The battle between the Empire of Dust and that of Man intensifies! When we last witnessed this epic clash, Shobik himself managed to set a trap for the unwary humans. While the valiant Guardians had been sacrificed, they were promptly avenged by the great war beasts of the Ahmunti.
Suddenly another opportunity presented itself to the right of Shobik. The original plan had been to cede control of that flank to the advancing spearmen, knights and demon.
However, it appeared that the unit of knights could be isolated and destroyed in a series of maneuvers. The idea came to me as I pondered the limitations of shambling, and the benefits of Casket of the Dammed.
I attempted to target the unit of knights with the Skeleton Cavalry archers and the Soul Snare to weaken it as much as possible in the shooting phase. In addition, I wanted to take advantage of the +2 dice that the nearby Monolith would offer. Finally, a magic booster that would work (lookin' at you, Hierotitan).
I didn't realize at this point that you cannot do multiple spells per turn with the same unit. I also underestimated the power of the Casket of the Dammed. Had I known that it was 5 dice and not one, I would have used that to move the chariots instead of the Cursed High Priest! This would have let me save the Breath spell that I had purchased for him. Again, lesson learned, so I will not forget again!!
Just the knowledge that such a multi-phase operation is possible with my old Tomb Kings thrilled me to no end! One very happy Jimmy.
As you can see, I wasn't able to do that set of maneuvers quite the way I thought. The Chariots were taken down by the knights, but the lesson was learned.
Unfortunately, the Cursed High Priest was just barely in the arc of the Tank. Only the nearby Monolith could save the Priest now! While his wrappings were badly singed in the attack, he managed to escape, to wreak havoc as the battle would reach its height.
It was at this moment that things looked darkest for the Sons of Shobik. The General seemed about to charge the Scavengers, which would destroy them. The rest of the forces of Men were moving forward in an arc, anchored by the Flagellants in the center. Little did I know what kind of power those whackjobs could wield.
However, what remained for the Empire of Dust was still powerful and mobile, and it held the exterior flanks on both sides. Could this positioning be used to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat?
Soon, these benefits would take their toll on the forces of Men, foolish and impetuous child creatures! Shobik was ancient long before the oldest of Men were born. Now those mobile units would go on the attack, and the terrifying magic of the Soul Snare and High Priest would see off one hapless unit after another.
Continuing the primary tactic of isolate and destroy, the Flagellants unwieldy horde formation was not turned against them. Hit from the side by the Worm riders, and from the front by the Bone Dragon and Scavengers, they suffered massive wounds. The Spearmen units fled the field one by one, as magic and bow fire tore into their ranks.
Finally, Shobik personally dealt with the Tank, his great scythe cleaving it in two.
Fortunately for the Archers, they were Elite, so this collection of ones on ten dice would not be the undoing of the Warriors of Dust.
With the Beast and the unit of Knights defeated, the advantage in numbers was declining rapidly for the usurpers. They were being assaulted from all sides, hit by forces they could not comprehend.
However, they were still dangerous, as they had brought with them daemonic allies.
Shobik knew that he must bind this massive threat to himself, thus allowing his troops to destroy the Flagellants, Spearmen, and the standard bearer. Once again, the multi phase synergy of the Empire of Dust proved the key, as they could strike from anywhere.
The Cursed High Priest immolated the standard bearer, and the Skeleton Archer Cavalry dealt the final wounds to the Spearmen.
Shobik stood in front of the Monolith, which told the tale of the Second corruption of Pseusennes, the damnation of their Empire, and the centuries of questing invaders into their lands.
Alas, the Monolith could not prevent the 'destruction' of Shobik.
However, the General found himself alone, surrounded by bow, beasts, and magic. He and his Daemonic ally chose to leave the field, and return with a new, more deadly army.
Who knows what kind of horrid abominations he might conjure for the next meeting with Pseusennes' Legions. But the forces of Dust have gathered, and stories are passing from one terrified village and town to another of vast ranks of skeletal creatures, armed with all manner of bows and magical scythes.
Great beasts with skin of scaley blue march beside them, creating a sense of dread as they move unerringly forward.
This is another aspect of Kings of War which makes me very happy. I have been able to create multiple army lists with a huge amount of variety, since I can truly access that synergy between the units. The magic items are the 'glue' between these units, making what seems like an ordinary unit have a very specific role in the army... or boosting its power.
There are units which I have never used in the previous system, and others that I never even made, which will now see action.
I have some work ahead of me reworking the formations and the movement trays, but this is very appealing to me! While these new trays will not use the kind of diorama multibasing my other in progress armies will have, they should still be interesting to the eye!
Ah... all that fightin' makes a Pharaoh hungry. I believe the name of the establishment if Fratello's, which had all kinds of fantastic things on the menu. Years had passed since I last had a Gyro, so this was delicious!
I look forward to the next Kings of War battle at Draxtar games. Head on out to Batavia and check out what's on tap!
