WMHC2: Irusk’s Ironfangs 750pts

by Ken “CygnarWarlord” Sieffert

Uhlan Kapitan Stradov reigned his in mount near Kommandant Irusk’s. “Sir, we have encountered what is left of Kommander Zerkova’s forces. It looks like the trolls did a fair bit of damage.”

Irusk’s ageless face showed neither like or dislike of this news. Many years on the field of battle had taught him to accept loss as an opportunity to snatch victory later. “Have Zerkova’s litter brought to me as soon as she is able to present herself.” The Kapitan snapped a salute and wheeled his horse about leaving Irusk with his thoughts. He unrolled a map tube and laid it out across the pommel of his saddle. He traced his lean fingers across the velum finally stopping to point at a valley about ten leagues from his current position. He pondered the layout of the field of battle in his mind. He played out scenario after scenario. Of course, he had many battle reports of the way the trolls fought.

However, the trolls seemed to fight unpredictably with seemingly unorganized leadership. What they lacked in leadership they more than made up for in savagery. Raising his eyes from the map he saw Zerkova approach with her head bowed in shame. Her remaining forces trailed after her bandaged and wounded. She herself wore her arm in a sling, a testament of a leader willing to lead in battle but lacking in the experience to know when discretion was the better part of valour.

Zerkova’s horse sidled beside Irusk’s. She nodded her head as way of salute in lieu of her bloodied arm. She began ashamedly, “Kommandant. I have failed our Empress and you. I led my forces into a position that I could not defend and suffered defeat as a result.” A little colour returned to her face as anger swept over it. She seethed, “Those animals are now tearing apart that temple and probably lack the minds to know the import of what they desecrate.” Irusk raised an eyebrow at her emotional outburst. Zerkova continued, “Sir, grant me enough forces to go back and secure that temple. I’m fit for battle and will die doing the Empress’ bidding.”

Irusk shifted his eyes towards the wounded men marching in the opposite position of his own. “My dear Aleksandra. You are indeed worthy of the uniform but need to learn patience is a warrior’s greatest asset. You let your personal desires control your actions. You use the name of our Empress as your banner but seek artifacts and ancient knowledge that you barely understand. I understand your zeal but we need to be focused on the greater prize. Learn that men and machine are our tools. Learn to use those tools to achieve greater victory. Do not sacrifice them for the unknown.” He paused to let his Zerkova ponder his words. “Aleksandra, you will rise from your own ashes. Of that I have no doubt. However, for now, return to Korsk. Nurse your wounds. Document your experiences. Analyze those experiences and ultimately learn from your own mistakes.” He again looked at the map then carefully rolled it up once more. “You heal. I’ve got to explain to these trolls that they should not dare disrespect the power of our Motherland.” He nodded in quiet respect of his pupil and wheeled about.

Raising his clear voice in the cold autumn morning he called out, “Men, we go to fight an unpredictable enemy. Remember your training. Remember your brothers and they will provide you with strength. For our Empress and the Motherland!” All around him shouts of patriotism resounded off into the distant woods and low lying hills.

Irusk’s Ironfangs

For this time around I’ve moved away from my Greylord deepfreeze list. Don’t get me wrong. I don’t think I could field any point value of Khador without at least one unit of Greylords and this army is no exception. My choice for warcaster this time around was Kommandant Irusk. I particularly like Irusk’s back story and his fighting style. I love intelligent commanders in games and in fiction. I also don’t mind fielding large amounts of troops and this of course plays into Irusk’s strengths. His ability to manipulate the battlefield through his Inhospitable Ground spell is a game breaker in some scenarios. On top, Superiority is one of the greatest warjack boosting spells in the game granting no knock down, +2 move, +2 def and +2 mat. This spell on Beast-09 is pure awesome. He can make average troops great and make devastating troops obscene. His feat creates a better hitting, hard hitting punch with the potential to survive any counterattack the following turn.

My painting challenge was to complete a full unit of Ironfang Uhlans. Five mounts and five riders is a daunting task and this competition gave me an opportunity to get them the heck off my painting table. The sixth mount I had to paint belonged to Kovnik Markov to give my Uhlans that extra little bit of oomph and fearless. The seventh mount belongs to the Drakhun. My force is mobile, fast (Khador fast?) and damaging. Seven horses on the field just looks impressive if nothing else.

To continue, I am fielding a full unit -1 of Ironfang Pikemen plus Unit Attachment. Hard hitting, shield walled troops are always a bonus. To finish off my Pikemen, I am using a unit that used to be Pikemen. Of course, I’m referring to the Great Bears. These guys are my crutch and the crutch of nearly every Khador player since they came out. These guys hit as hard as warjacks and with a few lucky rolls don’t die or even fall down for that matter when on the receiving end of a beating.

The last parts of my army are my ponderously slow Man-o-Wars. However, shield walled Armour 21, 8 wound models are nothing to scoff at. As body guards you can’t do much better. They also sit on objectives quite well. A unit of Greylord Ternion rounds out my list to give me a little screening, the potential to freeze and some nice spray templates on units that get a little too close.