Game 17: Helynna vs Stryker2

Game 17 – Vs Mark Ellis – Cygnar – 26/04/17

My list:

Helynna (Forges of War)

-Sylys

-Helios

-Helios

-Hyperion

Arcanist

Arcanist

Artificer

His List:

Lord Commander Stryker

-Squire

-Ironclad

-Ironclad

-Ol’ Rowdy

-Centurion

-Hammersmith

Archduke Alain Runewood

Captain Arlan Strangeways

Journeyman Warcaster

-Sentinel

Max Sword Knights

-Officer and Standard Bearer

I feel pretty confident with my Helynna list into shooty or control Cygnar but had the opportunity to play it into one of their more aggressive casters in Stryker 2, with a load of melee warjacks and Sword Knights for a screen. With Stryker himself having the potential to one round a heavy I needed to get well ahead to have a chance in this game.

I won first turn and ran up aggressively, not even needing to cast Deceleration from Helynna. Mark ran up with Deceleration up to protect against Hyperion’s guns and Arcane Shield on the Centurion, making it seem almost impossible for me to 1 round it.

After looking at the game and contemplating my options I spot that there is a pretty certain assassination against Stryker. After the Arcanists have done their thing the left Helios has 2 focus, the Hyperion has 3 and Concentrated Power and the right Helios has 3. Helynna receives Arcane Secrets, charges a Sword Knight (missing her attack) and casts Hand of Destruction on Stryker. The 2 Helios then need to land 3 pushes on Stryker (with the 1^st being absorbed by the Sentinel) to push him 6 inches forward into range of the Hyperion. I get a bit shaky when the right Helios misses 2 of the 3 attacks with boosts meaning that the left cannot afford to fail. He hits both boosted hits pushing the caster into position. Hyperion charges in, boosts his attack roll and with my only damage roll of the game kills Stryker.

VICTORY

I had never really considered the assassination potential of this Helynna list, tending to use her to gain an attrition advantage and then ride that to victory, but this game shows how devastating it can be against a caster who wants to play forward. I was very pleased to see this other side to the list and will bear it in mind for future games against unwary opponents.