2000pts Clan Skrit vs Vampire Counts

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Overview
Scenario: Battleline
Date Played: 20th December 2011

Having been away on holiday for November it was time to get back into the swing of normal life and play some WHFB! We'd planned 3 games over the course of a day. 3 players (Skaven, Wood Elves and Vampire Counts), 2 games each.

This is the third and final game of the day. Skaven vs Vampire Counts...

Clan Skrit

Lord

[WL] Warlord, Halberd, Armour of Silvered Steel (138pts)

Hero

[BSB] Chieftain, Battle Standard Bearer, Halberd (72pts)
[PP][PF] Plague Priest, Plague Furnace, Level 2, Rival Hide Talisman, Flail (304pts)
[WE] Warlock Engineer, Doomrocket, Warp Energy Condenser, Level 1 (115pts)

Core

[CR1] 50 Clanrats, Clawleader, Standard Bearer, Musician, Spears, Shields (270pts)
[DF] Doom Flayer (55pts)
[CR2] 22 Clanrats, Clawleader, Standard Bearer, Musician, Shields (119pts)
[SS] 40 Skaven Slaves Musician (82pts)
[GR1] 6 Giant Rats, 1 Packmaster (26pts)
[GR2] 6 Giant Rats, 1 Packmaster (26pts)

Special

[PM] 35 Plague Monks Bringer-of-the-Word, Standard Bearer, Musician, Plague Banner (300pts)
[GR] 6 Gutter Runners Slings, Poisoned Attacks (108pts)

Rare

[DW] Doomwheel (150pts)
[HPA] Hellpit Abomination (235pts)

Total: 2000pts

Vampire Counts

Lord

[VL] Vampire Lord, Level 3, Helm of Commandment, Master of the Black Arts, Sceptre of Stability, Summon Ghouls, Talisman of Preservation, Forbidden Lore (Shadows) (445pts)

Hero

[BSB] Wight King, Battle Standard Bearer, Heavy Armour, Shield, The Flayed Hauberk (100pts)
[TB] Tomb Banshee, (95pts)
[N] Necromancer, Dispel Scroll, Invocation of Nehek, Vanhel's Dance Macabre (95pts)

Core

[CG1] 29 Crypt Ghouls, (232pts)
[CG2] 29 Crypt Ghouls, (232pts)
[SW] 28 Skeletons, Standard Bearer, Musician, Shields (236pts)
[DW] 5 Dire Wolves (40pts)

Special

[FB1] 3 Fell Bats (60pts)
[FB2] 3 Fell Bats (60pts)

Rare

[T] Terrorgheist (225pts)
[V] Varghulf (175pts)

Total: 1995pts

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Deployment


We rolled up the Watchtower scenario for the second time today, so ignored this and decided to play Battleline instead.

The terrain was fairly ineffective. Near the Skaven deployment zone (south) was a mystic portal - which we completely forgot about after turn 1! Other than that, the buildings just influenced movement as usual.

The Skaven won the roll to deploy first and chose the southern edge - hoping to make the most of the arcane ruins on the left. The Giant Rats were put down first to avoid giving anything away. After that the rest of the army bunched up in the corner.


The Vampires opted to deploy more to the right of the board, not wanting to have to contend with fighting combats within a forest. The Fell Bats and Dire Wolves pretty much meant that the Vampire's were able to hold back their bigger units for longer and see where the Skaven were committing to.


Finally the Skaven Gutter Runners deployed off on the far right of the Skaven deployment zone. There wasn't enough room on the right side of the Vampire deployment zone...and it seemed a waste to put them anywhere near the Terrorgheist.


The Vampires won the roll for the first turn but they chose to let the Skaven make the first move. From past experience this tends to make it a little easier for the Skaven's opponents to deal with units like the Doomwheel and Hellpit Abomination. So on to the game...

Spells:
Plague Priest: Pestilent Breath, Cloud of Corruption
Warlock Engineer: Warp Lightning
Vampire Lord: Lore of Shadows
Necromancer: Invocation of Nehek, Vanhel's Dance Macabre

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Turn 1 - Clan Skrit


Both the Hellpit Abomination and Doomwheel started the game by moving up. The rest of the Skaven lines did it's best to keep pace - although was slightly hindered by the location of the magical portal by the Plague Monks.


Fearing the worst from the magical portal, one of the Giant Rat units moved up to ensure it was the closest target.


On the right flank the Gutter Runners moved up into the building, ready to sneak around the Vampires flank in later turns.


In the magic phase the Warlock Engineer managed to get past the Vampire's magic defence and inflicted a single wound on the Terrorgheist with Warp Lightning.


The Gutter Runners let loose with their poisoned slings in the shooting phase but the Fell Bats emerged unscathed.

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Turn 1 - Vampire Counts


The Vampires pushed their troops forwards using the smaller, faster, units of Fell Bats and Dire Wolves to form up a line diagonally across the table. The Varghulf and Terrorgheist both decided to abandon their position on the flank of the undead army and moved to a more central position.


In the magic phase the Vampire Lord started raising additional troops and added 7 "fresh" ghouls to the nearest unit.


The Vampire then hexed the Hellpit Abomination with the Withering and reduced it's strength by -2. But in the process managed to miscast and kill a pair of Skeletons.


With both the Terrorgheist and Banshee out of range to use their screams, there was no shooting this turn and it was straight into Skaven turn 2.

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Turn 2 - Clan Skrit


Wary of the potential costs (mainly in warpstone!) of sending a hexed Hellpit Abomination into combat with 30 Ghouls unsupported, the Skaven pulled off a little trickery by sending the Hellpit off to the left flank - out of the way!

The Doomwheel continued it's advanced towards aforementioned Ghouls flank, although it's original target had vacated that flank in the previous turn.


In the centre the Skaven line continued to advance and consolidate it's overall formation. The two Giant Rat units moved and angled to redirect the undead units as best they could.


On the right, the Gutter Runners left their building to get into close range of the Fell Bats.


The magic phase was uneventful as the Vampire Lord managed to shut down the spells.

In the shooting phase the Gutter Runners managed their first wound on the Fell Bats in 2 rounds of shooting.


Finally, the Doomwheel fried 3 of the Ghouls with it's lightning bolts.

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Turn 2 - Vampire Counts


Having had 3 fairly 'tame' player turns so far, the Vampires set out to up the pace a little.

One unit of Fell Bats charged the Giant Rats nearest the magical portal (which by now we had completely forgotten about and was no more than some impassable terrain).

Then one of the Ghoul units charged the other Giant Rats.

The remainder of the undead infantry closed the gap and maintained the battle lines.


While the Varghulf, Terrorgheist and remaining Fell Bats took up positions on the right (Vampire players left) flank.


In the magic phase the Vampires struck their first significant blow by casting Pit of Shades on the Plague Monks. The template scattered off target, but still clipped the front rank of the unit - the Plague Furnace, Plague Priest and 2 Plague Monks all fell into the pit, leaving the Plague Monks unit looking much smaller!


Then the Vampire Lord summoned yet more Ghouls back into the army. But at the cost of yet another miscast which killed yet more Skeletons.


In the shooting phase the Terrorgheist set it's gaze on the Plague Monks and felled another 2 with it's wail.


In combat the Ghouls easily defeated the first unit of Giant Rats. Only the Packmaster survived to flee. Annoyingly, he finished his flee right in front of the spear armed Clanrats.


The other Giant Rat unit fared much better. It managed to kill one of the Fell Bats before they could strike, and even when they did, the two remaining Fell Bats only managed to kill a single Giant Rat. The combat was a draw.

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Turn 3 - Clan Skrit


So if it's combat the Vampires want, it was combat the Skaven would give them - ahem, or at least that was the intent!

The Gutter Runners started by charging the Fell Bats on the right flank before they could get away.


The Plague Monk survivors saw an opportunity to disrupt the undead lines and declared a charge on the Dire Wolves. They needed a 4-5 to reach, but of course rolled a double 1! This left them woefully exposed to flank charges from both the Terrorgheist and Varghulf next turn.


The remainder of the Skaven units formed up alongside the Plague Monks. Including the Hellpit Abomination which returned from the flank now that the hex was about to wear off.


Once again the Skaven casters couldn't get past the Vampire Lord's defences and the magic phase was a wash.

In the shooting phase however the Skaven decided it was time to unleash some of their nasty tricks. The combined firepower of the Doomwheel and the Doom Rocket killed a total of 17 Ghouls.


In combat the Gutter Runners finally managed to kill a Fell Bat (through combat res!), and suffered no losses in return.


Finally, the Giant Rats did a sterling job against the other unit of Fell Bats and wiped them out before they could attack back.

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Turn 3 - Vampire Counts


So first things first, the photo's from this point on are a little patchy. Apologies for that, but I'll try and fill in as much detail as I can.

Both the Terrorgheist and Varghulf took advantage of the Plague Monks bad luck and charged them in the flank.


The Direwolves charged into the Giant Rats unit that had been victorious against the Fell Bats last turn.

The remains of the Ghoul unit that had been hit by the Doomrocket last turn reformed to face the Doomwheel. The other infantry units continued the advance towards the Skaven centre.

In the magic phase the Necromancer started by casting dance macabre on the Ghouls who were now facing the Doomwheel sending them charging into the contraption. The Vampire Lord also summoned a few more models to join the unit.


In the shooting phase the Terrorgheist screamed at the Plague Monks, killing exactly 11. This happened to be the exact number of kills needed to take the Terrorgheist out of the upcoming combat.


In combat the Direwolves made short work of the Giant Rats, and overran straight into the magic portal.


The Varghulf killed plenty of Plague Monks and they failed to do anything in return. However the rats were steadfast and held their ground thanks to the nearby Skaven Warlord and BSB.


The Clanrats brought some hope for the Skaven by defeating the Fell Bats, still not taking any casualties.


But then of course the Ghouls stripped pieces off the Doomwheel left, right and centre. The Skaven device fled from combat and was run down by the pursuing Ghouls.

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Turn 4 - Clan Skrit


Eager not to let the undead monsters on the flank roll up the entire Skaven battleline, the Clanrat horde charged into the Ghouls in the centre. The Gutter Runners then charged into the Skeleton bunker to prevent the Vampire Lord from using the Helm of Commandment on the Ghouls.


Behind the Clanrat horde, the Slaves reformed to face the Terrorgheist to an attempt to delay it. The Clanrat bunker moved up to maximise the BSB bubble.


The Hellpit Abomination finally found a position where it stood a chance of seeing combat. It moved to pin down the depleted Ghouls that had just destroyed the Doomwheel.


Skaven magic was once again a wash - I really miss taking a Grey Seer!

In combat the Clanrats and Warlord managed to kill the 7 Ghouls which had been raised during VC turn 1, while the Clanrats lost 5 of their own in the fighting. Both sides remained locked in combat.


The Gutter Runners were cut down easily by the Vampire Lord. But they had done their job. The two surviving Eshin rats fled.

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Turn 4 - Vampire Counts


With the Varghulf still engaged against the Plague Monks, the Terrorgheist continued along the Skaven flank and charged into the Clanrat bunker containing the BSB.


The Direwolves in the centre reformed to face the fleeing Gutter Runners, ready to run them off the table.


Back in the Vampire Counts deployment zone, the Ghouls reformed to face the approaching Hellpit Abomination.


In the magic phase the Vampire Lord hexed the Clanrat horde with the withering. The rats strength was reduced by -1.


However there was yet ANOTHER miscast that killed even more Skeletons.


The Terrorgheist tried screaming at the Clanrat bunker, but failed to roll high enough.

In combat the Varghulf finally broke the Plague Monks. Only one of the plague ridden rats was left to flee, and he bounced straight down the Skaven line. The position of the Terrorgheist prevented the Varghulf from pursuing.


The Clanrats faired better against the Terrorgheist. Not only did they wound the monster, but they also won the combat by 1 - but the Terrorgheist ignored the combat resolution thanks to the proximity of the Wight King BSB. The Clanrats combat reformed to face their assailant.


The Clanrats and Ghouls managed 6 kills on either side. Both sides had 3 ranks and a banner/BSB. So the Clanrats one by 1 thanks to their musician - but again the Wight King BSB negated the combat resolution damage.

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Turn 5 - Clan Skrit


Seeing that things could easily fall apart pretty soon, the Skaven tried to salvage the situation.

The Skaven Slaves charged into the Terrorgheist to support the Clanrat bunker.


The Hellpit Abomination needed 14" to charge into the Ghouls that were already fighting the Clanrat horde. Sadly it rolled 13" and fell short. But the Doomflayer had earlier positioned itself ready for a flank charge, so this turn it ploughed in.


The various fleeing units continued to flee - to be honest I never even rolled for them after this point and we assumed they would all make it off the board and give up their VP's.

With the Warlock Engineer in combat, and the Plague Priest stuck under the ground somewhere the Skaven magic phase wasn't even a wash this time - it was non existent!

In combat the Doomflayer shed it's first blood (ever) and made a significant dent on the Ghouls. Combined with the Clanrats attacks the Ghouls unit was brought down to less than 15 models. However not before the Wight King rolled up a killing blow attack on the Warlord.


Lastly, the Skaven Slaves and Clanrats made their numbers count and brought the Terrorgheist down to it's final wound - but couldn't quite finish off the monster.

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Turn 5 - Vampire Counts


With practically their whole army in combat, there was little for the Vampires to do during movement. The Ghouls moved down to potentially charge in a later turn (or magic phase).


The Direwolves charged the fleeing Gutter Runners and chased them off the table.


In the centre the Varghulf manoeuvred ready for a flank charge on the Clanrat horde.


In the magic phase the Necromancer managed to cast Vanhel's Dance Macabre on the Varghulf, sending in to aid the Ghouls.


The Clanrat bunker and Skaven Slaves finally inflicted the final wound on the Terrorgheist. The Clanrats reformed to try and at least face the relevant direction, although the gap between the Clanrat horde and the magic portal wasn't large enough for a rank of 5 models.


In combat the Clanrats and Doomflayer once again inflicted an admirable number of casualties on the Ghouls, but suffered several in return including the loss of the Doomflayer.The Clanrats won by one - but once again the Wight King BSB saved the undead any further wounds.

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Turn 6 - Clan Skrit


Where the Doomflayer hadn't quite worked, the Hellpit Abomination would succeed. It finally got into combat by charging the flank of the Ghouls in the centre.


Note: at this point I had a choice between charging the Ghouls or the Skeleton bunker. I opted for the Ghouls as I wasn't convinced the Hellpit Abomination would be that reliable when sent in alone against a unit with a Vampire Lord.

The Skaven Slaves and Clanrat bunker moved up in support of the Clanrat horde, but couldn't contribute directly thanks to terrain getting in the way.


In combat the Hellpit Abomination did it's job - but couldn't quite do enough. The Wight King BSB survived with a single wound left.

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Turn 6 - Vampire Counts


In a last bid to ensure they didn't lose the victory that was currently in their grasp. The Vampire Counts charged the Banshee alone into the flank of the Hellpit Abomination - the Ghouls remained behind to avoid the potential haemorrhage of combat resolution which could take the Varghulf out.


With no other movement it was on to the shooting phase.

The Vampire Lord once again cast the withering on the Hellpit, reducing it's strength by -3.


Then it was onto the final combat of the game...

The Hellpit Abomination finished off the Wight King BSB easily with it's attacks. The Banshee didn't inflict any wounds, but the Varghulf did enough to win the combat by just 1. The Clanrats held on their steadfast test, but the Hellpit Abomination failed it's test and was run down by the Banshee (not pictured).


With that it was game over. The Skaven had suffered major losses - at least to their expensive units!

Game over - victory to the Vampire Counts

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Post Battle Thoughts

Clan Skrit
Well that turned out closer than I thought. It was a minor victory to the Vampire Counts (roughly 250pts ahead of the Skaven).

I suspect my initial deployment wasn't quite up to scratch - I struggled to bring my units to bear at the same time and as a result they were picked on individually and unable to support one another. Of course this wasn't exactly helped by a little bad luck at just the wrong moment - the Plague Monks attempted charge on turn 3.

The idea behind this list was to try out some different ideas. One of the first thoughts on it was the lack of magical punch. The Plague Priest just didn't have any spells worth casting which meant I was left with just a level 1 caster for most of the game. A Grey Seer really is a must - or at least a couple of level 2 Warlock Engineers. The lore of ruin is a much better all rounder.

It's a shame the Plague Furnace never saw any action. In previous games it has been quite effective. Maybe next time - need to learn to be more wary of these new big spells!

Vampire Counts
...

[Tupinamba]

Really love your battle reports. And the games!

I think your series are the best non video BRs around. One can clearly follow the tactical decisions and at the same time have a look at the miniatures.

The only thing I´d like to see is more players! With some different armies.

Cheers!

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The only thing I´d like to see is more players! With some different armies.

Firstly, thanks for the feedback. It's good to know these reports are well received by those who read them. And the comments are appreciated - all three of us read them and have learned quite a lot from the feedback/suggestions.


I can see the advantage to more players in our group. But I'm not a big fan of the staff at my local GW*, so never saw much appeal in staying there for hours to play a game or two! And it's not that easy to invite a stranger into your home to play either.

* = it's not anyone in particular. The staff there regularly change - it's very rare that I will see the same person twice! But in general the staff seem oblivious to common sense when it comes to selling their own products - one example was trying to sell a friend of mine a £60 boxed set when all he went in for was a pot of paint!


On the plus side, with the new VC due for release imminently I'm sure the other two guys will be re-vamping their lists. And I have just put in an order for some TK reinforcements ready to take on their hated cousins. So you can expect to see some new armies/lists in the near future.

[Tupinamba]

Hey mate,

no need for any justification, I only posted to thank you for the work on the excellent BRs and give some positive feedback.

Warhammer is (or should...) always be a game for friends and I´m more than happy that you put the battles of your home gaming group here at warseer for us to see. However, it will be interesting to see the effect of the new VC book on the undead lists and the games in general.

Cheers

[savage dominion!!!]

Hey Fella!

Im a new member of Warseer and WHFB but have sat for about an hour reading your battle reports they are quite impressive and bring into the game with such good description. It also helps me take notes on some of the rules that i struggle to remember in my games with me just learning. It doesnt matter too much tho as I collect beastmen and play my friends Dark Elves with 16 crossbowmen at multiple shots with 32 attacks! Haha im generally wiped out before turn 4-5 but keep up the good work my friend!

[tdh6002]

Great battlereport !
one small thing, the vampire lord general cannot dick the lore of shadow cause he must pick the lore of vampires.