LH’s WarmaHordes Challenge!!!

First we brought you March Madness, and we followed it up with the Summer of Love. Well, it’s time once again for Lost Hemisphere to take you on a little sojourn through our realm, as we embrace a bold and exciting future and take a look at the joys of miniature gaming.

Now, you’ve seen me prattle on about Warmachine and Hordes in the past, so I won’ t bore you with the details, but I’ll give you the specifics of the challenge.

Some months back, No Quarter (the official Warmachine/Hordes magazine produced by Privateer Press) hosted a Studio Challenge. Four members of their studio each started armies, growing from the beginning level 350 pts lists all the way to larger scale 1000 pts. The catch? EVERYTHING has to be fully painted.

Thus all the participants will end up with a complete 1000 pt army in the end, fully painted and shiny and nifty.

What can you expect?

At each stage – 350, 500, 750, 1000 - we’ll present for you the armies as they stand, along with lots of pretty pics and commentary from the players.

We’ll also provide battle reports so you can get an idea of how everyone’s faring, as they play it out and try to win the trophy. Yup, I’m doing a trophy. I’m geeky like that.

What factions are being played?

Protectorate of Menoth and Cryx are representing Warmachine. From Hordes we have Circle Orboros, Trollbloods, and two separate Legion of Everblight armies. For your convenience, each of the players has written up a quick blurb on their chosen faction and why they’re playing it below.

KEG PARTY
Faction: Trollbloods
Warlock: Borka Kegslayer
Player: Jason (Gorilla) 

For the challenge I wanted to get my long planned “Kegger” into full swing and of course had to start my tough as nails Trollbloods off with the pimp daddy of Warlocks, Borka Kegslayer, and his trusty sidekick and favourite beverage suppliers, Tap and Mug.

Unlike Gdaybloke, there was no waffling over Borka, I’ve liked the idea behind him since I first read his story. He is big, mean, has a pyg follow him around with a keg and has another strapped to his belt. Who wouldn’t love a Troll with a beat up, fur collared biker jacket and a cod piece with two bombs hanging from it! He’s one of the main reasons that Severius is so grumpy due to his loud all night drink fests where he earns the name Kegslayer while listening to his favourite metal band “Menofix” on 11!

He’s low on the control scale for Warbeasts with only 5 fury that he can reave per turn and has little in the way of spells, but what he does have really suits him. Mosh Pit is one of the best for help in pushing around any would be party crashers. He can put some serious hurt on whoever doesn’t get out of his way with his man sized club Trauma. Get him liguored up with his Keg and watch the squeamish run to get out of his way.

THE LOST CRUSADE
Faction: Protectorate of Menoth
Warcaster: Grand Scrutator Severius
Player: Chris (Gdaybloke)

For the challenge I wanted to play the Protectorate of Menoth – a nation of crusaders, zealots and shiny white warjacks, out to purify the heretics by faith and flame.

I admit I spent some time waffling about which warcaster to use, trying to decide which would best fit the mental image I had, while at the same time not being impossible for me to master. In the end, I went with Grand Scrutator Severius, the man who would be Heirarch.

Severius’ appeal to me is pretty simple: He’s the grumpy old man of Warmachine.

He may not fight as well as Kreoss, or sling spells as well as the Harbinger, or command warjacks as well as Reznik, but he packs a solid array of abilites and spells, including buffs and offensive tricks, and in the end no warcaster fits the “Get off my lawn!” theme better than Severius. That just amused the snot out of me.

JUNGLE DRUMS
Faction: Legion of Everblight
Warlock: Thagrosh, Prophet of Everblight
Player: Derrick (Moonova)

So orignally I was to play Menoth but I just couldn’t get my mind around the Harbinger, After staring at Thagrosh while attempting to assemble the Harbinger I kept thinking “I want him, I really like him, High Fury, big weapon things he hits go BOOM. How cool is that, Menoth says follow us or face the wrack no no no Thagrosh is much simpler come to the Blight or die”.

Once Ogrun but no more, still maintaining their strength, Thagrosh is one of the hardest hitting ‘locks/’casters in the game. He doesn’t play like a scalpel but rather a hammer – and a sledge hammer at that. With Mutagenesis his slow movement of 5 is changed to 8, allowing him to open up unexpected charge lanes. Given a Harrier animus he will never miss those high defense casters, and a Shredder/ Carnivean will help him increase his low/mid range def/arm.

Yes ,this mighty Prophet is just chomping at the bit in anticipation of giving Severius, Borka and others the taste of true RAPTURE.

NAUGHTY BY NATURE
Faction: Circle Orboros
Warlock: Morvahna the Autumnblade
Player: Kyle (X)

Before joining this challenge I had already started collecting models for a Circle army as I wanted an army that had a lot of board control, something that none of my previous armies had. I was originally going to take my sweet time putting this army together but that’s not going to happen now that I’m in the challenge.

The main reason for choosing Morvahna was the simple reason that no other Circle players in my area where useing her and I wanted something different from everyone else. I like the idea of a Warlock that can ‘in theory’ run without any beasts and for the first 350 point games I will be using her beast light. I figure I’ll see if I like playing her that way or not, which will help me decide how to further build my army.

I’ve painted Morvahna using a brown/green color scheme. The green of her cloak is planned to be the predominant color of my army however it will be up for whimsy to decide overall color choice for each unit, solo, and beast.

Morvahna, the Autumnblade, watches and waits. The enemies of the Circle are safe… for now…

NINJA ATTACK!
Faction: Legion of Everblight
Warlock: Rhyas, Sigil of Everblight
Player: Paul (TheUltimate)

Legion was always the faction I was gonna paint and play for this challenge, there was absolutely no doubt in my mind. The dragonspawn theme immediately grabbed my attention and never let go the moment I saw the factions models. Once I read some of their backstory, I was sold and have never regretted it since!

My warlock of choice, Rhyas, is a stealthy ninja that likes to bring the fight to you, decapitating you with her sword Antiphon. Shes quick, stealthy, a master in melee combat and really helps out her fellow warriors on the battlefield. She’s hard to catch, jumping through ranks of infantry, striking deep into the heart of the army and the opposing army’s leader. This is one of the reasons she appeals to me - she brings it to you like no one elses business!

She has a low fury stat of 5, but that doesn’t mean her beasts are on a short leash, since shes usually right in the front with them! Her high defense, ability to move through other models and fast paced gameplay make the games go quickly! Nothing will stop her from reaching any of these other warlocks or warcasters, making them wish they had not crossed the likes of Rhyas and her trusty Antiphon.

PALE SHADOWS
Faction: Cryx
Warcaster: Warwitch Deneghra
Player: Joe (Vaz)

The dark bride of the Cryx, the Warwitch Deneghra is my chosen champion in this contest. With the ability to widely de-buff the opposition as well as useful control and continuous effect spells, Deneghra is able to seriously hinder her opponents plans. With stealth and a pet jack that is a Nightmare to any it sets its dark heart on, it can be certain there will be wars played out on my terms. With stealth also on the Nightmare, and plenty of other models in the Cryx model line which also have this rule, my early theme for this challenge is stealth. Dark and dirty, doomed is the foe who thinks they can avoid coming to me.

I have enjoyed the Cryx models since I first came into Warmachine on the internet years ago. Now is the time to put this undead army on the table and collect the souls of those who stand against me. The Cryx appeal to me from a modeling aspect especially with the option for both dark and evil, as well as corroded and rusted armors.

My foes will join my ranks as new thralls in service to the timeless schemes of the Dragon Father. 

 

So… after all that…

What’s in it for you?

Ah, gentle Lost… not only do you get to enjoy a series of army building articles and battle reports and commentaries, but it would hardly be a Lost Hemisphere event at all if I didn’t offer up something for you, would it?

Each round, the participants will be squaring off. That means what we have here is an opportunity for you to see if you can’t predict the winners and the difference in their scores in Victory Points.

Make the most correct guesses, be top of the ladder in the end and I’ll send your way one of the following:

- One (1) Blister of Warmachine/Hordes, value $20 or less (painted or unpainted, your choice)
Or
- Two (2) TPB’s taken from the Bookshelf Of Books in the Gdaycave
Or
- The equivalent value in VS rares and prize cards

As we prepare for each round I’ll be posting threads at Hobby Kingdom’s forums, and I’ll be updating links both here and at Privateer Press’ forums. Make your pics, win a little something for your troubles.

What’s next?

Over the next week or so we’ll be showcasing each army’s starting 350pts. The players will discuss the reasons for their choices, and generally natter on, and you can glean what you will from there to help you make your pics.

After that, it’ll be on to the first round of games! Whoo!

I hope you enjoy Lost Hemisphere’s WarmaHordes challenge, and you’ll stick with us as we try to meet unreasonable painting deadlines (set by yours truly, of course).

Play like you’ve got a pair!