Game report 21.01.16 50SS Hamelin vs Ramos

Game report - 21.01.2016

50SS Hamelin (daniello_s) vs Ramos (Owen)

Deployment: Corner Deployment
Strategy: Reconnoiter
Schemes: ALITS, Assassinate, Distract, Plant Explosives, Spring the Trap

Owen brought:
Ramos (6SS pool) - Arcane Reservoir, Field Generator, Under Pressure
Electrical Creation
Joss - Imbued Protection
Howard Langston
Performer
2x Steam Arachnid

I took:
Hamelin (4SS pool) - Survivalist, The Piper
(Obey, obey, obey and charge zone denial)
The Stolen
(extra 2 Rats on turn 1)
Taelor
(anti-Construct hitter who can punish freshly summoned models straight away)
2x Freikorps Trapper
(shooting support which can be deployed where necessary)
Johana
(anti-Construct hitter and condition removal)
Nix
(scheme runner and Blight spreader)
Obedient Wretch
(Rat-machine key model)
Malifaux Rat
(cheap activation and Rat-machine support)

Owen picked: Distract and Plant Explosives
I took: ALITS (revealed) and  Plant Explosives

My first time using Nix and third time to run Rat-machine. Against me: Spider-machine with spiders as significant models opposed to my Peon Rats... That definitely would be tight game :D

Deployment: Ramos deployed first
(Hamelin's crew at the bottom of the pictures)

Turn 1:
Initiative: Hamelin

Key moments/actions:
- Trapper's attempt to kill Electrical Creation which would also hurt nearby Ramos, Joss and Howard failed as only 2 wounds were inflicted. At least that forced to move Electrical Creation as one of the last models and disallow Joss killing it for 2 scrap markers.
- Rat-machine worked reasonable well and I was able not only out-activated opponent but also welcomed a Rat Catcher. Unfortunately I didn't have a Ram on my hand so I would be able to remove Slow on newly summoned Stolen and sacrificed her to get more Rats and eventually another Rat King/Rat Catcher.
- Joss killed one of the Spiders and then Ramos summoned 4 new ones from the Scrap Markers.
- We both advanced forward to claim 2 quarters each as soon as possible.

Upkeep phase:
No VPs scored by either side.

Score after turn 1: Hamelin 0 - Ramos 0

Turn 2:
Initiative: Ramos

Key moments/actions:
- Ramos summoned two more Spiders from the last Scrap Marker and decided to retreat into cover to be save from Trappers. That was big mistake as Ramos would be needed closer to his crew later in the game. That would allow him to summon more Spiders in places where I started to kill them with my crew.
- Owen pushed Howard, Performer and one Spider on my right flank. Also Joss and another Spider was following them so I had to shift majority of my models on that table quarter to secure VP for Strategy this turn. My other quarter was secured by Taelor, Trapper and Obedient Wretch.
- Rat-machine worked again reasonable well as second Rat Catcher was summoned. Unfortunately attempt to summon Stolen failed miserably as I flipped Black Joker...
- Trapper (with a little help from Hamelin) dropped Howard to 2 wounds remaining. Nix double walked towards Howard, Spider and Performer hoping to make them Blighted, but Owen succeeded Wp tests by cheating heavily with his good cards except for Howard who took Blighted condition.

Upkeep phase:
Hamelin: +1VP Strategy
Ramos: +1VP Strategy

Score after turn 2: Hamelin 1 - Ramos 1

Turn 3:
Initiative: Hamelin

Key moments/actions:
- Nix charged Howard killing him. Performer and Spider passed Wp tests again (by cheating the flips) so no Blighted was spread by Nix this time.
- Taelor was distracted by the Spider. This really upset the girl so she killed the construct.
- After loosing Howard Owen tried to secure his presence on my quarter by taking lots of defensive stances on his models. He also tried to get points for dropping scheme marker near my Rat Catcher and 2 Rats but I was able to summon Stolen, remove Slow from it and sacrifice it to eventually get Rat King who ate that scheme marker. Owen also tried to push more on my right table quarter with one Spider moved from his left table quarter and Ramos. That gave me a chance to snatch a Strategy point from Owen as Hamelin Obeyed Taelor and Trapper and they both moved on my opponent's table quarter where only 2 Spiders were claiming it.
- I started to drop scheme markers for ALITS.

Upkeep phase:
Hamelin: +1VP Strategy

Score after turn 3: Hamelin 2 - Ramos 1

Turn 4:
Initiative: Ramos

Key moments/actions:
- I dropped more scheme markers for ALITS and pressed more on Joss and Performer with Nix, Johana and Rat King. Also I was able to drop scheme marker between enemy models to get max points for Plant Explosives. Joss tried to punish Nix with limited results only. Nix healed himself later this turn by hitting Performer and when Joss failed Wp duel for getting Blighted by Nix's (0) action.
- Rat-machine failed as a flipped Black Joker when trying to summon Stolen (again)
- Owen used his Spiders to Distract Johana and Trapper. He also advanced with Ramos and secured his right table quarter with Spiders. But above all he dropped scheme markers to claim max points for Plant Explosives this turn.

Upkeep phase:
Hamelin: +1VP Strategy, +3VP Plant Explosives
Ramos: +1VP Strategy, +3VP Plant Explosives, +1VP Distract

Score after turn 4: Hamelin 6 - Ramos 6

Turn 5
Initiative: Hamelin

Key moments/actions:
- Nix killed Performer to prevent her from using scheme marker removal action.
- Ramos summoned some new Spiders among my crew but that didn't negate me VP point for Strategy as I killed few of them later this turn.
- I dropped final scheme marker for ALITS

Game ended on this turn.

Upkeep phase:
Hamelin: +1VP Strategy, +3VP ALITS
Ramos: +1VP Strategy, +1VP Distract

Final score: Hamelin 10 - Ramos 8

Few thoughts after the game:
- Nix is quite interesting model and definitely I need more practice with handling him.
- Rat-machine without Hannah and her extra card works OK however I was hampered few time during the game by not having any Crow on my hand or not having Ram to remove Slow from newly summoned Stolen. Still it is powerful tool to out-activate opponent even when it works partially only.
- Rat Kings... I love them. With Rat Catcher nearby to give them Reactivate no enemy scheme marker can be save :D

Till next time!

The Plague arrived... Hamelin is here!

As I finished painting my next Outcast crew it is finally a time to fully introduce Hamelin.

It is mainly a combination of old, metal models and Brotherhood of the Rat box. Nix is from new, plastic box and Obedient Wretch is a nice alternative model from Reaper Miniatures (Vermina - Rat Queen).

Anyway, here we go:

For next couple of games I'll run this crew in various combination to get a grip with what it can achieve on the table, so expect more game reports with Hamelin as a main actor in nearest future :D

Till next time!

Game report 14.01.16 50SS Hamelin vs McMourning

Game report - 14.01.2016

Game 1

50SS Hamelin (daniello_s) vs McMourning (Mike)

Deployment: Standard Deployment
Strategy: Squatter's Rights
Schemes: ALITS, Assassinate, Bodyguard, Murder Protege, Spring the Trap

Mike brought:
McMourning (6SS pool) - Evidence Tampering, Moonlighting, Plastic Surgery
Sebastian - Transfusion, Those Are Not Ours!
Rafkin - Transfusion
Nurse
Carrion Emissary - Forbidden Knowledge
2x Rotten Belle
Zombie Chihuahua

I took:
Hamelin (3SS pool) - Infectious Melodies, Survivalist, The Piper
(Obey, Obey, Obey everything around and charge denial zone)
Killjoy - Oathkeeper
(ultimate source of destruction)
Johana
(heavy hitter plus condition removal; Bodyguard target)
Hannah
(control hand expansions plus another way of getting extra healing/condition removal with her Make a New Entry action)
Freikorps Librarian
(healing support)
Obedient Wretch
(Rat-engine generator)
Malifaux Rat
(Killjoy taxi)
The Stolen
(Rat-engine support)

Mike picked: Bodyguard (Rafkin) and Murder Protege (Killjoy) - revealed
I took: Bodyguard (Johana) and Assassinate

My first game with Rat-engine Hamelin and the first game ever against McMourning. I suspected it could be interesting...

Deployment (McMourning deployed first, Hamelin's crew is a the bottom of the photo):

Turn 1
Initiative: McMourning

Mike pressed hard towards me and Squatter's Rights. The aura from Carrion Emissary which gives friendly models +1Wk and McMourning's pushes brought his models two models (Mc Mourning and Emissary) in base contact with Markers and one Belle almost at the other marker. He also used Emissary's (0)AP action to block my line of clear movement which denied me access to Markers on the first turn.

To be honest I wasn't eager to move my models to far at the start of the turn as I knew Belles would lure them and then they would die by Expunge rather quickly.
My Rat-engine worked well and I was able to out-activate Mike easily (at the cost of being trapped close to my deployment zone). When Mike finished his activation I had Rat and Hamelin still to activate (plus buried Killjoy) so Rat took Fast from Infectious Melodies, ran towards McMourning and delivered Killjoy in the place to charge good doctor. Killjoy burned Oathkeeper and went for his kill.
First strike hit and I cheated 13 Masks for extra attack - 5 damage flipped which 2 of them were prevented.
Then extra hit went through as well and damage was on double negative flip - Red Joker! 11 damage and Mike decided to call a game! Yay!
Still I had two attacks left plus potential attack from Obeying Killjoy. To be honest my control hand was so crappy when I went with this charge that even Mike had to explain that either I'm crazy (and I am! :D) or I knew Malifaux would be on my side today.

Final score: Hamelin 10 - McMourning 0

Game 2

As we still had a bit of time left we agreed to play another game this evening.

Deployment: Corner Deployment
Strategy: Reckoning
Schemes: ALITS, Distract, Bodyguard, Plant Explosives, Outflank

Mike picked: Plant Explosives and Outflank (revealed)
I took: Bodyguard (Librarian) and Plant Explosives

To speed up the game we decided to give a go with exactly the same crews.

Deployment (McMourning deployed first, Hamelin's crew is a the bottom of photos):

Turn 1
Initiative: McMourning

Key moments/actions:
- McMourning's crew advanced along his left flank and I moved forward towards centre of the table as well.
- Rat-engine machine failed as I had no Crows on my hand so I slightly had to improvise - summoned Stolen had Slow condition removed (Johana) and sacrificed himself to help create Rat King/Rat Catcher and Rat. Then Rat got Reactivate and Fast to bring Killjoy in charge range to Emissary (I really disliked idea of having extra swift Ressers in this game).
- Killjoy didn't burn Oathkeeper and charged Emissary leaving him on last wound.
- At the end of the turn Mike summoned Mindless Zombie in base contact with Emissary's marker so now Killjoy was engaged with Emissary and Zombie.

Upkeep phase:
No VPs scored by either side.

Score after turn 1: Hamelin  0 - McMourning 0

Turn 1
Initiative: Hamelin

Key moments/actions:
- Killjoy took opportunity and killed Emissary and Zombie to grant me VP for Strategy. Then he died from the hail of blows which hit is charming person (he was even Paralyzed by Nurse :D). This sad story had even more sad outcome as McMourning and Sebastian summoned 2 Canine Remains and Flesh Construct.
- Rest of McMourning's crew pressed on.
- Then I mad horrible mistake as I advanced even further when I should celebrate my advantage on VP and took a shelter behind LOS blocking terrain nearby and use counter-attack strategy.
- Rat-engine went bad - I summoned one Rat, then I tried to summoned other but I flipped 3x Severe Damage on double negative flip which killed the target Rat...

Upkeep phase:
Hamelin: +1VP Strategy

Score after turn 2: Hamelin  1 - McMourning 0

Turn 3
Initiative: Hamelin

Key moments/actions:
- Ressers pressed even more so again I made a mistake and pressed my Johana and Hannah into fight. Hannah took a beating from McMourning and I used two soulstones for damage prevention.
- My second mistake was not to run with Librarian and summoned Rat King along my left flank to intercept Canine Remains running for Outflank scheme.
- Thanks to Hamelin's Obey, Hannah dropped scheme marker which gave me +3VP for Plant Explosives.

Upkeep phase:
Hamelin: +3VP Plant Explosives

Score after turn 3: Hamelin  4 - McMourning 0

Turn 4
Initiative: McMourning

Key moments/actions:
- McMourning killed Hannah and summoned Flesh Construct
- Johana used flurry and killed newly summoned Flesh Construct. She was then killed by Rafkin.
- I committed Rat Catcher and Rat King to kill second Flesh Construct but it survived on the last wound. Sebastian used his opportunity to sacrificed nearly dead Construct to reclaim Soulstone and negate me VP point for Strategy (Flesh Construct had +2 Blighted and Hamelin was still to activate).
- Mike made a mistake and run Zombie Chihuahua nearby my models to attack my models. Chihuahua was on the last wound and I had a chance to Obey my Rat Catcher and Rat King to take it down. Unfortunately I had extremely bad hand and I was not able to Obey my models twice and last successful one bounce off the target... Bad thing happens... but not only to me :D
- As an act of desperation Stolen double walked and Obedient Wretch successfully targeted him with shooting action (randomized with Rafkin) killing him and forcing McMourning, Sebastian and Rafkin to take Horror test which doctor and Sebastian had failed.
- Mike dropped scheme marker near my Rat Catcher, Rat King and Rat to score +3VP for Plant Explosives
- I announced Bodyguard on Librarian

Upkeep phase:
Hamelin: +1VP Bodyguard
McMourning: +1VP Strategy, +3VP Plant Explosives

Score after turn 4: Hamelin  5 - McMourning 4

Turn 5
Initiative: McMourning

Key moments/actions:
- With McMourning and Sebastian paralyzed Mike tried to kill my models but I was able to bounce off any attacks. Heavily bruised and poisoned Rat King and Rat died of poison at the start of their activation (damn Sebastian...).
- Mike positioned his models for Outflank and I retreated into safety with all my remaining models.

Upkeep phase:
Hamelin: +2VP Bodyguard
McMourning: +3VP Outflank

Final score: Hamelin  7 - McMourning 7

Few final thoughts after the game:

- McMourning is a beast but Sebastian is the prime target to kill. Induction + Catalyst is brutal.
- I think I start to like a Rat-engine mechanics. Having a chance to out-activate opponent is something new to me and my Outcast family.
- Killjoy-bomb is sooo brutal and has absolutely insane range with Hamelin. I love it :D

Till next time!

Jinglefaux, 28.12.15, 50SS fixed faction event - Round 2

Report: Jinglefaux - 28.12.2015, 50SS fixed faction event

Round 2

In Round 2 we all played Christmas Party scenario (using the Shindig story encounter and Interference rules with the Forbidden Text terrain to represent some Christmas Stories!).

I don't think any of us played Shindig before so we expect a lot of fun from this scenario especially when the scheme pool kind of favor hitting and killing enemy models :D

Note: As mentioned in the report from Round 1, we agreed that it is not allowed to Obey enemy model to make an attack on one of yours to allow you get +2VP from Shindig special rule.

Deployment: Standard Deployment
Strategy: Christmas Party
Schemes: ALITS, Assassinate, Protect Territory, Vendetta, Deliver a Message

Second pairing set me up against our new Malifaux player, Steven, who decided to use his Misaki for the second time in his life.

Misaki (4SS pool) - Stalking Bisento
Ototo - Smoke & Shadows
Johana
Bishop
Hodgepodge Effigy
2x Torakage
Shang

I brought:
Jack Daw (5SS pool) - Writhing Torment, Twist and Turn, Oathkeeper,  Drowning Injustice, Firirng Squad Injustice
(Curse-giver and reasonably good hitter who also supports his Tormented crew)
Rusty - From the Aether
(very mobile heavy hitter/shooter; Abomination summoning without need of hitting enemy models)
Johana
(heavy hitter and condition removal)
Ronin
(scheme runner)
The Guilty
(model which allows grant Tormented to other models; scheme runner)
2x Void Wretches
(scheme runners)
Nurse
(general support thanks to Take Your Meds action)

We both picked and revealed same schemes: Protect Territory and Deliver a Message.

Seeing Steven's crew my first thought was that he won't give a damn about giving me free 2VP and he will proceed to killing my stuff straight away, but I was wrong :D
I also made a huge mistake as I forgot to read Deliver a Message properly - Jack can't complete this scheme as it must be non-leader, non-peon model. If I read it correctly, I would put Oathkeeper on Rusty and Jack would get third Curse upgrade.

Deployment (Misaki deployed first):

Note: Jack's crew is at the bottom of the photo.

Turn 1
Initiative: Jack Daw

Key moments/action:
- we both spread out our crews and pushed slightly forward. Johana and Rusty were made Tormented
- Rusty started dropping scheme markers and scrap markers.
- neither of us was eager to attack opponent and damage his model :D

Upkeep phase:
No VPs scored by either side

Score after turn 1: Jack Daw  0 - Misaki 0

Turn 2:
Initiative: Misaki

- as we were reluctant to make a first strike on each other we decided to simple engage enemy models as best as we could in effort to negate opponent VP for strategy. I was able to fulfill this task better as Jack's late turn sneaky activation allowed me to move Guilty into engagement range with Bishop and Johana, when in the same time Jack jumped onto enemy table quarter and equal the model count with my opponent.
- Nurse paralyzed Bishop and Torakage with her meds
- Jack's crew dropped more scheme markers and Rusty summoned Abomination
- Steven tried to snatch Jack and Deliver a Message but Jack was way to mobile to get tarpit

Upkeep phase:
Jack Daw: +1VP Strategy

Score after turn 2: Jack Daw 1 - Misaki 0

Turn 3:
Initiative: Jack Daw

- Guilty took Shindig's special action to trigger 12TN  horror tests on Bishop, Johana and Hodgepodge Effigy draining Steven's control hand (Hodgepodge was paralyzed)
- Nurse Paralyzed Johana
- Ototo engaged Ronin (who was on 2x Defensive Stance since turn and then throughout whole game) but Johana and Rusty disengaged successfully
- Rusty started a chase after Misaki

Generally I was surprised that Steven didn't start to attack me at this turn as I was negating him a points for Strategy quite efficiently.

Upkeep phase:
Jack Daw: +1VP Strategy

Score after turn 3: Jack Daw 2 - Misaki 0

Turn 4:
Initiative: Jack Daw

- Steven tried to get some points for Strategy but again either I disengaged my models or I was able to tarpit his, when at the same time securing my table quarters. He also dropped two scheme markers for Protect Territory.
- At the end of this turn I had 4 scheme markers for the Protect Territory scheme. Also Rusty summoned another Abomination and she successfully engaged (together with Jack Daw) Misaki.
- Again no blows were traded between us :D

Upkeep phase:
Jack Daw: +1VP Strategy

Score after turn 4: Jack Daw 3 - Misaki 0

Turn 5
Initiative: Jack Daw (after spending soulstone for re-flip).

- Rusty took an opportunity and activating first she delivered a message to Misaki
- thanks to my sneaky movements I denied Steven a VP for Strategy again on this turn
- I flipped for Turn 6 - Red Joker, but we decided to stop at this point.

Upkeep phase:
Jack Daw: +1VP Strategy, +3VP Deliver a Message, +3VP Protect Territory
Misaki: +3VP Protect Territory

Final score: Jack Daw 10 - Misaki 3

I think Steven should start attacking me at the beginning of Turn 3 so he could have a chance denying me some VPs for Strategy, but I was happy we played 'a friendly encounter' till the end of the game.

With both games ended with max out VPs I was classified at the first place and I was awarded with nice chocolate Santa (which was later claimed by my daughters :D).

Big thanks to Owen for organizing the event and to my opponents for enjoyable games.

Till next time!

Jinglefaux, 28.12.15, 50SS fixed faction event - Round 1

Report: Jinglefaux - 28.12.2015, 50SS fixed faction event

On 28.12.2015 in Gamersworld, Dublin was held a one day, 50SS fixed faction event.
As it was a X-mas/holiday time this event was slightly different than the others.

First of all we played two rounds only but without 5 turn per round limit.
Secondly the strategies we played were not those we used to play throughout a year (aka normal from rulebook or Gaining Grounds 2015 ones) but a modified story encounters with special terrains:
I hope TO (Owen) will not kill me for a copy-and-paste input from the rules-pack :D)

1) Santa’s Sleigh (using the Supply Wagon story encounter rules) with the Ancient
Monument terrain which will be represented by a Statue of Santa!

2) Find the Presents (using the Treasure Hunt story encounter rules) with the
Junkyard terrain to represent some extra special Christmas Presents!

3) Christmas Party (using the Shindig story encounter and Interference rules) with
the Forbidden Text terrain to represent some Christmas Stories!

(for more details about Story Encounters and Special Terrains please refer to the Malifaux Rulebook)

We were randomly assigned the encounter for the first round and we all played Shindig  in the round 2.

Also there were some special Triggers setup which happened when the fate did or didn't favor you with your flips:

Faster than You Upgrade
Trigger – You flip a Red Joker; Benefit – Your opponent gains the Faster than You
Upgrade which he must immediately attach to an eligible model in his crew (model
may discard Upgrade at any stage in activation to gain Fast)

Too much Eggnog Condition
Trigger – You Paralyze a model; Benefit – Target model gains the Too much Eggnog
Condition (model may be pushed 3″ in any direction when damaged; this condition
is removed when the Paralyze condition is removed)

Better Lucky than Good Upgrade
Trigger – You flip moderate or severe (not Red Joker) damage on a -/–/— flip;
Benefit – Your opponent gains the Better Lucky than Good Upgrade which he must
immediately attach to an eligible model in his crew. The model gains the following
tactical action: (0) I’ve Been a Good Boy this Year, this model gains the Focused (1)
condition.

Too Much Turkey Upgrade
Trigger – You flip weak (not Black Joker) damage on a +/++ flip (and you don’t cheat
it!); Benefit – Your model model gains the Too Much Turkey Upgrade (regardless of
attached upgrades) with the following tactical action: (0) Stumble Away, this model
may be immediately pushed 2″ in any direction.

Finally for a Shindig story we used the Red Joker as if it was flip when generating this strategy and we also agreed that you can't Obey enemy model to hit and damage one of your models to score +2VP in this strategy.

The deployment was to be generated by the players before start of the game.

As usual I was coming with my trusty Outcasts and I decided to use the Master which in my opinion among Outcasts brings the X-mas spirit the best - Jack Daw :) (and also because at the last tournament I haven't played Jack at all)

Round 1

Deployment: Standard Deployment
Strategy: Santa's Sleigh
Schemes: ALITS, Distract, Breakthrough, Take Prisoner, Deliver a Message

My first opponent was Gavin and his tricky Collodi. We flipped for the Attacker/Defender and Gavin was attacker:
Collodi (4SS pool) - Breathe Life, Fated, Strum the Threads
3x Marionette
2x Wicked Doll
Brutal Effigy
Baby Kade
Teddy
Coryphee

As Defender flip I had a Mask so my Strategy was to 'Set up camp' (see rulebook).

I took:
Jack Daw (4SS pool) - Writhing Torment, Twist and Turn, 3x Curses
(Curse-giver and reasonably good hitter who also supports his Tormented crew)
Taelor
(heavy hitter which would be Tormented via The Guilty's action)
Johana
(as above plus condition removal)
Lazarus
(shooting platform which would be Tormented as well)
The Guilty
(model which allows grant Tormented to other models; he would camp at enemy half of the table)
2x Void Wretches
(Breakthrough and Strategy-runners)
Nurse
(general support thanks to Take Your Meds action)

Gavin picked: Breakthrough and Deliver a Message (both revealed)
I took: Breakthrough (revealed) and Take Prisoner (Collodi)

Deployment (Jack deployed first):

Note 1: The table mats we used that day were 4'x4' so deployment pics might look deceptive.
Note 2: The Santa represents Ancient Monument :D
Note 3: All pics are taken from my side so Jack's crew is (mostly) at the closer plane.

Turn 1
Initiative: Collodi

Key moments/actions:
- we moved towards each other and both our crew focused their movement towards the centre of the table except Coryphee who was flanking me on my right and my Void Wretch who was running along my left flank.
- thanks to Collodi's movement shenanigans Gavin was able to put more models near Wagon marker and he could moved it at the end of the turn.

Upkeep phase:
No VPs scored by either side.

Score after turn 1: Jack Daw  0 - Collodi 0

Turn 2
Initiative: Collodi

Key moments/actions:
- Nurse gave Teddy meds making him a monster in melee (+2 damage) but shorting his actions to melee only. In response Baby Kade used Where's Teddy? to push his fluffy friend in engagement range with Jack and Guilty. Thankfully Taelor was nearby and she charged Teddy hitting him for 9 damage in total (I love Relic Hammers :D) but what was more important she used her trigger to push him 3'' away (which basically 'paralyzed' Teddy for this turn). Later this turn Lazarus finished off Teddy and also was able to clip Baby Kade thanks to severe damage and double blast effect from his gun.
- Coryphee advanced on my right flank and dropped scheme marker for Breakthrough. Guilty 'transferred' Tormented characteristic from Lazarus on Johana and thanks to this Johana went into engagement range with Coryphee (and then I was told Coryphee is immune to Disengaging Strikes...)
- Collodi used his Wicked Doll to Deliver a Message to Jack. In response Jack killed this Doll, moved and killed Baby Kade.
- Wagon was moved again by Collodi's crew.

Upkeep phase:
Jack Daw: + 1VP Strategy
Collodi : +3VP Deliver a Message

Score after turn 2: Jack Daw  1 - Collodi 3

Turn 3
Initiative: Jack Daw

Key moments/actions:
- Johana used flurry against Coryphee but all she needed was a first blow with Severe Damage. Did I mention how I love Relic Hammers before? :D
- A lonely Marionette run as fast as it could on my left flank to drop markers for Breakthrough but she was quickly followed by Jack.
- I dropped 2 scheme markers for Breakthrough with my Void Wretches
- Collodi and Brutal Effigy retreated towards the corner in their deployment zone and were followed by my crew.
- Taelor killed Marionette and other Marionette charged The Guilty.
- I moved the Wagon this turn.

Upkeep phase:
Jack Daw: + 1VP Strategy

Score after turn 3: Jack Daw  2 - Collodi 3

Turn 4:
Initiative: Jack Daw

Key moments/actions:
- Jack Daw killed the Marionette which he chased the last turn.
- Taelor killed last Marionette. At this moment on the table Gavin had Brutal Effigy and Collodi.
- As Gavin guessed correctly that my second scheme is Take Prisoner on Collodi he run away from my crew killing one of my Void Wretches in the meantime.
- Guilty made Lazarus Tormented again.

Upkeep phase:
Jack Daw: + 1VP Strategy

Score after turn 4: Jack Daw  3 - Collodi 3

Turn 5:
Initiative: Jack Daw

Key moments/actions:
- I gave a chase after Collodi but unfortunately he slipped away from Jack Daw
- Brutal Effigy killed Void Wretch
- I dropped more scheme markers for Breakthrough
- Wagon stayed where it was.
- I flipped 11 for Turn 6!

Upkeep phase:
Jack Daw: + 1VP Strategy

Score after turn 5: Jack Daw  4 - Collodi 3

Turn 6
Initiative: Collodi

Key moments/actions:
- Collodi walked twice and dropped one scheme marker for Breakthrough.
- Lazarus killed Brutal Effigy
- Jack Daw gave chase after Collodi and was followed by Lazarus and Nurse who also Paralyzed Collodi
- I moved the Wagon this turn
- Flip for Turn 7 - Red Joker, but we agreed to stop playing here.

Upkeep phase:
Jack Daw: + 3VP Take Prisoner, +3VP Breakthrough
Collodi: +2VP Strategy Wagon was on Attacker's half of the table, +1VP Breakthrough

Final score: Jack Daw  10 - Collodi 6

Jack and his crew confirmed they were really in X-mas mood during this game.

Round 2 report to follow shortly...

Game report 16.12.15 50SS Jack Daw vs Leveticus

Game report - 16.12.2015

50SS Jack Daw (daniello_s) vs Leveticus (Eoin)

Deployment: Standard Deployment
Strategy: Reckoning
Schemes: ALITS, Bodyguard, Breakthrough, Outflank, Deliver a Message

Eoin brought:
Leveticus (5SS pool) - Desolate Soul, Pariah of Bone, Oathkeeper
Rusty Alyce
Lazarus
Madame Sybelle
3x Rotten Belle
2x Hollow Waif

I took:
Jack Daw (5SS pool) - Writhing Torment, Twist and Turn, 3x Curses
(Curse-giver and reasonably good hitter who also supports his Tormented crew)
Taelor
(heavy hitter which would be Tormented via The Guilty's action)
Johana
(as above plus condition removal)
The Guilty
(model which allows grant Tormented to other models; scheme runner who would jump into Outflank position at the Turn 5)
2x Void Wretches
(Outflank-runners; model which can annoy Levi when he is buried)
Nurse
(general support thanks to Take Your Meds action)
The Hanged
(sneaky-killer who can drop enemy models to half wounds)

Eoin picked: Bodyguard (Rusty) and Outflank (not revealed)
I took: Bodyguard (Johana) and Outflank (revealed)

Seeing Eoin's crew I knew it is perfectly possible I can be obliterated around Turn 3 or if I'm lucky maybe around Turn 4. That Levi's crew is absolutely pure evil...Still, job has to be done! :D

Deployment (Levi deployed first):

Turn 1
Initiative: Jack Daw

I knew I have to be very, very careful with my activations as Belle can easily Lure my already activated models into the open spot straight under Levi, Rusty or Lazarus gunfire.
I decided that Wretches will be hidden all game and at Turn 5 they will jump into position for Outflank, Johana will help knocking things down but I won't commit her into the thickest fight leaving this task to Jack, Hanged and Taelor. Nurse will try to use her Take Your Meds either to paralyze enemy models or to buff Taelor's/Johana's damage output. The Guilty after tormenting Taelor and Johana would run to the side to grab Outflank. That was the plan anyway.

I used cover extensively to stay out of LOS from Belles. Hanged jumped behind the cover and successfully attacked already activated Belle with his Whispers. Jack advanced a bit and stayed more than 18'' from last Belle. Unfortunately Madame walked twice and called Belle who focused and lured Jack into open. Levi burnt his Oathkeeper, Walked once and triple shot Jack. I had to prevent some damage (all my damage prevention flips during the game were not higher than 1 damage prevented per prevention flip...) and Jack was left at 9 wounds.

After attack Levi buried himself, his summoned Waif walked towards Jack and Levi unburied at the end of the turn close to Jack - they were engaged.

Upkeep phase:
No VPs scored by either side.

Score after turn 1: Jack Daw  0 - Leveticus 0

Turn 2
Initiative: Leveticus

Levi won initiative (flip of 12) and he attacked 3 times Jack. All attacks went through with single or double negative damage flips. In one instance Levi pulled double severe on negative flips. I tried to save Jack with damage prevention but he couldn't survive this kind of carnage and I lost Jack at the start of Turn 2.

Now I knew I'm in the deep defense so I took a chance and Hanged attacked twice wounded Belle. Thankfully he killed her triggering Horror duels on Lazarus, Rusty, Madame Sybelle and two other Belles.
Eoin burnt his whole control hand to prevent his crew being paralyzed except one Belle.
Thanks to that Hanged was relatively save as anything trying to attack him had to pass Horror duel and without cards in his hand Eoin was aware this might be a bit of gamble. Rusty took her chances, she walked and fired once at Hanged damaging him.

I have relocated my crew for more defensive position disallowing Eoin to score points for Reckoning this turn and I prepared myself for Levi's general assault next turn. Unfortunately I wasn't in position to kill any other models this turn either. Nurse paralyzed one Belle.

Levi's crew start to drop scheme markers at the centre line which convinced me that one of his schemes is ALITS - clever deception :D

Upkeep phase:
No VPs scored by either side.

Score after turn 2: Jack Daw  0 - Leveticus 0

Turn 3
Initiative: Leveticus

Rusty used Rapid Fire on Hanged but he survived although severely bruised.
Hanged relocated and damage paralyzed Belle with Whispers. Madame Sybelle quickly called her to stay away from my crew (Taelor was going to charge her).

In general Levi's crew advanced and Again I was avoiding any direct confrontation this turn and I run away into cover with my models. Levi double walked and attacked Hanged - attacked missed.

Wretch tried to tarpit Waif so she couldn't get closer to Johana but it was unable to damage Waif nor give her Slow. Waif hit Wretch twice in return - first missed but second pulled double severe on negative damage twist... Again... Wretch was left on last wound.

At the end of the turn Levi unburied right in front of Taelor and Guilty which meant one thing - either I win initiative and remove (temporarily) Levi from the table or I will suffer loads of damage.

Upkeep phase:
No VPs scored by either side.

Score after turn 3: Jack Daw  0 - Leveticus 0

Turn 4
Initiative: Leveticus

Levi won initiative again and he charged Taelor who was defending herself bravely and suffered only minor damages (damage prevented).
Hanged walked and attacked Lazarus with Whisper (I thought Eoin has Bodyguard on him). Belle walked and lured Hanged who was later killed by Rusty.
Nurse gave +2 Walk to Johana who double walked into the cover and I declared Bodyguard on her. Johana was also 3'' from edge at the center line.

Madame Sybelle double walked and tarpit other Wretch. Thankfully Wretch was able to disengage and double walk into cover to secure points for Outflank on my left flank.
Eoin declared Bodyguard on Rusty.

Upkeep phase:
Jack Daw: +1VP for Bodyguard
Leveticus: +1VP for Bodyguard

Score after turn 4: Jack Daw  1 - Leveticus 1

Turn 5:
Initiative: Jack Daw

I took opportunity and disengaged from Waif to double walk to Levi only to tarpit him. Also I was able to cast Slow on him (by cheating the fate which raised Wretches Df). Belle walked and attacked Wretch but I deflected attack cheating the fate again.Second Wretch took double Df stance discarding another card. Levi tried to kill Wretch but combination of already high Df and cheating high cards (which bumped Df by 1) saved my Wretch.

Madame Sybelle charged Taelor wounding her a bit (and making her Peon). Taelor swung back but missed. Finally Lazarus walked and fired at Wretch who was engaged with Belle and also Johana was nearby so she could be clipped by the blast. Eoin randomized and Belle was a target. He flipped attack/defence cards but was able only to pull straight 3 damage on Belle (negative flip on the damage).

Rusty double walked to secure points for Outflank.

I flipped for Turn 6 - nope. The game has ended here.

Upkeep phase:
Jack Daw: +2VP Bodyguard, +3VP Outflank
Leveticus: +2VP Bodyguard, +2VP Outflank

Final score: Jack Daw  6 - Leveticus 5

At the end of the game I wrongfully calculated result as I thought it was a draw but since Eoin didn't declare Outflank at the start of the game he could only score 2 points for this scheme.

The game was absolutely mind blowing for me. I had to consider twice my every move and having ultra mobile Levi (via his unbury tricks), Rusty and luring Belles it was a pure nightmare to plan anything.
Either way I was really happy from the outcome as when I lost Jack at the start of Turn 2 I thought game is lost. Without Jack his Tormented crew (Taelor, Johana, The Guilty, Nurse) are really slow and cannot perform as they used to in my previous games. Well, bad things happen and last night they happened to Jack himself :D

Till next time!