The Swindon 2007 Warhammer Fantasy Campaign

Paul Nettle (Dwarfs) vs Martin Powell (Vampire Counts)

Against the Vampires I wanted to dominate the magic phase, so a Runesmith with the Master Rune of Balance was taken as my General. To take out banshees and any Black Coaches I took a Bolt Thrower with the Rune of Penetrating, and to ensure maximum advantage against a fear causing enemy I used the Battle Standard Bearer with the Rune of Stoicism.

Dwarfs

General, Runesmith, Hand Weapon, Gromril Armour, Shield. Runic Talisman, Master Rune of Balance.

Thane, BSB, Hand Weapon, Gromril Armour, Runic Standard, Rune of Stoicism.

23 Dwarf Warriors, Shields, Full Command

23 Dwarf Warriors, Shields, Full Command

10 Handgunners, Shields, Musician

10 Handgunners, Shields, Musician

10 Rangers, Great Weapons, Shields

19 Slayers

Bolt Thrower, Rune of Penetrating, Engineer, Brace of Pistols

Bolt Thrower, Engineer, Brace of Pistols

Organ Gun

Aftermath

We didn’t actually count up the points. The Vampire Counts had been utterly destroyed for the loss of 10 Thunderers and a Bolt Thrower. It was a clear Dwarf victory.

Things the camera missed:

All my initial shooting was directed at the Grave Guard, whom I took down to just 9 figures. In combat I never killed a single Grave Guard, but combat resolution destroyed them.

I warned Martin that I would shoot his characters if they didn’t get into a unit, but he was intent on getting off a magic missile with one of his two necromancers. I duly shot the Necromancer dead, and it turned out he was carrying the cursed book. Without this, the combats would have been far more difficult.

The Black Knights re-entered the table, but, unable to march, had to stop one inch away from the Slayers. The Slayers charged, and some unlucky armour-save dice rolling my Martin, plus combat resolution, destroyed the Black Knights.

The Dire Wolves re-entered the table, but I rolled an ‘eight’ for the Organ Gun and the Dire Wolves were destroyed.

Vampire Counts are a really difficult army to play at less than 2,000 points, especially against Dwarfs, and I hope the new army book makes them a better bet at this level. Thanks to Martin for a friendly game played in an excellent spirit.