Som'er Som'er Som'er Time
In this report, I don't have to go through my preparation as I have gone and posted this and this other bonus blog about it.
Instead, I get to jump straight into the journey up and the tournament day itself.
For a quick explanation Som'erfaux was your usual Malifaux tournament, 4 rounds 50 soulstones with lots of cool prizes and in the end 27 players. For any more information, you can check the thread about it here.
Som'erfaux was ran by the Isle of Faux boys Ben Crowe and Austin Capewell, their event last year "Isle of Faux" was spoke about in high regard and it was actually "dann saff" over in Kent.
As soon as they had announced Som'erfaux, I rallied the boys Jan and Aaron, and then found out another mate Mike Asquith had decided to buy a ticket.
Som'erfaux was ran by the Isle of Faux boys Ben Crowe and Austin Capewell, their event last year "Isle of Faux" was spoke about in high regard and it was actually "dann saff" over in Kent.
As soon as they had announced Som'erfaux, I rallied the boys Jan and Aaron, and then found out another mate Mike Asquith had decided to buy a ticket.
Shock to me as I had only gave him a short demo and one full game, that was all he had ever played and this was no different when he sat down round one of the event.
For a nice change for Mr Proudley, he got to be a passenger as Mike was able to drive us up on the Friday night.
In Cars
We all were picked up in town after a reasonable meal in Wetherspoons and off we went.
Plan was to meet up with Oz and Ben in Groovy Frog their local store hang out with them, also I would finally get to meet the last Malifool that I hadn't, Mr Joel Henry.
He was actually staying at the same hotel we had booked along with two of his Squig club mates, Blutack and Panzer.
The drive was a good laugh and I did the typical thing of taking many photos for next to reason bar mild amusement.
Oddly, we did make good time but only about 20-30 minutes out of Poole, we hit slow traffic, where as we thought the slow part would be closer to London.
Plan was to meet up with Oz and Ben in Groovy Frog their local store hang out with them, also I would finally get to meet the last Malifool that I hadn't, Mr Joel Henry.
He was actually staying at the same hotel we had booked along with two of his Squig club mates, Blutack and Panzer.
The drive was a good laugh and I did the typical thing of taking many photos for next to reason bar mild amusement.
Oddly, we did make good time but only about 20-30 minutes out of Poole, we hit slow traffic, where as we thought the slow part would be closer to London.
Maybe it was the time, maybe there was an accident, all that mattered though was we would be a little to late to meet Ben and Oz but it was fine, at least we'd finally meet Joel.
Once we got the hotel I could see Joel and co. sat in the hotel bar through the window, they were playing Zombicide but before we could get on with that, we all wanted to drop our stuff off.
The hotel was cheap, but it was much nicer than the last one we had stayed in for Canterfaux.
Stuff dumped and people refreshed it was time to hit the bar and give Joel Henry a big old hug.
Joel offered for us to join in the Zombicide game and in hindsight, we maybe should have as I think the Zombies overwhelmed them very quickly.
Stuff dumped and people refreshed it was time to hit the bar and give Joel Henry a big old hug.
Joel offered for us to join in the Zombicide game and in hindsight, we maybe should have as I think the Zombies overwhelmed them very quickly.
I however was too busy getting a nice bottle of cider from the attractive girl at the bar.
We sat down and had a good chat, I had been speaking to Blutack (birth name Graham) about who was able to get the Best Arcanist award, and it was between him, Mike and me.
We sat down and had a good chat, I had been speaking to Blutack (birth name Graham) about who was able to get the Best Arcanist award, and it was between him, Mike and me.
Admittedly, we, including Mike himself had written him off for the Spoon, which was fine as the prize, a lovely glass was great. We weren't being mean it was just Mike had to be the least experienced of the 27 players there would be.
I thought to myself that Blutack was definitely up for the prize, he's a top player and my only tournament placing was fairly mediocre. Gunning for Graham was still going to be a fun thing to follow the next day and I was still in for a better chance to get the award here than at most other tournaments.
I thought to myself that Blutack was definitely up for the prize, he's a top player and my only tournament placing was fairly mediocre. Gunning for Graham was still going to be a fun thing to follow the next day and I was still in for a better chance to get the award here than at most other tournaments.
Once the Squigs had finished failing at Zombicide it was time for Joel to bust out another game Dobble.
A quick explanation of Dobble (as this a Malifaux report and not a Dobble one) is that it is kind of an advanced "Snap".
A quick explanation of Dobble (as this a Malifaux report and not a Dobble one) is that it is kind of an advanced "Snap".
That might sound lame but I will elaborate, there are multiple modes which we played through them all, but it's a reaction and pairing game where players have round cards with pictures on in varying sizes and each circle will have at least one picture on it that another card somewhere does.
Essentially, it had us shouting "CAT" "SUN" "LOCK" "BANANA" (which was a crescent moon) "WEIRD HAND LOGO THINGY" (Dobble I guess) and grabbing cards from each other or slamming them down on the table or each other’s piles.
The game was a good laugh, one of those great cheap boxes (or tins) that anyone can learn within seconds and it is simply just fun.
The game was a good laugh, one of those great cheap boxes (or tins) that anyone can learn within seconds and it is simply just fun.
Eventually we were told to keep the noise down and some people were falling asleep in their seats.
We all headed up to bed, watched a bit of Inbetweeners on the hotel TV and went to sleep.
We all headed up to bed, watched a bit of Inbetweeners on the hotel TV and went to sleep.
Saturday, Saturday, Saaaturday.
We found Joel and company in the bar and we all went to grab some cash before driving off to the tournament location.
A short drive away and we were here, Quex Barn.
Situated at Quex Park, the Barn was a farmer's style market with delicatessen, a restaurant and upstairs is where we would be.
As far as tournament locations go, this was definitely up there, having a bar with a fantastic selection of drink and awesome food down a walk of stairs was amazing. Maybe a little more on that later.
Situated at Quex Park, the Barn was a farmer's style market with delicatessen, a restaurant and upstairs is where we would be.
As far as tournament locations go, this was definitely up there, having a bar with a fantastic selection of drink and awesome food down a walk of stairs was amazing. Maybe a little more on that later.
Convinced that I would end up being "randomly" placed against Joel, I was soon shown I wouldn't be as he was going to playing the ringer as he got the bye, the ringer actually being either Ben or Oz.
So whom did I get?
So whom did I get?
Round 1
Round 1 would be Reconnoiter, standard deployment with the following schemes:
The scheme pool had me worried as Ramos was in my pool to make for an easier time playing Recon but Make them Suffer feels like I'm giving my opponent 3 points with all the arachnids.
In the end, I decided that Ramos was too much better than Mei Feng in this strategy in my eyes and if Zak were to take Make them Suffer I'd just have to take 4VP for strategy and deny him any.
Four is more than three. That is maths!
- Line in the Sand
- Breakthrough
- Assassinate
- Make them Suffer
- Spring the trap
In the end, I decided that Ramos was too much better than Mei Feng in this strategy in my eyes and if Zak were to take Make them Suffer I'd just have to take 4VP for strategy and deny him any.
Four is more than three. That is maths!
My crew ended up being roughly:
Zak had taken Spring the Trap and Breakthrough.
- Ramos
- Electrical Creation
- Joss
- Howard Langston
- Mechanical Rider
- Soulstone Miner
- Plus Upgrades
- Lilith
- Primordial Magic
- Doppelganger
- Mature Nephilim
- 2 Young Nephilim
- 2 Terror Tots
Zak had taken Spring the Trap and Breakthrough.
I started making Spiders early and had the other big guys just head off as soon as with the Rider being a little bit more reserved riding up the very edge of the table, it's summoning would prove useful.
Lilith did some teleport tricks and the older nephilim started by flying on top of buildings which would prove difficult for me to get to.
Lilith did some teleport tricks and the older nephilim started by flying on top of buildings which would prove difficult for me to get to.
Eventually Joss got his axe to connect while the summoned spiders were getting me all the strategy points and sorting out some marker placement.
Zak getting tricky with Lilith and the Doppelganger got position to Spring their trap along with a sprinting Terror Tot who also started to earn Zak his Breakthrough points.
Zak getting tricky with Lilith and the Doppelganger got position to Spring their trap along with a sprinting Terror Tot who also started to earn Zak his Breakthrough points.
Zak may as well have taken Assassinate though as he would've also got that, my soulstones were not enough to protect Victor against Lilith's blade.
Up on Zak's side Howard ran about like a lunatic while on the other flank the Mechanical Rider revelled in the creation of Metal Gamin who each time got slapped down by the Mature as if it was playing a steampunk version of whack-a-mole.
However, thanks to Hard to Kill, the Metal Gamin would keep the Mature at bay for the Rider to Breakthrough and by the end of the game; we had the score down as a win to me.
Up on Zak's side Howard ran about like a lunatic while on the other flank the Mechanical Rider revelled in the creation of Metal Gamin who each time got slapped down by the Mature as if it was playing a steampunk version of whack-a-mole.
However, thanks to Hard to Kill, the Metal Gamin would keep the Mature at bay for the Rider to Breakthrough and by the end of the game; we had the score down as a win to me.
Win 7-6
Zak was a great way to kick off the tournament and it was a much closer game than I expected and I am not usually very confident.
I was glad to discover that Blutack though I love him, was down in his game against the Daddy of Malifools Mike Marshall.
Mike then, knowing that I wanted to do better than Graham started to tell me he conceded.
This was a lie though so I was happy to know that I had the lead.
Mike then, knowing that I wanted to do better than Graham started to tell me he conceded.
This was a lie though so I was happy to know that I had the lead.
However, finding out from my guys what their results were I was in for a shock.
Mike in his second real game of Malifaux, ever, had won.
Not only had he won, he had beaten another Mike (Hume) 10-3 and we soon realised who he would have for round 2.
Round 2
Between the rounds Aaron and I were thirsty and starving, rather than wait for lunch, I went and ordered a sausage sandwich (sausages made by Austin) and a nice bottle of Rekorderlig.
While this was going on I was informed to be playing Joe Wood, odd being he was next to me and drew, not the best person to be paired down against (being paired down you hope for a "noob").
Aaron had Stuart Snares on the table next to me; Jan had Lee Battrick the second of our group to play Lee and Mike...
Aaron had Stuart Snares on the table next to me; Jan had Lee Battrick the second of our group to play Lee and Mike...
Mike was on table 1 in his third game of Malifaux lifetime, against UK no. 1 Joel Henry.
If you listened to my report of this game on Malifools, it was a clear result.
Lost 10-1
I got smashed, Sonnia blew up half my crew spreading blasts all over the place in the first turn, I'd forgot the Miner and it was just a shambles.
A shame as the Strategy was Stake a Claim and after my preparation for this event, I felt I could actually do well. Still, it meant I should get an easier match next round.
It turns out that Blutack didn't lose as bad as I did but I was still ahead of him on wins and losses.
Mike wasn't living in a Hollywood movie and didn't beat the king, he went down 10-0 to Joel but it was an eye opening experience and I imagine a great way to learn.
Mike had never played against Neverborn or anything other than Arcanists before, so he got to see firsthand how good they could be, especially in Stake a Claim.
Mike wasn't living in a Hollywood movie and didn't beat the king, he went down 10-0 to Joel but it was an eye opening experience and I imagine a great way to learn.
Mike had never played against Neverborn or anything other than Arcanists before, so he got to see firsthand how good they could be, especially in Stake a Claim.
Aaron had continued to win and defeated Stuart Snares, while Jan wasn't going to be winning this tournament with his first round loss he did redeem himself a little by being mean to Mr Bendyboards Lee Battrick and killing his Dreamer crew with Wong.
After round 2 we had a break for lunch, which Aaron and I laughed about as we would be having the Sausage sandwiches that had signed up for on purchasing our tickets.
Still, another trip for some Cider and another sausage sandwich this time with a gorgeous side salad and wedges, which I may not have mentioned but was being hand delivered by the staff and that made me feel awesome. Food and drink brought to me as I played, like a pro athlete or something.
Still, another trip for some Cider and another sausage sandwich this time with a gorgeous side salad and wedges, which I may not have mentioned but was being hand delivered by the staff and that made me feel awesome. Food and drink brought to me as I played, like a pro athlete or something.
Lunch as with before the tournament fully kicked off was a great little social experience, with no one having to leave for food it meant everyone stayed together and I was able to catch up with everyone.
It was the first time that I and the other three Malifools were in the same place at the same time.
Getting to speak to any of those three is always great and person it's just that bit more special.
Always love catching up Lee too as well as brief chat with a few other guys Ben and Oz, Dave Brown, Tim Brown, pretty much everyone I interacted with was an enjoyable experience.
From the big sit down with Mike to the brief, chat with Rufus while waiting for food.
Getting to speak to any of those three is always great and person it's just that bit more special.
Always love catching up Lee too as well as brief chat with a few other guys Ben and Oz, Dave Brown, Tim Brown, pretty much everyone I interacted with was an enjoyable experience.
From the big sit down with Mike to the brief, chat with Rufus while waiting for food.
The social scene in the Malifaux community is one of the best parts.
Bellies totally full and worrying I might get pissed guzzling down cider like water, as it was getting extremely hot it was on to the next game.
Round 3
For the third round we would be playing Reckoning in standard deployment, a strategy I have grown in confidence with, especially when I saw I would be fighting against some undead.
The table I was on would be at the end of the room by the balcony, at first this seemed ace, the breeze would be lovely and also I was getting to stand next to Conrad.
Winner.
No, not winner.
Winner.
No, not winner.
The problem was the temperature was crazy hot and with the sun beaming straight through the door it was even worse.
The breeze, a nightmare, at points Conrad's cards were blown away and it meant the door would need to be closed, increasing the heat.
I'm not going to say I lost due to the table, that would be crazy as though I was closer both my opponent and I were in the same sort of position.
The only bad issue it did cause me was wasting time; something that I did not think was an issue until later.
The breeze, a nightmare, at points Conrad's cards were blown away and it meant the door would need to be closed, increasing the heat.
I'm not going to say I lost due to the table, that would be crazy as though I was closer both my opponent and I were in the same sort of position.
The only bad issue it did cause me was wasting time; something that I did not think was an issue until later.
Back to the actual game, the man leading these corpses into battle would be Daryl who took Seamus and we had the following schemes to choose from:
That isn't it but Kang against Undead is crazy good and I knew he would play an important part in trying to get me the win.
Langston is pretty much the most viscous thing I can field, his card reads "kill stuff dead".
The Arcane Effigy would be about for any paralyze, poison or shenanigans of the sorts and as always is a tough thing to kill.
The Rail worker equally tough but with a lot more punch was also in with the slim possibility of pinning something but for the most part Implacable Assault can be a great counter to Hard to Wound.
- Line in the Sand
- Protect Territory
- Breakthrough
- Deliver a message
- Power Ritual
- Mei Feng (Imbued Protection, Arcane Reservoir, Seismic claws)
- Kang (Imbued energies)
- Howard Langston (Imbued energies)
- Joss (Imbued energies)
- Arcane Effigy
- Rail Worker
That isn't it but Kang against Undead is crazy good and I knew he would play an important part in trying to get me the win.
Langston is pretty much the most viscous thing I can field, his card reads "kill stuff dead".
The Arcane Effigy would be about for any paralyze, poison or shenanigans of the sorts and as always is a tough thing to kill.
The Rail worker equally tough but with a lot more punch was also in with the slim possibility of pinning something but for the most part Implacable Assault can be a great counter to Hard to Wound.
Joss was both the right and wrong choice to go in the list.
It was going to be him or Myranda, in my Myranda would be killer as a Cerberus and is fast enough to really help me with Power Ritual, Breakthrough or even Deliver a Message.
The thinking with Joss was simply ignoring most of the Resser's defensive nonsense as well as being a really hard nut to crack and not an easy VP to give away.
In the end I should have taken Myranda but I will return to why very shortly.
Daryl had a crew that was roughly (I say that each time as this may not be exact):
- Seamus
- Copycat Killer
- 2 Necropunks
- 2 Flesh Constructs
- The Valedictorian
- A Hanged
I thought that although I knew Seamus would probably be using the back alleys and his gun, with the fast upgrades and some Nimble action I could Deliver the Message myself.
Therefore, I took Deliver and Power Ritual.
I thought, with the Leap from the Cerberus it would be easy too.
Hold up, I didn't take Myranda.
Well it would not be impossible to get Power ritual with the speed of Howard and Mei Feng.
Daryl also chose to Deliver a Message just as I thought he would and he also taken Power Ritual himself.
Those Necropunks were going to be a nightmare.
This was not from my game.
This table is fairly cool though.
The game was a great one and would say possibly my favourite of the day, both Daryl and I weren't messing about, we were going for the throat in the true spirit of Reckoning.
However, this is where I feel he soon discovered that I had him, mostly.
However, this is where I feel he soon discovered that I had him, mostly.
Down my right flank, Joss and the Rail Worker headed straight towards a Flesh Construct, hoping to also get a line on a Necropunk but he was too evasive for the cumbersome Arcanists.
Between the two of them taking down the Construct was no issue, it would just take more than a turn due to the 13 wounds they would need to grind through and the fact the Worker was a step behind.
Daryl hadn't left the Construct totally unguarded "level 2" for Joss would be a hanged a little later.
Between the two of them taking down the Construct was no issue, it would just take more than a turn due to the 13 wounds they would need to grind through and the fact the Worker was a step behind.
Daryl hadn't left the Construct totally unguarded "level 2" for Joss would be a hanged a little later.
The left flank was much more interesting. The Arcane Effigy placing the initial Power Ritual Marker and becoming a stepping-stone for Mei Feng. Then as they had done so many times before Langston scuttled far ahead to be the next stop with Kang lurking behind getting ready to give his Rousing Speech and genuinely show off as The Worker's Champion.
The Flesh Construct on this, Howard easily took down the left flank and Mei Feng inspired by Kang, this however would give Seamus just the right way to appear behind my group (along with his little friend) and start to fire at my heavy hitters.
As the game, progressed Mei Feng had her first experience of meeting the Valedictorian.
Not before being given a message by a Necropunk who she then slapped to oblivion.
Before the ruckus started for Mei with the Resurrectionist Henchman, Howard used his nimble to give Seamus a message but unfortunately suffer a similar fate to Daryl's Necropunk.
Not being slapped but being pumped full of lead and blown into pieces.
Langston's death would not be in vain because his dispersed energies gave just the right card for the protected Mei to Leap Aside from a flurry, a small mistake by Daryl as he forgot to attempt to hand Mei some Lecture Notes that would have kept her busy reading rather than leaping.
Not before being given a message by a Necropunk who she then slapped to oblivion.
Before the ruckus started for Mei with the Resurrectionist Henchman, Howard used his nimble to give Seamus a message but unfortunately suffer a similar fate to Daryl's Necropunk.
Not being slapped but being pumped full of lead and blown into pieces.
Langston's death would not be in vain because his dispersed energies gave just the right card for the protected Mei to Leap Aside from a flurry, a small mistake by Daryl as he forgot to attempt to hand Mei some Lecture Notes that would have kept her busy reading rather than leaping.
The Valedictorian held it's ground for a while with it's soulstones and armoured body but Kang crashing in with his master at the same time, neither of which could be terrified by this Horror were far too much for it.
The Arcane Effigy attempted to take advantage of Seamus being near by, before Kang had walked off he had obliterated the Copycat and the Effigy was going to be an annoyance for the ripper.
However, Seamus was having none of it calling a Belle to the fight, which would be engaged in an epic, OK not epic, pathetic slapping fight with the Effigy, who never got lucky enough to get the killing blow.
However, Seamus was having none of it calling a Belle to the fight, which would be engaged in an epic, OK not epic, pathetic slapping fight with the Effigy, who never got lucky enough to get the killing blow.
Back to the right flank Joss had easily taken out the Flesh golem but the punk had sprung out the way placed it's marker and was too far to worry about with the reduced speed of "just walking".
The hanged was next, it however had taken a notice to Mei Feng, halving her wounds, being smacked in the face by her but eventually taken her beaten body down after she had taken some licks from the Valedictorian before the rail crew combo had bashed her head in.
Joss went in, with no other big fights going on and the end of the game near, finding out from TO Ben Crowe that there was still about 25 minutes and we were in turn 4 meant I thought I was going to get the win.
Joss went in, with no other big fights going on and the end of the game near, finding out from TO Ben Crowe that there was still about 25 minutes and we were in turn 4 meant I thought I was going to get the win.
I was 3-1 on Reckoning and we both had 3VP each for our messages.
As long as I could also succeed in my Power Ritual, I'd get a nice big 9-7.
As long as I could also succeed in my Power Ritual, I'd get a nice big 9-7.
Time though, was one of my real enemies here, perhaps Daryl and I did slow down and play even more casually knowing about the time, maybe the curtain still being a pain took up some time all I know was "don't start another turn" was called just as we were about to finish turn 4 as Joss killed the Hanged, maybe just a turn late.
Seamus had also taken away the marker the Effigy had put down at the beginning and without the extra turn, I could not get to the far corners.
Kang was also slow so there was definitely an argument that I could not make it.
Kang was also slow so there was definitely an argument that I could not make it.
In the end, we counted and Daryl had it.
Lost 6-7
Afterwards I kicked myself. Why had I taken Power Ritual over Breakthrough?
Knowing how I played and how I was always going to play with the crew I had selected simply using the worker and the slowed Kang to drop a scheme marker would have got me the three VP that I could not obtain from the Power Ritual.
Knowing how I played and how I was always going to play with the crew I had selected simply using the worker and the slowed Kang to drop a scheme marker would have got me the three VP that I could not obtain from the Power Ritual.
If I had Myranda, maybe things would've been different.
My chances of catching a Necropunk are much higher and my speed is doubled.
Overall, I really enjoyed the game and look forward to playing Daryl again in the future, but it turned out that neither he nor time or luck were my worst enemy this round. It was my stupidity.
Jan had come other, kind of annoyingly asking "who's winning" while we were still playing.
As a side note, I don't like that question, I will state the current score but in Malifaux, things can change so easily and most things aren't scored until the game is over.
In addition, I'm not going to say, "Yeah I'm winning" even if I am, it sounds cocky and rude and will turn around and bite you when you end up losing and looking like a right idiot.
As a side note, I don't like that question, I will state the current score but in Malifaux, things can change so easily and most things aren't scored until the game is over.
In addition, I'm not going to say, "Yeah I'm winning" even if I am, it sounds cocky and rude and will turn around and bite you when you end up losing and looking like a right idiot.
Still Jan was excited he had got to play the legend Mike Marshall but unlike me at Canterfaux, it seemed that Jan could not get the job done.
Aaron had picked up his first loss of the day being taken down by Tim Brown, Tim was a real high and he obviously had our group's number.
Mike continued to shock us, not with a win but with a draw.
Blutack finally had a win putting him on 1-2 like me, which to be honest I was very surprised about as Graham is a top player.
What was funny was the person we had wrote off, Mike, was on 1-1-1 so better than both Blutack and myself.
Aaron had picked up his first loss of the day being taken down by Tim Brown, Tim was a real high and he obviously had our group's number.
Mike continued to shock us, not with a win but with a draw.
Blutack finally had a win putting him on 1-2 like me, which to be honest I was very surprised about as Graham is a top player.
What was funny was the person we had wrote off, Mike, was on 1-1-1 so better than both Blutack and myself.
Feeling the pain from the heat I got large cold glass of coke (I realise not the best for hydration) sat down in a comfy chair and attempted to get rid off my beating headache from the heat before the fourth round would start.
Round 4
As the pairings was announced I will admit I was not feeling it, my headache was horrid and although I wanted play Malifaux I was also realising that my minimum expectation for myself was probably not going to happen if I could not concentrate.
I perked up however as my fourth round opponent was none other than Mr Conrad EJ Gonsalves, a fellow Malifool and putting me with only Joel to play against to "get the whole set".
Conrad being stood next to me last round was also suffering a little due the headache. Thankfully, we were in a different part that was far cooler nearer the steps.
Conrad being stood next to me last round was also suffering a little due the headache. Thankfully, we were in a different part that was far cooler nearer the steps.
Austin, the absolute angel grabbed me another glass of coke as well as keeping us both hydrated (or maybe just lubricated?) with cold water which he grabbed a big jug of.
As I sorted myself out Conrad went to relieve himself as we both started drinking like fish and I thought I had better check the Strategy, schemes and deployment for this round:
- Squatters Rights
- Corner
- Line in the Sand
- Bodyguard
- Assassinate
- Make them Suffer
- Power Ritual
- Mei Feng (seismic claws, arcane reservoir, imbued protection)
- Kang (imbued energies)
- Mechanical Rider (imbued energies)
- Myranda (imbued energies)
- Soulstone miner
- Rail Worker
- Nicodem
- Vulture
- Sebastian
- Mortimer
- 2 Canine Remains
- 2 Necro punks
- Crooligan
When it came to schemes after my mistakes last round I did not want to take Power Ritual, which admittedly may've been fine with my crew selection.
Make them Suffer was an easy choice and I decided Bodyguard on Kang would be good.
Now not to pick on Conrad, but he is very famous for being a little slow.
I actually didn't find his pace to be any worse than mine but then again I was feeling rough but happy to be against @nepalese_ninja
Make them Suffer was an easy choice and I decided Bodyguard on Kang would be good.
Now not to pick on Conrad, but he is very famous for being a little slow.
I actually didn't find his pace to be any worse than mine but then again I was feeling rough but happy to be against @nepalese_ninja
However Bodyguard relies on a five turn game to get the full points, Conrad even admitted after the game he considered that Scheme but knew it wasn't good for him. I was gutted.
The game was a laugh with a lot of banter, Conrad and I chose to use Hazardous terrain rules on the bubbling pits amongst the many pools of goo that there were.
Conrad did a lot of dirty Nicodem stuff, digging up bones and dropping spleens, having Nicodem big a dirty laugh, turning these discarded body parts into Zombies to then raise them into much stronger fighting things such as Constructs and Punks all the while drawing more cards to power his hand.
Knowing Nicodem would eventually overwhelm me with model count I used my speed to get into position on the centre line and hold off the waves of undead.
Knowing Nicodem would eventually overwhelm me with model count I used my speed to get into position on the centre line and hold off the waves of undead.
Myranda quickly dispatched the Crooligan who had deployed from the Shadows where as the Rider with the worker made a path for Mei to dive on in.
At first, there were easy pickings for her, a dead bird and dead mutt, things she had no issues with simply coughing at to take down.
Eventually these things became real monsters and Sebastian also wanted to get his Bone Saw stuck into her.
She battled hard and eventually after a few leaping tricks and taken heavy damage used Leap Aside to escape.
Eventually these things became real monsters and Sebastian also wanted to get his Bone Saw stuck into her.
She battled hard and eventually after a few leaping tricks and taken heavy damage used Leap Aside to escape.
At this point, the Miner arrived and the Rider was making gamin to protect the line.
I was holding Conrad off the Strategy.
This though was the point where having fun turned around to bite me.
This though was the point where having fun turned around to bite me.
Turn 3 had Mei see the opportunity to Railwalk all the way home and safe, but Conrad's undead legion was so nicely bunched up I knew it would be the prime time for her to go "old school" and use her Tiger's fury on a whole mass of models.
"Fuck it," I say casually as Mei charges into the centre of five models, hitting them with claws pushing them back and moving on to the next, hitting lots of undead monsters and finishing with a slap to Sebastian all with a single AP.
It was fun and great to see how I could smack about so many models with Mei, but as I had dived in I thought why not try to finish of Seb.Unfortunately, he was a little too tough for her to take down.
It was fun and great to see how I could smack about so many models with Mei, but as I had dived in I thought why not try to finish of Seb.Unfortunately, he was a little too tough for her to take down.
She then was attacked, a timely mask got her out of there and she dived into a non-hazardous pit.
This didn't matter though as Sebastian still had enough room to cut her up into pieces with the whirring blade of his Bone Saw into her battered and bruised flesh.
This didn't matter though as Sebastian still had enough room to cut her up into pieces with the whirring blade of his Bone Saw into her battered and bruised flesh.
At this point, Conrad reveals Assassinate, I kick myself inside forgetting at the point of diving in that it was even on the table and really not considering it for what I felt was a more passive crew.
It turned out this was Conrad's choice over Bodyguard, had he made the other choice his henchmen were battered and thanks to my aggressive nature with Mei Feng barely even out of their deployment.
Continuing on I thought to myself that I just needed to keep Conrad off of his other Scheme and I still had this game won.
I had been racking up both VP for Make them Suffer and Squatter's Rights, more than his 3VP he had gotten for Assassinate.
It turned out this was Conrad's choice over Bodyguard, had he made the other choice his henchmen were battered and thanks to my aggressive nature with Mei Feng barely even out of their deployment.
Continuing on I thought to myself that I just needed to keep Conrad off of his other Scheme and I still had this game won.
I had been racking up both VP for Make them Suffer and Squatter's Rights, more than his 3VP he had gotten for Assassinate.
Time was starting to run low now and I knew I really wanted to at least get turn 4 so I could get 2VP for Bodyguard.
However, it was not to be and to add insult to injury I threw the game by messing up an activation order while trying to go fast.
Conrad with his Power Ritual had his own corner covered easily with a token behind a house on the first turn.
The Crooligan, which was replaced by a Necropunk both were murdered by Myranda.
At the end of this turn, Myranda destroyed the marker and I believed all was good.
Conrad with his Power Ritual had his own corner covered easily with a token behind a house on the first turn.
The Crooligan, which was replaced by a Necropunk both were murdered by Myranda.
At the end of this turn, Myranda destroyed the marker and I believed all was good.
It wasn't.
Across to the opposite corner a previously fast canine had ran into a hazardous pit and lost half it's wounds, however, it was within 6" of the corner so dropped it's marker and was done.
The reason this was a mistake was afterwards I still had the Mechanical Rider, in range to push and shoot the dog and also still with Fast available, one hit from the Chain Spear (not followed by the Black Joker) would kill the dog.
The reason this was a mistake was afterwards I still had the Mechanical Rider, in range to push and shoot the dog and also still with Fast available, one hit from the Chain Spear (not followed by the Black Joker) would kill the dog.
If I had noticed and killed that first, Myranda destroying the marker with no way, for interference at the time would mean I had the game, instead Conrad jumped from 1 to 3 for that Scheme and game ended before turn 4
Lost 5-7
I was pissed off, I will admit it. Not at Conrad but at myself. Regardless whether I picked a bad crew, incorrect schemes I had just thrown the game by activating something that didn't need to be.
Without that happening, I would have just squeaked out a win 5-4 that would have made me been less bothered about my "fun mistake".
Without that happening, I would have just squeaked out a win 5-4 that would have made me been less bothered about my "fun mistake".
Playing Conrad was great and I feel if I wasn't suffering from some mild heat stroke, it would've easily been my favourite game.
Conrad was a gent and I was so very glad to get the chance to play him, if just for the fact that I have such respect for him, as a co-host, a friend, as a man.
I was definitely angry and upset about the game afterwards especially on the way home but I do not blame Conrad at all for this.
So if you do read this Conrad, don't feel bad, I'm just beating myself up.
Conrad was a gent and I was so very glad to get the chance to play him, if just for the fact that I have such respect for him, as a co-host, a friend, as a man.
I was definitely angry and upset about the game afterwards especially on the way home but I do not blame Conrad at all for this.
So if you do read this Conrad, don't feel bad, I'm just beating myself up.
Overall, though result wise this tournament was shambles for me, I was gone 1-3 and had not won a single game with Mei Feng.
Maybe she is shit.
Maybe she is shit.
Nah.
Aaron had gotten another win other the other Outcast in the room Luke Cocksedge who is a top player himself and I was super proud for Aaron to get results I knew he was capable of, especially after his similarly (to my current) dreadful result at Canterfaux.
Jan had lost again this time to "the boy" Jake Barlow.
Mike also picked up another loss to Daryl who had beat me the round previous but it meant for certain the spoon was not his and his results...
Well they were better than both me and Blutack, who had also ended up 1-3.
How did that happen?
Jan had lost again this time to "the boy" Jake Barlow.
Mike also picked up another loss to Daryl who had beat me the round previous but it meant for certain the spoon was not his and his results...
Well they were better than both me and Blutack, who had also ended up 1-3.
How did that happen?
We are the Champions (well not my group)
This was surprise to me as I knew he wasn't having a great tournament but I did not realise he had gone 0-4.
Not too bad though, because the last place prize was maybe the nicest thing to take home.
Best in faction was up next and controversially it was not based on placing as we imagined.
At this event, the Best in Faction unlike placing was based on VP differential.
At this event, the Best in Faction unlike placing was based on VP differential.
This wasn't good for our group.
Aaron who had finished 6/27 overall and easily the highest Outcast did not receive the prize; instead it was hilariously handed to Luke who Aaron had only just beat (not by enough I guess).
Luke posed with the awesome plaque next to Aaron for a great photo opportunity, which no one took.
A shame as it was a genuinely funny moment.
Luke posed with the awesome plaque next to Aaron for a great photo opportunity, which no one took.
A shame as it was a genuinely funny moment.
What this also meant was that best Arcanist, definitely not going to me actually went to Bluetack with a "fantastic" +1VP difference. Mike had a better placing but his 10-3 start was destroyed by his 0-10 loss and defeat in the final round.
Jan didn't get best Gremlin either so our team left with no trophies as that was awarded Rufus.
Jake as the only Ten Thunder got a nice plaque by default.
Daryl earned himself best Resurrectionist.
Jake as the only Ten Thunder got a nice plaque by default.
Daryl earned himself best Resurrectionist.
Best Guild was awarded to Joe Wood who also finished in 2nd place, just in front of Paul Flory in 3rd and finally.
Joel Henry, the beast, took down the entire tournament to no ones surprise and also got himself best Neverborn, which there were eight players to start with in total, showing his victories had definitely been big ones.
Last thing before we packed up and everyone went home, literally everyone got a prize, myself, Aaron and Mike all grabbed terrain thrown Aaron's way for September's Curse
Amongst the other raffle prizes were a couple of boxes of miniatures, a fantastic custom Bendyboards model tray and many vouchers from the excellent Element Games.
Add this to fact we all got a set of custom engraved blast markers from CounterAttack everyone walked away quite well off.
Amongst the other raffle prizes were a couple of boxes of miniatures, a fantastic custom Bendyboards model tray and many vouchers from the excellent Element Games.
Add this to fact we all got a set of custom engraved blast markers from CounterAttack everyone walked away quite well off.
Final Thoughts (doubt that is a song)
Tables were good and the timings were fine.
I'd like to thank Austin (also thanks to him for the photos in this blog) and Ben for putting on such a great event and I am sure to go to any they run as long as I physically can.
I also have to thank so many others but really it's my local crew Aaron, Jan and Mike for being great company and looking after me and finally the @malifools (not including me) who it was excellent to have all together and I was super happy to make it all official with my own pink t shirt.
If only Mike didn't run away from the group photo.
The Final Standings.
I came 24th which was rubbish.
Byeeeee
-Ben (@psientologist)
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