Durak's Black Powder Patrol

 

 

 

Overview 

 

I decided to do Dwarves for the Escalation league for several reasons. First, I travel a lot and have much of my Dwarves completed. This will let me keep up with the point totals each week while adding additional units as I progress. I have been playing dwarves for about 9 months and have an impressive 0 Win, 15 loss, 1 draw record. This brings me to the second reason I chose Dwarves, I clearly need to learn to play them, and get more experience with WHFB. I am adding some addition units and Durak may decide keeping his Clanmates alive is more important than sticking to a black powder theme..... we shall see.

As for posts, I am following Casey's example to begin with, with some minor edits. I have not really thought out much fluff for my army, so I am skipping that section for now. Also, I am adding a Location section to the end. I believe many of the league players will be playing in GP Chantilly, with some in Woodbridge. I live in Leesburg and have a table and terrain in my basement. Also, the new GW opened in Sterling (GW Sugarland), and I am starting to be a regular there (sick as its only been open 8 days at the time of this post) This means, overall, I will be looking to play in 3 locations. (GPC, GW Sugarland, Home) Each week I will try and keep a running location section for my primary preference, and where I am getting games in.

 

Overall, I like the way Dwarves look, and have limited WHFB experience, so am going to keep pushing forward until I can win some games with my stunties.

 

 

Army Progression

Week 1: My initial force will likely be as follows:

Dwarves @ 1000 Points

(pictures uploaded and in Photobucket: Photobucket link)

     Thane of Pain: 5 Str5 attacks, 2+ Armor save *General

     Runesmith: +1 attack, 2+ armor save, 1x rune spellbreaking

     15 Warriors, Full Command

     10 Longbeards, Full Command

     10 Thunderers, musician

     1 Cannon (burning)

     1 Organ Gun

 

* update list after playing a practice game.

 

I am also working the start to a squad of hammerers for higher point games.

 

Week 2: I am expanding the force with another unit of Thunderers and some additional Longbeards:

Dwarves @ 1200 Points

(pictures uploaded and in Photobucket: Photobucket link)

     Thane of Pain: 5 Str5 attacks, 2+ Armor save *General

     Runesmith: +1 attack, 2+ armor save, 1x rune spellbreaking

     15 Warriors, Full Command

     14 Longbeards, Full Command

     10 Thunderers (Dropped the musician)

     10 Thunderers

     1 Cannon (burning)

     1 Organ Gun

 

I am still working on my hammerers, so they are likely to join next week and replace the longbeards. 

 

Week 3:

Dwarves @ 1400

(pictures uploaded and in Photobucket: Photobucket link)

     Thane of Pain: 5 Str5 attacks, 2+ Armor save *General

     Runesmith: +1 attack, 2+ armor save, 1x rune spellbreaking

     Thane BSB: +1 str, 1+ armor save

     15 Warriors, Full Command, hw+shield+gw

     15 Hammerers, Full Command, Runic Standard (double unit strength)

     10 Thunderers

     10 Thunderers

     1 Cannon (burning, forging)

     1 Organ Gun

 

This week my longbeards are taking a well-needed rest and the Hammerers are joining the patrol, along with Durak's trusty Standard Bearer. I have not completed the hammerers yet, but should have them done Monday night (before I play any games). I have heard amazing things about these guys, and since they are slightly cheaper than the longbeards, I am looking forward to using them. I also added the forging rune onto my cannon, in an attempt to offset my very common misfires. I need to make up some ground this week after missing games last week, so will be trying to get a couple in.

 

Week 4:

Dwarves @ 1500

(pictures uploaded and in Photobucket: Photobucket link)

     Thane of Pain: 5 Str5 attacks, 2+ Armor save *General

     Runesmith: +1 attack, 2+ armor save, 1x rune spellbreaking

     Thane BSB: +1 str, 1+ armor save, MR 1

     18 Warriors, Full Command, hw+shield

     14 Hammerers, Full Command, shields, Runic Standard (double unit strength)

     10 Thunderers, shields

     10 Thunderers, shields

     1 Cannon (burning, forging)

     1 Cannon (burning, reloading)

     1 Organ Gun

 

Week 5:

Dwarves @ 1700

(pictures uploaded and in Photobucket: Photobucket link)

     Thane of Pain: 5 Str5 attacks, 2+ Armor save *General

     Runesmith: +1 attack, 2+ armor save, 1x rune spellbreaking

     Thane BSB: +1 str, 1+ armor save, MR 1

     14 Warriors, Full Command, hw+shield

     14 Longbeards, Musician, Veteran, HW/Shield/Great Weapon

     14 Hammerers, Full Command, shields, Runic Standard (double unit strength)

     10 Thunderers, shields

     10 Thunderers, shields

     1 Cannon (burning, forging)

     1 Cannon (forging)

     1 Organ Gun

 

The Longbeards are back, causing some minor adjustments to the list. No new pictures this week, as there are no newly painted units.

 

Week 6:

Dwarves @ 1900

(pictures uploaded and in Photobucket: Photobucket link)

 

     Thane of Pain: 5 Str5 attacks, 2+ Armor save *General

     Runesmith: +1 attack GrWeapon, 2+ armor save, 1x rune spellbreaking

     Thane BSB: +1 str, +1 att, 1+ armor save

     15 Warriors, Full Command, hw+shield

     17 Longbeards, Musician, Veteran, HW/Shield/Great Weapon, Runic Standard (Imm Fear/Terror, MR1)

     17 Hammerers, Full Command, shields, Runic Standard (double unit strength, MR1)

     10 Thunderers, shields

     10 Thunderers, shields

     1 Cannon (burning, forging)

     1 Cannon (forging)

     1 Organ Gun

 

Week 7:

Dwarves @ 2000

(pictures uploaded and in Photobucket: Photobucket link)

Commentary:  I have been looking forward to the 2K mark for a while as I knew I would be adding an Anvil to my list this week. Let me first say, I have never played with an Anvil before joining this league and do not truly understand it. I have heard that it is cheese and that the Thorek Anvil is the worst kind of cheese. At the same time I have heard that the Anvil is a critical piece of a successfull dwarven army list.Due to the large aount of commentary on the Anvil, I am looking forward to seeing exactly how it works for me. I have spent the last week looking at two different lists that use the Anvil, trying to figure out which one I want to use. One is a pure gunline list, in line with the recommendations of other league players with Dwarf expierience. Everything in the list shoots. The other list (List B) is something I thought I may enjoy playing. This is a warrior focused list with combat units (Hammerers, Miners, Longbeards, Warriors) and fighty characters. The idea of List B has the Anvil working to alleviate fear/terror and primarily for the movement rune. Overall, I see more value to the list (from the anvil) in a gunline list, so that is what I will be trying out this week. I made this choice because the anvil seems to have a better place in a gunline, but also because this lets me use models I like and have not fielded yet. Namely my Master Engineer and Gyrocopter.

 

Durak's Gunline plus Anvil

 

     Runelord (1+ Armor, MRoBalance (anti magic), 1x SpellEater Rune (Dispel Scroll))

          Anvil of Doom

          2 Anvil Guards

     Runesmith (2+ Armor, +1 Str, +1 Att)

     Master Engineer (Flaming weapon, +1 Att, 3+ Armor, Rune of Luck (reroll))

     10 Thunderers, Shield, Musician

     10 Thunderers, Shield, Musician

     10 Thunderers, Shield, Musician

     Cannon, Engineer (Brace Pistols), Forging, Burning

     Cannon, Engineer (Brace Pistols), Forging

     Organ Gun

     Gyrocopter

     7 Miners, Musician, Blasting Charges

     7 Miners, Musician, Blasting Charges         

 

Week 8:

Dwarves @ 2200

(pictures uploaded and in Photobucket: Photobucket link)

Commentary: I got to see what the Anvil does in a game where my dice are on fire. I can see how this could be fun from time to time, but I think its back to the lists I enjoy a bit more. This week I return to a more balanced army and likely head back to the Loss/Draw column full time.

 

     Dwarf Lord, Shield Bearers, +1Att/Rune of Might/Great Weapon, +1Armor Armor rune, MRoSpite (4+ ward), imm to fire.

     Thane BSB: 2x +1str, 1+ armor save

     Runesmith: +1att/+1str weapon, +1 Armor save, Scroll

     Master Engineer: Breace Pistols, +1att/Flaming weapon, +1 Armor save, Reroll rune (Rune of luck)

     18x Longbeards, Full command, Rune of Courage (imm Fear & Terror)

     10x Thunderers, Musician, Shields

     10x Thunderers, Musician, Shields

     18x Hammerers, full command, Rune of Stoicism (double US)

     Cannon, (Forging/Burning), Engineer: brace pistols

     Cannon, (Forging), Engineer: brace pistols

     Organ Gun

     Gyrocopter

 

Week 9:

Dwarves @ 2400

(pictures uploaded and in Photobucket: Photobucket link)

Commentary: I did not get to play this week due to travel requirements for work. This is the list I had prepared.

Thorek + Anvil

          Kreggi

          Anvil Guards

     Thane BSB: +1 str/+2 Att, +1 Armor

     Master Engineer: Flaming weapon / +1 att, +1 Armor, Rune of Luck

     10x Thunderers, Shield, Musician

     10x Thunderers, Shield, Musician

     20x Hammerers, shields, full command

     20x Warrios, shields, full command

     10x Miners, full command, steam drill

     Cannon, (Forging/Burning), Engineer: brace pistols

     Cannon, (Forging), Engineer: brace pistols

     Organ Gun

     Gyrocopter

 

Week 10:

Dwarves @ 2500

(pictures uploaded and in Photobucket: Photobucket link)

Commentary: This is the final week fo the league and I am hoping to get some games in on Saturday. I will be traveling Tuesday (not able to play) and cannot play on Friday. With luck, I will be able to get in a couple games on Saturday!

Thorek + Anvil

          Kreggi

          Anvil Guards

     Thane BSB: +1 str/+2 Att, +1 Armor

     Master Engineer: Flaming weapon / +1 att, +1 Armor, Rune of Luck

     10x Thunderers, Shield, Musician

     10x Thunderers, Shield, Musician

     20x Hammerers, shields, full command

     20x Longbeards, shields, GW, full command

     15x Warrios, shields, full command

     Cannon, (Forging/Burning), Engineer: brace pistols

     Cannon, (Forging), Engineer: brace pistols

     Organ Gun

     Gyrocopter

 

Location

 

   1. GW Sugarland (Prefer)

   2. GPC

 

Statistics

 

Dwarf vs. Army Statistics

 

Army	W	L	D
Dark Elves	2	1	1
Lizardmen		2
Warriors of Chaos	2		1
Daemons of Chaos		1
High Elves		1
Vampire Counts		2	2
Skaven		1	2
Wood Elves	1	1

 

Week-by-Week Statistics:

 

Week	Level	Games	Points	W	L	D	Models	Painted	Drops	Casting Dice	Dispell Dice
Week 1	1,000	2	1,650	1	1	0	45	100%	7	2	5
Week 2	1,200	0	0	0	0	0	59	100%	8	2	5
Week 3	1,400	5	5,775	2	2	1	61	100%	9	2	5
Week 4	1,500	2	2,475	0	0	2	67	100%	10	2	5
Week 5	1,700	2	2,338	0	1	1	74	100%	11	2	5
Week 6	1,900	2	2,613	0	1	1	84	100%	11	2	5
Week 7	2,000	2	3,850	1	0	1	59	100%	10 (12)	2	8 (9)
Week 8	2,200	4	6,050	1	3	0	75	100%	12	2	5
Week 9	2,400	0	0	0	0	0	92	100%	12	2	7
Week 10	2,500	1	1,375	0	1	0	96	100%	12	2	7
Totals		20	26,125	5	9	6

 

 

Results

Week 1

Game 1 - Bill vs. Jon

Opponent Army: Lizardmen

Result: Loss

Record: 0 Win 1 Loss 0 Draw

Battle Report

 

Game 2 - Bill vs. Mike

Opponent Army: Dark Elves

Result: Win

Record: 1 Win 1 Loss 0 Draw

Battle Report

 

Week 2

     No games due to travel and bad scheduling. Need to make up ground during week 3.

 

Week 3

Game 1 - Bill vs. Jermy H

Opponent Army: Daemons

Result: Loss

Record: 1 Win 2 Loss 0 Draw

Battle Report

 

Game 2 - Bill vs. John C

Opponent Army: Warriors of Chaos

Result: Draw

Record: 1 Win 2 Loss 1 Draw

Battle Report

 

Game 3 - Bill vs. Chris S

Opponent Army: Warriors of Chaos

Result: Win

Record: 2 Win 2 Loss 1 Draw

Battle Report

 

Game 4 - Bill vs. Mike

Opponent Army: Dark Elves

Result: Win

Record: 3 Win 2 Loss 1 Draw

Battle Report

 

Game 5 - Bill vs. Sam

Opponent Army: High Elves

Result: Loss

Record: 3 Win 3 Loss 1 Draw

 

Week 4

Game 1 - Bill vs. Mike

Opponent Army: Dark Elves

Result: Draw

Record: 3 Win 3 Loss 2 Draw

 

Game 2 - Bill vs. Scott M

Opponent Army: Vampires

Result: Draw

Record: 3 Win 3 Loss 3 Draw

 

Week 5

Game 1 - Bill vs. Brian

Opponent Army: Vampire Counts

Result: Loss

Record: 3 Win 4 Loss 3 Draw

 

Game 2 - Bill vs. Richard

Opponent Army: Skaven

Result: Draw

Record: 3 Win 4 Loss 4 Draw

Battle Report

 

Week 6

Game 1 - Bill vs. Rich

Opponent Army: Skaven

Result: Loss

Record: 3 Win 5 Loss 4 Draw

 

Game 2 - Bill vs. Brian

Opponent Army: Vampire Counts

Result: Draw

Record: 3 Win 5 Loss 5 Draw

 

Week 7

Game 1 - Bill vs. Richard

Opponent Army: Skaven

Result: Draw

Record: 3 Win 5 Loss 6 Draw

Commentary: I have discovered I really like playing Rich. Our armies seem well matched and Rich is a fantastic opponent. For this game the Storm Banner really shined, shutting down my shooting from my turn 1 until Rich's turn 5. I also was greedy with my Anvil, trying for ancient power 4 times and mis-striking 3 losing 5 turns with the anvil.    

 

          Game 2 - Bill vs. Sean

Opponent Army: Wood Elves

Result: Win

Record: 4 Win 5 Loss 6 Draw     

Commentary: An excellent game, and my first vs Wood Elves in the league. My dice were on FIRE! 3 Ancient power strikes with the anvil and I could not fail a save with the rest of the army.

 

Week 8

Game 1 - Bill vs. Harry

Opponent Army: Lizards

Result: Loss

Record: 4 Win 6 Loss 6 Draw     

Commentary: Holy crap salamanders hurt. Also, a flank charge from a Steg is not nice (especially with a second Steg to the front). Overall, an excellent game and as Harry said "I learned alot about playing lizards!"

 

          Game 2 - Bill vs. Mike

Opponent Army: Dark Elves

Result: Loss

Record: 4 Win 7 Loss 6 Draw

Commentary: I wasn't tabled since I still had 1 model left on the table. Massacre goes to Mike. A well played game!

 

Game 3 - Bill vs. Jay

Opponent Army: Chaos Mortals

Result: Win

Record: 5 Win 7 Loss 6 Draw

                    Commentary: Enjoyable game. I launched a charge which lost me my General, but still pulled out a win on the game. I made several armor saves and was definatly rolling above average.

 

Game 4 - Bill vs. Scott M

Opponent Army: Vampires

Result: Loss

Record: 5 Win 8 Loss 6 Draw

                    Commentary: Tabled....... all I can say is Blood Knights = Holy Ouch batman!

 

Week 9

     Commentary: No Tuesday games this week, not sure if I will be able to play. I will be travelling for work from Tuesday until Friday morning. Red Eye back on Thursday Night, bleh!

 

Week 10

     Commentary: I am hoping my schedule cooperates and I am able to get in some games on Saturday!

     Game 1 - Bill vs. Sean

Opponent Army: Wood Elves

Result: Loss

Record: 5 Win 9 Loss 6 Draw     

          Commentary: Wow this was a great game! The Anvil was charged and Kraggi (Thoreks helper with only light armor) was targetted for attacked every round for 5 combat rounds. He just would not           go down! Finally Kraggi fell to killing blow the same round that Thorek ate war-dancer sword in a challenge! Overall a very good, very bloody game.