Adventure
09 Free Companies on a War Footing
Background
I'm so far 4 - 0 undefeated on this map. I was successful using the combination of Hill Giant and Stronghold against my opponents. This time, I have decided to use the often misunderstood Earth Elemental.
My opponent, just been trashed by me in a previous game mainly due to lower Commander level, decided to pump up to L3 for this game.
Players Set Up
Me:
Burgundy (Pennant)
L3 Commander, L1 Earth Elemental, L2 Cleric
Opponent:
d'Armagnac party (Standard)
L3 Commander, L2 Cleric, L1 Wizard
The Plan
1. Run my Goblinoids.
The Iron Dwarves vs Goblinoids side is not going to be pretty. I have to avoid confrontation as much as possible.
2. Stronghold.
I wanted to use my Stronghold to protect my Goblinoids. However we both choosed L3 Commander and we ruled that neither of us could have Strongholds.
3. Rock Your World!
Simple Plan. Send Earth Elemental into enemy line. For this to work, I knew I would need to set aside lots of Lore Tokens.
The Early Game
Tried to move my Goblinoids. They were more vulnerable due to the absence of my customary Stronghold. However, getting a good Green Banner or Advance card was not going to happen. Guess they would have to take care of themselves.
On round one, I moved my blue banner unit into the Summoning Circle. And on its first attempt, I summoned Engry, the Earth Elemental!
With Engry out, I was studying the battlefield for any weakness area to assult. A defensive position was never my style. ^^
My opponent strangely decided to break his right flank (my left flank) units. Unsupported, I charge my Cavalries forward. It soon became clear that his intention was to attack my center forces. I rallied my troops to form a strong battle line with elevated terrains supporting my defence.
The Mid-Game
Out of no where, the raging sky suddenly rained lightning on my troops!
"Arghhhh!!!" screamed my poor cavalries. The only consolation I had was the lightning stopped after three hexes. It took down three cavalries and one footman.
Before the air cleared of the sulfuric smell from the lightning, the forests went frenzied! It seemed my opponent's Cleric was gaining the upper hand this time around. My own Cleric was desperately seeking divine knowledge of nature. Unfortunately, the closest he got to was a Raging River spell. O.O "Well done Cleric, on a map with no rivers. You're FIRED!"
I was down 1 - 3 at that point. My left flank was un-supported. My center flank was weakened. My right flank was filled with wussies. It seemed defeat was inevitable.
Just when all hope was robbed from me, Engry suddenly went amok. It charged forward deep into the enemy's center camp, stomping the grounds as it went along. It caused several enemy's units to rout, and Earthquake once. It slowly moved its carnage into the left flank.
After the game ended, my opponent told me Engry, the Earth Elemental, totally desecrated his center.
Anyway, my army cheered Engry on. Forces on the left flank joined Engry in an attempt to win the game. The score was 4 - 4.
All this while, the opponent's Iron Dwarves didn't really do anything significant. Later, my opponent revealed he only drew one left flank section card in the entire game. Well... what can I say. Use your tactics cards?
So, the majority of the Middle Game was dominated by Engry going after meat, and my opponent running away from Engry. It seemed like replaying of another happy ending. Who would have thought...
The End Game
Critical Hit!
And that, was the dramatic turning point of the game. My opponent lead 5 - 4. My troops on the left flank, which until a moment ago, seemed invincible with the support of Engry, suddenly didn't look so tough anymore.
"Run~!!!" It didn't take a Captain to know the turning of the tides. Every living soul on the battlefield concentrated resources to aid in the safe escape of the units on the left flank. With 5 - 4 lead, my opponent only needed one more banner to achieve sweet victory.
A quick scan of the battlefield revealed that the entire left and center sections were littered with weakened and unsupported troops. My right flank was in dire straits against the Iron Dwarves. My surviving blue banner cavalries and hobgoblin cavalries were ordered to pursue weakened enemies at all cost. One was successfully chased down. 5 - 5!
The next fifteen minutes or so of the game was a roller coaster ride! Victory was at hand, and each turn, it appeared as if the player whose turn it was would clinch the win. Adrenaline was pumping and the feverish attempt to win that last banner was undeniable. Crazy moves were made. Desperate spells were casted to escape weakened units into safety, if it only meant a few more hexes away from impending doom.
My cavalries were chasing weakened enemies units. My opponent was running those units away. My opponent was pushing his Iron Dwarves down my throat. I was running my Goblinoids from his foul vengeance.
In the end, there was no escaping the mighty Iron Dwarves. My goblin unit were surrounded, had no where to run, panicked, choked on their own saliva, and died.
Final Score
5 - 6
Final Words
This was the most exciting game of BattleLore I've played so far. The 5 - 5 tie at the end with a totally messed up battlefield was truely out-of-this-world. The desperation of the battles could be felt and the session was explodingly thematic.
I found the usage of Earth Elemental on the whole, crippling to my Lore count. I had the mental preparation to sacrifice casting spells to activate my Earth Elemental. My opponent testify to its strength. But at the expense of not being able to cast spells, was it worth it?
Maybe next time, I'll team up Earth Elemental with L3 Wizard to bring in the Magic Pentacle. Then, we shall see...
Latest map score: 4 - 1.
\(^_^)/
Posted Thu Jan 4,2007 05:35 pm
