Game 84: Issyria vs Damiano

Game 84 – Vs Mark Ellis – Mercenaries – 30/08/17

My list:

Issyria, Sibyl of Dawn (Shadows of the Retribution)

-Hemera

-Sphynx

-Chimera

Arcanist Mechanik

Mage Hunter Assassin

Mage Hunter Assassin

Narn, Mage Hunter of Ios

Spears of Scyrah

-Soulless Escort

Max Mage Hunter Strike Force

-Commander

Max Mage Hunter Strike Force

Max Mage Hunter Infiltrators

-Eiryss, Mage Hunter Commander

His List:

Captain Damiano (The Kingmaker’s Army)

-Nomad

-Nomad

-Buccaneer

Orin Midwinter, Rogue Inquisitor

Kell Bailoch

Stannis Brocker

Min Steelhead Halberdiers

Min Steelhead Halberdiers

Max Trencher Infantry

-Officer & Sniper

-Rifle Grenadier

-Rifle Grenadier

Max Trencher Infantry

-Officer & Sniper

-Rifle Grenadier

-Rifle Grenadier

Min Boomhowlers

Nationals are getting ever closer now and I’m still not really any clearer as to my third list. While I tried to work that out Mark threw down his Damiano list again. My last game with Issyria into it was a disaster, but mainly because I didn’t understand the threat ranges, so I wanted to give it another try to see if it has game when I understand the match up better. This time I won the roll to go first, and got moving.

Whatever happens I know I’m going to lose a load of models on Mark’s first turn, so I might as well make him work for it. Everything runs up to varying extents: the Infiltrators sit just outside of aiming range of the right unit of Trenchers, while the AD Mage Hunters move to just outside 11” of the left unit. The 2 Mage Hunter Assassins are vital to my game plan and so run hard up the flanks ready to dig out models next turn as required. The picture below was taken before remembering to move the left assassin.

Despite my attempted precautions I lose far more models than I thought. Damiano casts Deadeye on the right unit and Sure Foot on the left before moving up into the centre of the board. Mark chooses not to knock him down this turn and instead creates a wall out of his 2 Nomads. The Trenchers open fire, the left unit using Assault to get into range of my unit, and the right just advancing up into range. I lose 9 Infiltrators and a handful of Mage Hunters.

Mark not Knocking Down Damiano gives me an assassination opportunity, and not liking the look of the attrition game I decide to go for it. My jacks and any infantry without a crossbow clear out the centre of the table, allowing Hemera to reposition within 5” of Damiano to apply Mark the Target. Issyria feats before I start shooting. Eiryss goes first to strip off his single Focus and dealing a bit of damage, before the left unit use their mini-feat and start shooting. 6 get shots in but 2 miss and Damiano is left on 3 boxes. Due to the right unit not having a UA only one can get a shot in, which sadly misses. I was all in on the assassination and so concede.

DEFEAT

I will beat this list at some point! This assassination felt pretty good. Assuming that Eiryss hits, the odds were 82% and I’d take that any day of the week, the dice just weren’t with me this time. I’m going to have to accept that I can’t write a list that covers all the multitude of questions that Mercenaries can ask, and that if I face them at an even there is going to be an element of list chicken to the match up. Think I’d rather just dodge them to be honest.