Friday 28 April 2017

Age Of Sigmar Battle Report: Plaguebearers Verses Bloodletters

KHORNE VERSES NURGLE: BLOODLETTER VERSES PLAGUEBEARER
This game was played predominantly using the free downloadable rules of “Age Of Sigmar” by “Games Workshop”. However as we were only playing with ten models aside on a 3’ x 3’ tablecloth, a number of house rules were implemented in order to make the skirmish flow more smoothly, such as each model technically representing a single unit. In addition both the Plagueridden and Bloodhunter were treated as their respective force's General, and we decided that during the Battleshock Phase, when “both players must take Battleshock tests for units from their army that have had models slain during the turn”, we would test any units within 12” of an eliminated friendly unit, and add the number of removed models to the test’s roll when comparing it against their Bravery statistic.

“The story so far… Determined to win the favour of the Blood God, Clomp the Mighty has dared to lead a party of Bloodletters into the toxic Nurgle land of Rotwater, in an attempt to establish a Khorne foothold on the region. Realising the threat to his dominion, the Plague God has dispatched a unit of Plaguebearers to intercept the savage invaders, and entrusted his realm's sanctity to their leader, Pusmire the Putrescent..."
THE TABLETOP - ROTWATER
Before the game started a couple of swamps and forests were positioned about the battlefield, and five favour points identified. These objectives would not be revealed until a unit had captured them, and then could only be secured by a free-standing model. At the end of six turns the winning force would be the one who held the most favour points. Finally, we rolled for which corners the two hosts would enter the area from, and found that the Plaguebearers arrived from the northeast and the Bloodletters from the southeast; it was clear that battle would commence a little sooner than had been anticipated.
CLOMP LEADS HIS BLOODLETTERS FORWARD INTO NURGLE'S SWAMPLAND
Taking the initiative, and making use of their faster speed [Move 5"], Clomp the Mighty led half of his invading party north towards Objective Three, whilst the remaining Bloodletters, including his Icon Bearer, moved west along the south bank of the large swamp. Somewhat slower than his opposition [Move 4"], Pusmire accompanied five Plaguebearers and his Piper south towards Objective Three, and dispatched his Iconbearer west, alongside two Plaguebearers, west towards Objective Two. 

With the scent of his savage, blood-mad foes already in his decaying nostrils, Pusmire and two Plaguebearers moved further south towards Objective Three and prepared to charge their opponents. Skirting past them the Piper made his way to the eastern edge of the small forest. Whilst to the north, the Nurgle Icon Bearer almost reached Objective Two. With a roar the Putrescent one urged his Plaguebearers forward towards the oncoming Bloodhunter, but soon realised that their target was beyond their wheezing waddle and quickly brought his warriors to a halt.
AS PUSMIRE HEADS SOUTH TO FACE CLOMP, SOME BLOODLETTERS DECIDE TO MOVE WEST
Sensing the lesser daemons of Nurgle were ripe for an assault, Clomp motioned for some of his Bloodletters to join him in an advance northwards, and readied his Hellblade for their own charge. Behind him, one of Khorne's foot-soldiers acquired Objective Three and revealed the location was worth four favour points to their Blood God. A mighty prize indeed.

To the west the Bloodletter Icon Bearer and Hornblower continued their trek towards Objective Four, accompanied by three more of their brethren. Behind them their heard the roar as a Slaughter-kin's charge reached a Plaguebearer stood on the southern edge of the small forest. The Bloodletter's Hellblade [To Hit 4+] cut into the pallid green flesh of its prey, and wounding the blighted soul [To Wound 3+ and Rend -1], dispatched the boil-covered creature.

Disconcertingly however, the red-skinned daemon's howl of triumph was short-lived as the Nurgle force rolled for Battleshock and threw a one; causing reality to blink and another Plaguebearer to appear back at the Plaguebearer's deployment point...
WITH NURGLE'S PIPER PLAYING TO THEIR NORTH, THE BLOODLETTERS SCOUR THE LAND FOR PREY 
Unaware of Nurgle's 'magic', a Bloodletter to the south of the fighting, strode to Objective Four and revealed it to be worth two favour points. With a seemingly unassailable lead already in their grasp, the rest of his Khorne companions fanned out with the Hornblower making towards Objective Five in the far west and the Icon Bearer heading north with their eyes upon Objective One.

Meanwhile, as a Bloodletter defended Objective Three, the rest of Clomp's forces in the east readied themselves to charge into their pot-bellied opponents. Incredibly, the Mighty one failed to reach any Plaguebearers himself, but watched with satisfaction as two of his hooved brethren crashed into Nurgle's nearby cyclops'. Hellblades and Plagueswords flashed, and at the end of the conflict both a Bloodletter and Plaguebearer had fallen. Cursing, the Bloodhunter saw that despite being 'wounded' the misshapen Nurgle Piper had been saved by being "disgustingly resilient", and had therefore merely had some of his rancid flesh sloughed away.
JUST SOUTH OF THE SMALL FOREST, BLOODLETTERS AND PLAGUEBEARERS BRUTALLY CLASH
To the north the Nurgle Icon Bearer took Objective Two and revealed it was worth three favour points. The two Plaguebearers accompanying him immediately headed south towards Objective One and the remaining "Tallymen of Nurgle", led by Pusmire, prepared themselves to attack the Slaughter-kin surrounding Objective Three. With a ghastly gurgle the lesser daemons, dragging their intestines behind them, charged into the Bloodletters guarding the easternmost objective, and laughed gleefully as their Plagueridden hacked down one of their foes.

Khorne however, was clearly still very much in ascendancy, as the Blood God's warmongers retaliated by hewing a Plaguebearer into pieces, and causing the Nurgle Piper to once give thanks to his lord and master that he was "disgustingly resilient".

In the centre of the battlefield a Bloodletter managed to claim Objective One, and discovered it was worth just a single favour point. Clomp scratched his head momentarily, and realised that he could still win the day if he gave up Objective Three, took Objective Five, and rallied his forces against Nurgle at objectives' One and Four; a cunning plan which would rely upon the Slaughter-kin uncharacteristically turning their backs to their hated foe in a momentary retreat.
CLOMP ATTEMPTS TO OUTWIT HIS BOIL-COVERED FOES BY HEADING WEST TO ROTWATER'S CENTER
As a result the Bloodhunter and his dwindling numbers rushed towards the northern edge of the large swamp, and headed west towards the centre of the Rotwater in order to try and make a last stand for the glory of the Blood God there. Meanwhile the Hornblower and Khorne Icon Bearer prepared to charge the Plaguebearers who were approaching Objective One, but with a roar of disgust failed their respective rolls... Perhaps the tide was starting to turn in favour of the Lord of Decay..?

With Objective Three now unprotected a Plaguebearer rushed south and took the location for Nurgle. Nodding approvingly, Pusmire lead the rest of his sore-infested pack west after the fast-disappearing Bloodletters. Up ahead of him the Plagueridden could see more of his disgusting brethren approaching Objective One, and with a cry of "Praise be to Nurgle!" charge into the Chosen of Khorne guarding the central location. Frustratingly for the Plaguebearer leader, the attack seemed to have little impact upon the Khak'akamshy'y stood there, and so the Putrescent one decided to vent his fury upon Clomp instead...
THE PLAGUEBEARERS CHARGE INTO THE CLOSEST BLOODLETTERS 
Nurgle looked down upon the grisly glade just north of the large swamp and chortled to himself as his Plaguebearers smashed into the Bloodletters' rear. Clomp was quickly brought down with a few cuts from a Bilesword, and despite the Lord of Decay's own Piper being slain amidst the slaughter, the god was mightily pleased with his Tallymen's efforts.

Believing that there was still a chance for Khorne to win the day, the Bloodletter running west came ever closer to Objective Five, whilst both the Icon Bearer and Hornblower charged into the Plaguebearers skulking around Objective One. Incredibly, despite their superior attacks, the Slaughter-kin proved ineffective, and if not for their [5+] save, they would both have been massacred by their opponents. As it was, the lone Bloodletter who had witnessed Clomp's demise, was also killed, leaving eastern Rotwater free of the Blood God's influence.

Seeing that victory was at hand, the Plaguebearer who had appeared as a result of reality blinking finally approached Objective Two and allowed the Nurgle Icon Bearer there to waddle south towards the central objective in aid of his maggot-covered colleagues. In front of him, Pusmire urged his nearby bloated brothers to undergo a valiant charge against the outnumbered Bloodletters and witnessed Khorne's Icon Bearer finally fall. Further south however, Pusmire the Plagueridden had decided to try and gather as much favour from the Lord of Decay as he could, by winning back Objective Four. 
ONE OF KHORNE'S FAVOURED APPROACHES OBJECTIVE FIVE, AS BATTLE ERUPTS IN THE CENTER
With the battle entering its final stage, the Plaguebearer's Icon Bearer charged into the melee around Objective One, whilst Pusmire leapt at the Bloodletter guarding Objective Four. With a cry the Slaughter-kin by the central objective gorily died, but Khorne's Icon Bearer remained alive to contest the location.

To the west, a Bloodletter took Objective Five, to reveal it was worth five favour points, and bring the battle's current standing to seven apiece. Pusmire realised if he could just take down the Khak'akamshy'y before him, he would win the day for Nurgle, yet his plaguesword failed to strike home despite the Plagueridden having two attacks.
PUSMIRE DESPERATELY TRIES TO WIN THE DAY FOR THE PLAGUE LORD BUT FAILS
Finally, battered and broken, the Blood God's Hornblower finally fell to the Plaguebearers around Objective One. The battle was over, and neither side had attained a resounding victory for their respective deities... this opening skirmish was a draw...

28 comments:

  1. Great BatRep Simon, oh how the fickle chaos gods weave their war on each other, could have gone either way on multiple occasions but interesting result

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Dave. This turned out to be an interesting experiment, in my books at least, as the Bloodletters have a better chance to hit than the Plaguebearers. But the Nurgle daemons have a much better chance to survive a wound.

      Delete
  2. Hmm, this was one of those games where I wanted neither side to win, or better still, for both sides to wipe each other out. Still, on the other hand, Chaos forces slaughtering other Chaos forces can only be a good thing! :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cheers Bryan, I know of your dislike for all things Chaos, but as a simple set of skirmish rules (with a couple of house rules), "Age Of Sigmar" works very well imho.

      Delete
  3. By his Rot, what a closely fought battle! Great to see the figs together on the table!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thanks Gordon. It was nice to have a simple skirmish rather than a full-out war for a change.

      Delete
  4. Superb Simon, although I couldn't decide who I wanted to win.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cheers Michael. The Chaos Gods are a very fickle bunch, so I'm a bit torn between Khorne and Nurgle myself :-)

      Delete
  5. OOOoooh goodness me that took me right back to my old Warhammer days. Back to the days of "Realms of Chaos" volumes one and two **sighs** aaaah good old days for sure.

    Simon this was fantastic, and totally swept me away and back to nostalgic memories. Thank you for such an enjoyable and delightful revitalisation of the Chaos Gods hehe.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks very much Hils. This was something of a break from the norm BatRep-wise, but one of the reasons I've been adding Khorne units to my Nurgle Host as allies is so I can split the two factions up from time to time, and do these sorts of games.

      I'm hoping to do another one now Karanak has been finished, and pit his 200-point Khorne force against a similarly-sized Nurgle one; with a Beast of Nurgle and some additional Plaguebearers.

      Delete
  6. -yells- "Blood For The Blood God"

    ReplyDelete
  7. Absolutely amazing. I swear Simon (Hils and I actually discussed this) if it weren't for the fact we are so heavily committed (literally and financially) with our own other projects... probably now for life haha, having just read your cool battle report, we would be seriously and sorely tempted to get back into Warhammer via the Age of Sigmar route. But to quote Darth Vader a second: "It`s too late for me, son."

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cheers Steve. You're very kind :-) I can honestly say that "Age Of Sigmar" has been a revelation to me for fantasy wargaming. It really does seem to embody that sense of fun from the first "Warhammer" books, but can be upscaled as large as players want. I'd certainly thoroughly recommend it, and am (probably sadly) somewhat excited at the news that the 8th Edition of "Warhammer 40k" is going to be similarly 'stream-lined'.

      Delete
    2. "It`s too late for me, son." - That's near enough for me, Steve ;-)

      Delete
    3. Mmmmmm, tempting.... tempting.... must..... resist!

      Delete
  8. {{I'd certainly thoroughly recommend it, and am (probably sadly) somewhat excited at the news that the 8th Edition of "Warhammer 40k" is going to be similarly 'stream-lined'.}}

    I`m so far out of the loop (its bee so long), I would need to have that explained to me Simon. Why.. probably sad?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've had a love-hate relationship with "Warhammer 40k" for most of my hobby, Hils and swore after "GW" brought out 6th Edition that I'd not buy into it again - I'd just started to learn 5th Edition (even contacting the local "GW" store for lessons) and suddenly was told I needed to fork out £60 for a new rule book, new army book, needed to buy new models (as part of 5th Edition force was now illegal), and had to get a deck of expensive psychic cards too. Two years later 7th Edition came out and it was the same shenanigans again.

      Recently I started dabbling in "Kill Team" - a 200pt version of "Warhammer 40k", as my "Age Of Sigmar" Nurgle Host works for it too... and then "GW" pulled that in favour of "Shadow War" and with the announcement of 8th Edition are pulling all the army books I need for "Kill Team"... bad timing perhaps but very annoying.

      Yet despite all this, if the new "Warhammer 40k" is anything like "Age Of Sigmar" and its easy entry point, then I'll be jumping on the bandwagon once again. Some lessons I clearly don't learn...

      Delete
  9. Ahhh now I see. LOL, oh Simon, I see the merry-go-round repeating itself here as it goes full circle over and over. I`m exactly the same with WotC and D&D. First we all forked out massive money to buy the 3rd edition PHB DMG and MM, then within months, they announced nope sorry we got that wrong, here`s the 3.5 ed core rule books (which we had to buy all over again). They let us off a few years: just long enough for us all to buy about 20 supplement manuals and books, then announced, nope, were changing the whole thing to 4th edition now. And scrapped all the old books yet again. So away we went and collected everything for 4th, believing this time this was it! but nope, what did they do? they announced the new 5th edition, UUUGGHHHHH!!!!

    hehe, I do know what its like Simon, and I feel for you.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Slughter and mayhem, what's not to like?
    Great to see your forcs gettting onto the table even if I didn't know who to root for...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cheers Joe. I'm glad you enjoyed it. It is a bit hard to know who to root for when two of the Chaos Gods go head-to-head.

      Delete
  11. Meh no Slanneshi love no Chico likey ;) Jealous at how many games you get to play per month.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Chico. I'm not a Slaanesh fan at all, so it'll be some while before I start looking at any sculpts from that particular Chaos God. I have though bought a couple of Tzeentch recently.

      I'm trying to play a game a week currently, and in order to try and increase the number of BatReps I do. Fingers crossed I can keep it up :-)

      Delete
  12. the more you play, ultimately, in the end, the more you will enjoy your hobby. This simple logic I say over an over to people. Thankfully, I`ve its a truism that`s guided me well so far. I`m so happy for you Simon, that you are enjoying playing regularly.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cheers Hils. Hopefully some of that enjoyment and enthusiasm comes across the BatReps - its certainly my point for doing them (and to lure people into buying more rule-sets and minis) ;-)

      Delete
  13. Nurgle be praised! The right side won in the end - 7 - 7, a more pleasing result could not have been attained if you'd tried. (7 being the "magic number" for Nurgle.) ;)

    Thorougly enjoyed this mate!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks very much Dai, glad you enjoyed it. I'm hoping to do a few more as my Khorne allied forces rise within my Nurgle Host to threaten the Plague God himself.

      Delete