge to the Silver Helm champion and Bernhardt to Earendur. Sullivan promptly dispatches the High Elf but Bernhardt and Earendur remain locked in combat both inflicting a wound on each other. The battle was certainly in the Empire’s favour as only a single High Elf remained! As a special end to the battle we let the commanders carry on fighting which eventually resulted in Bernhardt’s defeat. A small victory in a sea of elven defeat!  Final scores Empire   995 High Elves   120   VP difference of 875 = Empire massacre of the High Elves THE AFTERMATH Victory by Mike Ha, another mound of dead elves to dance on! Despite the one sided-ness of the game however I thoroughly enjoyed it. I felt my one charge and kill strategy worked well, as Charly simply could not react to half of his army being wiped out in a single turn. Other than that I think the rest of my plans went well, save for forgetting to shoot and cast magic over and over! Holding back the knights was my wisest choice, as they drew out and destroyed the chariot before being able to time that deadly charge into the elven lines. If there is one thing I have learnt from this battle is to be patient, expensive units can cause a lot of damage alone, but in a combined attack they are truly devastating. I guess Charly was also a little unlucky with his dice rolls, the archers killing just 2 spearmen!, although they did take out 2 knights. His spell casting was also awful, much to my amusement, and his Silver Helms were uselsss. He should have pressed on despite the handgunner barrage, but instead they fled, and then lined up in sight of a cannon!, the result being instant carnage. Plus over 200 points of cavalry charging with one model remaining??? Anyway, another Empire victory, glory to Arden! Hazaaaaa! Defeat by Charly Well…another massacre, only 120 vp’s in the bag. Overall however I feel an improvement in performance, the Grudgebringers being all but destroyed was a welcome change to the normal; unfortunately Brandon opted to take other units alongside the cavalry! The usual invincibility of the horse mounted bastards (an air of spite?) led to the drawing of almost all firepower in their direction, leaving other units at near full strength. The loss of the spearmen turned the tide of the battle, however they didn’t stand much chance against 17 (16 Charly!- ed) spearmen and 20 swordsmen in the flank! Other failures, the ridiculous movement of Silver Helms and mage into the path of a cannon ball in turn 4, fortunately the ethereal nature of the mage saved him from the lump of bouncing death! To finish the battle, a worthy challenge from Bernhardt met by the elven hero produced a character-full last stand in which post battle brawling resulted in the elf being victorious.   Produced by OGC 2003