2500pts Clan Skrit vs Orcs & Goblins

[tarrym]

Overview
Scenario: Battleline
Date Played: 12th March 2011

We had an opportunity for a slightly bigger game the other night, featuring some very large units - both in model count and size!

This was only the third game the O&G player had played under the new army book, and it was the first outing for the Skaven Screaming Bell. There was plenty to try and keep track of - and as I have realised since the event, I didn't quite manage to remember it all

Clan Skrit

Lord

[GS] Grey Seer, Screaming Bell, Skalm, Talisman of Preservation (515pts)*

Hero

[BSB] Chieftain, Battle Standard Bearer, Halberd, Storm Banner (122pts)
[PP] Plague Priest, Flail (104pts)

Core

[CR1] 45 Clanrats, Clawleader, Standard Bearer, Musician, Spears (222.5pts)
[CR] 29 Clanrats, Clawleader, Standard Bearer, Musician, Shields (150.5pts)
[PWM] Poisoned Wind Mortar, (65pts)
[SS] 45 Skaven Slaves, (90pts)
[GR] 23 Giant Rats, 2 Packmasters, (85pts)

Special

[PM] 48 Plague Monks Bringer-of-the-Word, Standard Bearer, Musician, Plague Banner (391pts)
[RO] 6 Rat Ogres, 3 Packmasters (279pts)

Rare

[WLC] Warp Lightning Cannon (90pts)
[DW] Doomwheel (150pts)
[HPA] Hellpit Abomination (235pts)

Total: 2499pts

* = Yes, I was a bit silly and gave my Grey Seer a 4+ Ward Save, despite him already having one from the bell. This wasn't just me being massively over-protective!!

Orcs & Goblins

Lord

[OWB] Orc Warboss, Armour of Destiny, Shield, +1 S Magic Sword (168pts)
[OGS] Orc Great Shaman, Level 4, Talisman of Protection (245pts)

Hero

[BSB] Night Goblin Bigboss, Battle Standard Bearer, Armour of Silvered Steel, Great Weapon (104pts)
[NGB1] Night Goblin Bigboss, Great Weapon (34pts)
[NGB2] Night Goblin Bigboss, Great Weapon (34pts)
[NGS] Night Goblin Shaman, Level 2 (85pts)

Core

[OB] 39 Orc Boys, Bigguns, Standard Bearer, Musician, Two Choppas, Banner of Eternal Flame (381pts)
[NG] 77 Night Goblins, Standard Bearer, Spears, Netters (286pts)
[SR] 5 Spider Riders, (65pts)

Special

[BO] 40 Black Orcs, Standard Bearer, Musicians, +1 Ld Banner (500pts)
[OC] Orc Boar Chariot (85pts)
[SC1] Spear Chuckka (35pts)
[SC2] Spear Chuckka (35pts)

Rare

[AS] Arachnarok Spider (290pts)
[T] Stone Troll (35pts)
[DD] Doom Diver (80pts)

Total: 2500pts

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Deployment


Scenery was laid out by my girlfriend. In the end the only piece that really played a part was the scree slope in the middle of the board.

The Orcs pretty much had to take up the whole board if they wanted to avoid getting stuck behind squabbling units. The Black Orcs were the last thing to go down (except characters) and luckily for the Skaven they deployed on the far left of the board.


The Skaven opted for a more compact deployment, hoping to keep at least one of the three Orc hordes out of the game. The Rat Ogres took up position on the far right flank, hoping to give the Orc artillery a distraction from shooting the Screaming Bell.


On the far left flank, the Doomwheel was assigned to a suicide mission to try and weaken the Arachnarok Spider - so the Warplightning Cannon could finish the monster off!


Spells:
Grey Seer: Scorch, Bless With Filth, Wither, Curse of the Horned Rat
Plague Priest: Pestilent Breath
Orc Great Shaman: Foot of Gork, 'Ere We Go, The Hand of Gork, Gaze of Mork
Night Goblin Shaman: Vindictive Glare, Gork'll Fix It

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Turn 1 - Orcs & Goblins


The Orcs & Goblins started in age old fashion by rumbling forwards as fast as they could - all that is except for the Night Goblins who failed their animosity test and stood around by the forest squabbling.


On the left flank the Arachnarok spearheaded the attack, making sure there would be no escape for the Doomwheel.


The Orcs magic phase was pretty much shut down.

In the shooting phase the Orc artillery were unexpectedly good! One of the Spear Chuckas inflicted 3 wounds on the Screaming Bell, while the other Chucka and the Doom Diver combined their fire on the Rat Ogres, killing 2 of the beasts and wounding another.


With no combat yet, it was on to the Skaven first turn.

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Turn 1 - Clan Skrit


The Skaven started their turn by reading up the rules on the Storm Banner - and realising it could have been used during the Orc turn to stop their artillery from wreaking havoc! Then not really thinking it through, the Storm Banner was activated

Throwing caution to the wind, the Doomwheel started the game moving right up in front of the Arachnarok Spider hoping to do some damage with it's lightning bolts before it got mangled.


The rest of the Skaven army advanced up, using the Giant Rats as a bait for the Orc Chariot. The Hellpit Abomination moved straight up to the building to deliberately restrain it from racing off ahead unsupported.


The Skaven magic phase opened up (and ended) with a successful casting of Scorch on the Orc Bigguns, killing 10.


Then onto the shooting - and another mistake from the Skaven. Rather than shooting the Arachnarok Spider with the Warplightning Cannon, and then finishing if off with the Doomwheel, I got a little excited at trashing my opponents shiny new monster and started rolling for the Doomwheel first. This is what happened:


If you can't make it out, that was a misfire, followed by an "Out of Control" movement straight into the monstrous spider!

Then of course with the Doomwheel in combat with the Arachnarok the Warplightning Cannon opted to shoot the Orc Chariot instead. For anyone who has read my other Skaven reports you may know the sort of luck I've had with this particular artillery peice - but this time it hit and rolled S10, claiming it's first ever meaningful kill.

There was only one combat to resolve, and this is how it ended...


Between impact hits and other attacks the Doomwheel inflicted 4 wounds on the Arachnarok, who managed the same number in return. However as the Doomwheel counted as charging it won by 1 and the Arachnarok Spider broke and was run down!

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Turn 2 - Orcs & Goblins


The Orcs had been caught a bit off-guard, but continued their advance - except for the Night Goblins who again failed their animosity test. This time they were in charge range of the Giant Rats, but failed the roll (they needed a 12) and moved forward for the first time.

The Orc Bigguns in the centre also failed their Animosity test, only they rumbled forwards within charge range of the Plague Monks. They then proceeded to make their compulsory charge.


On the flank the Black Orcs continued to march forwards with the Troll racing ahead.


In the magic phase the Orc Great Shaman managed to cast the powered up version of The Hand of Gork on the Black Orcs in an attempt to get them back in the game. They moved up a massive 18".


The Orc artillery was less effective this turn, but still managed to kill another Rat Ogre.


The combat between the Plague Monks and the Orc Bigguns in the centre was very bloody - but a little one sided! The higher initiative Plague Monks, combined with re-rolls to hit and to wound from the Plague Banner, managed to kill a whopping 25 Orcs for only 5 losses in return. Suffice to say the Orc general and his bodyguard broke and were ran down.

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Turn 2 - Clan Skrit


The Skavens luck was with them for a change. They started the turn with the Rat Ogres charging into the Spider Riders on the flank. While the Giant Rats moved up to threaten the nuisance of the Orc artillery.


The Plague Monks in the centre held back their charge, not convinced they could win out against 80 Night Goblins without some help. The Hellpit Abomination and Screaming Bell moved up to support the Plague Monks. While the smaller unit of Clanrats and the Skaven Slaves reformed to face the left flank, preparing for the rapidly approaching Black Orcs.


The Doomwheel started it's run behind Orc lines, leaving it pretty close to the Orc Great Shaman in the building.

The Skaven second magic phase ended abruptly as the Grey Seer failed to cast it's first spell, and the Plague Priest was out of range with his only spell.

In the shooting phase the Warplightning Cannon killed the Stone Troll, leaving just the Black Orcs threatening the machine. "Just" the Black Orcs

The Doomwheel let off it's lightning attack, killing the Orc Great Shaman, despite it's 4+ ward save.

The Rat Ogres made short work of the Spider Riders and ran off the edge of the board.

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Turn 3 - Orcs & Goblins


Apologies, but the photo's for this turn were very blurry so I haven't uploaded most of them.

The Night Goblins finally brought themselves into the game by charging the Plague Monks in the centre. While the Black Orcs continued their march along the left flank so they could actually do something!


With the Orc Great Shaman gone, the Night Goblin Shaman couldn't quite manage to get his spells past the defences of the Skaven.

The Orc artillery had obviously used up all of their luck for the game as they failed to inflict any damage this turn.

In combat the Night Goblins and Plague Monks ripped into each other and ultimately the Plague Monks lost combat by 1 but held their ground.

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Turn 3 - Clan Skrit


With the remainder of the Orc army now split between the centre and approaching fast along the left flank, the Skaven plans would have to adapt slightly.

The Giant Rats charged the Doom Diver to make sure the artillery didn't get another change in their luck.

The Doomwheel and Hellpit Abomination both moved up into positions ready to support the Plague Monks. While the Screaming Bell also moved up as far as it could.

The Clanrats and Skavenslaves shuffled themselves about to try and make sure its the Slaves going into combat against the Black Orcs first - just as it should be!

In the magic phase the Grey Seer managed to cast both Wither on the Night Goblins, and Bless with Filth on the Plague Monks.


The Warplightning Cannon managed to overshoot the Black Orcs, meaning it wouldn't get another opportunity.

The Plague Monks, aided by Bless with Filth and Wither, ripped into the Night Goblins this turn, and also killed the Night Goblin Shaman. The Night Goblins held their ground though as they were still steadfast.


The Giant Rats easily beat the Doom Diver and overran into the Spear Chucka alongside it.

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Turn 4 - Orcs & Goblins


The Black Orcs being the only unit not yet in combat, they soon corrected this error by charging the Warplightning Cannon.


In the shooting phase the un-engaged Speak Chucka had another shot at the Screaming Bell and inflicted another 2 wounds - leaving it with only 1 remaining.


In combat the Black Orcs easily beat the Warplightning Cannon and reformed to face the rear of the Screaming Bell.


The Giant Rats easily beat the Doom Diver and reformed to face the remaining Spear Chucka.

In the centre the Night Goblins again lost combat, but not before taking out plenty more Plague Monks. Both of these units were grinding each other down nicely.

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Turn 4 - Clan Skrit


At this point I think I got a little confused when putting the maps together. The Giant Rats in the top right are shown as running off the board and then charging the remaining Spear Chucka later on - but they actually reformed and charged this turn. Sorry!


In the centre, the Hellpit Abomination charged into the combat with the Night Goblins.

The Skaven Slaves moved up to protect the Screaming Bell, which reformed to turn and face the oncoming Black Orcs (just in case!).


In the magic phase the Grey Seer cast Wither on the Black Orcs, preparing for the last big fight of the game. He also managed to cast Bless with Filth again on the Plague Monks - hoping they wouldn't let the Skaven down and start losing to the Night Goblins!


The Poisoned Wind Mortar got it's first kill of the game by poisoning a couple of Black Orcs.


The combat in the centre raged on. The Hellpit Abomination made its presence known, however despite the mass of attacks going against the Goblins they still had exactly 5 models left in their second rank - meaning yet another stubborn 6 test with a re-roll.


The Giant Rats killed the last of the Orc artillery and overran into the forest.

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Turn 5 - Orcs & Goblins


The Black Orcs made their last push to get at the heart of the Skaven army. They charged into the Skaven Slaves.

With no casters or shooting left, it was straight onto combat...

The Night Goblins finally crumbled in the face of the combined attacks from the Plague Monks and Hellpit Abomination. However only 5 models survived from the Plague Monks as they chased down the Night Goblins over the Scree Slope.

The Hellpit held it's position, as it was going to be needed against the Black Orcs.


The Black Orcs managed to kill a reasonable 11 Slaves in the first round of combat with only a single loss in return. However it wasn't enough to break the steadfast, Ld10 Slaves.

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Turn 5 - Clan Skrit


The Orc army was pretty much decimated, but there was still the matter of 30-odd Black Orcs rampaging around behind the lines. The Skaven began with charging the Hellpit Abomination into the flank of the Black Orcs.

The Grey Seer managed to cast Wither on the armour-clad beasts again, reducing them to toughness 2. He also managed to cast Bless with Filth on the Skaven Slaves.

In combat the Hellpit Abomination tore into the Black Orcs like they were a nice mouldy lump of cheese. In total 16 Black Orcs fell before they even got to attack. They failed to wound the Hellpit Abomination and killed a few more Slaves. Then to add insult to injury another 2 Orcs fell to the Hellpit Abominations thunderstomp.


The thoroughly beaten Orcs failed their break test and fled, being run down by the monstrous mutation.


Game over - victory to Clan Skrit

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Post Battle Thoughts

Clan Skrit
So that was (I think) my first victory with the Skaven. I was pretty pleased with how things went, although it was largely down to luck!

• The Doomwheel possibly wouldn't have done so well against the Arachnarok if the O&G player had remembered his special attack rule.
• The Grey Seer got a really good set of spells
• The Orcs animosity meant that the Night Goblins and Orc Bigguns hit piecemeal and allowed plenty of time for the Skaven to deal with them

A few things I need to remember for next time:

• Screaming Bell is rolled for during the magic phase! I think I only remembered this once, my opponent was gracious enough to allow me to do it after casting spells in a later turn
• Screaming Bell rings when hit by S6 or higher - i.e. Orc artillery.
• Grey Seer doesn't need a Ward Save item if mounted on the Screaming Bell (I see a pattern emerging!)
• The Storm Banner should be activated on your opponents turn, and not your own.

One of the things which most surprised/pleased me was that I now know that a large horde of Plague Monks really doesn't need a Plague Furnace to be effective. In larger games then great, but around the 2500pt mark where the Screaming Bell comes into play I'd say the Furnace becomes much less useful.

Orcs & Goblins

• Everything went wrong!!! Animosity was really harsh meaning that on turn 2 one of my units was on one side of the board while my Night Goblins hadn't even moved yet..
• The Doomwheel killing the Arachnarok Spider in one turn was a little bit harsh as well, leading to the death of my Orc Great Shaman.
• I really did seem to fail to dispel a lot of spells by being just one or two short on the dice.
• The Night Goblins and the artillery did amazingly well though.

Possible mistakes:

• Maybe I should have deployed the Black Orcs on the other flank. They'd have been closer to the action, but I was worried about travelling through the marsh.
• With hindsight, maybe I shouldn't have charged the Plague Monks with my Night Goblins, but let them charge me next turn instead.

[SevenSins]

nice rep and pics, thanks for sharing

a few rememberings for next time then (I take it the ringing of the screaming bell didn't have much of an impact then?)

The arachnarok (no capital letters for that silly thing) is as was shown a bit flawed with its rotten leadership no wonder it ran of

[tarrym]

nice rep and pics, thanks for sharing

a few rememberings for next time then (I take it the ringing of the screaming bell didn't have much of an impact then?)

The arachnarok (no capital letters for that silly thing) is as was shown a bit flawed with its rotten leadership no wonder it ran of

Sadly yeah. I only remembered to roll a couple of times (and also forgot to roll when it was hit by the Orc artillery). The first time I got the result where it's unit moved forward 6" - but they were already 1" behind the Plague Monks! Then the second result collapsed the empty building nearest the Skaven deployment zone - which didn't really make any difference anyway.

Having said that, the 18" leadership bubble did come in handy a couple of times, and the improved LoS for the Grey Seer was very useful. I'd certainly go for a Screaming Bell list again, although I can see the argument for both a Grey Seer (on foot) and a Warlord to separate the proverbial eggs, the Warlord never quite seems to do very much. In a unit of Plague Monks he is OTT, in a unit of Stormvermin/Clanrats they just can't really hack it in combat against most enemy units. Whereas I can see the Screaming Bell itself supporting the surrounding units in a big way, and providing a solid anchor in your battle line if you really needed to just hold out for that 1 crucial turn.

[Sqallum]

Nice 1 Tarrym Good to see your bad luck has finally ended...
Sqallum