3,000pts - Vampire Counts vs. Tomb Kings

[Kriegschmidt]

Greetings!

The last several games of Warhammer I've played, I haven't gotten around to posting a batrep, so this is long overdue.

I've been working on a couple of 3,000pt Vampire Counts lists for a while now, tweaking them gradually against my regular opponent, Mondobot. I've settled on a "Magic" list and a "Monsters" list, each one headed up by a different brother from the Van Köln family.

In this game I used the "Magic" list. I had previously focused on making my General (Vampire Lord) a powerful wizard, but I felt the absence of much combat punch, so I traded in Master Of The Black Arts for some extra grrrrrr

Anyhow, Mondobot and I met up last night for another grudge match of epic, Undead proportions....

[Kriegschmidt]

Vampire Counts Army List

Count Marik Wadim Van Köln (Vampire Lord)
Level 4 Wizard (Lore of Vampires)
Red Fury, Quickblood
Armour of Destiny, Sword of Strife

Heiner Reinfeld (Master Necromancer)
Level 4 Wizard (Lore of Vampires)
Black Periapt

Countess Philemena van Köln (Vampire)
Level 2 Wizard (Lore of Shadows)
Hellsteed, Heavy Armour
Quickblood, Beguile
Shield of Ptolos, Book of Arkhan

Gryorgy Van Köln (Vampire)
Level 1 Wizard (Lore of Vampires)
Hellsteed, Heavy Armour
Red Fury
Ogre Blad, Enchanted Shield

Tomb Banshee

Cairn Wraith

Cairn Wraith

40 Skeleton Warriors
Spears, Full Command
Banner of Swiftness

30 Crypt Ghouls
Crypt Ghast

10 Dire Wolves
Doomwolf

36 Zombies

Corpse Cart
Balefire

8 Black Knights
Lances, Barding, Full Command
Banner of the Barrows

5 Hexwraiths

Spirit Host

Black Coach

[Kriegschmidt]

Tomb Kings Army List
****Mondobot is emailing me his army list, as I can't remember exactly what he had. Updated soon!****

Special Character Wizard

Wizard of Light

Wizard of Light

Wizard of Nehekara

Wizard of Death

Tomb Prince

Tomb Herald (- character details coming very soon!!)

29 Skeleton Archers

29 Skeleton Archers

29 Skeleton Archers

7 Chariots

Necrolith Colossus

Necrolith Colossus

Hierotitan

Necrosphinx*
*note that Mondobot preferred the head of the War Sphinx, therefore he modelled this one onto his Necrosphinx

[Kriegschmidt]

Mission and Deployment

We went for the basic Battleline mission but opted to include some key scenery pieces, in order to add some variety (strategic and aesthetic) to the battlefield. So in addition to a spread of scenery, we set up an arcane ruin* near one long edge and a long wall as an obstacle in one corner on the opposing long edge.

Mondobot one the roll-off for table edges and, much to my relief.... he chose the edge with the long wall. I was hoping for the arcane ruin, especially with his Hierotitan granting an additional D3 to each of his casting rolls!


*(allows Wizards within 6" to roll up to 4 dice for channelling, but with any treble 6 causing a miscast)

Photos of deployment attached. I opted to try and sneak around his flank at the opposite end of the table from his long wall, by using the two Vampires on Hellsteeds and the Dire Wolves. I hoped that this would also hold up his chariots, which were clearly hoping to outflank my main body of foot troops. I planned to hold back a little with my foot troops (while charging in with the Hexwraiths to try and pin one or two of his monsters lurking behind the wall), while the two flying Vampires and Dire Wolves got into position to run along his back edge, possibly with the Black Coach...

Relying on Zombies for cheapness and ease of resurrection, the Count, the Tomb Banshee and the two Cairn Wraiths all deployed in the front rank of the Zombie unit, with the Count carefully positioning himself in order to facilitate those all-important March moves (and 12" range spells!).

The Master Necromancer joined the Skeleton Spearmen, standing atop the Arcane Ruin.

[Kriegschmidt]

Spells-wise:

Count Marik received Wind of Death, Curse of Years, Hellish Vigour and Invocation of Kehek, while Heiner Reinfeld ended up with Raise Dead, Gaze of Nagash, Vanhel's Danse Macabre and Invocation of Nehek. Gotta love 2 x level 4 wizards, for getting all the Lore of Vampire spells!

Countess Philemena received The Withering and Steed of Shadows, while Gyorgy took the Invocation of Kehek.

I'm afraid the rest of the write-up will have to wait until tomorrow....! (sorry)

[BigbyWolf]

Fail! My battle reports were posted in one go!*

*- If by one go, you mean an average of one turn a week.

[-Totenkopf-]

all this buildup and no delivery!!!

[tarrym]

Having just finished writing up my own 3000pts TK vs VC I am intrigued to see how this ends up - particularly as the lists are quite different to what we usually see in our local group. Looking forward to the rest of the report - and don't worry about the delay, I know full well how much time these things can take to write up!

[Kriegschmidt]

TK Turn 1

A note on deployment here: facing the Dire Wolves and two Hellsteed-mounting was a solitary Wizard of Light. He had been positioned here as a counter to the Spirit Host, who otherwise could have become a roadblock for Mondobot's 7-strong unit of chariots!

As the arrayed Khemrian constructs stood snorting behind their lines, waiting for the moment to charge, the lone Wizard of Light sent forth a salvo of holy magic... and blasted the Spirit Host into oblivion! (I decided not to Dispel it, as I was confident that I could deal with the chariots, and that they would not dare to venture towards my foot troops....)

Bow strings were drawn, and arrows covered the open ground of the battlefield, pincushioning skeletons and zombies alike (negligible losses - resurrection ftw!)

[Kriegschmidt]

VC Turn 1

The Hexwraiths turned their ghostly steeds towards the Necrolith Colossus (aka the Mammoth) behind the Tomb Kings' defensive wall, but they lost momentum and were unable to reach the giant construct.

On my left flank, the Scouting Dire Wolves ran forwards towards the rubble next to the chariots, while the two Hellsteed-mounted Vampires flew to land beyond them. The Countess Philemena read the words of her Book of Arkhan, spurring the Wolves on further, into the rubble. The chariots were now trapped between a far-away line of loitering foot troops, and a potential flank attack... Meanwhile, the Ghouls scrabbled through rubble, with the Black Knights waiting behind.

The Master Necromancer incanted the words of the Gaze of Nagash. Bolts of dark magic flew at the solitary Wizard of Light (left flank), who exploded in a cloud of dust and musty robes!

However, the dice had rolled a miscast! Fortunately the Master Necromancer survived, but the feedback wounded both Hellsteed-mounted Vampires.

The Black Coach absorbed a single dice from the Winds of Magic, giving it +1 Impact Hits.

[Kriegschmidt]

Tomb Kings Turn 2

Again, the Sylvanian foes remained out of charge range - except for the Hexwraiths, which Mondobot was loath to engage with. The Tomb Prince - who was positioned in the archers unit in front of the Necrosphinx - may have been able to best them, but Mondobot decided that the Prince could better bolster his unit, which was surely the Hexwraiths' target...

The chariots turned to face the slavering Dire Wolves, rather than be hit in the flank by them!

The Black Periapt was invaluable to me in this game, as virtually every turn I had two additional dice to add to my pool of power/dispel dice. This turn, thanks to the Periapt and a lucky channeling roll, I was able to dispel all Mondobot's successful casting rolls (one failed and did not need dispelling).

Once more the arrows flew, claiming a single Ghoul and a cluster of Zombies...

[Kriegschmidt]

Vampire Counts Turn 2

The Hexwraiths charged forwards, veering at the last minute into the Necrolith Colossus positioned between the Hierotitan and the Necrosphinx. The lumbering statue was no match for the ghostly blades of the Hexwraiths, whose combined attacks shattered it completely!

Wary of charging on their own into a large fleet of waiting charioteers, the Dire Wolves drew back a single pace, into the rubble, which would prove certain destruction to the chariots if they tried to enter. The two mounted Vampires swooped over their Undead slaves and landed by the chariots' far flank, steeds bristling impatiently!

With the chariots pinned on my left flank, it was time to press forwards. The Ghouls, the Black Coach, the Master Necromancer's Skeletons and the General's zombies and Ethereal bodyguard all pressed forwards, tempting the stone/marble constructs to attack!

Unable to end their move inside the rubble, and too far from the General to march, the Black Knights hung back.

The Winds of Magic blew strong, bolstered by the Black Periapt. In a bizarre roll of dice, the Black Coach absorbed 5 dice, fulfilling its magical potential! It was now Ethereal and could Fly, as well as possessing Killing Blow and Flaming Attacks and increased Strength. The General attempted to summon a great Wind Of Death, but it was dispelled by the Tomb Kings' Dispel Scroll.

[Kriegschmidt]

Tomb Kings Turn 3

With a roar, the central Necrolith Colossus (aka the Triceratops) charged into Count Marik's unit of Zombies. Ignoring the Tomb Banshee and Cairn Wraiths, it laid into the Zombies, flattening and dismembering several of these. The Count stayed out of the combat, preferring to wait until the beast was wounded before unleashing his fury (Thunderstomp hurts!). Arrows flew over the field, spearing the Corpse Cart but bouncing off the armour of the Black Knights.

Sensing impending destruction, the chariots turned away from the Dire Wolves to face the two mounted Vampires. In hindsight, Mondobot may perhaps have been better facing the Wolves, as he would have stood a better chance of killing some of them, to alleviate Combat Resolution damage...

[Kriegschmidt]

Vampire Counts Turn 3

It was time to remove the chariots. With the two mounted Vampires hitting them head-on, the Dire Wolves (enhanced by the Book of Arkhan) charging their flank and the energised Black Coach hurtling into their rear, the chariots did not stand a chance and were utterly destroyed. At the same time, the Master Necromancer stepped back from the unit of Skeletons (to remain close to the Arcane Ruin), sending them marching forwards and then whipping them on with a cast of Vanhel's Danse Macabre. They were now feet from the central unit of archers, and a major roadblock to any counter-attacking.

Having reformed after slaying the mammoth Necrolith Colossus, the Hexwraiths now charged into the flank of the Colossus fighting against Count Marik's unit of Zombies. The Count cast Hellish Vigour on the Hexwraiths, and their enhanced blades cut through the Colossus, which disintegrated. The 'wraiths reformed to face the main Tomb King position. The Corpse Cart swelled closer to full health, thanks to the Count's successful casting.

The Crypt Ghouls attemped to charge forwards into the Tomb Prince's unit of archers, but fell very short.

[Kriegschmidt]

Tomb Kings Turn 4

Seizing the initiative, the Necrosphinx flew over the Tomb Prince and his archers and landed amongst the Crypt Ghouls, which set about it with their poisoned claws (taking off 3 wounds!). The construct responded by tearing off heads and limbs with its claws, and further Ghouls fell to its [combat resolution] onslaught.

The [special character Wizard] cast the Incantation of Righteous Smiting, allowing his brethren an extra shot or attack. Would it be enough....? Arrows pincushioned the Skeleton spearmen and the Corpse Cart, but the line held strong.

[Kriegschmidt]

Vampire Counts Turn 4

The two mounted Vampires and the Black Coach flew across towards the centre of the battlefield, while the Dire Wolves moved around behind the tall, black tower - again whipped on by the Book of Arkhan. As they did so, the Skeleton Spearmen charged into their bow-bearing foes, and so began a boney battle of attrition!

The Count drew on the Winds of Magic and cast Invocation of Nehek, restoring 8 Zombies and several Ghouls and giving a wound back to the Corpse Cart. Additionally, the spell triggered the Corpse Cart's Vigour Mortis ability, giving the Crypt Ghouls the rerolls they needed to finish off the Necrosphinx!

Note here: previously I have always taken two smaller units of Ghouls, but I'm glad that this game I stuck them together in one big unit.

As the rest of the army shuffled forwards in support, the Hexwraiths charged once more - this time into the Hierotitan - but failed to damage it.... And the Black Knights charged headlong into the Tomb Prince's unit. The Hellknight challenged the Prince to a duel, and the two combatants squared off, with none gaining the upper hand. Several Skeleton archers were impaled on dire lances...

[Kriegschmidt]

Tomb Kings Turn 5

In the midst of raging close combats, the still unengaged special character Wizard threw all of his power dice into casting an enhanced Skullstorm spell. Just as I was feeling that victory was inevitable, I began to worry that a huge, whirling vortex of death was about to chew through my army!

Sadly for my friend however, the spell went badly wrong. First of all he rolled a double six, so his main Wizard was about to suffer a miscast. At least the spell was successful though. For now.

The artillery dice roll was a Misfire, which meant that the 5" vortex was placed over the Wizard himself and his unit. And to make matters worse, it did not move! A generous handful of Skeleton archers were consumed in a storm of flying skulls, while the Wizard himself was able to regenerate the wound he sustained. Rather than demolish Mondobot's models by balancing the heavy plastic template on them, we left the template in front of the unit for the purposes of reminder and the photograph.

The Miscast caused the Wizard to lose 2 Wizard levels and spells, and also the remainding power dice.

As the Hellknight fell to the Tomb Prince's blade, two of his fellow knights fell to the vengeful archers' blades.

Despite sustaining a wound from the Hexwraiths, the Hierotitan avoided any additional damage.

[Kriegschmidt]

Vampire Counts Turn 5

The last turn and a half went quickly. Tearing along behind the black tower, the Dire Wolves joined the combat between the Skeleton Spearmen and the Skeleton archers, hitting the latter in the flank. These babies are quite formidable on the charge! (for a mere 8 points apiece!) The Black Coach charged over the heads of the Spearmen to slam into the only unengaged Skeleton archer unit, containing the special character Wizard. It inflicted heavy damage with its Impact Hits and enhanced Strength attacks, but sustained a wound itself.

Likewise, the two mounted Vampires flew over the Dire Wolves to land just beyond them. The Countess drew on her knowledge of the Lore of Shadows to send the Count Marik flying (Steed of Shadows) from hiz unit of Zombies, over to behind the Tomb Prince's unit.

Unfortunately however, the Tomb Prince's unit slew the last of the Black Knights, leaving them free to turn around to face the Count....

Tomb Kings Turn 6

....and charge him! Fortunately however, the Count was prepared, and threw down his gauntlet to the Tomb Prince, who picked it up. The two stepped into combat, but the Tomb Prince was no match for the unstoppable ferocity of the Count (Sword of Strife plus Red Fury ), and was quartered into bloody chunks before he could raise his weapon. The Curse caused only a single wound to the Count. Combat raged on between the Hierophant's unit and the Black Coach, but the magically enhanced chariot was too powerful for the Hierophant, who fell to a decapitating strike from the Coach's Cairn Wraith.

Vampire Counts Turn 6

It was time to mop up. The Countess flew in a swooping charge into the side of the Hierotitan, casting The Withering on the monster and cutting it down in a swift rain of blows. Gyorgy attempted to charge into the combat between the Skeleton archers and the Black Coach, but his Hellsteed had other ideas, and simply took a stubborn step forwards to chew on a severed limb. Thus he blocked the Dire Wolves and Skeleton Spearmen from charging in. However, the Black Coach was bolstered by a Cairn Wraith from the Zombie unit, and the Skeleton archer unit took heavy losses, including the last remaining Wizard.

Shrieking with glee, the Crypt Ghouls jumped down from the rubble and rocks and charged into the back of the Tomb Prince's unit, obliterating the archers while Count Marik slew their Prince in single combat. The battle was well and truly over...

...which was lucky, because we had jsut about run out of coffee!

RESULT Crushing Victory to Vampire Counts

[MOMUS]

Bravo!

A well deserved win kriegschmidt, a really nice list aswel.

[Jack of Blades]

Five wizards? I thought three were too many - five wizards?!